#look i just love the idea of them lying on the hood of their truck in the middle of the night sharing a beer and looking at the open sky | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

currebunz · 1 year

Text

Ch 8. Don’t scare me like that again!

Buy me a coffee //Parings: Vash x reader, Nicholas x reader It became quickly apparent that the backseat was becoming crowded. With Nicholas in the back too, you struggled to find space. Both Vash and Nicholas had leg space that ate away at yours. Sitting upright and proper wasn’t really your style but there wasn’t much room otherwise.

“Nico make some more space, you are hogging the seat” you scolded him.

“Ha? I’m not hogging. Why don’t you ask needle-noggin to move over?” Nicholas asked.

“He’s already moved over enough” you huffed.

“Calm down you two” Vash smiled as he tried to make more space for you.

Eventually, you three reached a settlement that allowed everyone to have enough space. Granted Vash and Nicholas were turned toward the windows. You found yourself leaning into either of them with each occasional bump. Vash showed a more awkward and shy side, excusing himself despite him not being at fault. Nicholas merely teased you about sitting in his lap.

The truck began to slow as Meryl went over a large dune. There were large pieces of metal sticking out of the sands. At first, it just looked like regular debris. But then the pieces began to look more whole.

“Where are we?” Meryl asked.

“This is a graveyard” Roberto began.

“Graveyard?!” Meryl squeaked.

“Not for people, for lost technology. They say that there are graveyards where some of the ships had broken down or living facilities that broke down were scraped in. You could call it a scrap yard, but no one comes by here for anything” he continued.

“Isn’t lost technology rare?” Meryl asked.

“You’re welcome to look around if you can actually get any of this stuff to work” Roberto added.

The structures you had passed were all destroyed, whether it be upon impact or over time. The area was desolate in terms of life. If there had been skeletons then they had been swallowed up by the sands. It somehow looked even more dead than the rest of the planet.

“You know, some say that these places are haunted by the spirits of the dead. People have gone missing in these parts, only to show up dead if they are lucky” Roberto continued with a haunting voice.

Meryl shivered and made a weak sound, you weren’t phased by the man’s story and simply looked through the front windows. For a moment, you thought you saw someone standing up ahead. You blinked and the figure was gone. You were so perplexed you didn’t notice the truck begin to stall. It slowed to a stop, Meryl tried everything to get the truck moving again but nothing worked.

“The truck won’t start…” she said.

“It must be the ghosts!.....or a dead battery” Roberto said.

Everyone climbed out of the truck while Roberto took a look under the hood. Nicholas lit a cigarette, looking over the place.

“Lovely place for sightseeing, don’t you think?” he mused.

“Looking to scrap your punisher?” you teased.

Nicholas gave you a dry look, not willing to even humor the idea. Vash was looking around, a solemn look on his face. He was staring at a structure that was still put together, more so than the others.

“What’s up? Looking for ghosts?” you asked.

“No, this was a Seeds ship. I never knew one was all the way out here…” Vash said.

It was like he was transfixed on the rubble, he didn’t look away even when he spoke to you.

“A what?” you asked him.

“Oh, it’s just something from a long time ago. It’s not really important, just something I learned about” Vash laughed awkwardly as he finally looked away.

You held his gaze for a moment, staring through those orange-tinted sunglasses and into his blue eyes.

“You aren’t very good at lying,” you said before walking back over to the truck.

Vash watched you go, his lips trembling as he wanted to tell you the truth. He wasn’t sure why he was losing his cool. Was it because of what he had done in the inn room? Or was it because Nicholas appeared? He couldn’t help this overwhelming feeling in him. He took a deep breathe, now wasn’t the time for that.

“Any luck on the truck?” you asked.

“Well, there isn’t anything wrong with the battery or the rest of it, odd that we can’t get it to hold a charge” Roberto explained.

“Nothing seems to work, we can always push it but who knows how long we’d have to go” Meryl continued.

“We should check the place out, maybe we’ll find something good here?” Nicholas suggested with a grin.

You began to search the area for anything that might be helpful. To you, it just looked like junk for miles. There was no telling what you would find out here, you weren’t expecting much. You felt the sand give way and you stepped on a metal surface. There was a part of the ship that had sunken into the sand.

“I think I found something!” you announced.

Vash and Nicholas were the first to come over, looking at the door. It didn't look like it had opened for ages. You tried kicking the door but nothing happened.

“Well that is something, not much considering it is locked” Nicholas whistled.

You ignored his comment as you searched for some way to open the door. Vash slid down to where you were, looking as well.

“There should be a way to open it with a touch,” he said.

He dusted the sand out of the day, finding a smooth surface that was blank. He put his hand against it, but the door remained shut.

“Well, it was worth a shot,” he grinned.

“It’s okay, thanks for trying” you said as you put your hand on top of his.

Vash’s expression turned soft at your touch, he couldn’t help but feel when you were like this with him. You were captivated by his smile, not wanting to move either.

“Ay dios mío, Get a room you two” Nicholas whistled.

You grimaced at him, sticking your tongue out.

“Yeah? Well maybe we will!” you yelled.

“W-We will?” Vash repeated.

Just then, the door you had been standing on opened.

“Eh?”

“Ah”

You and Vash screamed as you plummeted down into the ship.

“Seven! Needle-noggin!” Nicholas jumped after you both, managing to slip in just before the doors shut.

You were still holding on to Vash as you both fell. The darkness made it hard for you to see, but you at least knew he was with you. It was like being in the worm all over again. Your free falling stopped when you hit a large pile of sand, sliding down onto the floor. Vash still held your hand tightly, his eyes wide in shock.

“AAAAHHHHH!” Nicholas came falling after, hitting the sand hard as the punisher landed next to him.

You and Vash dusted yourselves off, waiting for Nicholas to meet you at the bottom. He shook sand from his hair and groaned as he stood up.

“Could you two stop leading me into deep holes already?” he grumbled.

Vash took out his flashlight, shining it around the place. You followed the light, trying to figure out where you were.

“Hey! Don’t ignore me” Nicholas continued as he pulled Punisher from the sand.

Just like the outside, the inside of the ship was run down and covered in dust. It looked untouched for a good decade or two. There wasn’t much down there, a few worms and other insects but nothing to be alarmed about. It was still eerily quiet and haunting down there. The darkness was hardly welcoming.

“We should try and find a way out,” Vash suggested.

“How are you so sure there is a way out?” you asked.

“We won’t know until we try,” he smiled.

There was that usual positivity again. Although, it brought you some comfort. You had an uneasy feeling about this place. There was something about it that put you on edge. As you walked through the area, your head began to ache. Vash and Nicholas appeared to be okay, leaving you to wonder if it was only you.

“I’m not seeing any light at the end of the tunnel here” Nicholas sighed.

It was true, your group had passed by empty rooms and dusty equipment. Nothing looked salvageable and it wasn’t as if you needed anything. You rubbed at your eyes, something white had flickered across your vision.

‘Did you guys see that?” you asked.

“No” Vash shook his head.

“Oh no, Seven’s hallucinating now” Nicholas said.

“I’m not hallucinating, or at least I don’t think so” you argued.

There wasn’t any reason for you to be hallucinating right now. You shook off the feeling as you entered a large area. You couldn’t see past the initial darkness, Vash’s flashlight barely made a difference.

“I didn’t think you were scared of the dark, Seven” Nicholas chuckled.

“I’m not?” you weren’t sure what he meant.

“Then, why are you holding my hand?” Nicholas asked.

You brought up both of your hands, showing that you weren’t holding Nicholas’s hand. He lifted his hand and showed a tendril was wrapped around it. It took you a moment to realize what it was before you all jumped back screaming.

“What the hell is that?!” Nicholas shouted.

“I-I don’t know! It was touching you!” you yelled.

“Whatever it is, it’s coming back!” Vash warned.

A slithering sound echoed in the room as the tendril circled you all. Nicholas unwrapped the punisher and Vash took out his gun. When a tendril came close, the two began shooting. You had your knife ready, cutting at the tendrils that tried to sneak up on you. It was an endless supply of them, more and more coming and forming a wall as they got closer.

“This isn’t good! We don’t have an endless supply of bullets!” Nicholas warned.

“We need a different strategy!” Vash agreed.

You saw a doorway to the left of the room and ran for it.

“This way!” you shouted.

Vash and Nicholas began backing up toward the doorway. Nicholas cleared first, Punisher fitting through. Vash was just nearly there when a tendril caught his leg.

“Vash!” you ran over to try and cut it but tendrils more appeared.

They grabbed his other leg, wrapping up his waist. You grabbed his arm, your hand slipped off his coat so you were now clutching his hand. Even with you pulling, it wasn’t enough to break him free.

“Seven! Let go!” Vash demanded.

“What? No, I’m not letting go!” you argued.

Even with the tendrils approaching, you had no intention of letting go. Vash wore a strained smile as his hand relaxed in your grip.

“No, no! Don’t you give up on me!” you begged him.

Vash’s hand slipped through your grasp as he disappeared into the darkness.

“Vash!” you screamed as the door shut in front of you.

Nicholas had shot the controls, forcing the doors to close. You could still hear the tendrils moving, slowly growing distant.

“Why….Why did you do that?” you asked.

“You saw what we were up against! It was the only choice” Nicholas said.

“But Vash!” you began.

“He’ll be fine! You think that idoita would get killed that easily?” he argued.

“That’s not the point and you know it!” you yelled.

Nicholas clicked his tongue, turning around and pushing you against the wall.

“What are you-” your voice died when you met his eyes.

“What’s wrong with you? Ever since we met back up, you haven’t been yourself” he said.

You couldn’t find the words to reply, it was a worry you had yourself.

“Since we started this job, I told you we had to only look out for each other. Worrying about other people will get you killed. And here you are, going back on everything we upheld up to now. I don’t know what that needle-noggin told you but you need to wake up. The reality of the situation is that we’re still here and he isn’t” Nicholas said firmly.

You hesitated, of course you knew that, the feelings inside you hadn’t changed. But ever since you met Vash, it felt like missing part of you was returning. You grabbed Nicholas’s wrist, holding it tightly.

“You’re right, we’re still here. If you were so gung-ho about leaving him behind then you would’ve grabbed me and ran away the moment the doors closed. You want to help him too” you argued.

Nicholas kept his hard gaze, seemingly unwavering until a sigh left him.

“I forgot how much trouble you could be” he said under his breath.

He let you go, allowing you to stand. You let go of him, trying to calm yourself.

“Okay, we just need to figure out where that….thing is and get Vash. Then we can find a way out, '' you said.

“Well, standing around here won’t get us anywhere. Vámonos” Nicholas had you take the lead as you both set off deeper into the ship.

There were tendrils all over but Nicholas kept you covered. You kept your eyes peeled for any sign of Vash. But you didn’t see him. When you both came to a cross of tunnels, you stopped.

“I don’t see him, how do we know if we're going in the right direction?” you asked.

“We don’t, we need to search everywhere” Nicholas said.

More tendrils appeared, attempting to corner you both. You removed your sniper, taking two tunnels while Nicholas took the other two. It was painfully obvious that you two couldn’t keep them back forever.

“What now? They have us pinned!” you warned.

“Yeah… I know” Nicholas sighed.

You hear Nicholas yell and he tossed Punisher down. He ran at the tendrils, grabbing them before they could reach you.

“Nico!” you chased after him.

You grabbed his hand just as they began to drag him away. You tried to dig your heels into the ground but it wasn’t doing anything to slow them down.

“Let go! You’re gonna get pulled in too!” he shouted.

“I can’t do this without you!” you begged.

Nicholas smiled, closing his eyes for a moment.

“Of course you can, Mi corazón” he threw you back, making you land on your butt as he was dragged away.

“Nico!” you yelled as he disappeared.

The tendrils had retreated, seemingly satisfied with him. You sat there for a while, still trying to process what happened. Slowly, you rose to your feet. You walked over to your sniped, loading it onto your back. Then you lifted Punisher, turning the gear to close the gun.

“I….I can do this….” you said to yourself.

You chased after the tendrils, hoping it would lead you to their core. The tunnel felt long as you chased each turn. The occasional tendril appeared but it was no match for Punisher’s gunfire. You couldn’t help but notice they weren’t teaming in numbers like before. Was it that you weren’t worth the effort now? It was frustrating to you.

The tunnel finally reach its end, opening to a large space. Right away, you noticed the surrounding area was much like plant holding areas. Where the plant would be was a large mass of growth. The tendrils appear to be coming from there. Your mind quickly shifted to finding Nicholas or Vash, you needed to make sure they were safe! Unfortunately, you didn’t see them anywhere.

The tendrils soon focused on you again, chasing you through the room as you made your way to the core. You had to stop to fire Punisher, you weren’t as strong as Nicholas. Just shooting it after a while left your hands numb and your arms tired. You dropped the weapon to run, at least they couldn’t keep up with you.

Closer and closer, you came to the mass. Some tendrils started to come out, taking a strange shape. At first you thought it might be human, but the head was different, branching off into petal like appendages. You drew your knife, charging at it with every intent to strike it down. A tendril caught your hand before the blade could touch it.

“Damnit! Haven’t you done enough already?!” you shouted at the growth.

You ignored the tendrils surrounding you, trying to push your blade down on it.

“You took away my friends and now what? You want me too now?! Then take me!” you continued.

The growth touched it’s forehead to yours and everything went white. You found yourself in the same odd state as when you touched the flower petal. Your surrounding had changed, you were in some kind of room. There was technology you hadn’t seen before and lots of liquid in glass tubes.

“Where am I? What did you do to me?” you called out.

“You shouldn’t move so much, you just got better” a soft voice giggled.

You turned toward the speaker, seeing a woman with long black hair. She seemed familiar but you were sure you never met her.

“How do you feel now? Any dizziness?” she asked.

“Who are you?” you asked.

“Good, I was worried you might have side effects from the injection. I was so worried when I saw your vitals” she continued.

It became clear she was going to talk regardless of what you said, this had to be a memory.

But who’s?

“You know, those two were worried about you. They kept coming to your room even though they weren't supposed to. I had to herd them away so they didn’t get in trouble” she giggled.

You refrained from asking ‘who’, knowing she wouldn’t answer you.

“But now that you are all clear, we can go say hello to them again” she held her hand out to you.

You glanced at her hand, hesitating before taking it. You followed her to the door, it slid open slowly as more light poured into your vision.

“(y/n)!” “(y/n)?”

You opened your eyes, looking back at the growth and tendrils. Slowly, they started to uncoil and fall apart. You could still hear the name in you remind as you were lowered to your feet. The room slowly unwrapped the tendrils surrounding it, revealing the metallic interior of the ship. On the walls, Nicholas and Vash were revealed. They fell onto their faces, waking up ungracefully. Vash was the first up, spotting you.

“Seven!” he shouted.

He was up and running over to you, Nicholas stumbling after. Before either could reach you, you stuck out your fists into their stomachs.

“Guh!” Nicholas grunted.

“Ack!” Vash yelped.

The two stumbled back, holding their stomachs as they looked at you.

“What was that for?!” Nicholas growled.

“S-Seven..?” Vash called again, awkwardly.

“You….you two…” your head was hanging low.

They could see your shoulders shake as tears began to fall from your eyes. You lifted you gaze, glaring at them.

“I’m going to punch you both, don’t you ever do something like that again! Don’t you know how much you scared me?!” you began to cry.

Nicholas and Vash let you hit them, although your hits became weaker with each strike. You leaned into them, letting out all the anxiety and stress that had built up.

“I’m sorry Seven” Vash apologized as he patted your head.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you sad…” Nicholas said in a low voice.

You eventually stepped back, rubbing your eyes and calming yourself.

“If you want to make it up to me, then answer this question” you sniffed.

“Sure, I’ll do anything,” Vash smiled.

“I knew you would use this against me, just not so soon” Nicholas sighed.

You took a deep breath, trying to prepare yourself for what was to come.

“Who is (y/n)?”

#Vash x reader #nicholas d. wolfwood #wolfwood x y/n #Trigun #trigun stampede #wolfwood x reader #vash the stampede #x reader #reader insert

53 notes · View notes

thebookofyouandi · 3 years

Text

Oh, the sounds you make

Pairing- Andy Barber x reader

TRIGGER WARNINGS- Rape!, Forced sex, Poorly written smut (unprotected sex, violence), non-con, , violence, Minors DNI, angst (hurt reader), abuse, swearing

Summary- You come to Andy looking for help, only to be betrayed by his desires.

You shivered uncontrollably, pulling your thin shirt sleeves into your hands in a feeble attempt to keep yourself warm. Your breath was condensing in front of you, the rain pouring down torrentially on the dark and completely empty streets.

“Just a few more miles”, you promised yourself. “Just a few more”.

Your car had shut down in the middle of nowhere, and on top of that, the rain and the lack of your phone signal made things infinitely worse. Your chest hurt with the cold, your eyes blinking constantly to keep out the rain. You needed to reach Andy’s house- it was your last resort.

Your fingers were so numb that you had to attempt thrice before you could ring the doorbell. Andy opened the door a few moments later, his eyes widening as he took in your state of mess.

“Y/n! What happened!?” He quickly pulled you into his living room.

“M-m-my car-” You began to speak, then gave up, your teeth chattering like a jackhammer.

“Shit, you’re soaked! Wait, let me get you a towel.” Andy rushed into the kitchen, leaving you there standing, soaking his carpet.

It took you an entire thirty seconds to pass out on the floor with a thud.

“Y/n? Are you o-” Andy saw you on the floor and gritted his teeth, rushing to your side, picking you up in his arms and carrying you to his bedroom upstairs. He decided to remove all your wet clothes or you’d be down with hypothermia in no time.

In all the times Andy had dreamed of seeing you naked, he had never imagined it would be like this. You were his best friend, but you had never seen him as anything more than that. He had wondered what you would look like under those too many layers of clothes, and he had gone to sleep on multiple occasions fantasizing about your curves and how they would fit in his large hands.

And here you were, lying unconscious on his bed, skin turning blue due to the cold. Andy peeled off your thin white shirt and yellow skirt, and when he pulled off your bra and panties off, his hard dick almost forgot what he was supposed to do with you- take care of you.

“Come on, baby. Let’s get you warm.” He murmured to you as he pulled you close to his shirtless body. He wanted to fuck you so bad, especially with your soft pump lips just begging to be kissed till they were bruised, but what could he do? There were boundaries he needed to respect, after all.

He was rubbing your back in circular motions when you moaned softly, pressing your cheek to his chest. Andy froze.

“Hey, hey baby, you awake yet?” He whispered, stroking your other cheek. You moaned again, and he groaned. That sound you had made was enough to send his head spinning. He had sworn he couldn’t get any harder when he had seen you naked a few moments before, and yet, all he could remember now was that he wanted to fuck you till you couldn’t make a sound no more.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. “You can’t fuck her Andy-she’s your-”

You let out another moan and shuffled so your hand rested almost on top of his rock hard dick.

Andy gave up on all self-control he had ever had. His eyes darkened with a hunger that would have terrified you had you been awake right now. He pushed your body off him gently, and leaned over you, his mouth pressed in a grim line. You were going to be his tonight, and no one could stop him.

He wished he had had the patience to prepare you for him, but he was too far gone to care for anything apart from the soft, innocent, unconscious woman lying beneath him. He took off his sweats and palmed his dick before pushing your legs apart. He groaned again, then lined himself up at your entrance, rubbing his dick leaking with precum through your folds a few times.

He entered you in one swift motion, letting out a loud noise of satisfaction as he did.

Andy started off slowly, your cunt so tight it gripped him like a vice. But soon, he was ramming into your body like there was no tomorrow.

“Shit-fuck-fuck-fuc-shit you’re so tight angel! I never imagined you’d be this good! You are all mine, you were just made for me-fuck!” He rambled on, your helpless body making him even harder.

And beneath him, you let out a loud whimper of pain, your eyes finally fluttering open. Andy watched you stare up at him in utter confusion as you tried to make sense of what was happening, before realization hit you like a truck and you started to push on his chest with all your might, shaking your head frantically, your eyes wide with fear.

“No. no, no-Andy, stop!” You screamed. “You can’t do this! You can’t-STOP, I said!”

Andy kept rutting into you passionately, each hit jolting your body with pain deep in your cervix. He looked at you with hooded eyes, his mouth open, breathing harshly as he made love to your body. He grabbed your hands in one of his own and held them up above your head as he leaned in and captured your lips in a bruising kiss, not letting you go till you were almost out of air.

Tears fell down the sides of your face as he looked at you darkly, one hand roughly palming your left breast as he spoke in your ear.

“I have waited long enough for you, baby. You have no idea how hard I tried to play nice today, how hard I tried not to take you like I should have all those years before. But then you go and make those pornographic sounds like you did, and you expect me to still have even an ounce of control left?”

You were sobbing so hard by now that you choked on your own tears. You hadn’t stopped struggling under him, tired as you were. But what effect could you possibly have on a man as large and as strong as Andy?

He bent down to take one nipple in his mouth, and then he bit down, hard.

You screamed in pain. “Pl-please Andy- you are my friend- I trusted you- please-st-stop-Ah!” You choked on another groan as he pumped deep inside you, your back arching off the bed.

Andy’s hand found his way to your clit, rubbing it roughly as he bit your collarbone gently, before soothing the skin with his tongue. His lips curled thinly into a sneer, and he leaned in to kiss you hard again.

“I am sorry angel, but those huge eyes filled with tears and that perfect little mouth of yours are doing little to stop me now. You- belong-to-me”, he punctuated each word with a thrust deep enough to make your toes curl with pleasure mixed with pain.

Your screams were swallowed up by his mouth as he came inside you, followed by you soon after. Your eyes rolled back and your vision blurred as you came down from your high, panting hard to catch your breath.

Andy finally let go of your wrists, kissing both of them in turns as he pulled out of you gently. He lay back down on the bed and pulled you on top of him, your limbs too weak to push off him, or even try. He pressed a kiss to your temple, then your nose, then finally your lips. He chuckled at the sight of your beautiful face, wide tearful eyes staring up at him as you continued to cry softly.

“Well, at least we got you warm, angel.”

497 notes · View notes

mercurygguk · 4 years

Text

bleeding for you | jjk

genre; angst, fluff

pairing; EMT!jungkook x female reader

✎ summary; In which it’s just another quiet night at the fire station until there’s an alarmingly serious car accident not far away. Jungkook is the first on the scene along with his partner, Namjoon. What meets Jungkook at the scene of the accident is worse than anything he could ever imagine.

word count; 3,367

based on a request by anon; It's a Jungkook au, where he's a EMT & they get a call for a very serious accident. When he arrives on scene he sees a very familiar car. A hand dangles from the shattered window, the engagement ring he'd slipped on your finger not two months ago mocking him. I envision a happy ending, but if you want, do with it what you will.

warnings; Descriptions of car accidents, mentions of bruises and blood, jungkook’s crying a whole lot, i’m sorry if this is tough on your heart bc it definitely was on mine, phew

a/n; I LOVED THIS IDEA FROM ANON, SO THANK YOU ANON and let’s be honest here, paramedic/EMT!jungkook is lowkey hotttt. Also, I took some inspiration from the tv-show Chicago Fire and some from Grey’s Anatomy because those are the only shows I’ve actually watched with things related to this kind of scenario, lol. I hope you like it, enjoy!

ps. it’s heavily unedited and i wrote this rather quickly, so please ignore if you spot anything hehe

The clock ticks on the wall and there are sounds of cars passing by once in a while outside on the street. Jungkook is staring silently at the TV in the staff room, his eyes focused on the ball that moves around between the football players. He’s bored, sighing deeply to himself as he drops his head back against the back of the couch he’s currently slouching on. Namjoon, Jungkook’s partner, plops down beside him, a sandwich on a plate for him to eat for dinner. He looks happily at his sandwich, more than excited to bite into it and finally getting a chance to continue reading his book for once.

Jungkook hates quiet nights at the firestation. He despises them. It makes him think of all the other things he could be doing instead – an example being at home, in bed with you; his fiancé. A title you recently had gained after Jungkook finally got the courage to get down on one knee for you, asking you to be his for the rest of his life. Just the thought of the happiness he felt that night made butterflies erupt in his stomach, suddenly daydreaming about your smile and the way you always manage to make him feel like he’s floating on a pink cloud. He’s totally whipped, but only for you.

His daydream is quickly interrupted by the sound of Namjoon chewing his sandwich loudly, making Jungkook glare at him with disgust. Namjoon, the charming person that he is, looks back at Jungkook in confusion.

“What?” Namjoon blurts with his mouth filled with a bite of his disgusting sandwich. Jungkook shakes his head at him, turning back to the boring game that’s unfolding on the TV. He really hates quiet nights.

After half an hour and still nothing, Jungkook groans and gets up from the couch to wander around, causing Namjoon to look at him again with tired eyes. “What’s going on, Jeon?” He asks, flipping a page in his psychology novel.

“Nothing’s going on,” Jungkook grumbles, tired of just sitting around, “absolutely nothing.”

Namjoon is about to tell Jungkook to sit down and relax for once but the alarm beats him to it, sounding loudly throughout the entire fire station. “Squad 3, truck 81 and 82, ambo 65, 78 and 32 – bigger car crash on the 5th highway, multiple victims,” Taehyung from the alarm center's voice booms throughout the fire station’s rooms. Jungkook’s eyes widen and so do Namjoon’s. They’re quick to move, book, sandwich and football match long forgotten as they run to their unit. Jungkook jumps in the driver’s seat, buckling up faster than ever. His partner is fast to join him and buckling up as Jungkook speeds out of the garage at the fire station and onto the road. Jungkook’s focused, eyebrow knitted together in concentration and the urge to do what he does the best – save some lives.

The highway is chaotic once Jungkook and Namjoon arrive as the first ones at the scene, multiple cars lying around – on the hood, on the side and some crushed to the point of where it’s not even a car anymore. It looks worse than anything they have ever experienced and it’s slightly terrifying but they’re headstrong as they grab their medical bags and run off to a random car each. Squad 3 and the firetrucks pull up not long after Jungkook and Namjoon’s arrival, all of them getting out quickly and getting to work, trying to see if they can save all victims or just the majority of them.

The first car Jungkook reaches is empty, the driver of it luckily managed to get himself out before any sort of rescue arrived. He seems fine, his car almost not even scratched. “Sir, are you alright?” Jungkook asks, doing his job in making sure the man is alright before continuing to another car. The man nods, waving a hand at Jungkook.

“Please go see some of the others, I’m fine!” He almost sobs, clearly traumatized by the car accident.

Jungkook nods at that, giving him one last look all over before heading on to the next car. He looks around in his haste to get to the next one, stopping abruptly in his tracks as he spots a familiar looking car. It can’t be, he thinks to himself as he turns to look at the car properly. His chest tightens at the thought, feeling himself hastily moving closer to the car as tears begin to form in his eyes. It doesn’t occur to him until a hand dangling from the window catches his attention as he gets closer, the diamond ring confirming his worst fear.

“No, no, no!” Jungkook shouts in a mix of terror, anger and his heart breaking into a million pieces, tears already falling from his eyes as he runs up to the car, his hands trembling. Pain shoots through him at the sight of you, body limp and unconscious, face battered in bruises and wounds and there’s blood on your beautiful, white shirt and he prays to God that isn’t yours but who is he even trying to fool? Of course, it’s yours. “No, please, no!”

From the other side of the highway, Namjoon spots Jungkook scrambling towards the car that he, too, finds awfully familiar. His eyes widen at the sight as realisation hits him.

“Shit!” He hisses, making sure the victim he’s treating is okay before running towards Jungkook, heart beating a hundred miles per hour. All he can think about is getting his partner away from the car which is lying on its side. “Kook!”

Namjoon has to pull harder than he expected as he reaches Jungkook. He isn’t willing to let go of the car, hands reaching for your unconscious body that is still, thankfully, buckled up in the driver’s seat. You hear nothing of Jungkook’s cries as he’s pulled away by his partner and best friend. “____! Baby, please wake up, please!”

The sight in front of them is nothing but a real life nightmare, the scene only a fear of Jungkook’s until tonight. Namjoon has no idea how to calm his partner down as he pulls him away. His heart is breaking at the sound of Jungkook’s sobs, his chest heaving for air as he looks at the broken car, which was nicely parked in the parking lot of his and yours apartment building when he left for work this morning. He watches it being pulled apart to reach you, the EMTs of Ambo 78 tending to your wounds and body, trying their best to support you until they get you to the hospital.

They lift you into the ambulance, Jungkook’s body working automatically as he tries to jump into the back of the ambulance and ride with you to make sure that they’re taking care of you the right way. This isn’t just another victim, it’s you, Jeon Jungkook’s fiancé. Namjoon holds him back, using all his strength because a sad, terrified Jungkook is stronger than he ever could’ve imagined.

“Hyung, please, I need to go with her!” Jungkook cries, glancing quickly at the man holding him back, before looking back at the ambulance you’re now in. They close the doors, hurriedly getting in the front and speed off. “For fuck’s sake, Namjoon, let me go!”

Namjoon shakes his head, “I need you to calm down first, Kook. You’re not thinking clearly.”

Jungkook thinks that’s the biggest load of bullshit he’s ever heard. He whirls around, not in the mood for his best friend’s psychology shit. “I swear, I will punch you,” he sneers, eyes watery and cheeks stricken with tears. Namjoon stares back at him, lips in a tight line and eyes wide because he has never seen Jungkook so out of it before. “How am I supposed to calm down when my fucking fiancé is a victim of one of the biggest car crashes we’ve ever witnessed, huh? She’s hurt and unconscious in the back of one of OUR ambulances right now, Joon. Don’t fucking tell me to calm down.”

Despite his harsh words, Namjoon feels sorry for Jungkook. He nods, putting his hands up in surrender. Jungkook breathes out, chest heavy with a feeling he can’t quite describe. He just knows that he doesn’t want to waste another second here, the only place he wants to be is by your side until you wake up and tell him you’re okay.

“At least let me drive you to the hospital?” Namjoon offers, voice hesitant and cautious as he gestures to their ambulance.

Jungkook sniffs, nodding, “please.”

The ride to the hospital is quiet, tense too. Jungkook is staring straight ahead and not moving, just letting the tears in his eyes fall until he has none left. He’s pretty sure the drive to the hospital usually isn't this long. He feels like he’s been on this ride with Namjoon for hours when really, it has only been at least 15 minutes. 15 minutes too long, he thinks to himself. He could’ve been with you right now, holding your hand while you get sutured up and stitched back to perfection – at least what Jungkook thinks is perfection. However, you’d never agree on that.

Namjoon doesn’t get to say anything before Jungkook’s out of the passenger seat of the ambulance, his body moving almost before Namjoon had parked it. He doesn’t notice anything around him, heading straight for the front desk to ask about your status. The nurse there looks at him with a face that says she’s sorry without even saying the words. Jungkook doesn’t need those words, there’s nothing to be sorry for. People only say they’re sorry when something really bad happens, and as far as Jungkook knows, you’re still alive. You have to be. He hasn’t married you yet.

“My fiancé was brought here not long ago, her name is ____,” Jungkook hurriedly asks, the nurse working quickly to type into her computer. Jungkook taps his foot against the floor in impatience.

“She’s in surgery at the moment,” the nurse says softly, watching as Jungkook’s breath hitches in his throat at the news. Namjoon comes up beside him, laying a hand on his shoulder. “The doctors will find you once they’re done.”

Namjoon nods in appreciation to the nurse, Jungkook stares at nothing in particular, scared he’ll break down in the middle of the entrance of the hospital he so often visits because of his job. “We’ll wait over there,” he tells the nurse, tugging Jungkook along. “Let’s go, Kook.”

Jungkook follows along, sitting down in a seat with Namjoon beside him. He feels like he should be calling his family and yours, yet he can’t think straight and his head is empty for words right now. The only thing on his mind is you and the fact that you’re at risk of dying. He has no idea how serious your injuries are but they’re serious enough to land you on the surgery table. His breathing is short, eyes staring at the floor and ears focusing on the sound of the opening and closing of the doors to the surgery halls. He feels alone even though Namjoon is sitting right beside him, he feels helpless, he feels like he’s been left in the dark. He knows nothing about what’s happening to you and it’s driving him absolutely crazy. The thought of losing you brings a new round of tears to his eyes, lips trembling as he fights to keep his sobs inside and not break down in the middle of other people. It’s like Namjoon senses as he gets up, pulling his phone from his pocket. He moves a bit away from Jungkook, speed dialling the only person he knows will be able to comfort his best friend in the slightest.

Jungkook’s wandering the waiting area, hands tightly intertwined in front of his lips and eyes closed as he walks back and forth in front of Namjoon. It has been at least three hours and his nerves aren’t exactly becoming less the longer it takes for the surgeons to give him some kind of news – any kind would be appreciated by now. He stills as a hand comes to rest against his back, gentle touch that can only belong to one person on this planet. He turns around to face her, her eyes softening at the sight of his red eyes and wet eyelashes.

“Mom,” he croaks out, a sob raking through his body as he crumbles into her embrace.

“Oh, sweetheart,” she coos, wrapping her arms around his tall frame, hugging her sweet, heartbroken son to her chest in the hopes of comforting him just the tiniest bit. They stay like that for a few minutes until Jungkook’s mother breaks the embrace, holding him at arm's length. “I’m sure she will be fine, Jungkook. She’s a strong woman.”

He sniffles, feeling slightly better at his mother’s words. He offers a small, the tiniest, smile. She smiles softly and comfortingly at him, reaching up to wipe his tears away. “You have to be strong too, sweetheart. She needs you to be strong for her.”

Jungkook nods and whispers lowly: “I know, mom.”

“Mr. Jeon?” A voice calls. Jungkook, his mother, and Namjoon whips around to face the doctor who called Jungkook’s name. “Miss ____ is out of surgery. We were able to fix her injuries and she is up for recovery now.”

Jungkook lets out a sigh of relief, feeling a heavy weight disappearing from his shoulders. The doctor offers him a warm smile. “She will be in the ICU for at least a couple of days until we see some progress. You can go see her, she is in room 248.”

“Thank you so much,” Jungkook says with the utmost gratitude and a smile as he shakes the doctor’s hand before grabbing his things and heading in the direction of the ICU.

He finds the room without any problems, pausing just outside of the door. His mother and Namjoon both stand behind him, watching him in silence. They’re not pushing him, letting him do this on his own, letting him prepare for whatever he’s about to meet behind this door. He inhales and holds his breath before pushing the door open and heading inside. The sound of the monitor beeping is the first thing that meets him, what meets him next causes him to gasp softly in horror. This must be what it feels like to live out your nightmare and biggest fears, he thinks to himself as he moves closer to your body that’s lying unconsciously on the bed. It seems his tears are never-ending today as he pulls a seat to the side of the bed, sitting down with his eyes trained on you.

He looks you over, wincing lightly at the sight of tubes and IVs attached to you. There are scratches and wounds on your body, your skin beaten up from the harsh car crash you so unluckily ended up in earlier. He’s hesitant as he reaches for your hand, being more than careful as he intertwines his hand with yours. You don’t squeeze his hand like you always do and it makes him realize that you are in fact unconscious and probably not aware of the entire situation right now.

Jungkook scans your face, lips trembling and fingers shaking as he reaches up to move your hair out of your face. There’s scratches on your pretty face too, a big patch on the right side of your forehead where they stitched you up. He’s hurting, not quite as much as you, as he looks at you. You’re still gorgeous, even like this.

“I love you so much, ____,” Jungkook whispers, bringing your hand up to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to your ring-clad hand. “Please be okay.”

Days have passed since the accident, and you still haven’t opened your eyes. Jungkook is becoming impatient, sitting here and waiting is killing him slowly. His mother had left in the morning after being with him throughout the first night. Jungkook had called your family while his mother held his hand. He will never forget the way a sob raked through your mother’s body as he told her what had happened. They were here now; your mother, your father and your brother, Yoongi. Your parents sit on either side of you, Jungkook’s resting against the wall at the end of the bed, Yoongi sitting in the chair beside him. The silence is almost unbearable but no one dares speaking, afraid of nothing in particular – perhaps the chances of you crashing right in front of all of them.

Jungkook’s done crying. He doesn’t think he has any tears left in him, only this heavy feeling of regret even though he has nothing to regret. No matter what, he couldn’t have stopped this from happening. Why you were out driving that late is still a mystery to him, but he’s not sure he wants to know. He has a feeling it will tear him apart knowing the reason.

Your dad jerks up from his resting posture causing everyone to widen their eyes at him. “S-she squeezed my hand,” he almost whispers. Jungkook’s breathing quickens, eyes staring at your closed ones. He waits, anticipating the worst. Your eyes flutter, a small crease forming in your forehead as you try to adjust to the lights in the room. He sighs in relief for what feels like the hundredth time, feeling the tears coming back. Okay, he isn’t quite done yet.

“Jungkook?!” You croak out, trying to sit up. Jungkook feels his heart breaking at the tone in your voice. You sound confused, slightly shaken up and sad. He’s quick to be at your side, taking over from your father. His hand grabs yours, fingers intertwining automatically. “Kook,” you whimper, clearly not fully awake from your deep days long slumber.

“I’m here, baby” he softly calls, searching your eyes with his own, “I’m right here.”

You look at him, eyes locking and you feel yourself calm down already. Jungkook notices the unshed tears in your hazy eyes. “Where am I?” You ask, voice small.

“The hospital,” he explains, keeping his voice low and soft for you as you just woke up from a long, long nap. “You were in an accident, ____. Do you remember what happened?”

You shake your head, wincing at the movement. Your entire body is sore, hurting everywhere and you want to cry. You just want to cry and hug Jungkook tightly because that’s the only place you feel safe and happy, in his arms.

“How long?” You speak a bit louder now, still not registering your entire family standing around the two of you. You’re in your own little world, your focus only aimed at the curly-haired man in front of you. Your mom is watching you closely, letting a small tear slip down her cheek as she takes in the moment of you and Jungkook. Your father is right beside her, rubbing her arms in comfort. Yoongi is watching too, smiling to himself because he doesn’t think his younger sister could’ve found anyone more fit for her than Jeon Jungkook.

“Only a few days,” Jungkook answers, bringing your intertwined hands to his chest. His heart is beating hard and fast causing you to gasp. He smiles at you as you look up at him, eyes wide.

You move to press your other hand to his chest, resting it above his heart. “Are you okay?”

Jungkook can’t help but chuckle. Even when you’re the one hurting, you ask him if he’s okay just because his heart is beating a bit faster than it usually does. He nods, smiling softly at you, eyes twinkling with fresh tears once again.

“I’m fine,” he whispers, leaning closer to press his lips to your forehead in a lingering kiss. “Just really relieved.”

You smile at his words, only imagining how worried he must’ve been the past few days if you’ve been in this bed and unconscious. “I love you, Kook.”

Jungkook chokes out a laugh, “I love you too baby, more than anything.”

2K notes · View notes

the-slasher-files · 3 years

Note

Hello there! I’m back with another request. Can you write some headcanons of Michael, Jason, Bo and Bubba if their S/O was an artist? I’m an artist and I would love to see their reaction if I showed them one of my latest drawings.

Yay.. ok so I’ve got a few requests for this (from a shy s/o to a confident one) so I kind of mixed them together :) also btw I don’t write for Bubba but I will write for all the others, plus more! hope you enjoy 🔪💕

MASTERLIST

SLASHERS WITH S/O THAT LOVES TO DRAW OR IS AN ARTIST

INCLUDES JASON, MICHAEL, BO, VINCENT, and CHROMESKULL

JASON VOORHEES

First of all living where you do at the cabin there is so much inspo from deer, to the lake, to changing of the seasons.. It is honestly the best place for an artist

Jason always noticed a black notebook lying around with pens and pencils on every other surface, and you were oddly protective of the book, so he left it alone respecting your boundaries

Sitting with him in the quiet cabin Jason loved the sounds of the pencils scratching along the paper, and he loved to watch the soothing motions of your wrist going to work

Slowly he will become more and more interested in what you're doing and he needs to see. Sneakily inching himself closer to you as you work away and stretching his neck as far as he can, catching a glimpse then feeling guilty

Jason wants to respect you so much but it kills him that you’re not showing him. So when you were in the shower he quickly ran to the book and gently ran his fingers over your work, amazed at how good everything was and how you brought the nature/animals to life in the book from around the camp

Flipping a page then he is met with sketches of himself, with the mask and without, his hands, some of his wounds with the bones sticking out... it was beautiful and he couldn’t look away until you walked into the room pushing him away from the book but seeing his expression made you melt, he loved it so much and slowly brought out confidence in you, making you show him your work all the time

A few times he had brought some art supplies home from a group of teens that came along

One day he came home to canvases all over the floor and red paint splattered all over your old t-shirt Jason freaked out thinking it was blood in the dim lighting, he stepped on your canvases with muddy boots and held you up making you yelp... “Baby it’s just paint”... well now he feels foolish and upset for stepping on your art

The next night he still felt bad but you showed him what you had created from “the incident”... Bright colours framed the bootprint and brought out the muddy tones, some of the canvases had pressed flowers along the details of the print and it was so beautiful Jason immediately hung them on the wall

Just an fyi he wants to always do crafts with you lol so make sure you help him

MICHAEL MYERS

Now this guy is pretty indifferent to everything but something about your art brings out a new side in him

You can say a lot of things about Michael but you cannot say he isn’t observant, he sees everything and knows everything

Like Jason he notices your many notebooks and various art supplies around the house, but he is far more intrusive than Jason and will rip the notebook from your hands holding your neck if you protest as he flips through it

Watching his face nothing changes, he just scans the pages then throws the notebook down walking away leaving into the night

The next morning notebook, paints, pens, brushes and other supplies litter the kitchen counter... wonder who got those???

Michael loves watching you work on your art, watching your facial expressions, the way the pens run along the paper and how the paint coats the canvases.. oop you just gave him an idea

One night he came home gruesomely cover in blood a little more than extra, and Michael moves above you and the art you are working on, whoops he is dripping blood on the canvas, then smearing it, then moving his knife along it using it as a brush, I guess

You yelled at him at first but watching how he seemed to enjoy the colours mixing together and the way the blood dried was sort of.. cute

You knew Michael had a funny and creative side just by the way he walked into the bedroom one night with a sheet over himself and sunglasses on, and the way he leaves marks on your body in a certain pattern or framing his favourite features of you. Michael’s art was his kill you realized

He really loves your pieces, even though he would never say so and Michael’s favourites were the sketches of himself you did and he would paint blood along them

You weren’t gonna lie it made the portraits more interesting and honestly beautiful, they quickly became your favourites as well

I’m sorry but my horny self just wants to see Michael in an all-black suit at an art gallery admiring the masked portrait of himself covered in blood... sorry but it’s hot lol

BO SINCLAIR

So Bo is not really observant so it might take him a while to notice the art supplies around the house but even then he thinks it’s just Vincent’s

You will probably have to do just do the art in front of him before he gets that its your art supplies.. man sucks lol

Bo really enjoys your company when he is in the shop, you just sitting there working away in your notebook and him under the hood of his truck

He doesn’t necessarily push to see what you’re drawing but Bo teases, the harder you hide it the harder he teases... “what ya got in there sex drawings?” “Fuck darlin’ let me be your model”

If you don’t want him to see what you’re doing never leave your notebook behind because the man is a snoop in every sense of the word

Bo 100% supports your art even though he isn’t very interested in it and doesn’t really get it, if it makes you happy he will steal supplies from his twin and if victims have notebooks or pens he will bring them to you immediately

On a day where you decided to spend the day at the shop, sitting on your chair sketching away while Bo was organizing his tools, he kept catching your glances and smirked “Baby, you need somethin?” he would ask smugly.

“Nope” a simple answer not stroking his ego “gonna grab a beer from downstairs you want one?” Bo nods as you make your way to the mini-fridge. Quickly the man strides over to the notebook, opening the page where you had placed your pencil. He knew it, sketches of himself, it makes his ego skyrocket.

“BO!!” pushing him away and he grabs the book holding it just out of your reach smirking “Momma always said I’d be a good model” “Don’t flatter yourself Sinclair, you’re the only man around for miles that doesn’t wear a mask or look like a trash man” you laughed as him smirk fell... run

He honestly loves your art even though Bo gives you a hard time... His favourite thing is falling asleep to the pencil sounds against the paper when you’re laying in bed together

VINCENT SINCLAIR

SAAAAAAME... lol

The man notices right away that he begins to lose his an unused notebook and some of his best art pencils

It made you very nervous to show Vincent what you sketched and painted since he was just so good at art in every way. It was unfair

His favorite thing to do with you is make little sculptures from wax or clay, he could tell you were very creative and good at what you made, and he would always be super supportive

Vincent’s praise and support made you more comfortable with doing your art around him and even showing him. The man loves it and loves all of it

Different from his brother, Vinny respects you a lot and is fine with not looking in your notebook until you’re ready to show him. He hates when people see his unfinished work and flip through his notebooks as well

The good thing about dating him is Vincent’s art stuff is now yours

Also he is a very good teacher, somehow though he cannot talk, Vinny never makes you feel bad about your art and if you need help he is more than happy to support

Art date nights!! Getting the idea from your phone, you lit all the candles and brought down all the paint you could along with the large unused canvases you had found. When Vincent strolls downstairs his eyes go wide, seeing you in just your bra and underwear “I’m ready for art class Vin” you giggle

When he finds your paintings or sketches of himself without his mask Vincent’s heart melts, finding someone like you to love him, let alone see his destroyed features as art kills him

CHROMESKULL

Jesse is a very watchful human, even when he isn’t at home the guy has cameras literally everywhere

When he was gone on a "business trip" you had all the free time in the world, plus you had picked up some new art supplies, so why not work a large piece when Jesse isn't around to distract you... When you had worked on for a few hours you got a text 'How's the painting coming along?' And that's when you realized cameras are everywhere!

If you are a shy person with your art he basically doesn’t allow you to be, he’s a pushy spoiled man but he is also very supportive and it makes you more confident in showing him

Jesse honestly loves art and has many expensive paintings in his large home, so when he sees your art you better believe he will have Preston frame the art and put it on the walls, with special art gallery lights really making it look perfect

If you need any and I mean any art supplies no matter how expensive Jesse supports it *hands you his gold credit card*

"Oh.. renovations? To the already perfect mansion?" "Yup.. it's your new art studio"

Art, wine and cheese nights... the perfect date

Feeling uninspired? alright time to change the scenery, let’s go to a tropical destination or a wintery cabin. The man wants to spoil you and put your passion at the top of his priority list, plus he just wants a vacation and see you in your swimwear

It doesn't matter if you're shy about your art or confident Jesse will say he is taking you to an event, get you all dolled up and take you to an art gallery event that is just your art... surprise! Dumb rich bastard loves your work and flaunts it to everyone he can

534 notes · View notes

quentinbecks · 3 years

Text

Summary: Charlie left Hope County years ago hoping never to come back. But when she learns of her parents involvement with the local doomsday cult, she finds herself heading back to a life she thought she left behind. (Begins two years before the reaping/events of the game)

Words: 5 k

Warnings: The typical lack of boundaries from the Seeds, slight use of violence, mentions of violence and death, peer pressure to use drugs (bliss), and this is a big one, lots of talk of anxiety/ build up to a panic attack.

A/N: Thank you so much to @adelaidedrubman and @johnnycranes for being my betas/second and third eyes on this! And to @smut-goblin for hitting me with the writing stick! You have no idea how much I appreciate you guys 💕 Since the atonement process begins now, hopefully I can start putting these out in a timely manner from here on out.

Chapter 4: Snakes in the Garden

“We’ll begin the process of atonement immediately.”

Charlie glances up at the man through her lashes. She should be trying to run away; pushing his hands off of her face, but she can’t. Frozen in place with John’s hands cupping her cheeks; their foreheads pressed together. From this angle she can see all the freckles that adorn his neck and collarbone. It almost makes him seem human.

“I thought,” she stammers, “I thought I was just getting baptized. That’s what we agreed to.”

John sighs, pulling away to look down at her; hands still gripping her face. “You will be cleansed, you will confess all of your sins, and then you will atone. That’s the only way you can reach true salvation. And you did just promise me you would allow me the gift of saving you,” he grits out, the hold on her face getting tighter as he goes on.

Charlie squirms away, attempting to free herself without making matters worse. “You’re hurting me,” she hisses as she grabs a hold of his hands. She may be willing to play along with his mind games; keep up whatever foolish charade she needs to to stay safe, but she draws the line at having pain inflicted on her.

The Baptist just nods as he backs away, hands held up as if to show her he won’t touch her.

Too fucking late.

But there was no apology, and Charlie can’t really say she’s surprised. “Listen,” she says as she leans against the brick wall, fingers rubbing the spots where her face was held, “you can have my soul or my salvation or whatever the fuck it is you want. But what happens to me afterwards?”

If she’s being honest, Charlie is afraid of the answer. Does she get to have a normal life? Just one within the parameters of the cult’s rules? Will they force her to marry another member of the project in one of those giant, mass weddings like the Moonies? Or will they just kill her? It’s selfish and would be a great betrayal to her friends, but she would marry The Father himself if it meant keeping them safe.

John sighs, sitting on the couch, legs crossed and arms spread across the back; posture too casual for such a tense environment. “I think it’s best we take the process day by day.”

Charlie glares at the man, only receiving a chuckle in return as he notices her olive eyes fill with rage. “Relax, sweetheart. I won’t send you back up to the mountains; back up to my big, bad, brother.”

Sitting down in the chair across from him, Charlie wills herself to calm down. The shock of the situation is starting to wear off rapidly and she can feel the panic inside her start to rise just as fast.

“Can we at least discuss the immediate future? Like, me going home?”

“What,” John teases, a hint of faux sadness in his voice, “you don’t like it here?”

Not really she thinks. But she would rather not vocalize her thoughts; too tired from all of the youngest Seed’s threats and games. She’s pretty sure she’ll combust from stress if she has to stay at the ranch a moment longer.

“Haven’t you had enough fun tormenting me for one day. I’m just,” her voice shakes and she can feel her heart start to pound; her anxiety starting to make itself known, “not in the mood for this shit. Please. Just let me go home.”

Charlie wishes she could kick her own ass at this very moment. Uncomfortable with becoming so emotional in front of John, but there was only so long that false sense of bravado and heroism could last. But the sight of his guest on the verge of a nervous breakdown does seem to have an effect on the man.

“Wait here.” He says, standing up and heading towards the door. He turns back before stepping out to look at her. “Don’t leave before I get back.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

John just gives her a smirk before leaving. Flopping back onto the chair with a sigh, Charlie closes her eyes. She’s sure trying to take a power nap in a herald’s house is just asking for trouble, but she’s too exhausted to care.

She’s barely relaxed for more than thirty seconds when the door bursts open causing her to jump.

“Charlene, this is Deanna. She’ll be taking you back.”

“What about you?” Charlie cringes inwardly at herself. Now she knows she really needs to get out of here, the environment is clearly taking a toll on her sanity quicker than she anticipated.

A faint smile creeps across John’s lips before he rights himself. “Don’t worry. Deanna is one of my most trusted chosen.”

Charlie takes in the woman she’s being handed off to. She’s not much older than her, tall, tan, and athletic. She can tell by the excited grin on the chosen’s face that the other woman will most likely get on her nerves.

“Hello, sister,” Deanna says with a wave.

“We’re not quite there yet.”

“Here,” John drops a white hardcover on her lap. “Try to read this before your baptism.”

Charlie thumbs through the book curiously. She may not have had any sort of religious education, but she’s pretty sure this isn’t the traditional Christian text.

“Is this a bible?”

“It’s the Book of Joseph.” The chosen chirps from across the room. “It shows us the hardships the Father went through and how God spoke to him and showed him the path; the path that would save us all from the Collapse.”

“Sounds enlightening.”

“It is.” John is behind her now, hands on her shoulders. “But as much as I would love to keep you here to continue this conversation, I thought you wanted to leave.”

Charlie recoils at his usage of the word “keep”. She can’t see the man, but she’s sure he’s wearing an arrogant smirk; a smirk that she would happily slap off of his face if she wasn’t trying to behave.

Nodding, she gets up. “Thank you for the talk. It’s been… eye-opening.”

John leans over the chair as he beams at her. “I’m just glad you agreed to let me,” he pauses as if he’s contemplating his words, “work with you.”

“Well, you didn’t leave me with much of a choice. Certain death or,” she gestures towards him, “you. And I like being alive, thank you very much.”

Charlie doesn’t bother to wait for a response, pushing past the chosen and out the door to wait on the steps. She doesn’t need to wait very long as Deanna follows after her almost immediately. “My truck’s down there,” the woman points down the driveway to an old, white pickup with a black Eden’s Gate sigil on the hood.

Following silently behind the other woman, she tries to catch her breath. Relax, she chants to herself internally. In only twenty minutes you’ll be safe. Charlie tells herself she can do this as she gets in the car. All she has to do is wait a few, short minutes and she can scream and cry as much as she wants to.

The car ride is silent for the most part and Charlie is glad for it. Until about halfway to her parent’s house when the chosen turns to look at her nervously. “So,” she pauses, chewing on her lip, “are you excited to be joining the project?”

Charlie gives her a snort in response. Leaning her head against the glass, she closes her eyes. “That’s an overstatement.”

“Well, I’m thrilled to have you here. I really like your mom.” Deanna gives her a grin before turning back to the road. “And besides, we don’t have many young women. It’ll be nice to have a friend.”

Friend Charlie scoffs. “Let’s just take this day by day,” she says, repeating the exact phrase John used on her earlier.

She’s relieved to see her parent’s house come into view as they turn the bend. Grabbing onto the handle, the young woman prepares to jump out the minute the truck pulls into the drive.

Charlie goes to shut the door when Deanna calls out to her. “I know you’re scared or angry or whatever it is you’re feeling, but I’m happy you’re here. Maybe we’ll even get to work at the ranch together.”

“Yeah. Maybe.” Slamming the door closed, Charlie heads towards the house. She looks back to watch the chosen back out. Once she’s absolutely sure she’s gone, Charlie heads to the bunker in the backyard.

Clutching The Book of Joseph that hasn’t left her hands since she left John’s house, she climbs down the ladder. Charlie gags once she’s inside the bunker, the musty air that hits her makes her think that it’s been years since anyone has been down there.

She barely makes it to the couch before her breath becomes labored, adding to her already rising blood pressure. Tossing the book on the sofa she begins to pace around the room. What is she supposed to do? How is she supposed to explain this to Eli? Will Mary May even trust her again after this?

Letting out a frustrated cry, Charlie slinks to the floor. She has to make them understand she’s doing this for them.

But are you really? Pops into her mind. She offered to join the project the moment she felt her life was in danger, not her friends. Protection for her friends only came as part of the bargain after she agreed to have her soul saved.

But is it really wrong to want to save yourself? To value your own life? Not really, she thinks. Trying not to dwell too hard on the guilt that’s eating at her, Charlie goes to pick up the radio she notices lying dusty and dormant on the desk.

Blowing the dust off, she turns the dials until she finds the channel that would reach Eli and the Wolf’s Den.

Pausing to sniffle, she presses down on the button to talk. “Hello? Eli? Tammy? Anyone? It’s Charlie.” She clears her throat awkwardly as she waits for a response. “Um, over?” She adds.

“Ya know, it’s not really necessary to say over.”

“I know, Wheaty, but no one was answering.”

Charlie can hear the younger man laugh into the microphone. “Well, ya gotta give us more than ten seconds to get to the radio, Charlie.”

“Patience has never been my strong suit.” Sighing, she bites her lip. Not sure of how to go about relaying the message about the mole in the militia; not even sure she should be telling them this. But, it’s the right thing to do. And it’s not like she made a promise to John about what she would do with the information either way.

“Is Eli around?”

“He’s out scoutin’ right now. Whatcha need?”

Charlie knows it’s not Wheaty who’s the betrayer, but she has a bad feeling about repeating the news over the airwaves.

“Is anyone else from the militia there?”

There’s a long pause over the line as she waits for the young militiaman’s answer.

“It’s just me and Tammy here. Why what’s wrong?”

Picking up the radio, Charlie goes to sit on the dilapidated couch. She takes in a deep breath, trying to quell the feeling in her gut that’s telling her she’s making a mistake.

“Tell them that there’s a snake in the garden. They snitched on me to the Seeds. They know I killed one of Jacob’s hunters and I-”

“Who is it? Are you at The Veteran’s Center?” Wheaty interrupts her. There’s a hitch in his breath as he asks his next question. “Did they take you?”

“No,” Charlie can feel tears start to fall and she digs her nails into her thigh to stop herself from openly showing her distress, “but I can’t come back to the Wolf’s Den anymore. That’s why I need you to report back to Eli, shit even Tammy, what I just told you.”

“But why-”

She lets out a deep sigh before cutting him off. “Can you just trust me? I’m trying to protect you. All I ask in return is you get rid of your rat infestation.”

Charlie waits, the static of the radio the only response.

“You got it.”

“Thanks, kid. I’ll see ya when I see ya.”

And with that she flicks off the power, unable to continue the conversation; unable to accept her newly minted fate.

Tossing the machine onto the ground, Charlie falls back onto the couch. She decides to spend the rest of her day inside the bunker, certain her parents won’t come searching for her here. She isn’t ready to hear the exuberance of her mother when she tells her the news of her joining the cult; if it was up to her she would have offered Charlie’s hand in marriage the moment she had stepped foot onto the compound.

Though, Christine has probably already found out if John was actually telling the truth about there being a meeting. She can’t bear to think about the two of them conspiring about her; about her future. It’s too much to deal with. The whole day has been too emotionally taxing for the young woman.

Charlie reaches behind her, picking up the stray Book of Joseph; her curiosity getting the better of her. She’s pretty sure the whole book will be monotonous; mundane monologues about their terrible childhoods. It’s the same bullshit with every cult leader. Regardless, she wants to find the juicy bits for future ammunition for the next time John Seed wants to throw jabs at her about her own youth. They’re alike, her ass.

Opening the book to a random page, Charlie settles in. Admittedly, the book is a hard read, both from Joseph’s unreliable narration and the abuse the two eldest Seeds regularly suffered. What catches her eye, though, are the bits of a young, barely more than a toddler, John being beaten; abuse so bad it forced the brothers into foster homes.

The new information forces Charlie to slam the book shut. She can’t help but feel guilt and pity for the man, all of them if she’s being honest, but especially John. She doesn’t know if these feelings are stemming from the parental neglect she suffered as a kid or if it’s because of her own desperate desire to become a mother; to be able to give a child a life she was deprived of. She doesn’t even know if any of this is actually; maybe it’s all a ploy for people like her to feel empathy for them.

Shaking her head, Charlie closes her eyes. Do not think of them as anything more than the monsters they are, she chides herself.

Curling up into a ball on the couch, she tries to relax; tries to clear her mind of all the dizzying emotions that came from today. After what feels like hours of breathing exercises and mantras to shut her brain off, she finally falls asleep.

The nightmare is the same as it is every night. Charlie finds herself being hunted through the Whitetails by one of Jacob’s red camo clad chosen. And just like always she kills them; just as it happened in real life. But this time, the outcome has changed.

It’s still her blood splattered face that’s exposed after the ski mask is ripped off, but the eyes staring back at her are no longer the hazel eyes of the recently deceased hunter. This time they’re sky blue; blue like the eye color shared by all of the male Seeds.

Charlie wakes up with a start. Heart racing wildly, she puts her palm over her chest in a vain attempt to calm it down.

“Fuck me.”

She’s no dream interpreter, but Charlie is definitely concerned this means something. Means that she’s become prey to the Seeds; that she’s become some sort of toy for them to play with at will. It’s distressing, especially since she’s worked for years to ensure she would never be in such a vulnerable position with men again. And now here she is; in the belly of the beast, but this time it’s worse. This time it’s with cult leaders rather than a gaslighting husband.

“I need a drink,” she mutters to herself as she sits up.

Charlie heads up to her parents house, the early summer sun blinding her as she exits the bunker. “Mom? Daddy?” she calls out once she’s made it back inside. The calls for her parents are met with dead silence.

Searching through rooms gives her no leads on where they could be until she finds a note plastered to the refrigerator.

“Princess,

Mammon and I will be out for most of the day. You can find your mother up at Black Horse Peak if there’s an emergency. I’ll be out fishing on the bay with a few friends from church. Both of us should be back by dinner time. Don’t get into any trouble while we’re gone, ma fille.

Love,

Papa”

Charlie sighs. She was hoping to not be alone after the nightmare she had, let alone the day she had previously. But, on the bright side now she has time to come up with a way to explain to her parents about her change of heart towards Eden’s Gate.

Deciding the best course of action would be to tell them over dinner; a dinner where she can spike her own drink to take the edge off. There’s no worries about them being disappointed or angry with her. No, she needs to drink to hide the disappointment in her own mother who will be delighted that her boss managed to break down her daughter into joining his family’s cult. In one day too. What a feat!

A couple hours pass with Charlie trying and failing to concoct a meal when there’s a knock at the door. Immediately going on guard since she wasn’t expecting any guests, she grabs a kitchen knife off the counter.

As she heads over to the door she peeks outside the window to see who her surprise visitor is. None other John Seed is standing there on her porch; a look of fury written all over his face.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” she says, slamming the knife down on the entrance table.

Opening the door with a bit of trepidation, Charlie begins to panic. Why would he come here when he could have just had her brought to him? Why come when she’s all alone? The normally well-coiffed Seed looks frazzled; his usual slick backed hair falling loosely in his face.

“What do you want?” she asks through the crack in the door. Instead of giving her a response, John pushes his way into the house.

“Oh, okay. Please, come inside,” Charlie grumbles as she slams the door shut.

She watches as John paces through the living room; watching as he runs a hand through his hair, letting out a dark chuckle as he does so. The situation started out unsettling and now it’s just flat out creeping her out.

“Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” John asks, finally looking up at her.

Charlie blinks at him trying to understand what she could have possibly done in the last twenty four hours to anger him this badly. And then it dawns on her. She told the Whitetails about the mole amongst them and she’s guessing Eli handled the problem.

Oops.

“What exactly did you expect me to do? Allow your brother to keep getting intel on my friends? So he could, what, pounce on them when the timing was right? I don’t think so.”

“No, you’re right.” He clears his throat before leaning against the wall, no longer manically pacing around the room, but calm and collected. “I trusted you too early; had hoped you would be grateful for the gift I’ve given you, but I see now I was mistaken. Instead, you would rather squander it and try and pull off these childish antics of yours.”

John pushes himself off the wall, slowly making his way towards her; the action preemptively making her back herself against the counter.

“But I’m not worried about it. And you know why?” He knocks on the table as he continues on.

Charlie shakes her head “no”, uncertainty over whether that was the right answer setting in.

“Because Joseph saw you walk through the Gates of Eden with us; with me. So, I know all of the trouble you’re putting us through will be worth it in the end. I just need you to recognize your purpose and start behaving.”

They’re so close now; too close for Charlie’s comfort. She puts a hand between them; her fingers lightly touching his torso. The touch makes her flinch, but after he put her face in a vice-like grip just the day before, she’s not letting him get that close again.

“Walking through the Gates of Eden? What does that even mean?” She furrows her brow, she’s pretty certain Joseph is just making up visions to have his brother keep her in line, nevertheless the possible euphemism unnerves her. “Is that like heaven? Are you here to commit a murder suicide?”

Charlie quickly realizes that that may be the wrong thing to say when she sees the scowl cross John’s face.

He leans in closer to her, forcing her makeshift barrier of her wrist to drop. “You are in no position to be making jokes, sweetheart”, the Baptist glares down at her. “Because you, Charlene, in less than three weeks have managed to get two of our chosen killed. One by your own hand and,” John looks down towards her lips, “and one by your big fucking mouth,” he hisses at her.

“Good.” Charlie shoves him away, trying to reclaim some of her personal space. “That last one snitched on me; took my life away from me. So I guess we’re even now. Eye for an eye. Isn’t that what you people believe in?”

“You know, you’re not nearly as clever as you think you are.” Sitting on their loveseat, John splays himself out as if he owns the place; the overly cocky attitude in full swing again.

Admittedly, Charlie does feel some guilt over the news of another chosen dead. There’s a part of her that’s curious about who they were in the militia, but the other part doesn’t need that on her conscience; not when the first death has been haunting her dreams nightly.

“Joseph entrusted me with your atonement; he still has faith that you’ll come around. Jacob still believes you deserve to be punished. Now I’m of two sides,” he says, leaning forward. “I believe you need to be reprimanded for this; for making some of the project’s best hunters spend their morning burying their friend. But death is too harsh.”

“What – what were you thinking of doin’?” Charlie stutters, her drawl starting to slip out.

“I was thinking of moving up your baptism. To tonight.”

“No!” Charlie all but yells as she marches over to where John is perched. “I – I haven’t even read your brother’s book yet! I don’t know what I’m getting myself into! I don’t even have anything to wear!”

She’s practically in between the man’s legs and she’s half tempted to bend down and scream in his face; make him feel as small as he constantly makes her feel. But it’s inappropriate and she immediately rights herself of the urge.

“None of that matters. All that matters to me is that you start the process soon.”

It dawns on Charlie that she should be questioning John on why he is so insistent on keeping her alive; what he meant by her walking through the Gates of Eden with him specifically. But a voice inside of her tells that she’s certain to find out sooner rather than later; and she might not like the answers she gets.

“Can I at least find something decent here to wear?”

“Yes, but,” John shifts uncomfortably, “I need you to keep the door open. I can’t trust you to not try and run.”

Charlie laughs as she heads into her parent’s room. “Where could I run to that you wouldn’t find me?”

She shuts the door a crack, partly out of habit, partly because she doesn’t want John watching her undress. The thought of him seeing her naked alone makes her grimace.

It takes her a few minutes, but she’s able to find something buried in the closet. It's pink and floral, not her usual color, but it’s a sundress and that’s all that matters to her. Pulling her shorts and cropped top off she watches in the mirror as John loiters around her family’s dining room.

Uncomfortable with the Baptist going through their belongings, she quickly pulls the dress on; tossing her honey brown hair into a ponytail.

“Excuse me?”

“Ah, you’re ready,” he says as he comes and leans on the doorframe to the bedroom. “Like I said earlier, I can’t trust you. So I need you to do me a favor before we can leave.” John pulls a flask from his jacket pocket, handing it over to her as if she’s just supposed to accept a drink from him.

“I thought you guys banned this shit? Too good for a stiff drink or two.”

“It’s not alcohol.”

Charlie scoffs. He wants to roofie her so she’ll behave; be a good girl for the Seeds. And he thinks she’s going to consent to this? Fuck that.

“Then I’m not drinking it. Not until you tell me what’s in it.” She has spent way too many years practicing drink safety to just take a drugged drink, even if the man giving it to her is warning her in advance.

“It’s bliss,” John says as if she would understand what that means. But he sees the confusion written all over her face. “It’s safe. You’ll be fine. It’ll keep you calm for a couple of hours. Enough to get you through the cleansing . And after that,” he smiles down at her, “we can work on building trust.”

“What if I say no?”

John’s smile turns sour suddenly, stepping forward to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Like I said earlier, I’ll be forced to take your sins out the people you love the-“

“Okay, enough with the threats,” Charlie groans as she snatches the flask from his hands. “You’re a huge dick, ya know that?” She shoves past him, “a real pushy asshole.”

Uncapping the flask, she takes a sniff. It’s oddly sweet smelling. Maybe it won’t be so bad? She thinks to herself. John watches her intently as she puts the container to her lips. She can’t help but feel that he’s enjoying this too much.

The drink itself is bitter in spite of its fragrant scent. The taste makes her want to throw the flask across the room; then maybe projectile vomit afterwards. She manages to get a bit down before handing it off to John.

“I think I’m ready,” she says, trying to hold the bile in her throat down.

John nods, heading out the door. Charlie starts to feel nervous as she follows suite; afraid that she may pass out and be taken to God knows where to have God knows what done to her.

“Don’t worry about the door. I’ll have one of my chosen let your family know where you are so they can join us.”

“Okay,” she mumbles, allowing John to open the car door for her to get in.

Eli and the Whitetails will come for you soon. They know you’re in trouble now and he’ll come and save you. They have to. She thinks as she watches the youngest Seed walk around the vehicle to get in as well. And she wants his head on a platter when they do.

There’s not much time to dwell on thoughts of being rescued. John has barely backed out of the driveway by the time Charlie has started seeing green and feeling dizzy. Her head drops back to fall against the cool leather of the headrest.

“I’m just gonna rest my eyes for a moment,” she slurs; eyes drooping shut. Before she knows it, she’s out cold; on the way to start the most interesting chapter of her life thus far.

#fic: stillness in woe #john seed x oc #john seed #oc: charlie berger #far cry 5 fic #yay! baptism next chapter #we’re really in it now

27 notes · View notes

wiypt-writes · 3 years

Text

Stark Spangled Banner

Ch15: That Tie Looks Real Expensive

Summary: On the run from SHIELD, Katie and Steve find Natasha at the hospital when they head back for the memory drive. Their search for the truth leads Steve on yet another trip down memory lane and, as more truths bubble to the surface, the three of them are left running for their lives and are forced to seek help…

Pairing: Steve Rogers x OFC Katie Stark

Warnings: Language! Violence, and someone gets pushed off a roof but he’s Hydra so, meh.

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar Katie Stark and the other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

A/N: Not one but TWO edits from @angrybirdcr in this one!!

Chapter 14

Stark Spangled Banner Masterlist // Main Masterlist

After a bit of a skirmish on the bridge out of the Triskellion involving a Quinjet and some nasty looking road blocks, they made it out relatively unscathed all things considered and headed to the boxing gym they trained at so Steve could change. Katie told him to leave his suit behind in the hope that the tracking systems would give whoever came looking for them a bit of a detour. At her suggestion, in an attempt to keep them as unnoticeable as possible, he also locked his shield in his locker, with the view they’d collect it when it was safe to do so.

They reached the hospital with no further issues. Katie was feeling the effects of the fight in the elevator and the leap of faith they’d taken out of it and was stiff and bruised but she did her best to keep pace with Steve as they strode down the corridor. When they reached the vending machine, Steve stopped and peered into it, frowning as he realised the row where he had hidden the stick was empty. Then someone appeared behind them, and he saw Natasha’s reflection in the machine, blowing bubbles from the gum she’d obviously bought to retrieve the stick.

Steve spun round, temper reaching boiling point as he grabbed her by the neck in a display of anger Katie had rarely seen from him, pushing her into a room opposite.

“What happened to you?” She looked at Katie’s face, her eyes taking in the bruising around her left cheekbone and the split in her lip.

“Rumlow.” Katie snapped back, unwilling to discuss any further. Her patience with this whole situation was running thin and she was sick of not knowing who she could trust. She had resigned from SHIELD for this precise reason, and here she was, getting dragged once more back into their shit.

“Where is it?” Steve demanded, looking at Nat as he reached up and threw down his hood.

“Safe.”

“Do better.” Katie suggested, glaring at the woman she thought was her friend, not sure anymore whether or not to trust the red-head.

“Where did you get it?” Natasha asked.

“Why would I tell you?” Steve countered.

“Fury gave it to you,” she narrowed her eyes at him. “Why?”

“What’s on it?” Steve ask, ignoring her question.

“I don’t know,” Natasha answered.

Steve lightly slammed her against the wall his patience thinning quickly, anger blazing from every inch of his body. “Stop lying,” he said through gritted teeth.

“I only act like I know everything, Rogers.”

“I bet you knew Fury hired the pirates, didn’t you?” Katie said, looking at her.

“Well, it makes sense. The ship was dirty, Fury needed a way in…”

Katie let out a frustrated laugh before she spun around away from Natasha, groaning.

“I’m not gonna ask you again,” Steve threatened.

“I know who killed Fury.” Natasha spoke as Katie turned to face her again. “Most of the intelligence community doesn’t believe he exists. The ones who do call him the Winter Soldier. He’s credited with over two dozen assassinations in the last fifty years.”

“So he’s a ghost story.” Steve concluded releasing her and taking a step back.

“Five years ago, I was escorting a nuclear engineer out of Iran and somebody shot out my tires near Odessa.” She said, looking him straight in the eyes “We lost control, went straight over a cliff. I pulled us out, but the Winter Soldier was there. I was covering my engineer, so he shot him, straight through me.”

Natasha pulled up her shirt, revealing a scar on her lower left abdomen.

“Soviet slug, no rifling. Bye bye, bikinis.”

“Yeah, I bet you look terrible in them now.” Steve half joked.

“Going after him is a dead end. I know, I’ve tried.” Nat stated before she pulled out the thumb drive and held it out for all of them to see.

Steve eyed her before taking it and putting it in his pocket before he looked at Katie then back to Natasha.

“Let’s find out what the ghost wants.”

*****

“You know you could have picked something a little more subtle.” Nat hummed as she lounged in the backseat of the truck that they had taken from an industrial estate opposite the gym when they had stopped to pick up Steve’s shield and ditch Nat’s Corvette on their way out to New Jersey.

They had gotten what they needed from the Mall, including the location of where the AI that kept countering Natasha’s commands on the pen drive was coming from, which to Steve’s shock had been Camp Lehigh, the place he had trained and been selected for Operation Rebirth. After a close shave with the STRIKE team, in which Katie and Natasha’s stealth skills really had been put to the test, although Steve hadn’t objected to one part in particular where he’d had to kiss his girl on the escalator, they had bolted for Natasha’s car and made it out, unscathed and thankfully with a few new changes of clothes each.

“It’s a truck, lots of men drive trucks.” Steve replied, as he comfortably drove with one hand on the wheel, the other on the gearshift, eyes focussed on the road.

“Because they think it looks cool when in fact it just makes them look like douchebags who are compensating for something.” Nat responded.

Despite himself, Steve couldn’t help but quip back playfully. “Maybe I am.” “Well I know that’s not true” Nat replied, her voice full of a smirk. “Katie told me.”

Steve felt his cheeks flush as Katie shifted in the seat beside him, whipping her head round to face the woman. “Jesus, Nat!”

“What were your exact words?” Natasha continued, a teasing expression on her face. “Oh yeah, if that thing wasn’t enhanced by the-“ “If you don’t shut up I’m gonna come back there and slap you into next week.” Katie hastily cut her off. She turned back round, glancing at Steve. His cheeks were flushed red with embarrassment but there was a faint trace of a smirk on his face, his eyes still focussed ahead. He could tell she was looking at him so he kept his eyes on the road, fully aware he blushing. But as far as discussing their sex life with her friend went, he supposed that there were far worse things she could be saying.

“So where did Captain America learn how to steal a car?” Natasha asked a few minutes later as Katie noticed that they were passing a sign welcoming them to New Jersey. All things considered they’d made pretty good time.

“Nazi Germany” Steve looked over his shoulder at her. “And we’re borrowing, take your feet off the seat.“

Natasha eyed him in the mirror, but did as she was told before she leant forward between the two front seats.

"Alright, I have a question for you both, which you do not have to answer. But I feel if you don’t answer it though, you’re kind of answering it, you know?”

“What?” Steve asked exasperatedly.

“So before in the Apple store… you guys were like engaged…” She began a hint of a smirk on her face. “Any chance of that happening for real?”

Katie moaned and, upon hearing her, Steve felt something in his stomach tighten.

"That bad an idea huh?” He asked stealing a glance over at her.

“I didn’t say that.” Katie sighed.

“No but it kinda sounded like that’s what you meant.” Steve continued.

“I not even gracing that with a response” Katie shot him a look.

“You gonna grace my other question with a response?”

“Which was?”

“Whether you’re gonna move in with me or not.” He stole another glance at her but before she could reply he felt Nat shift a little.

“You asked her?” She aised her eyebrows. “Will you fuck off?” Katie snapped. She’d had enough and well and truly reached her fill of Natasha’s sarcasm, of SHIELD, of everything.

“Take it easy Stark.” Nat drawled back, nonplussed. “You know, if you don’t want to answer a question straight you could try making something up.”

“What, like you?” Katie scoffed, looking at her over her shoulder

“You know the truth is a matter of circumstances, it’s not all things to all people all the time. And neither am I.”

"That’s a hard way to live,” Steve commented as he took in the red-heads words. Besides him Katie shifted, agitatedly and he knew she was pissed. Natasha was supposed to be her friend and all this had shaken her trust.

“It’s a good way not to die, though.” Natasha mused unconcerned.

“You know, it’s kind of hard to trust someone when you don’t know who that someone really is.” Katie shot the red head a pointed look and Steve held his breath for the sarcastic response he was expecting back. He really didn’t want to have to split up a fight between the two. But knowing his girl as he did, he had a horrible feeling it would go that way if Natasha bit back. Thankfully, she didn’t, her tone was soft, almost wistful when she answered

“Yeah.” Natasha replied, looking through the window. “Who do you want me to be?”

“How about a friend?” Steve jumped in.

“Well, there’s a chance you might be in the wrong business, Rogers.” Natasha smirked returning to her comfortable position in the backseat.

They sat in silence for a bit and Katie turned to look at Steve. If there was one person in all this she could trust, she knew it was him. She had no idea what they were going to find, what they were going to walk into but she trusted him with her life, and loved him with every inch of her being. And she wanted him to know, in case this all went wrong, just how much.

Steve shifted in his seat as he could feel her eyes on him for a while before she spoke finally.

“I’m not gonna move in with you.”

Steve’s head whipped round, his mouth dry at her refusal, before he returned his attention to the road, trying not to read too much into her rejection, as she continued to speak.

“Your flat is full of bullet holes, your bed is in the wrong place and frankly it’s too small for all my stuff. You’ll have to move in with me.”

Wait, what? That wasn’t a refusal.

He looked at her, aware a grin was spreading across his face. “Seriously?”

She nodded, returning her gaze to the front, and he did the same as her fingers tangled into his right hand where it was resting on the pillar between their seats, gently pulling it into her lap so she could trace shapes on his palm.

And, surprisingly, there was no sarcastic comment from the back seats.

*****

“It’s some kind of recording,” Natasha frowned as she tried to make sense of what was happening in front of them. They’d scoured the camp and after a long search, just as they were ready to give up, Steve had spotted that the munitions building was in the wrong place. Further investigations had led them into a huge, underground bunker and, after an hour or so more of searching, they had discovered a secret Elevator that led down to a huge room full of ancient computers…and a more modern USB terminal.

Natasha had plugged in the USB device into the port, which had activated the system and now, well, now Katie had no idea what the fuck they were looking at.

“I am not a recording, Fraulein. I may not be the man I was when the Captain took me prisoner in 1945.”

Steve sighed heavily as the computer screen showed a black and white photo of a familiar odd looking man with round glasses. Zola.

“Who is that?” Katie asked as Steve glared at the photo on the computer screen.

“Do you know this thing?” Natasha questioned sceptically.

“Armin Zola was a German scientist who worked for the Red Skull. He’s been dead for years,” Steve explained shortly as he walked round the back of the screen, looking for anything that would explain how it was working.

“First correction, I am Swiss. Second, look around you. I have never been more alive. In 1972, I received a terminal diagnosis. Science could not save my body. My mind, however, that was worth saving. Two hundred thousand feet of data banks. You are standing in my brain.” Zola explained.

“How did you get here?” Steve questioned, returning to the front of the television monitor.

“I was invited.”

“Operation Paperclip.” Natasha supplied as her and Katie exchanged a look.

“What?” Steve asked.

“After the War Shield recruited German scientists with strategic value.” Katie replied, her eyes still on the screen.

“They thought I could help their cause. I also helped my own.” Zola continued.

“HYDRA died with the Red Skull,” Steve snapped.

“Cut off one head, two more shall take its place.” Zola said confidently

“Prove it.” Steve challenged and Katie had to stifle a sigh as she was pretty sure they were going to regret that.

“Accessing archive.”

The computer screen began to screen old footage of the Red Skull and of the original SHIELD founders.

“HYDRA was founded on the belief that humanity could not be trusted with its own freedom. What we did not realize, was that if you try to take that freedom, they resist. The war taught us much. Humanity needed to surrender its freedom willingly. After the war, SHIELD was founded and I was recruited. The new HYDRA grew. A beautiful parasite inside SHIELD. For seventy years, HYDRA has been secretly feeding crisis, reaping war. And when history did not cooperate, history was changed.”

Various photos flashed up as he spoke of events through the course of modern history. Besides him Katie gulped when they reached the assassination of JFK, and the photo zoomed in on a grainy image of the masked man with the metal arm in the distance, aiming his rifle, The Winter Soldier.

“That’s impossible, SHIELD would have stopped you,” Natasha said quickly countering the computer.

“Accidents will happen.” The computer screen then revealed a very familiar item, the newspaper reporting Howard and Maria Stark’s deaths. Steve felt his mouth go dry as he realised what Zola was telling him, whilst besides him, Katie took a deep breath as she looked at the screen, her Parent’s faces looking back at her in black and white print. And then the ringing started in her ears.

Her parents had been killed. By HYDRA.

When she spoke again, her voice was as desperate as she was. Desperate for this to be nonsense. “No, that’s not… they died in an accident… it was a car crash…”

“Things are not what they seem.” The screen drawled back

“You killed them?” Katie’s chest was heaving, the anger now evident in her voice as it coursed through her veins, her voice loud as she balled her fists “HYDRA killed my parents? Why?”

A photo of Director Fury flashed up.

“HYDRA created a world so chaotic that humanity is finally ready to sacrifice its freedom to gain its security.” Pictures of three helicarriers were shown next, and Steve feltl the angry heat spread up his neck, blistering and raw. “Once the purification process is complete, HYDRA’s new world order will arise. We won, Captain. Your death amounts to the same as your Life; a zero sum.”

Steve’s anger boiled over, and it appeared Katie’s had as well as the pair of them surged forward. Katie lashed out with her right foot kicking over a chair in anger and Steve brought his right hand crashing into the TV, smashing the screen. It only resulted in silencing the Swiss man for a moment, before he spoke cockily once again from a different monitor

“As I was saying…”

"What’s on this drive?” Natasha asked quickly stepping in front of both Katie and Steve to avoid the pair of them destroying anything else.

“Project Insight requires insight. So I wrote an algorithm.”

“What kind of algorithm? What does it do?” Katie demanded.

“The answer to your question is fascinating. Unfortunately, you shall be too dead to hear it.”

Suddenly, the doors they came through started to close. Steve threw his shield attempting to catch them before they shut completely but it missed and he caught it as it ricocheted back.

“Guys, we got a bogey, short-range ballistics. Thirty seconds tops.” Natasha announced looking at her phone, her voice earnest.

“Who fired it?” asked Steve, as he starting to look for an alternative escape route.

“SHIELD.” She looked at him, then to Katie.

“Admit it Captain, it’s better this way. We’re both of us, out of time.” Warned Zola.

Katie looked around for any sign of a way out, knowing it was pointless. She spotted a grate in the floor not too far from where we were and yelled at Steve. Catching on to what she was saying, he easily threw the top off as Natasha pulled the drive out of the port that was on the desk.

“Get in!” Steve yelled. Natasha hopped down into the space, then Katie followed, the two girls getting as close to one another as they could to make room for Steve in the small space. He jumped down and pulled them both in close before holding his shield over their heads.

The missile hit a split second later. Instantly, heat, smoke and pressure surrounded the three of them. Steve could feel the ash in his throat and he had to fight with all his strength to keep his shield above them, as the debris from the collapsing building above rained down into the space they were hiding in. Letting out a groan he braced himself and simply stayed as strong as he could, and eventually the noise subsided. He could hear Katie’s heavy breathing as she struggled to maintain her calm, coughing slightly as she spoke.

“Nat?”

No answer.

Steve grunted again as he pushed against his shield trying to clear away the debris on top of it just enough to get out. He let out a sigh of relief as, following a third huge heave, light flooded down into the chamber. With another almighty shove, he managed to clear a path for him to climb out. He scrambled up, checked around to make sure it was safe and the he glanced down at the two women.

“You okay?” he asked.

“I am, but Nat’s passed out.” Katie blinked up at him, awkwardly shifting Natasha around carefully in order so Steve could lift her out. Carefully he set her down on the floor and then wrapped his hand around his girl’s wrist and pulled her out of the hole. Immediately she crouched next to Nat.

“Her pulse is strong. I think she just fainted, she doesn’t do well in tight spaces, like me.” Katie coughed harshly before she paused at the sound of a familiar hum growing steadily closer.

“Quinjets.” Her eyes grew wide.

“Let’s go.” Steve ordered quietly, scooping Natasha up in his arms. Ensuring Katie was in front of him at all times, they quickly began navigating their way out of the rubble as they headed back to the truck.

Katie climbed into the backseat and Steve laid Natasha down so that her head rested in Katie’s lap before he jumped into the driver’s seat, starting the car and taking off down the dirt road.

Neither of them spoke for a good five minutes. Katie was still trying to make sense of what Zola had said. HYDRA had killed her parents, for no other reason that she could think of bar the fact her dad had worked tirelessly against everything they stood for, as part of SHIELD. Her eyes misted over and she tried to blink back the tears, keeping her breathing even. She knew if she started crying, after everything that had happened, she wouldn’t stop.

In the front of the truck, Steve’s head was also reeling. All this time, HYDRA had grown within SHIELD, he’d gone into the ice for what? He wiped his hand over his face and glanced in the rear view mirror. Katie was looking down at Natasha, gently carding her hands through her friend’s hair, but he could see her eyes were wet. He felt another flash of anger. How could Fury have not noticed? How could Peggy have not noticed? So many goddamned questions.

“What…” Natasha’s voice was croaky and Steve glanced back again to see the red head’s eyes fluttering as she looked around.

“You passed out” Katie looked down at her. “We’re alright now, we got out ok.”

She sat upright and blinked again, “Thanks…”

Steve turned back to the windscreen as the car fell into silence.

“So, where to now?” Nat asked the question. No one answered which caused her to suggest “Tony?”

“No” Steve and Katie both said at the same time.

“For one thing he isn’t in the country.” Katie shook her head. “He’s in Aus working on some deal.”

“And they’ll be watching the Tower.” Steve continued, “It’s not safe”

“We need to get hold of Hill.” Katie licked her lips. “She’s the only one in any of this I trust now.”

Steve pondered, and then had to concede she was right. “Alright, but we need to lay low whilst we do. Any ideas?”

“Yeah.” Katie nodded. “And it’s a crazy one, but one that no one will ever suspect as no on in SHIELD knows the guy exists. Not yet anyway.” Steve shot her a questioning glance in the mirror, which turned into one of realisation as she finished. “Sam Wilson.”

“Honey we hardly know the guy.” Steve shook his head.

“Well trusting people we do know hasn’t exactly worked for us so far, has it?” Katie snapped back, a little tetchily. Steve opened his mouth to argue but Natasha cut him off.

“Nova’s right. Sometimes the person you have to trust is a stranger.” *********

Once they had tracked down Sam’s address, which was fairly easy to figure out when you had access to JARVIS via a StarkPhone, Sam let them in without so much as a question, the fact that the three of them were battered, bruised and filthy declaring everyone they knew was trying to kill them told him all he needed to know. He offered up his guestroom and Steve, being the gentleman that he was, let both Natasha and Katie go before him, giving Sam a brief overview of what had happened.

Katie and Natasha both showered quickly, and now they were currently sat quietly in the guestroom while Steve used the en-suite. He washed his face and looked in the mirror, letting out a sigh as he glanced back at his reflection, various bruises already covered his arms and upper body thanks to his accelerated healing but that wasn’t what bothered him. He was completely and utterly at a loss as to what to do next. Turning, he opened the door and saw Katie sitting behind Nat on the bed, drying the back of the woman’s red hair. He locked eyes with her, gave her a small smile and then looked at Natasha who was staring into space.

“You okay?"

"Yeah,” She replied quickly, too quickly.

Steve set down the towel he was drying his hands with and entered the room then sat on the chair across from the girls. He leaned his elbows on his knees and looked at Natasha carefully. “What’s going on?”

“When I first joined SHIELD, I thought I was going straight. But I guess I just traded in the KGB for Hydra,” Natasha confessed, looking down at her hands. “I thought I knew whose lies I was telling, but I guess I can’t tell the difference anymore.”

“There’s a chance you might be in the wrong business.” Katie teased earning a small smile from the redhead.

“I owe you.” Natasha sighed quietly, “Both of you.”

“It’s okay,” Steve smiled.

“If it was the other way around, and it was down to me to save your lives – and be honest with me – would you trust me to do it?” She asked quietly, her green eyes locked onto Steve’s.

“I would now,” said Steve. “And I’m always honest.”

“Without question.” Katie added as Nat turned to her, a smile growing on her lips.

“Well,” She said as she looked back at Steve. “You seem pretty chipper for someone who just found out they died for nothing.”

“Well, guess I just like to know who I’m fighting,” Steve sighed in response, although she had hit a nerve.

“I made breakfast,” Sam’s voice came and the three looked to see him leaning up against the doorframe. “If you guys, eat that sort of thing.” He added as he left.

Steve inclined his head slightly, smiling as Natasha stood up and left the room, shouting after Sam to see if he had a hair dryer, earning her a sarcastic response about him not having had an afro since the late eighties. Katie made to follow her but Steve caught her arm gently as he too rose from his chair.

“Doll.” He started, wanting to talk to her about the discovery but she cut him off, shaking her head. She didn’t want to talk about it. It was too painful and the fear of what Tony would say was eating her up.

“You know, after mom and dad died, Tony lost it.” Katie sighed gently, voicing her fears. “When he finds out they were murdered it could push him over the edge again.”

“Don’t tell him then.” Steve found himself suggesting. He didn’t approve of lying, but sometimes if knowing the truth was detrimental then…

“And then if he does find out, and then realises I knew and didn’t tell him?” Katie swallowed, shaking her head “I don’t know what’s worse, Steve.”

She looked utterly lost and broken and Steve felt a lump catch in his throat as he pulled her to him, kissing the top of her head. He was desperately trying to think of something that would raise her mood, and then he found himself for some strange reason thinking back to the banter the three had shared in the truck and he knew just how to do it.

“Did you really tell Natasha I had a big…” He looked down at his girl as she gave a small chuckle, the sound music to his ears.

“No I said you were a big dick…she must have misheard me”

He rolled his eyes and a sarcastic “ha ha” fell from his mouth as she smiled, sliding her hands up his chest.

“What I actually said was that if that thing…”she glanced down at his crotch before looking back up. “wasn’t supersized at the same time you were, I have no idea how you managed to stand upright before the serum.”

Jesus she was incorrigible at times. But Steve loved her for that. And he was also secretly pleased she thought he was packing, so to speak. He smirked as his hands slid to her hips. “You’re a nightmare.”

“Yeah but you love me.” She grinned.

“Yeah, yeah I do.” His lips met hers in a soft kiss before the pair of them sighed, the moment of humour and good nature slipping away as they both remembered exactly where they were and why they were there.

“Come on.” Steve took her hand and together they headed down the hall into the kitchen area, the smell of food hitting his nostrils made his stomach grumble.

“You all look a hell of a lot better.” Sam commented as Katie grabbed a few things for her plate- a couple of pancakes, fruit and toast. Steve smiled a bit at the quasi-compliment before he sighed, biting into a piece of toast.

“Well, it’s been an eventful twenty-four hours.” He responded as he slipped into a chair.

“I aint got anywhere to be.” Sam shrugged as he looked at Steve “I know you gave me the overview but how about you give me the details?”

Katie sat down next to Steve at the table and looked at him, then to Natasha before they launched into a detailed explanation of what had happened as Sam listened intently asking questions and serving coffee out to them as they continued explaining over the next thirty minutes or so.

“So, the question is, who in SHIELD could launch a domestic missile strike?” Natasha asked from where she was stood, leaning comfortably back against Sam’s countertops.

“Alexander Pierce,” Katie confidently answered, finishing her coffee. It was amazing how much of the situation now was starting to slot into place following food and caffeine.

“Who happens to be sitting on top of the most secure building in the world,” Natasha walked towards the table, standing behind Katie, almost snorting at the irony of the situation.

“He’s not working alone, Zola’s algorithm was on the Lemurian Star.” Steve continued.

“And you told me that Jasper Sitwell was too.” Katie added, as the three of them shared a glance. There was another piece of the puzzle.

“So, the real question is,” Steve looked at Katie then to Nat “How do the three most wanted people in Washington kidnap a SHIELD officer in broad daylight?”

“The answer is, you don’t.” Sam dropped a file on to the table to the right of Katie.

“What’s this?” Steve asked, standing up as Natasha picked up the file.

“Call it a resume.”

Katie stood up as well so the three of them could look at the file.

“Is this Bakhmala? The Khalid Khandil mission-that was you?” Natasha asked and Sam nodded. She then turned to Steve. “You didn’t say he was a para rescue.”

“Riley?” Katie asked nodding to the photo of Sam and another man.

“Yeah.” Sam answered gently.

“I heard they couldn’t bring in the choppers because of the RPGs,” Natasha recalled. “What did you use, a stealth chute?”

“No. These.”

Sam handed Steve another file and he opened it, his eyes growing wide as they looked down at Sam soaring through the air using what could only describe as a pair of mechanical wings. He shared an impressed look with Katie before he glanced at Sam.

“I thought you said you’re a pilot?”

“I never said a pilot.” Sam countered with a little chuckle and a smirk.

“I can’t ask you to do this, Sam. You got out for a good reason.” Steve shook his head.

“Dude, Captain America needs my help. There’s no better reason to get back in.” Sam almost scoffed.

“Where can we get our hands on one of these things?” Katie asked, looking up.

“The last one is at Fort Meade, behind three guarded gates and a twelve inch steel wall.” Sam supplied, his tone a little dejected.

Steve looked to Natasha who nodded with a shrug. “Shouldn’t be a problem.” He almost smiled, looking at Sam with a smirk before he turned to Katie. “Reckon you can track down Sitwell?”

“Sam, you got a Laptop?” Katie looked to the man who nodded. “Then yeah, I can track him down.” She affirmed, dropping her StarkPhone onto the table.

********

The plan was as solid as they could make it. Steve and Nat were taking Sam’s car to Fort Meade to break out his kit whilst Sam and Katie stayed behind to track down Sitwell. It wasn’t ideal splitting up, but it was the best option they had. All four of them travelling would have attracted attention, plus this way if two of them did get caught, the other two still had a chance of getting the job done.

Steve drove the truck down the freeway, Nat lounging in the front seat as she looked at the plans of the base that they now had courtesy of some expert searching via Google Maps.

“If we go in from the East Side we should have the element of surprise.” She spoke and Steve nodded.

“Right, we get in, we get out, minimum casualties, minimum fuss.”

Natasha hummed her agreement as Steve stopped at a red light.

“So, you actually asked Stark to move in?” Nat grinned.

“Yeah.” “I’m impressed. Your forty’s programming has been well and truly broken.” Steve rolled his eyes “Well I figured I want to spend the rest of my life with her so what does it matter?” He realised what he’d said instantly and let out a groan as Natasha grinned.

“You wanna marry her…” She said in a sing-song voice.

“People don’t always get married now.” Steve tried to shrug it off and Nat snorted.

“Bullshit Rogers! Soon as you can get a ring on it we all know you’re gonna.”

“Who’s we?”

“Everyone.” Natasha added sagely. “You two are like ultimate couple goals. It’s cute.”

Steve took a deep breath, staring ahead as he drove before he took a deep breath. “You know I kinda already asked her.” He looked back at Natasha who turned to him, mouth open. He had no idea why he was telling her this, absolutely no idea, other than the fact it felt nice to talk about something positive. “Well, not properly, but when I asked her to move in she was teasing me about us not being married so I said we could get married if she wanted, and-” “Great proposal.” Nat cut him off with a snigger. “What did she say?” “Told me to ask again with a, and I quote, big, fuck off tiffany diamond.”

“Every girl deserves a bit of sparkle.” Nat mused. “Unlucky for you, you’ve chosen a Billionaire to date.” “She’s not like that.” Steve instantly jumped to his girl’s defence.

“I know.” Nat soothed with a smile. “I know.”

They fell into silence for the rest of the way and, upon arriving at the base, they crept round to the best point of entry, following the heat scanners on Nat’s phone. Steve easily dispatched three guards, Natasha another two before they reached the room they were looking at. Natasha easily hacked the security codes thanks to something on her phone, Steve didn’t ask what, and they met no one on their way out.

Frankly, it went far too smoothly for Steve’s liking but he wasn’t going to complain. He just hoped Katie had got on as well with locating Sitwell.

***** Once Steve and Nat had left, Sam fired up the laptop for Katie and she plugged the end of her StarkPhone into the USB port.

“So you know this guy we’re looking for?” Sam asked, placing a coffee down next to her as she waited for the programme to run its magic.

“Vaguely.” She sighed out, knowing it would be easier if she knew him better. “But I can work with what I have.”

“So using what you have, how do we find him?”

“Simple, I’m going to check his work calendar.” Katie nodded at the laptop

“And you can do that?” Sam asked

“Not on my own.” She grinned

“Good morning again Miss Stark.” JARVIS’ voice rang out from the laptop, causing Sam to slop coffee down his shirt in surprise.

“Hey JAR, I need a favour. Again. And it’s urgent.” “Of course.” “I need you to by-pass the SHIELD firewall and access someone’s calendar without them noticing.”

“Certainly, but permit me to ask,is everything ok Miss Stark?”

“Nope it is not…” she sighed “I’m in trouble J, but I’m hoping this is gonna help…”

“Should I alert Mr Stark? Maybe call him back from Australia?” “Absolutely not.” Katie shook her head. “There’s no time, in fact I forbid it…”

Once she had explained what she needed, JARVIS set to work, informing her he was going to scramble the IP address and set up a ghost server which would, in turn, allow him to access the information without being detected.

It didn’t take long. Fifteen or so minutes later Sitwell’s calendar flashed up and Katie gave a little yell of triumph.

“JARVIS, you are a genius, buddy!”

“Why thank you, Miss Stark. But I only have about sixty seconds before I will need to close down the connection.”

“Understood. Right let’s see where you’re at, you fucker.” Katie mused, as Sam peered over her shoulder.

“Look, briefing over lunch with Senator Stern at Occidental… 13:00 hours…” He read, pointing at the screen.

“Then he has another meeting at 14:30 back at the Triskellion… so Lunch is our window.” Katie looked up at Sam.

“Gives us an hour and a half.”

“Cutting it fine.” Katie mused. “Ok, thanks J, you can disconnect.” “Certainly Miss Stark. Good luck.”

Just as the AI had shut the link down her mobile rang.

“We got it.” Nat’s voice instantly spoke as she put the phone on speaker. “All ok your side?”

“Yeah, we’re good.” Katie replied

“Any luck finding Sitwell?” this time it was Steve

“Yeah, he’s having lunch at Occidental with Senator Stern at 1pm.”

“Oh, how nice, they have a Senator involved.” Nat snorted sarcastically.

“And that’s going to be our only window before he’s back at the Triskellion at two-thirty.”

“Doesn’t give us much time…” Steve mused.

“What’s your ETA?” Sam asked.

“About twenty five minutes.”

“Okay, so let’s do the brain storming whilst you’re on the phone.” Katie tapped at Sam’s laptop. “The restaurant they’re going to is in the Business District, so we need somewhere secure that’s close by to take him for a little chat.”

She brought up the Google Map images so Sam could see.

“There.” Sam tapped at the screen, “There’s a multi-storey parking lot a few blocks down. We can take him up high…”

“And kick him off the edge.” Katie nodded.

“Stark, I like your style.” Nat replied, and Katie could hear the smirk in her voice.

“Okay so we got the where, now we need the how.” Steve sighed. “We can’t just pick him up at lunch. If the Senator’s there security will be a nightmare.”

"So we wait until he’s finished.” Sam shrugged

”But how do you get him to get in the car?”

“Simple. We give him a choice.” Katie eyed her gun where it lay on the table. “Do it or die.”

***** It turns out fear of death is a very, very good motivator.

Their plan went off perfectly. Natasha spoofed a phone number which Sam used to call Sitwell once he emerged from the restaurant after lunch. As predicted, Sitwell had been his usual cocky little shit of a self, asking Sam why on Earth he would what he was being instructed to do.

And then Katie had aimed her gun sight at him from her hiding place, the red laser sight clear in the middle of Sitwell’s chest.

“Because that tie looks really expensive, and I’d hate to mess it up.” Sam smirked.

Sitwell, resigned to his face, followed Sam instructions and as he left the little plaza upon which the restaurant was situated, Katie stepped out from her hiding place behind the wall of the bar Sam was sat at and pressed the muzzle of her gun into Sitwell’s lower back.

“One move and this goes straight into your spine. And I’ll make sure it doesn’t kill you, just leaves you with no feeling from the neck down…” She informed him, her voice low. Sitwell instantly tensed. "Miss Stark.” He grumbled out, seemingly more annoyed than scared. “Of course you’re involved with this.”

She took in a breath and glanced around, making sure none of the security team with him had realized what had happened. Sam was a few paces behind them and he gave her a nod to say they were clear before she turned back to Sitwell.

“You made me a wanted fugitive.” She shrugged. “Didn’t have much choice.” She stopped walking. “Now, get in the car.” She ordered, sternly.

“Where’s your boyfriend?”

“Get in the car.” She repeated. Sitwell stared at her, looked down at the gun before he swallowed and decided to do as he was told.

"We good?” Sam asked. Katie let out a breath and swiped a loose hair away from her face.

“Yeah, let’s go.”

They drove two blocks away and pulled up outside the large Starbucks on the main road.

“You know I could have got a coffee at the Restaurant.” Sitwell sighed, sarcastically. But his cocky demeanour soon dropped when both the rear car doors opened and Steve slid in one side, Natasha in the other.

“Good afternoon Agent Sitwell…” Steve turned to him, aviator shades covering his eyes. Sitwell looked at Steve, then to Natasha before his shoulders slumped and he bowed his head.

“Shit.”

******

Sitwell really was an arrogant little bastard, Steve had to give him that. The soldier easily manhandled the Agent onto the top of the Car Park roof, demanding to know what the Algorithm was, backing him up right to the edge where Sitwell had almost laughed, stating that it wasn’t Steve’s style to throw people off the edge.

Well, he had a point.

“You’re right. It’s not.” Steve released Sitwell, smoothing out his suit, letting the man nearly sigh in relief. Katie exchanged a glance with Natasha behind Steve’s back, the corner of her mouth twitched up slightly as Nat looked back. They were both going to enjoy this.

“It’s theirs.” Steve finished, before standing aside as both Katie and Natasha aimed strong kicks to Sitwell’s chest, sending him tumbling over the edge.

“So you’re definitely moving in together, then huh?” Natasha asked, peering over the edge as Steve and Katie did the same, listening to Sitwell’s screams growing fainter.

“Yeah.” Steve smiled, looking down off the side of the room, hands in his pockets. “Although I’m not sure how I’m going to cope surrounded by mess.”

Katie rolled her eyes, as Sitwell’s screams started getting louder again and suddenly Sam flew over with him in his grasp and dropped him back onto the roof, before landing a few feet away. The three of them turned toward Sitwell and he stuck his hands up in surrender, telling them everything.

"Zola’s algorithm is a program, for choosing Insight’s targets!” He rushed out.

“What targets?” Steve demands.

“You! A TV anchor in Cairo, the Undersecretary of Defense, a high school valedictorian in Iowa City. Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, Stephen Strange, anyone who’s a threat to HYDRA! Now, or in the future,” Sitwell continued to rush out failing to catch his breath.

“The future? How could it know?” Steve asked in confusion. At this Sitwell laughed as he stumbled back to his feet, looking at Katie before he glanced at Steve.

“How could it not? The twenty-first century is a digital book. Zola taught HYDRA how to read it,” He said getting confused looks from the Soldier in return, “Your bank records, medical histories, voting patterns, e‐mails, phone calls, your damn SAT scores! Zola’s algorithm evaluates peoples’ past to predict their future.”

Steve swallowed. He’d heard and seen more unbelievable things.

“And what then?” He asked, already thinking he knew but didn’t want to know the answer. Sitwell shook his head in disbelief as Katie exchanged a glance with Sam who was stood behind Sitwell. He shook his head in disbelief.

“Oh, my god. Pierce is gonna kill me.” He mumbled to himself and he tried to back away from the advancing super-solider but Sam reached out, holding him in place with a firm hand on his shoulder.

“What then?” Steve demanded louder.

Sitwell sighed as he looked at Steve. “Then the Insight Helicarriers scratch people off the list. A few million at a time.”

**** Chapter 16

**Original Posting**

#stark spangled banner #steve rogers #Katie Stark #steve rogers x ofc #steve rogers x original female character #steve rogers fic #steve rogers fanfiction #mcu #mcu fanfic #captain america #chris evans #chris evans characters

66 notes · View notes

batarella · 4 years

Text

I Don’t Hate You - Part 17 (Jason Todd x Reader)

JAY IS BACK MOTHERFUCKERS

WORDS: 6706 WARNINGS: A BIT OF VIOLENCE. JASON BEING AN ASSHOLE.

Masterlist

I DON’T HATE YOU - MASTERLIST

-----

“Just coffee. For two.”

The waitress nodded. “Anything else?”

“No.”

She left. Five minutes later she brought in two mugs and poured in your drinks.

You warmed your chilled palms onto the ceramic. You somehow felt cold. Even when it was ninety degrees out. Especially your hands. You blew into your mug and took a sip. Just to warm up the itch in your throat.

Three weeks ago, Dick gave you that first call. You asked what it was about. He said he needed to talk to you in person. When he showed up to your house, he had a sling in his arm from a gunshot wound.

You thought he didn’t need to explain where he got it from. You knew who he was, as well as Bruce. But then he told you that it wasn’t from Penguin or Riddler or even a common thug. That it came from a new enemy going after Batman.

Still a bit confused why he came all the way to your place just to tell you that, he started bringing in a few documents.

First, he showed you pictures of Jason’s grave with a massive hole where his body was supposed to be. You remembered sweating your hair out at the horrible sight, the chills that ran down your back. It wasn’t from grave diggers. No. It was from someone climbing out from 6 feet under the soil.

Then, he showed you DNA test results.

Jason’s DNA, taken from when he was still alive, and a DNA sample from the Red Hood’s blood they had taken from one of their encounters. It was a match.

You demanded to know what was going on. Because whatever Dick was trying to tell you, none of it made even the slightest bit of sense. Dick wished he could explain more, but even he didn’t know the full story.

You couldn’t sleep that night, and barely the next night.

But then the week after that, Bruce invited you over to the mansion to talk. Dick picked you up, and at the dinner table, you, including Alfred, had a long, difficult talk about how he’d confirmed that Jason Todd, officially pronounced dead three years ago April 27, had been brought back to life by some unknown force, took the mantle of the Red Hood.

With you in the brink of tears, Bruce told you they were still trying trace where he came from, studied his techniques that Bruce was sure Jason didn’t know until now. So far, they found out that the Red Hood had been going around the state before he came to Gotham, formed his own crime ring and has taken over the empires of almost ten different drug lords. He was wanted in over six sectors, has left bodies left and right.

And now, he’s challenging Batman with his new style of vigilantism, which included cold-blooded murder. Every time Bruce, Dick, and the new Robin, Tim Drake, come across the Red Hood, they barely come out of it alive. He really wanted them dead.

And he was good at his job, as well. He’s done more good for the people than anything else. But he was also taking the lives of so many, Bruce wanted to put a stop to it.

You asked to be left alone for a while. For days, you didn’t talk to anyone. You stared at the rooftops. You looked at Jason’s old photos, compared them with the Red Hood’s new photos. You tried with everything you could to understand that the man you still loved even after three years of his death was now back, alive, risen from the dead as if that wasn’t actually insane. You mourned for him for so long. You still did. And what was that going to amount to now? You knew he was involved so many things you never could understand. But this? This defiance of the laws of nature?

You barely slept a wink.

Two days ago, Dick told you they needed your help.

You didn’t want to be involved, and you told him that. You weren’t even sure you wanted to see him like this. If this was even the same Jason before his death.

Dick told you that somehow, you could be of help. You could talk to him. Level him back down and give him the peace he needed to stop all the killings. You weren’t sure if that would work, and if anything, it was risking your life. You had no idea what Jason was capable of now. He could kill you. He could be heartless like that. And he was, from the way he was acting now. It wouldn’t be of any surprise.

But Dick and Bruce, they were running out of options. And even without Bruce outrightly admitting it, they wanted Jason back in the family. They missed him, too. It wasn’t just you.

As if the three years of grief weren’t enough. If any part of him was the same Jason you fell in love with, and still love now, this was the thing of your most impossible dreams, that your dead boyfriend had miraculously come back. It was insane. But you knew, with all your heart, you desperately wanted him back.

But you needed the help. Bruce offered to pay for therapy if that was what you needed, to get your head straight, figure things out before you ultimately decide what to do. Eventually, you agreed.

And now, here you were.

You took another sip from your cup, then Dick came up from behind you.

“Hey.”

“Hey.” You stood up to give him a little hug. His hand patting your back, he sat across from you.

“For you.”

“Thank you.” He took the coffee mug. “You’re looking a lot better.”

You held your drink with both hands. “Thanks.”

“If you’re not comfortable in any way, I completely understand.”

You tried to hold back your shaking arms. You didn’t want him to see just how much this all scared you.

“What brought him back?”

“Ra’s al Ghul. The Lazarus pit. At least, that was after he was already resurrected. The pit just fixed his body and made him stronger.”

“Lazarus pit?”

“It’s uh,” he stuttered. “Ra’s has this League of Assassins with his daughter, Talia. And they own all these Lazarus Pits. It’s a sort of a Fountain of Youth. He bathes in it, and it makes him live for six hundred years. It also heals your body from just about any injury.

“They must have found Jason, bathed him in the pit, then nursed him back to health in an attempt to create this someone to go against Bruce.”

This was far, far beyond what you could have possibly imagined. Some sort of the supernatural had always been real. Magic. Aliens. The Justice League. But now that you were involved? This was too much.

But with Jason… your sweet, loving Jason… You’ll do anything.

“You think he’s heartless enough to try to kill me?” you asked.

Dick drank from his coffee mug, set it down, then swallowed.

“I never got to tell you, didn’t I?”

“What?”

Dick bit his lips. “Jason’s not gonna hurt you. I’m sure of it. I wouldn’t have called if it had put you in any kind of danger at all.”

“How are you so sure?”

He looked out the window, at a rooftop from an apartment building nearby. You breathed into your mug.

“About a week ago, I put a tracker on him without him knowing. Then one day I followed him, just to see what he was up to…”

He held his cup.

“He was waiting for you outside your university. And when you got out, he followed you all the way to your house. He’s been at it almost every single day.”

You caught your breath in your throat and watched Dick with your lips starting to shake.

“And it isn’t just that. He does everything to make sure you don’t get hurt. When you go out at night, he’s still watching you. As the Red Hood. One time before you were about to cross an alleyway where thugs were waiting to rob you, he beat the living shit out of them before you even noticed.”

You gulped down, then you drank even more of your coffee just to ease your nerves. You shifted in your seat, then cleared your scratchy throat.

“How long has he been at this?”

“I’m guessing since he first came to Gotham. A month ago.”

The coffee suddenly didn’t taste so calming anymore. “God… I… This is still so much to process…”

“I know.”

“He isn’t going to show himself to me willingly, is he?”

“I don’t think he will. He makes sure you never see him.”

You closed your eyes.

“That’s why I called you. If you got to talk to him, maybe you can get him to listen.”

He loves you. He still does. And he was a broken soul, protecting you when no one was there to protect him. He needed you.

It was that one, single push you needed.

“I want to do it.”

Dick held your wrist and squeezed it tightly. “Don’t worry. If anything goes wrong, Bruce, Tim, and I will be there.”

“It’s not that I’m afraid of,” you said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen after this.”

Not a clue. Not a single premonition.

“Honestly, me neither.” He finished his coffee. “But it’s worth a try.”

-----

One. Two. Three.

Those fools had it coming.

Barely a word out of his mouth gushing with blood. The Red Hood held his neck, stuck him up against the truck’s container, then pushed his revolver right under his chin.

“When’s Black Mask’s next shipment?!”

“I don’t fucking know!”

He clicked his gun. “I think you do.”

His filtered voice made everything a lot worse. The driver of a weapons cache truck he caught was trembling off his ass. His two other co-workers were lying dead on the ground. And when Red Hood squeezed his neck further, he gasped for air.

“Tomorrow! At the docks!”

He slammed the butt of his gun right to his face. He fell to the ground, unconscious. And just because he had one bullet left to waste, the Red Hood shot his shoulder.

He jumped out the vehicle and stretched out his neck, closing the truck door while the driver continued to scream in pain. The police should be here soon. He’ll have to get out of there.

“Hey there, bud.”

“Fucking shit-“

The Red Hood, in just one swift move, reloaded his gun and aimed right at the top of the truck, at the black and blue figure crouched over staring at him.

“Get out of here.”

“I just want to talk, Jay.”

He wanted to shoot Nightwing’s smug little smirk right off his face. “I mean it.”

“I won't-“

Red Hood fired at the truck’s metal just an inch away from Nightwing’s leg.

“I won't miss next time.”

“Just listen to me-“

“Fine. You wanna play that game, Grayson?”

He took his other gun strapped from his hip. Nightwing jumped off the truck before he started firing at his face.

Dodging the bullets, he started leaping circles around him, getting closer to where he was standing. Red Hood stopped firing, threw his guns to the ground, then charged for Nightwing’s leg just as he got close enough.

His larger figure stopped himself from tumbling to the ground when Nightwing landed a kick to his helmet. He growled, waited for him to pounce again, then Red Hood ducked under his leg, shot up quickly enough to land his powerful fist right against his chest.

Nightwing was down. He rolled to the floor, but resisted pulling out his escrima sticks. He wasn’t here to beat him down. But obviously, Red Hood wasn’t here to talk, either.

He ducked and blocked Red Hood’s succeeding hits, almost rolling around the empty road. He kicked him in the stomach, then Red Hood headbutted him with his much stronger helmet.

“Jason!” Nightwing blocked him with his arm. “This is about Y/N!”

He stopped.

Then his helmet was about to melt at the immense heat his head was boiling to. “WHAT DID YOU SAY!?”

Nightwing leapt up to a pole. Red Hood grabbed his guns, reloaded them, then started firing.

“Stop it!”

“Fuck you!”

He kept firing at Nightwing’s body, backing off when he got too close. He was going to kill him. He wasn’t getting out of this alive. Not tonight. Mentioning your name like that, it’s going to cost him his life.

“She knows! About you!”

“You fucking ASSHOLE.”

More. More bullets. Nightwing went into one of the alleys and jumped up the fire exits. Red Hood kept firing, the bullets bouncing through the walls. He climbed up the escape and chased after him.

“HOW THE FUCK DID SHE KNOW?”

“I told her!”

“oh, you’re dead, Grayson.”

They reached the rooftop, and Nightwing ran all the way to the other side of the ledge. Red Hood sprinted after him, opening fire. He didn’t care where they landed. He wanted his body to put into the shock in the middle of jumping to another rooftop and fall to his death.

“She wants to talk to you!”

“NOT A FUCKING CHANCE.”

“Don’t you think she deserves to know what happened-“

“LEAVE HER OUT OF THIS, DICK.”

He made sure you never saw him alive. You thought he was dead. He was going to keep it that way.

Then he ran out of bullets, cursing beneath his breath, Red Hood threw his guns to the floor and chased him down.

When he caught him, he pinned him to the ground, grabbing him by his neck. “Jay-“

“I’m going to kill you. Right now. You think I’ll hesitate?”

“Do you really want to break her heart again, asshole?”

“You fucking-“ Red Hood punched him in the face. Then Nightwing folded his legs up, pushed him with the heels of his feet, landing him on the ground. He placed his arm right against his neck.

“You of all people can't lecture me on breaking hearts, you jackass.”

Red Hood punched him again, then got off the floor. Nightwing finally pulled out his escrima sticks, and Jason pulled out the last of his guns from his holsters and aimed it at Nightwing’s head.

They paused, stared each other down with their weapons in hand a yard’s distance away.

“Just… talk to her.”

“I can't believe you pulled her into this-“

“This isn’t about our little game. This is about you, Jay. And you need our help-“

He laughed. “Since when did I ask for your fucking help?”

“Since you killed almost a hundred people in Gotham in the last month-“

“Those aren’t just people, you idiot. They’re Joker’s men. Penguin’s. Two Face’s. They all deserve to die.”

Nightwing tightened his grip on his sticks. “Then just talk to her. She deserves that. You of all people should know just how hurt she is.”

He clicked his gun. “Mention her again, and I’ll blow your brains out.”

“She’s waiting for you at the plaza. Behind the cathedral. It’ll just be you and her. Just let her talk to you-“

Just one pull of a trigger. And this son of a bitch dies for ever even speaking to you. He’ll fucking keep his word.

“You think I don’t know this is a trap? What, you, Bruce, and that fucking replacement will be waiting to ambush me in the dark?”

“Not this time. You have to believe me.”

He scoffed. “What are you trying to do? Change all this?”

“Trust me, I get it. You have no intention in mending anything with Bruce. But if you don’t show up, it’ll devastate her.”

“She’ll be fine. Trust me. She dealt with worse.”

“And you really want to subject her into that again?”

Deep, slow breaths. He lightly pulled the trigger, but Nightwing just skidded to the side and dodged him.

They heard something. Coming from below. Police sirens cleaning up the weapons truck.

Staring each other down, Nightwing and Red Hood slowly backed off. He hated him. All of them. His fucking family that never once cared for his ass, or felt any type of remorse for not being able to save him. The family that never thought to avenge him, set their morals aside to do what’s actually right. They look down on what he does, and yet, he’s done more to control Gotham’s crime than Bruce ever had in his lifetime.

Red Hood set his gun down, then they both sprinted to opposite ends of the rooftops.

He was going to clean up their mess. Again.

-----

It ends tonight.

Everything. Your story. Your mourning. Your commitment to your dead, beloved high school boyfriend. Your unhealthy attachment to what could have been. Your reluctance to move on.

You realized, it all ends tonight.

No matter what happens, no matter how this all ends, everything was going to change.

If he doesn’t show up, it’ll pave the way for you to move forward, knowing that Jason, given the chance that seemed entirely impossible just a few weeks ago, had no intention of even speaking to you, let alone change for his own betterment. It should tell you to let him go, despite you not wanting to. It’ll tear your heart into shreds, more than it already was, but if he was alive, and he still wanted nothing to do with you…

You just hoped that won't be the case. You still loved him. Endlessly.

And if he does show up, it could only end as well as you being able to convince him to stop with the killings, be his better self, be the Jason you knew he still was, and it’ll go on from there. The miraculous dream you never thought to be true. Your loyalty to him, rewarded. And no longer will this life go on as if you were merely running in a slow, painful treadmill with no actual direction, other than to keep the promises Jason asked of you. You’ll have him back. As crazy as it still is, you’ll actually have him back.

But that was the most wishful thinking you could do. It’ll almost never end that way.

But, no matter the outcome, if he changes or not, you’ll finally come to the end of you dreaming about the past. You’ll know he was here. Alive.

That alone fixed some parts of your broken self.

So you got out of your car, walked out into the plaza where you told Dick you’ll be waiting. Behind the Cathedral. Where there was no one around but trees and bushes. The next walkway was yards away, and there were almost no lampposts nearby. If what Dick said was true, and Jason would never try to hurt you, you’ll still be safe.

You leaned against the wall, looked around at the vines eating up an old, wooden bench.

And you breathed. Long deep breaths.

You were going to see him. Finally.

Maybe your attachment to him was made for this. Because somehow, deep within you, you knew it wasn’t over. You knew he wasn’t completely gone. As hopeful as it was, it somehow came true.

Deep. Slow. Breaths.

An hour. Maybe an hour and a half. You waited.

You were going to have to be as patient as you could be.

What were you gonna say to him?

A lot of things. Punch him in the face. Scream at him for ever leaving you like that. Yell at him for idiotically going after the Joker by himself. Hug him. Kiss him.

Your mind was boggling. This was never what you signed up for.

But it was everything you could have hoped for.

You’re seeing him again. Jason. Your love. Your first, and still love. Oh, how your heart warmed. You wanted his arms back. You wanted his lips back. You wanted-

Thud.

A noise.

Coming from the roof.

You stepped out from leaning against the wall. Nothing. Nothing above you.

Another thud. On the grass.

You looked around.

Your heart was thrashing hysterically in your ribcage.

“Jason?”

You walked to the other side of the cathedral’s backside. But there wasn’t so much as a squirrel around you.

Then.

You turned around.

There was a figure.

A large, dark figure, hiding in the shadows. By the trees. A few yards away from the building.

You narrowed your eyes, squinted to get a better look.

It was getting closer.

You wanted to back away, but you didn’t. You were too frozen too move.

When it passed by a single ray of light from a faraway post, you saw it was a man in a dark, hooded jacket. With what looked like armor on his chest.

He got closer. Closer. Close enough for you to see the red bat symbol on his chest.

You took a step back.

He was huge. So fucking huge. This couldn’t be him. Not by a mile.

You took another step back.

And when he got close enough so you could see the red helmet where his head was supposed to be, with white, glaring eyes looking back at you menacingly, you fumbled backing away until you ultimately hit the wall.

The Red Hood.

He walked to you until he was standing so close to your shivering body. You pressed yourself against the wall as much as you could. Your whole body thudding, your head swarming in panic. Your stomach was churching, much like it did when you were terrified beyond belief. You wanted to run away, but his helmet, his chilling red helmet, it stared you down so you couldn’t even move. An inch away from your body, the Red Hood growled.

“Stay… Away…”

You swallowed.

“Jason?”

“Don’t… Don’t even try.”

“You're…” you breathed out, your chest heaving. “You’re really alive…”

He just stared at you, not giving you any chance to move. You were stuck, pressed against the wall, as you stared at him in disbelief.

“How much do you know?”

You were stuttering. Your shaking mouth forced you to. You’ve never been so scared in your life. “A lot…”

The Red Hood slightly turned his head to the side.

You wanted to see him. Really see him. His face… without thinking, you reached up to his helmet.

He pushed your hands away, and you gulped, backing off.

“Whatever it is you're trying to do, stop it. It’s not going to work.”

“I just want to talk-“

“About what? What are you possibly hoping for?”

“Why didn’t you come to me?” you whispered. “Why didn’t you see me first? You have no idea-“

“You think you want to see this?”

He pointed at his chest. “This isn’t what you think it is. I’m not who you fucking think I am.”

Of course he isn’t. You didn’t expect him to.

“You have no idea how much I wanted this…”

“This isn’t what you want. Trust me. Far from it.”

Eyes stuck to his helmet, where his own eyes were supposed to be, you didn’t know what you wanted to say.

“I want to talk to you. I know about what you do… and I still do-“

“Forget about all this okay? As far as you know, I’m still dead.”

This time, as scared as you were, you wanted to punch him.

“Do- do you have any idea how much you hurt me?”

He didn’t answer.

“You fucking don’t.”

“I wouldn’t talk that way to someone with three guns on him.”

“Go ahead. Shoot me. Kill me. If you insist that’s what you are.”

You saw his shoulders rise, his breath deepened. You bit your lips, and you stepped closer to him. You craned your head up his much taller figure.

“What do you expect out of this?”

“I just want to talk…”

“About what?”

His filtered voice. There was barely anything of the Jason you knew. You couldn’t see his face. His whole body grew more than four sizes larger. You couldn’t hear his voice. It was so hard trying to be gentle to someone who just looked terrifying to look at.

“Stay away from me.”

“No,” you said. “Take that mask off and look at me.”

“Listen,” he walked towards you and pushed you against the wall. “I don’t know what you want. You want us to talk? And what do you want out of that? Something more?” he scoffed.

Your mouth turned dry. You wanted to kick him in the groin until he’ll barely be able to walk.

“You left me,” you whispered. “When you said you never would.”

“We broke up-“

“You. Left me.” you hissed. “You have no idea…”

He stopped, looking to the side at the wall behind you.

“You should’ve moved on-“

“Fuck you.”

Tears. Angry tears. They wanted to seep out. He stepped back. “If you know what’s good for you, forget about all this-“

“I can't believe this is how you are after you fucking died and left me to grieve you for three years-“

“Deal with it. I’m not who you fucking think I am.”

And, as it seems, you started to believe him.

This was a cold, heartless villain. The Red Hood. His helmet, his voice, his body. None of it was Jason anymore.

“I just want to talk… Please…”

He shook his head, not even giving you another glance. The Red Hood turned away from you and walked out into the trees until you couldn’t see him anymore.

You cried too much for him. Far too much.

So you didn’t this time. You let yourself slowly realize this was how things ended.

Your phone rang.

“Y/N?”

You breathed. “He won't talk to me…”

“It’s alright. We did what we could. I can come up there and-”

“Can I be alone? Please? I’m going home.”

“Of course. I’m really sorry…”

You hang up.

----

It felt like it was about to rain, even when there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.

You went up to your bed, folded your knees up your chest and stared blankly at the cold, empty floor. It was back. All over again. The same loss when they told you he died. That wasn’t Jason you talked to. Far from it.

There was no trace of his sweet, comforting voice, of his handsome face that lit up any room he was in. His arms, now twice as large as they used to be, they didn’t give off that soothing rush that calmed down all your nerves when he’d pull you into his chest. His voice, it was far from some fucking robotic filter that hurt your ears. You hated every part of it. You hated that helmet. You hated what he became.

Jason was still dead. He wasn’t coming back.

You hoped far too much of what was impossible to ask for. Because whatever that was, the Red Hood… You didn’t know what you were even expecting. That wasn’t your boyfriend. He couldn’t be.

You wanted to see the Jason who smiled bashfully when he saw you walk down the steps of your apartment, the one who stuffed his hands in his pockets, eyes glistening as he stared lovingly at you. You wanted the guy who wanted to see you every day of the week, miss you on the days when he wasn’t and push everything to the side just to spend every minute he had with you. The one so obsessed with you that he couldn’t possibly ask you to stay away, or ever make you feel like he didn’t want to see you at all. You didn’t like feeling so unwanted.

You hoped, with that tiny part of you that still had it, that he would have met you, looking exactly the same way he did before he died, and pull you into his arms. The dramatic part of you wanted to run to him, and he’d run to you, and you’d crash into an embrace for hours and hours until he’ll ultimately pull away to kiss you.

And instead, you got a red helmeted asshole who told you to stay the fuck away from him.

You clenched your fists, shutting your eyes.

That part of him should still be alive. A part of him should still be loving you as you knew he did. He followed you around, didn’t he? He protected you.

How could he… after all you went through just to hold on to him… this is how he treats you…

Thud.

You reached for your scissors you had stashed beside your bed. There was someone in your fire escape, standing like a brick wall.

A tall man, face hidden by the shadows of his red hoodie. He stared at you, but he wasn’t moving.

Your hands left your scissors.

You knew exactly who it was. You stepped off the bed.

Your heart was pounding so hard within your chest, you thought of running out of your room. But he didn’t look like how he did a while ago. His head was down, almost like he was looking at the ground.

You walked to your window and slid the glass open.

You still couldn’t see his face. The shadows were too dark.

All the emptiness, the darkness, all that consumed you, it was all finally starting to fade out. When you saw how he didn’t have any weapons on him, no armor, no helmet, this was what you thought to see.

You let out a broken, trembling breath as you climbed out into the fire escape, facing the man closer and closer. He slightly backed away, but his back hit the railing. You stood in front of him, frightened, but not enough to run away.

He flinched when he started for his hoodie, but you didn’t back off. Your nerves were on fire but you wanted to rid the shadows, finally see him as you never thought you ever could again after all those years.

Gulping, he leaned in.

You took off the hoodie.

The same black hair that fell down to his forehead, slight curls that tickled his skin. His jaw, angular and strong. His lips, chapped and scarred. His eyes, that deep, bright blue so beautiful that it tore through you and looked right into your soul. They looked through you so woefully, hurt, broken.

And scars. One that tore through his eyebrow, one on the corner of his lip, and one on his cheek.

You breathed, and a single tear fell down your face.

It was him.

Undeniably.

It was him.

It was Jason.

He’s here.

You clutched to his neck, both your arms pulling him so tightly to you that you swore you’ll never let go again. Oh, his warmth. His body. He was here. He was actually here. You stuck your face into his shoulder, holding onto him so hard that you’ll kill him if he even tried to move away.

Jason.

“Oh god…” you cried. “It’s you…”

And you could feel just how much he wanted to pull away. He was meaning to. But fuck him. You weren’t about to. His muscles tensed. His breath hitched. You could feel his chest stiffen-

Then,

You felt his incredibly strong arms around you.

And you sobbed. Silently. Not so much with tears but with your broken breaths, your shaking arms. He stuck his face into your hair and breathed in. Yes. This was Jason. This was definitely him.

You could hardly believe anyone could be risen from the dead. You saw him in his coffin. His lifeless body, white and cold. And he was here, back with the same exact warmth and life. He looked different, there was no denying that.

But the moment you looked into his eyes, you knew it was him.

“Jay…”

He tightened his hold on you.

“Y/N…”

And you cried even more. That voice. The same that said your name in the most beautiful way he possibly could in that voice message you listened to over and over again. He’s here. He’s really here.

Your hands on his face, you pulled away so you could look at him more.

And he looked like he was about to cry as well. The light from your room, it shone perfectly on his face. Every detail, you could revel in. His hands squeezed your shoulders and you pressed your forehead tightly against his.

You wanted to kiss him so badly…

He closed his eyes, but you didn’t. You kept looking at him, watching how his face moved.

Jason took your hands, gripped them tightly by the wrist,

Then pulled you away.

“Uhm,” he cleared his throat, taking his hands off from you and stuffing them back to his pockets. “I came to talk. Like you wanted…”

He looked to the ground. And reluctantly, you backed away.

You leaned against the railing beside him and crossed your arms.

“I don’t know where to start…”

Jason turned to you. “How are you?”

You had so many things to say. You could blurt out all your thoughts and you wouldn’t be able to stop. But you settled yourself, calmed your mind.

“I’m not so sure myself.”

“School?”

“Ending my third year. I went to arts college…”

“Yeah… I know. You like it?”

You nodded. “I do…”

You desperately wanted to hold him again, but you just kept to your shoulders lightly brushing.

“How ‘bout you?”

“Horrible. Thanks for asking.”

You shook your head. You wanted to chuckle, but you weren’t sure that’d be the best thing to do.

“Jay, what happened-“

“You really don’t want to know…”

“I deserve to know, don’t you think?”

Jason turned around, placed his hands on the railing and looked down onto the alley. You did the same, but your eyes were locked on him.

“Something happened. Some reality altering shindig in the cosmos. Ripples, as you might say. I’m not so sure myself. It caused a lot of weird shit to happen. Including me. I woke up in that coffin and climbed my way out.”

You swallowed.

“Somehow, the al Ghul’s found me and nursed me back to health. They put me in the Lazarus pit-you know what that is, don’t you?”

“I have an idea.”

“Anyway,” he continued. “They let me spend time in the League. Some sort of brainwash, but I got over it after a while. I went around different cities in Jersey, then I got to Gotham. You know the rest.”

You looked down at the empty alleyway with him. And you didn’t have much to say. You could tell he didn’t want to be consoled.

“Well, you certainly changed.”

He looked out into the rooftops. There wasn’t any wind, so nothing was blowing into his hair. You watched his face so raw, a matured version of what he once was. But it was still him.

“Aren’t you gonna ask what happened to me?”

His lips went through his teeth, gritting as his muscles tensed.

“I listen to your message. All the time.”

You didn’t think he’d be so shocked, but he was.

“It sent?”

“What do you think?”

Jason pursed his lips, shutting his eyes so he couldn’t look at you.

“I kept your promises…”

You held your hands together, and you stared at them. “I went to college for you. I changed. A lot. I’ve been singing for events around the city a lot.”

He nodded. “Yeah. I watched you a few times.”

You breathed out. Slowly.

“Not all of them, though.”

Jason looked at you, and you looked back at him.

“I couldn’t move on…”

“Fuck…” he cursed. “Y/N-“

“I can't.”

“It’s been three fucking years…”

Your heart just shattered at the way he as looking at you now.

“I haven’t even talked to another guy. Not one date. I wouldn’t let them. I told them…” You shouldn’t tell him, but you really wanted to. “I told them I was still with you-“

“Fucking hell.” He stuffed his face into his hands. “I can't believe you…”

You choked. “I lost you!”

“You should have let me go…”

“I can't!”

You held his shoulder, but he flinched away.

“Why…” you cried. “Why this? I’ve done nothing but mourn for you-“

“I wanted you to live your fucking life!”

You turned away, and Jason looked at the streets by the building, at the empty cars and leaves stuck on the road.

“I wanted you to move on…”

You never once thought you’d have this conversation. Not in your life. “I couldn’t think of it.”

Jason closed his eyes, and you hugged yourself despite the heat. Your throat wanted to climb out of your neck. And your uneasy breaths, it choked you.

Jason let out a strong breath and looked at you.

“You know what I didn’t tell you in that message?”

“No…”

He leaned over the railings, elbows on the metal. He closed his eyes.

“I wanted to tell you that if I ever got out of that place alive, I’ll do everything-everything-I possibly could to get you back…”

You looked up at the sky. Something stung in your heart.

“But I didn’t. I didn’t want to put you in a terrible place. Whether I got out of it or I didn’t, I just wanted you to find what you were really looking for…”

“I want you...“

“Y/N…”

“I still do…”

“You don’t,” he choked. “We were kids-“

“Fuck you, is that what you really think?”

He breathed through his mouth, looking at almost everything around but you.

“This was a bad idea…”

He started for the stairs. And you watched him, feeling him tear your heart out all over again. Just like the first time.

“Jay… Please…”

Just as he took the first step, he stopped when you held his face.

He didn’t pull away. In fact, he leaned into them.

“Don’t leave me again…”

“Y/N,” he bit his lip, leaning closer to you but not close enough to kiss you. “You don’t want this…”

“I do…”

“No-“

“Why not?”

“I’m not bringing you into this. You don’t know who I am anymore.”

“You're worth it…”

“Y/N…”

You brushed his cheek with your thumb. He was about to cry, and you, with your tears already falling, you whispered.

“You are the love of my life…”

He closed his eyes, let you hold his face a bit tighter.

“Do you really want me to forget about you?”

Your breath shaking, it hurt like the world stepped on you when he slowly nodded. “I can't let you hold on to me any longer…”

Everything. It hurt ten times more than you ever thought it could. You never could have thought this would happen.

“Just give me a few days with you… Please…”

“Y/N, no-“

“Please,” you gulped. “I’ve been wanting To just...hold you... for so long. I never thought I’d get to anymore. And now, you're actually here. The cosmos. Whatever brought you back, they sent you here. and if you really… If I can't spend the rest of my life with you anymore, just give me a few days… Please just give me that…”

Jason finally looked up at your eyes, shaking. His eyebrows were up to his forehead, and he looked so terribly beautiful.

“Please… and I swear, I’ll forget about us. I’ll finally move on. You never have to see me again…”

Jason… Your beautiful, perfect Jason…

He took your hands off of his face.

And you turned around before you hurt yourself even more watching him leave you for the second time.

You faced out the building, at the empty sky, then you shut your eyes close before it sank in that this was the reality you had to face. Another nightmare. Just when you thought you could handle it.

You heard Jason’s voice, light and subtle.

“Three days…”

You turned around.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He almost jumped down the fire exit, disappearing before he could possibly change his mind.

-----

I DON’T HATE YOU - MASTERLIST

-----

everyartistwas-firstanamateur @sarcasmismyfirstlove @damned-queen-of-gotham @idkmanicantenglish @wunderstell @birdy-bat-riya @get-loki@everyday-imfangirling @comic-nerd-dc @multifandoms916 @icequeen208@offendedfishnoises @egdolan @xemiefx @arkhamtoddler @elsenthal@mythicbitchx @supremehaunter @ burning-alive @lucy-roo roseangel013bf @ loxbbg reclusive-chicken-nuggethttp-cherries shadowsndaisiesriver9noble zphilophobiazannoylinglyaries @knightfall05x @l-horizon11

#jason todd x reader #jason todd #red hood x reader #jason todd angst #red hood angst #batarella #batarella fluff #batarella angst #i don't hate you series #i don't hate you #jason todd x reader series #jason todd reader insert #batarella series

135 notes · View notes

thenameisel · 3 years

Text

Origin Stories Part Two: Sunshine and Ghosts

I exist.

Hrm.

Weird.

The sky is such a lovely color of blue. There’s not a single cloud in sight. Something rings my peripheral vision. It shifts slightly.

Time passes.

Wait. How do I know what a cloud is? I’ve only seen this empty sky. It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. But it is literally the only thing I have ever seen.

A soft breeze caresses my face. Or at least I know it does. Weird sensation. I feel it, but not the way I feel like I should feel it. Does that make sense?

That’s when I realize there is a whole host of sensations to be felt. Some feel right, others don't. I can feel the ground I’m lying on. Firm yet soft. I realize it’s old hard ground covered by deep grass. Huh. Wonder how I know that. There's a whisper of sound as the breeze moves through the grass. Or was it always there and I just noticed it now? Birds are chirping somewhere.

Wow there’s a lot going on. I close my eyes and notice another sensation. Warmth. From the sky. The sun baking everything it touches. It’s glorious. I revel in it.

More time passes. Just existing. Just feeling. Just listing.

Eventually I notice something else, a tickle in the back of my mind. Unlike anything I can describe. Love? Devotion? Joy? As I concentrate on it, it swells up to meet me, a depth of feeling so vast, so…

Something shifts on my chest. I hadn’t noticed anything was there. A weight, truly miniscule, lifts and I realize I’m capable of motion too! I lift my head. The scene shifts and there’s forest in the distance, and rocky outcrops like ridges cut through with a hot knife. Long snaking roads run either side of the meadow I’m in. They look unused for eons.

More things I don’t know how I know.

But all those thoughts are chased from my mind as the source of the weight floats front and center of my vision. I sit up all the way, stunned.

“HI!” it goes. Exuberant. Ecstatic.

“Um. Hello?” I didn’t know I was capable of speech either. My voice sounds weird. Synthetic.

I look at the little flying robotic… thing. It's white surface glitters slightly in the sunshine, its singular eye changing colors rapidly. Almost joyously.

Suddenly I realize this is the source of that indescribable sensation.

Scratch the sky. THIS is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

“You seemed to be enjoying lying there, so I thought I’d do it too. I’ve… been looking for you for a very long time, never stopped really, so when you were reveling in being alive I thought I’d try too for once. It was nice!”

It, no, he? He spun leisurely, the white facets rotating around his eye. Happy. Content.

“What are you? I… don't know you. I know the sky, the sun, the grass… somehow. But you. You’re new.”

“I’m your Ghost!”

Wait what? Ghosts aren’t real. And even if they were I don’t think they’re supposed to look like this stunning creature.

“You’re a Guardian. A Hunter, specifically. Let me tell you, I had so hoped you'd be a Hunter!”

“I have questions. Many, now that I think of it. How can you be a ghost if you’re a robot? How can you be my ghost? I’m not dead. I think.”

“Oh not that kind of ghost! I’m a Ghost,” that time he accentuated the ‘G’ “And I’m your Ghost cause we’re a pair now! I will always be by your side. Always. Also. Uh. You WERE dead.”

“WHAT?”

“Well that’s the thing. You died. A long, long time ago. Car accident I think.” he turned quickly, looking left and right, a beam of pale blue light jetting out towards a nearby heap of twisted metal. “Yup. Definitely car accident.”

“Again. What?”

“And I finally found you! And brought you back! And I’ll do it many more times as long as we’re together. And I'm never, ever, leaving your side.”

“Why… don’t I remember?”

“Oh. No one remembers their past life. Some say it's so you can be your best now, without a past weighing you down. I figure it’s because I didn’t know you then!”

I feel so confused. The answers don't make sense. Or maybe they do. I want to ask a thousand more questions. But the marvelous creature continues.

“Wait. You should remember your name at least! You’re an Exo. You have it hard coded into you.”

“My name?”

I think hard. Name. Name. Something lurks below in the depths of my mind. Like a forgotten memory. I reach for it. A name leaps to mind. It BURNS. Something about it is so horrifyingly WRONG to me and I don’t know why. I HATE it. Starts with a J and ends with a 4. I blurt it out. I feel sick. A weird shock sets in.

After a few minutes the beautiful miracle of a thing flies up real close and gently taps me in the middle of my face with one of his facets. It makes a metallic ‘clink’ sound. Pulls me back to reality.

“Boop.” It goes. “Hey, you ok?”

“Yea, I… Uh. Can I… Not go by that name?”

“Can’t see why not!”

“Thanks, that feels important somehow. Wait. What’s your name? And what’s an Exo?”

“Oh, well! My name, that’s up to you! But I had Pip last, and it felt right.”

“Did you like it?” I ask. One ought to like their name.

“Oh yes! Short for Pipsqueak apparently, might have been an insult. Also it was too long. I like Pip though! Pip! Pip! Pip! So cheery!”

I chuckle, the day gets brighter again.

“Oh and you, you’re an Exo. Remove your gloves and you’ll see.”

After a slight hesitation I do, unsure what to expect. I pull off grey leather gloves revealing metal fingers with dark rubbery musculature. Pip hits them with the blue light. It tingles.

“Yup yup.” He makes a weird but adorable burbling noise. Laughter? He proceeds to hit the rest of me with that light. It tingles still, but oddly comforting at the same time. “You’re an Exo all right! Older model, but not outdated or anything. You should have a decent number of ‘Humanisms’. Weird thing that. I can fill you in on those later. Height 147.5 cm. If I include your boots. Hrm, I see traces of a green paint job that was removed with acid. That’s not something I can fix but we might be able to see about getting a new coat back in the City. But still, quite pretty.”

Odd comment that. Paint job? Who paints their skin? Then I remember my metallic hands. Something occurs to me and I hesitantly reach up and touch my face. It's hard. Metallic. Solid. There are very few moving parts. Lower jaw, eyelids, that’s about it. I have no nose.

“I'm… a robot?"

"Kind of. It's a really long story but we have time! It's a long way back to the City. Especially since we have to walk! Or, well, float in my case. Anyway. Want to get going?"

I am not ready to get going. This place is beautiful and I don't feel I've spent enough time appreciating it. Need a delaying tactic.

"What's this City? Is it far? Why not just stay here?"

Pip burbles again and darts off. A heartbeat later he's back. I don't think my tactic is working. He repeats the motion two more times, as if wanting me to follow. I lay back in the grass stubbornly.

"C'mon! I'll answer anything on the way! But trust me. You'll get mighty hungry staying here! And there SO much to see. You'll love the Last City! Promise!"

I ignore the splendid creature. I feel bad about it. After a moment Pip settles back down onto my chest.

"Seriously! It's HUGE. Well. Not as big as old world cities of course. But it's safe! Oh and the Hunter Vanguard, that's what they call the leader of the Hunters, you'll like him! He's an Exo too!"

I don't care. I close my eyes and enjoy the sunshine.

"Ok. Fine. Five more minutes. But then we gotta goooooooo. There was a Golden Age facility about three hours walk from here. Might be a good spot to stay the night."

That piqued my interest. I have no idea what Pip is talking about.

"Golden Age?"

"Oh yes!" Elation. Oh no. He's realized I'm interested. "They referred to them as 'Truck Stops'. All kinds of weird Golden Age things in there."

"What kinds of weird?"

"Nick nacks. Odds and sods. Thing a ma jigs."

Alright. Time to cave.

"Ok. Ok fine. Fine."

"Woo! But first. You need a name. A new name!"

He lifts off my chest and I stand up, dust bits of grass and debris off my grey leather outfit. It's lightly armored. Plenty of mobility. A dark grey cape with an oversized hood over top everything. And while it's nothing special, it feels right.

Pip is looking quite intently at me. Excited. Expectant. But there's also joy there. Innocent childish joy. It's infectious. I chuckle again.

"What did you say earlier? When you tapped my face?"

Pip, this beautiful adorable miracle that I've known for less than a day and already I'd die for, flies up close again and taps a facet against the flat space where a nose should be.

"Boop!"

I can't help it and double over in hysterical laughter. He flies in dizzying circles around me. Burbling the whole time. After a few minutes I'm spent and force myself to take big gasps of air and try to collect myself. Weird, that. You wouldn’t think an Exo would need to breathe. One of those ‘Humanisms’?

"Allright. How about Boop? Can I go by Boop?"

"I like it!" Pip exclaims. I hear him from behind me. I spin around, but his voice stays behind me. "Boop! Boop! Boop!"

More burbling laughter. That's when I realize there's a weight in my hood. I reach back to feel his form through the fabric. He twitches and burbles.

"You going to stay there?"

"Can I? For a bit? Please?"

"Go nuts. Now. Which way to this 'Truck Stop'?"

Pip gives me directions, and off we go.

He was right. It was one hell of a long walk. Took a little over a month to reach the Last City. But he was also right on another thing. I loved it.

#destiny 2 #Destiny #hunter #ghost #fanfic #sorry not sorry

11 notes · View notes

ladyanput · 4 years

Text

Seeing Green Ch. 7

It had been a boring day, with nothing really happening. It was the usual Alya and Lila being petty today, with an extra snap towards Nino, but Marinette tuned them out, choosing to focus on her friends instead.

Damian hadn't messaged her all day. Marinette told herself not to stress, knowing that he was probably busy, along with his family. They had an important company that seemed to grow more and more every year, they probably had their hands full.

"Hey, Marinette." Nino strode up beside her as they made their way back into the hotel, the sun beginning to set outside. He offered her a small smile, his hands in his pockets. "You're looking chipper today."

A part of Marinette wanted to ignore him, to shove him away and never talk to him again. But she just couldn't get the guts to do so, not to someone she had known for so long. She just hoped she wouldn't regret this.

"I met Damian's family last night. He has so many siblings, Nino! I know a lot of them are adopted, but still!" Marinette let out a soft chuckle, not noticing the glares coming from Alya, glares that to kill.

"I didn't think he'd be nineteen." Nino admitted as they stepped into their lobby. He noticed Miss Bourbon at the reception desk, looking a bit frazzled, but didn't comment. "I mean, he looks like he should be in his twenties."

"It's probably all that muscle on him." Alix strode up, playfully nudging Marinette with a coy smile on her lips. "Tall, muscular, he looks like he could bench press a truck."

"I bet he has abs." Rose sighed dreamily and leaned into Juleka, who laughed at her girlfriend's antics. "Does he have abs, Marinette?"

"I- I don't know." Marinette felt her cheeks go rosy at the thought of Damian shirtless. It would be nice to see his broad shoulders, his muscles… Even for a minute or two. "But it would be nice to see sometime, I guess.."

Adrien frowned a bit as he eavesdropped in on the conversation, feeling that ugly envy claw at his gut. Why would anyone want a musclehead? He bet Damian and his family took steroids to get the bodies they got, they were rich and privileged, afterall.

Adrien was completely ignoring that while he had some muscle, he never actually put it to use, and could barely lift twenty pounds.

His eyes stayed trained on Marinette as she made her way across the lobby towards the elevators. She shouldn't be daydreaming about other guys, she should be thinking about him and only him! He was Chat Noir, her soulmate, and she belonged to him, no other guy.

He'd make her see soon enough. Then they'd get married and have children and live happily ever after, just like they were supposed to!

He caught sight of Miss Bourbon walking by him, a confused look on her face as she clutched a room key in her hand. She was close to Marinette, maybe if he got close to the bullheaded woman, he could get close to his princess again. And then he’d show her what a real man can do.

…

Ladybug stared out at Gotham from on top of her hotel, smiling to herself as she heard the honking of car horns and the blaring of sirens. Her eyes raised to the dark sky, barely able to make out any of the stars.

Her gaze quickly flickered to the forms landing on the building next to the hotel, before she rushed over and landed before the vigilantes.

“You have good timing.” She smiled up at Batman, quickly eyeing the new people that had joined the group this time; Batwoman and Black Bat. But, remembering her manners, Ladybug held out her hand to them and smiled. “It’s nice to meet more of Gotham’s heroes. I’m Ladybug, from Paris.”

“Batman filled us in.” Black Bat smiled in return as she shook Ladybug’s hand. She gave her a quick head to toe glance. “You’ve very… spotty. And red.”

“That’s kind of the idea.” Ladybug winked, then stepped back, crossing her arms as she suddenly let out a sigh. “So, Batman, did the League say anything about who they will be sending?”

“I’ll be one of the ones going.” Robin put in before his father could answer. If he could get to Paris, that means he could probably spend more time with Marinette, that and make his Angel’s city a lot less dangerous for her. He hated to think of her being terrified daily by those akumas she spoke of.

“Yes, as well as a few selected members, such as Martian Manhunter and Green Lantern, they’d most likely be able to handle whatever akuma could come their way.” Batman shot Robin a look, before turning back to the brightly coloured heroine.

“Can they control their emotions?” Ladybug shot out instantly, crossing her arms, a guarded expression flickering across her features.

“Excuse me?” Batwoman crossed her arms, cocking a brow.

“Oh, it’s nothing personal! It’s just… The idea of one of the Justice League members becoming an akuma is a… terrifying idea. I don’t think I’d be able to stop an akuma with that kind of training that you heroes here in America have. I think if I ever went up against one of the villians or anti heroes from here, I’m sure I’d be in big trouble. Probably lose.” Ladybug lowered her gaze, shuddering at the thought of someone like Superman getting akumatized. There would probably be no hope then.

Batman opened his mouth to answer, but was cut off by the sound of Robin drawing out his sword. Then he caught sight of a blond boy clad in black leather.

“My Lady, there you are! What fate is it that we both happen to be in Gotham city?” Chat Noir grinned at his partner as he landed on the roof’s edge, his green eyes roaming over her slowly, his grin widening. “Did you hunt me down to finally admit your undying love for me?”

“You’d better get out of here, alley cat, before I skin you alive.” The danger in Robin’s voice sent off alarm bells in Ladybug’s head immediately. “We don’t take to voyeuristic perverts around here.”

“What are you talking about?” Chat’s head tilted to the side slightly as he eyed the sharp blade pointed in his direction, remembering how it had pierced his skin a few days earlier.

“You know that girl you kidnapped the other day? Well, we know you’ve been sitting outside her window, getting your jollies off while watching her.” Black Bat pointed to Marinette’s window, the blinds closed, thank god. “You must be some sick pervert, to watch a high school girl like that.”

Chat Noir seemed to go a bit pale at their words, his gaze quickly flickering to Ladybug.

“You’re not listening to them, right M’lady? They’re lying.” He stammered out, his grip tightening on his staff.

“Ladybug, you know that stuff that was on the roof that you warned me about? That was semen, and Chat Noir’s DNA here matched to it.” Red Robin spoke up, meeting Ladybug’s gaze, seeing how she went pale. “You know the girl named Marinette Dupain-Cheng? Well, this disgusting pervert has obviously stalking her.”

“...” Ladybug took a few shaky steps away from Chat as he tried to reach for her.

“Don’t listen to them, M’lady, they’re lying. We’re soulmates, remember? I’d never do anything like that..” The nervous tone was obvious in Chat’s voice as he held out his hands in a gesture of reassurance. But he was cut off by a blade being shoved in his face. One look at all of the Gotham heroes, he could tell they all looked ready to murder him if he took another step.

So Chat Noir did the thing he was always good at, he turned on his heel and bolted.

“I’ll get him!” Batwoman snapped, taking off after him in an instant, becoming a blur of black that instantly melted into the shadows.

“Hopefully he’ll run into Red Hood, wherever that jackass disappeared to. He’s been doing that a lot this past week.” Red Robin muttered, looking ready to join Batwoman, until he heard the sound of a sob.

They all turned to look at Ladybug standing there, hyperventilating, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Ladybug?” Robin stepped forward, freezing as he watched the tears sliding down her pale cheeks.

“He… He was doing that… Outside of my window? B-but how long? Did he follow me here all the way from Paris? I never knew, I never saw him…” The sobs quickly took over as she took a seat on the cold roof, her body shivered more violently.

“... Marinette?” Black Bat knelt beside the poor Ladybug, before her arms instantly wrapped around her. So that high school girl she had just met yesterday… She was a superhero. “Oh Marinette, I’m so sorry.”

“Angel?” Robin whispered as he knelt on the other side of her. He watched helplessly as she sobbed, then quickly switched to retching. He and Black Bat stepped back instantly as soon as she went running to the end of the roof and vomited violently.

They stood there with her as the young heroine spiralled in that betrayal, that… violation of herself.

After she eventually settled down, Robin knelt next to her, taking one of her hands gently to his mouth for a kiss.

"Angel, huh?" Ladybug sniffled and smiled up at him. "I- I take it you're Damian. Cat's out of the bag now."

The two shared a shaky laugh, before hugging each other tightly, Ladybug still shivering.

"I guess I won't have to worry about protecting you, if an akuma broke out, or you were kidnapped." She whispered as she rested her head on his shoulder, her face buried into his neck. He was so warm, despite the cold winter air.

"And I know you can definitely handle yourself." Robin murmured back, laughing to himself as he held her tighter. He kissed her forehead ever so softly, realizing quickly that Batman, Red Robin, and Black Bat were still watching them.

"So, I guess this is another new superhero couple, huh?" Black Bat spoke up, grinning as she crossed her arms. "Welp, since she knows you, Damian, I'm pretty sure she can figure out that the Wayne family is the Bat family."

"... I guess my boyfriend is Robin." Ladybug let out a shaky giggle, only for Robin's arms to tighten a bit around her. She glanced up at him and gave a smile. "Well… I've always wanted to get a good look at Gotham. Care to show me around?"

Robin knew exactly what she really wanted. She wanted away from this roof, away from that hotel. She'd probably never feel secure there again, knowing what had been happening.

"Fine, but Ladybug, tomorrow you're coming to the Manor, and we're gonna see what you're made of." Black Bat called over, a broad grin on her face. "A bit of sparring, sans powers and weapons, of course. Maybe we'll put the mangy cat's picture on a sandbag and you can go to town with a knife."

"I'd like that. The sparring, I mean." Ladybug grinned, then smiled when Robin took her hand. Without another word, the two of them grappled off into the Gotham night.

They made their way around Gotham, leaping from building to building, watching the people below, walking without a care in the busy streets.

"This place is probably a lot more violent than what I'm used to." Ladybug spoke up as she watched a guy try to steal a woman's purse, only for him to get throat punched, and to fall onto the sidewalk in pain as the woman strode away.

"I'd show you the ropes." Robin offered quickly, earning a smile from her. He returned it, then glanced up at the clock tower closest to them. "Well… I should get you back, shouldn't I?"

"Wanna race?" Ladybug blurted, her cheeks going crimson as her hand tightly gripped her yo-yo.

"I bet at can beat you, Ladybug."

Then they were off. Robin had to admit, she had some amazing agility. The way she moved… It was so graceful, so natural. Every time he had seen Marinette, he had seen the gracefulness in her.

It was part of what he loved about her.

When that thought entered his head, his grapple nearly slid from his hand, but he held on tight as they swung over a busy intersection. He was in love, in love with Marinette Dupain-Cheng. He just hoped when he did end up telling her, he didn't scare her away.

The two of them landed in the alleyway beside Marinette's hotel in silence, before Marinette dropped her transformation.

"I guess I win." Marinette giggled, before turning her back to Damian as he changed out of his costume and into some civilian clothes he always kept with him.

"... Marinette, how old were you when you became a hero?" Damian murmured, taking her hand to turn her towards him once he was finished.

He could see the hesitation in her eyes, but gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

"I became Ladybug when I was fourteen. I… I ended up having to become the Guardian when I was fifteen." Marinette whispered as they strode towards the front of the hotel, her hand gripping his tightly, their fingers lacing. Her mind instantly went to the Miraculous box tucked into a carefully hidden compartment in her luggage. With a bit of help from Trixx, she had managed to sneak it passed the airport security easily enough.

"That's very you. But I guess I was younger when I started training to take over the League of Assassins." Damian frowned a bit, missing Marinette's shocked look.

"Assassins?" Her brows drew together as she gave his hand a small squeeze to get his attention. "What do you mean?"

"I was raised by my mother for a short while, trained me to be an assassin." He sighed softly, before guiding her over to a nearby bench, beginning to tell her in detail everything about his childhood, about his mother, his grandfather, and his title as Prince of Assassins.

"Prince, hm?" A slow smirk spread across Marinette's face as she leaned close, their noses touching now. "I guess that makes you my prince, hm?"

"I suppose so." Damian returned the smirk, before cupping her face in his hands.

Marinette closed her eyes, loving how those big, strong, warm hands of his framed her face. She didn't object when he leaned closer, no, she leaned up and met him halfway, their lips meeting.

Her arms wrapped around his neck as a needy little whimper left her. The kiss deepened as Damian wrapped his arms around her waist, and held Marinette against his heart.

Across the street, on the roof, clawed hands curled into fists and green eyes blazed with fury.

Taglist:

@realrandomposts @interobanginyourmom @ladybug-182 @ladylb @zalladane @mochinek0 @persephonebutkore @urbanpineapplefarmer @vixen-uchiha @angelofmusickaterinapetrova @thewheezingbubbledragon @northernbluetongue @violatiger8 @thequestionablyhuman @ginamarie1512 @maude-zarella @2sunchild2 @saphiraazure2708 @ayuchan07 @virgil-is-a-cutie @thepeacetea

#Seeing Green #maribat #daminette #ml x dc

620 notes · View notes

toomuchtv95 · 4 years

Text

My Savior Part 4

Characters: Jay Halstead x Reader, Will Halstead

Word Count: 2.1k+

Chapter Warnings:, Fluff, angst, poorly written medical talk

A/n: Okay I have no idea if the medical condition I gave Y/N, is real or not. It clearly for the propose of this story.

Enjoy! :)

A/N: Excuse any major grammar mistakes hopefully Grammarly caught most of them.

Series MasterList

Life for you was good. Things between you and Jay were even better. 6 months ago, your divorce was finally finalized, which finally gave you the freedom you needed from your past. You haven’t been this happy in a long time and it’s all because of Jay. The guest bedroom went back to being a guestroom and Jay’s bedroom also became yours. You had no idea what the future held for you and Jay, and if you were completely honest with yourself you did think about your future with Jay. You see yourself married and having kids with Jay, and it's crazy that you are even thinking about marrying someone when you just got divorce less than 6months ago. But after the news, you receive today you weren't sure about your future with Jay.

As you crossed the street into the parking lot after your shift, you saw Jay leaning against the hood of his truck. Your heart broke into a million piece and all you wanted to do was cry. “Hey.”

"Hey, beautiful." As you approached Jay, his smile faded when he saw sadness written all over your face. Jay pushed himself away from the truck and you automatically crashed into his chest. As Jay wrapped his arm tightly around you, he could sense that there was something wrong other than a bad day at work. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

“Just a bad day at work.” You hated lying to Jay, but you didn’t want to tell Jay the truth just yet, because of the fear of losing him again. “Can we just go home?”

“Yeah, okay.” Jay wanted to know what was bothering you, but Jay was going to give you the space you needed and let you come to him when you were ready.

The ride home was quiet which is what you needed to wrap your head around the news you had received this afternoon. Once the two of you were home, Jay went to order pizza while you decided to jump into the shower. As you turned on the water, you stripped out of your clothes and got in the shower and let the warm water hit your body. Brick by brick, your walls started to come back down after you had just finished repairing them. You broke down. The sobs punched through, seeping through every crack. You pressed your forehead against the wall of the shower and closed your eyes. You don't know how long you were in this position before you pushed away and gathered yourself before finishing up in the shower.

“Hey, the pizza is here.” Jay appeared in the doorway behind you as you finished getting dressed and towel drying your hair.

“Okay.” Turning around, you placed a soft kiss on his lips before heading out the doorway.

“I’m trying here, but I hate to see your hurt. So, if there something I can do to help-”

“Jake is ruining my life again and he’s not even here. He killed my chances of ever having kids.” The moment those words left your mouth, you saw the shocked look on his Jay from your outburst.

“Woah, what are you talking about?” Jay grabbed your elbow to stop you from leaving without an explanation.

This was not how you want to tell Jay, but you had to get this out in the open before you two get more serious about this relationship. “I had a doctor’s appointment today; you know just a regular OBGYN check and she gave me the news that I never thought I would hear." A tear welled in your eyes as you looked at Jay and you felt your heart sink lower into your stomach. "She asked me if I suffered a miscarriage in the past and I said no and asked why. She told me that it looked like my uterus had scar tissue and it was most liking from a miscarriage.”

“Sweetheart-”

“Jake sometimes use to kick me in the stomach. One night he kicked me because he wasn’t pleased about something, I was in so much pain I thought he had broken a rib. Then the next day, I went to the bathroom and there was blood. At the time I thought it was just my period but now that I think about it-” you stopped mid-sentence as you thought back to that night. Jay placed both his hands on your upper arms and pulled you into his chest. Anger flooded through Jay's body as he held you tight. He wanted nothing more than to take away all the pain that you are suffering from. You pulled away and looked at Jay in the eyes. "There's more…”

"Hey, whatever it is, you can tell me. We will get through this together." Jay wiped away your tears with the pad of his thumb.

“She said that because of the scar tissue that the chances of having a child are low. So, if you want kids, your better off finding someone who can have them.” You didn’t mean for that to come out so harsh, but you were angry and upset. You wanted to be a mother one day, and now you might not get that chance. “I mean we haven’t even talked about kids and marriage and I know it soon to be even talking about it considering I just got divorce 6months ago. But I see a future with you. Do you even want kids? Do you see a future with me?”

“Y/N look at me.” Jay placed both of his hands on the side of your neck and stoked your cheek with the pad of his thumb. Jay looked at you in the eyes and he could see anger and hurt in your eyes. “Your right we haven’t talked about any of that, but yeah I a future with you. The whole package: kids, marriage, maybe even a pet. I love you and never in a million years would I leave you because of this. We will get through this together. I promise."

“And what if I can’t-” Jay cut you off with a passionate kiss. The moment Jay kissed you, the anger and hurt you were feeling had suddenly disappeared. You wrapped your arms around his neck and returned the kiss.

Jay pulled away and leaned his forehead against yours. “Then we will figure it out. Okay?” You nodded head as he pulled you back into a hug. The world around you melted away as you squeezed back, not wanting the moment to end.

“Hey, if this is what you want, I will support you.” Will patted his brother on the back as they stood at the coffee cart outside of the hospital.

“Y/N is the best thing that has happened to me and I know things between us are moving pretty fast, but I want her to know that I am not going anywhere. I love her more than anything in this world.” The man behind the shopping cart handed the brothers their coffees. “You know a couple of weeks ago she thought I was going to leave her.�� The two of them walked over to the benches near the flower bed and sat down.

“Why would she think that?” Jay took a sip of his coffee while he debated on tell Will, but Will was his brother and he knew he could trust him. Taking a deep breath, Jay told Will everything that you told him.

“She afraid that she won’t get the chance to be a mother.” Anger boiled underneath his skin at the thought of everything Jake had done to you.

Will could sense his brothers’ anger. Will doesn’t know half of the stuff that Jake did to you, but he knew it wasn’t pretty. “I’ve had a handful of patients that have had similar situations and a lot of them come out with having both health pregnancy and babies.” Will crossed his leg over his knee and turned to face Jay. “I don’t think she thought you were going to leave. I think she was just upset. That kind of news isn’t settling. Especially to Y/N. She just got her life back and all she wants is to share it with you.”

"I know I get it. She just is scared of losing me again after all these years, which is why I want to do this. She’s the one.”

“Oh, I know. You two are meant to be.” Just then Will’s pager went off alerting him that they needed him in the ED. “I gotta get back. Good luck. Don’t screw it up.” Will hopped off the benched as Jay waved goodbye. Jay looked down at his watch seeing that he had the head off to the work.

Today, you had the day off which was nice because you had a bunch of stuff to get done. This morning you had gotten a text from Jay saying he wanted to talk you out to dinner tonight and of course you said yes. Throughout the day you slowly checked off the things on your to-do list, grocery shopping, laundry, and cleaning. When 5 o’clock rolled around, you have finished everything on your to-do list before you headed into the bathroom. After hopping out of the shower, you wrapped yourself in a towel and towel-dried your hair. Then just as you were about to wipe the fog off the mirror, you felt a pair of arms wrap around your waist. You smiled as Jay kissed your cheek.

“What’s got you in a good mood?” You leaned forward and wiped away the fog on the mirror while Jay still held onto you.

“What I can’t be happy to see my beautiful girlfriend?” Jay whispered in your ear before he released his grip on you. You turned around and looked at him but before you could say anything Jay planted a kiss on you. "Now go get dress or we are going to late," Jay whispered against your lips before exited the room.

You walked out to the bedroom to see a bouquet of your favorite flowers sitting in a vase of water at your bedside. “Jay Halstead, you amaze me.” You whispered to yourself as you took a sniff of the flowers then went to get ready.

“I can’t believe that the diner was still there after all these years.” Jay decided to take you to the diner where you had your first date back in high school.

“Either could I.” After dinner, the two of you decided to go for a walk across the street at the park which was another place that you two spend a lot of time together back in high school. Both you and Jay walked down the path hand in hand when all of a sudden Jay came to a halt causing you to stop in the middle of the path.

"Jay, what's wrong?" You turned around and all of a sudden your felt like your heart was going to explode in your chest. "Jay…”

As you turned around you saw Jay down on one knee. “I love you more then words can express. I know things are moving fast between us, but I lost you once and I don’t want to lose you again. You mean more to me than anything else in this world. You are my best friend who I fell in love with and I want to build a life with you.” Jay pulled out a little red box and you couldn’t help but cover your mouth in shock. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Y/N Y/L will you marry me?”

Tear build up in your eyes and not from sadness but from joy. Jake never made you feel like this, hell he never even proposed. It was more of a let go to the courthouse and get married. You, of course, wanted a wedding where you could share with friends and family. Jake would have never given that to you. Up until about 8months ago, you never thought in a million years that this moment would be happening. “The answer is yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.” Without hesitation, Jay stood up and slipped the ring on your finger. He lowered his face to yours and our lips met, this was the moment you had imagined for so long. He placed his hand on your waist and drew you closer deepening the kiss. As the two of you parted, you saw the sparkle in his eyes and his lips curve up into a smile and you couldn’t help but smile back.

Tag List: @nervousmemzie @hehurst23 @anamile6878 @esauthor @stephmazz1990 @daenerys-targaryes @bellageorge03 @haileymatthewss @useyourmarners @get0verit @yienell-mariee @olihju @lovelydivs @stuffedcabbagepatch @chrisrandumness @shipatheart @jocelyn1718 @shadyfox242 @boo20-05 @beachfan412 @mheart27 @supyfish @aparkel @httphiddlestan @haleyjs86 @onechicago18 @ladyate @whatisanniedoin @citylightsla @thevelvetseries @wemma554 @samiam9525 @detectiveinchicago @tyzerman91 @foulstatesmandragonbear @spiridakos-wp @katie1996 @glittermakesmesmile @itsdesiree86 @chloebear26 @delcateswift @rosemusic18 @transparentwombathorsedreamer @detective29 @cjhorseback @sgtsophie @onechicagofan20 @katiehud @corie-the-writer @give-jack-a-lightsaber @yzas-stuff

#jay halstead #jay halstead imagine #jay halstead x reader #Chicago PD

163 notes · View notes

p-artsypants · 4 years

Text

Arcadia or Bust (16) Corner of Main and State

"Yeah, so mom…we made it to New Jersey, and we're all safe...but the Heartstone isn't really...impressive. So, we're bringing what we found home. See you soon!" In Which Arcadia welcomes back it's underground citizens, Jim gets used to mundane life as a Troll, and drama seeks them all out like a magnet.

Ao3 | FF.net

I’m rewatching Trollhunters, because it’s been like a year since I watched it, and the more I listen, the less the plot of Wizards makes sense to me. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it, but there’s some lore and continuity issues. That being said, I’ll continue to write this story using Trollhunter’s lore primarily, with a sprinkle of Wizards and 3Below lore as I see fit. :)

—

Jim had been through a lot of trauma in his life. At least since becoming the Trollhunter. But nothing was as jarring as looking down to his chest and seeing his ribcage, muscles, and heart beating.

They had taken the amulet from where it was nestled, and in return, left the gaping hole wide open, oozing with blood, and exposed. Could trolls get infections? Because humans certainly could, and this was just asking for infection.

He had been lying here alone for a few hours now. It was hard to tell exactly how long in the vast passage of time while drenched in pain.

When Colonel Kubritz appeared at his side, he wasn’t even surprised. Had he fallen asleep?

“How do you get this to work?” She bit. In her hand, she held the cleaned amulet, and it glowed, aching to be back with him.

“You can’t. You have to be chosen by it. Even if I die, it will pick someone else. And it might not be you.”

She slapped him for that, but it looked like it hurt her more than him, by the wince on her face. “Don’t give me that crap. Tell me how to work it!”

“Just speak the incantation inscribed.”

“We already tried that.”

He shrugged. “That’s all it is.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Teach me to use it, and I’ll let you go home.”

Jim sighed. It was pointless, but he may as well try.

—

Claire rang the doorbell at the designated house.

A surly man opened the door. “Yeah? What do you want? No solicitors! Unless you’re a girl scout…no, you’re too old. Are you with the tamale lady?”

“Hello sir, I’m not here to sell anything, I actually came to ask about the car you had totaled a few days ago.”

“Are you here to hunt down that devil that flipped my baby?!” He gestured to the smashed in car in the driveway. It looked drivable, but one bump away from death.

“Not quite...I’m actually here to fix it.”

“Fix it? You want to fix that? My mechanic couldn’t even fix it! And you want to! What are you, 15?”

“17, actually.”

“I doubt you have the experience for this, little lady.”

“Oh, I’m not a mechanic, I’m a sorceress.”

“A what now?”

“Sorceress, a witch! Do I have permission to fix your truck?”

“Girlie, if you can fix my truck, I’ll owe you a huge favor.”

“I was hoping you’d say that!” With a little skip, Claire went over to the truck and rested her hands on the hood. “Ad initium redire...” Her hands glowed purple, and pulsed against the metal, making it groan. Then it began to twist and crunch, popping out dents and welding pieces back together.

The old man stood in shock as his beloved truck knit back together, and when she was done, it was in perfect condition.

“How did—where did you—?!” He rounded the car, circling it like a vulture. “It’s perfect! You even took out that bump from years ago! You’re a miracle worker, girlie!”

Claire fell on her butt on the driveway, dizzy and winded. “Glad to help.”

“You alright?”

“Just a little winded. I’m still getting used to using magic, especially without a staff. It’s exhausting.”

“Well why don’t you take a seat up on the porch instead of the road? I’ll get you a beer.”

“I’m seventeen.”

“You’ve earned it!”

Claire chuckled to herself and climbed to her feet. She followed the man up his steps and took a seat on the porch swing while he went inside.

Only a minute later, he returned with beers in hand. “Here you are darlin’. Summertime ale. I’m partial to dark ale myself, but my neighbor got me this pale ale. It’s pretty good! You have a favorite?”

Claire took a sip and tried to hide the grimace. “I don’t really get to drink very often, unless it’s a special occasion.”

“Right right, we’ll keep it our little secret. Now then, I owe you a favor. You just saved me a whole chunk of change and a basket of anxiety. You must have something in mind since you offered?” He suddenly sat up straight. “Oh god, you don’t want my soul do you?”

Claire snorted. “No no, you can keep your soul! Don’t know what I would do with it anyways...You know the boy that damaged your truck in the first place?”

“I only saw a glimpse of him, that blue devil? What about him?”

“He’s actually my boyfriend, and he’s really very sweet and usually not like this. But he was...fed something he shouldn’t have had and it made him go berserk.”

“Crying shame.”

“I’ll say! So the army came in and took him away! They wouldn’t listen to us at all!”

“So what do you want me to do about it?”

“We are going to run a campaign to get him out. Hopefully, if we get enough attention on the issue, they’ll let him go.”

“Oh, I gotcha.”

“So if you could just...spread the truth around town? He’s actually the one that stopped that troll invasion back at the beginning of summer.”

The man looked surprised at that. “No kidding, that was him? Well, he’s a local hero! He’s been talked about a lot since then! Sure I’ll set the record straight! What’s this kid’s name?”

“Jim Lake Jr.”

“Got it! Don’t worry, I’ll bring it up at the lodge, and the rotary, and the chess club...”

—

The phone was ringing, he had been successfully patched through. Strickler sat in his office after hours, wanting to make the call as private as possible.

“Stricklander, I haven’t heard from you since the fall of the Janus order. What reason have you called on me?”

“Can’t I just call an old friend to catch up?”

“You? No.”

Walt cracked a smile. “Fine. I need a favor.”

“Changeling to changeling, or school principal to army general?”

“The latter, actually.”

The man on the other line laughed. “Color me intrigued.”

“You know of the human Trollhunter, correct?”

“Just what you wrote in your dossier, a human male, 16 years old, lives in Arcadia Oaks, California, turned half-troll by the wizard Merlin. Responsible for the death of Bular and Gunmar. Quite a remarkable young soul. Is there anything else to know?”

“He’s been captured by the United States Army.”

The man let out half a chuckle. “Captured? What dumb trouble did he get into?”

“His deadbeat father left out some cocaine for the boy to find, he thought it was trash, and ate it.”

Distantly on the other line, there was laughter, a strong bark of laughter that lasted far too long. When he came back, he was calm. “How unfortunate.”

“He’s a good kid. Why would there be a kilogram of cocaine in the trash anyways? I fail to see the humor in the situation.”

“Of course. So, I assume, he went on a rampage following his meal, and then attracted the attention of some of us?”

“So you haven’t heard about it?”

“Not where I’m stationed. But give me a moment.” The line went silent, only a very distant and quiet tapping of keys on a keyboard being tapped. Then the man returned. “I’m glad you told me about this. This incident hasn’t been reported to our database. That shows evidence of misconduct. Did you get the name of the commanding officer responsible, by chance?”

“Colonel Kubritz, I believe.”

More typing. “Area 49-B.”

“That name was also passed around.”

“Technically not my jurisdiction, and since she didn’t report it, I’m not supposed to know about it.”

“I’m afraid you will officially know about it soon.”

“Oh?”

“His friends and family, myself included, are going to put on a protest for his freedom. Drawing attention to the situation.”

That echoing laughter was back again.

“It wasn’t my idea, in case you were wondering.”

“I know, you wouldn’t come up with something so bold. Regardless, go ahead in through with it. I’ll make sure whatever protest happens gets brought to my superior’s attention, and then I will take it from there.”

“Thanks. I will owe you one.”

“Oh come now, Walter, we Changelings that survived the Fall of the Janus order have to stick together. Besides, I heard rumors that you’re caring for my familiar?”

“He’s still in the cradle stone, and the moment. One baby at a time, for now.”

“Then we’re even. Besides, this is the most interesting thing that’s happened in a while. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Your kindness is refreshing. I’m glad Gunmar didn’t eat you.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“We’ll be in touch then, Samuel.”

“Of course, Walter.”

—

“How goes the car repair?” Asked Merlin, as he met up with Toby and Claire in the park.

“Ugh, exhausting. First I stopped at the mechanics, and they’re still backed up with fixing other cars. Apparently, Gunmar’s army did a number and backed them up for months. But they gave me the names of all the clients who got totaled from Jim. I had to hit the scrap yard for four of them, and I just finished another two in driveways.”

“How many does that leave you with?”

“Seven more,” she sighed. “How goes the road work?”

“It goes. Now come along, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.” He didn’t wait for them to follow as he turned and started walking away.

Sharing a dubious look, Toby and Claire quickly caught up with him. He led them to a bookstore, where a young man was sweeping outside.

“Hisirdoux, my faithful and loyal apprentice—“

“You're damn straight I’m loyal!” He shouted. “Where have you been? I’ve been cleaning tables for the last 900 years!”

“Calm yourself boy, I’m here now, aren’t I? And I need your help.”

“Finally! What is it? Just say the word!”

“I need you to go with Miss Claire Nuñez and help her restore recently smashed vehicles.”

“What?”

“Or, you can repair street damage.”

Douxie crossed his arms. “What is this? I saw what happened! There were trolls, and evidence of Morgana! And now you need my help? To clean up, several months later?”

“That is correct.”

“Why didn’t you call for me back then?!”

“I forgot.”

“You forgot? About me?”

“Oh come now, don’t take it personally. I was busy trying to prepare the Trollhunter to fight Gunmar. And get my magic back from Morgana.”

Douxie seemed to become more sympathetic at that. “Morgana stole your magic?”

“Yes, but it’s all in the past now. Everything is fine. Well, not really. Seems that the US Army has declared the Trollhunter as a menace to society. We must get the trust of the city on our side if we are to get them to trust us, and agree that his capture is unjust.”

“Please,” said Claire. “We need all the help we can get.”

Douxie sighed. “Alright. Afterwards, you’re training me again.” He gave Merlin a hard look. “And no amateur magic either. I’ve been doing the same drills for 900 years. I think I’m ready for more advanced work.”

“Oh, you will be. Starting with helping Miss Nuñez field her shadow magic.”

Douxie looked at her, in awe. “You’re practicing shadow magic? Truly?”

“It’s a recent development…”

“She took Morgana’s Skathe-Hrün, and wielded it without any training. Because of that she has a tether to Morgana in the Shadow realm, who has been teaching her ever so slightly. I’m not allowed to train her, but she could use the guidance of a Wizard in the physical realm. Do you understand Hisirdoux?”

“I do, and I’ll be happy to teach her…I’m just…I’ll need a moment or two to digest the sentence you just said.”

“Well, don’t take too long, we have a Trollhunter to rescue!”

—

There was a heavy knock on the door, which was never a good thing. Especially nowadays.

Still, Barbara went to the door.

Standing there was Detective Scott and James Lake Sr.

“Does this belong to you?” Asked the detective.

“I don’t claim him, no.”

Her almost ex-husband smiled at her, pleadingly, “Please Babs?”

“What is he even doing out? You arrested him!”

“About that…” Detective Scott winced. “We don’t have enough to keep him on.”

“What!” She shouted. “He confessed in front of a bunch of people!”

“Which would be helpful if we had a case for a trial. But as it stands, he doesn’t actually have any drugs on him. And we don’t have a confession on tape. So…we’re shit out of luck.”

“Oh come on Louis, you know the cocaine came from him! Where else would Jim have gotten it from?”

“Look, the chief’s not thrilled that we didn’t arrest the guy responsible for trashing the town, but we’re supposed to arrest someone else without evidence?”

Barbara threw her hands up in the air. “With probable cause!”

“That doesn’t work with drug dealers. He’s clean, Barbara. All the blood tests came back clean too.”

“Ugh.”

The house shook slightly, and Barbara felt the floor bow behind her. “Is there a problem, officer?” Asked Draal.

“Nothing you can help with, Draal. Thank you.” Barbara sighed. “James is not being charged.”

“But he is a criminal, this degenerate flesh bag poisoned the Trollhunter! He should face banishment for his crimes!”

James withered a little with the glare Draal gave him.

“Well,” said Officer Scott. “Maybe you can keep an eye on him from now on. If you have evidence that he is dealing, like physical traces of cocaine on the premises, call us. But for now, there’s not much else we can do.”

“This is ludicrous.”

“I know, I’m sorry Barbara. How is Jim?”

She frowned. “You haven’t heard? The army came and collected him from the hospital!”

Louis sputtered. “The army came?!”

“Yes!”

“Where were they when Gunmar was terrorizing us?” He scoffed. “Again, sorry Barbara, I can’t help you here.”

“It’s alright. We’ve got a plan.”

“Love to hear it, but I’ve got to get back to the office. I’m sure Toby will tell Darci, and she’ll tell me. Good luck!” And he left James on the porch.

“Babs, I’m sorry…”

“Save it.” Barbara scoffed, but allowed him in the house.

Draal never took his eyes off the man.

“Well, you’ll be happy to know I have no more supply. And after Rudy found out what happened to my last Kilo, she’s not getting anymore for me. So…”

“I’ll have to thank Jim for keeping a kilogram of Cocaine off the streets of Arcadia. We have a fairly low rate of drug use around here, and we don’t need you to ruin people’s lives.”

James sighed, knowing he had dodged a huge bullet by being let off the hook. He’d rather deal with his wife than with his ex-associates in jail any day. “I think I’ve still ruined people’s lives anyway.” He walked into the living room, only to halt at the signs on the table.

Release Jim Lake Jr.

Justice for Jim

Let Lake Go!

“Babs, what is all this?”

“That’s part of our plan to free Jim! I’m friends with the councilwoman, and she suggested that we campaign for his release. Bringing a lot of unwanted attention onto his capture will stir the government to let him go!”

James jutted out his jaw, a sign of barely concealed rage. An expression Barbara had grown very used to in the last few months. “So, you’re going to put his name—my name in the news? You’re going to broadcast what city we live in?”

“Yes.”

He whirled on her, grabbing her arm. “Babs, people are looking for me! Horrible, mean, and ruthless people! If you put his name out there, they’ll know where to look!”

“All the better! Then they can come take you off my hands!”

“You don’t understand! I owe them a lot of money, and they’ll take it anyway they can! That includes extorting you, Jim, and whoever else they connect with me!”

Draal stepped in, removing his hand from Barbara’s arm. “This house is under my protection. If anyone dare tries to enter, they will be dealt with swiftly.”

“You don’t know what these men are capable of.”

“I assure you, I’ve decimated armies of flesh bags in my day. These men are no different.”

Barbara smiled. “If you’re really that scared, I hear Vermont is lovely this time of year.”

James just narrowed his eyes, before storming out of the room.

—

The first rally took place from 3pm to dusk, starting from after school, and leading up to when Trolls would be able to participate. Granted, it was only a handful of people, but standing in the middle of downtown did garner a lot of attention. More than a dozen people walking past had stopped to ask about the cause. They were then given a short synopsis of the situation, as it pertained to them:

“Jim is a 16 year old student who was chosen by the trolls to be our protector. He willingly gave up his humanity to defeat Gunmar the Black, the monstrous troll that attacked the city at the beginning of the summer. Now, he looks like a troll, and was sabotaged to go into a rage and damage the city. The US army took him away without a trial! He’s a hero to the city, and deserves fair treatment!”

Reactions ranged from:

“Oh, he stopped that thing?”

To:

“Oh my god! He’s just a child!”

Overwhelmingly, there was no negative feedback, at least in person. But it was only day one.

—

“This daylight...is it significant?” The colonel asked, as she circled his table.

“It’s just a name.” Jim lied. “A sword with a name is stronger than one without.”

“Interesting. Interesting indeed. According to my notes, trolls turn to stone in daylight. Any correlation there?”

So she already knew? Then what was the point? Was she just playing with him?

“I’m the Trollhunter, and I fight bad trolls. It would make sense to name my sword after something they’re afraid of.”

She hummed. “And what about you?”

“What about me?”

“Are you afraid of daylight?”

“Why would I be?”

The colonel laughed. “Oh Jim Lake Jr. You’re the worst liar I’ve ever met. You are honest and forthcoming with truths that work in your favor. You freely told me of your transformation, and of your victory against a Troll tyrant. But now that I’m edging on the topic of your weakness, you clam up and give me vague answers. I can do this all day, beast. What does daylight do to you?”

“Nothing. It doesn’t do anything to me.”

“Really? Even as a troll? That’s interesting.”

“It’s fortunate.”

“I would say so. Though, now you’ve got me curious. These burns on your skin…where did they come from?” She dragged her fingernail over one of the dark marks.

Jim winced. “I don’t know. I wasn’t aware in my rage state.”

“Then you won’t mind if I find out for myself?” She crooked a finger towards the shadows. Jim could hear the creak of wheels before a lamp with several fixtures was wheeled forward.

“Oh no…”

“UV lights, all different wattages. Let’s see what works the best, hmm?”

—

ARCADIA TRIBUNE

Justice for Jim

By Nadja Chamack

Who is Jim Lake Jr. anyway? This is a question I asked myself as I drove downtown three days ago. No doubt, you’ve seen the crowd of students and teachers holding signs on the corner of Main and State Street. It’s pretty hard to miss, quite honestly. Among the students, there’s also Councilwoman Nuñez, and resident Troll Mascot, ARRRGH! Signs range from ‘Justice for Jim’ to ‘Free our Lake’.

But who is Jim Lake Jr.? And what happened? A precursory search on my end showed only a scant few facts. Jim is a student at Arcadia Highschool, in his Junior year. He was nominated as Spring Fling King last year, and played the part of Romeo in the school play. His criminal record seemed pretty clean too. A misdemeanor for scratching a rental scooter was all that showed up. But hey, who hasn’t done that?

So I went to the source, his family and friends campaigning for him. On Saturday, the group was downtown, campaigning all day long, so I had the chance to interview each and every person about why they were there.

Turns out, Jim Lake Jr. might be the most amazing person in Arcadia.

From his mother, Dr. Barbara Lake, I learned that Jim is an Arcadia native, born and raised here. He enjoys cooking gourmet food, working on his vespa, and acting.

Oh, and he’s the first human Trollhunter.

What? You’ve never heard of a Trollhunter? Me neither. But Barbara and Blinky, another resident Troll, gave me the scoop.

You all remember that night at the beginning of the summer that we all promised not to talk about? Well, I’m going to talk about it. In fact, I’m here to give you all the answers you’ve been craving.

Many months before that fateful night, a new Trollhunter was chosen, after the previous one had perished. “The Trollhunter is chosen according to his mettle, by the amulet of the Trollhunter, as created by Merlin, the wizard of Arthurian legend. Jim was chosen after the fall of Kanjigar, his predecessor. Jim is the first human to be chosen, also the smallest and weakest. But, he was the first to defeat Bular, son of Gunmar!” Said his mentor, Blinky. None of this made any sense to me at first, though it was said with great enthusiasm.

It turns out, the trolls that we’ve gotten used to seeing around town, mostly ARRRGH, are ‘good’ trolls. The bad trolls, ‘Gum-gums’ are what invaded our town and destroyed my car. The Trollhunter’s whole job is to fight off these bad trolls, and gnomes, and goblins, and everything else that goes bump in the night. And so he did. The Gum-Gums invaded from the ‘Darklands’, being led by a fearsome troll named Gunmar the Black, the Skullcrasher, the Dark Lord…he had a lot of names, and it was obviously a bad dude. Gunmar had plans to invade the whole world by blotting out the sun, a.k.a the eclipse we saw. And he would have gotten away for it too, if it weren’t for those meddling kids!

Mainly Jim Lake Jr. and his friends.

And how does a sixteen year old defeat a couple millennia old, bloodthirsty, all powerful tyrant? With a fancy sword? Close. With some magical armor? Closer. By giving up a part of his humanity and becoming a half-human, half-troll hybrid? Now you’re getting it! Yes, to protect Arcadia, to protect us, Jim Lake Jr. allowed himself to be changed. You may have seen him around town. Blue skin, big horns...okay, I just described most of the trolls that are around here.

“Jim works the night shift at my store,” said Stu Harding, owner of Thrifty Furnishings. “He’s a very hard worker, and always willing to do the heavy lifting that is hard for the other employees to do.”

“Despite his appearance, Jim ultimately decided to attend school,” said Principal Walter Strickler. “After the school found out about why he had missed so many days of school, they were willing to move him onto the next grade to be with his peers. He was a good student before all this, and he fought really hard to keep his grades up regardless. We felt he should still have the opportunity to graduate. We were looking forward to having him on our football team, and in our spring production of Beauty and the Beast.”

So what happened to Jim? And why is there such a big campaign for his freedom?

Well, the truth is that Jim is a victim of unfortunate circumstances. In more ways than one, obviously. Trolls eat our trash. That’s why Arcadia has such a small carbon footprint! (Be sure to thank ARRRGH next time you see him!) And this trait was adopted by Jim too, when he was transformed.

“He just picked a bunch of items out of the trash. Cans, an old sock, and what looked like a VHS wrapped in duct tape,” said Jim’s best friend, Toby Dolmzalski. “It was a normal lunch for him. But right in the middle of gym class, he turned crazy town banana pants and took off! I had never seen Jim act like that! Ever!”

After an 8 hour rage through town, Jim collapsed and was taken to the hospital for evaluation. It turns out what Jim had ingested turned out to be a kilogram of pure cocaine!

At this time, it is unknown where the cocaine came from, or if it was planted purposefully. (Seriously, who throws away a kilogram of cocaine?)

But the damage that Jim caused was extensive enough to catch the attention of the US army, who has taken Jim into captivity from the hospital. No trial, no rights, they even took him while he was unconscious. His friends and family have not heard from him since.

“I’m so worried,” said girlfriend, Claire Nuñez. “He was injured from the battle with Gunmar, and didn’t completely heal. In the hospital, he was covered in burns from the sun. I have no idea if they’re caring for him properly, or dissecting him like some creature. But he deserves so much better than this. He saved our town, he saved my life, and the life of my baby brother. That’s why we won’t rest until he’s home!”

“Not bad,” said ARRRGH, long time friend of Jim. “Good troll have bad days, best trolls have worse days. Jim need some good days.”

Couldn’t have said it better myself, ARRRGH.

Friends and family of Jim are asking everyone share #JusticeforJim on social media, hoping to get the attention of someone in charge. All the damage caused by Jim has been repaired, and there were no casualties from his attack.

Of course, the whole ‘troll’ aspect of this story has to be a local legend. So when sharing it to social media, kindly leave that part out.

—

“C-Bomb!” Mary shouted from the other end of the hall. She came running and almost crashed into Claire and Toby, holding her phone up in the air. “My twitter feed is blowing up, girl! Look at all of this!” She held the screen up so they could see.

“Citizen abducted by the government, is this China or North Korea? Neither! It’s the US! #JusticeforJim”

“Imagine if this was your son. So sad, and so scary! #JusticeforJim”

“This is real life, not science fiction #JusticeforJim”

“Whoa, where did these all come from?” Asked Claire. “What did you post?”

“Did you know Snapper Karr did a report on it!?”

“Snapper Karr? From KTTV in LA?”

“Yes! Thankfully, he left out the whole troll thing. I’ll send you a link. In his story, Jim is just a kid that has a rare genetic disorder that makes him look different, and so the government took him away!”

Claire winced. “This is…kind of spiraling out of control.”

“I don’t know why you’re worrying, Claire,” said Darci. “We want people talking about Jim getting abducted. It doesn’t matter if the world outside Arcadia doesn’t have all the facts. They still know he’s been taken away without a trial, and that’s all that’s important. Besides, Jim doesn’t want the whole world knowing about Trolls, right?”

She nodded. “As long as this works, I’ll be happy.”

“And sensationalist stories like this blow up for like a week, and then they die out and are forgotten. This won’t last.” Mary waved her hand. “It should work long enough to get Jimmy Jam out though.” Then she squealed. “OMG you know what we should do?! We should totally have a welcome home party! Or-or a parade! Like they have for veterans!”

“Mary, I don’t think—“

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it! You’re not the only one with ties to the city!” And she hurried off, texting frantically.

“What’s up Claire? I would have thought you’d be ecstatic the hashtag went viral.” Asked Toby.

“Don’t get me wrong, I am happy. And I’m happy that Snapper Karr chalked the troll thing up to local legend or superstition…but I can’t help but worry that something bad is going to come out of this.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. It’s just a gut feeling.” She scoffed and went to her locker. “It’s dumb, don’t worry about it.”

No sooner had she said that, did Strickler appear. “Claire, Toby, come with me.”

“What?”

“I’ve already spoken with your teachers, now come along.”

Claire and Toby shared a look, but followed regardless.

—

They were led to the parking lot, where a black van with tinted windows waited, a huge red flag, if there ever was one.

“Umm…” said Toby.

“Don’t worry.” Strickler assured.

A man in an army uniform stepped out of the driver seat. “Walter, good to see you again.”

“Glad to see you as well, Samuel. And thank you for following through with your promise.”

“As I said, this is the most interesting thing to happen in a while.” He glanced at the two teenagers in attendance. “We’re just waiting for his mother, correct?”

“She should be here soon.”

Toby muttered to Claire, “Who’s Jorgen Von Strangle over here?”

“No idea.”

And just like that, Barbara pulled into the parking lot, haphazardly parked, and ran over to them, still in her scrubs. “I came as soon as I could! We’re going to get Jim?!”

“What?!” Screamed Toby. “We’re rescuing him?!”

“That is the goal,” the man answered. “I’m General Samuel Attila. I’ve been given authorization to intervene in this situation, given that this project, whatever it is, hasn’t been officially recorded. But, bear in mind, you may not like what you see. We may be bringing home Jim, or just his body. I don’t know. So if anyone is uncomfortable with that idea, I suggest you stay behind.”

“I’m going,” Said Toby. “No matter what.”

“Me too,” said Claire. “It’ll hurt, but I want to know what happened to him.”

“Alright, then let’s hurry. The facility is about an hour away.” He ushered everyone into the van, which had two front seats, two benches along the walls, and a gurney in the middle. As soon as everyone was buckled, they headed out.

“Hey, if you know Mr. Strickler, does that mean you’re a…?”

“A what, Toby?” Asked Walt, with a hint of amusement in his tone.

“A…man of culture?”

“Yes, I am a changeling.”

Toby exhaled. “Okay, it’s like super hard to ask that question when you don’t know who knows, you know?”

“I owe the Trollhunter a debt of gratitude for stopping Gunmar. After he ate the entirety of the Janus order, we the few that weren’t present for his return stayed in hiding. Had Gunmar taken over the world, my death as a traitor would have been slow and painful. We were thinking about sending him a thoughtful gift basket, but I think this is more fun. I love to bully those in lower ranks. The fleshbags get a few pretty badges and think they’re invincible. I love watching them cower!”

Toby leaned closer to Claire. “He was so nice and helpful, I was beginning to wonder if he was actually a changeling.”

“Same! But I actually feel better knowing he’s got ulterior motives, and that they have nothing to do with us.”

“Have you heard from Nomura lately?” Samuel asked Walter.

“She was in Arcadia for a while. She helped with the fight with Gunmar. Right now, I believe she’s on her way back from New Jersey.”

“New Jersey? What was she doing out there?”

“After Morgana and Gunmar destroyed the Heartstone, Jim and Blinky went in search of a new one.”

“Oh, yes. I forgot there were rumors of a source in New Jersey. Did they find it?”

“Yep,” said Claire. “But it wasn’t very big, so we brought it back to Arcadia in a truck. The rest of the tribe is making their way back on foot.”

“Ah, that explains it.” Samuel nodded. “You’re both very lucky. Not many Changeling’s are allowed in Trollmarket.”

“Now that Gunmar’s out of the picture, I’m sure you could visit too!” Toby exclaimed, before getting elbowed in the gut by Claire.

“It’d be nice to see it once. I’m sad I didn’t get to see the Heartstone in its glory, but such is life.”

The rest of the ride continued in relative silence. Strickler and Samuel spoke to each other, mostly catching up. But Toby, Claire, and Barbara were far too anxious to keep up with the conversation.

There were no windows in the back of the vehicle, so there was no way of knowing where they were. From the front, they looked to be in a weaving forest trail.

Then there were huge cement walls in front of them.

Samuel pulled in the front gate.

The man at the gate didn’t look up from his computer. “You’re not authorized to be here.”

“Excuse me?”

“I don’t recognize your vehicle, so I know you don’t have clearance.”

Samuel sat up a little straighter, glaring at the soldier at the gate. “How about you scan my badge first, and then tell me if I have clearance, Lieutenant.”

The soldier gave a little shrug and reached out for the badge, his eyes widening as he caught a glance at the four stars on the man’s shoulder. “Oh.”

“Problem?”

“No, sir. I just…I don’t need to scan your badge, you can go in.”

“Thank you. At ease soldier.”

Toby held back a snicker.

“And, let Colonel Kubritz know she has company.”

“Yes sir.”

“As you were.”

The gate rolled open, and they pulled through.

It seemed like Samuel’s message was received pretty quickly, because the woman that had taken Jim was waiting for them, flanked by soldiers with strange weapons.

“Stay in the car.” He told everyone, before getting out.

“I was not aware of any sort of inspection. You are not my commanding general, and therefore not welcome here. This facility holds highly dangerous equipment and confidential projects.”

“Stand down, Colonel. I am here on behalf of general Adele. I’m here to recover Jim Lake Jr. General Adele will be speaking to you about your discharge.”

“What are you talking about?” She demanded.

“You kidnapped a teenage boy from a hospital. Surely you didn’t think that wouldn’t go unnoticed? I have video evidence of you leaving the hospital with him.”

“He’s not a normal boy—“

“I’d say so! His whole town is hailing him as a hero for saving them from an invasion! I thought this facility was for research on protecting Earth from invaders. And you’re punishing a boy for saving a town?”

“He also destroyed it. Don’t give into their little campaign. Jim Lake Jr. may have done something good once, but that doesn’t stop him from being a monster.”

“I was just in Arcadia, Colonel. There is no damage. There’s no lawsuits against Jim Lake Jr. There’s not even any pending arrests.”

“I have video evidence of his destruction!” She barked.

“Then let the local police handle it.”

She growled, then commanded her men to stand down. “Fine. But if he does this again, no one will stop me from taking him.”

“Actually,” he clarified with a smirk. “You’re being discharged. So you won’t have any means to take him again.”

Her mouth opened in shock, as she fought to find an argument.

But he was a general, he was above her.

“Now, Jim Lake Jr.?”

She grumbled something and started off towards a big central building.

Samuel was quick to beckon the others out of the car to follow him, and headed towards the same building as Kubritz.

When Barbara reached them, she spoke, “you didn’t hurt my son, did you?”

Kubritz didn’t even look at her. “I don’t have to share information with civilians.”

Claire clenched her fists in anger, a black haze coming over her hands.

But Toby simply patted her on the back to ground her.

Colonel Kubritz led them through the research facility, ignoring their questions.

They reached the room Jim was being held in, and she entered her code to open the door.

Of course, Jim wasn’t the only thing in the room, being surrounded by specimens of all sorts of living creatures, but he was right in the center, with a spot light right on him.

“Jim!” Claire shouted first as she ran to him.

The poor boy was naked, lying on his back and strapped to the table with thick iron bonds. His wound from Morgana wasn’t the worst on him anymore, as he was covered in blackened burned spots. The spot that had the amulet was now just a hole in his chest, that went right down to the ribs. Claire could see his heart beating, and his lungs moving, thank god.

“Jim...” she cried, seeing the carnage.

“What did you do to him?!” Toby shouted at the Colonel, but she didn’t respond.

“Honey? Jim? Can you hear me?” Barbara asked, as she assessed the damage.

His eyes opened ever so slightly. “Mom? Is that you? Are you...really here?”

“Yeah kiddo,” she wiped some tears from her eyes. “It’s me, I’m here. Toby, Claire, and Walt are here too. We’re going to take you home.”

His smile was just a hint, and he stated, “I’m tired.”

“I’m sure you are. We’re going to get you fixed up!” She turned to the Colonel. “Get me a gurney or a wheelchair!”

She scoffed. “I don’t take orders from civilians.”

Samuel interceded. “Then get me a soldier who isn’t completely incompetent! If you’re going to continue to endanger the life of this young man, then I suggest you get out of my sight before I endanger yours.”

The Colonel didn’t waver, though a tremor went down her spine. “Lieutenant!” She called.

A man hurried into the room, standing at attention.

Kubritz just gave a roll of the eyes. “Follow whatever order the general gives you.”

“But—“

“No, I’m done.” With one last glare to Samuel, she added, “I'll be sending my evidence to General Adele, then we’ll see who’s the one putting the nation in danger.”

“Go ahead, I’ve already given my report.”

She growled at him, turned and left without another word.

The lieutenant just stood at attention in front of Samuel instead. “Orders sir?”

“Get someone to fetch the gurney from the back of our van, and send for the medic! And get someone to get these shackles off this kid!”

“Sir yes sir!”

Meanwhile, Claire stood right by Jim’s side, holding his hand, brushing the bangs away from his face and combing his hair with her fingers. He had a pretty strong fever.

“You’re going to be alright Jim. We’re going to take good care of you.”

“I’m…cold…” He breathed.

Barbara found some vinyl gloves nearby and got to work examining her boy. “I don’t know about the Troll half, but this tissue looks alright. I don’t see any infection yet, or any tissue death. Of course, we need to get this covered immediately.”

“Where’s the amulet?” Asked Walt. “That’s what’s missing.”

“The amulet!” Barbara addressed Samuel. “His amulet, we have to find it!”

He nodded, “we can’t let these psychos have it. They have no idea what magic it possesses, even without being the chosen wielder.”

Only a beat passed before the army medic came with the gurney, and another soldier came with a crowbar to undo the shackles.

“Lieutenant, we’re looking for an amulet that came with Jim. It’s what’s missing from his chest.”

The Lieutenant blanched. “I don’t know anything about it…I can ask the Colonel?”

“She won’t tell.”

The shackles fell free from Jim’s limbs, but he didn’t seem to register it.

“Alright,” said Barbara, “Let’s move him onto the gurney. We can worry about the amulet later.” It took everyone to lift him and carefully slide him over. Then, he was covered up to his stomach with a blanket.

“You’re going home, Jim. Mi amor, you’re safe now.” Claire whispered, kissing his forehead.

“Hmm…” Jim weakly groaned. “…for the…glory…” But before he could finish, he fell back into sleep.

#arcadia or bust #tales of arcadia #Trollhunters #troll jim #jim lake junior #claire nunez #toby domzalski #fanfiction

21 notes · View notes

perennialwinds · 4 years

Text

Better Than Nicotine: a short piece

Nicotine habits are hard to kick. Their addictive nature so easily replaces needs of comfort and belonging. During a cold winter night, Carol and Daryl se some time during season 7, both converse about its toxic tendancies.

Also available to read on Nine Lives under the penname ‘Perennials’

She sat on the bonnet of the truck, one hand supporting her body upright and a lit cigarette in the other. Carol often found herself out here now, on the truck perched on The Kingdom’s perimeters. It was far enough away that she could avoid contact with others – avoid the doctors who would scold her for her bad habits, avoid Morgan who she was sure would attempt to strike up a very tiring conversation about his skewed morals. She could avoid what it meant to a part of a community – to be relied upon and rely on others, just for a little bit. Although she was still close enough that if need be, she was within the range of protection of The Kingdom’s walls.

Carol took a drag, her arm shaking slightly. Her bullet wound had healed but the muscles underneath had not. She felt the pressing submerged pain in her right arm, her right leg and her left side. Her side hurt the most but she ignored the familiar pain. It felt like she had been punched – hard – and the sensation reminded her of her preapocalyptic days with Ed and the constant beatings she endured from him. She shivered and took another drag.

Smoke rose into the air, Carol’s eyes watching as it slowly dispersed into the cold night. It spun and swirled and drifted apart, fading until it disappeared completely, swept aside suddenly by a gush of air as Daryl jumped up on the hood next to her. His boots clunked on the aluminum. Carol shuddered as his belt dragged across the paint, screeching as he finally made himself comfortable against the windshield. Carol took another drag of the cigarette.

“Hey.” Daryl spoke first

“Hi.”

They sat in comfortable silence, avoiding eye contact. Daryl stared out into the void focusing on nothing in particular. Realizing Carol had nothing much to say, he reached for the pack of darts on the bonnet next to Carol’s leg. He was careful not to bump her wound but hurriedly tore the cigarette out of its pack as soon as it was in his grasp.

“Lighter?” Daryl searched his pockets.

Carol sighed. “So you come all the way out here to just bum a cigarette off me? Don’t you have your own?” she twisted around to face him.

“Nah. Doc said not to. I’m tryna give em up.”

“Well you’re not trying very hard.” She gestured to the dart in his hand, then sighed and passed him a lighter she pulled out of her jacket. Carol didn’t really mind sharing. The more she shared the less she’d have in the end, she thought. Her frustration was fueled by the lack of solitude. Even out here, she sometimes failed to remain alone. Carol loved and trusted Daryl but lately her demons dragged her to the outskirts of civilization and she needed to remain detached from those she loved.

Daryl ignored her accusation , shrugging and lighting the cigarette. He didn’t have an answer. He sucked in the smoke quickly. “Why’d you start anyway? I ain’t ever seen you smoking before.”

“Same reason you do.”

“What, cause you’re addicted to nicotine?” he scoffed.

“No, not that.”

Daryl waited again for an elaboration, but she fell silent. He took the opportunity to reflect on why he did it – nicotine addiction aside. He thought it might be a sort of tool to helping him quit. He had been surrounded by tobacco smoke his entire life. His parents were always lighting up. Merle had given him his first smoke at the age of 15. Hell, it had been the butt of his mother’s cigarette that brought the whole house down in flames where she died in the fire. He always smoked when something bad happened. Recently, that had been mostly deaths, given the circumstances of the world at the moment. Death, or something like it was a good enough reason for Carol to pick up the habit, he supposed.

She coughed, breaking his thoughts. He leaned forward, concerned but she waved him off. He sat back against the windshield. He breathed out, watching the stream of smoke pour out his nostrils and linger before disappearing. Carol sniffled and hunched, wrapping her arm around herself.

“Carol?”

She didn’t say anything.

“Hey,”

Carol wiped her nose and looked at Daryl. Her eyes were red with tears threatening to spill.

“C'mere” he gestured with his head. She obliged and leant back next to him. He cradled her, pulling her into his chest and tried his best to comfort her. He made sure not to place his hand over her wound in her side, instead wrapping his arm around her arm. She sniffled again. “You okay?”

She nodded but Daryl knew she was lying by the look in her eyes as they stared into his. He took the cigarette from her hand and butted it out on the bonnet, repeating the action with his own. They sat in silence again, Carol’s head buried into his shoulder and his chin resting on top.

“I know you, and I know you can get passed this. Whatever this is.” Daryl said. Carol smiled back softly. “I know you can. I’m here with you.” Daryl rubbed his thumb against her arm. He had no idea what the hell he was doing, but everything felt so natural, bar the million times his heart was beating per minute. His heart ached for Carol. He knew she had shit going on. He didn’t know what that shit was, but he knew that Carol had her own demons just as he did, and she needed to face them eventually, just as she had told him. That may not have been now but he would be there when she finally did.

Once again the air fell silent. Occasionally the sound of their breaths filtered through. Vapor from their lungs replaced the cigarette smoke as the night got colder.

“Daryl?” carol looked up at him, her eyes clearer now.

“Hm?” he returned the gaze.

“Thank you.” She leant forward and he felt the careful touch of her lips on his cheek. He felt himself becoming flustered at her gesture, heat pooling in his. He blinked at her, his mind racing yet the only thought being of her. She brushed a strand of hair out of his eyes. He felt her warm breath on the tip of his nose and he knew that she was better than any nicotine he could get his hands on. Instinctively he placed his lips gently on hers, the hot of her lips and the cold of his meeting and creating a comfortable warm. Daryl reached his hands around her and she snaked her hands up to his face and neck, and they broke apart. Carol opened her eyes slowly and Daryl blinked blankly, waiting for her reaction. She smiled and his heart soared, an upwards smile breaking through. Carol shivered under his hands as they both looked around and realised it had started snowing.

“We should head back.” Daryl suggested. Carol nodded and slid off the bonnet of the truck, landing on her good leg, Daryl passing her the crutches that leant up against the truck. He wished she didn’t have to hop back to the infirmary on one leg and Daryl cursed himself for not being able to carry her due to his badly injured shoulder that really should have been in a sling. Instead he huddled her close to him, ensuring she didn’t slip on the icy ground.

#Caryl #caryl fanfiction #Carol peletier #Daryl Dixon #The walking dead #Twd #Sorry the ending is so dry I have like next to no experience with intimacy #I am forever alone :(

30 notes · View notes

guigz1-coldwar · 3 years

Text

"Sarcasm" : New chapter for "Redemption in a Spirit in a Cold War" is out !

"Sarcasm"

Chapter Summary : Yirina is remembering who is Stitch to her before arriving to the New Jersey with Park & Sims

To read it on AO3, click here !

Words : +3600

Warning : little NSFW content !

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

The cold air of Ukraine was accompanying us on the way back to a Perseus base as I was with Zasha themselves after apparently another training in sniper rifle but on our faces, we could see that we were angered in the inside, mad to still be there with Perseus. Of course, we were wearing our usual military outfit, holding in my hands a very well cleaned no-scoped Mosin-Nagant as Zasha had one with a scope.

We were walking on a dirt path and at our sight, we could see the entrance of the guarded base and before we arrived in front of it, I stopped Zasha by myself, leading them just behind a military truck, hidden from the guards view. It was sure that I needed to have a private talk with them & my actions meaned that it was very important to do this.

"Ok, you're sure to do this ?" I asked to them, peaking my head one last time around the truck to check if nobody was here before looking at them again.

"We have to do this, we can't stay here any longer." They replied, sure of their response.

"I understand." I breathed, leaning myself against the truck. "Any news from Dedov ?"

"He....he has arrived in England and he's awaiting for me to come." They said in a low voice, cracking to talk about this.

"Listen." I moved my hands on their arms, trying to reassure them. "We're the 3th of January, we just need to prepare further our plan and then, the 6th, we're off the USSR in our way to England." I added, grinning at them. "We're going to do this, Zed. You, me, Portnova & Dedov."

"Not Freya ?" I shook my idea at that.

"It seems that she's no longer the Freya Helvig I once know." I exclaimed, sniffing in desesperation. "She still claims that she loves me but I could see the lies in her expressions & voice."

"Did you break up with her ?" They asked, looking curious at me and again, I shook my head.

"Will do it before we all left the country." I whispered, adding to my shaking head, holding back the tears inside of me. "Single again...." Then, I could feel a tear coming out of my right eye

"Come on, Yirina." They put their hand on my left shoulder, having seen my tear from my eye. "You're gonna get through this, we are going to do this."

"I know..." I cleaned the tear from my face before I removed myself from the truck. "There will no step back for us to do." They nodded, understanding the risks of our plan.

"Yiri is a little bit disturbed to flee the country but she prefers to live a better life with me than staying alone in a KGB office." They told me, talking about Portnova with emotions. "I gave her Beans for the moment until we came back to Moscow today."

"Don't worry, Zasha." I gave them a little friendly tap before I start to move. "Let's go at our car to leave this place." They nodded as we got away from hiding behind that truck.

We returned to the Perseus soldiers sight who kept the entrance & they allowed us to enter in the big yard with a lot of cars and military trucks. They were also soldiers walking around the place either for their training or to patrol the sector, we didn't focus more on the surroundings and more instead on walking to get on our own car. We started to pack our things in the car, removing the backpack we had and put them in the backseats, no one was disturbing us....no one.

"Grigoriev !" I could hear a man yelling at me and I looked at where that guy was to discover a man, wearing a blask mask and a black hood too.

"'Stitch' !" I exclaimed fully annoyed by seeing that man before I looked briefly at Zasha "Stay near the car." I whispered at them as they were at the other side of the car with back right door opened before I closed my door to have my eyes on Stitch. "What do you want ?"

"You already leaving us ?" He asked, crossing his arms, sounding more provoking at me.

"Yeah..." I started, sounding a fake happy. "Can't stand any more to see your face around." I added, making a silent laugh.

"It's sure that you don't change." He exclaimed at me, sure of him.

"With you, I can't, one-eyed dumbass." I smirked before I could see him decross his arm to clench his fists in anger.

"Remove that words from your stupid mouth, Grigoriev." He pointed at me with his left hand.

"Oh, I'm sorry." I said, starting to move to face him, my hand on my chest, fainting to apologize and to be outraged. "You would have preferred other things like stupid asshole or fucking douchebag." I spread my arms to make him hit me as people start to gather around us, awaiting for the fight to break.

"Not going to work on me, сука !" He told me, trying to keep his cool and angriness in control and still clenching his fists.

"Guess you have better things to do like....." I rolled my eyes, thinking of something. "Fucking with Naga or....no....getting fucked by Naga."

"Don't...." He poked me on my shoulder, wanting me to stop.

"Did you like it rough, Stitch ? Do you want me to fuck you harder ?" I exclaimed, apparently retaking Naga's words as I supposely heard one day and that was enough for Stitch.

He looked at me with his deadly remaining eye before trying to throw an punch at me in rage that I was able to avoid in a quick move before I start to react by myself, successfully removing his mask off his face and then, I punched him in the face, causing him to step back. The others were cheering to see blood and if they wanted to see broken bones & blood, so be it ! After he step back, I waited that he striked again on me to make my move. As he tried to punch me with his right fist, I managed to grab him by his collar and to headbutt him.

After that, I make him roll over me, still holding until he touch the ground on his back and once he was on it, I moved my right leg to put it above the back of his neck to not make him move at all. I then grabbed his left arm with my two arms, with the intentions of breaking it.

"Want to say sorry ?" I asked him, having him on the ground.

"Иди нахуй себя ! (Go fuck yourself !)" He replied, enraged at me.

"Wrong answer !" I then proceeded to break his left arm with my hands but also with my other leg, causing him to curse and scream at me in russian as I was continuing in my moves and the soldiers around us were surprised by that.

"Yirina !" I could hear a female voice coming from the soldiers to reveal Freya herself, pushing the soldier in her path away. "Stop that immediately." She ordered me as I wasn't stopping until I decided to give a last kick on Stitch before I let him free by getting up, enough of beating him.

I decided to return back to the car where Zasha was waiting for me, near it. They were pretty amazed by what I did, not having any blood or something broken on me. The only thing I broke here was my links with Perseus....and Stitch left arm. I was going to enter the car until I felt a hand on my left shoulder.

"We need to talk, Yiri !" It was Freya herself, sounding apologizing.

"Don't call me like that, I'm not your 'Yiri !" I exclaimed, sounding angry at her, not wanting to have a talk with her. "Stop taking me for just an stupid redhead woman."

"No, it's not like that." She tried to say, confused. "I love you..."

"Oh, yeah, you love me....uh..." I looked at her with wide eyes, not believing a word from her. "And what about Sonya ?"

"So-Sonya ?" She asked, not understanding me at all.

"Again, don't take me for stupid, Freya !" I told her, poking her. "I saw you multiples times making love with them and hearing you saying that you love them to the death." I looked away, taking a deep breath. "I'm breaking up with you !" I affirmed, sure of my own words as she start to panick at me.

"No, you can't....you can't do that to me." She was losing her words, her voice cracking by that.

"Perseus has been lying to me on my life for years and you still want to follow him, you made me sick, Freya." I said, getting more & more angry in my voice. "Where's the Freya I once knew ?" I asked to her "Where is she for fuck sake ?"

"I....I..."

"No, don't say anything." I cut her straight, fully angered now before I looked at her right hand, precisely on a ring. "Give me back my mother ring." I said as I take her hand to remove the ring and surprisely, she wasn't doing anything to counter me, still shocked by hearing this news. "I wanted to engage you for real but now, this is the past, we should have never been together." I then put the ring in one of my pocket before I decided to go into the car.

"Please, Yirina, I'm sorry." She tried to make me change my mind, putting her hands on the car window as Zasha was getting into the car, next to me.

"Say that to your Sonya." I told her from inside before I started the car engine and then drove off the place with Zasha, not even looking behind me as we left the base behind us.

"I did the right choice !"

"Yirina !" Someone was nudging me as I was sleeping in the car that brought us to New Jersey. We had to quickly leave the New Orleans and we had decided to take the car as a mean of transport instead of the plane, making at least 19 hours of long trip between the two states. I slowly opened my eyes to discover Park was the one who was doing this to me.

"Aw shit, we're arrived ?" I asked as I was awakening in the backseat of the car, redressing myself to see that the car was stopped somewhere, looking as a military base and in the evening as we left the New Orleans at 1 AM. She nodded at me with an smile.

"Yeah, you started to sleep after we got through Washington." She replied at me before she opened the door of the car to let me get outside, allowing to strech up my body, tired of have spent hours in that car.

"You were sleeping like an baby !" Sims exclaimed at me as he was getting our stuff out of the car's trunk. It was the only the three of us, Wolf stayed in the New Orleans as he was assigned to the place we lived in for days.

"At least, someone didn't decide to woke me up brutally." I scoffed at him, making him remember the bad thing he did on me and laugh too as I moved to get my own bag. "I wasn't so noisy ?" I asked, curious.

"You talked a little." Park responded as she took her own bag, given by Sims. "I didn't hear what was this about and Sims neither." She then give me a little tap on my arm "You can maybe tell me later if you want." I nodded to her before I looked around.

"So, this is the place we had to join Adler..." I whispered as I was seeing the base we were now. "What's the name of the place ?"

"Fort Dix !" Sims answered, closing the trunk of the car, with his own bag in hand. "We're just staying for dealing with Stitch before we start to find a new place for a safehouse." He added before he start to walk to get into a building as we soon followed him.

Stitch.....his name was Vikhor Kuzmin....and he was the brother of that Sonya. It was weird for me to not remember him clearly and that memory I just had, now I could remember him. How I was able to break his arm like that as he was more tougher than me ? Must say that I'm still surprised by that myself. Now, we are trying to stop this guy who is in the US without knowing exactly what are his plans in here.

We entered the building with Sims & Park as Sims was leading the way for us. He knew the place very well and some of the guys too, greeting them on the way before we finally arrived in a sort of briefing room where we could see Adler, already dressed in his military outfit, apparently didn't change himself since he arrived here, standing next to a projector and there were Woods & Mason present too but also an man holding a sort of riot helmet and a woman in a baseball cap, having syringes along her arm.

"Sims !" Adler greeted him as we got inside the room, shaking his hand with an smile before he looked at us both with Park. "Park." He nodded at her, hesitating to shake hands with her but they did anyways before Adler looked at me. "Yirina." He said in a low voice and we shook hands....weirdly.

"So, how was the New Orleans ?" Woods stepped in, sit on a chair alongside Mason, asking that to us.

"Pretty nice....." I started with an little smile. "If we don't count the Ku Klux Klan." I added, almost laughing before I sit down....and realized that everyone except Park & Sims looked at me with wide eyes as they didn't believe that I will say these words.

"Let's just say that Yirina was able to meet those guys from up close." Sims snorted to all of them. "In short, she was captured." He added as I could see Woods & Mason sort of amazed by that story.

"At least, she's still alive." Adler breathed, not even wanting to know more before he pointed to me & Park the two person that we don't know. "Yirina, Park, I'm presenting to you Zeyna Ossou from the DGSE." He started by the woman, who waved at us and we returned the favor "And this is Wyatt Jones nicknamed 'Bulldozer' from the US Marines." He pointed at him, who nodded at us as a sign of politeness.

"Our good old Bulldozer !" Sims exclaimed, looking at Jones.

"See that you didn't change at all, Sims." Jones said back to him.

"Okay, time for me to explain the situation !" Adler interrupted the friendly situation as he started to move next to the projector and turn it on to reveal the picture of the good old Stitch himself, still masked...wearing an prisoner uniform. "This is Vikhor 'Stitch' Kuzmin, he was the the production chief of the Nova-6 in Rebirth Island until the CIA raided the place." By hearing the place's name, I could see briefly Mason getting a little bit out of him, like a blank stare on his face before he came back to normal.

"I guess that you know him well, Adler, since you were there that day, I believe." Woods said, calling out Adler who slowly nodded.

"We got him captured but he wasn't so helpful so...." He scratched the back of his head, thinking. "I make him lose an eye." He breathed, looking at all of us, trying to catch our reactions....I guess nobody was surprised on how far Adler could go in his brutality.....I know that very well..... "He left an message for us in West-Berlin, explaining why we are here in New Jersey."

"You know well that it's a trap, Adler." Zeyna exclaimed.

"Yeah but you know also well that innocents are gonna die if we do nothing about it." He replied back to her, almost going to get angry for sure before he showed us a picture of a mall. "He has moved to an commercial mall called 'The Pines' and by what I heard, it's been days that the mall was closed."

"So, what's the plan ?" Park asked to him

"We broke in and we kill Stitch for good." Adler replied.....Hmmm....that's not an plan....but just the mission in general.

"That is the plan ?" I questioned him, biting a part of lips, looking not so sure to go into that place without an perfect plan. "We can't enter if we don't planify this...."

"Listen, we don't have time to do this kind of stuff, Yirina." He cut me straight, causing me to get up from my seat, not angry but just to confront him. "Stitch is unpredictable and having him around can't make us wait..."

"So, your plan is to send us inside a trap and to improvise ?" I cut him this time, crossing my arms above my chest. "Tell me if you got other plan to get rid of me, it would be perfect." I added, my grudge against him coming back before the door of the room opened.

"Adler, we got the reports for...." I turned around to see.....Hudson....after 3 years ago, the man that saw me like nothing and when our eyes met, I could see his shocked glare on me, seeing me alive after all these times. "What the fuck ?" He whispered before he looked at Adler. "What's the hell is this ?"

"Zeyna, Jones...." Adler started, getting his look on the two. "You might need to leave the room for an moment, there will be an private talk that you shouldn't witness." He suggested and the two...had no choices but to comply for it and got up, leaving the room in no time. Now, there were just me, Park, Mason, Woods, Adler, Sims & Hudson...the Egghead. "Listen..."

"I told you to dispose of her three years ago, she's an threat to the national security !" Hudson exclaimed, sounding angry to him and I could see Park stand to get on my side.

"She's under my...."

"I don't give an fuck about you think !" He cut her like that, making me angry inside of me....deep breath, Yiri !....."She is an enemy, end of the story."

"Is this what you think ?" I asked him, finding the courage to face the man himself. "I did maybe put the world in danger by inadvertently discovering Greenlight while I was working with Perseus but I did avoid him to blow your fucking work !" I said, giving my thoughts on the whole fucking situation. "I've been helping Adler & the team for almost 3 weeks since last month and nonetheless, the Egghead still see me as an enemy." I added....literally giving him that nickname I've had in head.....I did the right thing.....

"We wouldn't be able to advance more if Yirina wasn't there." Park defended me, getting her hand on my shoulder as Mason & Woods also moved to get next to me.

"Park's right, Hudson !" Mason arrived on my side. "Yirina is been helping us like she did 3 years ago and she's a good person for Christ sake."

"So you know right ?" Hudson asked and Mason nodded, certainely refering to me & Mason old state. "Nevertheless, she's different from all of us and think what you want to think but she's not one of us." He affirmed as I tried to keep my calm to his man face, resisting the urge to punch him in his teeth. "Isn't right, Bell ?" He added, making me take a deep breath, looking at the ceilling, still resisting.

"Tell it one more time...." Woods moved to face him, getting between me & Hudson. "I'm beating the shit out of you." He poked at Hudson chest before he removed himself to get back on his seat. Hudson wasn't still believing in me at all, looking at me with denial, like if I was still nothing before he decide to look at Adler.

"So, you have a plan against Stitch ?" He asked him, moving away from me, nearly nudging me.

"Oh, yeah, don't worry, Adler has a big plan for that." I scoffed like that, trying to joke to have my temper going down.

"Is that sarcasm, Yirina ?" He questioned me, raising an eyebrow at me.

"You're goddamn right, it's sarcasm !" I exclaimed, spreading my arms, looking at him as my voice was going louder. "A month ago, I woke up, realizing that I wasn't dead by your fault and having spent 3 years in a coma in a moscovite hospital and then, I found out that Perseus was still around making his moves." I then start to look around in the room facing the entire group, getting myself angrier. "We, our little group, we're making our best to not die but hey, let's go inside a fucking mall where Stitch is awaiting for us to kill everyone of us because someone here was stupid enough to not have a plan !" I looked back at Adler, looking at him with an deadly glare "So, forgive me, you ignorant fuck but sarcasm is all I fucking got !" I decided to move back to get on my seat again "Sarcasm !" I almost yelled before I finally sit down on my chair, getting my head hold by my hand on my forehead, feeling Park's hand on my back, trying to calm me down, before I could see her look at Adler.....

"We really need a plan !"

#black ops cold war #bocw #call of duty cold war #cod cw #cod cold war #cod black ops cold war #fanfic #helen park #fem!bell

2 notes · View notes

alison-anonymous · 4 years

Text

flawsome bandits pt. 4 ♡ sonic

Flawsome Revelations

Part 4! Thank you so much for all of the support guys, it literally supercharges me to write more! I love all of you and let me know what you think. Feel free to try and guess what mystery is lying in between these pages ;) Love you!

Warnings - this is the car chase scene, so very minor violence and tons of fluff

♡♡♡

Early the next morning, our favorite trio were flying down Siskiyou County Line, just on the border of California. Fueled on coffee, stale donuts, and lemon poppyseed muffins, they were ready to seize the day (mostly). Tom once again sat behind the steering wheel with Sonic sitting shotgun (though there was barely any point since he turned around to face Y/n so often) and Y/n situated in the middle of the backseat.

And still… no seat belts. Because who needs seat belts when you’re flying down a county line going sixty miles per hour? Not these people, I tell you.

“So, what’s on your guys’ bucket lists?” Sonic asked out of curiosity. “Me?” Y/n asked, and Sonic nodded excitedly.

“Yeah, everyone has a bucket list, right?” Tom nodded as a verification, but still tilted his head to the side in thought, taking his eyes off the road for a moment to look at the blue hedgehog.

“Well, yeah, but I mean, you’re the one leaving earth. Y/n and I don’t plan on dying anytime soon.” Sonic chuckled mischievously next to him.

“Oh, don’t be so sure! Your best friend is a magnet for danger,” Sonic taunted smugly. Y/n chuckled softly from the backseat. Her father, however, wasn’t quite that amused.

“Oh, so you’re anointing yourself as the bestie?” Sonic hummed in response. “A little presumptuous, but…” Sonic and Y/n both furrowed their brows in confusion, staring at Tom as he refocused on the road before him. “Look, I like you, but we’re not best friends. And frankly, I don’t think you and Y/n are best friend material either.”

“Wait, what?” Y/n scoffed, leaning in on the console and staring daggers at her father. “I think I have the right to say who is and isn’t my friend, and I already claimed Sonic as my best friend so-”

“Your loss,” Sonic finished for her. The two smiled smugly at one another and exchanged a proud high five. Tom chuckled at the defeat, but was secretly just glad that his daughter finally found someone other than her parents to be her friend. Sure, she had spent time with Crazy Carl and was able to hold decently long conversations with others, but other people her age were just… a little judgemental. Even though Sonic may be a chaotic, energetic, potentially dangerous hedgehog, at least he gave Y/n someone to confide in.

“So, getting back to the topic of bucket lists…” Sonic trailed off, eyeing the two humans to signify that he wanted them to start talking. Y/n sighed, looking out the window as they passed by a patch of giant oak trees.

“If I were to give you everything on my bucket list, we’d be here for a very long time,” she laughed. ��But if you ever come back to earth, we can go over it sometime.” Sonic’s eyes bugged out in excitement.

“I am holding you up to that promise,” he smiled before turning back to Tom. “And you?” Tom breathed deeply, running the ideas through his head.

“Alright, I guess there is one thing,” Sonic and Y/n waited for him to continue as he paused for dramatic effect. “In Green Hills, I’ve always felt more like a babysitter than a cop, you know? So I want a chance to prove myself, under real, heavy pressure. Me, Y/n, and Maddie are going to move to San Francisco and I’m going to become a street cop. And, I don’t know, see if I have what it takes.” He finally looked back down at Sonic only to see his features contorted to one of what looked like a mix of disgust, shock, and betrayal. Y/n’s simply morphed into one of sadness as the idea of leaving was once again brought to the table.

“W-what?” Tom asked, Sonic’s face making him uncomfortable. “Why is your face doing that?”

“You’re leaving Green Hills?” Sonic asked them, his tone having an added sharpness that neither of them had heard before. “Did you know about this?” Sonic turned to Y/n, his jaw clenched and eyes wide. Y/n’s e/c eyes filled with sadness as she looked down to the floor in guilt, giving him all the answers he needed. Tom breathed out heavily.

“Okay-”

“B-b-but why? Why would you want to leave Green Hills?”

“I don’t!” Y/n protested, but Tom sent her a stern look to keep quiet. She looked back down at the floor again, only making Sonic more ticked off.

“This may come as a shock to you, but Green Hills is a very small town,” Tom explained.

“It is not small,” Sonic scoffed. “There are hundreds of people.” “That’s a small town, dude!”

“It’s a perfect town and the people need you! Both of you!” Sonic turned to Y/n, who was doing everything within her power to not cry. “I’ve seen the way that the people talk to you. They may think that you’re different, but there’s only one you. When Crazy Carl needed help setting up his traps for me, he asked for you. When that fat lady from the bakery needed someone to drive to the mills for extra flour, she called you. And as for you-” He turned back to Tom, leaving an awestruck Y/n, but was interrupted by the man.

“Please, all that they have me do is clean out gutters and jump start their cars in the winter. And they may call Y/n for those things too, but they could call anyone!” Tom rolled his eyes. Y/n’s gaze softened as she tried to process in her mind everything that was happening.

“Sure they could call anyone, but they don’t. But they call you guys.” Sonic laid his final card on the table. Tom pursed his lips, not really being able to find another viable excuse for himself. Sonic turned to Y/n only to see her with her eyes already fixed on him, tears glittering just behind her e/c orbs. In the heat of the moment, none of them had noticed the Robotnik-style drone barrelling towards them down the road. It was only when the device shot a typhoon straight through the window, narrowly missing Y/n’s head by an inch, and embedded itself into the dashboard that they all noticed. Y/n let out a glass shattering scream as she ended up slamming against the side of the backseat, in momentary shock from the near death experience. Tom let out a gasp as the vehicle began to sputter, swerving along the road as the drone began to try and reel the truck in. Sonic, however, was still locked inside their heated debate as he stood up on the seat and stared down at Tom.

“You know what? I was wrong, you’re not the Donut Lord at all. You’re more like the Jerk Lord!” Sonic sneered, his anger getting the better of him. Because of Tom’s inability to control the erratic movements of the truck, Y/n kept getting tossed around in the backseat like leftovers getting shoved into the back of the fridge.

“Can you not see the typhoon literally stuck in our dash?” Tom cried out in annoyance. The drone increased its velocity, causing the truck to go slamming into the fenders on the side of the road. Y/n yelped as she got tossed to the opposite side of the truck while Sonic got thrown out the window.

“Sonic!” She screamed, fear filling her veins as she quickly shoved her head out the window to check on her friend. Luckily, he was alright, clinging onto the hood of the car for dear life. But something was… off.

“I was forced from my home. Your home is perfect and you’re leaving it. Why would you do that?” Sonic cried out, his body becoming full of electric blue bolts of energy. His eyes began to burn a luminescent blue as he stared at Tom, his emotions causing the adrenaline to soar above normal levels. Y/n watched with wide eyes as the electricity cast a blue shadow across her face.

“S-Sonic, you’re… glowing!” She stuttered. He quickly looked down and gasped.

“No, no, not again!” Tom quickly slammed on the brakes after giving him a slight warning, but Sonic’s grip wasn’t tight enough as he came flying off the hood, straight over the car.

“Sonic!” Y/n’s voice got lost in the wind as Sonic curled up into an electric ball of energy, and slammed underneath the tire of the Robotnik drone. She watched in pure awe, half of her body hanging out of the truck by now, as the drone went airborne. Her mouth fell open as Sonic disappeared behind it just as the drone crashed into the pavement. Tom quickly made a sharp U-turn, practically tossing Y/n out the window in the process as they quickly made their way back. Before the truck even slowed down to a stop, Y/n kicked the door open and raced out towards the drone, ignoring her father's yells to get back in the truck.

"Sonic!" She screamed, trying to calm her panicking mind. Her footfalls skidded to a stop as she finally found Sonic lying on the ground. "Sonic?" She gently touched the side of his face, a move that startled him awake. He let out a slight groan, clutching his head as she quickly helped him up.

"I guess I had a bonus life," he joked. Y/n let out a laugh, even though there were still tears in her eyes. Sonic gave her a reassuring smile and gently squeezed her hand. It was only then that he realized the damage had caused and let out a joyful whoop. "Oh my god, are you guys seeing this? I took that thing out!" The hedgehog jumped up onto his feet and began doing the floss in order to express his excitement, making Y/n laugh beside him. Even Tom chuckled from his position behind the wheel.

"How are you not dead?" He called.

"I have no idea!" Sonic cheered, doing a bunch of exotic spins.

"Emergency Vial Removal initiated." Sonic and Y/n froze. His emerald eyes met hers in confusion, and the two slowly turned to face the destroyed drone.

"Did that thing just-"

"Yeah, it just spoke…" Y/n nodded, lifting herself onto her feet and slowly approaching the drone with caution. As she began to grow closer, a little divider suddenly opened between the mechanics of the drone, revealing a small metal box. She tilted her head to the side in confusion. Sonic was by her side in seconds doing the same thing.

"What is that?" He asked. Y/n shrugged, but for some reason she felt a compulsion to take it. Like it was meant for her. Hesitantly, she began to inch her hand towards the box, glancing around the other mechanics skeptically in case there were any defense agencies waiting to strike. Fortunately, there were none. She quickly snatched the box out of the divider and turned so that Sonic could see it too.

"Fancy," he breathed. "Open it!"

"What if it's a bomb?" Y/n asked uncertainty, eyeing her friend. He sent her a knowing smirk, placing his hands on his hips.

"When was the last time someone put a bomb in a metal box?"

"Fair," Y/n sighed. She hooked her thumb underneath the opening, and her breath hitched with the anticipation. Counting down from three internally, once she finally reached zero, she flicked the box open.

They gasped in horror.

♡♡♡

"Oh gross!" Sonic scrunched up his nose as he held up one of the glass vials. "It looks like piss!"

"I don't think it is," Y/n shook her head, holding up the other one to the light. There were two little vials with corks sitting snugly inside the box. One was the shade of, well, urine, and the other one was an ice blue. As they were inspecting the flasks, Y/n noticed the white labels on the bottom of the vials. Her mouth dropped open.

"What? This doesn't make any sense..." The one she held had one big word listed: Y/n, her name. The words "Emergency Reversal" were listed in a much smaller font beneath it. She turned to look at Sonic's and saw that it was the exact same thing, only it was Sonic's name on the top. The two stared at each other with wide, confused eyes.

“What does emergency reversal mean?” Sonic asked. You could practically hear Dr. Robotnik flipping out as he watched the two begin to start remembering on his screen. One of his main jobs had been to make sure that those vials never got lost, and what did he manage to do? The one failure in his life and this was it?

Y/n opened her mouth to speak when a loud whirring sound suddenly came from the crashed drone. She slowly set the vials back down in the box and watched with worried eyes. Sonic must have had another one of his feelings as his heart began to pound in panic, his first instinct being to get Y/n as far away from this thing as possible.

“We gotta get out of here!” Without any warning, he swiftly scooped Y/n up into his arms (with the box still snugly held in her hands) and sped off back to the truck. He gently set Y/n back into the backseat just as Tom was picking up speed back down the road. Her face turned bright red with his carefulness and the fact that he had picked her up bridal style in order to protect her. She shook her head, blinking her e/c eyes rapidly in an attempt to shake the butterflies going insane in her stomach. Sonic got settled back into the passenger seat and they both turned to look out the rear view window. They had turned just in time to see what looked like a miniature version of the drone pop out from it’s underside and make its way after the truck like a starved and love deprived child.

“I think that drone just had a baby,” Sonic voiced his thoughts, green eyes wide. As Y/n’s eyes followed the baby drone’s advancements carefully, a very faint sound suddenly invaded her ears. She stiffened, looking around the inside of the truck in confusion. Tom was focused on trying to control the vehicle while Sonic was keeping an intense eye on the enemy, calculating what his next move would be in order to save them. As she looked around, she began to notice that it seemed like the noise wasn’t any random noise, it was a song. No words, just vocalizing.

High and low, then high and low again. Short and mystical, but it was there. “Do you guys hear that?” She asked, furrowing her brows.

“Hear what?” Tom looked confused.

“I don’t hear anything,” Sonic responded, keeping his eyes trailed on the baby drone as it lifted its top to reveal some sort of shooter. It spat out what looked like a heavy metal plate with bright red lasers littering its surface. You would have thought it might have just skidded across the pavement, but it seemed to have a mind of its own as it made its way at a steadily increasing speed towards the truck.

“Look out!” Y/n yelled, hugging the metal box to her chest. At the sudden closeness, she realized just as Tom swerved the vehicle that the singing was coming from the box. Sonic climbed into the backseat with her and slid out into the bed, giving her a reassuring smile when she quickly reached for his arm, fear in her eyes.

“What are you doing?” She asked, her hair blowing into her face.

“I��ll be fine,” he told her, looking back at the drone.

“Where’s he going?” Tom called back. Sonic grit his teeth in slight resentment.

“Just drive the car, I’ll handle this,” he jumped over the tailgate, making sure to hook his arm over the edge so he didn’t fall off. “And if I don’t make it, just ditch me. You seem to be good at that.”

Sonic watched with close eyes as the drone spat out three more of the disks, jumping off the tailgate at just the right time so he landed on two of them. Y/n stuck her head out the window once again and could do nothing but watch in amazement as he skated towards the drone on the things that it was trying to use to kill him. Her eyes widened as he smirked, expertly flipping off of the plates while grabbing one in the process and landing on top of the drone, looking straight into the camera.

“Hey everyone and welcome back to my live stream! Today I’m showing you how to destroy robots. Step one!” And he stuck the plate onto the camera, causing it to instantly malfunction. He sped back into the truck, landing safely on Y/n’s legs as she climbed back into the truck.

He. Was. Amazing.

“That was incredible!” She cheered with him as they watched the drone, shorting out, practically commit suicide by swerving to the side and dying. Even Tom was grinning as he looked back to see Sonic’s job well done. Unfortunately, it was very short lived as yet another drone came racing out of the other one’s side. Only this one looked like an extension of one of the tires with an added bonus of a camera and some personality traits.

“This guy really needs a hobby,” Y/n groaned, slamming her head against the seat in annoyance. As the drone came nearer to them, she suddenly got an idea. “Dad, can you do me a favor?” Tom quickly unbuckled and switched spots with Sonic, telling him to keep the car going straight. No, it probably was not the best idea to let a hedgehog drive, but Y/n was twice the size of him and needed someone to hold onto her and make sure she didn’t go falling out of the vehicle.

She quickly kicked open the door and grabbed Tom’s old baseball bat that he had kept sitting on the floor of the backseat. Her veins were pumping with adrenaline as she carefully climbed halfway out of the car, hooking her foot into the tiny slot where people could put their stuff but never do of the truck. The wind caused her hair to go flying around her face as she tightened her grip on the bat, making sure that Tom had a good arm wrapped around her waist and the other tightly holding onto her leg.

The drone neared the car once more, protruding spikes in an attempt to pop their tires. A surge of anger went through her as she grit her teeth, swinging in for the kill only to miss.

“What the fuck, get over here you little piece of trash!” She growled. For once, Tom didn’t say anything about her language. Probably because he was thinking the same thing. Sonic suddenly swerved the truck to the right, glancing over at Y/n worriedly.

“Quick suggestion, try rolling yourself up into a ball and smashing it with your body,” he attempted to try and lighten the mood. Tom let out a yelp as he swerved again, nearly sending Y/n out the door. She gritted her teeth and attempted to swing again.

“Where’d you learn how to drive?” Tom yelled angrily.

“From this manual, it’s happening right now!” Sonic yelled back excitedly. Y/n went in for another strike, letting out a frustrated groan as she accidentally hit the gas cap instead of her intended target. Was it just her, or was the drone looking smugly at her? It didn’t even have a face, but the feeling… the feeling was there. That asshole.

“Bring it in closer!” She called.

“What?”

“Hit the brakes!” Tom yelled. It took him a couple tries, but once he found it and slammed it on, it sent both the drone and Y/n slamming into the side door. She let out a slight groan in pain, but refocused on the advantage and swung as hard as she could, letting out all of the pent up anger and frustration she had been keeping in for years on the little robot. It let out a small whine, struggling to keep upright, and then finally crumbled onto the road. A small smile grew onto her face as she let out a whoop, Tom reeling his daughter back into the car and giving her a tight hug.

“You are never doing that again,” he told her, overjoyed that she was safe.

The joy ride wasn’t over yet, however, for as soon as the trio had finally gotten back into their regular positions and settled down, yet another drone came floating by Sonic’s open window.

“Aww,” he cooed at the tiny little drone the size of a horsefly. “This one is cute, let’s keep ‘em.” The second he finished his sentence, he instantly regretted it. Y/n let out a shriek as it began the slow process of cutting off the roof of the car with what appeared to be very small, but very dangerous lasers. Smoke and flames began to slide over the windshield as it made its way around.

“Come on!” Tom cried in annoyance.

“Seriously man, take up knitting or something!” Y/n groaned, batting at it as it came to her side. Finally, the entire roof was taken off, flying past the truck bed and landing somewhere that would probably get someone else in a car accident. All three let out a scream from the impact.

“You’ve got car insurance, right?” Sonic asked worriedly. To make matters even worse, and because Robotnik has nothing better to do with his free time, another helicopter robot came flying into view. This time, Sonic was able to catch it. Y/n leaned in closer behind him as she watched him inspect it.

“Buzz off,” he scoffed, detaching the wings from the tiny body. The second that the two were separated, the body began to emit a rapid ticking sound.

“Uh oh,” Y/n’s heart stopped. “Beeping isn’t good.”

“What? Beeping is never good, get it away!” Tom cried out, alarms ringing off in his brain. There were already wanted signs of his and his daughter’s faces all over town, the last next thing he needed was to have the two kids in his care wind up dead on the side of the road. Sonic made many attempts to shake the thing off, but they were all futile. It seemed like the bot had some sort of imbedding device as it stuck onto his glove like velcro.

“I can’t get it off!” He cried out, even Y/n trying to help him take it off. Tom quickly pulled over off the side of the road. The second they were near the woods, Sonic flew out of the car, trying every position he could think of to try and get it off. Finally, he stopped, looking around in confusion.

“Did I get it?” He asked, standing with the bot glued to his furry blue forehead.

“No,” Y/n jumped out of the car and ran over to him, followed by her father. She used a tissue to remove it from his head and threw it as far as she could, but it remained stuck to her hand. Her breathing became rapid as she struggled to shake it off, Tom grabbing her hand and holding it still so Sonic could peel it off. In a matter of very stressful seconds, he was finally able to take it off, setting it down on a rock. Y/n breathed a sigh of relief next to him.

“Haha! Nailed it!” Sonic cried out, holding his hand up for a high five. A sigh of relief escaped from her lips as she held up her hand for him, the two standing a bit too close than they should have been to the rock.

The ticking finally came to a stop and the bomb exploded, taking Y/n and Sonic with it. The world went black for the two as they crashed into the ground.

The only sound to be heard was Tom’s frantic screaming.

♡ a.a.

#sonic #sonic the hedgehog #sonic x reader #sonic imagines #sonic the hedgehog 2020 #sonic the hedgehog movie #sonic the hedgehog movie x reader #sonic the hedgehog 2020 x reader #sonic the hedgehog movie imagines #sonic the hedgehog 2020 imagines #sonic the hedgehog imagines #sonic the hedgehog x reader #tom wachowski #donut lord #flawsome bandits #star chaser #doctor robotnik

103 notes · View notes

hillbillied · 4 years

Note

i found your post about andy and eddie's kinks from a couple of years ago and i was just wondering do you have any updated thoughts?

firstly, thank you anon!! I love writing these two!!

secondly fuck, I left this ask in the ‘box for a while because, double fuck, I couldn’t think of any kinks I hadn’t included in the OG post!! I am very sorry for the delay!

(I had to read through them to check, still crispy if I do say so... let’s see what else we can get in there. god I could go on a whole bunch more about the ones from the OG post lmao my fave losers in love having great sex!)

The Secret Kinks of Andrew Haldane and his Lieutenant, Edward Jones (pt.II)

(highly nsfw, 18+ only)

I’m gonna rag on Andy’s exhibitionism kink a little louder than before because it’s so embarrassing. going to the cinema is a chore because Andy doesn’t have the patience for long movies and he really can’t get behind anything that’s not a really fucking hilarious comedy or a truly gripping drama. anything even a little lacklustre (most of what’s on in the 50s) has his gaze wondering elsewhere

the amount of times Eddie has been enjoying his movie experience (he loves movies, btw, he didn’t get to go to many as a kid – think Gunny-level attention in the scene where the marines are watching For Whom the Bell Tolls) and suddenly a hand is brushing his knee. he can’t help but roll his eyes because Andy, good lord, can’t you enjoy the plot for five-fucking-minutes?

luckily for Andy, he’s got a semi-indulgent boyfriend or at least a condoning one; either Eddie will lift his longs legs and put them over Andy’s lap, teasing him with the weight whilst simultaneously giving him some cover to enjoy himself (in no relation to the movie) – or, if he’s feeling generous and equally turned on, he’ll give his stupid fucking would-be husband a hand so he can go back to his popcorn. Eddie’s got skilled fingers and only makes eye contact with his flustered, heavy-breathing boyfriend in scathing glances to show his “disapproval”

car sex is as normal to the two of them as breathing. it started fairly uncreative and vanilla, just screwing in the one long seat of Hillbilly’s pickup. it’s a little on the tight side but Eddie’s more flexible than many would believe. Andy loves having two hands just under his knees, pushing his thighs up against his chest so he can fuck him nice and deep. it has Eddie’s toes curling and his teeth gritted and colourful curses dripping out the cracked window (no AC means a real sweaty cab)

that, or Hillbilly will be riding Andy passenger side. he likes smoking in his car and he likes riding Ack Ack’s cock, so this is a win-win scenario. the leverage from the seat means he can light up while rolling his hips, humming around the cigarette. it’s an erotic sight for sure; Andy has to cover his eyes with his hand while laughing out a breathless “shit, Eddie…”

romantic evenings include soft kisses and mutual handjobs in the truck bed, after giving up on star gazing. less romantic evenings include parking somewhere discreet (or… not, because Andy’s exhibitionism is a nightmare and the 60s were pretty wild) to get them both out on the road. there’s sweaty handprints on the hood where Andy has Eddie bent over it, pinned between his chest and hot metal. it’s some of the hardest, roughest sex they have, and Andy usually uses Eddie’s t-shirt for leverage, something to twist into an psudo-harness to pull him back against his dick. Hillbilly likes to growl out threats – “you stain m’ car, Andy, I’ll fuckin’ kill you” – but it’s all a ruse to cover how there’s sweat dripping from his curls and how his pants for air are turning into moans and how he’s the one staining the tire where he’s cum, hard enough to have him flat out over the hood and gasping

this is all while the car is parked, of course. Andy loves giving Eddie head while he’s driving. it’s lucky Hillbilly’s had to drive bigger, scarier machines than a Ford, honestly. his disapproval (fake, every time) is portrayed where he grabs Andy’s hair and forces his cock down his throat. “Cop car” he’ll say, “gotta stay down”. he’s a lying sack of shit but it’s worth the sin to glance down at Andy when he lets him pull back, spittle running from his tongue and his coughing turning to a gasp then a moan in quick succession. it’s really difficult for Eddie not to grin super wide and push Andy’s head back down for more

(side note: Andy’s a service top so he gives great head, none of this fake dom shit. they each say the other gives it better because they are both weak for one another and stupidly in love)

gags become a thing after a while. Andy is an expert at introducing/asking about bedroom ideas without being condescending and he knows he has to decipher Eddie’s interest without it sounding like he wants him to shut the fuck up. (he does not, he loves everything that comes out of Hillbilly’s mouth, from stone-cold threat to lazy joke to breathless groan)

but a thing they do become. (it starts with Andy shoving a couple of fingers in Eddie’s mouth to “keep quiet”, an old familiar trick from the war, and it snowballs from there) so the next time Andy’s bent over Eddie, facing him and maybe got his hands pinned above his head, and Eddie decides to let off a quip, Ack Ack stops. slows his motions and pretends to think, then reaches for his master plan. the first time, it’s just fabric, shoved into Hillbilly’s mouth. his pink cheeks (from semi-annoyance or embarrassment, not sure) and deep frown and almost-offended stare are fucking priceless

(Andy buys a proper gag, one Eddie can bite down on. one he can grab the back of and pull Hillbilly’s head back with so he can kiss his neck, tell him how fucking hot his moans are when they’re all he can make)

collars slip in there somewhere. they’re not sure where that came from but there’s a suspicion it may have come from the wholesome conversation about adopting a dog (which they both want to do they’re just terrified of going to pick one and falling in love with more and then what are they gonna do?? have fifty dogs?? but I digress)

Andy’s not one to be embarrassed of his sex purchases but he was definitely scratching his neck when he bought it. luckily, his boyfriend can read him like a goddamn book. the man likes being in control, sure, dominating the room in his own masterful way, definitely – that doesn’t change the look of complete adoration that takes Andy’s features when Eddie buckles the collar around his neck

it fits well with Andy’s orgasm denial kink. he doesn’t do it to Eddie much (he’s got enough kinky shit he can do to him) but Hillbilly definitely does it to him. it’s a treat to test Andy’s self-restraint and not with any bondage. Eddie’s a very patient man, used to unfulfilling sex prior to Ack Ack, so he’s got all the time in the world. he loves making Andy wait, teasing him with a grip around the base of his cock. he gets a cock ring for him later, when his tight grip isn’t cutting it anymore

there’s nothing better than watching Andy’s thighs tremble, sat on his own hands on a chair, desperately keeping his cool while Hillbilly carefully lowers himself onto his cock (Eddie uses that collar to get him to look him in the eye)

they usually can’t be bothered with food play (“Food is f’ eatin’, Andrew, not wastin’.”) but there’s occasional things. Andy has a tendency to take Eddie’s fingers in his mouth and lick them clean, whether from an accidental or purposely spillage. he doesn’t really care what’s on them so long as it’s edible and he can watch Hillbilly’s lip curl watching him

Eddie’s definitely done a “spillage” of his own once or twice. except his are obvious, just how he likes them; he’ll straight up pour a splash of beer on his dick and invite Andy to come lap it up. his house, his rules and all. Andy always obliges

Eddie gives a great spit ‘n shine to boots, Andy’s found. he loves demanding Eddie get on his knees and do the daily duties he learned as a marine, making sure his captain’s uniform is in order. (slightly funny if Ack Ack’s not wearing anything but his boots while saying it, but he can live with that) having Hillbilly look up at him – “Like this, Skipper?” - as he runs his tongue across the leather is more than worth it

Eddie likes tearing open clothes, though he feels really, really bad about it. it’s obvious it turns him on because Andy loses a lot of shirt buttons over the years. (they sew them back on together, which is nice, gotta know how to mend and make do. Eddie actually knows a lot about cross stitch and Andy adores learning from him)

one time Andy’s waving his ass Eddie’s way, has been for a whole morning whilst they were gardening, potting flowers, weeding the lawn, working, Andy, we’re busy – so it’s just been a build up of hard-ons and no time to deal with them. and they’re wearing old clothes for the task, threadbare jeans. (that used to be Eddies, even the ones on Andy’s ass) so when Hillbilly finally presses up against Andy, bites his ear, and grabs his pants with both hands - he just pulls. they tear open and Andy feels Eddie shudder against him (shortly before he feels Hillbilly’s cock pushing inside him but that’s just a massive bonus)

Andy’s an indulgent boyfriend so he buys underwear and pants on the cheap and waves them Eddie’s way. the “rippables” as he calls them. made to be ripped, end of. no hard feelings, good riddance to them

I said they were too lazy for bondage because they can just pin each other and I stand by it; it remains a special thing. one of the ‘hardcore’ things, like the belt and gun play. mainly because, while they can actually pin each other down quite effectively with limited wiggle room, there’s still the ability to y’know, headbutt each other. because they’re also both trained in how to flip a guy that grabs you. fatally, if need be

so tying Eddie up (Andy’s always been down to be tied up, blindfolded, etc. by Eddie because he trusts literally one man in the whole world and it’s Edward Jones) is a big thing. because Eddie has had to fuck people up who tried to fight him and his brute strength is what’s gotten him through (finding something capable of realistically holding him is also a struggle in sexual hilarity because fuck, it’s gotta be thick rope or actual police handcuffs)

when Andy asks him about it (and presents the short length of rope he went for because he couldn’t find handcuffs yet) Eddie immediately says yes. because he trusts Andy completely. but he also says not tonight and not every night and not any time he can see it coming. if he works himself up about it, he’ll embarrass himself

when it does happen (Andy’s can read him right back, he knows when), Eddie ends up with his hands tied behind his back. he jokes about Ack Ack’s poor navy knotwork and gets a laugh back. then Andy slow bends him over the bed. that’s all Eddie thought he’d do, which isn’t a bother, long legs are still able to roll away. until Andy kneels down below him, caressing his thigh lovingly, and nudges his legs open. Eddie ends up standing bent over on the mattress with each ankle tied to a leg of their heavy bed frame

it’s a lot but Andy takes his time, kisses his way up from Eddie’s calf all the way to the back of his neck, keeping a hand pressed to his inner thigh. the tremble there is aroused and overwhelmed all in one. the first time, Ack Ack just enjoys giving his boyfriend a nice, slow handjob, supporting himself over Hillbilly so he can feel his weight. it’s amazing to have Eddie coming apart under him, whispering for more until he gets a shaking orgasm, biting the sheets to try and cover how loud he whimpers (it’s too much for Andy, too, and he cums just from rubbing between Eddie’s thighs)

Andy’s trademark aftercare is as excellent as ever and they sit together with some tea on the bed, listen to the radio, Eddie leaning against his chest with two loving arms around him. he asks if next time Ack Ack will fuck him and naturally, Andy just says “if you want me to” while kissing his temple. Hillbilly wipes his face and asks “please”

#andyeddie #the pacific #very not saif 4 wurk but i cant tag it that because tumblr algorithy

11 notes · View notes