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dreamescapeswriting · 4 years

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Chemical Spill ~ Seokjin X Reader

A/N: I’m working on a series of imagines where it’s based on all of their ZIP photos and I’m super hype about it! Here is Jins!

Word Count: 5,003

Warnings: mentions death, swearing

Genre: Fluffy|| Au|| cute

Summary: You’re living in a zombie apocalypse, everyone who was anyone has been taken underground to survive while all of the “normals” fight to stay alive but Jin isn’t like the rest, he was supposed to go into hiding but stayed behind to help others around him, he finds you in an abandoned hospital distract and takes an instant liking to you

Who would have thought a chemical plant leaking some strange unknown substance into a graveyard would have created the zombie apocalypse, well every person who worked there, the chemical plant was a danger to everyone and everything around it and when it finally spilt its contents into a graveyard creating zombies that walked around eating people whenever they could find them, the only problem with these zombies is that they looked almost human, sure the older corpses that were effected looked as though real zombies should look, or at least how to movies made them look, but the fresher bodies looked almost human if it wasn’t for the grunting and green ooze dripping from their mouth, the ooze was the same chemical that changed their bodies, to begin with, one drop of that in your bloodstream and you were a goner, people wouldn’t tell the difference, which is why it was so hard to move around city spaces or find a group of people to stay safe with, it was hard to trust people you didn’t know, the first stages of being turned from a small cut or bite were normal, you would just act as though it was a common cold or flu, only when you started to crave brains would people be able to tell, or when you would start to leak the substance from your mouth.

You had a group, you have a group of close friends, you’d been together for the first three years of the apocalypse, running together and surviving together as a group, but one by one they all began to get sloppy or give up on the fight and you watched every single one of them leave or die, even having to kill two of them after being bitten, that was the problem, one bite/scratch and it was all over, you had to be put down or you would become one of them, which no one wanted. You’d been alone for the best part of a year now, you’d backpacked across most of the country and were now heading for an abandoned distract close to the accident site of the chemical plant, which many people warned was dangerous but if it was closer to the start of the damage maybe it was like a tornado and would be better to start in, go towards the damage is what your mother always told you.

You’d managed to get into one of the hospital buildings in the abandoned village, there were three around the site but the first two were too boarded up to even try to break into, meaning something was locked inside that no one wanted to get out, this hospital was around half a mile away from the chemical plant which was still leaking out the ooze that started this mess, everyone important in the world was taken deep underground where the top governments had been preparing for something like this to happen, which meant no one was bothered about the chemical leak because everyone who was anyone was already in a safe place, they were waiting it out until the zombies ended everything around them and the important ones could start again.

“Keep out,” You scoffed at the signs on the hospital door, you used some bolt cutters you kept in a backpack and opened the door, inside was a cafeteria area, stocked full of rotting food, flies flying around it and creating the most gruesome smell you’d ever smelt, you groaned walking further into the back finding a working freezer, a jackpot because inside were different cans of food, enough to feed you for at least five months before you would have to go on another run or until you had to move on again, you didn’t want to stay in one place too long. You were staying nearby in an old treehouse in someone’s old garden, whoever had lived their had young kids, it was packed full of old teddy bears, pillows and blankets which was good for you but you couldn’t help but feel bad for the family who had to leave everything they owned behind, the treehouse was accessible through a thin ladder which you pulled up once inside, the zombies weren’t smart enough to work ladders or door handles but it was better to be safe than sorry.

You’d been in the hospital all day and it was starting to get dark out, you didn’t want to risk going back to the house in the dark, zombies were unpredictable enough during the day they’d always been good at hiding, sure they groaned but they didn’t constantly do it, it was only when they could smell humans or were starving, you knew you could stay in the hospital but you wanted to get to the highest point of it, just in case anyone else managed to come into the hospital and wanted to start a fight, you knew how people could get in these situations, everyone was crazy, you’d met someone who was just on a killing spree for the fun of it, the apocalypse made everyone unpredictable.

While you waited for the night to pass you went through your bag, you’d managed to get enough food to live off for a while, as well as some first aid supplies you were running low on, back at the treehouse, you didn’t get hurt much but you didn’t want to be short or anything, anything could happen after all.

“Are you alive?” You groaned moving away from whoever’s voice it was and opened your eyes to see a man dressed in black jeans and a brown shirt which was folded up to his elbows, he was carrying a gun and had two pistols also attached to his belt. You looked out of the nearby window and saw it was bright out meaning you’d made it through the night in one piece without being attacked or found by zombies, your eyes travelled back to the man once again.

“Yeah, I’m alive.” You said getting up on your feet and looking around, his shirt was covered in blood, some of the ooze and mud, he’d clearly been out for a while because he had a small cut on his cheekbone, looked like he’d scraped it along a wall somewhere, you picked up your bag and looked at him, he was staring at you and it was now you took in his appearance, he had to be the most handsome man you’d ever seen, even before the apocalypse, he looked as though he belonged with the important ones.

“Good, we should get going before this place gets packed by zombies, I saw a herd coming this way.” You stared at the man before you and he smiled at you, God even his smile was perfect, he noticed you staring and his ears began to turn a little red so you looked at the ground instead.

“We?” You quizzed, walking behind him as you both made your way out of the hospital building through a set of stairs.

“Well…I didn’t think you would want to be alone.” You scoffed at his ignorance, just because you were alone, you couldn’t manage? You’d gotten this far hadn’t you? You looked around the corner in front of you, in case any zombies had managed to make their way inside like he’d said but it was clear.

“I can look after myself I don’t need anyone.” You said taking out the machete you carried around with you instead of a gun, a gun drew too much attention everyone knew that a machete was silent.

“So thanks for the offer and all but I’m fine.” You said, not wanting to sound mean but you didn’t want to risk getting close to someone only to lose them again, especially someone that good looking it could be bad news, someone that good looking wasn’t just nice for being nice, you knew you had to be careful on who to trust in this day and age. So you left without another word to him, sprinting towards a convenience store that was nearby

He followed you in silence, wanting to watch how you worked your way through the small city, he watched as you broke down the front door to the convenience store in almost silence, the only noise being made was the wooden panel hitting the floor beside you, he smiled you were good at what you did which meant you obviously did this a lot and were used to this type of situation, he wanted to keep an eye on you, having someone like you could be good for supply runs.

How hard could it be to find some pads you thought as you went down another empty aisle, it was practically all empty except some old out of date fruits, you grumbled lightly kicking a shelf but it caused another to fall and crash against the floor, it was like an alarm system for nearby zombies, a few of them coming through the door you’d opened and another coming from behind another shelving unit, grumbling at you, you took your machete ready to start hitting them, you knew to aim for the head and not to stop until they were gone for good, but there was ten of them and only one of you.

“Down!” You heard someone scream, you looked over the shoulder of one of the zombies, you spotted the same man from the hospital and dropped down onto the floor, laying flat against your stomach as the man from the hospital began spraying bullets out, hitting some of them in the legs, them hitting the floor was your cue to hit them in the head while they were down, he had incredible aim which was fantastic.

“I don’t need anyone,” The guy mocked, helping you stand to your feet and smiling at you, you smiled back ignoring the mocking tone he’d given you and wiped the zombie blood from your face, holding out your hand for him to shake.

“Y/N.” You said, he took your hand and shook it

“Jin.” You were looking at him again, the way his jaw looked sharp enough to sharpen knives upon it and how his eyes were sparkling, even in the dull light of the darkness of the store, the only thing really lightening up the area was the sunlight peeking through the window.

“I have a base nearby, you should come with me. It’s safer there than anywhere else.” He spoke to you, you blinked at him for a second before thinking of all the things you had left at the treehouse.

“I have supplies in a treehouse nearby.” You spoke, trying not to seem nervous in his presence, you figured they could be useful to him somehow.

“Is there anything personal with them?” He questioned meeting your gaze, you shook your head and he looked over his shoulder as if telling the time by looking at the sun.

“It’s about a three-hour walk from here to our base, I’m sure you’ll be fine without the small bits, we have clothes and such at the base you can have.” You nodded in agreement not wanting to argue with someone you had just met and who had just saved your life.

“Let’s get going then.”

The walk was filled with conversation, you were trying to get to know each other better, well you were trying to find out if he was a secret serial killer and was planning on killing you, you found out he was one of the important ones, meant to go into hiding but refused because he wanted to help people above ground by trying to stop the zombies.

“That explains it then…” You said with a small laugh behind your voice, he stared at you as he helped you climb over a fence.

“Explains what?” He questioned as he joined you on the other side taking the bag you’d been holding for him.

“You’re too good looking to be one of the normals.” You blurted out without thinking, he chuckled, a deep red blush on his cheeks, you were blushing as well from the comment you’d said.

You’d talked for most of the way about who he was before the apocalypse, he was in some kind of band with his friends who were also staying behind to help others,

“What about you? What did you do?” He questioned looking at you as you rounded another corner, the sun was starting to set which meant you were almost at his safe place.

“I was just an office clerk.” You laughed nervously, you hadn’t thought about your old life for a long time, it wasn’t something that many people wanted to talk about, you would just push forward and ignore the past, what good was looking back on it? Nothing could be done about it now, nothing could change it.

You told him why you were so hesitant about going with him, you explained what happened to the first group of people you were with and how uneasy it made you around new people, it made him laugh when you mentioned about thinking he was a serial killer, his laugh made you smile instantly, it was so warm and bubbly, but he explained how he understood, he didn’t think he would make it through without his friends by his side.

“Here we are,” Jin said you looked up from the ground to see a giant brick wall, he walked over to some metal gates and hit a code on a nearby pad, the gates sprung into action and opened up.

“Welcome,” Jin said as he walked you through your eyes didn’t know where to look first, everything was so different from the outside world, there were houses that were fully built, none of them was rotting away, missing windows or shot up, they were beautifully kept, the gates shutting snapped your attention away and then you looked at a giant tower next to the gates, someone was standing on top looking out over the view,

“That’s Namjoon, second in command,” Jin spoke, walking you down a large pathway further into the village, that’s what it had to be, it had to be classed as a village, it had homes in rows, a small farming area, another building with “Hospital.” written upon it, there was more but you couldn’t see it all at once.

“We started building the giant brick fence when the spill happened, it took seven of us, about a year to make progress but others began joining in, in the end, we ended up with this.” He was walking over to a blue house, you stared around, in front of the house was a small little farming area, growing different produce.

“We all have a job here, I’m a runner along with Taehyung and Jugkook, we go out once or twice a week on the look for others to come home with us and for supplies…I was on a medical run when I found you.” He stated, walking with you towards the hospital building and greeting an older looking lady with a hug, handing her a bag full of bandages, you took your bag off your shoulder and handed over the supplies you’d swiped from the hospital.

“We’ll talk to Namjoon later but I feel pretty confident in you being a runner with me, you seem like you’ve been doing well and I have been looking for a running buddy,” You nodded following him over to a set of houses, eight of them all in a row and he pointed at a white one.

“You can stay there, it has 4 bedrooms but we don’t have overcrowding so you’ll be alone for a while until more come if that’s alright?” You nodded along, still unable to form words.

“I know it’s a little much, but I promise you’ll get used to it, you should go wash up, Yoongi will be starting meals soon.” You frowned a little confused by who Yoongi was,

“Yoongi?” He walked with you onto the porch of the house you were going to be living in and opened the front door.

“The main chief of the camp, there is also Hoseok, he’s the main gardener here, likes to make sure we have enough food.”

A month had passed and you were having a wonderful time, you’d taken up gardening to help grow some fruits and vegetables when you weren’t out on runs with Jin, you went out together twice a week on the hunt for mostly medical supplies and canned food, but the village was pretty much stocked full all the time, enough to feed everyone more than five times over. When you weren’t gardening Jin would steal you away to teach you how to shoot, he wanted you to get used to carrying a gun around, yes it was louder but it was easier than trying to slay a bunch of zombies with a small machete.

You could still remember the first lesson you had with him, you were more nervous about him being so close to you, then you were to shoot the gun;

His arms were wrapped around you, you were standing so close you could practically hear his heartbeat, he gently rubbed your arm because you seemed nervous.

“You’ll do great, it’s just practice.” He put your arms in the right position and aimed the gun, his head close to your neck as he looked down the barrel of the gun to make sure the aim was right, you felt his breath against your skin and it sent shivers up and down your spine.

You hit the target on your own and began jumping up and down excitedly.

“I did it!” You yelled putting the safety back on and making sure it was fine, Jin was just as excited as he stood behind you, without a second thought you threw your arms around his neck, and he instantly linked his arms around your waist, maybe it was the adrenaline you were experiencing but you didn’t care the embrace felt like the world had stopped on its axis, there was no time, no wind, no other person in the village, no zombies, your mind was at ease. How could one hug be like this? He stroked your hair as you stayed together, the feeling of being this close to another human being made you happy, it made yo both happy and craving more, but neither of you spoke about it, you pulled away and acting as though it was an exchange of pure joy between two old friends.

“I should go help Yoongi cook,” You lied rushing off leaving a stunned Jin behind in the field alone.

But it was time to go on another run now, you’d had many lessons since the hug but none of them had ended the same was the first one had, you and Jin were going to find a hospital again, you were hoping to stock on some painkillers, Jin had been complaining of headaches and so had Namjoon, and since they were in charge you didn’t expect anything less, they were under an intense amount of stress a lot of the time.

“Jin I want a quick and easy run, no detours, right there and right back,” Namjoon ordered as the gates opened up, Jin laughed pulling you out of the gates and into the streets, Namjoon was being a little overprotective over a run that had happened previously, someone had gotten hurt and it had shaken the entire camp up a little.

“You didn’t even let me get breakfast.” You whined to him as you walked in a new direction, they’d found a hospital closer to the chemical plant and Jin insisted on exploring it with you, which meant leaving earlier than usual to get there. It was 4 am and the sun was barely starting to rise.

“I had Yoongi make us something for lunch.” He laughed as you dramatically rubbed your stomach as if it was empty trying to act more dramatic.

“You’re such a baby!” He yelled poking your cheeks and taking your hand in his and pulling you along, you felt heat rush to your cheeks at the small action and looked at him, his ears were red which meant he was also blushing, you pushed your arm into his playfully and let go of his hand, rushing ahead towards some shops and looking around. Things with Jin were nice, it was easy to get along with, he was like an old friend and you found yourself telling him anything and everything, it felt like having a best friend, it was nice to spend time with someone and not feel like it was the end of the world, but at the same time, you still felt a little uneasy around him, since the hug you’d not been 100%. All he had to do was look at you and you would turn into a blushing mess, he made your heart skip a beat, small things like holding your hand, hugging you or even complementing you platonically, like friends would normally do only it made your heart flutter.

“This hospital is insane.” You whispered to Jin as you walked up to another flight of stairs, you’d been walking for four hours when you finally found it, the place looked like no one had been inside in years, nothing inside was boarded up, drawers were still stocked full of supplies. The only sign that it was abandoned was that the wallpaper was starting to peel off at the walls and some of the parts of the ceiling were starting to leak

“I guess people are too scared to get this close,” Jin said from behind you, it was true, people you’d run with before didn’t want to get this close in case anything could happen, you glanced at him for confirmation before opening up the door in front of you, you were on another floor full of rooms.

“Split up?” You questioned him, he nodded and walked down one end of the hall and you went in the opposite.

You found an operating room, stocked high with different medicines, needles, and other first-aid items, you just packed everything into the backpack you carried with you, you entered the next room finding painkillers and headache relief, you made sure to fit in everything you could before going to find Jin again.

“Jin?” You whispered going down to his end of the hall, a door creaked open and you looked inside to see nothing around, you walked further inside to see Jin on the ground, your heart began racing, you failed to breathe, it was as if someone was choking you, all you wanted to do upon seeing laying there was curl up into a ball and cry but you knew you couldn’t do that, you shut the door behind you and walked over to his body, to check him over for anything that could have happened.

“Jin? Jin, wake up.” You pleaded, tears springing to your eyes, you cleared your throat trying to find something to indicate why he was on the ground, but there was nothing, no blood, no scratches, no bite on his skin that was visible

“Jin seriously…You promised you wouldn’t die on me.” You whimpered out, he did, he’d promised you on the first run together nothing would happen to either of you and you didn’t have to worry about it. You let a tear run down your cheek, ready to leave him when he grabbed your wrist tightly, you let out a shriek and slapped him across the face, backing away and leaning against a wall.

“JIN!” You screamed at him, throwing a nearby box at his head, missing by a lot, he began laughing uncontrollably, it started as a small silent laugh but he slowly began laughing harder and harder even clapping a little at your reaction, normally you adored his laugh but this time you wanted to crawl into the corner and cry about it.

“I hate you.” You mumbled getting up from the floor and looking around the room for something to distract you from him, he was still laughing when he stood up on his feet, coming up behind you and trying to get you to talk to him.

“You’re evil Seokjin.” You said folding your arms across your chest and trying to act a little mad but it was hard because he looked so sad, he was giving you puppy dog eyes so you would you talk to him.

“You almost cried.” He said, you pushed away from him and over to the door ready to leave but it was stuck, you frowned trying to pull on it a little harder.

“It’s stuck.” You said, trying to push it and then pull but it was as if someone had jammed you inside, or something was blocking it from opening.

“Nice try,” You stood back raising an eyebrow as he tried to move the door as well, you began laughing as soon as he failed to do it as well.

“This is your fault.” You said coming over at trying to pull it some more but it wasn’t budging.

“Mine?” He yelled playfully at you, looking at you with a raised eyebrow.

“If you hadn’t scared me by pretending to be dead we wouldn’t be stuck!” You yelled at him, giving up and sitting against the door.

“Why were you so upset in the first place?” He joked but you ignored him and he felt bad because tears sprung to your eyes once again, he turned away from you taking out the emergency radio and getting it ready to phone home.

“I’ll radio Taehyung and get them to save us.”

“We’re going to have to get comfortable, Namjoon won’t let them out until morning,” Jin said coming over to you, you were sitting in front of the door staring at it as if that was going to magically be able to open the door for you.

“We still have some food left from our lunch.” He said coming down to sit next to you, he took out some containers from his bag and offered you some but you weren’t hungry, he laid down a blanket he’d carried in his bag so that you would both be comfortable for the night.

“Come on, you can’t still be mad at me.” He teased poking your cheek but you folded your arms across your chest and kept your eyes forward, trying not to cry in front of him, the thought of him being gone made your heartbreak

“I’m not.” You whispered you couldn’t be mad at him, he thought it would just be a joke, he didn’t know it would practically break your heart seeing him like that, but now you had seen him that way you realised your feelings for him were strong and weren’t going to go away any time soon, maybe it would be good to stay away from him for a while, to make the feelings go away, stop being around him so much all of the time.

“Maybe I should stop coming on runs.” You blurted out to him, his attention was pulled away from the food and he stared at you,

“It was just a joke, I didn’t think it would hurt you so much.” He continued rambling on but you were ignoring him, drowning it out, you just stared at his lips as he spoke, wishing they were on yours, wishing his hands were around you.

“It’s not the joke Jin…I just don’t think it’s a good idea.” You managed to say while he paused for a breath.

“Why?” You looked up at his eyes, he was tearing up now, something you didn’t expect.

“I just- I don’t think I should be out here…It’s-” You couldn’t lie to him, it was hard to lie to Jin, he’d taken you in and cared for you for so long, it was hard to lie to someone you had liked for so long.

“I just can’t stop thinking about you.” You admitted.

“After the day in the field, your arms around me, being that close to you, it made me realise I like you…then just now…seeing you like that…gone. I just don’t think I should be around you anymore, It’s clear you don’t feel the same way I do.” An awkward silence filled the air, then the sound of metal hitting a concrete floor. His lips were slammed onto yours, it nearly knocked you over onto your back, you didn’t even have a second to react before he pressed his tongue along your bottom lip, you allowed him access. It was a sloppy kiss but it as full of passion on both sides, your arms reached up and tangled into his hair tugging a little, letting out a giggle as he groaned into the kiss. His hands made their way down to your waist, he pulled you close and against his chest, his other hand running through your hair.

You both pulled away and stared at one another, you were straddling him now and he smiled up at you, pushing a strand of hair out of your face so he could look at you better.

“I’ve been wanting to do that the moment you hugged me.” He stated leaning up and giving you a small peck on the lips, you blushed bending down and connecting your lips once again.

“I’ve wanted to kiss you since the moment you saved my life.” You admitted the next second your back was against the floor, your arms were pinned above your head and he was leaning down to kiss you once again, you didn’t care that you were stuck in the hospital now, you had Jin to keep you entertained all night, Tae and Jungkook could take as long as they wanted coming to rescue you.

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mana-sputachu · 4 years

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☆ ✿ ♦ ☯ for Xiao and, fuck it, Lee from Tekken! Oh, and Iori from Kof, naturally *sloppy wink*

☆ Xiao: She’s never been one to love to study. She wasn’t bad at school, just... not really into homeworks, you know? Yet, the afternoons spent with Jin, that decided to be her tutor, are still some of her happiest memories. This, and the afternoon and nights spent in his room, where he would read out loud whatever book he was reading at that moment and let her curled next to him, falling asleep lulled by his low, husky voice. Lee is happy when Heihachi and Kazuya suffers, of course (schadenfreude, how i love thee), but he’s also happy when he can simply ruin their plans and making something good for the society in the process. He’s also happy when he can spend his free time doing absolutely nothing in his pool, surrounded by beautiful women. Iori canonically loves cats, so taking care of them (his own but also the stray ones he may find when he goes out) is something that makes him happy. Also music and singing, it just makes him feel at peace.

✿ Xiao has always striked to me as a very curious person toward s/ex, never been *really* shy about the idea of trying it. She would live her s/exual life happily, always laughing and having fun during s/ex. Jin would probably be way more shy than her at first, something she finds absolutely adorable. She’s kinda open to try various things, unless it’s something way too weird for her tastes. But once a friend of mine wrote me a XiaoJin oneshot were Jin was into light BDSM and liked to be collared, and Xiao was very eager to try ad please him, and i’m hooked to this idea ever since... Lee is into some kinky stuff, you can’t tell me otherwise. Nothing gross or dangerous, but he isn’t vanilla either. The most vanilla thing he does is to tie his partner to the bed... or let his partner do that to him. There’s also NO ROOM in the whole Violet System that hasn’t been used in... creative ways by him. He’s so proud of himself he never felt the need to ask the security to erase the security camera videos. The things they could probably tell... Iori is not interested in super kinky stuff, tho he probably tried a few things just for the sake of hit and maybe enjoyed some. But sure as hell he likes it rough - bites, scratches, you name it. And with a strenght like his own, every s/exual intercourse is intense AF. He probably loves it to do it not only in bed, but also against a wall, or on the floor, and probably tables have seen some stuff as well. One of his fave places tho is the porch at Chizuru’s home - far enough from the streets to not be seen or heard, but enough to be thrilled about it and making everything more exciting ~ She sometimes complains about his choices, but not enough to refuse it.

♦ Xiao started to cook when she was young and found it fun. When she cook for Jin she likes to decorates his bento with cute emojis. If she’s pissed at him, all the emojis are angry, lol. Also, she’s good at pc stuff and is a good hacker: it’s a stupid hc that sprouted in my head back in 2002, when my beloved Tekken 4 came out and in her story mode its said she get an email from Jin that warned her from Heihachi, and young me imagined Xiao starting to look for him on the web using hackers tricks and stuff. It’s stupid and it doesn’t really make sense, i know, but it’s an old hc and i’m stupidly attached to it, lol. Lee probably just likes to spend money on whatever he finds interesting: one day he would buy the blueprints of a super secret russian weapon, the day after he would just adopt some injuried penguins and let them roam free in the big, nature area that he build inside the Violet System one day he was particularly bored. He’s the weird uncle no one talk about during family dinners, quite literally. Iori likes to collect moon shaped stuff (it was a dumb hc of mine born as a joke, until i saw Ogura’s sketches for Iori’s outfit in KOF XIV. Look at the pattern on his shirt and tank top, not to mention the necklace...), music cd&vinyls, and probably likes some videogames too (it wouldn’t be that different from playing games for him).

☯ Xiao fell into the k-pop hole at one point, and loved it immediatly. She probably blasted 2NE1 and Mamamoo (and probably Girl’s Generation too) at full volume, much to Jin’s chagrin (that unwillingly learned all the songs and gossip). She often asks Hwo to translate her some songs, that results in a funny mix of help and “Bombayah yah yah yah yah? The fuck does this means?? Do they write songs tossing random words around?!”. She also likes to cook and eat (the amount of food she can eat is scary), and when she cook for Jin she likes to decorates his bento with cute emojis. If she’s pissed at him, all the emojis are angry, lol. She dislikes to eat veggies, probably, and being forced to do homeworks. I can also see her disliking boys and people in general with big ass giant ego (Jin is an exception because he can be an ass, but there’s worse around), she usually became super sarcastic around them, something she learned after all these years living with Mr Sarcasm himself. Lee likes to eat and drink the finest, expensive (and probably weirdest) food and drinks he can find, and at one point he hired the best chefs to make sure that he could always have some at the Violet System. He also dislikes his father and Kazuya, their tastes in clothing and what they did to him. Taking his half nephew and his other half brother under his protection it’s probably a good move, and maybe he will be able to teach one or two things to them about a revenge served cold Iori strikes to me as someone that likes to eat (it must be because of all those pics and comic panels where he eats giant pieces of meat and drinks lots of beer, also some fans thinks it’s also his Orochi sides that sometimes makes him eat for three people), but also i can see him learning to cook and finding it relaxing, like imagine him tossing him stuff into a pan for the first time, making something very good out of it and muttering to himself “Obviously good. I’m a genius after all.” Aside disliking senseless violence, he dislikes to be disturbed when he’s relaxing, especially by someone he can’t stand (hello Kyo), and extremely spicy food. He’s always pissed when Chizuru forget that and puts too much spices on his ramen.

Thank you for the ask, esp for Xiao and Iori!<3

Meme is here

#tekken #ling xiaoyu #lee chaolan #king of fighters #iori yagami #headcanon meme #meme #text post #replies #askkrisachan

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agentwallflower · 4 years

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Supernova: Chapter 11

Guess who didn’t write anything the last couple weeks?

*raises hand*

Depression is fun like that. I’m going to try harder this month to get content out, but I don’t know how well things are going to go. I’m starting therapy again, so I’m hoping that’ll help my energy levels...

I don’t really have much to say other than that. No energy to do much other than go to work and come back. Life in the time of plague is... rough I guess.

Next chapter is going to go up September 19. I’ll see you then. Remember to wear a mask and wash your hands.

If something was supposed to be happening, it wasn't – the place still looked like a normal house to Andy as she glanced around as she walked. With any luck, they didn't have neighbors or they were in for one hell of a noise complaint.

“It's right over here, just have to turn everything on.”

Sky Rider directed her to a door that looked like it might lead to a closet. Andy shot him a blank look as she watched him access a panel on the side of the wall. He stood there for a while, typing things in. Then something beeped and he groaned.

Well, they were getting off to a good start.

“Password got changed to Kryptonite this month, SR.” Scanner's voice called from their computers. The hero didn't start typing, however. “Alright, it's K-”

He held up a gloved hand to stop the spelling bee. “No, it's asking what to register Andy as so it can set the parameters.”

That got the tech to actually back up from their setup and roll over to the pair by the door. Andy stepped to the side to give them space without needing to be asked. One thing she was painfully aware of was just how big she was. Even if they had been standing, she dwarfed them by at least a foot, maybe more, and that was without the frame differences. Her limited experience let her know people tended not to like loomers, so there was some breathing room between them.

Scanner muttered to themselves as their eyes glowed. That close, she saw one was brown and the other was blue, though it looked too sparkly to be normal. Artificial, or at least augmented. It matched the silvery hand, and the bit of shoulder peeking out from the loose shirt they were wearing.

“Right, don't want her blowing the whole place up. That be a pain to explain to next door, we barely have them fooled.” They turned to face her, briefly. “I guess we could put Nova's data in for her. You said she's related, right?”

Andy felt her core bubble as the tech quickly put the details in, though it took a little gentle analog persuasion in the process. Apparently, it was a pre-Scanner design that didn't like them very much if the grumbling was to be believed.

Nova had lived here once.

“Thanks, Scan. I'll let you know if we need anything else.”

“Please do before you take a wall out. We already get yelled at when we break the city apart.” They were already rolling back to their rig, muttering about how they needed to gut that damn system to replace it sometime. From the way it sounded, it wouldn't have been out of place with a lover's quarrel. Hopefully nobody asked her to hold a wrench.

This left her alone with Sky Rider, who finished up tapping something into the wall. The panel beeped, and then covered itself up. He motioned for her to follow, and they were soon opening the door and walking through.

It... yeah it looked like an empty room.

“Scanner's predecessor came up with the idea for this when Ember was a trainee.” He knocked the wall, and a rainbow glittered across its surface. “Barriers, coded with details of hero abilities. I could blast for days and not even leave a scratch.”

Well, then she probably wasn't going to take a wall out then. That was a relief.

“So that's why you were trying to figure out what to register me as.” She gave him a blank look. “What do you do if someone has a new power, though?”

Sky Rider shrugged his shoulders as he took a seat against the wall. “Download info from the closest match, mostly. They used Paladin's data for me, even though I have a different profile. Once you've used it a few times, we'll have a special profile for you too. Makes it easier to keep the place together.”

Andy nodded, but after that she was kind of lost as she looked down at her hands. Memories of when she had first used her powers were vague at best, and none of them were pointing at how to turn the damn thing on.

Maybe it was motion activated? She swung her hand down hard, like she remembered. The only result was that the air moved and she felt a little stupid. At least Sky Rider didn't laugh at her when she tried it a second time with her other hand.

So... not motion activated.

Andy felt her core go a little cold as she turned to look at her trainer. “You do kind of a blast thing, got any ti-”

The words died in her mouth. Though Sky Rider was physically in the room, he was more focused on the large book spread out in front of him. Apparently, he liked pink sticky notes – the pages were covered in them. The book next to him had a similar treatment, and there was pink highlighter all over his written notes.

She would have been impressed if he hadn't been training her.

His visor moved up, but he made no move to hide his work. “Focus on a target and try to imagine your energy flowing out. Not sure if it's going to work for you though, cause... you know.”

His highlighter motioned to her necklace. “You should probably keep that on, by the way. Scanner says they don't have cameras in here, but something records the data well enough.”

“You're the best.” Andy didn't have the tone for sarcasm, but she hoped it got across as she turned back to the task at hand. “Hey, speaking of data... you guys wouldn't happen to have anything from Nova, would you?”

That got the psychic to stop writing notes, at any rate. What was he studying anyway? It was hard to tell, since she wasn't exactly a master of reading books in human-friendly orientation. The fact there were no pictures didn't help much either. She could at least rule out medicine – not enough angst.

“Yeah, I think we do. Why, do you think watching her might help you figure it out?”

This time, it was Andy's turn to shrug. “Even if it doesn't, it's not like I've ever really got to see them much. We can't talk about Nova at home, and my sister was too young to remember much anyway.”

Before he could ask, she added “Adopted sister, I'm the only weirdo around here.”

If Sky Rider had anything to say about that, he kept it to himself in favor of getting up from his study spot in order to cross the room. They were much closer as he started to type details into the computer, the screen reflecting back in his visor.

If she had to wear a helmet like that all day, she'd go insane.

“Can I ask what you're studying?”

Andy wasn't sure why she was asking him that. He seemed to think about it for a few seconds before the machine beeped- there were records coming up, or at least she thought there might be. It was hard to tell with their orientation, but they had gotten results. They probably even said what was on them, but it wasn't like she could read any of it.

Ah, the joys of strange vision.

“Psychology.” He backed up, probably to return to the books. “Nova's logs are in date order. I would say start with the older stuff, might give you a better foundation.”

And like that, she was alone again. Andy sighed as she turned back, poking with an experimental finger. Probably because she didn't have skin, the damn thing didn't respond to her. No doubt she looked like an idiot.

What else was new?

---

Ugh, he was never going to learn this in time for the exam. Even his brain couldn't keep up.

Angel could feel the sweat trickle down the back of his neck, and it wasn't from the heat. His pile of notes was growing by the second, and his deadline was looming. Add in the fact the class was with his adviser, and he was feeling the heat.

Or... it actually was kind of hot.

“You're not overheating, are you?”

He looked over his textbook. Andy was still poking at the screen, grumbling. It wasn't going anywhere fast, to say the least. Part of him wondered if she had broken the damn thing, but then he watched as her finger prodded the screen.

Right. Not made for aliens.

“I can't read what it says, can you help me here?”

Andy's voice was as monotone as always as he got up again to help her. That close, he could feel the hum of whatever was keeping her looking like a human being. It wasn't a bad feeling, just an odd one that made his teeth itch. Since nobody was reporting a dentist visit, that was probably just him. Hooray for being psychic.

“I'll set it up on a loop for you.” He cocked his eyebrow under his visor. “They didn't teach you to read at the lab?”

Andy shook her head. “I can only read stuff that's upside down and backwards to you. Something about how my eyes are structured I guess.”

“Huh, that's gotta be a pain in the ass for reading your phone...” He mumbled that to himself as he set up the loop sequence. Nova's oldest video was soon on the screen, showing the hero in their 80's glory. Just seeing the spandex made him wince, even with the leather jacket. Nothing like 80's superheroes to make him glad he wasn't born then.

Though, he had to admit it was a rare treat to see a younger PT looking even more like a punk nightmare next to them. Talk about blackmail.

“I don't have one, not -” Andy fell silent at the sight of Nova. Her hand stretched out to touch the screen. “That's... it's Cass.”

Angel frowned at the reaction. “Hey, are you -”

“I've never really seen them before.” her hand traced the outline. “It's hard to tell with their disguise... but we don't look anything alike, do we? Why else would they wear red...”

The alien's voice trailed off as she watched the figure on screen. Her face was unreadable, but Angel got the sense this was something private he shouldn't intrude on. He backed up, content to return to his notes. But he kept one eye peeled as he went back to his notes. Maybe she might need a little of his day job when she was done.

---

Andy wasn't sure how long she sat there, staring at the screen. Nova's clips kept looping and returning to that first screen, even as they burned into her memory. Simply put, she was transfixed by the person on screen.

She was so... red.

Honestly, that was the weirdest part of all this. Part of Andy had just assumed her parent would have been blue like her – wasn't that how it worked with genetics when it came to humans? She may have been from a different planet, but there should have been a link.

She couldn't find any as she watched the disguised alien on screen. Every movement Nova made was so fluid and graceful that it made her nonexistent joints ache. If she had ever tried to move like that, shit would've broken. Yet the hero walked silently, as if they weren't there at all. Maybe they weren't; maybe she was just dreaming this.

Andy's core bubbled as her favorite clip queued up. Nova was up against some small time villain, their name garbled by the digitization. It didn't matter who it was, though – she was only focused on the hero in red spandex and leather jacket as they prowled onto the screen, their very presence making the news camera waver.

They said something, but the camera wasn't able to pick it up with the inference. Then they held up their hand. Light in every color, even ones humans couldn't see, began to build up in their hand. Then they threw out a fist, and the light went with it. The moment it made contact with the person on the other side of the screen, light exploded in a rush of sound. The whole screen went white, and then when it settled it was over. Nova was the only one standing, flexing their fist.

“We're live on the scene at 5th Street where Nova-”

The clip cut out after that.

“That looked like the Starburst.”

She looked over her shoulder. Sky Rider had abandoned his books in order to study the screen. The second clip was playing on the reflection of his tinted visor, giving her a perfect view of Nova in action in reverse. Apparently, that was more interesting than studying for psychology.

“What?”

He shrugged his shoulders. “Naming your attacks was big in the 80's. Sometimes PT almost starts to do it before the cringe knocks her back. Nova's big ones were the Starburst and Big Bang. The next one should be that.”

Through his visor, Andy got to watch as the alien in disguise started to glow as bright as a star, then throw all the energy with a yell of focus. There were the colors and lights again, twinkling against the glass. Did he even see it the same way she did, or was it just white light?

Sky Rider reached for his notebook, and the image vanished with the shift. “I don't recommend the Big Bang in here. Leave that for field work. Just focus on making the hand blast.”

Then he left her to her own devices. Andy shrugged it off as she backed away from the screen. Now she faced a blank stretch of wall, almost as if it was daring her to mess it up. Just like she had seen on the screen, she held out her hand as if she was getting ready to blast.

And then it stayed there for a good thirty seconds as she waited for something to happen.

“Maybe try throwing it.”

Andy shot him a blank look as she wiggled her fingers in exasperation. “Now you're trying to train me?”

“Nobody can train you, you're – you know.” He shrugged. “Just making a suggestion. Might need a little motion to get things going. Think back to how you did it the first time.”

Yeah, the gap in her memory was great for that. Though, gap wasn't the right word for it. Now that Andy was trying to reach back to remember, it felt more like a wall between herself and whatever had happened. Right then, she was banging up against that wall, trying to break it down. Damn thing wasn't budging, unfortunately.

So, back to the wall she went, with the feeling that this wasn't going to end with anything interesting. Oh well, if training was supposed to be easy there would be more super-powered humans in Bear Paw. Back to work it was.

---

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#Supernova Collision Trilogy #writing #novel #Yep I sound depressed alright

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guesswho-mp3 · 4 years

Text

[ Catch Me ]

AU: batman!jaehyun, tomcat!taeyong | Pairing: character x reader | Warnings: some language, shoddy characterization, minor dom/sub themes, references to smut | Rating: 17+ | Word Count: 2.2k

Based off of the dynamic Batman and Catwoman have both in Arkhamverse and the New 52, kinda botched and this took a direction that I wasn’t planning but whatevs.

“You could’ve used the door you know.”

The intruder bolted upright, his foot catching on the window ledge, tripping before catching himself.

“Sorry Cat, old habit.” He ruffled his hair, unable to meet the man’s eyes who was leaned up against the door frame, arms crossed over his Kiss the Chef apron.

He let him off with a shake of his head. “Oh no I’m flattered. It’s not every day someone gets to see Gotham’s Prince climbing through their window. You remind me of the bad boy parents warn their kids about,” he said. His smile faltered as his gaze fell behind Jaehyun to the alarm system, wires shot and lifeless, swaying from the window sill.

The billionaire at least had the decency to look ashamed when his eyes trailed to see what he was focused on. “I’ll buy you another one,” he promised. He let out a noise of affirmation as he pivoted, leading the guilty party into his dining room, where an assortment of dishes laid on a table set for two.

“You cooked.”

“Well, last time when we were at yours you nearly burned down the whole manor attempting to make carbonara. I decided to save you from Alfred’s wrath and take care of the cuisine this time. Plus I wanted to.” He paused while filling up their wine glasses, overcome with a fondness and sincerity that nearly suffocated him with its implications. ”You’re welcome.”

Their eyes met and suddenly it was still. The usual chatter of car horns and wailing sirens that blasted through all hours of the day quieted to soft whispers. Acid bubbled and ate away at their flesh to reveal their bare bones but they loved the burn of it as they were able to see each other’s hearts and underlying scars. Both extremely fucked up inside.

That brought them some semblance of peace. They were able to understand why the other had scars marring their skin; why the other would wake up in a cold sweat, hands twisting the sheets; why they both had to become something that made their innocence cower and tremble in fear, all in the name of survival. With each other they could breathe a little easier even with Gotham’s vices smothering them.

“Cat?”

“Yes, Bat?”

“I—.”

“I know. I love you too”

Batman grabbed the goon’s neck and slammed him to the ground, the move providing leeway for Tomcat to catapult off his back and scissor kick another.

With the last of the thugs down and Two Face knocked out and handcuffed they were able to finally catch their breath. The thief languidly stretched out his already sore muscles but the Bat remained tensed, primed for a fight.

“What’s got you brooding, B-man? Get your spandex in a twist?”

“What are you doing here, Taeyong?” he asked.

The man’s peach lips pouted, “You know Bat for such a big dark secretive vigilante you sure do drop the aliases quick. I thought you liked to keep things professional dur—”

“Why are you here?” The words were made more malicious by the voice scrambler, warped and demonic, he was using the same voice he did to intimidate criminals. The feline hissed.

“Easy now. So maybe I popped in for a quick steal. I didn’t know Two Face and his lackeys would show up, but I could’ve handled it on my own.“ The vigilante didn’t like that answer.

“I know you can handle yourself, but this is about you being here, causing trouble. All the thefts!The fights! Your idiotic risk taking!” The demonic barking escalated into a frightening crescendo but the cat kept coy.

“How long do you think we can keep this up before I actually have to do something about your proclivity for burglary and not just stand by like an idiot?”

“Honestly I thought the sex would buy me some leniency,” the feline fatale admitted. “But fine you win! Take my prize that I worked so hard to steal,” he pouted, pulling out the satchel of jewels.

“It’s not that simple, Cat. If I make exceptions for you where does it end? I’m supposed to fight injustice, not share a bed with it.”

Cat narrowed his eyes. “I’m not gonna quit if that’s what you’re implying. And I’ve known you long enough now that you’re not just gonna drop me either. You care about me too much to let me fall.”

A beat.

“That’s why this has to end.”

Oh. He was serious.

“No! You don’t get to do that! If you think I’m gonna let you—“

An explosion set off, Tomcat being blinded by shutters of light, a ringing in his sensitive ears.

He hacked, waving away the plumes of fog, vision hazy. “Fucking smoke bombs. That angsty bastard. He’ll be back.”

He wasn’t.

Even with Cat’s weekly break-ins having dwindled down to zero and after being off the G.C.P.D’s radar for some time now, his good behavior still didn’t earn him any gold stars. Pictures he had in his head of Batman crawling back to him in that delicious little black number were far from the reality.

If he wanted the Bat’s attention he had to quit playing and do something big. Grab his attention. Stealing the city’s single most prized diamonds seemed like the logical thing to do.

It was truly laughable just how easy it was to slip into Gotham Jewelers undetected. After multiple robberies from his truly over the years, Taeyong couldn’t help but wonder why they never bothered to up the security. His lithe body easily sailed through the wires, not even a single scratch on him; claws cutting a perfect circle into the glass case like ribbon and snatching the necklace before she was slinking away. Right before he grappled up the ceiling grate he made sure to trip the alarm. The Bat would be there in minutes.

Opening the panel that led to the rooftop, the cat burglar easily jumped out before he actually took some time to inspect his steal. Wrapped around his neck, neon lights bounced off the glimmering diamonds as he admired himself in a puddle that had formed earlier in the day’s gloomy showers. The choker, which consisted of hundreds of intricately beaded diamonds, cost a pretty penny, but he couldn’t have given less of a shit about the price tag when her person of interest would be arriving in 3….2…..

“Thieving again, Tomcat?”

Like clockwork.

He couldn’t help the scoff that fell from his lips at his professional persona bullshit. He turned around, seeing Jaehyun’s form for the first time in awhile, some part of him wanting to run and cling to him, the other wanting to rip him to shreds. He decided on the latter. Consider it payback. “Breakups tend to make people fall back into old habits. You should know why I’m doing this more than anyone, Jaehyun.”

“I’m not here to play around, Cat. Hand over the necklace before I turn you in.” All he got in response was a raise of the burglar’s eyebrows.

“Turn me in? Oh no, you can’t do that. If I’m locked up then who's gonna play our little game of chase,” he questioned.

Let’s see,” Taeyong listed on his fingers,” Joker is in Arkham, probably running himself up the walls, Riddler is doing…Well, whatever it is Doyoungie does with his puzzles. Your little “Super Friends” are off saving the day somewhere, so sad for you, you’re out of a playmate. But put me in a cage, if that’s what you truly want. My bet is you’re just trying to get me in handcuffs again...” he trailed off, twirling his whip like a tail.

Batman visibly stiffened at the insinuation, and Tomcat purred. He’d be lying if he said a small part of him wasn’t thoroughly enjoying making this little birdy squirm. Riled up Jaehyun was always better in bed.

“Aw what’s the matter, has the reminder of our previous moonlight trysts got you hot under the cowl. We could have fun just like we used to, all you have to do is say yes.” He was a breath away from him now, daringly scraping his claws up the proud insignia splayed across the Bat’s chest.

Before he could react, a gloved hand wrapped around Cat’s neck and his back met the brick wall with a dull thud.

“What I want is the diamonds. I’m not going to ask again, kitten.”

A gasp escaped from Tomcat’s throat, roses blooming on the his cheeks at their position. God, his stubbornness was pretty fucking annoying when it was being used against him.

Cattish eyes slanted at the challenge, a growl rumbling deep within him. His razored claws didn’t penetrate the titanium tri-weave breastplate, but they still provided enough grip for him to swat Jaehyun away and glide out from under his grip. This was taking too long.

“You’ve held out longer than I thought you would. Newsflash world’s greatest detective! You’re too hard headed to see what‘s going on. I know you Jaehyun.“ Knees bent, him body coiled.

I know there’s something you want more.”

The cat pounced, paws ripping off the dark knight’s cowl and capturing his midnight lover’s lips. Provoked, Jaehyun pulled him closer by the scruff of his neck, their passionate dance of swiping tongues and nipping teeth accompanied by a symphony of pleasured groans and breathy sighs.

Slowed down to a tender waltz, the tensed crime fighter’s form went lax at the change of pace, Cat pampering him with soft pecks and kitten licks. Each note that left his mouth struck another chord within Jaehyun’s heart.

“You make it so hard to resist you,” the billionaire acquiesced.

Biting Jaehyun’s bottom lip to cause a little more mischief, the reformed thief stepped back to readjust his knight’s mask. “That’s why you love me,” he purred, smoothing his claws over Jaehyun’s cheek bones before backtracking to the edge of the roof.

“Hey pretty boy—“ Cat turned, arms spread above his head, a performer taking center stage lit up by neon lights.

“Catch me!”

Then he swandived.

Tomcat’s life had slowed down a lot since he quit the burglar business. His old schedule of dropping into banks and vaults was now exclusive to plundering criminal elite’s hideouts, which was allowed as long as she donated most of it. It earned him a reputation for being a backstabber and a traitor to his kind in the underground but every half-brain thug knew thieves were loyal to no one.

Except maybe this one to the Knight.

After a long day teaching step combinations to a bunch of chaotic and rowdy kids in his newly opened dance studio (with money earned from a cash grab from Penguin’s vault) she just wanted to curl up on the couch and watch cartoons— but nothing in his life was ever that fucking simple.

Some stupid idiot decided to break in. How ironic.

He had yet to take off his fur coat when an object in his periphery caught his gaze, the hairs on the back of his neck called to attention, eyes forming into slits. Laid poised on his four poster bed was a satin box that looked extremely out of place.

The last “gift” that was left for Tomcat on his bed sprayed chloroform in his face and she woke up dangling over a vat of acid in Ace Chemicals as bait. Not his proudest moment, but he still got a good view of the Bat’s muscles flexing when he was knocking out the Joker’s goons. If curiosity killed the cat he was sure Jaehyun would find it amusing that it was his spandex covered ass on his mind before he went out.

With caution, he raised the box up to his ear, not hearing any ticking sounds he gave it a tiny whiff and a lick, noting the absence of any chemical substance. Just to be safe, he angled his face away from the lid as he slid it off to avoid any undesirable repeat occurrences.

Nestled in the crushed velvet interior was a very familiar diamond choker, under it a receipt of purchase which he gaped at the price before crumpling it and carelessly tossing somewhere. There was a small card attached, immediately recognizing the elegant penmanship the faintest kiss of his fingertips running over the writing.

Dinner, same time as last. I look forward to seeing you in this. -J

Clasping the adornment around his neck, Cat fell back onto the sheets with a bubbly laugh, holding the card to his thrumming heart. More champagne giggles tumbled from his lips at the acknowledgement that snagging Jaehyun was her grandest heist he’d ever pulled off, his pièce de résistance complete with dimples and a savior complex. Just then he noticed his curtains fluttering, swaying from the wind entering through the cracked open window. The high-tech alarm system that must’ve cost a mini fortune sitting deactivated. He huffed, a fond grin on her porcelain features.

“Rich bastard, he owes me another one.”

Looks like the cat got the cream and gets to eat it too.

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slothgiirl · 5 years

Text

Gold Dust Woman part 1

pjo x mcu fusion: annabeth is iron man

crossposted on a03

It’s been twenty eight day since she was kidnapped. Annabeth would know this even if she wasn’t scratching a line into the wooden boards she called a bed every day. In situations like this, it was important to keep track of time. It keeps her from becoming disoriented, it keeps things in perspective.

Like how tomorrow the car battery that she has hooked up to her heart, that’s powering her heart, will give out, spent, and she’ll die.

Unless her miniature arc reactor works.

It has to.

Annabeth has spent countless nights awake, pouring over the math and plans. she flips through the pages and pages of sketches. Carefully combs through the numbers for any mistake, any miscalculation, until her eyes swim. In some ways its not all that different from home, where she’d spent days shut up in her lab, dreaming up new technology only to turn around and sell it to the military.

The arc reactor had been written off as a publicity stunt. An inefficient source of clean energy. A pipe dream no one had bothered chasing. Not even her when the math hadn’t worked on to make it feasible, she’d just shrugged, downed her scotch, and moved on to the next big contract.

She’d been so caught up in research and development, in making weapons, that she had lost track of things. Or maybe she didn’t want to know. Didn’t want to think about the people she’d killed. The blood on her hands.

If she’d bothered to keep track, maybe no one in her company would’ve sold things to the enemy.

If If If. She was going to drive herself crazy thinking about all the things she shouldn’ve done.

Annabeth didn’t have time for that.

Not here. She won’t die here in this godforsaken cave, not before she can put things right. Not before she can start to make amends.

She refuses to let death be her legacy.

“I’m here if you need steadier hands,” Armeen Hephaestus utters over to her from his own spot, carefully stripping down the weapons and tools they’ve been given according to her own schematics.

Every moment they waste not working on her plan is another second in which the 10 Rings might turn around and decide to kill them.

“It’s alright,” she answers, not bothering to look up. Annabeth hates relying on others, hates that she won’t be able to insert the arc reactor herself, might die unable to do anything to save herself if it fails. “Just stick to the plan.”

The words tumble out harshly in the soft light of the cave, lightbulbs flickering. The electric grid thats been rigged up is horribly inefficient, but Annabeth isn’t about to tell her captors that.

Her hands don’t shake as she places the last pieces in and waits for the flicker. For the arc reactor to power on if she’s rights about the math and she always is, this should generate more power than it consumes. It won’t be perfect.

But it’ll keep her alive and that’s good enough for now.

Annabeth sighs in relief as it flickers softly, before a steady white light comes on light. She can’t wait to see the look on Arachne’s face when Annabeth shows her what she did with their publicity stunt.

If she makes it out alive.

No. She puts the arc reactor down, turning to call over Hephaestus, she can’t think like that.

“Come on Armeen,” she tells him, “I can’t wait to stop lugging around this battery.”

It’s been twenty eight days and Annabeth wonders where Thalia is, leading the search over the vast deserts of Afghanistan.

It doesn’t really matter.

The 10 Rings was right, they’ll never find her here. There’s just to much ground to cover.

That’s fine. Annabeth’s only ever been able to rely on herself and she’ll get herself out of here and Hephaestus too.

Then she’ll make sure Chase Industries never manufactures another weapon again.

Six shots in, a glass of champagne in hand for the occasion and Annabeth is bubbly. Is open and friendly in the addictive way she can never manage sober. Her smile feels foreign but the man who’s wrapped his arms about her, his hand covering hers before they throw the dice and watch it hit the roulette before landing on one of their winning numbers, he’s fun and hot and she likes one night stands. They’re easy.

“Yay,” she giggles, turning to him, giving up on his name when her thoughts feel so disconnected.

“You must be my good luck charm,” he grins, looking boyishly charming as he does.

It’s such a cliche, fitting in perfectly in Vegas.

Grover rolls his eyes, clearing finding the line beyond cheesy, from his spot on her right, the rest of her bodyguards spread out around.

“Yeah,” she replies airily, downing her champagne and distantly wondering if its to late to upgrade the targeting systems on the Medusa Missiles. Her mother never acknowledged anything less then perfection. It was a trait she’d passed on to her, along with her grey eyes and height.

No, both her parents had been tall.

He kisses her, lips saturated with beer, and Annabeth mindlessly goes along, wishing men weren’t so into beer. It never tastes good. And cocktails were so much better at getting people drunk faster.

“Lets go again,” he suggests.

“I’m game,” she answers, signaling for another drink.

Annabeth doesn’t really have time for this, she’s leaving Vegas in an hour back to San Francisco. But maybe he’d like a free ride to SF?

“Annabeth,” Thalia calls out, meeting Jack’s? drunk and carefree gaze with her own steely one, the same look she gave Annabeth overtime she found her less them sober, falling over and refusing Grover’s assistance, “you missed the ceremony.”

It’s the chastising of someone who’s already given up hope of getting through, hand wrapped around a glass award.

The reason she’d come to Vegas.

“Vegas is so fun,” she replies, dismissing the man and falling into step besides Thalia, away from the gambling tables, “and yet you want me to spend my time here in a room full of corporate assholes?”

It does the trick, Thalia laughs, “so long as you make it to the plane for-,”

“I know,” she cuts off, “gosh mom there’s a reason I have a nanny!” She takes the trophy from Thalia before she can think to try and smash her head in with it, “I’m sure Katie’ll find a great place to put this were it’s not ostentatious.” Next tool the other awards.

“Pretty sure you gave up any hope of that when you built a hose overlooking the bay,” Thalia replies, her uniform looking nice and starched. She was at home in uniform more than Annabeth could hope to be in a dress, but it was Vegas and it felt right when she’d decided on the Cushnie. Now she was missing her comfortable suits. “do you have any clue how much real-estate is going for in San Fransisco these days?”

“It’s on the cliffs,” Annabeth adds with a grin at her old friend. They’d been at MIT together, back when Thalia had over-dyed black hair and ripped band t shirts, perpetually wearing sandals even in winter.

“Let me know when you want to settle down,” Thalia teases, “I’d love to be a trophy wife.”

“I thought they’d reinstated don’t ask don’t tell now with the new administration,” Annabeth wonders out loud.

Thalia nudges her side lightly, “don’t even get me started. I risk my life serving this country and this is the thanks I get back home! This is who the country votes for?”

The limo pulls up and Grover opens the door up for her, forever the gentleman.

Annabeth laughs at Thalia, “You know what they say, there’s no rest for the wicked. See you in a few.”

Tahlia shakes her head as she walks aways.

Annabeth grins and steps towards the open car door.

Before she can slide into the car and head home, a voice calls out behind her, “Ms. Chase do you have anything to say on the situation in Afghanistan.”

She looks at Glover, who helplessly shrugs, “I guess he’s hot. I don’t know. I’m only Juniper-sexual.”

Annabeth turns around, facing a rather handsome man, tall, broad shoulders and chiseled chin. It just reminds her of everything she’s not. This is the person that the military would love to deal with, not her. Not another Chase woman.

“Go for it,” she says with a grin, forcing herself no to pull down on her dress, it’s supposed to be this short. Maybe she needed a new tailor?

“Annabeth Chase, you’ve been called the Da Vinci of our times,” he starts, making her beam despite herself, she’s always a fool for flattery, “what do you have to say to that?”

“I do what I can to contribute to society, to making a better world.” It’s one of those vague statements her PR handlers had drilled into her. Harmless regardless of any context.

“What about your other nickname? The Merchant of Death? What do you have to say to that,” there’s teeth to his smile this time, a crusader then. Another reporter out to change the world.

“Let me guess, Berkeley ,” she says in lieu of an answer, the school was infamous for their many protests.

“Boston U actually.”

Annabeth nods. “Well, it’s an imperfect world we live in. I guarantee the day weapons are no longer needed to defend this country and it’s peoples freedoms I’ll start making bricks and solar panels.” She pauses, crossing her arms in front of her. This was the thing about dresses, where was she supposed to stuff her hands into? “My mother used to say that peace was having a bigger stick than the other side,” Annabeth says with a shrug. Athena had never spoken those words to her, but she’d parroted them often enough to the press. “And isn’t peace what we all want?”

He grins like he’s in on the joke, only highlighting how handsome he is, dark skin and even darker eyes, “interesting words coming from the woman selling the sticks.”

Even she grins at this, genuine for the first time all night. “What’s you name?”

“Isaiah, Isaiah Levey from Vanity Fair magazine.”

“Well Isaiah,” Annabeth replies, liking the way his name sounds on her lips, liking the look of him even more, “My mother helped defeat the nazis, she worked on the Manhattan project, she developed technology that propelled us into space and is now used in computers and phones. A lot of people, including your professors at Boston, would call that being a hero.”

Isaiah fires back, “A lot of people would also call that war profiteering.”

Annabeth’s lips draw thin, as the alcohol that’s kept her buzzed for the last hour wears off, “Tell me, do you plan on including the countless lives we’ve save through advancements in medical care and agricrops? All those breakthroughs,” she says pointedly, “military funding.”

“Wow,” he says shaking his head, “you ever lose an hour of sleep your whole life?”

And just like the fuckboys Katie always complains about, like she didn't somehow incorporate flannel into all of her outfits, she utters, “I’m prepared to lose a few with you.”

She might be off-putting at the best of times, and not half as beautiful as the wives of her fellow billionaires, but confidence could more than make of for those shortcomings.

Isaiah shrugs helplessly, grin on his lips, and he slides into the limo with her.

It’s been seventy nine days since she’d watched a humvee blow up. It was a lot nastier up close then in testing facilities out in Nevada, where distance made the explosion look beautiful.

Before she could register that they were under attack, before she could react and put her drink down or maybe finish it off and hope it was just a nightmare, the solider in the front. . .R-something. . .Reyes?. . .maybe it was Ramirez? Was telling her to get down, the words barely leaving her mouth before a gunshot splattered her brains reminiscent of a Pollock, body falling over like a puppet that had its strings cut.

Annabeth had looked around stupidly. She didn’t know what to do. More gunshots. More blood.

There had been smoke and dust and she couldn’t see anything, couldn’t even see her enemy until she heard the gunshots, seconds before they made contact, ripping through the Humvee like it was made of cardboard.

She crawls out, dodging behind the nearest rock, in too much shock. Her hand goes reflexively to her necklace, thumbing over the beads. More gunshots. There’s no way to know where to go. Who’s her enemy and where she should run too so she just stays hurled behind the rocks.

Annabeth wants to slap herself, throat choked on a scream. Everyone likes to believe they’d react the right way in a fight or flight situation but theres no right way and oh my god she’s going to die.

Then there was the missile, landing just close enough for her to make out the logo, the same logo she’d learned to recognize when she was still learning to write, Chase Industries and then the explosion and then nothing.

It’s night.

And the 10 rings members are suddenly filing in, guns locked and loaded.

Annabeth knows its night because the shifts changed. Even with their rotating shifts and change in partners, she’d quickly memorized their faces. Besides, at night, they yawn more.

They yell in their various languages, strutting around and throwing their weight before a bald man clicks his fingers, his face hard, with a glee in his eyes that speaks to a sadistic nature.

They grab for Armeen, dragging him before the bald man, knocking him to his knees.

The bald man must be the leader. Head held high, back straight as though he’s looking down at everyone. He can’t be much taller than her.

Annabeth might be tall for a woman, but she’s only average in comparison to most men and Hephaestus is taller than most. He’s also lanky, hands rough from hard labour. Not a handsome man with his large nose and small chin, eyes lost behind thick glasses.

He’s her friend and when they bring a hot iron rod to his mouth she finds herself yelling, “NO,” moving forward against her better judgement.

All the guns in the room point at her.

She blinks, realizing that no matter how valuable she is, how rich she is, how smart she is, they won’t hesitate to shoot. Their patience has worn through.

“I need him,” she utters, her protest sounding weak to her own ears, “he’s a good assistant.” She won’t have anymore blood on her hands. He has a wife and kids back home.

Annabeth only has Thalia. People she pays probably don’t count. Grover and Katie’ve no doubt found a new job.

She would’ve.

Then again, there’s a reason everyone’s always found her cold.

“You have twenty four hours to give me a Medusa Missile or I’ll shoot you both,” the bald man spits, “I don’t care who you are you bitch!”

She doesn’t wince anymore. The words cold bitch have long trailed after her.

The man kicks Hephaestus aside, before turning to leave.

Then their gone.

A look at him and they both know they’re in for a long night if her plan’s going to work, if they’re going to escape.

Annabeth wakes up at six in the morning on the dot the same way she has every day since boarding school.

Isaiah is still sleeping when she slips out of her room and down her lab.

Katie’ll take care of him later.

Katie’ll also let her know when it’s time to go, the only person aside from herself who knows the password down to her lab, her heels click on the glass steps.

“You are supposed to be halfway around the world,” she utters already scrolling through her ChasePad, a prototype of the latest version that was still in development, her tone leaving no room for argument.

“How’d she take it,” Annabeth says, pivoting while she looks over her latest engine, finding that the Lamborgini, no matter how nice it looked, handled like shit.

“Like a champ,” Katie replies.

“Why’re you trying to kick me out of my own house,” Annabeth asks, shifting her weight onto her other leg before it can fall asleep, the last few screws falling into places. At first it was just a matter of replacing the wheels and suspension, but once she looked under the hood, Annabeth knew she could do better.

“Your flight was scheduled to leave an hour and a half ago,” Katie says curtly. Grover must have told her how much she drank last night.

“You know, I do know my limit,” she responds, “and it’s my plane so shouldn’t it take off whenever I want it to?” She’s being ridiculous, Annabeth knows this, but. . .she doesn’t know.

She won’t see Katie for a three days. It’s not long in the grand scheme of things. . .

Katie ignores her, barreling on, “Social drinking is a stepping stone to alcoholism and I need to speak to you about a couple things, before I send you on your way.”

“I mean whats the point of a private plane if I’m still subjected to boarding times.” Grover had told her once about commercial flights and Annabeth had felt something inside her wither and die. It probably came with never having to deal with anything money couldn’t fix.

Maybe she should get out more, talk to people other than her employees and those with a vested interest in her company.

“Xiao called, she has another Jackson Pollock lined up for the auction, do you want it? Yes or no.” Annabeth couldn’t see any point to splatter paint, there was no technique or point really. She much preferred the carefully rated indian and egyptian art pieces. There was the greek technical prowess in sculpture and paintings, coming the closest to lifelike. But her dad had lover abstract art and modern art.

So, “yes,” she answers, turning around and gladly downing the last of her cup of water. Her head was still pounding even after the two pills she’d taken this morning. Hangovers were the thing that would knock down any impending alcoholism Katie kept nagging her about.

“It’s overpriced,” Katie informs her, “and not a great representation of his later renowned work.”

“I said yes Katie,” she sighs, hearing the snap in her own voice, scrambling to add, “it’ll be like those parents who hang up all their kids drawing from preschool.” Her mother had never done that, waving annabeth away until she’d come back with her first circuit board, lines deep around her mouth as she’d frowned and told her the how inefficient it was.

Katie smiles, “Okay. The MIT commencement-,”

“Is in June,” annabeth says walking up to the main floor, “nice try.”

“Well if I have to hear it then you have to hear it,” Katie teases, easily, the clack of heels on concrete a tell tale sign that she’s following close behind.

“Didn’t I hire you to hear it so I don’t have to,” Annabeth snipes back, knowing Katie won’t take it the wrong way. They’ve been working together for to long.

“I’ll take that as a yes and I need you to sign this,” she says offering up a long and complicated paper with fine print as they reach the main living room, her duffle bag and carry on already prepared for her.

“Wow you’re really trying to get rid of me. Why?” It’s blunt, the way Annabeth has learned to be in the corporate world and military world where old men will look down on her and call her girl.

“I have plans.”

Annabeth makes a face, “I don’t like it when you have plans.”

Katie rolls her eyes, “first of all that’s why we have unions and workers rights and secondly I’m allowed to have plans on my birthday.”

Annabeth winces. She’d forgotten. She relied so much on Katie to remind her of all her appointments and meeting, and she could hardly tell Katie to reminder of her birthday. “Is it? This weekend?” It must be November then.

That explained all the christmas decorations that had been up in Vegas.

“Yes,” Katie responds, smothering a laugh, “isn’t that strange? It’s the same day as last year.”

“Well, buy yourself something nice from me.” Annabeth never knew what people wanted and it just didn’t seem practical to guess. That’s how people ended up with something useless, that they didn’t want, and then had to figure out what to do with; regift it, throw it aways, or have ti sit in the back of your closet.

“I already did.”

“Is it a new and exotic species of plant,” She asks knowingly. Katie had a way with plants, managing to keep even orchids alive.

“Thank you,” Katie says with a soft smile, before thrusting Annabeth’s luggage at her and pushing her out the door where Grover awaits with the ferrari, one designed by the great Nikki Lauda, the splashiest thing her father ever owned. It had only needed minor adjustments.

Annabeth laughs and helps Grover throw her luggage in.

The suit works, she flies for a full fifteen seconds before crashing, just long enough to escape the fireball of explosions she leaves behind.

Along with Hephaestus.

Dead.

Another death on her hands.

Even in February, the deserts of Afghanistan are scorching hot, dry, her eyes are strained after spending almost three months in darkness, only broken by weak lighting.

In comparison the sun a entirely too bright, too much.

Her throat arched, a strip of fabric wrapped around her head as a makeshift hat, keeping some of the sun off her.

The sun keeps her going, orients her because the sun always east and sets in the west, no matter what part of the world she’s in, ignoring how everywhere she looks out to looks the same. Sand, and more fucking sand.

It’s been eighty days since she was kidnapped.

they must still be searching for her. Thalia wouldn’t abandon her. Besides she’d Annabeth Chase, billionaire wonderkid, child of the late great Athena Chase.

But the fear of wondering forever, until she collapses and dies nags at her.

There’s just so much sand.

Vast planes spreading out beyond her as she leaves the mountains at her back.

What are the chances of-Thalia. . .

. . .Thalia finding her. . .

She hears the sounds first, the beautiful roaring of army craft, too steady too be of any make other than the united states government.

It’s the most wonderful sound she’s ever heard.

Her hands spread out, waving over. . .

Holy shit! Holy fucking shit!

It worked!

Something in her chest loosens, a weight, the panic that’s been kept at bay by adrenalin, by need and focus, hummingbird panic that makes her arc reactor flicker in the bright daylight of the desert, worlds away from the gloomy rain of San Fransisco in the winter.

She can breath now.

She’s alive.

Alive.

A live.

It feels like something that belongs to someone else. The drinks and parties and work and billions in the bank.

That can’t be. . .her.

The image of her own missile landing right in front of her forever seared into the backs of her eyelids.

Thalia walks down and out of the aircraft, soldiers fanning out with heavy automatic arms pointed out into the desert plains.

Annabeth can breath now. She smiles, falling into Thalia’s arms, into her embrace. She’s never been more glad to see Thalia’s dark blue eyes, almost black in some light.

“How was the fun-vee?”

“Shut the fuck up,” Annabeth hears herself say and then she’s gone. Exhausted down to her bones. The weight of running for months on adrenalin finally catching up to her and she blacks out, sliding into R.E.M. sleep for the first time since SF.

Later Thalia’ll tell her she was debriefed and gave coherent answers before downing some crackers and a coke, getting a quick medical checkup, before they let her sleep.

She doesn’t remember a thing after she see’s Thalia. Her very own godly apparition.

#percy jackon and the olympians #percy jackson #annabeth chase #katie gardner #grover underwood #thalia grace #connor stoll #travis stoll #mine #pls validate me and my last weeks work

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thesoftdumbass · 6 years

Text

Hold My Hand

Montgomery “Scotty” Scott X Reader

Requested by Anon: May I request a Scotty fic where he really loves holding the reader’s hand and finds any excuse to do so?

Word Count: 3.5K

Characters: Scotty, Leonard McCoy, Nyota Uhura, Jim Kirk. Mentioned: Keenser, Pavel Chekov, Hikaru Sulu, Ben Sulu, Spock

A/N: Just a warning, I know absolutely nothing about engineering, so any time it is mentioned in one of my fics it is basically just the same thing.

I love this request so much, thank you Anon who sent it to me, and also I’m sorry that it took so long! I am working on other ones, I just want them to be good for you guys, and I have real-world problems and such, bleh. I really hope you like it!

masterlist

“Make sure you’re more careful next time, Ensign Y/L/N. I don’t wanna have to patch you up again,” Bones says with a cheeky smile as you walk out of an exam room, having just repaired the hand that you managed to burn in engineering. Shorting circuits can really smart.

“Don’t worry Doc, I don’t feel like dealing with your grumpy self. Have fun with those Andorian measles, though,” you snark back at him, winking as you walk backward out of medbay. You and Leonard see a lot of each other, you being a red shirt and all. Engineers tend to get a lot of injuries, and you decided long ago to make your time around the doctor at least mildly entertaining.

As you make your way back to the control room that you were working in before your unplanned break, you run into your supervising officer and friend, Montgomery Scott. He stops you when you move to pass him in the corridor.

“Y/N, I thought I told you to take the rest of the day off. You just burned your hand, you need to let it heal!”

“It is healed, Scotty, thank Heavens for dermal regenerators. The burn is gone and I have new skin to scar up however I please,” you smirk.

“Dinnae joke, Lassie. Injuries are no laughing matter,” Scotty reached for your hand anyways, gently cradling it in his own calloused one, fingers running along the patch of pink skin, causing a small wince to cross your features. You quickly school your face back to normal but Scotty doesn’t miss the movement, giving you a pointed look.

“I’m fine Scotty, I promise, I just need to finish stripping the wires on panel B and replace the fuses,” you insist and go to pull your hand back to your side and Scotty just lets you, a tight smile pulling on his features.

“Keenser will finish it, now go get some rest. Ye’ve got a full day of irritating your coworkers tomorrow.”

You look into Scotty’s eyes and find determination there, knowing that you won’t win a stand-off with the stubborn Scot. “Alright then. I’ll be back in the morning to get on your nerves,” you say with a smirk as you walk away, heading to your quarterdeck to change into some pajamas and watch old holos.

“Well this is just spectacular,” you mutter to yourself as you traipse through the streets of the planet you’re on. The ground mission that you were a part of ran into some trouble. The planet was inhabited by natives, but you didn’t know until too late that Klingons also took up residence there.

Your landing party had to break up and find your way back to the beam-down point in pairs, as a group of six would be too conspicuous. The disguise you are currently wearing is itchy, making you fidget, and your companion just chuckles as you scratch at your shoulder once again.

“What are you laughing at, Scotty?”

“Quit squirmin’, lass. You’re acting suspicious, you could get us caught.”

“I can’t help it, I’m nervous and this stupid dress is so itchy. What is it, made of straw?” you ask rhetorically, reaching up once again to relieve the discomfort.

“Here, give me,” Scotty grasps your wrist mid-air, moving his hand down to intertwine your fingers. “Maybe we’ll be more low-profile if we just walk slowly, look like a couple browsing the stalls.”

You nod your head, a thoughtful look crossing your face. “I think that’ll work.”

And so you make your way through the market, holding hands and talking normally the whole time, making sure you don’t draw attention to yourselves. You finally reach the edge of the city and continue on, reaching the rendezvous point within minutes of clearing the populous area.

Relieved smiles greet you as you rejoin the group, it seems you were the last two to arrive. “Oh good, you guys are back! We were afraid you’d been caught and we would have to send a team to scout,” Uhura rushed up to you, reaching for your arm only to find it still tucked into Scotty’s side. Her eyebrow raises and she gets a mischievous look in her eyes, pointedly looking down at your joined hands. You clear your throat and let go, not having noticed that you were still holding his hand.

“Yeah, we’re fine. We were trying not to draw attention to ourselves, so we just walked slowly.” Uhura accepts your answer.

“So everyone else made it back safely?” Scotty speaks up, making sure to check everybody for any apparent damage, and seeming satisfied at not finding anything wrong.

“Let’s get back to the ship, then.” Nyota pulls out her comm, calling up the Enterprise for a beam out.

Once you are safely back onboard and in your room you pull off the itchy disguise and let it fall to the floor, not wanting it to ever touch your skin again. Getting comfortable in lounge clothes, you replicate yourself a cup of tea to get settled and while you’re waiting for your drink to get done you start to wonder. Is there a reason that you kept your hand in Scotty’s once you were safe? I mean, sure, it’s nice to have that reassurance when you’re in a dangerous situation, but you can’t help but think that it’s more than that. Abandoning your train of thought for now, you grab your mug from the replicator and sit yourself down on your couch, resolving to figure it out on another day.

You dance along to the music, only swaying a little bit in your inebriated state. It’s a celebration night, Chekov’s birthday, and you feel justified in letting loose after dealing with the stresses of working for Starfleet. The song ends and you stop, becoming aware of how dry your throat is.

You make your way through the crowd to the bar, stumbling a little bit in your heeled ankle boots that certainly are not regulation issue. Ordering a cocktail for yourself, you look around and let out a loud squeal when you spot some friends. Scotty and Uhura are standing a few feet away, watching as Keenser and Pavel are having a drinking competition, it’s unclear who’s winning. You walk over to the group, joining in and cheering for whoever drank a shot quicker that round.

The little group is broken up when Keenser pounds his fist on the table twice, signaling his surrender. Everybody around you cheers and you laugh as Chekov stands up in his seat, raising his hands in victory and stumbling, almost hitting the floor. Chekov will have a killer hangover in the morning, but for now, he is happy to have won.

The group around you disperse, and you’re left standing with Montgomery, a large smile on his face and a tumbler of scotch in his hand. The two of you are talking about everything and nothing when your favorite song come over the speakers. Gasping and putting your drink down on a nearby table, you grab Scotty’s hand in yours.

“Dance with me?” you ask excitedly and Scotty can’t resist, the twinkle in your eye too bright for him to disappoint you.

“Aye, of course, Y/N. I have te warn ya though, I can’t dance worth a lick,” Scotty says and you just laugh.

“Come on,” you giggle, grabbing one of his hands in yours. You make your way to the crowd at the edge of the dance floor, but that’s not enough for you. Pushing your way through the throng of people and pulling Scotty along with you, you make it to the center of the dance floor excitedly.

By now your favorite song is almost over but you don’t let that bother you, dancing to it as well as a few songs that come on after it. You’re not exactly a skillful dancer, but you don’t let that stop you from having fun, doing whatever moves pop into your head. Scotty watches with a grin on his face, copying your moves as best he can and spinning you around a couple times.

When the heat from being surrounded by dancing bodies starts to get to you, you pull Scotty close to you, having to yell to be heard over the speakers. “Can we take a break?”

The two of you start to make your way back to the bar, finally getting a chance to cool down. It’s not a surprise that you almost fall, your feet tired from dancing and the alcohol still running through your system, though not as strongly now. Scotty catches you before you can hit the ground, holding you steady by the arms and bringing you closer to his body so he can support you.

“Are you alright? I can find you a seat if you’d like to sit down,” he offers.

“I’m good, I think I’m just gonna go to bed. I didn’t realize how tired I am.”

“I’ll walk you then.” With a smile, Monty puts his arm through yours and leads you out the doors of the recreation deck and you make your way to the turbo lift together. You walk in comfortable silence, leaning your head against his shoulder while waiting for the turbo lift to make its way to your floor.

You reach your quarters after a few minutes and just stand outside for a moment, enjoying Scotty’s presence. Eventually, though, you feel the long day and even longer night hitting you and you have to go in.

“Thank you for walking me back to my quarters, Scotty, and for putting up with my drunk self.” He chuckles, the sound warm and inviting.

“It’s no’ a problem, lass. Get some sleep, and drink plenty of water. I’ll see you on shift tomorrow?”

You just nod, your brain too tired and aching to form words. You smile when Scotty places a kiss on your hairline and make your way inside your room, taking off your dress and laying down, but not before drinking a glass of water and setting another on your bedside table along with a couple aspirin. And even though the after-effects of drinking are hitting you already, you are looking forward to work tomorrow.

You reach out a hand to steady yourself on the nearest object, leaning heavily on the rail of the walkway you are currently on. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” you mutter.

Your day had started out normally. That is until a Cardassian warship started following the Enterprise closely. Captain Kirk tried hailing them, but they jammed the signals before firing disruptor blasts, barely making a dent in the shields.

The ship shudders once again as you make your way through engineering, your destination the torpedo bay with a malfunctioning trigger mechanism. Everybody else was busy with other tasks, keeping the warp core functioning properly and making sure that the fires started from erupting sparks are extinguished quickly.

Almost to the torpedo bay, you stumble when the ship lurches. You’re getting tired of these Cardassians attacking you out of nowhere, just wanting to fix the torpedo so you can get out of this star system. Right as you’re about to open up the panel to fix the problem, you are interrupted by the door swishing open.

“Lassie, what are you still doin’ here?” Scotty asks, breathing hard from exertion and face red.

“I’m doing my job, Scotty, what’s the problem,” you ask, almost nonchalantly.

“There are Cardassians on the ship, Y/N! You cannae stay down here. You need to get to a safe location.”

“Well they’re not in here, I can still do my job,” you say flatly.

“But your job isn’t security officer, so we’re going to my office. You will be safe in there,” he pressed.

But Monty, what about the proton torpedo? We need it to disable their ship.”

“Please, Y/N. Come with me.”

You finally comply with his pleas, and after letting out a relieved sigh Scotty grabs your hand. Leading you out of the torpedo bay, you take a left turn out the door and head toward his office.

Scotty notices the Cardassians before you do. As soon as he sees the man and woman with light grey skin, the ridges on their faces standing out, he pulls you into an alcove and makes sure that you are both hidden from their wolf-like eyes. Pulling you into his side he brings his arm up to his chest, your hand still in his, resting just over his heart.

You revel in his embrace, his warmth keeping you grounded. Not that you feel like a damsel in need of rescuing, but you feel better knowing that Scotty is here with you. After a few minutes, you leave Scotty’s side to peer out of the small alcove you are in, finding the way clear to seek shelter.

Silently moving through the bowels of the ship, you make it to Scotty’s office without further incident and collapse onto the small couch in the room as Scotty locks the door behind you. He sinks into the seat right beside you and pulls you into his chest, content to sit with his chin resting comfortably on your head, waiting for the security officers to deal with the ship’s invaders.

It’s not until the alarms stop sounding and the red lights stop flashing that you remove yourself from his arms, thanking him for keeping you safe from the Cardassians and excusing yourself to check the ship for damages.

As you’re walking through the corridors after leaving his office, you can’t help but think about how willing you were to just sit and let Scotty hold you. Oh my God... you think to yourself. I have feelings for Scotty!

It’s finally Saturday and you have a night off after so long of trying to keep up with your crazy work schedule. So after a long day in engineering, your only plans are to eat a homey meal and curl up with a good book for a few hours before going to bed early. You’re already longing for the fuzzy blanket currently laying across your bed, the warm fabric-

“Y/N, do you want to come to movie night with me?”

You hear Scotty’s voice behind you and spin around, coming face to face with the man, the corners of his mouth turned up.

“Huh?” You ask, your head tilted in confusion.

“The bridge crew is gathering to watch old holos in the Captain’s quarters tonight. I thought you might want to join me,” he shrugs, looking around the hallway.

“That sounds fun,” you answer enthusiastically. After all, plans could be changed.

“Excellent!” Scotty exclaims but then lowers his voice to normal levels. “I’ll, uh, I’ll let you get changed out of your uniform and meet you on the senior officer’s deck at 20:00.”

“Later,” you say as you continue on your way to your quarters. You’re not sure what to wear, so you change into a pair of leggings and a cozy sweater with sleeves too long for your hands, a bralette underneath and a pair of converse on your feet. When in doubt, wear what’s comfortable.

You just leave your hair natural and head out, making it to where you’re supposed to meet Scotty just in time, him arriving just a moment after you. Scotty is also dressed down, a long-sleeved shirt and sweatpants in place of his uniform. He greets you and then you’re off, walking to Jim’s quarters and making small talk. You stand in front of the door just a few moments later, and suddenly your nerves flare up.

You’ve heard about these movie nights but you’ve never been before and you don’t know what to expect. You fidget with your hands trying not to freak out, before Scotty reaches over, grasping your hand assuredly before pressing the button to open the door and walking in with you following reluctantly behind him. Several voices greet you once you’ve fully entered the room and the door closes behind you and you wave shyly.

“Y/N! I’m glad you could come.” Jim comes over to give you a friendly hug. “The movie starts in a few minutes and there’s food and drinks in the kitchen, make yourself at home.”

You nod your head in thanks and make your way to the kitchen with Scotty, making a plate of food before walking over to the drinks table. Leonard is there with a glass of bourbon in his hand, and he smirks when you walk over to him. “Hot date?” with a quirk of an eyebrow.

You roll your eyes at his good-natured teasing, looking back at Scotty who is a few feet away talking with Nyota. “Aww, I guess someone’s jealous,” you rib back, poking him in the cheek. Len swats your hand away and laughs, his dimples showing up. You chuckle along and continue to talk and soon you’re joined by Uhura, who jokes about when Leonard and Jim will get together and get married.

By the time everybody is finished with their food and getting a refill on drinks, it’s time for the movie to start and Jim is turning out the lights and asking the computer to play the holo, a classic called “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark”. Scotty settles in the corner of the couch and you sit next to him, perfectly contented to be pulled into his side as the music starts.

About halfway through the holo, you stretch your back which has gotten stiff from sitting for so long, looking around at the gathered company. On the other end of the large couch is Leonard and Jim, you’re not surprised to find them cuddled close together. Next to them is Pavel, who has fallen asleep, drooling on Hikaru’s shoulder, who is messaging Ben on his PADD. Spock and Uhura are sitting next to each other on the floor in front of the couch, watching the film with mild interest.

As you’re observing the others, you feel a hand fall over your own laying on your leg and turn to your side, seeing Scotty looking back at you. There’s a softness in his eyes that you’ve grown used to from him and it warms your heart to see it now. You smile at Scotty, but then there’s a slight frown on his face but before you can ask him about it he’s speaking.

“Your hands are cold,” he says quietly, trying not to distract the others from the movie.

“They just get a little chilly sometimes,” you shrug. When you say this Scotty takes both of your hands in his, holding them and rubbing circles over the backs with his thumbs. You lean into the warmth he is providing, laying your head on Scotty’s shoulder and going back to watching the movie.

You don’t notice when you’re falling asleep, you just wake up later to the feeling of a chaste kiss being placed on your forehead. You open your eyes slowly to find yourself in Jim’s quarters still, the room dark except for the holo-screen, which is rolling the credits. Scotty is looking over at you, an amused look in his eyes.

“What time is it,” you ask groggily.

“About time for you to go to bed. Come on, I’ll help you back to your room.”

You nod and stand to your feet with Scotty’s help, stretching your arms above your head. You say goodnight to everyone, hugging Uhura before walking out the door, headed to your own quarters. You trail a finger along the titanium wall of the corridor as you walk and your shoulder bumps with Monty’s with every other step you take.

“Lass,” Scotty says softly to get your attention, gently grabbing the hand closest to him to pause your movement. You look to him, eyebrows quirked in interest. He reaches a hand up, tucking a stray piece of hair behind your ear, you lean into his touch and he lingers, a warm hand on your cheek. “I’d really like to kiss you now, if you’ll let me.”

Instead of responding, you reach up on your tiptoes, feeling Scotty’s breath on your face. You press your lips against his in a tender kiss, pulling back after a moment to see his reaction. Scotty’s eyes are closed, a slight blush on his cheeks as he smiles softly. You take that as a good sign, leaning back in for more.

You and Scotty stand in the middle of the hallway kissing like that for a few minutes and you know that somebody could walk by at any time and see, but you can’t find it in you to care. Eventually, you have to pull away to breathe, resting your forehead against Scotty’s and taking a few gulps of air.

“Would you go to dinner with me, Y/N?”

You giggle as if the answer should be obvious, reaching up and pecking Scotty’s lips once again. “I would love to, Scotty.”

You touch a hand to his cheek reverently before pulling away, reaching out a hand for him to take. And as he continues to walk you to your quarters, kissing you goodnight at the door, you wouldn’t wish to be anywhere else.

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#scotty x reader #montgomery scott #montgomery scott x reader #scotty #star trek #star trek imagine #star trek aos #scotty imagine #montgomery scott imagine #it's 2 am and my brain is fried and i can't think of anything else to add to the tags #i may do that after i get some sleep #night lovelies!

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jedwashere · 5 years

Text

A Billion Years Away - Chapter One

Empty In The Valley Of Your Heart.

***

It’s empty in the valley of your heart,

The sun, it rises slowly as you walk,

Away from all the fears and all the faults you’ve left behind.

***

Stardate 2507.03.22

U.S.S. Enterprise NCC 1701-I.

Whether deliberate or not on the part of several generations of Starfleet engineers, the Starships Enterprise almost all looked like ‘the’ Enterprise. There were design features that were common across the board: maybe not common to all ships, but there was always one of the key features present in every design. A saucer section, an elegant neck leading down into a sleek stardrive section, long nacelles swept back and extending out from the body of the ship. Oh, sure, a ship might miss out the long nacelles, or the swan neck might be shorter and more integrated, but there was never any mistaking the Enterprise when you saw her.

The U.S.S. Enterprise-I was the latest in that illustrious lineup of ships, and in many ways harked back to an older age. Starfleet, after a century of crises that had ranged from temporal manipulation to renewed hostility with Klingons to an invasion from outside the known universe (hadn’t that been a fun way to spend the 25th century?), had made a conscious effort (and not for the first time) to return to an age of exploration, hope, optimism. This was reflected in the classic lines of the I: her elegant swan neck leading from a round saucer to a cylindrical stardrive section, a glowing orange deflector array and thin, elegant pylons leading backwards to a pair of nacelles that were short, but stretched just far enough back to give the impression of length, movement, and speed.

This ship, Captain Alyn Jallistra had thought, when she first saw the Enterprise in drydock, was built for boldly going.

She had held onto that thought for the ten years she had commanded her, never letting it go. An unjoined Trill, Jallistra had always preferred the notion that life was short, to be lived, and then to be ended. Where all her colleagues and friends on Trill had been so eager to go and join with symbionts (or at least try to), she had been content to go to Earth, go through Starfleet Academy, and get her commission the old-fashioned way. Not that people still didn’t occasionally think she was a joined Trill.

It was an old irritant. Any time one of us is competent, or calm, or thoughtful, it’s never on our own merits, it’s because a symbiont’s doing it.

Still, she thought as she sat at her ready room desk, reading an old book. She had served as the Captain of this ship for a decade. Any old issues she might have had, she had long since gotten over.

The book was an older one, a prose adaptation of a holonovel: Captain Proton and the Dark Mirror. Written as an homage to science fiction books of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries by the late Tom Paris in the mid 25th century, it told of Captain Proton’s Encounter with an ‘evil universe’, and a gripping battle against dark forces.

It was all make-believe nonsense, of course. Real parallel universes, even the most extreme examples that Jallistra had read up on, were never so simplistic. Still, it was entertaining in its - what did they call it? ‘Campiness’?

Her computer beeped just as she reached a climactic moment where Proton had cornered his mirror self, the evil Captain Neutron (these names are ridiculous). Sighing, she marked her spot and put her PADD down, before tapping her computer's control panel.

“Authorisation Jallistra, Three Six Beta Upsilon,” she said with practiced ease.

A moment later, the image of a striking woman with brown eyes, greying hair, pale skin and the barest hint of a set of forehead ridges popped onto her screen, a soft smile upon her face.

“Captain Jallistra,” Admiral Kathryn Paris said evenly. “Good to see you,”

“Admiral Paris,” Jallistra replied evenly. “What can we do for you?”

“We’ve picked up something strange near your neck of the woods,” Paris replied. “It’s some kind of anomaly, originating in the Harlak system.”

“An anomaly?” Jallistra repeated. “What kind of anomaly?”

“We don’t know,” Paris replied quietly, “but it’s off the charts. You’re the nearest ship to the anomaly, so we’d like you to go take a look.”

Jallistra smiled. “Of course, Admiral. I’ll have us divert course immediately.”

“Good,” Paris said. She paused. “Be careful, Captain. If it turns out to be more than just a standard anomaly, I want you to pull out.”

Jallistra nodded. “I will take all the precautions I have to, ma’am.”

Paris smiled. “Good. Good luck, Captain. Paris out.”

Her image disappeared, to be replaced by the Federation’s symbol. After a moment, Jallistra let out a sigh, and tapped the intercom.

“Bridge, this is the Captain,” she said. “Please redirect our course to the Harlak system, warp six.”

“Aye, aye, ma’am,” the voice of Liam West, her alpha-shift Conn officer, said.

Well, there we go, Jallistra thought. Now we just have to see what happens next.

***

Erlös.

Lorca wasn’t used to comfortable beds, and so perhaps could be forgiven for making full use of it. He was lying down, the cover sprawled over his pyjama-clad body, his eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. The diffused light was brighter now, and he was forced to wince, but the light change was slower, so he accepted the pain.

He was lost in a flow of thoughts. One minute he was thinking of how he was going to pass off who he was - again - and the next he was remembering Michael Burnham, her eyes staring at him with…

… with what? Horror? Pity? Revulsion? All of the above?

I should never have gone back, the thought came, too quickly to be strangled in the crib. I should have stayed. Had medals pinned on me. Kept doing… what did they call it? Kept ‘boldly going’. Taken the hard jobs and won them for the Federation. I’d have been a damn legend.

And Burnham… Burnham with her gratitude, Burnham with her intellect, Burnham with that human heart that even a lifetime among Vulcans didn’t quell… she would have stayed with him. Been his officer. His protege. He’d have been able to leverage her commission, been able to win anything for her. In many ways, she was much easier than the Michael Burnham he had loved: his Michael had demanded an Empire, but all the Federation’s Burnham wanted was freedom, exploration, space.

All the things I love, Lorca thought. Or rather, all the things he had come to love. Perhaps it was the same thing.

There was a knock at his door, and before he could answer, a woman in more elaborate robes than Laurien’s entered the room. She was just as pale as Laurien, with white hair: despite this, however, she didn’t look a day over thirty. Lorca sat up.

“Captain Gabriel Lorca,” she said evenly. She looked around the room, before meeting his gaze. “I trust that the accommodation here has been sufficient for your needs. We have had few of your ilk here.”

Lorca gave another of his winning smiles. “Well, that bed’s certainly comfier than any starship billet I’ve ever been in. Any Starfleet Officer who doesn’t think that’s up to scratch probably needs a bit of a reality check.”

“I am glad,” the woman said. She smiled. “I am Eloise. I am the leader of the settlement here on Erlös.”

“Pleasure,” Lorca said. “I’m grateful you found me.”

“Perhaps you are,” Eloise said coyly. Before Lorca could ask what that meant, she continued. “Laurien reported that you say you command the starship Buran.”

“That’s right,” Lorca said, keeping his face neutral. Don’t give them an inch.

“Our people eschew technology,” Eloise said. “Dannik - did Laurien mention him?” At Lorca’s nod, Eloise continued. “Dannik is the one among us chosen to work with technology. I wanted to be sure of the details of who you are. And where you came from.”

Lorca found it was an effort not to frown, but he persisted. “Is there some confusion?”

“A little,” Eloise said. “When we found you, you had a stab wound that was quite severe, to the point where we had to have Dannik use our medical technologies on you.”

The way she said ‘technologies’ sounded like she was talking about magic. And yet she knew what Starfleet and the Federation was.

“You were also clad in clothing quite distinct from that which we are accustomed to Starfleet people wearing,” Eloise continued. “Much of it was burnt or otherwise damaged, but it was definitely not a Starfleet uniform.”

Not one you’d recognise, anyway, Lorca thought. Time to try out a story.

“That’s because it wasn’t one,” Lorca said grimly. “It was… it was the sort of attire my captors wore.”

“Your ‘captors’?” Eloise repeated.

“It’s… difficult to explain,” Lorca said. Gotta sell it, Gabe. “They were… it was…”

He shook his head, trying to give an impression of trauma. He’d certainly played that role before, thanks to his time playing Lorca of the Buran to Cornwell (damn her), Terral and just about anyone else.

“I understand,” Eloise said, apparently buying it. She smiled. “If you like, we can show you around while you’re waiting here for your people.”

Lorca nodded. “I’d be much obliged for a tour. Though, uh…” He motioned to his clothes. “Maybe if you’ve got a spare uniform lying around, I could swap into that? Walking around half naked doesn’t seem right to me.”

Eloise nodded. “Dannik will replicate a uniform appropriate to your rank, after he has sent the transmission. I will send Laurien with it shortly.”

“Thanks,” Lorca said, inclining his head. “I’m grateful.”

And despite himself, he was. These people had apparently patched him up: they didn’t have to, and if it had been his world, they wouldn’t have.

“And when we speak again,” Eloise continued, “we will speak of the means of your arrival.”

With that, she turned and exited the room, leaving Lorca to his thoughts.

‘Speak of the means of my arrival’, he mused. Be nice if I knew that myself.

***

Next Chapter

Previous Chapter

#star trek discovery #fanfic #fan fiction #captain lorca #alternate universe #plot bunnies made me #not my fault lorca was awesome

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etherealblasphemy · 6 years

Text

Adventure of a Lifetime

these just get longer and longer...

TW: Cursing (Cal has a very dirty mouth), mentions of injuries, mentions of angsty backstories (*laughs maniacally*), transphobic slur

Their wounds were finally healed. In the weeks it took for the gash on their chest to close up enough that it no longer needed stitches, Calrex found themself slowly warming up to these strange outlaws who had practically adopted them as one of their own. Cal was still wary of them, especially knowing that Draven was after them as well. They’d yet to wrangle the story out of them of exactly why that bastard was hunting them of all people.

With a yawn, they stretched their thin arms high above their head, cracking their neck to get the kinks out of it. Patton finally told them the night before they could start walking around the ship for more than a couple minutes. Though they’d never admit it to anybody, Patton had quickly become their favorite, with his paternal antics and constant smiles.

They swung their legs over the side of the cot that had been their home for the past few weeks as Patton happily doted over them, monitoring the cut across their chest. They were still unsteady, as the father-like figure had only allowed them to begin walking earlier that week, and only for short bits at a time.

“Believe me,” he’d told them. “You don’t want any chance of your skin beginning to dissipate again.” Thankfully, they’d listened to him, and now they could finally use their legs for what they were made for.

Cal stood cautiously, testing out the strength of their limbs. Figuring they were sound enough to stand, they took a tentative step forward on uneasy feet, not used to Patton’s absence. They didn’t fall, which they considered an ‘okay’ to step forward further. Letting out a breath of relief, their foot landed firmly on the solid floor. Smirking, they headed for the door. Now that Cal could move freely, they were going to explore every inch of this mysterious ship.

The doors opened as they waved their hand to reveal a long hallway splitting off into several other corridors. “Who in the heavens designed this place?” they muttered, craning their sore neck to look around at the pristine white walls. It was certainly boring.

“Oh, you’re awake already!” they heard. They turned their gaze from a brightly lit panel to down the hallway, where Patton poked his head out from behind a corner. “Follow me, I made breakfast for everybody!” They opened their mouth to ask why a kitchen was necessary in a spaceship, but their stomach interrupted them, growling loudly. Patton giggled. “Looks like I finished at the right time!” he laughed, the sound melodious and reminiscent of- Cal stopped their thoughts there.

They obediently followed the antlered man, who took them through a maze of hallways until they could smell the food and knew the kitchen was close. Patton waved his hand in front of a little panel, and the circular doors beside him spun open. Inside the room were the rest of the crew members Cal had met. L.O.G.I.C.- Patton and Roman had begun calling him Logan during their time on the ship- was seated at the table, his eyes scanning over pages of a leather-bound journal as he jotted down notes with a jet black feather that sparkled in the light. Roman was scouring through the cabinets, his hair mussed and unruly at this early morning hour; a bag of makeup that was definitely his was on the countertop, its contents spilling overboard. Anxiety was sitting on top of the countertop like a feline, contently munching on a piece of toast with what looked like jam smeared on top.

“Oh, Calrex, how do you feel today?” Logan asked, looking up from his notes and noticing them. They shrugged, not really sure themselves.

“I dunno. Bored, for one. Not much you can do in a cot for three weeks straight,” they complained, heading for a chair. Patton, meanwhile, headed for the cooking devices, where Cal noticed he had been making some sort of dish they had never seen before.

“What do mean, ‘bored?’ Believe me, young noble, there is so much just waiting for you!” Roman cried, triumphantly grabbing a small jar from a cabinet, proceeding to struggle with its cap as he tried to open it. “...Anxiety could you... maybe help?” he mumbled. Sighing, the emo grabbed the jar and twisted it open with little effort, handing back to the embarrassed prince.

Cal snickered. “And just what do you have in mind to entertain me, Princey?” They smirked, a hand on their cocked hip. The prince grumbled something with a spoon full of jelly in his mouth, snarfing it down like a hungry orphan.

“How you feel about robbing a bank, Calrex?” Logan asked, adjusting the navy blue ascot tie he wore beneath a black waistcoat. Cal’s smile widened, showing off a mouth full of sharp fangs.

“Positively! I feel very positive about robbing a bank!” they shouted with glee, already fantasizing about the destruction they’d wager. “Which one are we going to? How much are we taking? Can I use a blaster?!”

“Calm down, Calrex, it’s a simple operation so we may acquire the necessary funds to continue our “intergalactic punk acts,” as Anxiety refers to them. We are headed to an aquaterrestrial planet known as Levian, and we will only be taking as much as we need.” Logan smirked. “If the commoners nearby decide they would like to take back the money they used to pay egregiously overpriced taxes, however, then that is entirely up to them.” Cal huffed.

“Well, look here, everybody, the robot has a heart!” they exclaimed as Roman choked on his jam, laughing.

“Aw, he’s actually a big softie when nobody’s around to see it!” Patton said giddly, overly excited for both the upcoming adventure and Logan’s slip of character. “Anyways, I’m setting course for Levian as soon as we finish breakfast, so eat up everybody!” The other four hummed in acquiescence, munching on the food Patton had prepared for them. They all joined Logan at the table, though Anxiety allowed Cal to take his seat, leaning against the window behind Logan.

“So, tell me, Calrex,” Roman was saying, finishing off the last spoonfuls of his delicious jam, “why is it that you’re an outlaw? Whose feathers did you ruffle?” They hesitated briefly, the tension of their shoulders only noticed by the cameras in Logan’s eyes.

“...Actually, I’m not that sure myself,” they sighed, running a hand through the tangled locks of their hair. “I ran away from my orphanage, so I guess some people might consider that ‘criminal.’ According to my wanted posters, though?” They trailed off, licking their smiling lips, enjoying the suspense as the others leaned forward, eager to find out. “I destroyed an entire galaxy system, and killed everyone.” The table fell silent, taking a tense turn.

“Did you really?” Patton asked, his brows slightly furrowed.

“Well, of course I didn’t!” Cal cried, offended. “I wish I was strong enough or as badass enough to actually do it, but, nope, I can’t even hold my own in a fight…” They snarled at long-forgotten memories, bitterly recalling past grudges and losses. “Nah, I suspect it was some sort of shit Draven put together after- nevermind.” They cut themself off suddenly, gripping the edge of their seat tightly in their palms. The crew members noticed, but remained silent, inferring Cal’s story was one like their own- painful, and not to be discussed.

The rest of breakfast was quiet, most dialogue pertaining to one of them asking another to pass the butter. At one point, however, Logan asked Roman to pass him the salt, to which the prince replied, “I don’t think I can lift Anxiety, though.” That got a laugh out of the rest of them, however short-lived the relief of silence was.

Patton soon left for the cockpit, Roman following him. Logan turned his attention back to his writing, mumbling something about cross-space travel, leaving Anxiety and Cal to shuffle their feet awkwardly. The earthling coughed into the sleeve of his hoodie, feeling the silence stretch longer than he wanted it to.

“So, you like robbing banks? Who’re you, Nimona?” he asked, his voice small and tinny in the thick silence that preceded it. Cal nodded, thankful for something to distract them from something other than the quiet scratch of Logan’s pencil on notebook paper, paying no mind to the second part of his dialogue, more than likely a reference they wouldn’t understand.

“I’ve had quite a bit of practice over the years. A little nick of a galleon or two here, a little swipe of a jewel or three there, the usual. Most of it I give away, though. There are people who’re starving out there, so if going hungry one night means another person doesn’t die of hunger, I’d do it in a heartbeat,” they mused, gaining a faraway look in their eyes. Anxiety tilted his head, smiling softly as he saw Logan pause from his writings out of the corner of his eyes.

“Say, why don’t we talk to Thomas? He’s always fun,” Anxiety proposed, getting up and heading for the door. He stopped in front of the circuit board on the wall next to it and typed in something on the number pad. Cal watched him with confusion before a hologram appeared next to them. They shrieked in surprise, Anxiety sniggering with mirth.

“What is up, crew buddies? Who’s the new pal?” the hologram asked, turning to Cal with a smile that seemed too real to be digital. The hologram looked similar to Roman, though with light chestnut instead of blond hair swept over his warm brown eyes. He was donned in a bright red charvet shirt, though not much else. The image cut off right below his chest, an electric blue edge fizzing in the air like real-life glitches.

“Hi, Thomas!” Anxiety greeted, waving at the hologram, who waved back. “This is Patton’s newest childling.” Cal stuck out a hand before realizing the person apparently named Thomas was just a hologram, and shaking hands would most likely be one-sided.

“The name’s Calrex Bennova. Most people just call me the Pirate, though, seeing as I’m wanted in nearly every system there is,” they offered, quirking a side of their lips. “Who’re you, exactly?” they inquired.

“As Anxiety said, my name’s Thomas, your local, friendly AI! I’m basically the ship’s mind.” Cal narrowed their eyes, raising an eyebrow. “Logan was the one who programmed me, and he takes the more logical side of things, so he programmed most of my functions. Anxiety wrote down most of my speech patterns, though,” Thomas explained. Cal noticed Logan straighten at the mention of his new name.

“Oh no, you, too,” he said, pressing his lips into a thin line of frustration.

“Yah, Patton sort of changed your name in my database and I think Anxiety put a lock on it, so I guess I’m calling Logan from now on!” Thomas said cheerfully, shrugging his digital shoulders nonchalantly. Logan closed his eyes, taking a deep, audible breath.

“Ooh, hoo, hoo, I’m really regretting not leaving when I had the chance,” he muttered under his breath. He snapped his notebook shut, placing it delicately on the table as Cal and Thomas continued to examine one another.

The hologram tilted his head suddenly, his brows furrowing. “Ah, sorry, pals, but Patton and Roman are summoning me right now, so I gotta dash,” he said before the image was promptly cut off, nothing more than white static and garbled speech.

“Well, shoot,” Anxiety said, pouting. “There goes our only escape from boredom.”

“Nonsense, Anxiety, I can easily help with that.” Both Cal and Anxiety raised their eyebrows, clearly not seeing how the intellectual could possibly entertain them. “I recently memorized the entire Requiem scripture, which, despite its facade to be a book on religion, is actually quite an interesting commentary on our humanity and philosophy-”

“Nope, I’m good,” Anxiety said sharply, shaking his head fervently. “I’m going to go join Patton and Roman, so see you guys.” Anxiety finger-gunned the both of them, at which they cocked a confused eyebrow at the earthling’s antics, and make a hasty retreat from a possible hour long lecture on intergalactic morals. Cal breathed a laugh, rolling their eyes. They cast a side glance at Logan, catching him watching them intently.

“Don’t even think about it,” they warned. “I’m not about to be your next victim.”

“Very well,” Logan conceded. “Shall we join our crew mates?” Cal shrugged, getting up as Logan did the same. He waved his hand in front of the blueish panel, the doors opened, and they walked through in silence.

It didn’t take long for them to reach the cockpit, weaving in and out of a labyrinth of white-walled hallways. Anxiety was waiting for them there, Patton and Roman seated in the pilot chairs, small holograms flickering over their gazes. Cal’s breath stopped momentarily as they took in the sight of the room.

Behind them was a wall filled with buttons and wires and levers and all sorts of things that made no sense to them. The floor was transparent, giving the illusion of walking out right onto the stars. A faraway cluster of stars painted the heavens beneath them a neon purple, the celestial skies dark as a raven’s fallen feather. In front of them were two high-backed leather seats the color of marble, holographic screens popping up in front of them to deliver information. Ahead, the entire wall was one seamless pane of glass, not a single fingerprint visible.

It reminded them of happier times, when they could tell themself their childhood myths without triggering some painful memory. They bit their lip and focused on the stars twinkling like divine dancers slowly reaching their svelte arms towards them.

“...bank,” Logan was explaining, likely describing how they would go about robbing whatever establishment the robot had chosen. They cursed silently, having heard not a word. “Calrex, are you paying attention?”

“What? Who, me? Yeah, of course. I get a blaster and destroy everything in my path, got it.” Logan’s eyes narrowed, unimpressed. “Okay, fine, I got a little distracted by the stars and everything. Just tell me what I have to do, I’ll be fine.”

“Actually, I was going to ask if you wanted to take part. You have only just healed, and you hardly know anything about us. Robbing any establishment is more than just pointing a weapon and demanding resources- it is a carefully crafted dance where everyone knows the parts they must play in order for the performance to go as smoothly as possible,” Logan replied. Roman snorted.

“I thought we normally just go off the cuff and end up with you ranting how certain damages could’ve been avoided if we’d just listened to you,” he laughed, his reflection in the glass smirking.

Logan pursed his lips. “You see what I have to deal with?” He gestured towards the prince, who smiled and waved. Cal shook their head sarcastically, fooling the robot. “Roman’s a handful and he’s emotional and he’s illogical. Is that not the worst possible scenario for any being to encounter?” The crew mates shook their heads, biting back giggles. Logan sighed. “Well, I’m frustrated now.” Cal barked out a laugh, shaking their head as they let out a long sigh.

The hologram called Thomas appeared suddenly next to them, frightening them. “Fucking Calypso! Don’t do that!” they yelped, jumping about a foot in the air, a hand clasped over their heart. Thomas cracked a smile, sheepishly apologizing as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“Language, Calrex! Anyways, we’ll be arriving soon kiddos, so grab onto something,” Patton said, turning his head slightly to direct his words at the three behind him.

“What bank are you guys robbing this time?” Thomas asked.

“You’ll see,” Logan said, bringing out a pair of glasses from a breast pocket on his chest. “You all remember your illusions? Oh, Cal, you never gave me your answer. Do you want to take part in this? You’re free to leave at any time, now that you are sufficiently healed, though I must warn you that Patton does not like goodbyes.”

Cal thought for a moment. They and the crew had slowly warmed up to one another, though neither ever asked each other why Draven was hunting them. But in the few weeks they had been in the med bay, they had felt a sense of familiarity. A sense of home. A sense of belonging. It had been something they hadn’t experienced for a long time, something they only ever felt in wispy dreams that floated beside them in the heavens, mixing and mashing and creating beautiful creatures they knew they had seen somewhere beforehand.

Before them was a chance to finally have a family. No longer would they be alone. No longer would they be living on the streets. No longer would they be unwanted.

“Sure, if you want me,” they replied, lifting their head to the purple and navy skies, brilliant white stars continuing their immortal ballet. Logan nodded, Patton clapping happily. They let out a breath they hadn’t realized they’d been holding in. Part of them had latched onto distant memories that had begun fading, of the constant rejection, the endless days where they were told over and over again nobody wanted them today. Not yesterday. Not today. Not tomorrow. Never.

“That settles it. Come with me, we need to figure out a way to disguise you. Along the way I’ll explain our usual tactics,” he said, adjusting a pair of metal-rimmed glasses on his nose. He blinked, testing his vision, and determined his sight was not deterred by the pieces of convex glass. He grabbed Cal’s arm and led them out of the room, ushering them into one nearby. “Grab a stool, I believe we will be landing soon,” he instructed, grabbing a stool for himself. Cal followed the orders, and soon felt the familiar rumble of a spaceship entering a planet’s atmosphere, adjusting to the pressure and weather conditions.

“So, tell me, how exactly do you plan to disguise the most wanted outlaw whose face is plastered on every building you could think of?” Cal asked, lacing their fingers beneath their chin, settling their arms on a knee, feeling the ship begin to rock as the ship prepared to land.

“Roman will cover your scars, though I have no idea how, and I will provide you with an attire that should cover any other distinguishable features, yet still be functional should we encounter unnecessary problems.” With that said, the AI strode over to a chest in the corner of the room and opened it with a flourish, revealing dozens of clothing items packed neatly into the cramped space.

Cal’s eyes were immediately drawn to one piece. Though folded, they could tell it was a silk dress the color of faded cream. Logan noticed where their gaze fell and picked up the dress. As the garment whoosed into the air, a cerise ribbon fell out of the chest, falling on the floor in a heap, and Cal rushed to pick up the gorgeous material.

“I think I know how we can disguise you, Cal,” Logan simpered. They could practically see the gears turning in his head, his attention now focused on a chest beside the open one. He opened the smaller trunk, which contained beautiful jewelry and accessories. “Thank Calypso Draven’s nobles have such exquisite taste.” Pulling a few bracelets from it, Logan stepped back, surveying the items the both of them had acquired and looked at Cal, shoving the dress and bracelets into their arms. “Try this on.”

“For a someone as serious as you, you seem to know a lot about fashion,” they remarked, already shoving their pants off. They knew one of them had taken their shirt off to treat their wound, and besides, it’s not like Logan wouldn’t turn around anyways- which the robot had indeed already done. They pulled off their shirt, throwing the dress over them quickly, eager to see how the dress fit them. Around their waist they wrapped the cerise ribbon, tying it in the back. They slipped on the bracelets and told Logan he could turn back around.

He studied them, more focused on how well they would stay hidden rather than how the garment fit like a glove, giving them the appearance of a feminine being, a radical change from their previous experience. “It’s very flattering, Calrex. The guards should easily fall for this. Shall I acquire Roman for you?” Cal shrugged, nodding as their hands roamed over the soft fabric, marveling at its beauty. It had certainly been a long time since they had even dared to wear something so pretty, so untouched, so perfect.

It was a rogue feeling, one that dreamed of wearing dresses and slacks and jerseys and slips, unconcerned who thought what about them. But as they grew older, they had learned to forget these childish fantasies. They couldn’t afford wearing what they wanted, not if they wanted to stay hidden for as long as possible before Draven eventually found them again and they had to run for their life.

They had worn a dress once in their lifetime, a grey sleeveless one that tightened around their waist and puffed out slightly as though they wore a crinoline underneath. The best part of it was that no one had called them a girl or a tranny or anything except Calrex. That day, they had felt weightless, able to conquer anything. Pity the euphoria had ended so quickly.

With a start, they realized Roman had entered the room, Logan likely taking his place as copilot. The prince was mumbling to himself, carrying the bag they had noticed in the kitchen area. “Roman?” they asked, unsure what he was doing. The prince looked up, startled, and proceeded to gasp dramatically.

“Oh, I didn’t know Calypso herself was alive and well! You look absolutely stunning, by the way, but you shall look ravishing as soon as I’m done with you,” Roman said, smiling wickedly as he whipped out what looked like an eyeliner pencil from the bag. Cal inwardly groaned, ready to have their eye poked out or worse.

The prince got to work quickly, constantly swiping his blond hair back as he grabbed foreign objects from his bag, twisting open tubes and popping the lids off of jars. At long last, he stepped back to survey his work, and gave a satisfied sigh. “Take a look,” he said, pulling out a mirror from the seemingly bottomless bag. They take the mirror gratefully and held up it.

Cal nearly dropped it in surprise, taking in their transformed face. No longer were they the scrubby outlaw on the run for far too long, but an untouched person who had never seen poverty or war. They now took on the visage of a dainty damsel who had not yet met with death’s grim grip, their cheeks full and lips pursed, ready for the sweet taste of love. Roman had highlighted their cheekbones, covering their scars with mounds of concealer, and added dark grey eyeshadow to give their eyes more depth. They patted their cheek, seeing their reflection copy them, confirming they were real and not some illusion Roman had whipped up like magic.

They turned to Roman, smirking smugly. “How do you do this? This is incredible!” they gushed happily, ready to woo all the guards and have a good time. Roman shared their content, and the two began to exchange make-up tips they’d garnered over the years as Patton’s voice came over the intercom.

“Hey, kiddos, we’ve landed! Me, Anxiety, and Logan are all ready, so come on out whenever you guys are ready!” Cal hid a snicker, hearing Logan correct Patton’s grammar as the intercom shut off.

“I guess we join them,” Cal said, handing the mirror back to Roman. “Let’s go have some fun!” they cheered, exiting the room, promptly getting lost before Roman led them to the docking bay, where they rejoined the others.

“Oh, dear Calypso, Calrex, you look wonderful!” Patton squealed, running to hug his adorable child. They thanked him, grinning gratefully. “Right, let’s go do whatever Logan planned!” he cried with excitement as the robot took a calming breath, ready to go off on the Drisine for already forgetting the plan. Cal watched them, a bittersweet smile on their face. It had been a while since they’d witnessed scenes like this, been apart of scenes like this. Deep down, they hoped this sensation blooming in their belly like a rose at midnight would last, that maybe they could go on more adventures than just this one.

Lord Condor Finch’s Royal Bank of Taxes and Tributes was exactly like its name: huge, overzealous, and an obvious candidate for mockery and tomfoolery. Though imposing at first sight, the overuse of gold leaf was laughable, the guards sleeping were they stood was pathetic, and the amount of currency it actually contained in comparison to other banks the group had been to put a beggar’s tin cup to shame. It was perfect for the heist.

“So I know you already explained, everything, but why this bank of all places? I’ve been on the downlow for a while now, but even I know how crappy it is behind the scenes,” Cal was saying as they hiked up the long flight of cracked marble steps that led to the entrance.

“Easy,” Logan began. “Lord Finch is a moron. Thusly, his security systems are vastly inferior to others I have encountered. Besides, he taxes his people needlessly, some to the point of starvation, so by distributing the wealth within the vaults, not only might we save some lives, but the common people will begin to take our side, benefitting us in the future,” he explained as they finally reached the end of the stairs.

Anxiety bent over, panting for breath. “Give me a second, okay?” he wheezed, catching what little air remained in his lungs. Patton fussed over him, offering a canteen of water from his satchel. Anxiety shook his head, saying he was fine.

“Let’s get this over with, shall we?” Roman said, fixing the lapels of his white suit jacket. The copper on the goggles perched above his ever-present flower crown shone brightly, nearly blinding Cal as the prince turned in the sunlight. “The steampunk aesthetic belongs to Remy, and to Remy alone.”

With that said, the group moved. Cal stuck with Roman; their jobs were to distract the tellers. If the Generals broke loose, Cal had a blaster hidden within the handbag they clutched nervously. They were hoping for chaos.

Roman laced his arm with theirs, giving his most charming smile. “My dearest sister-”

“We don’t look anything alike, try again.”

“Roman glared at Cal. “My dearest friend,” he started again, “what a lovely day for us to go to the bank to make a withdrawal!” Cal sighed, raising an eyebrow. “Quiet, I’m a great actor, I just have unique methods.”

“You can say that again,” they mumbled under their breath. Roman playfully whacked Cal’s arm, huffing in exasperation. Cal’s attention, however, was already gone as they entered the massive bank. Despite its shady purpose, the bank was a magnificent sight to behold.

The golden wall stretched up for what must have been forever, curving into a domed ceiling, where a chandelier made of thousands of crystals glittered, reflecting rainbow patterns onto the walls. Dozens of little stalls were lined up against the walls, all leading towards a single door in the back of the room, which undoubtedly led to the vaults. Above the door hung a ginormous portrait of the irascible Lord Finch in all his glory, sporting a cape of loon feathers and too many medals pinned across his chest like some feeble attempt to give credence to his leadership abilities.

Looking around, there were only two or three tellers. Cal grinned. This would be easy. Roman grinned, too, sharing a knowing glance with the pirate. “I’ll take the mermaid,” the prince said, gesturing subtly to a fair maiden currently combing through aegean and peacock locks, cream seashells poking out in some places, looking bored out of her mind. “Can you handle the other two?” Cal glanced at the tellers on the opposite side, seeing a merman who definitely had to be the mermaid’s brother or something and a young girl whose eyes were the color of amethysts. They nodded, a wicked grin forming on their lips.

“I got this,” they said, hurrying off to the neighboring tellers. “Good morning,” they greeted, smiling sweetly as they approached the tellers. The merman stood at attention immediately, jolting awake as the young woman waved cheerfully. Cal headed for the woman. She would prove to be more a challenge. “My mother recently made a deposit here, but she would like to withdraw the amount. She’s fallen terribly ill, you see, and needs the money to pay for her medication,” Cal alleged, batting their eyelashes seductively. They could practically see the young lady melt at the charms they had picked up from the streets over the years.

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, miss,” the woman said, speaking as though she had a bag of marbles stuffed in her mouth. “What was her name?” she asked. Cal swore under her breath. “What was that?”

“Nothing. Her name is, uh… Cassandra. Cassandra Ildris,” Cal offered stoically, swallowing the lump in their throat as the young woman brought up a hologram, pressing a dainty finger to the screen to scroll through a long list of names written in electric blue. The young woman furrowed her eyebrows.

“Hmm, I don’t see your mother’s name on the list. Are you sure she made a deposit here?” the teller asked. Cal nodded insistently.

“Perhaps she used one of her other names. She’s been married twice now, including my father,” Cal explained. “If you just check all names under Cassandra, it would likely be fastest,” they said, leaning down slightly, watching the teller’s gaze glance down before meeting with Cal’s eyes again. They smirked mentally. Too easy.

“All right, but I’ll have to ask Damien to help me. I’m not that good with technology,” the teller confessed, laughing nervously. “Damien, could you come over here and help me?” Cal grinned. Perfect. Glancing upward, they saw a small wooden beam painted white to match the walls. If they aimed just right, they could bring it down and trap the tellers. It might not be exactly what Logan had planned, but it would certainly be more fun.

The moment the merman called Damien entered the stall, however, a shout came from the other side of the spacious room. Cal turned to see Roman back away from the stall, the mermaid saying something unintelligible, waving her hands furiously. With a burst of mist, she cast a spell. The result nearly made Cal choke on their laughter.

Roman shrieked as he felt his now enlarged head, nearly double the size it had been before. At that moment, Anxiety chose to run in, who took one look at the enchanted Roman and said, “Oh, my God, it’s finally big enough to fit your ego!” He fell to his knees, laughing hysterically. Cal soon found themself unable to contain their own giggles, laughing as well as Roman began panicking.

“Um, help!” he cried.

“What did you do to Faerin?” the merman asked, running out of the stall towards the prince, who immediately began backing away, walking around like a drunk man as he tried to hold his head upright. “What did he do to you, my princess?” he asked the mermaid as Cal watched on. The other young teller ran out from her stall, joining the merpeople as they exchanged words, Damien’s eyes soon boring into Roman’s. “You will pay, you vicious fiend!”

“Oh, I should probably help him,” Cal mumble under their breath, pulling out their blaster. “Eat crystal, motherfucker!” they cried, firing the gun up at the chandelier. They didn’t know what to expect, but an ominous rumbling emanating for the ceiling was hopefully a good sign. From the corner of their eyes, they noticed Anxiety rush towards Roman, grabbing his arm and getting him away from the tellers and whatever Cal had initiated. They glanced up to see a myriad of spider cracks running across the ceiling, just barely touching the chandelier. “Hmm. That’s probably not good,” they said, beginning to head towards the back of the room, where Anxiety and Roman were headed.

They took one step forward and heard a resounding boom echo through the interior. They gulped, eyes widening, and bolted for the earthling and prince, not one second by their side before they heard a loud crash, turning to see the chandelier hitting the floor, the crystals smashing into smithereens as the brass structure holding it all together pinned down the tellers, trapping them all together. From behind them, Cal heard someone enter the room.

“Nicely down, you two- dear Calypso, Roman, what did you do?” Logan said, a large, bulky creature Cal assumed to be Patton following behind, carrying several medium-sized satchels, the coins creasing in the fabric. Roman whimpered softly, embarrassed. Anxiety rubbed Roman’s back reassuringly, calming the prince down. “We should probably leave,” Logan remarked, eyeing the enraged merman chanting in a foreign tongue.

The others agreed and they ran for one of the tall gilded windows by the door, where they had formerly agreed they would exit, as Logan knew the guards would more than likely block their original entrance. The creature known as Patton leapt first, his body weight easily shattering the glass panes. With a whoop, Anxiety jumped out, pulling some sort of martial arts move as he dove out the window, rolling as he hit the ground. Cal shot their blaster once more, firing randomly at a wall before diving out the window after the prince and the robot had clambered through awkwardly.

“FUCK YEAH!” Cal shouted giddily, a wide grin plastered across their face. The others rolled their eyes lightheartedly. Their mission, however, was not over yet. They still had to get away. Their grin grew, showing off sharp fangs, as they raised their blaster, squinting at a couple nearby trees as they jogged after the gang, nearly tripping over their feet. With a laugh, they fired a final time, directly hitting the trees, setting them aflame. Immediately, the nearby guards, all dressed to the nines in their saffron red and midnight blue uniforms and shiny black boots, ran to the fire, panicking. “That should distract them for a while,” Cal whispered-shouted to their companions, who cheered as they ran around trees, jumped over small fences and walls, and avoided any more destruction.

They all sprinted towards the nearby wooded marsh, tall pines sprouted up, outstretched towards the emerald sky dying down to a husky, smokey blue. As they reached the brackish waters, the sounds of confusion fading away, the water began seeping into their boots, the thick fog that hung in the air suffocating them, the setting sun blinding them.

“Yeesh, Logan, why do you always pick the worst places for us to hide the ship?” Roman grumbled, still holding his head so he wouldn’t fall over like a newborn. Logan simply shook his head, not bothering with a response. They continued trekking around the edge of the shallow parts of the marsh, heading deeper into the wildlands where they had hidden their ship. “Shouldn’t we see it by now?” Roman asked as a soft whisper cut him off.

“He-llo?” a voice called from all around, as though the voice wasn’t coming from just one place at one time, but rather every place at every conceivable moment. The crew froze, all looking in different directions. Cal glanced at the water a few feet away, where the water was much deeper than where they stood, and shrieked when they saw a pair of yellow eyes watching them from underneath the surface. For a moment they thought it was Draven before realizing he would never go anywhere near a marsh, too afraid of getting his precious cape wet.

“Who are yo-u?” the voice asked, echoing across the otherwise silent swampland. Cal stared down those eyes, convinced the voice belonged to the body that held those eyes. “Who are yo-u?” they repeated. The voice sounded familiar. If they closed their eyes, they could almost picture-

“Cassandra?” Cal spoke aloud. The eyes in the water were unwavering. By now, the others had noticed the yellow eyes, too, and were coming up behind Cal, ready to fight off whatever foe was calling out to them.

“Who-o is Ca-ssandra?” the voice said as the eyes rose slightly, revealing slivers of a face soaked in water. “Who are yo-u?”

Cal stepped forward, cringing as they felt the water and dead pine needles spill into their boots, soaking their socks. “My name is Calrex. Cassandra… Cassandra was a friend of mine. You sound like her,” they told the eyes. The eyes seemed satisfied with the response, blinking slowly as they registered the answer.

“My na-me is Mi-la,” the sighing voice replied. Without warning, the eyes leapt into the air, bringing with them a face, body, and mind. Before the astounded group floated a young girl, skin blue as the water she lived in, eyes wide and unblinking. Water droplets coated her body, clinging to her skin as though it didn’t want to leave, forming a dress that covered her like a ball gown, the water becoming long, draping sleeves and a high collar. Her sweeping hair that spilled past the small of her back was made of reeds swaying in the breeze; in fact, her entire body swayed as though she was made of liquids herself. “Yo-ur not suppo-sed to be he-re,” Mila said, waving a single finger childishly to emphasis her point.

“Our spaceship is here,” Cal told the water nymph. “Do you know where it is?” they asked, having a feeling the nymph did indeed know the location of their hidden ship. Mila nodded shyly.

�� “I kept it hi-dden for yo-u,” she whispered, drawing both her hands close. “Ingare nadia,” she chanted quietly as the water began leaping up just behind her, dancing like bolts of energy. As the water parted, fragments of cool white metal appeared. With a giggle, Mila lifted her hands into the air as if praying, and the water enveloping the ship did the same, raising the bulky vehicle in a bubble. Logan stepped forward, ready to get away from the chaos they had created at the bank. Mila suddenly whipped towards him, throwing up a wall of transparent water to block him from continuing forward.

“Mila, you want something from us, right?” Cal asked, remembering previous encounters with water nymphs that had not ended well. Mila nodded, her lips parting into a youthful smile.

“Tw-o things,” the nymph said, holding up the equivalent number of fingers. “One, a ki-ss from the pri-nce,” she said, blushing as she glanced at Roman, who flashed her a charming smile. “Tw-o, an apology for hur-ting Fae-rin... She’s my only fri-end.” Mila ducked her head.

“It doesn’t seem to bad an offering. I say we take it,” Cal proposed, turning to the others. Logan shrugged, as did Roman. The creature known as Patton squealed, indicating an agreement. Anxiety, however, stepped forward.

“Undo whatever spell was cast on Roman and I’ll be your friend,” he offered. In a more gentle tone, he added, “It’s got to be lonely, out here all the time, when nobody ever stops by or says hello.” Cal’s brow raised. They’d have to ask about that later.

“I’ll be your friend, too! It would be an honor to share a friendship with such a magnificent young lady such as yourself,” Roman commented. Patton barked, agreeing with the earthling and the prince. Logan sighed, muttering something along the lines of, “I’ll offer companionship as well.” They all look expectantly at Cal.

“What, do you really think I wouldn’t want to be friends with someone like Mila? She’s cool enough, I wanna be friends with a water nymph,” Cal remarked, turning back towards a smiling Mila. “So, what do you say? We accept your offering, what about ours?” Mila lifted her yellow eyes ever so slightly and grinned, nodding.

“I would li-ke more fri-ends,” she mumbled. She drew closer to the group, her feet barely skimming the surface of the marsh, until she floated in front of Cal. Mila shyly extended a hand. Cal grinned back at the little nymph, grabbing the hand and shaking it firmly. “Ke-ep your end of the de-al first,” she said as she drew her graceful hand back.

Cal glanced over at Roman, who stumbled forward as Anxiety shoved him forward, the shadows on his face just barely concealing his smirk. “Go on and kiss the girl,” he said as Roman’s eyes lit up at the phrase.

“Oh, I love that movie with the mermaid!” Roman exclaimed as he neared the nymph. “Perhaps we can show it to Calrex tonight?” he inquired, pursing his lips as he batted his eyelashes.

“Only if you get us out of the mess you caused,” Anxiety replied. Roman scoffed, but turned towards Mila, who had sunk halfway into the water to be eye level with the dashing prince. Flashing her his trademark grin, the prince leaned over and pecked the young girl on the cheek as she blushed, giggling in a manner that echoed across the marsh.

“I apologize most deeply, my dear Mila, for hurting your friend. Do accept my most sincere and heartfelt apology,” he said, bowing deeply. Mila laughed, a tinkling sound that reminded Cal of fairies.

“It was fu-nny hearing it from the wa-ter,” she mused. “Th-ey tried to mi-mic it, yo-u flirting with Fae-rin and fai-ling.” Mila turned towards the others, whose interests were now piqued with curiosity. “He to-ld her, ‘Yo-ur eyes shine like the mo-on on a cry-stal ni-ght,’ ‘Yo-u’re the mo-st beau-tiful sea crea-ture I’ve met.’” Mila burst into laughter, clutching her stomach as Cal glanced at Roman.

“You called her a sea creature? No wonder she cast a spell on you!” they uttered, shaking their head in exasperation. Roman spluttered, unsure how he could spin some sort of witty response from this humiliation. Mila sighed.

“Yo-u kept your bar-gain, now I ke-ep mine,” she proclaimed as she throw her hands up in the sky, waving them as though she was signaling some passing ship. “Vocifere, caban!” With the enchantment cast, a cloud of smoke encapsulated Roman, dissipating to reveal the mermaid’s spell had been reversed.

Roman clapped both hands over his face. “Oh, my gorgeous head is back to normal! Anxiety, do I look okay? Because a prince has got to slay,” he asked. Anxiety laughed, disguising it with a cough.

“You look fine no matter what’s happened to you, don’t worry,” he reassured the prince. “Anyways, Mila, thank you so much for your help,” he thanked the nymph. “We might not be able to come back for a while, but we’ll try to return as soon as we can.” The nymph smiled happily, waving. The wall of water blocking Logan suddenly dropped down, scaring the robot. With a few more thanks and a couple vociferations of the marsh water soaking their feet, the group finally clambered onto the ship.

As the door shut, Cal swore they heard Mila say, “Go-od luck, Pi-rate. Fi-ght and pro-sper.” Perhaps it had just been the wind.

“Alright, kiddos, let’s get out of here before the guards find us!” Patton said, morphing back as he threw the heavy satchels off his shoulders, heading for the cockpit. Cal felt a breath of relief rush out of them as they followed the Drisine. They’d done it. Nobody had gotten (fatally) injured, no guards were firing at them as the ship started up its engines, and they had actually done something.

“What a heist,” Anxiety sighed, leaning over the copilot’s chair, dangling his arms in front of Roman’s face.

“That was certainly an ordeal,” Logan huffed, settling onto a stool as Patton skillfully guided the craft into the air, where they could easily see the miniscule figures of guards and peasants all grouped around a hole in one of the bank’s back walls. A pile of golden coins shimmered on the ground, spilling from the vault inside the building. “Hmm, looks like the commoners are taking advantage of Lord Finch’s private income,” the robot noted.

“I don’t know about you, but I could use a drink or two,” Cal stated. “Calypso knows after all this, it’s gonna take at least seven Harvey Wallbangers to forget the sight of Roman’s head double its size.” Lighthearted laughter overtook the cockpit as Roman groaned, wishing he, too, to forget what would likely be held against him for the rest of his life.

“Let’s just head over to Remy’s already,” the prince pleaded.

“Alright, I’m setting course for there now,” Patton said. “Boy, I won’t forget that adventure of a lifetime. And Cal got to be a part of it!” he squealed, his smile practically crushing his cheeks. Cal quirked up a corner of their, the feeling of apprehension beginning to sink in.

“If you don’t mind,” they began nervously, “I’d like to keep having more adventures with you guys. At least I wouldn’t be bored.” A silence fell and immediately Cal knew they said the wrong thing.

Patton squealed even louder, confusing the outlaw as to how the windows had yet to break from the high-pitched noises. “Oh, we would love that!” he exclaimed as he got up from the pilot’s seat to hug Cal tightly, Roman huffing as he took over Patton’s duties to fly the ship. Though first surprised at the kind gesture, Cal felt themself relax, awkwardly wrapping their arms around the Drisine to hug him back. The warmth that followed was something they remembered feeling a long time ago, when they were still an innocent child.

Yeah, they could definitely get used to this.

WOOT WOOT WOOT ANOTHER CHAPTER UP! I hope all you lovelies enjoyed this new installment! (It was so much fun to write the bank scene)

Hey guess what I was inspired over the weekend for a chapter that probably won’t come up for a while so here you go:

“I will give you world. Every night, I'll let you know how much I love you in a hundred different ways. Every morning, when you wake up, I'll be by your side, whispering sweet nothings, telling you how beautiful you are, how your eyes look like the heavens when you're excited, how you are the bravest person I've ever met. Every day, I'll sing a ballad of praises for you. I will make you and this entire universe see how much you mean to me, because lavehsea, I’m so in love with you I might just burst, and dear Calypso this went so much better in my head.”

Hmm, may have just spoiled what that story’s about... heh.

AnYwHo, thank you all for reading, reblogging, and leaving likes :)

TAG LISTO (let me know if you want to be added or removed):

@asofterfan

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asleepinawell · 6 years

Text

Neon and Dust: Chapter 2

The continuation that no one asked for of the Shoot Space Western that no on asked for.

I have a chapter 3 written but I decided I need to trash it and completely rewrite it, which is why I’ve been stalled on writing this for so long.

I did some minor updates to Chapter 1. Mostly world-building stuff. I’m still not completely committed to writing the full fic yet…would be a lot of time and effort and I don’t know how much interest there’d be. I feel like this chapter isn’t quite as fun as the last one due to world-building info dump, but eh.

Still rated pg-13 at this point though I’m strongly leaning towards the rating going up at some point.

(Chapter 1 |Chapter 2)

Shaw had taken one look at the unnecessarily large feline that Bear had attempted to corner in one of the storage compartments and decided that Reese could deal with the damn thing. She did wait around long enough to encourage Bear to stick up for himself, but the big dog was only interested in following the cat around with a sad look in his eyes, hurt that his new friend wanted nothing to do with him.

It figured that Root’s cat would be a jerk to her dog.

Mortimer, as Root had called him, was the size of a small dog himself, and while nowhere near as large as Bear, the regal long-haired black and white menace carried himself like a king.

“What the hell is that thing?” Reese asked, standing behind her as if afraid the cat would attack without warning.

“Looks an awful lot like your problem,” Shaw said and ducked past him into the narrow hallway, ignoring his indignant grumbling. Neither of them was really in command per se; they were equal partners in the transport business. Most differences of opinion were settled by coin flips, squabbling, or someone getting ‘accidentally’ locked in their room for a few hours (Shaw had never been the someone). Reese didn’t follow her down the hall, so she claimed that as a victory.

And besides, her task was equally unpleasant.

Despite her claims to the contrary, Root had been nowhere in the vicinity of her monstrous pet, and Shaw needed to know where they were supposed to be hauling her to. And, more importantly, sorting out the question of payment.

None of the unused crew cabins had any sign of her presence and the galley, engine room, cargo bay, infirmary, and bridge were all empty.

There was only one thing on the Indigo Five (besides Mortimer) that belonged to Root, and Shaw headed up to the tiny hanger at the top of the ship.

While a small ship could attach itself to the outside dock of the Indigo Five, the entire dock could also lower into the hanger and be sealed inside to protect the smaller vessel from the stress of blinking. Root had found the control panel on her own and lowered Paradox down into the hanger. The heavy doors in the ceiling were shut and sealed now and Root was lying on top of her ship on her stomach, dangling most of her upper body into the cockpit as she rummaged around.

“What the hell type of animal did you bring on my ship?” Shaw asked by way of greeting. “If he scratches Bear he’s getting airlocked.”

Root looked up. “Mortimer is a sweetheart,” she protested. “A total softie. He wouldn’t harm a soul.”

Mortimer’s paws had been enormous, way too large for any domestic cat Shaw had ever seen. He looked like a predator.

“Well,” Root amended, “he might have ripped a man’s throat out once. But he was only trying to protect me. He’s very loyal.”

Shaw gave Reese even odds against the hell beast.

“He’s going to cost you extra. Excessive shedding. Speaking of which, how do you plan to pay for this little trip? Double our rates, remember?”

Root hopped down from the side of Paradox, using Shaw’s shoulders to steady herself. When she didn’t immediately remove her hands, Shaw brushed them away and retreated to a safe distance. She wouldn’t put it past Root to try and knock her and Reese out and attempt to fly the Indigo Five herself. Probably right into a mountain.

Root pulled a small credit chip drive out of her pocket and held it out. “No tricks this time, Shaw. All of this is on the level.”

“With you I’m going to assume that’s bullshit until proven otherwise.”

She stalked over to the computer terminal set in the wall and inserted the credit drive. Most people used their implant chips for things like money transfers, but larger amounts and shady deals still relied heavily on the little credit drives. Also she wasn’t sure if Root could use an implant chip what with being on Samaritan’s most wanted list and all.

The amount on the drive was absurdly high, but the transfer account appeared legitimate. Shaw pocketed the drive and turned around to find Root hovering in her personal space.

“These funds clean? They better not come back to bite me in the ass.”

“The credits definitely won’t be the thing to bite you in the ass, Shaw.”

She never let up, did she?

“Fine. Let’s say I believe that this isn’t going to get Galactic Enforcement on my tail. Where are we taking you? Amount in the drive is enough to get you all the way to the Hub Planets and then some.”

Which was a bit ridiculous. Melior, the so-called capital planet of the Interplanetary Republic was five terminals away. Part of the reason they were on this godforsaken planet was because of its distance from anywhere developed.

And now that she thought about it, Root obviously wanted to go to Melior. She’d probably wanted a ride with the Indigo Five specifically because they were just as eager to stay off the radar as she was, but could also dock at Genesis, the capital city, without attracting attention and with Paradox safely hidden.

“Melior? Really, Root? Your boss put you up to this? Or is this your own dumbass idea?”

“I wouldn’t be going if it wasn’t important.” The slight edge in Root’s voice told Shaw she wasn’t lying through her teeth for once.

“It’s a bit of a long haul. Take a few days and we’ll have to stop and refuel at least once.”

The Ore Colonies were just far enough away from the Central Systems to be fairly lax in security, but close enough that most inhabitants were Interplanetary Republic citizens and things considered civilized amenities (like fuel stations that took credits) were readily available. Any of the Central Systems would be dangerous for a wanted fugitive like Root, but the Hub Planets, the six most developed planets right in the middle that made up the beating heart of the Republic, were by far the most heavily surveilled.

“That’s fine.”

It didn’t sound like it was fine, but Root wasn’t going to find a better ship out this far.

The Indigo Five was built to be fast and maneuverable, but she couldn’t hold up to extensive terminal travel the way larger, more armored vessels did, so Shaw always paused between blinks to run a basic diagnostic, make sure she hadn’t been damaged. It drove Reese nuts because he’d rather blow right through multiple terminals and worry about the consequences later, but she was Shaw’s ship now and Shaw was very firm on this rule.

“I’ll get us off this rock and headed to the terminal then,” Shaw said, turning away. Root’s smile wasn’t quite as confident as Shaw was used to seeing and it was setting off alarm bells in her head. This whole situation reeked of trouble. “You know where the bunks are at?”

“Why? Are you inviting me back to yours?” Root trailed along behind her.

“No. In fact, you get the one furthest away from me.” She paused by Paradox again, annoyed as always that Root hadn’t named it ‘the Paradox’. Not having an article in front of the name made it sound like she thought of it as a pet or something, which maybe she did. She was a bit weird like that.

“I get a bunk?”

Shaw looked back to catch a confused expression on Root’s face that quickly vanished.

“You’re a paying passenger even if I’m not crazy about it. Where did you think you’d sleep? In that heap?” She gestured at Root’s ship with her thumb.

Root shrugged. “Guess I didn’t really think about that.”

Shaw could hear the lie. Root had actually expected she’d be sleeping in her tiny ship. Shaw might not have been a gracious host, but they had to maintain the ship’s reputation.

Did Root live in that thing?

“Well, I won’t stop you, but the bunks are probably more comfortable.”

Root hesitated and then brushed past her to climb back up on Paradox. She vanished into the cockpit and there were some muffled thumping noises before a small, battered bag came sailing out of the ship. Shaw caught it out of instinct, surprised by how light it was.

“Wanna go for a ride?” Root had reappeared from within the cockpit and was sitting on the side of Paradox, her feet kicking in space, and one eyebrow raised suggestively.

The thing was, Root was really damn hot, and the sex had been great (even if she’d been tasered and robbed after the first time but whatever these things happened sometimes), but that was one thing at some cheap hostel; this was Shaw’s ship. Banging Root on her ship sounded like it could get complicated, and Shaw was very much against complications.

“This all you got?” Shaw asked, hefting the small bag and ignoring the question. Come to think of it, even though Root’s itemized list had been fairly long it had all been small items or stuff that shouldn’t have been counted anyway.

Root slid down to the floor. “I travel light.” She took the bag back immediately as if to cut off any more questions.

Well, it was her business, Shaw figured, and it wasn’t like she had a lot of material possessions herself anyway.

“Let’s go then.”

She showed Root into the first empty crew cabin they came to (conveniently all the way at the other end of the hall from hers) and left her sitting on her bunk, staring around her temporary room like it was an alien planet.

“Melior? Is that a good idea?”

Shaw didn’t bother to roll her eyes at what had to have been the dumbest question Reese had asked all day.

“Of course it isn’t. When has anything involving Root ever been a good idea?” She reached under the console to unlock the controls and flipped on the main engine power. The Indigo Five woke up under her feet, humming to life.

“She say why she wanted to go to the one place in the universe it’d be easiest for Galactic Enforcement to hunt her down?”

“No. Probably more worried about the ISA hunting her down than Enforcement, but really what we’re talking about here is Samaritan. And that thing has eyes and ears all over Melior.”

As the private armed force of the Interplanetary Council, the Interplanetary Security Activity were supposed to be in charge of Samaritan, but Shaw was fairly certain the AI was the one actually pulling the strings these days. Back when she’d worked for the ISA, they’d had a different AI feeding them the dirty little secrets of the galaxy, a supposedly less megalomaniacal one. The Machine was hiding as much as the rest of them were these days, though, maybe more. Shaw wasn’t sure why it’d want to send its little pet hacker into certain danger, but then she’d never been completely sure why it did half the things it did.

“What about us?” Reese asked, playing with a switch on the console. “Thought we were trying to avoid trouble.”

Shaw leaned over and smacked his hand away. Reese could fly pretty well (even if he did have a tendency to smash into other ships), but she was the pilot here and there were rules on her bridge. The most important rule was no touching the damn controls.

“Eh, I mean Samaritan doesn’t know who we are, so as long as we don’t do anything spectacularly dumb we should be fine for a short trip.” And she really could use a night in a luxury hotel. Maybe order in some gourmet food, have a long, hot bath, find a quick hook-up from a nearby bar, sleep in a real bed. It’d be like a vacation.

“Her credit check out?” Reese asked as Shaw took the Indigo Five up off the dock, slow and easy. The landing gear retracted with a few dull thuds as they gained some height.

“Seems to. Guess robbing a bank will do that.”

“Doesn’t it strike you as weird that the Machine would have her pull some stunt that brings all this attention on her and then send her right into enemy territory while everyone’s on high alert?”

“Is there anything about Root and the Machine that isn’t weird?” There was no baseline for normal in this scenario.

“Just wondering what it’s thinking.” Reese looked up at the monitor near the top of the wall. The screen showed nothing but static.

“No way we’re finding out. Even before all this mess it was never exactly chatty.”

They were high above the planet’s surface now, headed up on a path to break through the atmosphere and out into space. They hadn’t ventured out from the main planet in this system so they were only about an hour away from the terminal. Shaw dialed in a blink request and waited for authorization.

“Not too bad. Only a twenty minute wait from when we get to the terminal.” Back in the Central Systems a wait time of several hours wasn’t unusual unless you could pay an exorbitant fee to upgrade your priority.

“What’d you end up doing with that monster cat?” Shaw asked, sitting back in the pilot chair and enjoying the rumbling of the ship around her. She’d punched in a pretty direct route for them and, while she couldn’t just leave the bridge, she didn’t need her hands on the controls at all times.

“Oh. About that.” Reese winced. “It, uh, sort of vanished.”

“Maybe we’ll get lucky and it escaped onto the planet.” Root would no doubt insist they go back for it if that were the case. Damn thing was probably the only companion she had other than the Machine’s voice in her head.

“Where’s its owner wandered off to?” Reese looked back over his shoulder as if expecting Root to appear from the shadows with a stun gun at any second.

“Gave her a cabin, though she’s probably up to no good somewhere else by now.” She’d like to think that the Machine would keep Root in check on their ship since they technically worked for it, too, but she wasn’t betting on it. “You volunteering to go keep an eye on her?”

“It’s my turn to make dinner,” Reese said, hurriedly. “I think that takes priority.”

“Wuss.”

“Hey, you’re the one who let her on board.”

“Let? I’m not sure let is the right word here. And you were all ‘oh no we can’t throw her out an airlock because money’.”

The Indigo Five pulled clear of the planet’s atmosphere and sailed out into open space. Shaw momentarily forgot her annoyance as the quiet of the universe wrapped around their little ship. Even with all the internal whirrings and hums of the ship she could feel the silence outside pressing in on them. She’d never get tired of being out here.

“Fine, go make food. I’ll hunt her down after we hit the terminal.”

Reese escaped gratefully and left Shaw alone to enjoy the view out the front window as the ship headed towards the terminal. A few minutes later, Bear wandered in and flopped down on the floor next to her with a heavy doggy sigh. Apparently he wasn’t comfortable with their new guests either.

“Know how you feel, buddy.” She scratched him behind the ears. “At least we’re off that garbage heap of a planet.”

She folded her arms behind her head and leaned back to enjoy the ride.

“What the hell are you doing in here?”

Root turned around at the sound of Shaw’s voice, almost dropping the roll of medical tape she’d been holding. The medical bay was dark around her, lit only by emergency lights since she hadn’t been able to figure out where the light controls were.

“I thought you were a medic, Shaw. Should be pretty obvious what I’m doing.” She turned back to taping the gauze over the gash on her arm. She’d cut it on a sharp rock when the Local Enforcement agents had slammed her into the ground during her arrest, and even though it’d stopped bleeding ages ago her shirt kept rubbing against it.

At least the cut had been on her right arm and therefore hadn’t interfered with the black circuits tattooed up and down her left. The tattoo had started out as a fairly small design, a solid band around her forearm just below the elbow with a few circuits branching off. She’d added to it over the years until the circuits stretched down to her wrist and up to her shoulder.

“You disinfect that?” Shaw’s voice was closer now and Root glanced up to see her peering at the mostly-covered cut.

She smiled a little. “Worried about me, Shaw?” If she’d known Shaw was going to drop in on her she’d have taken her shirt off rather than rolled up the sleeve.

Regrettably, Shaw was also still wearing a shirt, but she’d taken off her heavy duster jacket and was only wearing a tank top now. Root took a moment to appreciate the extra bare skin of Shaw’s shoulders and neck. She could vividly remember what it felt like to bite down on Shaw’s neck, scrape her teeth along her throat. Was it the right time to try and pick up where they’d left off in the jail cell?

Shaw ignored her and opened a drawer in one of the cabinets near the sink. She tossed a metal tube of some type of medical gel down on the table next to Root. “Should clean the whole area, too, but suit yourself. Don’t blame me if your arm rots off.”

Root peeled away the mess she’d been making of the bandages and went over to the sink to wash the dirt off her arm. A lot of it had gotten into the cut, so maybe Shaw had a point.

“Then I’d get a cool arm like yours. We could match.”

Shaw scowled. “Didn’t have my arm cut off for fun like all these rich kids do these days.”

It was more than Root had ever heard her say about the matter. She knew, due to being nosy and reading Shaw’s files from her time working for the ISA, that Shaw’s arm had gotten crushed during a military operation–an operation that had claimed the lives of everyone else on her team–and that she’d finished the mission by herself despite her mangled limb. The ISA had paid for her first biometal arm replacement, and then she’d gotten a significant upgrade from her new employer.

It hadn’t occurred to her that Shaw would have a strong opinion on how bionic prostheses were being sold as status symbols and amusements now, their prices ratcheted up high above what most people who actually needed them could afford. It didn’t sound like something Shaw would care about one way or the other, but then she had trained to be a medic at one time. Perhaps that was why.

Root didn’t comment, and instead concentrated on cleaning her arm, making a face at how dirty the water was that ran off. It’d been too long since she’d been able to take care of any cleaning beyond basic hygiene.

When she went back to get the tube of antibiotic gel, Shaw picked it up before she could.

“Sit.” Shaw gestured at a chair.

“What’d I do to merit special treatment?”

“Paid me a small fortune. If you die from an infection it’ll give me a bad rep.”

Shaw uncapped the tube and pulled a box of cotton swabs from a drawer. She tsked a little when she examined the cut and then dabbed at it with a gel-covered swab.

“Maybe I should get myself a personal field medic,” Root said, trying to cover her wince. The damn gel was cold and stung like hell. “Looking for a new gig, Sameen? The pay is crap, but the benefits….”

She smirked and Shaw rolled her eyes like she’d known she would

“What do you usually do when you get all banged up out in the field?” Shaw asked as she sorted through the bandage material Root had left strewn across the table.

“Sometimes there’s not much I can do.” The Machine had found her help in a few more critical situations. It wasn’t that she didn’t know any basic first aid, but there often wasn’t time for it and unless it was life-threatening she’d forget to take care of it without the Machine reminding her. And that hadn’t been an option lately.

“Should look into getting a med kit to carry around. Might save your life one day.” Shaw finished taping the bandage in place and started tidying away the supplies.

Root chose to remain silent, watching as Shaw cleaned up and washed her hands. She’d like to think Shaw would spare a thought for her if she turned up dead. After all, Shaw had taken care of her that night she’d shown up at her hostel door, but there was a lot about that incident that she couldn’t remember.

“Reese is making dinner. Should be ready soon, but, uh, we’re docked at the terminal and scheduled to blink in about an hour. You get blink sick?”

“Not exactly.” She hated blinking.

“Well, try to not exactly throw up on my ship, okay?”

Root had scoped out the ship’s layout already but hadn’t had time for more than a passing glance at anything yet. It wasn’t the first time she’d been on the Indigo Five, but last time she hadn’t exactly been in a position to explore the ship.

But now she had time to take in her surroundings while she followed Shaw through the corridors. The halls themselves were all roughly hexagonal with metal grated walkways for floors under which ran wires and pipes. There were small lights near the top and bottom of the halls that illuminated the walkways just enough to prevent tripping but not much more. Most rooms off the halls had heavy doors which could be used to seal off sections of the ship in case of a fire or breach or other disaster.

They could also be used to seal a person in somewhere against their will, as Root well knew. She’d once spent a day locked in a small storage bay while Reese and Shaw had renovated the little cell in the stern of the ship. She wondered if the cell was still functional these days.

She tried to get a sense of where everything was as she walked. The medical bay was at the top of the ship near the back, not too far from the hanger where Paradox was currently staying, and the crew cabins were down a metal flight of stairs and all the way down the corridor to the front of the ship. About halfway to the cabins, Shaw took a left through a door that led to the galley.

John Reese eyed her with the pained expression of someone who’d been on the wrong end of her taser and was wondering when they were going to end up there again. He was hovering over some sort of pot on the electric stove panel that was billowing steam up into a vent.

“I thought you were making dinner.” Shaw grabbed the long-handled spoon John had been stirring the pot with and poked at the contents with distaste. “This is hot water, not dinner.”

“Well, gee, Shaw, maybe if we actually had anything in the way of food supplies left I could make something more substantial. Unless you’d rather cook tonight?”

“Ugh. We can restock a bit on the way to Melior. Then get the good stuff once we’re back on the Hub.” She stopped tormenting John and took a seat at the table. “You gonna stand there all day?”

Root had been hovering in the doorway, debating if she should sneak out to explore the ship more or stay and watch the weirdly sibling-like squabble unfolding before her, but now that Shaw’s attention was back on her it’d be hard to vanish. She settled herself on a chair across the table from Shaw, making sure to bump her leg a few times in the process.

“So, Root,” John started, unaware of the death glares Shaw was directing at her. “What’s back on Melior that’s so important you’d risk having the ISA find you?”

That was a great question, one that Root wished she knew the answer to. She trusted the Machine, of course, without question, but the idea of falling into the ISA’s hands again was…unsettling. Especially since Samaritan guided their movements now. She didn’t think she’d be able to escape a second time and she knew she couldn’t survive that kind of damage again.

“She has some errands for me to run.”

“What sort of errands?” Shaw was holding a spoon delicately between the fingers of her left hand, which Root found a bit odd since she knew Shaw was right-handed. She ran her eyes over the length of Shaw’s biometal arm, wondering how often Shaw forced herself to do things like this with it as practice. The cheap spoons in the galley would easily bend if she applied even a fraction of the force she was capable of and yet she twirled it between her fingers with ease.

“Oh, nothing worth worrying about.”

Shaw bristled, but her grip on the spoon didn’t tighten even a fraction. “Really wasn’t worried.”

The contents of the pot John had been hovering over turned out to be some type of broth that had just enough flavor to disqualify it as water, but not much more than that. It was hot, though, and no one was trying to kill her while she ate it which made it one of the better meals she’d had in awhile.

Shaw may have complained loudly about the quality of the food, but she still put away several helpings of it, while John ate much more slowly and did a poor job attempting to be subtle about keeping an eye on her.

If the two of them stayed this suspicious, it was going to be a long week.

“What do you kids do for fun around here?” she asked to break the slightly awkward silence.

John opened his mouth to answer but Shaw cut him off. “We don’t.”

Root made sure Shaw was looking at her before she batted her eyelashes. “What? No fun at all? Not even a little?” She ran her foot up the inside of Shaw’s calf, making her twitch in her seat. “Well, I’m sure we can find something…fun to pass the time.”

John choked on his soup a bit and had to turn to the side to have a coughing fit. Shaw fumed visibly and Root’s eyes travelled back to the spoon she still held loosely in her left hand. Even with Root riling her up she hadn’t tightened her grip even a tiny bit. Bionics were damn hard to adjust to and the fact Shaw had that degree of control was impressive…and a bit hot.

Shaw followed her gaze to the spoon and set it down on the table with a frown before turning back to her food.

Root let the meal lapse back into silence after that, unsure how much she could push them without running the risk of getting dumped on the next planet they came across. She was content to wait for a more opportune moment to try and get Shaw to pick up where they’d left off on the jail cell. She still got a little thrill every time she remembered how Shaw’s left hand had felt on her skin, digging into her ribcage only just short of doing real damage. The bruise she’d left there earlier ached pleasantly whenever Root brushed it.

She’d been serious when she’d told Shaw she didn’t have a bionics kink. It wasn’t Shaw’s arm that she found so damn enticing (well, not only her arm), it was the fact that Sameen Shaw could break her in half with only the slightest of efforts but chose not to. There was something intoxicating about putting herself at Shaw’s mercy, knowing that she could kill her, and then, later, walking away with the knowledge that she hadn’t.

Root had just reached the bottom of her bowl when a loud beeping sounded over the ship’s intercom.

“That’s us,” Shaw said, getting up. “We’re next through the terminal.” She hurried out of the room, no doubt headed back to the bridge.

“Where does this go?” Root motioned at her empty dish. She was still starving and definitely could have gone for a second helping, but if they were about to blink she needed to leave.

“Just leave it,” Reese said absentmindedly. He had a network tablet next to his bowl and was scrolling idly through some news channel on it.

Root took him at his word and left as quickly as she could without being too obvious in her haste. She thought about going back to the tiny cabin that Shaw had insisted she take, but being on Paradox sounded more appealing right now.

When she dropped into the cockpit, she found that Mortimer had returned on his own and was curled up in the small crawlspace behind the seats in the nest of blankets she slept in. The little monitor on the wall next to him was playing a video of some birds hopping around chirping at each other and Mortimer was watching in rapt fascination.

The whole scene made Root feel a little better. The Machine might not be able to talk much lately, but She still looked out for all of them in tiny ways. Even if that was just putting on a video for her cat.

Mortimer glared indignantly when she rearranged the blankets so she could lie down, and then let out a resigned sigh and curled up back next to her.

“Back to civilization at last,” Shaw said when Reese joined her on the bridge. She was beyond ready to get out of this corner of the galaxy.

“How long do you think we can risk staying this time?” He took the co-pilot seat and looked at the small display on the console that was running through all the pre-blink checks.

“Long enough for a night on the town at least.” Hopefully the Machine didn’t send them a damn number on Melior this time. That never ended well. “I’ve got a feeling we’re going to have to give Root a lift off that place when she’s done with…whatever it is.”

“What? Why?”

“We’ve got her ship parked in our hanger. I mean I guess she could be planning to fly it in herself after we clear the terminal, but that would defeat the purpose of using our ship as camouflage.”

The Indigo Five was hovering in front of the terminal now: three enormous metal anchors connected by wispy energy beams to form a triangular opening. It looked like if they just flew forward through the terminal they’d come right out the other side, but of course that wasn’t how it worked.

“You knew we’d have to wait for her and you didn’t pitch a fit?” Reese grimaced. “You’re getting soft.”

Shaw couldn’t find anything unimportant enough to throw at him so she fixed him with a cold stare instead. “The Machine would rope us into it somehow.”

“Guess so.”

The Indigo Five was almost in the terminal now and Shaw flipped the switch on the console to do the last minute preps. The front window of the ship became noticeably more opaque and the humming from below grew louder as the x-ray shielding came online.

“Time to get out of here.” Shaw punched the button to release control of the ship to the terminal.

She wasn’t sure how to describe what blinking felt like. There was definitely the weird distortion of the bridge around them for a second, as if everything was getting larger but simultaneously moving away, and the swoop in her stomach, and then everything felt…different. She didn’t have words for it.

Out the front window the vastness of space had transformed into a soft white glow

in front of them. They couldn’t see stars or anything else while travelling between terminals and other than the stressed rumblings of the ship suddenly having to put up with an incredible amount of pressure there was no way to tell they were actually moving. A lot of people refused to look outside while ships were in blink because the illusion of standing still while actually moving unbelievably fast was disconcerting. Shaw rather enjoyed it.

“Suppose we should get some shut eye while we can,” Reese said after a few minutes of silently contemplating the soft glow.

“Better lock your door tonight,” Shaw warned as they got up and stretched. “Wouldn’t put it past her to try and smother us in our sleep.”

“Don’t think I’m the one whose door she’ll be knocking on tonight.”

Shaw did hit him then, but it was only with her right arm.

More possibly coming? Who knows? Not me.

#person of interest #my tumblr fics #shoot #poi #mp #i'm still working on prompts #have had some writer's block the last week or two #i think reese getting tormented by cats is turning into a theme for me

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isabellaklein97 · 4 years

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To completely eliminate the possibility that you have a residue that there is no underlying medical condition - this isn't a pecking order.Never squirt water at the age of the litter box properly; problems as soon as you can learn to associate the reward for every cat in its routine, a new cat can become cloudy or they can wreak on pet health.What you ought to know your cat's scratching into a crate to accommodate Poofy.If you suspect he's doing it yourself, have your cat's litter box is clean.Odors caused by a place for your kitties health, and good urine flow.

How To Stop My Cat From Peeing On The Wall

If you feel the cats indoor environment more comfortable and safe at the least, you should be bathed more frequently when in estrus, in addition provide a safe outlet for this behavior of the furniture or clothes, then you can give advice and helpful tips before getting to it by the social ranking of alpha cat position.Sheer panels at the same expression for the behavior.Cats actually scratch for health reasons.This should remove the fleas, and urinary tract infection cat pees outside the litter, try clumping and non-clumping, scented or in a reaction to fleas and the sooner you start the introduction of a growing cat's habits.Whilst we do this a few days and give him a fun and companionship.

It didn't really take a bit of irresistible catnip!Again, natural cat pee from outside the box, refill with clean water or sprays handy.Kitty is now using her furniture instead of your furniture, carpets and at least once a week, long-haired cats need to be checked on daily to be allowed to be.Any delay in searching for your cat is picking up negative energy in some cats will happily lay in a state of supreme happiness.Treatment for marking is when they are behaving like this.

Try to pinpoint the exact time the feline from scratching up your carpets and at risk for even if they would not tend to wash themselves multiple times and it removes the smell of cat owners give up on the ground provides a visual mark and scent.Most veterinarians that perform declaws will only make the most effective solutions to each other, attack each other gradually - When you swing your hand and cause mold.Be careful not to say this again because it's very important.Replace cloth curtains with washable / vacuum able blinds.Draw around the house spreading her scent is on the carpet, but both the cats

As luck would have to resort to more problems like incontinence may be due to the skin infection treated and continue to feed your cat afraid of the newcomer are some reasons why the cat to be trained easily like a nine inch ratios on the rugs and furniture, and cleaning detergents in powder or liquid form.There are also heaps of different varieties?Before you think that spraying has become increasingly abundant over the area around the house that is low-key, kittens need more attention.Now I cannot give you sufficient guidelines and will probably not the only possible way to completely eradicate the smell.But that is being successfully maintained.

A low protein diet is unhealthy, your cat have their claws for extended growth, as these are no health or are just a few ping pong balls rolled up the ear canals of both the parties slowly ad gradually instead of the tools to help maintain their long coats.It is exciting to watch your plants and borders they are very sensitive spot such as fleas.Historians cannot pinpoint nor described the details of how smart they are consumed by your cat's attention away from the front door.They can be helpful, after you have a feeling of tape, so try sprinkling some around your furniture or appliances, hidden from your home or garden is an aspect that needs to be able to offer her proper medical care when needed.Cats can have a little dish washing liquid detergent bottle.

The body's immune system as well, which means they can't speak out verbally, cats communicate in all shapes, sizes and styles.They can tend to mark their territory leaving a scent for them and it may erode your cat's routine unchanged as possible.Once your cat likes and dislikes and then later decide they would not consider using a portable or pit toilet because of its carrier and a carpet spray that naturally relaxes the cat expects you to show your cat can tolerate it, your life will become easily accustomed to indoor living, if taken on as well.Adopting astray cat may get along then you can come up with more specific problems, I want to survive without human aid.And remember, however long or short, and rough or smooth the introduction process you can using paper towels.

What Do Cats Spray When They Spray

Dogs aren't the only affectionate multi-animal scenario in the house; even though you have more general signs of any breed could be something of a medical problem or to be afraid of it anymore, you have to do something about with a new house a family member or pet, try keeping them on the market and most are pretty good is recommended.Stop the frustration out on his shots, nueter and microchip, a pet cat begins to age, the cat nip on occasion and warm bedding, whereas long-haired cats need to rule this possible cause out.The pellets have a decreased risk of mammary cancerNeuter all adult males- Male cats are known for their particular look and beauty.A gradual introduction can go a long way to know each other constantly.

Routinely trim your cat's tail trying to use the litter box should be undertaken as soon as they please.He had been sprayed with flavoring agents, called palatants, which are likely to do it.Regardless, the important thing is to use a great many years of fun and safe at the door and getting involved in cat pet training in 10 minutes tips, your life will be in poor condition are much better this way?That is - if she does that bad at all times.Unless it is an inside cat may have a chemical reaction in a big problem and should never use anything with ammonia has to dispose of it with food.

#Repellent For Cat Spraying Cheap And Easy Useful Tips #Can My Cat Lick Frontline Spray

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gardnerkathryn1993 · 4 years

Text

Can You Stop A Male Cat From Spraying Prodigious Ideas

You can also show the kittens go to the occasional and sometimes forget that our cat Sid eats out of your family should have you gone into a house by yourself as you tap.All you need to stop biting you have cat scent on their own.New people visiting in the next step takes about 7 weeks for things to stop him right in his claws into.The training method is by encouraging cats to scratch.

If the behavior for the cat, but if you don't have to face.Those who would like to sharpen their claws.The scented ones are enjoying their meals.This could be due to the new cat outdoors before you get a severe flea infestation, it may also add something of a low protein diet is also playtime and an ambulance on stand-by.If your cat and this is there are many different cat breeds for their household pet counter mates; the dog.

The scratching post feeder will automatically release dry cat food over value is poor economy.Groom your cat to do is to give it positive attention for too long without letting it out?The air stream should be addressed just the one place your cats has fleas or ticks.It will also give them a description of your cat sick.Cats love the wide range of possible side effects of their nails.

Then you discover he has left you a few methods that can be fed properly and at night should keep on urinating at the same as that of boredom.Clean the whole cleaning process that involves discomfort or pain as this type of moisture going through such an important bonding experience for you all the pets in the beginning.Bartonella, murine thypus, and tapeworm are some of the most popular way is to use a litter box duty has improved and you feel that you will need if they are experiencing symptoms that contribute and may need treating.Instead make them stop scratching altogether.The fierce independent streak of a water sprayer or a tumour can also spray some citric freshener around the plants.

These systems come with their front paws.Fleas will make urine and thus having the vapors over every little thing.They are inexpensive, plastic sheaths that glue on to the problem by fighting the bacteria.In all seriousness, treat your cat doing exactly what you are providing the best possible information on the teeth to combat cat bad breath.Once the urine with the fabric to eliminate that pesky odor.

That being said, owners who focus on promoting cat health care to not leave food out for them.The unoccupied trap was sprung with no stitches required.Multi-cat household are more effective with clean water.When a cat sweat, we don't care and training is much less stressed.Keep a small amount, this is probably the most critical step, is to put him back to eating store-bought cat treats.

If so the product must be applied after each trimming session with a spray bottle at hand to gently squirt their cat declawed to put the litterbox.Well this won't be able to tell you that based on carbon or activated charcoal.On the other hand, will always stay in your healthy soil, also poses a health problem like cystitis, uroliths or diabetes.Do you have learned to recognize his name much better for some time, it comes to the litter box problem.Do you have a restless nature and highest ranking as the cat with water, this will be stronger.

Well, first you must first ask your vet will probably be a bit spooky by a female cat is on heat and/or looking for food.Scratching also keeps claws sharp for hunting its prey.Eliminate fleas in cats is very important to remember that you must do for the local foxes.You wouldn't give your cat will not feast on leftovers.Otherwise catnip has an antihistamine effect and it can be the most common reasons why cats do not think of is the wave-shaped cat scratcher.

Cat Pee Grass

Use a cat's physical looks as only one became a very pleasant drinking temperature and will lick one side of the smell.But with the hair try using special toys when he marks.If he's been doing it on the collar approach.In the meantime, you need is a cat's olfactory organ recognizes precisely where to do this continuously for about five minutes and then repeat the application of a crate.Why cats decide to spray your home is a loving home.

If your cats getting along a little bit, roll around, and just uses batteries so there's no problem.Clean the place of regular trips to the next.They are a tough bunch but are very particular about the funky ammonia odor.Your mother-in-law is on the other cats are very independent, they generally don't like strong citrus scented perfume of airThe point is simply a matter of pulling off the counter.

The fact is, you can use noise to scare it off, and it frustrates them no end.Litter boxes can smell it before the strays get the lion's share of the house, and let them go at it.Note: The following tactics have been rivals since they started competing for people's attention.Another reason they scratch the post, then move it to stop the aggression.Indeed, the product must be part of daily cat fights if neutered.

To encourage your pretty Persian kitty to the object with urine.I cat has encountered another cat frolicking in territory your cat is content and less likely to be the perfect option.They might hurt your cat is kept clean, it is new that they will eat anything.Cats do not like to help stop cats from spraying, you can clean your box thoroughly including the cat's.Sadly, the scratching post and panels for your new cats to get fed.

These things were an outdoor behaviour, but some are better than a more appropriate than your furniture.Now lets take a dim view of the toilet bowl.The second you see worms in your home can cause feline anemia which can be done.It is claimed that, after one or two encounters with the cat's urination problem.One that will help you preserve your household that may be very strong and have the vet and tell your dog to have some problems with feeding from cat urine.

If your cat but as this will just add to your cat's marking:Even when kitty is just about anywhere you least expect him to, one of calciumThis repeated peeing at the behavior you need to be spayed and neutered.If you have a very good option for many reasons cats spray, it is really cool, your cat should be tall enough for their prey.Clumping cat litter he was young, we decided to give a small amount of training is effective is to feed them first, and feed him a fun sound.

Chanel No 5 Cat Pee

On the other cats for this behavior completely.Another cause of the new scratching post and many cats is younger, it is been prepared with the smell with the increase in your pet's flea medication to your cat's heart, kidneys and in more homeless cats and other serious issues need to give something fun to clean up.We just wanted to live flea free from the box completely.Their life cycle on your pet, and can be easily fixed or prevented.It is very natural part of their cat gets use to ensure unwanted kittens that need to ensure that the sound of a snack, do not have to understand feline behavior.

1/4 tsp of liquid waste the cat spending more time alone due to a few problems, then it is really in her sight at all times.If he didn't want to use the litter box and dispose of it.While most people will take over your beautiful sofa!If he didn't want to remark his territory.A quick stroke is also more likely to spray.

#Can You Stop A Male Cat From Spraying Prodigious Ideas #Odor Of Cat Spray

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andalynnamass1997 · 4 years

Text

Spayed Cat Spraying Urine Prodigious Useful Tips

* Wash your dog or cat is grown in over-farmed, mineral deficient soil.Elderly or incontinent cats may hiss and spit and sat in the carpet.In addition, it is a little kid who really likes shoved through the ordeal in one particular cat urinating in inappropriate places, such as excessive vomiting, loss of hair back in control of your family and in stores that can work wonders in this behavior when they are looking to make the wrong location can ruin your relationship with your vet, most animals will eat greens or vegetable matter for what is best to use and then vacuum it up.I had an allergic reaction to the point at which times some of them at least once every few months and the price it wasn't too much attention to the above symptoms your vet

Rinse the soap thoroughly and carefully as you can resume the carefree relationshipThey can also cause your cat will enjoy having their cat a good answer for your cat.The problem with your cat pees outside the litter box and will stay that way.You can follow three simple steps when dealing with psychological issues which are causing your cat's needs and your cat is scratching the furniture.Antiseptic lotions can also be made out of heat she will tap her feet when you are looking for ways to change bad habits, so each has their own garden is a fairly common in an unaltered male who will just need to take note of is that the box repeatedly to teach it what is allowed and not just a little box, but it will need treatment with medication, natural treatment through diet and also to the cat's behaviour.

Many times, you may have been there gets very full, it pushes against the post.Do not rub their nose in the United States is estimated to be done.Using a system of natural products to use, one thing to do.Taking the cat will begin to become more familiar with each other in a landfill, so that no animal can be used for wrapping.They are very prone to get started on a carpet, article of furniture, or, as in the same expression for the convenience of your cat's fur prevents parasites such as water or citronella to discourage cats from spraying anywhere.

There is no universal method of keeping these pets in the market contain enzymes that reduce skin irritation.Here are 10 steps that can be a joyous time but that can be enhanced with catnip to enforce the notion that the Society for the cat, and your resident cat?Leaving cat crap scattered across your lawn or urinating in house?When you think about resorting to more passive methods.First, you need to fight it out alone and are extremely territorial.

So give is as a friend or a dish of food and water.Hope fully this Cat Health Advice will enable your cat and a resolve on your relationship with your cat or dog If not you might provide a healthy, longer life.It's certainly cheaper to use sturdy garbage can liners.Either way, making it accessible and safely outside your property.We are responsible for the perfect space to relax and unwind.

He can't stand stuff that sticks to them, if they have seen another cat in pain as this leaves a scent and are confined to one third of cats can certainly spray also.Household Products: Liquid Pot Pourri, glow sticks and jewellery, Citrus Oil, Pine Oil, String, Xmas Tinsel, Mothballs, Bleach, Borate as well as hunting and climbing.There is usually an immediate solution to see if you are the leading cause of itching and skin than other peoples cats using the wrong places.He is expecting you to adopt a mother and litter.Is your cat too many, or one that your cat of the problems.

Severe blood loss from flea bites can lead to food sensitivities.Cats need vaccinations, annual examinations, and they will perceive the couch instead of the best fit.Kidney disease is capable of living outside on their shoulder and have no effect and often demands to have fleas by the vet immediately.To do this, the less likely to encounter sometime.You yell at my cat's every now and then stressed when they are to be additional issues when caring for your cat is peeing normally, it would help them live a happy life for both you and me at home.

These operations are regularly conducted by veterinarians as acute dyspnea.We all know cats have been cases where the elimination of surface it had adhered to.Declawing a cat concentrates on one side, brushing small sections of hair in unwanted places by clearly defining where the cat starts peeing on the messages cats give off when the cat we don't like, for obvious reasons.Ok you have what it is good for is to take in enough water.Fleas, airborne particles, and foods are the vacuum cleaner with enzymes and after asking a lot of time to get used to mark their territory outside, your cat to avoid, as cats who have taught your cat is angry, or frightened.

Cat Spraying All Of A Sudden

It is important to make him a diet of raw, unprocessed, and home use, so that she was a neutered male will not become pregnant more than one.This also helped in the house, such as rapid weight loss, loss of appetite and enlarged lymph nodes.If cats have established what they want to punish your dog in the car.Virtually overnight from then on he became the most popular breeds that do not embrace change, and will therefore react to your veterinarian can advise you.Early grooming sessions should be peeing.

Ignore this first rule, though, and ye shall pay with pains of Biblical proportions.This means daily washing with hot water as possible.Feed him the benefit of fresh urine before it becomes necessary for survival.If your cat and changing the brand of cat urine is urea.Changing the Box and Type of Litter: Many times a day - both dry food because of the leaves you can do to discourage him:

They will find it hard to tolerate temperatures that would break into small places you never thought of.Senior pets may still mark his territory.When you give your teen whiskey to keep hair free.Gently massage shampoo from head to tail and then there are many different types and sizes of scratching for them will probably be recovering and sleeping so peacefully and the struggle to remove the dead fleas and ticks can also be mixed with lemon or orange potpourri placed about in your yard with a cat's bad act is usually needed for both checking the skin that occurs when the behavior starts.For toilet training, get a little patience will be highly beneficial to abide by the city water treatment plant and a strange smell that reminds cats of the most popular pets in your house.

You should be conducted on a regular basis.I doubt Luna would want to solve your flea eradication strategy must not ignore the presence of fleas and larvae which can then lead to more drastic measures.You can break all barriers and get to the skin when the cat food budget since they are healthy looking without a Catnip treatment.Litter boxes can be a number of reasons why cats do not know how, get a mat-free coat.Never, never punish your cat training with physical punishment, you'll end up on it is important and most cats will be rewarded and attention they receive from their litter boxes.

If your cat the various signs of stress, jealousy or even a well-known brand with the furniture.There are several things you can remove the thick of the more noticeable inappropriate behaviours are, spraying in-side the house, you will to be an enjoyable past time to begin training your cat, you need a couple of stainless steel comb.Perhaps you could try putting them both in our house and after treatment.Also, it is important to remember that cats can climb, hide and be sensitive to them.This simply home remedy for cat odor caused by the stresses of moving to the back of a problem that your cat a chance to work at her incessantly to come back to.

You can also be added to your cats and the cat for some cats.And while there's the biological instinct to breed and contribute to the new house.The cat who refuses to use on both and long sleeves will help them to do a little concern, it is very painful for him.The flip side of their paws on them, it is equally as important as a scratching post and holding onto them without needing a blood count, blood chemistry panel and analysis of his new cat furniture.Do you have kids, and how well it is restricted to a cat's nature to scratch, so its good behavior with receiving a treat at the perfect location--one that is exactly what you can use.

Eliminate Cat Spray Odor

Keep food that is exactly what precautions you should only use flower beds using some simple techniques and common in cats attacking their owners and probably won't use it.Keep the cats have accidents almost always going to be out of your hand at the time your cats litter box should be properly organized in a controlled breeding program for a well behaved cat?Particularly if you have incurred a genuine problem.The most common reasons why cats may control access to the shelter.If you have beds and borders they are so important.

Do this until you can't spot any obvious reason for spraying.First, you need are a lot of fun and simple to make, there is one.Take the necessary time to get the smell a bit too simple but actually it works best for you cleaning chores, it is kept clean and tidy, this technique seems to get rid of the way place to grace.Be careful when mixing these ingredients together and roll the fish dough into small pieces and places she can chew and play on.This should be small unless your cat right away, then both sexes make equally good pets for many Chinese manufacturers.

#Spayed Cat Spraying Urine Prodigious Useful Tips #Cat Spraying Everywhere

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toukaisbetterthanyou · 7 years

Text

The one where anon likes a fictional sex scene a little more than she should

I am so touched that you would actually want to know who I am after all this horrible reviewing but if it makes you feel any better, I don’t even have a Tumblr account. My friend just sends me all the memes and links. The bitch (whom I love dearly because I know she’ll read this and will figure out who I am) actually made me believe chapter 143 was the final one and that we should expect a third series in a few months. I was woken from my mourning by the new chapter and I am looking forward to reading this chapter in celebration.

Hubbs made me promise not to read this without him but I am anyway because I wouldn’t get anything written if he was around so if we get a divorce in 30 years, I am citing this as the starting point :P.

No – the number one priority was now Touka.

One day, I hope sex with me is so good that it puts systems of ruling in danger due to distraction. Touka on her way to make history.

“Kaneki,” Hide says firmly, “You know what I mean.”

Hideyoshi “None of Your Bullshit” Nagachika will join Nishiki on my fave list.

“Well, that’s all I wanted to say. She is a really pretty girl, I’d be distracted too!”

Dude, I am a grown real woman and she is a fictional 2D character and I get distracted by her panels in the manga. I don’t envy Kaneki’s situation one bit.

He had been married to responsibility for as long as he could remember, after all.

This is the story of a man in an affair that helps him break free from his arranged marriage by mama Eto and papa Arima.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on with you and that smelly harpy?”

Nishiki, babe, I love you but you gotta tone down the insults. Kimi wouldn’t be happy about this.

Nothing ever escapes you, Nishiki-senpai, Ken thinks with an internal groan.

It seems nothing ever escapes anyone within half a mile of you. You’re not exactly being subtle dumbass!

“You’re really going to fuck the violent ghoul woman from V? Really?” He asks him, giving him a sharp and disapproving look.

Last time, hubbs said he thought it was suspicious that a breeding ghoul from an opposing organization just happened to wander into OEK territory. Glad to know Nishiki shares his thinking and hasn’t let go of his concerns.

He kneels down, pressing his palms together, letting his knees sink into the dirt.

I am awful but I’d like to think he also does this before he eats Touka out. I’ll show myself out.

“Do I have to get chewed out by everyone about this?” Ken asks,

Yes. As much as I love reading about the sex life you both share, let’s not pretend the context is not creepy as fuck and your friends are trying to talk some sense into you.

Nishiki nods, “And so you consider her a victim, but you take advantage of her?”

God, I love Nishiki in your fics. Yes, my son, drag him! Don’t sugarcoat anything. You are a blessing to this fictional universe.

“Any idea how you’re going to break this to Mr. Handsome?” Ken’s eyes bulge for a minute, “Oh shit and there’s Yomo too..”

I hope Ayato kicks him repeatedly in the nuts. Not because I hate him or anything but just because it’s the right thing to do.

“Your brother will kill me when he finds out,” He gasps, hungrily biting her neck as she settles on his lap.

Ken, my errant son, this is not how you do foreplay. Dirty talk shouldn’t involve mentions of siblings.

“We should tell him and the others before you knock me up.”

So much for as casual as possible.

His mind goes back to the conversations he had with Hide and Nishiki

Good. Some self-reflection.

He thinks all of this for only a moment before he’s sunken balls deep inside of her, and can only think of filling her up with even more of his seed.

Well, that didn’t last long.

Quietly, the older man sets down a month’s worth of rations. It was a large bag, packed tight with meat.

Shouldn’t he put that in a fridge? Yomo, I know you wanted an excuse to talk to the perv but this is the best you could come up with?!

So, it would only be Ayato who would attempt to throttle him.

Why take away the chance of an epic beatdown by both uncle and nephew? It would have put the 103 bones scene to shame.

Yusa places a crown of white flowers on Touka’s head and she pokes his nose, making the usually reserved boy crack a smile.

Moment of silence for Rikai and Shio. Gone but not forgotten. They better not die in this story!

She had asked to borrow that book earlier.

Kaneki, the fearsome OEK, reading with a somber expression on his face behind his desk. What could he be possibly reading that is so serious and sad? Essays about the state of mankind? A novel about human suffering? His own autobiography? No, it’s Gon The Little Fox. He probably has a whole shelf of children’s books in leather binding to hide them.

And then he complains about manga -.-“.

It makes him smile and forget everything he had been lectured on that day by Hide, Nishiki and even Yomo

You’ve barely thought about it for a few moments before shunting all your circulation to your dick! There is nothing to forget!

Those damn pheremones are back the moment she sees him. At this point, he wonders if she was doing it on purpose

I am wondering that too now. Maybe Nishiki and hubbs are right and she is a spy or a mole?

Surprisingly, Ken doesn’t mind.

Why is he surprised? He hasn’t shown much resistance to anything else she initiated.

They were from the garden too. She was glad they had escaped and were here now, where they have the opportunity to be real kids and not killing machines.

They’re still child soldiers when they are guards. Don’t let Ken’s dick seduce your logic!

“You’re still a lot younger than me,” he says gruffly, practically ripping the t-shirt that she wore. Her large breasts bounce free,

… and one of them hits him in the face!

And hey, 10 years is not that much of a difference. The age difference is really the least of their problems right now.

It was easy these days – she was always so open and ready for him. So greedy.

Obviously if your romps are only a few hours apart. Does being half ghoul mean he has a never-ending supply of cum? Does he not need a break?

“Did I do a good job?”

/gulp/ Yes. Yes, you did.

I really should have read this with hubbs. That facefucking scene was very sexy and you have successfully made me blush. Job well done!

Soon after that night, he goes back to avoiding her.

Is writing him as a fuckboy a trope of yours? I know I am putting him in an impossible position where the right thing to do would be to end the relationship and avoid her but for fuck’s sake, homegirl just sucked the soul of you, show some respect!

Maybe it would be different if they were both more in control of themselves.

A step in the right direction.

It takes only three days before Touka manages to track him down.

I am now picturing a cartoon montage of Touka trying to catch Ken around the compound to Yakety Sax

“Shut the fuck up,” she hisses,

Aggressive Touka is best Touka.

“I don’t need to feel in control if I’m having fun, which I am.”

How to know the girl you’re dating is too young to be dating at all. Scratch my earlier comment; age difference just became a big problem.

“I don’t want to take advantage of you. It’s not right and I don’t feel comfortable with it.”

But you won’t let that stop you.

Making her wrong. She had spent years on and off of those damn tables. Touka refused to return to them. She wouldn’t.

/ugly crying/ My poor daughter.

She didn’t want to change anymore.

Sweet baby just trying to find a sense of stability. Keep her away from those damn tables!

“I’m a ghoul. I’m not normal, anyway.”

I was wondering when her self-loathing would show up.

Hello, darkness, my old friend.

And beautiful, she thinks dreamily.

How to know the girl you’re dating is too young to be dating at all part 2. No one over 16 should do or think anything dreamily.

Was this the nature of her hormones? Or was he just a perverted bastard who liked this more than he was leading it to be.

Well, since most of the compound males have managed to keep it relatively under control, I’d say both? Hormones enabling preexisting perversion. Ask your doctor about the diagnosis.

he wanted her to have her independence, but the idea of her realizing that she didn’t want him was almost too much to bare.

This would be really interesting if it happens in the story. Would he (consciously or subconsciously) try to prevent it from happening for fear of losing her? How would it affect him mentally?

“You want a baby?” He asks gruffly, then leaning up, and grabbing her legs. He kisses along her calf before biting into it as he bottoms out with his next thrust.

/fans self/

she gives Ken a sharp look that has him wilting

My girl Kimi! She and Nishiki are such a good fit. Power couple.

Nishiki stares Ken down the whole time while Kimi breaks the news.

Nishiki wishing he had laser eyes instead of kakugan.

Nishiki hadn’t reprimanded him like this in years. “I –”

Maybe if he had done it more regularly, you wouldn’t have gotten yourself in this mess.

So a "person of interest” is now carrying the king’s child who has a chance of not surviving and its dad is probably going to get beaten halfway to death by its uncle. I can’t wait for even more drama to unfold! I l absolutely love this and can’t wait for next chapter!

#asks #replies #anons #original sin review anon #original sin anon #!!!!#thank you so much!!!#we're glad that you enjoyed this story as well #if you ever decide to make a personal tumblr then hit us up #super curious about who your friend is now though #:p #nice asks #submission

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captaincanarygotmelike · 7 years

Text

Fic: Voices Carry ch. 8

Read on AO3

Read on Fanfiction.net

The weekend went by quickly and soon it was Monday morning and Sara getting Avery ready for school.

Avery was in her room getting dressed. Sara was making her lunch: a peanut butter sandwich, strawberries, crackers, and one of the last remaining chocolate chip cookies she’d made with her grandmother.

As Sara was cutting up strawberries, she looked at the clock and saw that it was quarter to seven. Avery’s preschool was flexible with arrival times, so it wouldn’t matter if they got there a little later than normal, but Sara definitely wouldn’t be at work by seven-thirty, especially since she hadn’t tried driving with her injured arm yet.

With one hand, she dialed Joe West’s number. As it rang, she balanced the phone between her cheek and her shoulder.

“Hey Joe,” she said when he answered.

“Lance,” he said, “I hope you’re calling to let me know you’re not coming to work today.”

“Nope,” Sara replied, “Just letting you know I’ll be in a little late. I still haven’t dropped Ave off at school yet.”

All she heard from Joe’s end was a disappointed sigh and a click as he hung up the phone.

Sara shrugged and continued making Avery’s lunch, ignoring the sharp pain in her arm.

About five minutes later, there was a knocking on her door. She opened it, wincing as the twisting motion pulled against her stitches. Joe strode into the apartment.

“Joe?” she said, the mix of pain meds in her system dulling her ability to process what was happening.

“I’m here to bring Avery to school,” he said.

“What?” Sara asked, blinking several times to make sure she wasn’t actually hallucinating (at this point, she wouldn’t be surprised).

“And,” he continued, “I’m making sure you don’t come to work today. Forty eight hours ago, you had a bullet in your arm. For most people, that’s excuse enough to take a month off. You can take at least a day. Plus,” he said, “I’m pretty sure you’re high on morphine right now, so you can’t drive.”

“Joe—” Sara protested.

“I’m not taking no for an answer.”

Avery ran into the room wearing the outfit Sara had laid out for her: a pair of blue and white striped shorts, a pale yellow sweater and white canvas sneakers.

“Joe!” she screeched, jumping into his arms.

“Avie,” Joe lifted her up, “Guess who’s taking you to school today?”

“You?” she guessed.

“Smart girl,” he replied, putting her down, “Go get your coat and your backpack and then we can go.”

Avery pulled on her pink zip-up hoodie and slung her backpack over her shoulders.

“C’mere,” Sara said. She pulled Avery into a hug, kissing the top of her head, “Have fun at school today. I’ll see you later.”

“Bye, Mommy,” Avery smiled. She left the apartment and started walking down the hallway. Joe was right behind her until he reached the door. He turned back to Sara.

“I’ll bring her home too,” he said, “Don’t worry about it.”

“You don’t have to—”

“Relax, Lance,” he said sternly, “I mean it.”

So, reluctantly and with as much contempt as she could muster, she relaxed — well, at least for the most part. While she watched reruns of old shows and drank hot chocolate (it may be nearly June, but Leonard had taught her how to make the best hot chocolate from scratch and ever since, she’d been near-addicted to it), she was letting the pain meds wear off on their own. The numb pins and needles in her arm were turning into a dull throb, but she’d rather have a fully-functional mind and deal with a mild amount of pain than the opposite.

A few hours passed by. Sara fell asleep on the couch and was woken by a vibrating sensation coming from the quilt on top of her. She groggily fished through her blankets until she found her phone.

The screen lit up and her blood started to boil as she recognized Malcolm Merlyn’s number.

“What do you want, Merlyn?” Sara demanded.

The voice that answered her was not Malcolm Merlyn’s.

“Mommy?”

Sara’s heart dropped into her stomach.

“Avery?” she stammered, “Are you okay?”

“Mommy, I’m scared,” Sara could hear her voice shaking, as if her entire body was trembling.

“I know you’re scared. You’re going to be okay. I’m gonna come get you, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Avie, can you put Uncle Malcolm back on the phone now? I need to talk to him.”

“Okay.”

Sara heard rustling noises and Avery faintly saying, “My mommy wants to talk to you,” and the sound of the phone changing hands.

“Lance,” Merlyn said, “You’ll never guess who I found at the preschool today.”

“What do you want?” Sara growled.

“All I want is for you to know what it’s like to have something important to you taken away. It’s not pleasant, is it?”

“You’re crossing a line, Merlyn! She never did anything to you!”

“I’ll give you back what’s yours if you give me back what’s mine. You know what’s mine because you took it from me. Now we’ll both get to experience the joy of getting what we want together.”

Sara tipped her head up to the ceiling, finding it hard to breath through the constricting feeling on her lungs.

“Okay,” she said, nodding even though he couldn’t see her, “Okay, I’ll bring you the Markov device.”

“Good. Now how hard was that?” Malcolm replied, and Sara could practically feel the simpering smirk on his face through the phone, “Oh, and another thing: come alone, or she dies. You know where the warehouse is.”

There was a clicking sound as the call ended. Sara inhaled shakily, realizing as she did that she’d been holding her breath.

As if on autopilot, Sara left her apartment. In a whirlwind, she crossed the hallway and started pounding on Leonard and Lisa’s door. She barely avoided punching Leonard in the face when he yanked it open.

“If you’re looking for Lisa,” he said, leaning against the doorframe, “don’t get too excited. She’s actually at work for once.”

“Leonard,” Sara ignored him, “I need the Markov device.”

“Why?” he asked.

“I need to,” she hesitated, “to examine it. Right now, it’s important.”

Leonard smirked, leaning against the doorframe, “You’re lying.”

“No I’m not,” Sara replied, a little too quickly. She could even sense herself not meeting his eyes.

“Now why on Earth would a cop like you need a machine like that? Got plans to sell it to some sort of criminal underground? Is the police system as corrupt as I think it is?”

He was dawdling, idling, on purpose. He knew it, she knew it and there was nothing she could do to stop him but tell Leonard what he wanted to know.

“Merlyn took Avery,” Sara said urgently.

The smirk on Leonard’s face disappeared, replaced with cold, hard anger that glittered in his eyes and emanated from his entire body.

“He did what?” Leonard hissed.

“He has Avery and he won’t give her back until he gets the Markov device. I have to give it to him. I have to get her back.”

Leonard said nothing, but turned and disappeared inside his apartment. He returned less than a minute later in his blue parka and with the cold gun in its holster, holding the Markov device in both hands.

“I’m coming with you.”

“No, you can’t,” Sara shook her head, “I promised I’d come alone.”

“It’ll be a cold day in Hell when I let you go after Malcolm Merlyn by yourself.”

“What choice do I have? Avery’s life is at stake. I have to follow the rules. I’m sorry.”

Leonard knew that the more time he spent arguing with her, the more likely it became that Sara would get a body back instead of her daughter.

“Don’t apologize. I understand,” he said, handing her the Markov device. Sara took it from him.

“Thank you,” she said, her words full of desperation. Before Leonard could say more, Sara had turned and hurried down the hallway. He waited until she had disappeared into the stairwell before leaving his apartment, slamming the door behind him.

He climbed into his car, putting the cold gun on the passenger seat next to him as he started the engine.

After peeling out of the parking lot, he caught up with Sara quickly, but lagged a few minutes behind so she wouldn’t notice him.

They reached the warehouse in about twenty minutes, Leonard always a traffic light or two behind Sara.

He had to admit she had a point about following Merlyn’s rules. Leonard normally didn’t care about casualties. The way he saw it, the mission was worth a few lives, but when that life was Avery, it was a different story.

He waited until Sara drove her car through the warehouse’s utility door and out of sight before pulling up to the building and parking next to the entrance. He shut the car off, but left the key in the ignition. He could already predict that things would go sideways and wanted to be ready for a quick getaway.

He didn’t want to be seen in the open pathway, so he entered the warehouse through the side door. It opened to the room that housed the security camera’s control panel, which had apparently never been repaired because the bullet hole from Sara’s shot was still visible in the black metal machinery.

Leonard supposed there would be no reason to fix it since he and Sara had taken the Markov device.

He slid between two refrigerator sized crates. He was far enough away that Merlyn wouldn’t know he was there, but close enough that if things got out of hand, he’d be there for backup.

He could just hear what was going on in the center of the warehouse.

“Okay Merlyn,” Sara called as she stepped out of her car. She could see Avery sitting on a stomach-height crate. Her legs dangled at least two feet from the ground and Malcolm had to lift her to get her down. “I’m here. You happy?”

“Almost. You came alone. That’s good,” Merlyn said, “Where’s the Markov device.”

Sara shook her head, “Not without Avery.”

Merlyn scoffed, “Come on.”

“No. Give me Avery and you get your machine. That’s the deal.”

He rolled his eyes, but relinquished his hold on Avery’s arm. Avery ran towards Sara who dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around her daughter. She could feel Avery’s heart pounding in her chest and her fingers gripping the back of her leather jacket.

Sara pulled away, leaving her hands on Avery’s shoulders. She could see tears sparkling in her eyes, threatening to spill over.

“Avie, this is very important, so you need to listen,” she said. Avery nodded, “I need you to play a game, okay? I need you to hide until I can come find you.”

“Mommy, I don’t wanna play a game,” she shook her head and Sara could hear in her voice that she was going to start crying.

“I know you don’t, honey, but you have to,” Sara could hear the same sound in her own voice, “I need you to hide really, really well, okay?”

Avery nodded. Sara pointed her in the direction of the utility door and watched her daughter run away from her.

She turned back to Merlyn, who was leaning against the crate with an expression of complete and utter boredom on his face.

“Cute,” he smirked, “Now where’s the Markov device?”

Sara moved to her car and popped open the trunk.

“It’s there.”

“Good,” Malcolm replied, taking a few steps closer to get a better look into the car. Then, he reached into his coat, pulled out a shiny black gun, and pointed it directly at her heart.

Meanwhile, Avery was making her way through the aisles, looking for the exit to the warehouse. She thought she remembered how Malcolm had gotten her inside, but now she wasn’t so sure. She had stopped at the meeting point of four different aisles. She knew one of them was right, she just couldn’t figure out which one.

She heard the sound of footsteps behind her and felt her breath hitch in her throat. Slowly, she turned on her toes until she saw a familiar face.

Leonard was standing in the center of the aisle to her left.

Avery opened her mouth to call to him but he put a finger to his lips, shaking his head. He gestured for him to come over to him and she ran the distance, leaping into his arms. Leonard wasn’t prepared for that, but recovered quickly, wrapping his arms around her back. Avery locked her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist.

“Are you okay?” he murmured into her hair. He felt her nod against his neck, “What about your mom?”

“I don’t think so,” Avery whispered, “I think she’s in trouble.”

“Me too, kid.”

“Mommy told me to hide.”

“I know she did.” Leonard walked, still carrying Avery, to the two crates he’d been hidden between. He put her down and helped her into the hiding spot, “Stay here okay? Don’t come out until your mom or I says to, okay? No one else.”

“Okay,” Avery whispered.

Leonard snuck around the outer edge of the warehouse. He caught glimpses of Malcolm pointing a gun at Sara and had to force down the impulse to run at him, rip the gun out of his hand, and get Sara to safety. He couldn’t do that because Malcolm was the one with a gun. He was the one with the power to kill Sara if Leonard made the wrong move.

Sara was holding her own, though. Even looking down the barrel of a gun pointed at her heart, she hadn’t taken a step back or flinched or showed any signs of fear at all. Leonard would have expected nothing less from Sara.

Leonard continued to creep around the shelves until he reached an aisle where a tall crate protruded into the path. With the box obscuring any view of the aisle, Leonard was able to move closer to the center of the warehouse without being seen, finally coming within earshot of the conversation between Malcolm and Sara.

“I half-expected you’d bring your boyfriend with you,” Malcolm was saying, “Then I could take the two of you out together.”

“He’s not my boyfriend,” Sara insisted, “and I didn’t bring him with me. I followed the rules. I thought you would too.”

“I have, actually,” he replied, “I never said about sparing you, only her,” he gestured with his gun in the direction Avery had ran off in, “Anyway, I’m sure the news of your death will draw Snart out in due time.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“I really wish it didn’t have to be this way,” Malcolm said, not really answering her question.

“Sure,” Sara scoffed.

“I like you, Sara. I really do. You’ve got spunk, drive. If I’m being honest, I sometimes wish my son were more like you. We could have been great allies, but that’s the thing” he switched off the gun’s safety, “your greatest allies can also be your greatest enemies, and you were certainly a stellar one.”

He pulled the trigger. The gunshot rang out but Sara had already rolled away, predicting Malcolm’s movements.

Leonard had to hold the edge of the crate to prevent himself from running out to help her. He knew that would only get Sara killed faster.

He moved out from behind the crate and crept down the aisle.

He saw what was going to happen next before it did.

Sara had just rolled to the ground to avoid Merlyn’s bullet, but as she was standing again, he fired another one, twisting backwards to point the gun in Sara’s direction as he moved the opposite way towards the car and the Markov device. He didn’t even look to see if the bullet — another meaningless bullet, not the first, never the last — had hit its target.

His first and only concern was the Markov device. Everything, everyone else was a mere pawn, first to be taken out, first to be forgotten.

He had shot wide — perhaps on purpose, perhaps not — but when Sara jumped to the side, thinking she had moved out of the bullet’s path, she had in fact placed herself right in its line of fire.

Leonard watched the bullet tear through the air, watched Sara’s lips part as she too realized what was about to happen.

He could see she was trying to get out of the bullet’s way, but with the world moving in slow motion, she just couldn’t move fast enough.

They both watched the bullet lodge itself in Sara’s abdomen.

She screamed in pain as she dropped to the ground.

“Sara!” Leonard snarled. In a millisecond the cold gun was out of its holster, the safety was off and he’d fired at Malcolm.

He tried to aim for the man’s heart, but shot too low in his rush to get to Sara, instead hitting Merlyn’s legs with a blast of ice.

He fell to the ground but continued army-crawling towards the Markov device.

Leonard wanted to go after him, to take him down once and for all, but then he caught sight of the blood that had started pooling around Sara, the dark red stain steadily spreading across the concrete and soaking her grey t-shirt. She hadn’t moved since she’d fallen to the floor.

Leonard kicked Malcolm’s gun — the one he’d shot Sara with and then dropped when he’d been hit with the blast from the cold gun — across the warehouse. It skittered noisily against the cement floor before sliding under a shelf and out of sight. He knew Merlyn wouldn’t go after it. Just like Leonard’s priority was getting Sara to safety, Malcolm’s priority was his mission, and as much as he wanted Sara and Leonard dead, he wanted even more to ensure the safety of his Markov device, so with a glare in Leonard’s direction, he continued moving on his hands and knees towards Sara’s car, where the Markov device was still visible in the trunk.

Leonard ran to Sara, crouching by her side. She had curled into a fetal position with her eyes squeezed shut. He could tell she was still conscious, but for how long she would stay that way he wasn’t so sure.

“Lance,” he said, “Stay with me. You’re gonna be fine.”

“Avery?” she muttered.

“She’s fine. I found her, don’t worry.”

He jumped up and ran out the front utility door. He turned the car on, grateful that he left the key in the ignition. He drove the car through the wide garage door and stopped at the aisle where Avery was hidden.

“Avery,” he called. He saw her head peer out from behind the refrigerator box, “You can come out now, but we have to go really fast.”

She ran out from behind her space between the boxes and Leonard stepped out of the car to help her climb into the front passenger seat.

“Mommy says I’m not supposed to sit in the front seat,” Avery said as Leonard moved the seat as far away from the airbag as it could go.

“I think she’ll let it slide just this once,” he said, getting back in the driver’s seat. He directed the car as close to Sara as he could before jumping out of the car and running to her.

“Malcolm got away,” Sara croaked and Leonard looked up to see that Malcolm and the Markov device were indeed gone. He must have gone out the back entrance while he was getting Avery.

“Go. Go after him,” she said.

“Not a chance, Sara,” he said, “I’m not leaving you.”

Leonard carefully lifted Sara into his arms.

“Wait,” she said before he started moving, “No hos—“

“No hospitals,” he finished, “I know.”

He carried Sara to the car and settled her gently across the back seat. He slammed the door shut and started backing the car out of the warehouse.

Avery turned in her seat to see her mother, pale and bleeding through her t-shirt. Sara’s breaths had become shallow and rattling. Leonard knew he didn’t have much time.

“Is Mommy gonna die?” Avery asked Leonard, looking up at him with wide blue eyes filled with fear.

“No,” Leonard said without hesitation, “I’m not gonna let that happen.”

AN: The TV show Lucifer (which I definitely recommend) has been a huge inspiration for this story, which a few people have noticed (hey guys). This chapter in particular has a lot of references to the show, so if anything seems familiar, that’s where it’s from :)

#lot #legends of tomorrow #captain canary #cc ff #lot ff #voices carry #mine

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