#take note of trigger warnings on a03
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COWBOY CHRISTMAS - A Jack Daniels (Agent Whiskey) Christmas One Shot
Summary: Your husband Jack takes you out on a snowy Christmas Eve horse ride around the ranch, then helps you thaw out after.
Pairing: Husband!Jack Daniels x Wife!Reader (No name or physical description of reader. It’s you, bub.)
Word Count: 5k
Scoville Smut Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ "You tell me I'm doing well, and then, you try to kill me."
Check out my Scoville Smut Ratings here.
Warnings/triggers - Established relationship/unprotected PIV (wrap up, folks!)/fingering.
NSFW. MINORS DNI! OVER 18’s ONLY. YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT YOU READ. ☝🏻Don’t come at me; you’ve been plenty warned.
If this story isn't for you, that's fine. Just slip quietly out the back door. No need to make a fuss. It's just a work of fiction.
Author’s Note: Husband Jack hits differently and I'm here for it. Horsey speak researched because I'm not a horsey person. Neigh. I hope you enjoy spending Christmas with Jack. 🎄
Tagging @ladybess-a03 as Jack is her husband 🤠🖤
12 DAYS OF XXX-MAS MASTERLIST | MAIN MASTERLIST
Enjoy & Happy Holidays! 🎄🖤
“Now, you hold on tight to them reins there, sugar. Don’t want ol’ Thunder here gallopin’ off into the breach.” Jacks says to you with a wink.
You watch as he buttons up his denim jacket; a woolly sheepskin lines the collar inside around his neck. “Hoo, it’s a chilly one this mornin’!” He exclaims in that Southern twang making sweet, unbashed love to his vocal chords.
“Remind me why I let you talk me into this?” You say, feeling the cold rake it’s sharp fingernails down your spine.
“'Cause I can talk you into anythin'." He grins. "Besides, you’re gonna love it.” He assures.
“I love our warm bed more.” You mutter, trying not to smirk.
You grip tight on the leather reins with your gloved hands as the horse snuffles gently; the cool air wisps out of his large, wet nostrils in gossamer tendrils, floating into the air.
The snow is fresh and crisp on the ground; the Ranch is covered in billowy marshmallows heaped on the roof like someone let the powdered sugar pour overnight. The whole scene looks as though a snow globe has been shaken up and long since settled with the coarse glitter of it all glimmering under the pallor of the winter sun; a pale blue orb lingering in the sky.
A Christmas Eve morning horse ride with your husband Jack sounded appealing when he suggested it, but now that you’re the one in the driver’s seat so to speak, you're not so sure, as your stomach tosses about with the anxiousness of it all.
It’s not that you’re not a keen rider, it’s just that Jack’s array of Appaloosas and Mustangs from the rodeo show - that’s been a lucrative business for you both, if not but a hectic one - can always seem to sense your trepidation, and do everything they can to keep you from venturing near them, let alone mounting them.
But Jack’s a determined son of a gun to get you used to it, and a few lessons with a deep brown Lusitano named Thunder, seem to be paying off, as the two of you bond the more time you spend with the stallion.
Thunder stands at a regal sixteen hands, his physique a perfect blend of strength and elegance. His coat is a rich chestnut, gleaming under the dappled sunlight like polished mahogany. He's probably the most handsome thing you've ever laid eyes on, aside from your husband, of course.
Jack had assured you that Thunder’s physique, combined with his gentle demeanour and keen intelligence, made him not just a stunning horse, but also an ideal companion for you.
And that smooth talking cowboy hadn’t been wrong yet.
Jack hoists himself up, grunting with a steely puff as he settles on the double saddle behind you. Not brave enough yet to go it alone in the snow, Jack rides tandem with you this morning.
The front of his Stetson knocks gently against the back of your head as he adjusts, and the horse pads his front hooves in anticipation to get going.
“Easy, Thunder,” he soothes as he reaches around and checks the reins. “You good to go, sweet thing?” Jack asks you.
“What are you going to hold on to?” You query as he lets go of the reins, turning to glance at him over your shoulder warily.
You’ve seen Jack ride plenty of times, to the point he trusts his stallions and mares implicitly. There's some magical fluidity between them as you watch from the sidelines of the paddock when they practise together.
Although each time he rides free and un-reined, you can’t help but grimace and worry, especially when he shows off in the rodeo ring.
“Why, your gorgeous self, of course!” You feel him pinch your hips playfully and then his arms wrap around your waist. He pats your belly softly.
“I got you, nice n' tight.” The wetness of his lips are cold as they squish against your cheek where he kisses you affectionately. You giggle as his fuzzy moustache tickles against your skin.
“Now, you’re the one in control, remember. Just like I taught you. Pull back gently if you want him to slow down.”
“Okay.” You nod, taking in a deep breath and sounding much more confident than you actually feel. And Jack picks up on it and rubs your arms down.
“You’ve got nothin’ to worry about, sugar. He’s infatuated with you.” Jack reassures. He holds you tighter and runs his nose against the side of your face. “And he ain’t the only one.” he murmurs.
“You keep doing that and we’re never getting out of this damn paddock,” you groan as he nips against your lobe, tonguing it slyly.
Despite the cold, you suddenly feel the warmth creeping up under your jacket trying to strangle you.
He chuckles and pulls back, sitting himself upright and placing his hands together around your waist again.
“Let’s skedaddle.” He instructs.
You breathe out, clicking your tongue twice and squeeze your legs gently against the underside of Thunder. He immediately trots forward languidly.
“There you go, nice n' easy there. See, he ain’t so buck wild after all, is he now?” Jack says.
“No, he’s a good boy,” you say, leaning forward and patting Thunder’s head as he strides forward out the paddock. “A good boy that’s going to go nice and slow, okay?” You whisper, imploring the horse.
Thunder simply snorts in response.
You settle into it; a gentle trot across the acres of the Ranch on this wintery morning. You can feel the cold biting against your face as you tuck your chin into your scarf to ward off the nip.
The scene is magical; treetops covered in plumes of glittery white, and every sound seems more muted somehow, wrapped up in a bundle of snow that acts as a cosy insulator.
The soft pads of Thunder’s hooves against the cold ground, and Jack's breathing just behind your ear, are the only sounds you can hear around the exquisite peace.
And you lose yourself to it, closing your eyes and resting back against Jack’s chest as you relax into the ride together.
“You doin’ alright there?” Jack asks, and you feel his gloved hands rubbing back and forth against your stomach creating fluttery wings to beat and flap around inside of it.
“Mmm,” you reply. “This is just beautiful.” You confirm feeling more taken with it all. “This was a great idea.”
“I’m mighty glad you feel that way, darlin’. We gotta get you out ridin’ some more.” Jack suggests.
“I do plenty of riding, cowboy.” You toss a hot smirk at him over your shoulder.
“Christ. Ain’t that the truth.” He chuckles.
You feel his hands squeeze your hips again and his breaths are felt warming in the crook of your neck.
“Wanna kick it up a notch?”
“Go faster?” You peep with alarm.
“Sure, you can handle it.”
“But the snow, isn’t that dangerous?”
Jack scoffs. “Snow’s fresh, darlin’. No ice.”
“But-”
“Gotta trust in your horse.”
You make an uncertain noise in the back of your throat.
“Ain’t gonna let anythin’ happen to you.” Jack reassures and your uncertainty begins to waver as you feel yourself melt in the sincerity of his eyes.
“Okay.” You nod, smiling.
“That’s my girl. Go on, now. Squeeze your calves against him. That’s it, you’re doin’ real good.” Jack praises as Thunder ups his paces to a gentle canter, full of brio and a little faster than his previous meandering.
He bows and nods his large head, whinnying.
“Oh see, he likes that. Our boy here was bred for speed.” Jack pats the back of the stallion’s neck and Thunder snuffles in response.
You can feel your fingers gripping tighter on the reins, your body tensing up.
“You trust me, sugar?” You hear Jack pollute in your ear.
You turn to look at him incredulously.
“He wants to run. Gotta give it to him.”
“Oh God.” You wince.
You steady yourself as Thunder nickers and snuffles again. Jack takes your hand and weaves it around Thunder’s mane. A trick he does himself whilst on the rodeo to be sure to stay on if the horse should suddenly veer off.
Your gloved fingers hold tightly through the silken hair whilst your other hand grips on the reins as tight as you can.
“He’ll take care of you. We both will.” Jack takes a hold of the reins with you, his arms either side. “Hold on tight, darlin’.”
You steady yourself, holding on tightly as he instructs and bracing yourself.
“Hup! Hup!” You hear Jack instruct Thunder with a sharp command, and the horse bolts forward.
He attacks the gallop at full speed, like he's running for his life. Like he was born to do nothing else other then run.
“Shit, Jack!” You gasp, as he takes full control.
The sounds of Thunder’s hooves are louder and feel like they crack and echo across the sky. Your body is forced into a galloping rhythm; your butt bashing up and down against the saddle as you try to find some comfort with it.
You rise up, remembering to anchor yourself in the stirrups, leaning forward like your body is floating as Thunder moves under you.
You can feel Jack’s body against yours, moving with you. He has both hands on the reins, but has manoeuvred so you're safe inside his arms too.
“See why I named him Thunder now?!” Jack muses as he bears down on the reins and the horse’s speed increases furthermore.
You can feel Thunder’s muscles bunch and release. You can feel and hear his hooves hit the ground in heavy thuds that ricochet through your skeleton, and see the hypnotic, rhythmic motion of his head, which you’re following with your hands.
It’s exhilarating.
The cold wind whips through your bones, despite the jacket and scarf’s protection. You hear Jack holler and chuckle behind you.
“Alright now!” He cheers triumphantly as Thunder takes a sharp turn, effortlessly, and you cling on for dear life grounding down on your teeth and steadying yourself with your stirrups.
“Oh my God!” You wail as the exhilaration begins to twist that fear into utter elation.
Your teeth feel the cold as you can’t contain the wild smile opening up your lips as you giggle and holler alongside Jack; his enthusiasm and passion for the ride infecting you.
The wind is blowing so hard that you really can’t see or hear very clearly and Thunder’s ears twitch up as you holler an enthusiastic woo! Into the air. It feels like you're flying as the wind streams tears from your eyes.
Thunder’s hooves beat frantically against the snow and the ride through the acres soon comes to an end as Jack instructs you to slow Thunder to a steady trot once more.
You can sense Thunder’s reluctance, he would run forever if he could, but you pull on the reins and announce for him to slow and he does.
“Woah, easy. Easy…” you soothe as he tries to resist, but eventually settles back into that steady canter as you all catch your collective breath.
You wipe your eyes with the back of your woolly hand and Jack smiles at you.
“That was amazing,” you admit, your body shaking, not just from the cold now.
“I knew you’d love it.” He replies, grinning. “Your husband knows you better than you think.”
“Sometimes,” you tease.
“Sometimes?” He scoffs and stamps another kiss on your cold cheek.
Once in the paddock, Jack jumps off and helps you down. You lunge for him, planting a heavy kiss on his lips and slip your tongue into his hot, wet mouth.
“What’s got you so hot n’ bothered, hmm?” He murmurs against your lips.
“Adrenaline.” You shrug giggling, as you stroke the back of Jack's nape where his brown curls gather under his suede Stetson.
His hands sweep through your hair, messy from being wind-whipped and he studies your face with chocolate mocha eyes. You shiver as he pulls you to him.
“Fuck, sugar.” He groans as you press your mouth to his again; your kiss mutating into something desperate and untamed.
You both stumble backwards and Jack loses his footing and pulls you down with him in the muddy slush around the paddock.
“Ah shit,” he groans, chuckling.
You squeal as you feel the cold and wet instantly soak into your jeans. Scrambling, you try to get up, but slip further into the mud as Jack gives up and howls loudly at your plight.
He’s rewarded with a glop of mud thrown at his chest.
“Need a hand there, darlin’?” Once he’s contained himself enough, he helps you up and you both head back to the Ranch to warm up.
“Go on n’ get yourself inside. I’ll wrangle Thunder back into the stable. Reckon it might snow again soon.” He glances up at the sky, the sun long since besmirched by clouds of grey.
“Don’t take too long, handsome” you smirk.
“Lickety-split.” Jack breathes into your mouth as you kiss him again.
You look at the state of you both, covered in freezing mud, and Jack has some splashed up on his forehead, and you can’t help but laugh at the state of you both, despite shivering.
“Why don’t you run us a bath?” Jack suggests with dark eyes, and you nod as if under a captive spell.
You leave your muddy boots on the porch and head inside. The warmth hits you immediately and you shimmy yourself out of your wet jacket, blowing into your hands that feel like icicles, despite the gloves.
You pace up the stairs, wading somewhat as your jeans stick to you, to the bathroom and fill the large jacuzzi-style tub with hot water, stripping as you notice snowflakes starting to billow lightly outside.
“Missed your calling as a weatherman, Jack.” You snicker to yourself.
You toss in a fragrant bath bomb and light some incense filling the bathroom with heady notes of sandalwood, patchouli, and exotic florals; the swirling tendrils evoking a sense of tranquillity as your skin starts to perspire.
You step into the sizzling, enveloping water that seems to wrap its arms around you with the inviting warmth as you succumb to it wholly.
You breathe out slowly, moaning in relief as you slide your shoulders under the water, the temperature burning you slightly and relishing the feel of it.
You swill the water around; lavishing yourself in the foamy remnants of the bath bomb. You eventually lay still in the water and breathe in and out a few times, keeping your eyes closed.
Your cold, aching muscles from the ride find some sedated bliss in those first few moments; like someone has slowly squeezed the angst and stress out of you like juicing an orange.
You close your eyes and relax, feeling the weight start to drop from you.
The invigorating peace is interrupted by the bathroom door slowly creaking open and footsteps pad in lightly on the tiled floor.
You turn your head, smiling at Jack as he unbuttons his plaid shirt and drops it to his feet.
You sit up, watching him, and try not to obscenely salivate over your husband as he unbuckles his belt with a slow, deliberate simmer at you, but it's hard not to. He’ll always have that effect on you when he gets naked.
Your eyes roam over tan, sculpted arms, a svelte waist and long legs smattered with dark hairs, before you settle in on the thick, hardening cock between his legs.
“Scooch on forward, sugar,” he says softly with a wink, standing at the side of the tub; that semi hard-on already taking shape and protruding out from his lean, muscular body.
He steps in and sits down in the water behind you; his long legs running parallel either side of you.
“Couldn’t resist,” you hum.
“You gettin’ started without me, hmm?” Jack queries as he pulls you back into his chest, wrapping his arms over your stomach again.
You feel him plant kisses into your crown as you nuzzle into him.
“Scrub my back for me?” You question coyly over your shoulder, and flutter your eyelashes at him.
The steam in the bathroom makes the mirror frost over with condensation and the air seems to vibrate around you both and stick to your clammy skin.
You sit upright; the water making your back glisten at him and he licks his lips as he regards you.
“Well, how can I resist such a tempting offer?” Jack smiles and reaches for the soap on the side of the bath behind him, lathering it up in his big hands.
You feel his hands massaging into your shoulders; his fingers kneading away all the tension and the slippery feel of the soap foaming on your back, squelching through his thick digits.
“Mmm,” you sigh as he works his thumbs down either side of your spinal cord.
“That feel good, hmm?” Jack husks from behind you, squeezing and manipulating the muscles under your skin. He knows it’s good - knows it will drive you wild.
“Real good…” You utter, eyes closed and lost inside of his hypnotic rhythms and magic hands.
You can hear him breathe in your ear and feel him plant lascivious kisses down the side of your damp face. The faint scratch of his shaven jaw runs prickly against your skin; the soft fuzz of his moustache counteracting it begins to tickle again.
It begins to wake your nipples up; sending goosebumps to bloom around your areolas pulling them tight and tingly.
He runs his fingers down your back and up under your arms sitting forward himself, and slathers the soapy lather in his hands across your collarbone and down towards your breasts.
Your breath hitches as his roaming fingers tease your nipples, pulling and rolling them gently, and you sink back into his chest once more as he massages. He runs the open palms of his hands all over them; cupping, squeezing, fondling.
“That’s so nice,” you groan as he kisses the side of your temple.
“I told you, I know you well.” You can hear him grin, a graze inside your ear.
His wet, soapy fingers continue to work their way down your torso, gliding across your navel before he gives it a gentle squeeze and strokes gently.
“What’re we gonna name this lil’ dill pickle in here, hmm?” Jack asks, and you glance down at your tummy, still flat, but in a few months time it’ll be swollen and rotund as the baby grows.
“Depends what he looks like when he comes out. Hopefully not like a dill pickle. I hate pickles.” You say, crinkling your nose.
You hear Jack snort behind you into your hair. “Hates pickles. I married me a mad one.”
“You knew what you were getting yourself into, cowboy.” You chuckle.
“Mmhm. He?” He queries.
“Feels like a he.” You say, placing your hands on top of Jack’s. The light of your wedding band shimmering in the wet. “What do you think?”
“I think,” Jack breathes in, his lips grazing your skin behind your ear “as long as it’s healthy, darlin’, it don’t matter. Gonna love it all the same.”
You smile, reaching up behind you to stroke his face. You feel him peck your fingers.
“When he's out, I’ll put another one in there.” He confirms.
“Woah, hold your horses,” you say.
“You just try n’ stop me, sugar. Got yourself a virile man. Gonna have a whole bunch of lil’ rodeo riders gallopin’ about the joint.” Jack pinches your hips gently and you giggle when he hits a ticklish spot as he gruffs another chuckle in your ear.
He feels you flinch and the top of your buttocks push against his cock that has long since hardened completely under the water.
“Besides, I'm waitin’ for these to grow nice n’ big, too,” Jack smirks.
Jack kisses down the side of your face once more; his lips searching yours out and finally making contact with them as you twist yourself in the water to reach them.
His tongue darts into your mouth as he squeezes onto your right breast, and a satisfied grunt escapes into your mouth from him.
You splash water at him as he growls playfully into you, moaning as you kiss him again.
It makes all the hairs of your body stand tall to order, hearing him moan like that - moan for you. Warming you as you inhale them in; oxygen to your lungs.
Filling you deep with sweet images of him teaching your child - or several of them - to ride horses and take care of them. The thought of Jack’s paternal instincts rile you up even further.
Although it doesn’t take much with the hormones either.
His kiss is hungry; swallowing you up and you raise your wet hands to finger inside of his hair, weaving through it gently at first, but becoming fiercer with tugs as he reacts to it.
You wonder what else it’ll be that you’ll crave this much as your pregnancy advances, because you're constantly craving your husband inside you, night and day it seems.
And neither of you are complaining about it.
He follows the track of bubbles down your body with his hand, slides down over your torso and abdomen until his fingers reach forward and disappear between the middle of your legs inside the bubbly pool.
You gasp, breaking the kiss as you feel them instantly finding your clit and shudder as he swipes across it with the pads of his tips. They tease between your soapy folds. His middle finger starts tapping and rubbing against your hub, making you gasp into his mouth.
“Suck, darlin’... just like that.”
His other hand grips gently around under your face, stroking your jawline as his digits run over your lips when he breaks the kiss.
Hooded brown eyes regard you before inserting his index and middle finger into your mouth.
You suck on them gently, and run your tongue over them as his other fingers thrum heavier on your clit under the water, causing it to swill around you as you fidget, grinding against his fingers as he slowly teases you with them.
He can still feel the viscous slickness of you around them, feeling silkier in the water.
“You feel that, sugar? What you’re doin’ to me? Got my cock all big n' hard for you.” His fingers move off your clit and begin to take a walk inside of you, and you gasp again in delight.
Jack marvels with mud coloured eyes as you lap at his fingers, imagining they’re his cock. They taste slightly salty like it; rough and calloused skin being soothed by your tongue.
He groans into your ear nipping at your lobe, as you feel him pressing against your lower back and getting harder by the second.
“Mmm, Jack…” His name escapes out of your mouth, dripping in honey and all things sweet.
The fingers you’ve been sucking on run across your throat and he kisses you more forcefully as he slides his digits in and out of your pussy, gaining momentum.
Your part your legs wider so he can delve in further to you, arching back up against him as the sensation of tingles flood outwards from your core all over your body and skin, crackling outwards like fuzzed lightning.
“Fuck!” You pant as he works you up and pushes you closer and closer to the edge until you finally leap off.
An electrifying sensation courses through you, sparking an intoxicating blend of satisfaction and euphoria as you gasp out.
“Jack!”
“Fuck, darlin’, that’s it.” Jack encourages as the heel of his palm grinds heavily against your clit as he fingers you through your pulsing orgasm.
Your thighs jolt and shudder as he strokes gentler now, teasing circles around your sensitive bud after withdrawing his slick soaked fingers.
You twist around in the bath completely to face him. You want him; want him hard and are going to take him - hard.
“Fuck,” you moan, taking him in.
He lays back in the tub, knees open wide with plumes of suds, and cock resting heavy and thick against his stomach.
It makes you salivate to see him like this; so fucking gorgeous and wet, and all yours.
“See somethin’ you like?” He smirks.
You run your drenched hands over his cock, nodding. Feeling how he pulses and the veins throb around your grip as you jerk him slowly.
“Show me again how well you can ride, sugar.” Jack challenges, as you grin.
You straddle him, sliding up and down against him; your lips teasing him as you rub against his hard, thick length.
“Gimme that pussy, darlin’.”
“You want it, cowboy?” You utter as you slip back and forth over him.
“Oh, you know I want it.” He hisses through his teeth as you rub your cunt up and down his length, groaning as it still tingles on your clit. “Always want this fuckin’ gorgeous pussy.”
You sit down on his thick cock that’s poking out of the water at you, inviting you onto its swollen, wet head. The water sloshes around you both as he grabs at your hips and grinds you down onto his throbbing dick.
“Fuck,” he grits as he fills you.
You balance your weight on your arms, holding onto the edges of the tub, sliding up and down him; bouncing that pussy of yours off of his cock.
“C’mon, sugar. Ride me. Ride your cowboy.” Jack tempts.
Jack thrusts his hips upwards to meet you halfway as you thud back down on him, making you both cry out.
“Fuck, like that!” He hollers, the water now splashing over the sides of the tub onto the floor with your intense determination to get off.
“That feel good, darlin'? Lemme see you. Eyes on me, sweet thing. Christ, look at you... So fuckin’ gorgeous on my dick. That's it now, work it... Like that. Aw, hell yeah, like that…” he croons, panting.
He can feel himself becoming more and more frantic with you and you love it. You grip onto his hands, anchoring yourself as he bucks underneath you; lifting his hips as you ride him deeper and faster.
“Jack! Fuck!”
You’re wailing as your head snaps back, suds flicking up the tiles, and the water in the tub is nothing more than a swirling whirlpool around you both.
You can feel the brewing of your orgasm; the tightening inside your stomach and the deep pull of your cunt cinching around him.
It’s a delicious feeling as you unwind yourself completely. The air in the bathroom carrying a heavy, languid heat, wrapping you in a heady cocoon of sensual bliss.
Jack gorges on the vision of you, sitting atop him; breasts shiny with the soapy water dripping down them, jiggling up and down. Panting and groaning for him as your body runs slick with water and bubbles.
The blooming feeling, like a sunlit daydream, unfolds with gentle intensity that bathes you in a soft, golden glow as it builds from within.
A velvet touch of warmth that lingers dreamily through the marrow of your bones, leaving you submerged in a haze of dizzy serenity, where time slows and the world takes on a muted hue around the fuzzed edges of your vision, condensating your eyes as you enjoy the deep thrusting inside you.
“Darlin’. Fuck, you’re so beautiful.” He groans. He can feel himself beginning to lose it, grunting and getting ready to fill you up.
You let go of his hands and slap them down on his chest, riding him ragged over the final hurdle; cunt tightening and pumping his cock.
He can just about bear it as your position means he’s gone that little bit further inside you still, and your walls are rubbing deliciously against him.
“Ah shee-it!” Jack curses out with a snarl pulled around his beautiful lips. “Gonna fill you up, sugar. You’re close now… I can feel it. Want you comin’ all over my cock as I fill you, okay?” He drawls in that thick, Kentucky squall.
Nodding, you go faster; twerking on his dick and feeling the build up inside you reach epic proportions - your own release imminent. You want this; crave this from him, as you let yourself let go.
“Come for me, Jack!”
“Fuck, yeah!”
He shudders against you, cursing out and biting his bottom lip as he begins exploding inside you. Veins in his neck twitching and bulging as he howls.
You slump forward onto him, kissing his wet, smooth chest delicately. The water finally comes to a still as you lay in the hot suds with him.
You combust around him; calling his name out over and over; your rocking takes on a slow and steady pace until its eventual stop as you both shiver and judder from the come down.
Your body tingles all over and legs feel like wobbly jelly.
“Fuck me...” Jack sighs contentedly, grabbing a hold of your ass and squeezing it gently between the wavy, foamy froth.
“I just did.” You titter and he chuckles.
“And then some.” He tilts your chin up to him and plants a lingering sensual kiss on your lips.
“Jesus Christ, I love you, darlin’.” He wraps you tightly in his drenched arms. “You n’ that lil' dill pickle in there.”
You smile contentedly. “We love you too, cowboy.”
A little while later, you’re both dressed in warm clothes by the fireplace, as Jack sips from a glass of honey coloured whiskey.
You’re both exchanging cosy, satisfied smiles as you both wrap the gifts in coordinated teamwork, that you’ve picked out together for the staff that work at the Ranch.
You crease the folds of the metallic paper, and he tears off the tape strips holding them out to you on a lone finger. He holds the ribbon in place, whilst you tie it into a bow over his digits.
He writes out the cards in a messy scrawl, whilst you place some food down in front of him, and he leans up to kiss you, patting and rubbing your tummy gently.
He lifts up the chunky knit of your sweater to reveal your soft, clean skin. You run your hands through his deep chocolate locks as he beams up at you.
“Happy Christmas, sugar.”
“Happy Christmas, Jack.”
You watch, smiling fondly, as he then runs his nose against your belly, inhaling the perfume of you, and you giggle at the tickle of his moustache.
Jack gazes up at you before pressing his soft, pursed lips below your belly button. A lingering little smooch sinking into the layers of your skin.
“Happy Christmas, lil' dill pickle.” Jack says.
12 DAYS OF XXX-MAS MASTERLIST | MAIN MASTERLIST
#pedro pascal x reader#jack daniels x reader#agent whiskey x reader#agent whiskey smut#agent jack whiskey daniels#agent whiskey kingsman#pedro pascal#pedro pascal characters#christmas stories#jett's writing
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Keeping Lines Blurry
Chapter 5 - Security Protocols
Masterlist of Chapters
Warnings:
18+ - No minors
Please read the tags on A03 for any of your triggers
Kyle "Gaz" Garrick X Original FMC
6.1k words - AO3 Link.
By the time Henry and Olivia got up and made an appearance a few hours later Gaz had nearly smoked his whole pack of cigarettes and had pried open a box of cereal that he had eaten dry since there was no milk. He had spent the better part of the past few hours reading up on Henry and Olivia on his phone and had been taking notes on a discarded grocery notepad he found in the kitchen. There were things he wanted more information on but that would require a bit more clearance and backdoor scouting which he would need a better computer for, or Alex. While Gaz knew how to hack into things and could navigate his way around code Alex was ten times better at it. The CIA had taught Alex well and luckily for Gaz his friend didn’t ask too many questions whenever Gaz sent him requests.
“Not a whole lot of breakfast items to choose from,” Gaz stated as he popped a few more cheerios into his mouth from the bowl he had poured himself. “I’m waiting for clearance to leave and go to the shop so write down anything you may need,” he added sliding the grocery pad and pen over. He had ripped his notes off when he had heard movement in the bedroom and pocketed the information then started a list for himself. Cigarettes, gum and milk were at the top of the list, though he could remember those easily enough he didn’t want it to seem suspicious as to why he had pen and paper. “There’s a half a pot of coffee left if you want, no milk though,” he finished nodding in the direction of the kitchen.
“Surely we aren’t going to be stuck here another day,” Henry stated as he stared at Gaz. He was already dressed in slacks and a button-down shirt with a tie neatly done. “MI6 should be done with their searching and securing by now,” he added as he pulled his phone from his pocket, quickly showing Gaz it was still off. “I have meetings and other business to attend to. I can’t continue to stay in the dark like this.”
“Until we get the all clear we are going to stay right here,” Gaz answered simply before eating another few cheerios with his fingers. He was feeling smug at the look of disdain Henry gave him and he did his best to hide his smirk. “Look at it as a forced relaxation,” he continued before his eyes darted over to Olivia who had reappeared from the kitchen with a mug of black coffee and a bowl of her own. She reached out for the box of cereal and Gaz nudged it toward her. She looked exhausted, dark purple circles were under her eyes where she hadn’t bothered with makeup yet and her shoulders were slumped inward a bit as she stared into her bowl of dry cereal.
“I need to know how our interview landed and find out what else is going on. I am on the foreign affairs staff after all. I should be attending to said affairs given everything that has happened,” Henry snapped as he took a seat at the table, folding his hands neatly on the wood. “If I can’t use my own electronics then get me something I can use, or yours,” his eyes fell to Gaz’s phone which had just buzzed while sitting on the table.
“You can’t have my phone,” Gaz answered simply knowing Henry hated being told no. “Too much sensitive information on there,” he smirked glancing at the text. It was from Alex. Gaz had sent him a few bullet points to look up and Alex was following up saying he’d start digging. “But I may be able to get you something you can use if we’re here much longer. In the meantime, there are plenty of books in the living room, and a television,” he gestured vaguely over his shoulder before firing off a message to Price to find out current status. Price answered fairly quickly stating he would be calling in a bit to give him the update and a second message to keep his shit together when he got the news because he wasn’t going to like it.
Shoving away from the table Gaz stood up quickly, his mind already running through all the things Price was going to tell him that wouldn’t make him happy. He had a sinking feeling it was he was stuck with Henry and Olivia for even longer and if it was in this tiny cottage Gaz was going to get shirty over it. There was nowhere he could go to get away from them really, the only closed off area being the bathroom and bedroom which they had claimed. Feigning busy Gaz went to the coffee table and snatched up his gun and other items that he hadn’t put back on and heaved them over his shoulder. “I’m going out to the car for a bit, expecting a call,” he explained to no one in particular before striding through the kitchen and out the backdoor.
The rain had let up at some point but everything was still soaked and the dirt driveway was a giant mudpuddle that Gaz trekked through before climbing into the drivers seat and slamming the door. It was cold and he shivered a bit as he turned the car on battery to at least get the radio before he busied his hands taking apart his pistol for lack oof anything else to do. He had assembled and disassembled the thing three times before his phone finally rang and he picked up on the first ring.
“Captain,” Gaz stated as he leaned his elbow on the car’s window ledge, his eyes looking around the area which was still deserted save for a few birds.
“You alone?” Price asked gruffly. When Gaz gave a simple yes, he added “putting you on speaker. Laswell is on the line.”
“What’s this news I’m not going to like?” Gaz asked as his eyes darted to the kitchen window where Olivia had appeared. She looked preoccupied as she sipped on her coffee but when her eyes found Gaz she quickly looked away, tilting her body so her back was to him more.
“We’re on babysitting duty,” came Soap’s voice and Price cut him off before he could rant more about it, Soap’s words turning into indecipherable mutters in the background.
“We’re all headed back to England shortly,” Price clarified. “They want tight security on all of the government officials. All of the countries are battening down, we were right in our assumption that it wasn’t just England and American officials targeted. France and Germany thwarted their own attacks, though not without loss of life they just didn’t get to the intended targets. Spain wasn’t so lucky,” he paused and shuffled papers.
“Spain? They weren’t even part of the gala attacks or peace negotiations, what did they possibly do to get involved?” Gaz asked as he sat up straighter in his seat.
“We don’t know yet,” Laswell interjected. “But something is going on and they want all hands-on deck at home. We’re setting up groups all over to guard and monitor the situation at home. Stepping up the terror threat levels and some countries are already talking about pulling out of the summit next month,” she continued before her sound was muffled as if she put her hand over the speaker to talk to someone.
“What if that was the point though? Scare people out of talking,” Gaz stated.
“We think that’s exactly the plan,” Price answered. “We can only do so much at once. So, first step is for us to make sure everything is secure while people that get paid more than us to sit on their asses and talk amongst themselves figure out next steps.”
“I take it the fact you’re heading back we have zero leads on who orchestrated the attack,” Gaz continued.
“We have plenty ideas but nothing solid yet,” Ghost finally chimed in. “We’re to be ready to leave on a moments notice if we get the go ahead,” he continued. “But until then, like Soap said, we’re coddling politicians.”
“And I’m guessing Henry and Olivia are part of it,” Gaz said, finishing his words on a sigh. “Can I get another assignment at least if we’re going to be juggling more than one person?” Surely there was some other stuffy person he could watch over; he’d even take the prime minister who had a bug up their ass about everything.
“Henry and Olivia are priority,” Laswell finally came back. “They are the only ones that have been targeted twice so far. No one else had a house break in that we found and they were also at the gala. For whatever reason they are high up on the hitlist,” she paused to type something before coming back. “Everyone will be on rotation, switching off so there is no set pattern because we know they are being watched. I’m working with MI6 on schedules and backup plans if you all get called away.”
“Brilliant,” Gaz muttered. “This safe house is too small to be holed in forever,” he watched the kitchen window as Henry walked over and saw him and Olivia talk to one another. It didn’t look like the best conversation based on body language but Olivia didn’t fight back much, her stance more defeated looking than anything. “And I need to get more things. I didn’t bring anything with me because this was supposed to be a short trip that I somehow got stuck on without consultation.” His tone was a bit clipped, from the frustration of it all and the exhaustion bearing down on him.
“Sergeant,” Laswell answered, her tone just as cool as Gaz’s, “I’m well aware of your situation. But I had enough of a fight to keep Alex from being pulled back to be Shepard’s little spy. I think you can suck it up a bit and trust I’m working on what is best for the team, not just you.” She finished as if she were a mother admonishing one of her children.
“Yes ma’am,” Gaz replied after a beat of ringing silence on the phone. He knew in the grand scheme of things his situation was barely a blip on the radar. Dealing with a former lover, no matter how badly she had hurt him, was nothing compared to people losing their lives and the threat of a world war.
“We’ll be there this afternoon to switch off,” Price finally stated, putting an end to the awkward pause. “You can take them back to their house now, meet with the security team there to go over details. If there is something you don’t like or need more of tell them, they have been told to get us whatever we need no questions,” he finished.
“Rog’,” Gaz answered simply, “I’ll get them now and head that way. I’ll let you know if we run into anything.” And with that he ended the call not wanting to stick around to hear anything else. He had at least gotten his wish to get out of the cottage but it seemed nothing came without a price anymore and he was paying for physical room at the cost of his proximity to Olivia and Henry.
“Good news,” Gaz said as he walked inside a moment later. He found Olivia was curled up on the couch, wrapped up in the blanket he had slept with the night before up to her neck, a book in her lap. Henry was sitting at the table with his briefcase open flipping through some paperwork. They both turned their heads to his attention and Olivia subtly pushed the blanket off her as if realizing what she had been doing. “We’ve been cleared to leave,” he barely got the words out and Henry shoved all his papers into his carrier and snapped the lid shut. “Keep phones off until we are back on the highway, I don’t want to give up this safe house incase we need to use it again,” he finished and Henry pushed back from the table and headed into the bedroom presumably to gather up his things. Olivia however, hadn’t moved from her spot, her fingers woven through the knitted material as she looked at Gaz from over the cushions.
“So, what does this mean?” She asked simply, her eyes darting to the bedroom where Henry was milling about. “Is it over? Did you catch who did this?”
“Not exactly,” Gaz answered. “We’ve got leads but no solid proof on who did it. There were more attacks against other countries so everyone is closing ranks and upping defenses. They want you all kept safe so a security protocol has been put in place. Someone will be with you at all times, out on your property, monitoring your movements. Goal is for you to never be alone, even if you can’t see us,” he shrugged a bit. “Until we figure out who exactly did this while attempting to stop a world war.”
“I haven’t been alone in years,” Olivia answered with a small sigh. She had been monitored and watched ever since she had said yes to Henry so she was used to always having someone lurking in the shadows. Setting the book down on the coffee table she stood up and headed to the bedroom to change and gather up her own items. “Are you part of this team?” She asked with a hint of hope in her tone as she paused at the doorway before sidestepping as Henry shoved past with his suitcase. “I mean surely your boss doesn’t hate you, or us, that much to force us together,” she finished after catching Henry’s glance. He had heard the tone in her voice before and he certainly didn’t like it.
Gaz wasn’t sure what she had meant by not being alone in years, but he had caught the way she had said it along with how she asked if he was part of the team. “I’ll be there, yes,” Gaz replied his tone starting out sympathetic, “but it’s a joint effort. You aren’t the only important people on the list,” he finished with snark as she got in her last little barb. Gaz wasn’t sure why she was being such an ass toward him, it wasn’t like he had left her. “Get your stuff together, I want to be out as soon as possible. And try not to leave a mess behind,” he nodded his head toward the cereal box that had been left on the table.
“I’m sure you all have someone that can clean. It’s not my job,” Olivia tossed over her shoulder before disappearing into the bedroom.
“Fucking princess,” Gaz muttered as he snatched up the cereal box and moved to throw it away before picking up the kitchen and the rest of the living area. He didn’t know when the occupant would be home but he certainly wasn’t going to leave them a mess to come back to. When Olivia appeared again twenty minutes later, she was impeccably dressed and she went outside to join Henry who had never come back inside. Henry was like an eager dog waiting to go for a car ride and had been sitting in the SUV the whole time. “I guess I’ll finish up here,” Gaz muttered as he reached for the grocery list pad and ripped off his sheet before scribbling a quick thank you.
A sweep of the bedroom Gaz found Olivia had at least stripped the bed to wash the sheets and had piled their glasses on the nightstand. He grabbed the glasses when something caught his eye and he zeroed in on a bloodstain on one of the sheets. It wasn’t huge, about the size of a 2p coin, but it was definitely newer and not an old stain from the home owner. Gaz nudged it with his foot and found more droplets trailing away from it but that was it. Maybe one of them had hurt themselves in that crashing noise that had originally woken him up the night before. Or Olivia’s wounds on her feet had been freshly opened in her sleep. He hadn’t seen any fresh injuries on either of them that morning and neither gave any indication something was seriously the matter. Tucking the knowledge away Gaz left the bedroom, shoved the glasses in the dishwasher and locked up the place before getting in to vehicle to leave.
The car ride to Henry’s and Olivia’s place was in relative silence between the three occupants. Gaz had turned the radio on low and pulled the music to the front of the vehicle to try and drown out Henry’s voice as he made phone call after phone call once they hit the highway. Olivia had also busied herself in her phone, though not making any calls, just scrolling away in silence as she watched the landscape fly by. Gaz dared to look at the two of them every now and then in the rearview mirror for lack of anything else to do and had found Olivia staring at him a few times before quickly looking away again. All the small comments and her body language in the past day were mulling around in his head as he weaved in an out of traffic and he hope Alex had found something of use to answer a few questions at least.
When they arrived at the rather ostentatious house Gaz immediately pulled the SUV into an unoccupied section of their carriage house before being accosted by the security team. He saw Olivia walk into the house alone as Henry’s team seemed to appear like a swarm of ants, dutifully grabbing his luggage for him and chattering all at once with news. No one even paused to glance at Olivia, let alone offer their assistance, as she breezed past them into the house and disappeared from view. He didn’t have a chance to linger on that though as he was led inside the house and to a security room that had a wall of full of monitors. There were cameras all over the house, the property, even going as far as having cameras out in the wooded area behind the house.
“You did all of this overnight?” Gaz asked a bit shocked at how fast they worked considering how intricate everything was. He took a seat at a small card table and pulled an inventory list toward him before looking up for someone to answer him.
“Oh no, these were already here,” someone answered simply. “Made our jobs a bit easier not having to run all the wire,” he laughed a bit.
“Already here?” Gaz mused raising an eyebrow. No wonder Olivia said she was never alone. He could see her now in what he assumed was their bedroom, working on unzipping her dress. Gaz nearly jumped out of the seat to cover the camera for her own privacy but it seemed she knew where all the cameras in the house were and disappeared into a closet to undress fully. “Did you catch who got in then? See how they got in or what they wanted?”
“No,” a woman answered flatly as she flipped open an iPad and handed it to Gaz. “They hacked in and looped security feed down at the gate,” she gestured for him to hit play and Gaz did. He watched as an unmarked black van pulled up and someone hopped out and pulled wires out of the control panel and hacked in. They set the security feed on a minute loop for what had happened ten minutes prior and no one was the wiser. There was no one home so lack of movement wasn’t suspicious and they could move freely around without being caught. “We’ve already fixed it, obviously, and have put in a more secure panel.”
“Odd they knew where to go for a weak point,” Gaz stated as he backed up the footage and watched again. They didn’t even hesitate and were so quick about it, it was almost as if they had practiced or done it a few times before. “Have you looked into the company that installed it? The prior security team?” He asked looking up at the woman who nodded and gave him another list of names that they were looking into. Nothing stood out to Gaz in his quick review but that didn’t mean they weren’t someone of interest.
“We’ll walk you though the rest of what’s been done if you could follow me,” the woman said and Gaz rose from the chair. He snatched up a notepad and pen and followed her out the door and took a tour of the place.
The house was gigantic, much larger than a junior government official could afford or need but Henry’s family long line of wealth knew no bounds. Gaz had found in his research early that morning that he and Olivia had moved into this place right after they were married, it was an old family house that Henry had gutted and redone for Olivia as a wedding present. Gaz also suspected all the cameras had been part of that gift as well, though he doubted Olivia had known they came with the package.
“And these are your quarters,” the woman finished as she pushed open a door to a guest bedroom that was just down the hall from Olivia and Henry’s room. “They wanted you close for emergencies,” she explained as Gaz stepped inside and looked. It was simple enough; two full beds were across the far wall with nightstands and a decent sized closet with dressers built in. There was a bathroom off the room and a small desk area that also tapped into the security feeds so they could keep an eye on the house even from their bedroom. Everything looked fresh, like it had just been installed or put in that day, there was still some plastic wrappings on the monitors themselves. “We can get another bed or cot in here if needed,” she offered as Gaz went to the desk and pulled up the feed.
“We’ll be fine for now,” Gaz stated simply. He doubted there would be much sleeping anyway if they were going to be on security duty and it would be on rotating shifts anyway. “I need a list of upcoming events if you wouldn’t mind,” he asked without looking at the woman. He saw Olivia had sprawled out on her bed and was absentmindedly flipping through channels on the television. Her feet were free from shoes and they were unbandaged, no fresh blood or wounds. So, the blood on the sheets had been from something else. “And I have a few things I’ll need changed for security,” he turned to look at the woman as she tapped away on her phone. “I’ll put it together and get it to you in a bit. I’m guessing I’ll find you in the security room?” He asked.
“More than likely yes,” she answered, “or somewhere on the cameras,” she gestured with her phone. “Like big brother always watching,” she muttered before walking out and shutting the door behind her.
“Like big brother,” Gaz echoed as he took a seat and began messing with the cameras, rolling them back to the evening before to see if he could catch anything himself. He had busied himself for hours rolling over tape, writing down notes and time stamps, adding to the list of security items they would need and answering a few messages here and there. Alex hadn’t been able to really dig into Gaz’s inquiries just yet, having to travel and fight with a few superiors to be able to stay on with the 141 on ‘loan’ versus being sent home.
Just as he was about to see just how far back the camera history could go the bedroom door swung open and Soap walked in, his footfalls heavy even on the plush carpet. Gaz hadn’t even seen them arrive, though he had all the feeds still on the night before, the only live ones being Olivia’s bedroom where she had fallen asleep and Henry’s office where he was working. Gaz noted the audio in his office was perpetually turned off even when he attempted to override it. It was probably due to security, not wanting any type of audio if Henry was dealing with sensitive government items but it still rubbed Gaz the wrong way. Especially since Henry seemed to have no qualms on recording his wife in their bedroom in full high definition with crystal clear audio.
“Watching home movies?” Soap inquired as he came over and bent over Gaz, one hand on the back of the chair the other resting on the desk. “Christ, Price wasn’t kidding when he said this place had more cameras than Buckingham,” he pointed to one that was a camera in that room, fixed pointedly on the two beds. “That ones got to go,” he added, “no one gets a free look at my arse,” he laughed and patted Gaz on the shoulder before standing up.
“Already on the list,” Gaz answered as he tapped the notepad that was four pages deep in notes now. “I’ve seen enough of your arse to last me a lifetime, I don’t need a digital record as well,” he smirked before getting up from the desk and stretching. “Where’s the rest of the team?” His eyes darted back to Olivia again as she shifted and rolled over on the bed, curling around a pillow and tugging it tight against her chest.
“In the main security room. Price wanted Alex on it right away, see if he could find anything that they hadn’t yet, canny thing that he is,” he grinned as he tossed a duffle toward Gaz who caught it.
It was Gaz’s things back from Belarus and Gaz instantly threw it onto the bed and dug around until he produced another pack of smokes. His emergency pack that he was going to have to tap into since he hadn’t made it to the store yet.
“How was it?” Soap inquired as he caught Gaz slapping the pack against the palm of his hand. “I’m assuming it wasn’t a barrel of laughs,” he raised an eyebrow at the smokes as Gaz peeled the protective plastic sheet off.
“About as well as you’d expect,” Gaz answered as he looked around the room. How pissed would Henry be if he just lit up? “Caught them at in the middle of the night. Bloody loud knocking things over, thought someone was breaking in until I heard the rest of it,” Gaz rolled his eyes, “pretty sure they did that on purpose.”
“Oh fuck me,” Soap whistled before he wrenched open a window for Gaz and gestured for him to go over to it. “He’s an oily one, isn’t he? Not that she’s any better,” he snagged a smoke from Gaz’s pack and lit it from the offered lighter. “Don’t tell Ghost,” he tagged on, “he’ll make me run for the hell of it.” It was well known that their lieutenant didn’t not like anyone on the team smoking, he didn’t pester Price about his cigars though that was only because he was a Captain. Ghost had once made Gaz run until he threw up after finding him smoking in the barracks years ago and hadn’t been much better about it since.
“Thing is,” Gaz mused as he just flicked the ash on the windowsill, he’d deal with it later, “something is off.” He leaned against the wall and looked out across the perfectly manicured lawn and the fountain in the middle of a bed of flowers. “I don’t know what but something isn’t right. Olivia is just…different. It’s almost like she’s afraid,” he shrugged a bit. “I saw her,” Gaz paused looking for any word but the word, “…afterward in the kitchen and she all but flinched away from me when I tried to help her with something. She’d been crying by the looks of it.” Gaz had been replaying that moment in his head for much of the day, how she yanked her arm away and widened her eyes in fear for brief second. Gaz had never hurt her, never laid a hand on her, yet she acted like he was going to strike or grab at her in anger.
“It’s been three years,” Soap started, “and as you’ve learned she is not the person you thought she was. I wouldn’t look too far into it. I’m sure they are all scared with all this shit that has happened. People get twitchy when they’re afraid,” Soap answered as he kicked one of his up to rest on the bedframe near them. “Probably crying because her husband is shit in bed,” he teased trying to get Gaz to at least crack a smile. “I’m sure it’s fine, maybe they just had a fight or something,” he blew out his smoke not bothering to aim for the window.
“Yeah, I guess,” Gaz said unconvinced. At that moment his cell phone vibrated and he pulled it out of his back pocket to see Abby had texted. He smirked a bit and unlocked it to send a reply before Soap leaned over to see who he was messaging. “Met her on the plane ride here,” Gaz said as he scrolled up to find a picture she had sent him prior of her getting ready for the day. It was a tasteful shot from the neck up that revealed nothing though Gaz knew she had been in nothing but a towel based on the suggestive text that accompanied the picture. “She asked me for drink last night but that didn’t work out. I wonder how much time Price will give to me to go get my things,” he finished with a laugh.
“Hasn’t been all that bad then,” Soap smirked as he leaned back to let Gaz respond in private. “I’m sure if you lay on the wounded puppy bit thick he’ll give you whatever you want,” Soap answered as he ground out his smoke on the window sill and pried the screen up a bit to push the ash outside. “You’re the favorite son after all,” he grinned. Price did not play favorites but Gaz was definitely taken under Price’s wing when he pulled him into the 141 and tended to look out for him.
“Rather be Price’s favorite than Ghosts,” Gaz answered as he flicked his cigarette butt out the window into the damp bushes below. Being the two lower ranking of the group they each had a mentor and while Gaz got along fine with Ghost his teaching methods were not his favorite.
“Poor Alex, the redheaded stepchild,” Soap mused before both of their phones vibrated. They were being summoned to the security room to debrief and discuss next steps.
The meeting with the security team took a bit as they all crammed into the main monitor room. Gaz produced his list of fixes and items he wanted provided and Alex chimed in with his own findings and lackings in the system after only poking around for a short amount of time. They were told money was no object in fortification of the place and the team took that to heart as they tossed around different ideas and extra things that could be provided. Once the extremely long and expense shopping list was out of the way schedules were discussed next. They were all on rotation between here, the prime minister and deputy prime minister for now, there was a chance more could be added later. . MI6 would be taking other government officials and if extra backup was needed they would provide the 141 support.
Gaz had been given permission from Price to take some time to head to his sisters to gather what he would need, stating that Soap had volunteered to take his first shift. Soap gave Gaz a knowing smirk from across the table but quickly fixed his face when Price addressed him next that he could switch out for his own purposes when Gaz returned. Price wasn’t sure how long they would all be on assignment for so he emphasized to gather what they would need for the long haul, but to travel light as well. Their main base of operation would be the MI6 office in downtown London but with rotating watch shifts they would be bouncing around to multiple locations per week.
Eager to get away as soon as possible Gaz excused himself at the end of the meeting and began making calls and sending messages. His sister was working a double shift at the hospital so she wasn’t going to be home by the time he got there, his nephew was in school and his brother-in-law was travelling for work which meant the house was empty. Gaz was a bit disappointed at that thought, he hadn’t seen any of his family since the start of summer but maybe being back in England for a bit he would get a chance to sneak away again. He contemplated calling his mother to see if she was free, she ought to be now that she was retired, but his parents lived too far north for a quick trip. He knew he’d be really pushing the limits of his time away if he made the drive up there even if Soap wouldn’t say anything.
Deciding to hell with it, Gaz climbed into the SUV he’d been driving and sent a message to Abby to see if she was still in town. He knew she had work but it was worth the shot for a small window to maybe grab an early dinner and those drinks he had promised her. He was about halfway to his sisters when the message came back from her that he was in luck, her flight had been cancelled with everything that had happened. People were getting leery about traveling aboard and the private chartered flight to Russia was put on hold for a few days to see if things calmed down.
When he got to his sisters Gaz made quick work of a shower and shave before going into ‘his room’ to dig out some clothes and other things he’d need. He made a pitstop in his nephew’s room to leave him a note promising to take him to football shop when he was next in town. He also put some fresh flowers he had bought in a vase in the kitchen for his sister as a thanks before he was out the door again. While he had been getting ready Abby had texted for him to just meet her at her flat since she knew they only had a few hours before he was back to work. She offered to cook and Gaz wasn’t going to turn down a home cooked meal over take out since that’s all he’d been living on for the past little while.
One the ride back to London his mind drifted a bit back to Olivia. Musing over her demeanor, how she lashed out brutally but also when she thought no one was looking how she seemed faded and just flat compared to the woman he used to know. He wondered what she was doing at that moment in her huge house, alone, while her husband was busy doing whatever it was he did. As Gaz turned into a parking lot, he had decided to stop for wine not wanting to show up empty handed, a text message came in from an unknown number.
We need to talk
Was all the message said. No signature, no other indication on who it was from or what they wanted to talk about. Throwing the car into park once he found an empty spot Gaz picked up his phone and stared at the message for a bit before sending a quick reply asking who it was. They didn’t answer and he sat in the car for a few moments staring at the screen waiting to see if he’d get a response. It was a London area code, that much he knew, but nothing else was familiar. Perhaps it was one of those security workers, he had given his number to them before he left in case they needed to reach him with any questions. He sat for another minute waiting but nothing came back through so he tucked the phone away and headed into the shop not wanting to waste anymore time.
#fanfic#fanfiction#ao3 fanfic#ao3 writer#ao3 author#call of duty#call of duty fanfic#cod fanfic#cod#my fic#gaz fanfic#kyle gaz garrick#gaz cod#gaz x oc#keeping lines blurry
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The Owl Pirates
Posted First On A03 Here It’ll be updated there first and might take me a bit to get to updating it here as I always seem to forget about my tumblr. <3
Summary:
Eda and Lilith were helping Willow back on board as she was the one who jumped in to save the person. The boy with blonde hair wasn’t anyone Luz knew, and she hadn’t spotted anything nearby of a shipwreck or an island. Was the boy even alive?
Luz darted towards Willow quickly offering a hand, even though Eda and Lilith had had it.
“Who is he?” Luz asked dumbly as she stared at the unconscious boy. She knew no one should know the answer, but someone did.
“He’s with the navy.” Lilith pointed out as she backed off from the boy now that WIllow and Luz were carrying him.
“Aw he’s just a little scamp though.” Eda shrugged. “I’m sure we can bring him around.”
“He may be missing his badge, Edalyn.” Lilith's voice was quiet and calm. “But this is Belos nephew.”
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An owl house pirate au because that's my favorite type of trope.
Trigger warnings Always read safe: Depression, Suicidal thoughts, Pushing down feelings, Overworking self to ignore feelings, Child Abuse (Belos is a bitch okay), Gaslighting, Self Gaslighting, Manipulation, Injuries
Notes: I’ll try my best to updated the trigger warnings as this goes on. Once again its more up to date on A03, Also Tumblr killed my formatting so there might be differences in that or mistakes.
Disclaimer: There's a high probability of plot holes. Some characters may be ooc as 1 im not the best writer, 2 Im not editing 3 In my head in this au lots of different events have happened so characters are meeting at different points in their arcs. I also don’t know shit about boats man I only know one or two things from reading other pirate fics but im going off small google searches.
One more thing most of this is written when I am very sleep deprived enjoy the typos!
Chapter 1: It's bad luck to find a navy boy in the water
She was almost to the top, where she could perch and no one would notice her unless they looked straight up. If she pushed forward she’d make it.
She climbed higher up the ships ropes - daring to see if she could make it to the very top. She had many times before but doing so without being caught was the trick. Sure, the crows nest was a perfect place to see everything but where was the fun in that. Luz wanted to chase this exciting feeling everytime she climbed. Just to see above it all.
“Man overboard!” one of the crewmates' voices hollered from below causing Luz to forget her little adventure entirely.
Someone overboard was much more exciting. She slid her way down the ropes and swung until she landed down close enough to see what was happening or if she was needed. She was so ready to see who fell off the ship and how, but it wasn’t quite what she thought it would be.
Wind rushed around Luzs head making her short hair fluff up in the most comforting - yet messy way. From up here the ocean waves blocked out the noises of the crew. Not that Luz didn’t love her crewmates- it was just nice to have a place so out of reach to escape to.
Eda and Lilith were helping Willow back on board as she was the one who jumped in to save the person. The boy with blonde hair wasn’t anyone Luz knew, and she hadn’t spotted anything nearby of a shipwreck or an island.
Was the boy even alive?
Luz darted towards Willow quickly offering a hand, even though Eda and Lilith had had it.
“Who is he?” Luz asked dumbly as she stared at the unconscious boy. She knew no one should know the answer, but someone did.
“He’s with the navy.” Lilith pointed out as she backed off from the boy now that WIllow and Luz were carrying him.
“Aw he’s just a little scamp though.” Eda shrugged. “I’m sure we can bring him around.”
“He may be missing his badge, Edalyn.” Lilith's voice was quiet and calm. “But this is Belos nephew.”
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Overtime one learns to accept defeat.
Knowing death is coming for you and there is nothing you can do to stop it.
His limbs were tired, his chest hurt and he just couldn’t will his body to obey.
Though even if he could move, he probably wouldn’t.
It was a cruel joke that fate would not even allow him death.
Someone was carrying him, or holding him? His senses weren’t working right but something was wrong he just knew. He wasn’t where he was supposed to be, he was supposed to be dead.
“He’s got scars on his face.” A loud voice remarked, he could almost make out the feeling of someone holding his chin, moving his head. Though that could just be the swaying of the world.
“He was the youngest navy officer, of course he’s going to have scars.” Another voice responded, this one older, female, more mature. Somehow it was familiar but Hunter couldn’t place where.
“He looks kinda funny.” A young male voice chirped but then let out a little squeak of surprise.
“Be a little nicer.” This voice is an older male, friendly, soft. “Lay him on the bed girls.”
There was a response from the loud one, but he couldn’t make it out as the voices all started to collide with each other. Then it was silent.
It was too hot. The heaviness of whatever thing was on him was too hot. Despite his body's protests Hunter tried to force the heavy thing off of him, but it wouldn’t budge. The heat of it was going to kill him, he needed to breathe.
A large hand found his arm and Hunter froze. The soft male voice said something but Hunter couldn’t make it out. The arm was holding him but it wasn’t in a hard cruel way so he must not have done something wrong.
“Ha-ha-hot” His mouth wasn’t working properly neither were his eyes. He didn’t know when he’d open them but everything was so dark, and wobbly.
“You need to keep it on.” The voice responded and Hunter knew better than to disobey. Knew that he was entirely too tired to fight back anyway. So he nodded his head which came out as more of his head was just turning slightly.
“Shouldn’t he feel cold?” The chirping young voice asked.
The soft voice explained to the younger one something, but Hunter had closed his eyes, and they were too heavy to open now.
His body was heavier than ever. He just wanted to stay in the soft blanket that engulfed him, and sleep forever. Even if he wanted that his morning routine wouldn’t allow it. As he was about to wake his eyes to open, the events of the last few days replayed in his head.
He didn’t have morning duties to attend to anymore.
Hunter sat up pushing the blanket off of him with ease and took in the sight of his surroundings. The cabin had a set of bunks, a table covered in supplies and cabinets. It was a poor excuse for a medical cabin. From the lack of navy banners in the room, Hunter could guess this would not be a navy ship.
A navy ship would’ve left him to die after all. Like he should’ve.
The door of the cabin swung open and a short boy wearing a yellow bandana around his head came stumbling in carrying far too many towels and bottles in his arms. The boy didn’t notice Hunter sitting up as he came in. He was too busy putting the items down on the desk to even turn his direction. He was muttering something about a stupid Gus under his breath as he sorted out the towels from the bottles.
Only then did he seem to notice Hunter's presence. He stared wildly at the other boy for a few moments before darting out in a panic.
“Steve!” He screamed as he pounded away.
Hunter didn’t know why he stayed in the bed. He should get up, he should walk out the open cabin door, he should fight for his life and escape. So why didn’t he want to.
It wasn’t very long before the scrawny boy returned with a man. The man was a lot less distressed by Hunters awakening than the boy. He closed the door and gently approached the bed taking a seat.
“Are you feeling better?” He asked simply, holding his hand up to Hunters head.
Hunter reflexively flinched back from the hand, but the man didn’t comment, only gave a soft smile.
“When you feel like talking Ill bring Eda in.” The man explained. “Just let me know.”
Why wait? Why not bring her in now?
Get his death over with.
“Shouldn’t we tell Eda now?” The boy asked.
Well technically yes,” The man shrugged and patted the boy's head. “But with near death experiences, his mental state might need that few extra minutes.”
“She’ll be mad if we don’t tell her.” The boy argued.
“We’ll still tell her, just in a few minutes.” The man smiled. “She doesn’t need to know we took our time.” he got off the bed giving Hunter some space and took a chair near the desk instead.
“You know Luz probably heard me already.” The boy turned to the door, which had been closed before but was now open with just a crack. As if the door knew it was being stared at the crack closed.
The man clicked his tongue. “Okay so you wont be getting those few extra minutes then. Matt, can you buy him some time at least.”
“What do I get out of it?” The boy held his head high with a smirk.
The man sighed. “We can figure that out later, just stall her please.”
“I’m holding this favor over your head!” Matt sang as he darted out the door.
Silence overcame the room as the boy ran out. Hunter simply watched it happen.
Buying him time? That seemed stupid. He didn’t need time. He was already far out of time. Why wasn’t he dead? Why didn’t they just leave him?
The burning feeling of being watched made Hunter stop staring at the door. Blue eyes were staring at him, not in the harsh judgemental way, but in a soft curious way. What was he supposed to do? With Judgemental eyes he at least knew how to act. This kindness was unusual for a stranger.
The man didn’t say anything, only watched. He had fluffy hair that was tied up into a ponytail. His cream shirt was barely visible underneath the black coat and many bottles and pouches across he wore, with black pants and boots. It was obvious what this man was, a pirate.
So why did he look vaguely familiar? As if Hunter should know who he’s looking at.
“Do you remember what happened?” The man asked after a long while of staring.
That’s when Hunter looked away, instead choosing to stare back at the door.
“Eda’s gonna demand answers.” The man sighed out. “Just be ready for some yelling.”
Hunter kept his gaze on the door. When he was younger the thought of being stuck on a pirate ship was terrifying. Now he didn’t really feel anything waiting for his impending doom.
“I won’t let her do anything stupid, so don’t be scared.” The man was attempting to comfort but Hunter didn’t need that. “You’re not in danger here.”
Not in danger? That’s a silly thought. Hunter spent his whole life in danger. Empty words weren’t going to change that.
“You’re not gonna talk to me are ya.” The man leaned back in his chair. “Good luck kiddo.”
Good luck?
Hunter never had good luck.
He didn’t want luck.
The silence wasn’t unbearable, just long. Time was passing dreadfully slow and the man didn’t seem to be in a talking mood anymore.
Or maybe just gave up on talking to Hunter.
The door opened with a loud thud and an older woman stormed in. She stopped in front of the bed and stared down at Hunter. Edalyn Clawthorn the owl lady. Captain of the Talon.
The pirate who haunted Hunters dreams not but a week ago. Who if Hunter had met before, he would’ve trembled.
Instead he could only stare at her. Couldn’t bring his mouth to move to form the words that were caught in his throat.
She looked just like her posters, dressed head to toe in red. Boots decorated in golden buttons, long overcoat embroidered an owl design, her hat sitting upon her mess of gray hair. With yellow eyes glaring down at him.
“I know who you are, Hunter.” She started with a bite to her voice. “You’re Belos’ dog, and you were assigned the IvyThorn under the captain Terra.”
None of that mattered anymore. Just get it over with.
“There was a prisoner aboard that ship.” Eda snapped. “Raine Whispers, heading to their execution. Where are they?”
Hunter couldn’t bring himself to care about any of that anymore.
Eda grabbed Hunters shirt collar and pulled him up off the bed. It should’ve hurt, it should’ve been scary.
“Where is Raine?” Eda demanded, but when Hunter only met her angry eyes instead of responding she tossed him back down on the bed pulling her blade from her belt. “You better talk boy! Unless you want me to kill you here and now!”
“Eda-” The man at the desk started- like he promised he would.
“Just do it.” Hunter interrupted, his voice sounding much weaker than he intended.
That caused Eda to pause, her temper fading for a moment as she looked down at Hunter. He did not meet her gaze, only stared at a wall.
“You want me to kill you?” Eda repeated in a quiet disbelief.
“Yes,” Hunters voice broke and his gaze started to get hazy. “Kill me.” His eyes meet Edas now, “I should be dead already, so just kill me.”
“You want to die?”
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It was heartbreaking to hear such a small thing say something like that. To long for death over talking to a pirate. It wasn’t an honorable death as the navy had taught them, it wasn’t right.
Though as Eda stared down at the child facing her with such a broken expression asking for death. She could tell this wasn't what the child thought dying was. He didn’t view it as an honor. If he did he wouldn’t be crying.
This kid was so young, just like most of her crew. He was older than most of her kids but still, he was just a child. A broken child, who should be grateful his life was saved, but instead claimed he should be dead.
He wasn’t in an accident. Someone tossed him overboard.
Eda put her blade away with a sigh. This is why everyone started calling her soft. She’d be wrong to deny it at this point. At least she wasn’t a cold blooded monster.
“Look kid.” She put her hands on her hips looking down at the boy who was still silently crying. She didn’t like the miserable nature of him. “What happened?”
The boy only stared up at her waiting. As if his mind was elsewhere. Eda put a hand on his shoulder and he winced.
This was not the arrogant spoiled brat Lilith had thought it was. She had to have been mistaken. Though Lilith was rarely wrong as much as Eda hated to admit. It was annoying at times but he did have too many identifiable features for Lilith to mistake. Scars practically covered him, his face having one on his cheek and on across his nose, his neck had plenty too but the rest was hidden by his clothes.
A child shouldn’t have this many scars.
“Alright.” Eda sighed out. “I need you to talk.”
Hunter didn’t respond, as Eda expected. She picked him back up from the ground and placed him on the bed, and he just let her. Only winced or flinched when she went to grab him, but other than that allowed it.
“Steve.” Eda turned to the ‘doctor’ of the ship. “Has he said anything to you?”
“Not before you entered.” Steve stood now with his hands in his coat pockets.
“Keep an eye on him.” Eda ordered marching out of the room.
“Course captain.”
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Eda had told her not to talk to the newcomer. Camila had told her to listen to Eda. It wasn’t a hard thing to do. One easy little job to avoid the newcomer. Yet Luz wasn’t told not to spy on him. She had done that when Matt went screaming for Steve earlier. She saw them talking to the boy, but he never said anything back. She was the one who told Eda he woke up.
She knew better than to spy on Eda when she’s mad, if Luz got caught when Eda was in a bad mood, well it wasn’t fun. Though Eda would never hurt any of them, she was too nice for that. It was just Eda was very stressed sometimes, everyone was. Eda wanted to find Raine again, hopefully the ship Hunter was on didn’t sink. Raine would’ve been a prisoner and Luz doubted the navy would’ve allowed Raine to not have their hands bound.
“What is she gonna do with him?” Luz asked allowed as she leaned against the railing of the ship.
“Probably kill him.” Gus shrugged as he sat on the wooden deck of this ship.
“Then Steve would’ve wasted all that time fixing him.” Matt argued sitting on top of a barrel. “He’s been working so hard to help this guy for days, If Eda just kills him it's pointless.”
“Come on guys, this is Eda.” Luz laughed. “She may seem all big and scary but we all know she’s a sweetheart.”
Said sweetheart marched past the trio and towards Lilith. Not acknowledging anyone else as she passed. She didn’t seem angry from what Luz could tell- and Luz was getting pretty good at reading her. She was just trying to figure out what she was going to do.
Which meant it wouldn’t be a big deal if Luz broke the rules right now.
“Let’s go check on him.” Luz jumped from the railing and darted towards the medbay before the others could come up with a reasonable argument not to.
“Luz.” Matt whined but followed Gus- who did not protest- and Luz anyway. “Edas gonna be mad.” he whispered out.
“I wont tell her if you don’t” Gus chuckled.
The door was one of the few that didn’t squeak open- yet- on the ship. Those doors were always the best for listening in on conversations she wasn’t meant to be a part of. Through the crack Luz could make out the blonde boy- Hunter- sitting on the bed. He was crossing his arms, not in a casual way, but in a stiff way. He starred ahead blankley as tears were streaming down his cheeks.
Did Eda yell at him?
“Actually, let’s give him privacy.” Gus whispered, being the first to back away. Luz nodded in agreement. This had seemed a lot more fun if the newcomer had been rude or snarky.
He didn’t seem like a navy boy.
“I told you it was a bad idea.” Matt whined as the three made their way back to the main part of the deck. “No one listens to Matt.”
“Matt, if we listened to you, we wouldn’t have fun.” Gus argued with a smile.
“I am plenty of fun!” Matt defended.
“Yeah?” Gus questioned. “prove-”
“Luz!” Edas voice interrupted their conversation. She was standing near the door of the captains quarters crossing her arms waiting. There wasn’t any way Eda actually saw them sneaking over to the medbay. Right?
“Yeah?” Luz hopped her way over to Eda trying her best to look innocent.
“Come in, I have an idea.” Eda held the door open for Luz.
---------------------------------------------
They wanted information. Information Hunter did not have. Either way they would kill him, they’re pirates. If he gave them information they’d kill him after, or if he didn’t they’d do it as punishment. It’s what the navy told him.
So why weren’t they killing him now?
Hunter hadn’t stopped crying since he started. He tried but his tears didn’t like to listen. He wasn’t even upset, he’d cried enough already why was he still crying? That man just kept looking over at him too. As if concerned.
As if pirates could be concerned.
He didn’t dare move, or more- he didn’t want to move. He only sat on the bed holding himself, waiting and crying. He wished the owl captain would get back soon so she could end him and the haunting memories would just stop.
The door swung open as if fate was finally hearing his cries.
In the doorway walked a young girl. She wore a purple bandana around her head that covered most of her hair, but little brown fluffs escaped. She had a cream shirt underneath a purple vest and brown pants that flooded around the top of her boots. She had a bright smile on her face.
Behind her walked Eda with a smirk on her face as well.
“Hunter, you aren’t going to die by my hand.” Eda declared- as if it were some amazing announcement. He didn’t care how he died, just knew it was coming. “Instead you’re going to be helping us out, little owl.”
He looked over to Eda now. Unsure what to think about her decision.
“This is Luz.” Eda introduced the little girl. “I'm placing you under her watch, in case you get any ideas. Do you understand Hunter?”
He didn’t know why he nodded.
“Now, If you have any information regarding Raine, I would appreciate it, but I doubt you do.” Eda added. “Luz, remember what we talked about.”
Luz gave a quick nod, smiling all too brightly.
Edalyn Clawthorn was forcing a navy boy to join her ship? What help would that be? What kind of captain instantly turns an enemy into a crewmember? How had she not been betrayed yet?
As Eda left the room Luz came closer to the bed.
“Hi, I’m Luz Noceda.” She held out her hand, but when Hunter did not take it she put it back down with an awkward little shuffle. “Well, I guess that's not your style. Would you like a tour of the ship?”
Hunter chose a random wall to stare at, between Steve-who was still watching Hunter- and Luz. As to keep them in his sight but not actually have to look at them. He was too tired to look at them.
“Well that’s okay, it’s been a long week for you.” Luz took a seat next to Hunter, she was too close. “I’m just glad to see you’re not crying anymore.”
He hadn’t realized he’d stopped.
2ND Chapter Tumblr Link
#a03#a03 writer#read on a03#archive of our own#ToH fic#toh hunter#toh luz#toh eda#toh matt#toh gus#Pirate Au#pirate fic#toh au#the owl house#the owl house au#the owl house fic#Probably no spoilers but if it comes up I will tag in the chapter#Updated on A03 first its probably gonna take me time to update it here#toh pirate#the owl house pirate#toh raine#toh willow#I'll try to tag whats in each chapter but honestly Im a mess#I only write this fic when im sleep deprived#also its not edited whatever thats called like non beta?#I am bad at tagging and trying my best#its an owl house fic#The Owl Pirates#Mine#My Writing
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TMA Goretober(૭ ｡•̀ ᵕ •́｡ )૭
Content and Trigger warning! I'm going to be writing gore, including pain, bugs, body horror, trypophobia, dendro/botanophobia, claustrophobia, arachnophobia, automatonophobia, emetophobia etc. General TMA fears etc. Note that not all of these will be statements, but a lot will.
Here is the masterlist! (≧ヮ≦)
Day 1 Teeth - Here. TW - Blood, extended agony, gore.
Day 2 Candy Gore - Here. TW - Implied Cannibalism and implied self-harm.
Day 3 Ceramic - Here. TW - Semi-Cannibalistic thoughts, and talk of uncanny valley.
Day 4 Nose Bleed - Here. TW - Mentions of Death, Workplace Abuse, isolation, and blood.
Day 5 Autopsy - Here. TW - Death, autopsy, body mutilation, darkness, and typical Vast.
Day 6 Eyes - Here. TW - Non-consensual statement-taking, staring, and typical Jarchivist content.
Day 7 Gut Spill - Here. TW - Blood, Gore, Death, Florida.
Day 8 Crystals - Here. TW - Blood, Gore, Death, fear of tight spaces, personification of earth, delusions, burning alive.
Day 9 Poisoned - Here. TW - Poison, vomit, agony, implied violence.
Day 10 Hanahaki Disease - Here. TW - Death, blood, gore, Hanahaki
Day 11 Insects - Here. TW - Gore, bugs, referenced death.
Day 12 Spiral - Here. TW - Referenced death, Micheal.
Day 13 Stitches
Day 14 Dehisce
Day 15 Fungi
Day 16 Hooks
Day 17 Plant Growth
Day 18 Cannibalism
Day 19 Bites
Day 20 Vomit
Day 21 Lacerations
Day 22 Silver Platter
Day 23 Camera Work
Day 24 Amputation
Day 25 Bones
Day 26 Deltiologist
Day 27 Glitch
Day 28 Neon Gore
Day 29 Mutation
Day 30 Undead
Day 31 Decapitation
Note that these are my personal prompts, and it's not anything official. I will be posting links to the A03 Chapters here as I go on, and even though I'm spectacularly late I'm excited to finish!!
･°˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°.
Please message me directly if a TW is missing or is incorrect. Thank you and have fun reading!
#tma jon#the magnus pod#tma podcast#tma shitpost#tma spoilers#the magnus archives#jon sims#jonathan sims#cw: gore#gore lover#art#goretober#fiction#tma fanart#the magnus archive fanart#fanart#fanfic#fanfiction#the magnus archives fanart#ao3 fanfic#fanfics#fic writing#fanfic writing#ao3 writer#blood#writing prompt#writing ideas#prompt list#writing challenge#jarchivist
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I wrote a new fanfic!
Summary: Hunter can't sleep because all he can think about is missing Flapjack. And this chirping noise he keeps hearing isn't helping anything. So Hooty decides to help...with some sleeping nettles.
Read on A03 here
Or read below
Notes:
Contains MAJOR spoilers from season 3 episode 1
Trigger warning for implied/attempted abuse
Rating for that and language
Hunter rolls over in bed, unable to fall asleep. Well not as much as a bed as an old blanket Eda found. Eda cleaned out another closet for him and Gus to sleep in while the girls sleep in Luz’s room. Camila has her own room. King takes turns in the different rooms, claiming that each ‘sleep cocoon’ has a different degree of fluffiness. Hunter smiles, thinking about his little brother. In just a few months he’s gone from having no family to having 2 moms in Eda and Camila and several siblings in King, Vee, and Luz. And he is happy, but something is still missing. Flapjack. He struggles to hold back his tears as he thinks about him.
Hunter doesn’t want to wake up Gus by crying so he quietly slips out of the room and then the house. He sits against a nearby tree. It’s a clear, slightly cool night. Finally, he lets himself cry. He’s learned that it’s okay to cry in front of other people but he doesn’t want to bother anybody at this time of night. Why did it have to be Flapjack? It’s not fair, he’s the best palisman there ever was. He sobs until he can barely breathe.
Chirp chirp
Huh? Hunter whips his head around and sees nothing but the forest. His shoulders slump, of course it wasn’t Flapjack, he knows that isn’t possible. Now he feels even more miserable.
Chirp chirp
Hunter slams his fist into the ground.
“Stop it!” he sobs “stop tormenting me!”
He knows it’s stupid to yell at a random bird, but he’s angry. Not at the bird, but at the world- no, at Belos. It’s his fault.
Feeling anguished he screams into the sky, “Fuck you Belos! You took away my best friend! I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!” He knows Belos isn’t around right now but he continues to scream until his body is so racked with sobs he can’t make another sound.
“HEY BUDDY!” Hooty shouts in his face causing Hunter to jump up in surprise.
“What,” sob, “what are,” hiccup, “what are you doing?” Hunter stutters.
“Well I heard screaming, hoot hoot, so I came to check it out,” Hooty says while twisting around for some reason.
“Stop doing that,” Hunter groans, covering his eyes, “you’re making me dizzy.”
“Sorry friend!” Hooty stops twisting, “So what are you doing up? Those bags under your eyes tell me you need sleep, hoot hoot."
Hunter rolls his eyes, “Yeah, no shit. I’ve been trying, but I just keep thinking about…” He trails off.
Thankfully Hooty understands and does not press the issue for once. “Well, would some cookies make you feel better?”
Hunter shrugs, he knows it won’t help but he wouldn’t mind a cookie. Without saying anything Hooty races back to the owl house and returns with a plate of cookies decorated with his face. A bit creepy but a cookie is a cookie. Hunter takes a bite and frowns, something tastes funny.
“Where did you get these?” he asks.
“I made them myself hooty hoot!” Hooty shares proudly.
Hunter suddenly regrets eating it. How would Hooty even bake cookies? Suddenly his eyes begin to feel sleepy. “What did you put in the cookies, Hooty?” he asks wearily. Hooty begins sharing a long list of ingredients and finally mentions sleeping nettles. “What!?” Hunter exclaims “Those are gonna heighten my dreams and I already have enough damn nightmares!”
Hooty frowns, “I know, hoot hoot, but you really needed sleep.”
Hunter tries to protest but he immediately drifts off.
Hunter opens his eyes to his dreamworld. He sees a vision of him as a child, training with a coven scout.
“I’m bored!” The young Hunter complains.
The scout sighs, “Hunter we have to finish your training or the Emperor is gonna-” he stops mid-sentence.
Young Hunter tilts his head inquisitive, “He’s gonna do what?”
The scout hesitates, “Let’s just say…we’ll both get in trouble.”
Current Hunter cringes, he knows what that means, but he didn’t then. This memory was before he’d gotten any of his scars.
Young Hunter whines “But I wanna go outside!”
The scout begins to protest before coming up with an idea, “Okay Hunter, how about we do your training outside?”
Young Hunter beams, “Yay! I promise I’ll do really good.”
Current Hunter smiles, he remembers this day now. The memory then speeds forward to them being outside. Young Hunter has just finished his training for the day.
“Good work today Hunter!” The scout smiles, “I think you’ve earned yourself a few minutes to play.”
Young Hunter frowns, “But uncle said to report back to him right after training.”
The scout takes a quick look around and says “I won’t tell if you won’t,” with a wink. He keeps an eye an young Hunter to make sure he’s safe.
Young Hunter giggles and flaps his hands in excitement and runs around happily.
Current Hunter smiles at the memory, one of the few good moments he had in the Emporers Coven. The memory fades and shifts into something else.
In this memory, Hunter is a bit older.
Memory Hunter knocks on the door to the throne room, “Uncle? You wanted to see me?”
“Yes Hunter, come in,” Belos voice carries. Hunter walks in timidly and kneels before his uncle. Belos motions for him to stand up, “you’ve been doing very good in your training Hunter.” Memory Hunter smiles, happy for this rare praise. Belos continues, “I have decided that it is time to officially make you the next Golden Guard.”
Memory Hunter gasps and bounces on his heels “Really?”
“Silence!” Belos exclaims, “I did not give you permission to speak.” Hunter looks down at the ground and Belos adds, “Maybe you’re not ready to become the Golden Guard.”
Without thinking, Hunter interjects, “No I am! I promise I-” he has to stop to dodge Belos’s now sludgy arm.
“What did I just say?” He shouts.
“I’m sorry sir, I’ll be quiet now,” he says weakly. Both memory and current Hunter feel a bit nauseous.
“Good,” Belos says, “Then I think it’s time to begin your induction. Why don’t you try on this mask?” He hands memory Hunter a Golden Guard mask. Memory Hunter stands proud while current Hunter wants to jump into the memory and throw the mask to the ground. But of course, this is a dream, so he can’t really change anything.
The memory begins to fade and Hunter hopes the next one will be better. The new memory forms and it’s from just a few months ago. Memory Hunter walks into his room as the Golden Guard but without his cloak or mask, and flops down onto his bed. Current Hunter's eyes open wide as he realizes what this is, “No, no, no please, any memory but this,” he begs. Although it’s a good memory, it just hurts too much to think about. But he can’t stop the dream.
Memory Hunter says “I can help. If I just knew a little more…”
Chirp chirp
Flapjack appears in his windowsill.
Memory Hunter sits up in surprise, “Huh? Palisman!” He picks up Flapjack and accidentally squeezes him. “Oh! Sorry.” He lets him go and pets him gently on the head. “You shouldn’t be here. It’d be bad if Belos saw you.” Suddenly Flapjack transforms into a staff for memory Hunter. “Oh! I was not expecting that.”
The memory fades and current Hunter has tears running down his face as the next memory begins immediately. Now, memory Hunter is in the snow, watching titan’s blood drip out of the cracked portal key. Current Hunter curses under his breath but is too exhausted, even in his dream, to protest again.
Flapjack perches on memory Hunter’s hand. He smiles, “Oh, hey. You stuck with me the whole time, huh, bird?”
Chirp, Flapjack, chirp.
Memory Hunter’s eyes widen, “I think I understood that. Is that your name? Can you say it again?”
Chirp, Flapjack, chirp.
Memory Hunter laughs, “Weird. Uh, can you say other things?”
Chirp, now that we’re bonded, I’m able to communicate with you, chirp.
Memory Hunter smiles, but current Hunter is miserable.
The memory fades but this time, a new one doesn’t replace it. Instead, Hunter is standing in a void that forms into an imaginary forest. It’s not somewhere he’s been and no one else appears, so he knows it’s not a memory.
Chirp chirp
“Flapjack!” Hunter shouts while running over to hug him, “I know you’re just a dream, but it’s so good to see you again.” His tears are now a mixture of happy and sad ones. Flapjack nuzzles against him.
Chirp, I’m glad to see you too Hunter! I tried talking to you earlier, but you didn’t understand, chirp.
Hunter raises an eyebrow, “What do you mean?”
Chirp, I tried talking to you earlier because I missed you, but you couldn’t figure out it was me, chirp.
Hunter freezes, “That was you? No, it can’t be, this is just a dream and it’s mean.”
Chirp, I know this is a bit hard to understand but it really is me, chirp.
Hunter shakes his head in disbelief, “I don’t understand.”
Chirp, when I saved you, I put my life essence into your body. So even though my body is dead, I’m still here, in your mindscape, chirp.
Hunter hesitates, “Is this real? It still feels like a cruel joke. I can’t lose you a second time.”
Chirp, Hunter I promise this is real, and I’ll be here with you, always, chirp.
Hunter smiles and brings his hand to his chest, “I love you Flap.”
Chirp, I love you too Hunter, chirp.
Slowly, the landscape begins to fade.
“No!” Hunter exclaims, “I’m not ready, I still want to talk to you!”
Chirp, don’t worry Hunter, you’ll be able to communicate with me when you’re awake, all you have to do is think about me, chirp.
Hunter nods, “Okay, Flapjack I trust you.”
The dream fully fades.
Hunter wakes up in the real forest and sits up immediately, “Flapjack!?” he exclaims, begging his dream to be real.
Chirp, I’m here Hunter, chirp.
Hunter sobs out of joy this time, “Oh I’m so glad Flapjack!”
Chirp, me too, chirp.
Once Hunter calms down, he heads back to the owl house and gets into bed. “Goodnight Flap.”
Chirp, goodnight Hunter, chirp.
Hunter falls fast asleep and sleeps better than he has in years.
So in this story Hunter can talk to Flapjack in his mind at any time now, he just can't actually see him outside of dreams.
#the owl house#toh#owl house#toh fanfic#toh fic#fanfic#hunter golden guard#toh hunter#hunter toh#hunter noceda#autistic hunter#flapjack#toh flapjack#flapjack toh
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Bookmarks on A03
I love bookmarks. When I have finished reading an author's works I will look to see if they have any bookmarked fics. If I like what the they write, I often like what they read. Public Bookmarks are a great tool to build community. I see a lot of misinformation on Tumbr regarding Bookmarks so I wanted to share what AO3 FAQ says.
"An AO3 bookmark is a record of a work you want to remember, find more easily, or record a note about. Bookmarks created on the Archive can also serve as recommendations to other users."
This is because unless you mark your bookmarks as private, anyone can read your notes.
"The creator's description and tags are added to the bookmark automatically. You can also add your own personal notes or tags for the work. The notes can be anything, such as brief reviews or reminders to yourself. Tags can be used to make your bookmarks easier to sort and filter."
Maybe you like a fic a lot, but you know in the wrong headspace this fic will make you feel bad. You can add your own trigger warnings. Or add tags so that you can get the kind of story you want. "Great sex, stupid plot" lets you know this might be better for alone time ;). Now I would never bookmark a fic I hate. Why would I want a reminder of that? But sometimes I read a fic hoping it will get better. I will but warnings for myself (ablism) so that I only read the updates when I feel like I can handle it.
In a time when many writers are pushing back against putting warnings in their fics, your bookmark is a great way to safeguard yourself and your friends.
"Bookmarks can be marked as private. If you mark a bookmark as private, no one other than you can access it. Even the creator of the work will only know that a bookmark was added—they won't know who bookmarked the work, or any comments or tags they have included."
If you mark the bookmark as private no one can read your notes. Not the author or your friends. If you are worried that someone will be mad about your tags, make them private. But remember that a lot of people are like me and love to read your Bookmark list and comments.
A note to writers: Unlike comments, Bookmarks are the readers notes. They are designed to be reviews and the reader's own option. The reader, and other readers are the intended audience of a Bookmark. Whereas the Comment is a direct communication to the writer. If you are sensitive, or the idea of a "bad review" will damage your mental health, don't read bookmarks of your fics.
Keep in mind that most people don't Bookmark a fic they hate. If a note is something you don't agree with, take it for what it is. What this one reader thought. They must have cared enough to bookmark and write a note. A story will hit different people differently. Live and let live.
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The Serpent's Conquest-Chapter 4
Summary:
Princess Jasmine has always been a thorn in Jafar’s side, but as her sixteenth birthday approaches, he begins to see her as an object of desire. The thought of possessing her is eminently satisfying, but even more delicious is forcing her to choose him. Jafar forms a plan to seduce the princess and seize the throne for himself, knowing with certainty that he will be victorious.
Notes:
Hi everyone. So I have a confession to make, the plans for this fic have been nearly blown to pieces. But, on the bright side, you will get more chapters.
I have a vague idea of where I want to end it, but I'm also following the muse, and allowing the story to take shape on its own. With that said, I am going to continuously update the tags. You'll find that now I've added Jasmine/OC and Jasmine/Aladdin. It's a necessary evil.
This chapter is certainly more rated M, and if my suspicions are correct, next chapter, things will get significantly darker and more worthy of the trigger warnings. It will also mark the end of Act 1 of this story.
I hope you all will bear with me and enjoy the ride.
A03, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3
Strong, narrow fingers moved across the planes of Jasmine’s body. A thumb tweaked the tip of her breast, making her moan in satisfaction. The other hand made a slow yet exhilarating journey to the core of her being. She knew she was slick and ready, but ready for what she could not say.
Then two of his fingers pushed into her warm depths, curling sinfully, bringing her to the brink of some unfamiliar precipice. Lips molded against hers, swallowing her virginal mewling.
Her lover increased the pace and she arched herself to meet the tips of the skillful fingers. Heat built up inside of her, and she longed for a release from the burning. She dug her fingernails into the strong body above her, breaking the skin.
“So close,” Jasmine nearly whined, but close to what?
And then her pleasure crested, her release breaking over her heated body like a wave. She cried out a name, one she had only ever said with irritation or anger. Now it was like a benediction.
“Yes, my desert bloom, come apart for me. Soon enough I will take you as my own.” The voice was familiar, sinful, and deep.
Jasmine was desperate to know what would come next, but before she could find out—
Pounding broke the silence of Jasmine’s bedchamber. Someone was banging on her door.
“Princess! It is late. Prince Khaled will be here soon. You must look your best.”
“Go away,” Jasmine murmured sleepily, wishing to return to her dream.
“Princess!”
The desperation in her handmaiden’s voice finally fully roused her. “Enter, Dalia,” Jasmine called.
Her loyal handmaiden swung open the chamber door with great relief. “Princess, thank goodness. It is unlike you to sleep so late. We have little time to waste.”
Dalia bustled across the room to the wardrobe and withdrew a sky blue gown, decorated with gold and silver embroidery.
Jasmine reluctantly rose from her bed and allowed Dalia to strip away her sleepwear in favor of the gown.
“Princess, are you well? You seem flushed, and you were making noises in your sleep.”
“I was?” Jasmine asked, recalling the private images that had filled her dreams,
“You were. You can always confide in me. Has one of the suitors finally succeeded in catching your eye?” Dalia assessed her with womanly frankness, as if she was fully aware of the nature of Jasmine’s dreams.
“Of course not,” Jasmine sputtered. Rather, someone else had been haunting her dreams incessantly since her birthday, but in the past two weeks, the dreams had taken a more sensual turn, filling her head with the most shameful desires. Why in Allah’s name had her traitorous mind latched onto the Grand Vizier of all people?
She remembered his heated kiss in the alcove after the first council meeting she had been fortunate enough to attend.
I have no wish to have a stupid, uninformed girl for my wife and queen.
His words had haunted her for the past fourteen days. If that was truly Jafar’s scheme, then she would have to select a suitor before the snake could manage to manipulate her father into changing the law.
For she would never willingly walk down the aisle to meet Jafar. She could not wed a man she despised, even if his touch ignited something primal and powerful within her.
She was sure she could find a prince who could stir a similar feeling. And then she could publicly oust her father’s most trusted advisor.
“Princess,” Dalia said. “Why do you look so wretched? Has it truly been so awful, to meet princes from all over the Arabian kingdoms, to be courted and flattered?”
“They only flatter me because they want the throne. None of the suitors I have met thus far have cared for any aspect of me as a person. Not my mind, or my wit, or any other admirable trait instilled in me by my noble parents. All they see is a crown, and a vessel for their future sons.”
Dalia’s features softened with sympathy as she continued to style Jasmine’s voluminous tresses. “You will find someone deserving of you, Princess. You only have to keep an open mind and heart.”
“I will have to satisfy myself with an open book today, and pray that Prince Khaled is enlightened enough to believe that women should be allowed to improve themselves through the written word.” Though Jasmine did not hold out hope.
When Jasmine was deemed suitable to meet the prince, she grabbed one of the ancient tomes Jafar had sent to her mother’s study. Jasmine went to wait in the garden, where she always met with her suitors. She had insisted to her father that if she must meet with all the nobles in Arabia, she would do so in the place where she felt most at ease.
Jasmine perched at the edge of the fountain and opened the book. It was a history of the Sultans of Agrabah, detailing their trials and victories. She found it to be a stimulating and challenging read, so much so that she was tempted to thank Jafar, but she would not risk it. Once again, she had gone back to avoiding him.
This had been impossible to do during the three council meetings she had attended, as Jafar sat to her right. She had been wise enough to refrain from speaking, and therefore had spared herself from being pulled into curtained alcoves and scolded. . . among other things.
Jasmine spent the meetings trying to study each of the men of her father’s council, to discern their motives and loyalties. Admittedly she had yet to make much progress. The Minister of Finance still irked her. The Minister of Agriculture was a man of science and logic. The Minister of War was eager to spill the blood of Agrabah’s enemies. As for the others, she could not be certain. It would take more time to understand the royal council.
More often than not, Jasmine admired the commanding way Jafar led the council meetings, even when her father deigned to be present. As much as she hated to extend any compliment to the bastard, she had to admit that Jafar was a born statesman. Which shouldn’t have surprised her, knowing what she did of his background.
Jafar had been born in the slums of Agrabah. His staggering intellect at the age of ten had gained him a spot in the Arabian Royal Academy. Oh, how Jasmine used to long to attend that noble institution, to be taught the art of diplomacy.
But alas, she was a woman, and would only ever be the wife of a ruler, not a ruler in her own right.
Jafar had graduated top of his class at age twenty, serving on the councils of foreign sultans before he had finally made his way back to Agrabah fifteen years ago. He had risen to Grand Vizier quickly, favored by her father, and even by her mother, attaining the noble office after a mere three years of service. Jafar had been, at the age of twenty-eight, the youngest Grand Vizier appointed in the history of Agrabah. He had held the position ever since, and admittedly, it suited him well. Though now Jasmine knew Jafar had higher aspirations, and he meant to achieve them through her.
But she would never allow that to happen. No matter how capable Jafar was, he was still ruthless and vicious. If she were ever fool enough to put her faith in him, she would suffer the consequences.
Better to be rid of him when she became queen. The only sure way to dispose of a snake was to chop off its head.
And if a traitorous voice whispered that no other man could elicit such passion within her, she ignored it. Better to rule with a clear head and a manageable husband, rather than to risk playing with fire, only to be immolated later.
___________
Jafar was eminently satisfied with his progress in the past two weeks. Jasmine been impressively docile and attentive during the council meetings. He had spied her on several occasions with her nose in the ancient tomes he had provided her with; they were books of history, politics, and philosophy.
But by far the best indication of his success in regards to Jasmine, were the delicious noises of satisfaction she made as he dreamed of him. He could not help but conceal himself and wait by her chamber door each night, using his magic to listen to the happenings within. He heard as she moaned, and panted, and best of all, cried his name. He was certain that after a few more weeks of this delightful torment that she would come to him to seek satisfaction, and he, gentleman that he was, would give into her every amorous whim. It never occurred to him that he was getting ahead of himself.
It was not as though he could conduct his seduction of the princess as freely as he would have wished. The palace guards were loyal to him. He paid them in what truly mattered, gold. The Sultan only treated them with kindness, and as such, Jafar was ultimately in control of the palace guards. They would not reveal his dealings with the princess if they caught them in a compromising position. And Jasmine herself, for whatever reason, had not confided in her father about their heated encounter in the alcove.
It was yet another indication that in time, Jasmine would willingly agree to be his queen. He could wait for her hatred to fade, for her desire for him to peak. He was a patient man, and the jewel of Agrabah and the throne that accompanied her was well worth the waiting. But Jafar disliked having only one plan. He needed a Plan B, should his seduction not prove to be successful by the appointed time.
And so, Jafar returned to a quest he had long since abandoned. A quest for a magical lamp.
_______________
Prince Khaled of Potamia was unique among Jasmine’s suitors thus far, in that he arrived on an elegant chestnut stallion flanked by a small retinue.
He did not throw himself at her feet and insist that she was the most wonderous jewel in all of Arabia.
Instead, he bowed low over her hand and asked if she would honor him by showing him the palace gardens.
Jasmine was stunned, and nodded dumbly in acceptance. His hand was large and warm and he tucked her smaller hand in the crook of his arm and drew her to his side.
Rajah followed them as they weaved between trees and bushes and fountains. Every square foot of the garden had been immaculately and elegantly designed by Jasmine’s mother.
She found herself shyly admitting this to Khaled.
Prince Khaled gave her a sad smile. “She must have been a remarkable person to create such beauty. I am sorry that you lost her. I, too, know what it is like to have lost a mother. The pain never quite leaves you, does it?”
Jasmine shook her head, slightly awed by his sincerity. “I am sorry that you have suffered so, Prince Khaled. I would not wish such pain upon my worst enemy.”
“It is my hope, Princess, that we will be far from enemies, but let us begin with friendship.” Khaled flashed her a charming smile and Jasmine’s heart fluttered ever so slightly.
When they returned to the fountain, Prince Khaled saw the book Jasmine had been reading before his introduction. “You like to read?”
“I love to read,” Jasmine said, admittedly her love of the activity was rather nascent, but true nonetheless.
“I am impressed. Most princesses I’ve med are content to embroider, play an instrument, dance, and practice perfect etiquette. I look forward to knowing you better.”
“The feeling is entirely mutual,” Jasmine said.
They parted, somewhat reluctantly, so that they could both prepare for dinner. Jasmine hummed to herself as she walked back to her chambers. Today had not been a disaster after all. Perhaps Dalia had been correct when she told Jasmine to approach meeting suitors with an open heart. If Khaled continued to impress her, he would certainly be a prospect for her future husband and sultan.
And if a minuscule part of her whispered that the position was already occupied, the larger more rational part insisted that with a prince like Khaled at her side, she might have a chance at exacting her own influence over the kingdom, and she would most certainly thwart any schemes the Grand Vizier had.
________
The fool was touching what belonged to him. Jafar scowled into his wine goblet.
Jasmine’s laughter floated through the air. Jafar wanted to punish her for daring to play the coquette to one of her suitors.
It was true that Jafar had no legitimate claim upon Jasmine, but he knew, he knew, with every fiber of his being that she was meant to be his wife and queen. He had always been a possessive, jealous, and covetous man. If this nonsense continued, and the foolish prince became a legitimate rival, Jafar would have to dispose of him.
“Jafar, are you quite well?” The Sultan asked, tearing his eyes away from his smiling daughter.
Jafar kept his voice calm. “I am perfectly well, your highness. I am only suspicious of our guest.”
The Sultan raised a feathery brow. “Of Prince Khaled?” The Sultan kept his voice low, but Jafar doubted that either of the infatuated twits were paying them any mind. Jafar would take delight in punishing Jasmine as well, when the time came.
“He is a perfectly amiable and charming young man. He will be with us for a fortnight, longer if Jasmine consents to it.”
Jafar resisted the urge to scowl as Jasmine’s laughter rang through the room again. She was being an insipid little girl and he longed to throttle her. He would be sure to fill her dreams with possessive fantasies tonight. Then perhaps she would not dare to smile at the foolish prince of Potamia.
____________
Chains. Metal against stone. Terror. Punishment.
But for what, Jasmine did not know.
She was swathed in red, her abdomen bare, her chest barely covered. Cool metal rested on her right upper arm, ruby eyes glinted from the carving of a cobra.
Jasmine shivered hard, causing the chains at her wrists to vibrate.
The dungeon door creaked open, and Jasmine swallowed hard as Jafar entered. His dark eyes glimmered with menace, and his grip on her chin was bruising.
“You are mine,” he hissed through clenched teeth. “Say it.”
“No,” Jasmine said.
The sound of flesh against flesh echoed in the room. Her cheek burned. Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes.
His hands were on her neck now.
“Say it.”
“No.” Jasmine tried to fight back, but the grip tightened on her throat and she gasped for air.
Her harem pants were yanked down. Jafar forced her thighs apart. An unwelcome intrusion accompanied by pain.
“Say it. Say that you belong to me.”
“Never,” Jasmine sneered.
A third finger was added. The pace rough and punishing. The other hand gripped her thigh tightly, enough to bruise. “Say it.”
Jasmine could not protest, for a wave of pleasure rocked through her. And then he was pushing inside her, his hands moving to the sides of her head, caging her to him.
Jasmine wrapped her legs around his hips, her hips rising to meet his stroke for stroke. The heavy chains hit the stone wall over and over again. It was the most exquisite pain she had ever experienced, and though she knew she would scarcely be able to walk the next day, she didn’t want it to ever stop.
“Say that you’re mine. That no other man will ever claim you.”
“No,” Jasmine protested, for she could still not submit. It would not be right.
Jasmine’s cries were swallowed by an intoxicating kiss. Pain. Her mouth filled with blood, her lip split by this kiss of the viper. She dug her nails into his back, intent upon drawing blood as well.
And then, he was spilling his seed into her. Jafar shuddered and clung to her. His voice was hard and dangerous as he whispered in her ear. “You are mine. You will never allow another man to claim you. If you do, you will suffer for your disloyalty. Now say it.”
“I am yours,” Jasmine said before she could stop herself, hating herself for breaking. The chains melted away. His arms wrapped tightly around her, and his lips claimed hers with ferocity..
A familiar voice--her own?-- pierced the haze of her dream. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Fight him. Or die trying.
“Jafar, no!” Jasmine cried, her eyes flying open. Her body was thrumming with arousal, demanding release.
She felt disgusting. This had gone far enough.
She would marry Prince Khaled at the end of his sojourn, if only to rid herself of Jafar and his maddening grip on her dreams.
The dream would not come to fruition. She was safe. She had to be. After all, Jafar was her father’s most trusted advisor. He would never dare harm her for fear of losing his head.
But Jasmine was too inexperienced to know how desire could corrupt and darken a man’s heart. She was too blind to realize that her choices could have painful and deadly consequences.
__________
The snake staff shattered into thousands of tiny pieces.
Jafar stared at the ground in disbelief. Perhaps he had gone too far, but his jealousy had been potent fuel for his magic. Jasmine was stronger than he ever would have imagined to resist its pull.
Her strength of will would have deterred a lesser man. But it only made Jafar more desperate to break her, to possess her. To win.
The games were over. The stakes now higher than ever.
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Lightning in a Bottle
Also on Fanfiction.net and A03
Author's Notes: Sorry for the hiatus I had to take from writing. Work and real life has been crazy. I also wanted to watch the final 10 episodes of Manifest so I could get an idea of how I'm going to handle seasons 3 and 4, so please read these author's notes for details:
This chapter begins corresponding to Season 3 of Manifest and now that I've seen the end of the series, I believe I know how I'll be writing the last two seasons. With that comes a few notes. This chapter introduces a new major character and a new minor character. I debated on replacing the major character with a Once character and decided against it as there is just no Once character that fits what this character becomes in the age range that is needed. So I've decided to use the Manifest character. Her name is Angelina and she's played by Holly Taylor so you can Google it. Also, with the addition of Mr. Gold in this story, his advice and knowledge will change the tone and provide them with insight that the characters in Manifest didn't have. This will result in avoiding certain calamities and replacing them with others that work for my characters.
I also may explore and flesh out the Mythology and lore a bit more than the series was able to with my own conclusions.
The second minor character is the daughter of the Major in the series. Since we are using the Black Fairy as our Major in this story, I chose a Once character and decided that Tinkerbell fits well in this role, as she will be playing mainly off Hook. Since I can't call her Tinkerbell, her name in this will be Bella Green. It's also been about 4 months since the last chapter.
Sorry for the delay on getting this out. Work has been crazy and I had to take a few weeks off, but this is an extra long chapter. I think that's it for notes for now. Enjoy and let me know what you think!
Lightning in a Bottle
Chapter 80: Tailfin
David held his head in his hands, as he screamed in pain and the bright light nearly blinded all of them. It was the same Calling he, Emma, and Henry had been having for months now. There was another young woman in the Calling too, about maybe a bit older than Olive. She looked just as terrified, but they hadn't been able to get a good look at her to identify her until today. Henry had gotten a better look at her, but immediately called his father and David answered right away.
"Hey buddy…you had it again too?" he asked.
"Yeah…" he said with a sigh.
"The light was so bright and we were all screaming. It scared me," Henry added.
"Yeah…me too, but we'll figure it out. I saw your Aunt Emma there too. I wonder if she had it too," David said, as his phone beeped.
"That would be Emma," Margaret said, as she hooked her hand on his elbow.
"Let me guess…we all just had that Calling again?" she asked.
"Yep," David answered.
"Who was that woman? I couldn't make her out," Emma said.
"I'm not sure…but I think I know what triggered that Calling. We found the boat," David said, as he held his wife's hand.
"Like in my sketch?" Henry asked.
"Just like it," David replied.
"That boat found something, Dad…about 828. I just know it," Henry insisted.
"We believe you, buddy and we're going to see if we can finally get some answers," David said.
"Well…whatever is on that boat must be important. I haven't had a Calling that intense in months," Emma mentioned.
"Agreed and the boat is barely tied up. The owners can't be gone for long," David said.
"Okay…but please be careful, you guys. You have a sister and three kids that need you to come home. It can be dangerous there," Emma warned. They smiled.
"We will…call you soon," David said, as he hung up the phone. When Henry's drawings suggested that answers to his exploding plane Calling were in Cuba, he and Vance had decided to make the trip there. Margaret insisted on coming with him, though he protested at first. But his father was more than willing to stay with the kids and he had trouble saying no to her. Plus, he liked the idea of a little adventure and mini getaway with his wife. After all, Jamaica had been their last vacation.
"Do you see anything, honey?" Margaret asked, as they poked around the ship.
"No…there's nothing here," he replied, as they stepped off the ship, just as the owners returned. Margaret listened to her husband speak to them in Spanish and then offer them a wad of cash, provided to them by Vance's government connections.
"They said they found something regarding 828," he said, as they took the cash and proceeded to lead the couple to a nearby storage warehouse. David held her hand, as they cautiously followed the men inside and to the far wall. There was a large tarp covering whatever it was that they were keeping in there.
The man pulled the tarp away and Margaret gasped, as they lay eyes on the tailfin of flight 828…
~*~
"Same calling again?" Neal asked, as she and Neal sunbathed on a beach near the beach house they had rented for their honeymoon in Costa Rica.
"Yeah, David and Henry are just as floored as I am. We can't identify this woman that's in the Calling with us though, but it feels like we're all dying," Emma replied. He grimaced.
"I wish I could help…but no Callings for me anymore," he said.
"You're alive and you survived your Death Date. Believe me, it's a trade off that we're all glad for, especially me," she replied, as they shared a kiss.
"If surviving the Death Date means no more Callings…then sign us all up," she added. He smiled and squeezed her hand.
"You'll get there," he assured her.
"Yeah…but the return of the Callings after months is probably telling us it's time to pack up and head home," Emma said. He nodded.
"Yeah…back to reality," Neal replied.
"Yeah…the Callings are a blessing that lets us save lives, but they're also a curse sometimes," Emma said.
"But if I want to grow old with you…I better get back to solving them," she added.
"Oh…you're going to grow ancient with me," he mused, as he pulled her close and they shared another kiss.
"Here comes the train, Eden…because we like avoiding planes now," Robert said, as he fed the baby, while Olive smiled on and Henry paced.
"Anything from Mom and Dad?" she asked.
"No…they went dark all of a sudden. I really want to know what they found," Henry said impatiently.
"Impatience…wonder where that comes from," Robert mused.
"Dad loves that joke almost as much as you," Olive joked, as Eden called out and Robert fed her another bite.
"All three of you are like this," he said, as they witnessed Henry have a Calling.
"Hey buddy…what was it?" Robert asked, as his tablet rang.
"Same one…it's Aunt Emma," he replied, as he answered.
"Hey kid…did you have it too?" she asked.
"Yeah…who was that woman?" he asked.
"No idea, but I was hoping you and Ol could go to your Dad's boards and help me identify her," she replied, as the two went into the garage.
"I talked to Dad earlier," Henry said.
"You spoke to your Dad? He and MM have been radio silent for the past couple days. Have they found anything?" Emma asked.
"Not yet…but they think they're really close," Henry replied.
"What happened in the Calling?" Olive asked.
"We were about to die," Henry answered gravely.
~*~
"Okay kiddo…open wide for me," Regina said, as she examined the little boy in the small exam room.
"Good boy…it looks a little raw in there. Probably strep. Has he had strep before?" she asked the mother. The woman nodded.
"Two winters in a row," she answered.
"Let me get a test so we can be sure and I'll be back with a lollipop too," Regina replied, as she went to get both, but not before checking in with one of Vance's other employees in the control room.
"Anything from Cuba?" she asked, as she gave him a lollipop.
"I'll let you know when I do," Alonzo replied, as he took the wrapper off the candy.
~*~
"Morning, Bill," Killian said, greeting the desk sergeant.
"Lieutenant," he nodded in response, as he noticed a young woman talking to one of the other detectives and heard Emma's name.
"Where's Emma Nolan?" she asked, perking his interest.
"Look, I'm sure you're a very nice person. And I would know, 'cause I'm a very nice person. But I just can't divulge that kind of information about Detective Nolan," the other detective replied.
"You don't understand. I need to speak with her," the young woman insisted.
"Well, I don't think she can help you, but I can redirect your concern to the precinct where your mom lives or the FBI," the detective replied.
"I've been to both. No one would help me. Just tell me when Detective Nolan gets back and I'll come back then," she replied.
"I can't tell you that. Now, I'm sorry, but I really need to get back to work," the detective said, as he turned away and she stormed out of the station.
"Hey, what was that about?" Killian asked curiously.
"Missing person. She can't get ahold of her mom and she wants to talk to Emma," Ruby answered.
"I feel for her, but it's not our area," she added.
"Why's she asking for Emma?" he asked.
"Uh, she thinks the 828 cop can help. People will believe anything when they're desperate," Ruby replied.
~*~
"What did you see?" Olive asked.
"We were all freaking out…and there was another woman that I didn't recognize," Henry replied, as they looked at the board.
"Okay…was she old or young?" Olive asked.
"Old," Henry replied.
"Hair? Eyes?" Olive asked. Henry shrugged.
"Medium," he replied. She gave him a look.
"That's not an option," Olive replied, as she took his tablet and turned it so Emma could see, as she moved it over the board.
"Wait…there she is," Emma said.
"Are you sure?" Olive asked.
"The hair is different…but that's her," Emma replied.
"Angelina Meyer…you said she was old," Olive said to her brother, obviously a bit annoyed. He shrugged again.
"Older than me," Henry replied, as Olive rolled her eyes.
"Okay. Meyer, Angelina. No reply to email. No reply to call. He never talked to her, but there should be more bio stuff," Olive said.
"Here. Born Long Island, New York, 1990. Current whereabouts unknown. Parents own homes in Sun Valley, Idaho, and Tamarindo, Costa Rica," Olive added.
"Wow. The callings really do follow us wherever we go. Or tell us where we need to be. How far is Tamarindo?" Emma asked her husband.
"Two-hour drive," he said, looking it up on her phone.
"Hey, nice work, you guys. We'll call you back. Try and reach your dad, okay?" she said, as she hung up.
"Angelina Meyer. She seemed like she was really in danger," Emma mentioned.
"And so did you. And David and Henry," Neal reminded her.
"True. But either way, she needs us. I just...I know it," Emma replied.
"I think she needs you. But where you lead, I will follow. Let's go," Neal said.
~*~
"David…" Margaret murmured.
"I know…it's impossible," he whispered back. They had been there that night at the hangar when the plane mysteriously exploded. Slowly, David let go of her hand and approached the tailfin. He touched it and Margaret cried out, as some unseen force threw her husband back several feet to the ground. She rushed to him, as the two men looked on quite curiously.
"David…" she said in alarm, as she shook him awake. Thankfully, he had only been mildly shocked and was roused easily. He noticed the men looking at him suspiciously and he quickly got to his feet.
"Must be some static electricity," he said, knowing it was a lame excuse.
"Thank you for showing us," Margaret said, as they quickly left and David called Vance.
"What the hell is going on…I can't let you two just go dark in his country," he said.
"Sorry…but you're not going to believe what we found. It's the tailfin," David replied.
"That's a hell of a mystery," Vance agreed, as they heard someone speaking to them in Spanish and approaching. It was a Cuban law enforcement officer and he knew that wasn't good.
~*~
After talking to Angelina's parents, Emma and Neal headed to track down one more lead, which led them to a beach not far from their house.
"Elena Rojas?" Emma asked, as they engaged a friend of Angelina's and explained the situation.
"We hung out a bit after the plane came back. I tried having dinner over there a few times, but her parents were still so clingy," Elena explained.
"When was the last time you saw her?" Emma asked.
"A few months ago. I figured she went back to New York. She always talked about going," Elena answered.
"What else?" Emma pressed.
"I don't know how to explain it. She was distracted, almost paranoid, looking over her shoulder like she was being followed," Elena offered.
"Her parents didn't mention that," Neal commented.
"They're so strict and religious, I'm sure she was nervous to tell them," Elena said.
"Did she ever talk about being followed or give you any details?" Emma asked. Elena looked hesitant.
"Look, it's important to tell us anything that you might know, because she didn't go back to New York, Elena. She's still somewhere in Costa Rica," Emma pleaded.
"That's seriously all I know. You don't think someone really was after her?" Elena asked.
"I don't know. Look, if you hear or think of anything, you have my number, okay?" she added, as she and Neal walked away.
"So was she really being followed, or was she just having a calling?" Neal wondered.
"Or option number three, the calling was trying to warn her about something," Emma responded.
~*~
The Cuban official looked at the pair skeptically, as Margaret clung to his side.
"Americans?" he asked. He nodded.
"Yes…we're just here visiting your beautiful country," David replied, as he clutched her hand.
"Can you explain this?" the man said, as he showed him a video on a phone. Someone had captured him touching the tailfin and the reaction.
"Oh…that was nothing. Just a little snafu," he said.
"You show us," he said, as the other officers surrounded them. He put his hand up and put his other arm around Margaret, as they were led back into the warehouse.
"You touch the tailfin now," he ordered. He nodded and did as they asked, knowing that they would threaten his wife if he didn't. He looked at his hand and put it to the tailfin again. But nothing happened and he glanced at his wife, wondering what they would do now. Fortunately, they wouldn't have to find out, as Vance and his associate moved in with guns and rounded up the officers.
"How is this possible?" Vance asked. He shook his head.
"No clue…but we need to get it out of here or we're all going to end up in a Cuban prison. I knew I shouldn't have let Margaret come," he said.
"Fortunately, we have a ride. Let's go," he said, as they piled into a flatbed truck and took off for the nearest airfield.
~*~
"Oh," Noelle, Angelina's mother, uttered in surprise when she returned to the patio. She did not expect to see Neal and Emma back.
"Didn't know you were back," she said.
"They were talking to Elena," Angelina's father replied.
"We didn't realize Angelina had a friend right here in Costa Rica," Emma said.
"Does it matter? She doesn't know where Angelina is either," Noelle replied.
"I'm sorry to get hung up on this. There's just something I'm not quite getting. If Angelina lived here with you and she was so afraid, wouldn't she have mentioned something to you?" Emma questioned.
"I don't...someone following her, a stalker…" Noelle stammered.
"There was no damn stalker. There was no anything. It was all coming from within her," Angelina's father snapped. Emma pretended to be lightheaded.
"You okay?" Neal asked.
"Uh...sorry. I just got really dizzy. Do you mind if I use your bathroom?" Emma asked.
"Of course. Just through here," Noelle said. Emma went into the house and found the bathroom, but once she was sure it was clear, she followed her urge and started to search the house.
~*~
"When I touched it, it blew me back, Vance," David called over the wind, as they rode on the flatbed of the truck to the airfield.
"It launched me," he said. Margaret nodded.
"Still could be a duplicate," Vance reasoned.
"Come on. It's the actual tailfin from 828," David insisted.
"How? You came home in that plane," Vance argued.
"Right. And then I watched that plane explode. And how, Vance, after all these years,
does an 1,800 pound tailfin dredge up from the bottom of the ocean?" David questioned.
"David, my whole career has been about looking at how the facts add up," Vance replied.
"What are they trying to tell us?" Margaret asked.
"I've lasted this long simply because I would not let go of that mantra. How do the facts add up? Then your flight returned, and nothing added up. Cost me almost everything
to try to make it all add up," he said, pausing for a moment.
"But with that tailfin, we may be on the cusp of finally understanding the biggest mystery that's ever transpired in human history," Vance added. David and Margaret smiled.
"I'm glad you're on our side," David said.
"Always" Vance promised, as they neared the airfield.
"There she is," Vance said, pointing at the large cargo plane.
"Nice upgrade from the puddle-jumper that got us over here. Can't exactly Uber home a tailfin" David joked.
"Boss, we got company," Vance's right hand called from the cab of the truck.
"Gun it!" he shouted.
"We got a good lead on them," David said.
"Not enough. Stop the truck," Vance called to his driver.
"Come on," he said, as he hopped out.
"Vance, what are you doing?" David asked.
"Making sure you two get home," he replied.
"Get this to my wife," he said, as he handed his wedding ring to David.
"Vance, we don't have to do this. We can all make it to the plane," David insisted.
"It doesn't matter. It's DGI. Intelligence. They want the tailfin. They'll shoot us out of the sky for it. This is the only way," Vance replied.
"Vance, what about you?" Margaret asked. He sighed.
"Listen to me. Listen…both of you," he said.
"You're going to want to do something to help me. It's in your nature. Do not. I'll handle it," he said, as he got into the truck, while his driver, who was also their pilot, fired up the plane.
"Vance, get out of the truck," David pleaded, as Cuban intelligence arrived.
"Get on the plane!" Vance said, as he drove off with the tailfin to keep the heat off them.
"Vance! Vance!" David called. But it was too late. Vance had surrendered and the Intelligence officers would soon turn their attention to them. David growled and grabbed Margaret's hand, as they ran up the ramp of the plane. It closed and Vance's pilot took them to the air…
~*~
Emma had been gone a while and that made Noelle venture into the house. Neal knew he needed a distraction and pretended to faint.
"Noelle!" Kenneth called, as he tried to rouse Neal.
"Don't tell me you're like them too," he mentioned skeptically, as the distraction worked and Emma continued her search inside. She trekked through the large house, all the way to the basement and felt the Calling urging her on. She found her way into the cellar and saw that there were individual cellars, finally seeing a girl locked inside one.
"Hang on…I'm getting you out. Don't be scared, I'm not going to hurt you," Emma said, as she broke the lock with a crowbar. She tossed it away and helped the young girl out, who was momentarily blinded by the bright light of the sun.
"It's okay…you're safe now. I'm going to get you to a hospital," Emma assured.
"No!" Angelina cried.
"No, don't," she pleaded.
"We have no choice. It's okay. It's okay," Emma soothed, as she hugged her gently.
"Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital and get checked out?" she asked.
"No…I just want to go," Angelina replied. Emma nodded and they left with Angelina.
Her parents didn't fuss too much, because they knew Emma would call the Police on them if they did and soon they were back at the house they had rented for their honeymoon.
"You need to know that you're not possessed. The voices in your head, the
visions, they're far from a curse. No matter what your parents believe," Emma said.
"My mom…she was religious too, but not in a scary way so I know the scriptures too. I don't think your parents are using them correctly," she added.
"I'm sure you know Romans 8:28. You're one of the Called. So am I. Actually, so are a lot of us from 828," Emma said. Angelina looked up in surprise.
"Yeah, that's right. I was on that flight. 5A," Emma said.
"24D," Angelina replied," as Neal returned.
"Wasn't sure what you were into, so I got a few of everything," he said, as he dumped some packages of snacks on the bed and she eagerly chose one.
"Nice assist on the "fake calling flop" back there. How'd you know I needed help?," she asked.
"I don't know. I just felt it," Neal replied.
"The American consulate's gonna close soon, so we should get going. I told the police we'd bring Angelina to report her parents," Emma said.
"No. I just want to get out of here with you. Please. I don't want to be alone with this anymore," she pleaded.
"Believe me. If you're hanging with us, you can't throw a stick without hitting somebody who has callings," Neal said.
"Okay. You're coming with us," Emma replied, as she started to look through her phone.
"I don't want to rain on the parade here, but we don't have any paperwork for Angelina. No passport, no license…and you're already handling it, aren't you?" he mused. She smirked.
"Of course I am," Emma said.
"Of course you are," Neal replied, as she made a call.
"Her name is Angelina Meyer. M-E-Y-E-R. And it has to be confidential," she told one of Vance's contacts back at his blacksite.
"We might have an in with the ambassador. That contact's a bit dry," Alonzo said.
"There's always shipping containers, but it's a hairy ride," he added. Regina bit her bottom lip, as she looked on the screen with him.
"Hey, Emma, I think I may have a better idea of who could help," Regina said, as she saw a cargo plane on the radar nearby.
"Is it someone we can trust?" Emma asked. She smiled.
"More than anyone you know," she replied.
~*~
"Thanks for the lift," Emma said, as she sat next to her brother on the floor of the cargo plane where they were strapped in. Margaret was asleep against him and Neal was passed out as well.
"Glad to have one win today. Is she okay?" he asked about the mysterious passenger that had joined them.
"Yeah. She will be, with our help," Emma said, as the plane rocked slightly.
"It's so great being back on an airplane. I'm totally cool with it," she deadpanned and he smiled.
"Yeah, not panicked at all. What year do you think it'll be when we land?" he joked.
"Not funny," she said.
"Don't worry…we'll figure this new Calling out," he promised.
~*~
Hours later, they finally arrived home at their house, with Angelina in tow. Olive and Henry rushed to hug their parents fiercely. Robert approached and Margaret took the baby with glee, as she kissed her little head. David did too and hugged his father. Henry eagerly approached their guest.
"Hi…I'm Henry. I've been waiting for you," he said cryptically and they knew a long time ago that Henry's Callings were particularly powerful. If Angelina was supposed to be there…then there had to be a reason.
~*~
A blonde woman approached his desk and Killian recognized her from earlier in the day. He noticed she was petite, almost pixie-like, with green eyes.
"Didn't I see you in here today, like, 11 hours ago?" Killian asked.
"Which is when I saw you come on shift. Figured by now Detective Lucas would be gone, but you wouldn't," she said.
"You came here to see me?" he said.
"I know it looks crazy," she replied, but he shrugged.
"I've talked to a lot of people about my mom, so I've gotten used to being brushed off or treated like a crazy person," she added.
But the way you looked at me was different, like you actually might care what I have to say," she said.
"I have a few minutes," Killian confirmed, as he motioned for her to sit.
"My mom worked for the government. What she did exactly, I don't know. But what I do know is that every time she went on a trip, somewhere she couldn't reach out, she'd send me roses. Three red roses meant she'd be gone three days. Two yellow roses, two weeks, and so on," she said, pausing for a moment.
"Last time we spoke was three months ago. And I haven't gotten any roses. The reason I keep coming here is because I think what happened to her is somehow related to Flight 828. It felt like the focus of her work, so I thought Detective Nolan might help," she continued.
"The DoD just keeps telling me everything is classified. No other cop will give me the time of day. Please, you're my last hope," she said, as he opened her file folder.
"This is your mother?" he asked.
"She adopted me when I was a little girl. Her name is Fiona Black," she said.
"And your name?" Killian asked.
"Bella Green," she answered.
~*~
Mr. Gold sipped at his tea, as did Belle. Once they were back, they called them and Regina to have a meeting at the Nolan house.
"So Vance is…" Belle asked.
"In a Cuban prison. I'm supposed to give his ring to his wife and he insisted that I don't try to help him. I'm not sure I can do that," David replied.
"You are the leader of the passengers. Allow me…I still may have some pull with the NSA and I can be very persuasive," Gold said.
"I still don't get it…we were on that plane when it landed. We still have our fingers.
We have our toes. We watched it explode," Regina mused.
"I know," David said, as baffled as she was.
"So how does a piece of it end up at the bottom of an ocean?" Emma wondered.
"I've no idea. But it did," David replied.
"I think we're about to find out it's going to change everything," Gold said.
"Why do you say that?" Margaret asked.
"You said you touched the tailfin?" Gold asked. David nodded.
"And it sent me careening back at least twenty feet," he replied.
"Did you touch it with that hand?" Gold asked. David looked down at his left hand and they were all astonished to see it glowing.
"Oh my God…" Margaret uttered.
"I need to take a sample of this and get it under a microscope," Regina said, as she got her back and took a scraping from David's palm.
"Yeah…that's different," Emma mused.
"Do…do you think we actually died on that flight?" Belle asked in a hushed whisper. Her eyes were haunted just by the idea.
"The Calling…us screaming. I guess it's possible," Emma said, unnerved by it too.
"Not to mention my Calling of the plane exploding in mid-air," David replied.
"But you didn't die…you're here," Margaret insisted.
"She's right…that may be the tailfin, but this glow means something and I don't think it's death," Regina said.
"The plane exploded…but then it reappeared, or part of it did. Like it was resurrected," Emma replied.
"Or it disappeared like we did and now it's back like we are," David reasoned.
"I'm inclined to agree with David. Much research must be done," Gold said.
"I'll start first thing in the morning going through every book I can find on the Divine," Belle said.
"What about this girl? Angelina?" Gold asked.
"Henry had a Calling…he said she's supposed to be here and she needs help, so we'll help her," Margaret said.
"She could be dangerous," Gold said.
"She's scared…her parents had her locked up, because they thought she was cursed," David replied.
"Maybe she is," he mused.
"Roman!" Belle scolded.
"I'm sorry Belle…but we must consider it," Gold said.
"How do you figure?" Emma asked. He sighed.
"If we are to entertain any theory that passengers are the returned, whether that be as angels or prophets, we know that Henry is special among the passengers," he said. David nodded.
"Agreed…go on," David urged.
"We know Henry is pure of heart and may be the key to everything. But we all know that to everything good, there is a counterpart of evil. There is no one without the other. Black and white, light and dark, yin and yang," he said.
"You think Angelina might be Henry's dark counterpart?" David asked.
"Take it from someone who knows darkness and trauma, dearie…a girl with that much trauma has sanity that is hanging by a thread and intense Callings could push her over the edge," he warned.
"We can't just kick her out…she has no one. We have to show her kindness and if we see an inkling that she may be what you say…we'll deal with it accordingly," Margaret said firmly.
"Understood…just be mindful. You may be right and another sheep has joined our flock…or we just let a wolf into the pen," he advised.
"I'm going to go run this test. I'll call in the morning when I have results and we can meet again," Regina said. They nodded and parted for the night.
~*~
Margaret went up to tuck the kids in. Olive and Angelina were already asleep, so she went into Henry's room.
"Hey sweetie," she cooed.
"Hi…how long is Angelina staying?" he asked.
"As long as she needs until she gets back on her feet," Margaret replied.
"She's scared," Henry said.
"I know sweetie…and we'll help her as much as we can," Margaret replied, as she tucked him in.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah…" he answered.
"No nightmares?" she asked.
"No…but all of a sudden, I just feel like that again," Henry said.
"Feel like what?" David asked.
"Like when I had the visions of the three shadows. Like I did before. When they were here," Henry explained, as his parents exchanged a weary glance.
~*~
Upstate, at the lake where Neal survived his Death Date after pulling Henry out of the water, three masses floated to the surface. They were covered in mud and muck from the water. Terrifyingly, one opened his eyes and gasped for breath. The other two followed and like nothing, Jace, Kory, and Pete emerged from the water and walked onto land once again, alive and well, or so it would seem…
#Snowing#SnowxCharming#Charming family#Emma#Henry#Regina Mills#Mr. Gold#Belle#Manifest#with a Once twist#romance#adventure#mystery#family#Lightning in a Bottle
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The Alienist and the Soprano
Chapter 8: The Confusion
A/N: This was inspired by Laszlo’s love of opera and my thought on what if he fell for an opera singer. Multi chapter. Canon divergence, there is no Mary Palmer here (I loved Mary and Laszlo, so I don’t feel like I could have her here and have him be with another woman). A mix of show and book canons. No Y/N, OC named Evelina Lind.
A03: https://archiveofourown.org/works/32029150
Pairing: Laszlo Kreizler x Fem OC!
Summary: The last thing Laszlo Kreizler ever expected while investigating the death of children was to fall in love, and with an opera singer no less!
Warnings: Age gap, angst, kidnapping.
The next few days was one of the most tense anyone in the group had ever had. Unlike their other cases, the person they were on the look out for hadn’t done anything note worthy to the police and therefore not worthy of police involvement. So, it was left up to the team to handle this themselves. It was Laszlo who came up with the plan, each of them would take turns going to the opera with Evelina was a guard, and Sara would protect her from the safety of her home. It was agreed upon, particularly at the insistence of Evelina, that no one at the opera would know, as it was seen to be for the best, for if they knew, it could arouse suspicion and possibly frighten Winston away.
The first day Lucius and Marcus watched over her, and though they would have done whatever was needed to be done to help, they were glad that they were replaced by John. Out of the three men, John was the more intimidating one, and if any scuffle were to happen, he’d be the better fighter. It escaped no one’s eyes when they noticed John at the opera, and the rumors slowly grew of his reasons why.
These rumors had yet to reach the ears of the doctor, who during the day kept an eye on both his children and Evelina, then in the evening visiting her and Sara, checking in for any signs of disturbance. Sara got to see firsthand the kind of meetings that Evelina and Laszlo have had when she’d go to his office, and she began to wonder. Is it possible that a soprano and an alienist would be a love match? It seemed silly at first, but she couldn’t help but to wonder.
After four days of no sign of Winston, John and Laszlo wondered about what to do, and Laszlo decided that he would talk once again to Roosevelt and if he couldn’t move him, then he himself will go to the opera with Evelina and see if it will lure Winston out. Somehow, Evelina found out and after the rehearsal the next day, Evelina hurried to John and asked, “John, is it true that Laszlo is going to watch over me tomorrow?”
“Well, yes.”
“Why?”
He looked at her confused, “To watch over you.”
“No, I mean…John, please convince him not to. I am sure that Winston is very jealous of him, and I fear that if he sees Laszlo with me, something dreadful will happen.”
“But perhaps it will do us good. If Laszlo is what triggers him, then it will mean an end to this.”
“Not at the risk of Laszlo’s life. Oh, please,” she asked, her hands gripping his jacket desperately, “Convince him not to!”
He looked down at her amazed. “If it really means that much to you.”
She released her hands from his jacket, looked away and blushed. “I just don’t want anyone else to get hurt because of me.”
He nods, then says, “Listen, why don’t we get a little lunch? I think it’ll do us both some good.”
He takes her to a small café where they enjoy a cup of tea and cakes and begin to relax a bit. “Oh, I think that was terribly romantic, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise,” she says, after he tells the story of how he tried to woo a girl from his college years.
John chuckled, then said, “Laszlo calls me a hopeless romantic, sometimes as if it is a hopeless flaw.”
“Then it is a flaw we share.”
“Funny, we both…” John stopped short, a quick glance of fear of revealing too much, then distracted himself with a sip of his tea.
Evelina smirked and finished his thought. “Two romantics, in love with cynical people.”
John looked at her and a wash of relief overcame him. At last, someone he could speak of his feelings on the subject to. “How could you tell?”
“You’ve hidden it quite well, but I’ve seen it in your eyes, they just glow when she comes into view, or even the mere mention of her name, you light up.” She bit her lip, then asked, “How could you tell with me?”
“Oh, at first, I hadn’t been sure, but then when I saw that you hadn’t run off after his probing, I only thought of two things, either you are a mad woman, or a woman in love.” They chuckled, then John, very seriously asked, “Do you think that there is any hope for me? I mean, is there in any way, I might be able to win her over? She never seems interested, and yet she is.”
She takes a moment to consider her words, then she speaks. “I think perhaps Sara is worried what it will mean. To her, love and independence cannot mix. It must be one or the other, but she doesn’t realize that she can have both. If the man loves her enough to understand her need of freedom, he will earn her eternal love, and I think you could be that man.”
“And I think you could very well be the woman to bring happiness to Laszlo. If he allows himself to have it.”
She couldn’t help but to smile at the thought. Yes, John thinks she could make Laszlo happy, but he did not confirm whether Laszlo felt the same. But nevertheless, it gave her some courage and thought she might do something about it.
Sara and Laszlo walked around the park, hoping to catch a glimpse of this man. Evelina gave a detailed account of her brother; age 27, tall and slender, dirty blonde hair, blue eyes, sharp features, and full mouth. The most distinct feature, she said, was faint scars down the left side of his face from where she scratched at him when fending him off. They walked around the city every day and didn’t seem to be any closer.
“He is around here, I know it,” Sara said, “He would never be too far from where she could be.”
“Yes,” Laszlo agreed, “The predator never loses sight of his prey.”
“I better return home; Evelina said her rehearsal is half today and I should be there to meet her. What time is it?”
Laszlo reached for his pocket watch, but out fluttered was a handkerchief and he quickly snatched it back, as if hoping it would not be seen. But Sara saw and her mouth fell open at the sight. It was a white handkerchief with lace edging and embroidered blue bird. That was where it went, and Sara had read plenty of stories to know that such a gesture was always fueled by romantic feelings. Laszlo was in love with Evelina. Of course, it makes so much more sense now. Of all the times he spoke of Evelina, how awkward and unsure he was around her, which he never was around anyone else, for he was perhaps one of the most confident insecure men she ever knew. And yet, around Evelina, Sara could see his wall slightly lowered for her, which he never did unless someone took whacks at it at first.
“I um,” Laszlo stumbled with his words, “I have to go, meeting Roosevelt now. Goodbye.” He hurried off, avoiding any words with Sara. He heard his heart pounding in his ears knowing that Sara will put the pieces together. To help distract him, Laszlo hurried to his meeting, hoping to convince Roosevelt to help in their case. Theodore Roosevelt is a good man, but he is also a practical man. “My friend, there is barely any proof that this man is after her, or rather that there is any man after her. Any one from her building could have taken her knickers, it may not even be her brother. With her profession, it is not hard to see her dealing with this kind of thing. And if I were to assign an officer to every woman who has been accosted by a man, I’d have not only no men left, but I’d have to hire more!”
“But regardless, whether it is her brother, suitor or some pervert off the street, she should not be intimidated by anyone and feel frightful of stepping out of her door. Please Theodore, I am just asking for some protection for her.”
He thinks about it, but he shakes his head. “I am sorry. Give me some concrete proof and then I’ll see about assigning someone. I appreciate that you are doing this as a favor to John, but even he must know my limits.”
Laszlo looked at him confused. “John?”
“Yes. I mean after all, for all the times they spent together, it’s clear he has an interest in her. And I must say, what a handsome couple they make,.”
Laszlo stared at him, feeling a twinge of pain in his chest, and gulped. “Do they?”
“Of course! You can tell she clearly favors him above all others. Why, as I was heading over here, I saw them at a café, and you should have seen how they were laughing and going on. It does make sense, when you think of it; both are artists, he with a pen and she with her voice. It is a good match, I think, and he better make the proposal soon if he doesn’t want to lose her.” A knock at the door interrupted them, and Theodore sighed. “Well, I better be going. Good day, Laszlo.”
Laszlo barely acknowledged Theodore as he became lost in his thoughts and insecurity. Walking back at the institute in a daze as he thought over everything. He had been terribly mistaken, as it seemed to be his curse, in matters of the heart. He had felt certain that her frequent visits were because of growing feelings, but it had to have been because she wanted to be kind to the old man who saved her from abuse. Yes, that had to be it. And he was the fool to allow his heart to be taken by someone too good for him. This heartbreak was awful, and once in the safety of his office, he grabbed a pillow and screamed a painful aching sound into it.
Sara worked at her typewriter, working on the paperwork of this case, when she felt a presence. Turning in her chair, she sighed as she saw Evelina sitting on the couch, a pensive look on her face, as if it was a matter of life and death. “I didn’t hear you come back.”
Evelina jumped at the sound of Sara’s voice, but relaxed and offered a small smile. “I only just came in.” She bit her lip, then asked, “Sara, may I ask you a question?” She patted the spot next to her, allowing Sara to sit beside her. “Have you ever been in love? I mean, really and truly in love?”
Sara was stumped by the question. Unsure of how to answer that question. “I-what do you mean?”
A slight smiled appeared on her lips as she continued. “I only ask because, well, because I need some advice. I am in love. You see, at first, I thought it was just a little infatuation, that perhaps because he rescue me, I had developed feelings that weren’t really there. Then as I got to know him better, I found that he is brilliant, brave and good. Oh, I know he isn’t perfect, he has his faults and everyone knows it, but deep down, he is a fine man, one of the finest men I have ever known. He cares a lot more than he lets on and I know it comes from a place of hurt so that is why he shields his heart. But it didn’t stop me from loving him. I know I do. What would you do, Sara? What would you do if you were me?”
Hearing her words, Sara felt convinced of who she spoke of, and pushed down her own feelings of disappointment and pain. Then her thoughts shifted to Laszlo. Poor Laszlo. He no doubt will be crushed to find out her true feelings, but like the gentleman he can be, he’d never say anything if it means another’s happiness. “If you truly love this man, you must tell him. And I am sure that John will be happy to hear of your feelings.”
Evelina looked at her puzzled then shook her head. “Sara, I am not speaking of John. Oh, do not get me wrong, he is a fine man and a good friend, but how could I even think to have feelings for him when it is clear he adores you and you him?”
Sara shook her head. “Um, that is not, we are not…No.”
Evelina chuckled and gave her a look. “Keep telling yourself that, Sara.”
Sara then gave a puzzled look and said, “Forgive me, but if it is not John, then-” she stopped herself and remembered who else was there to save her that night. “Laszlo. You love Laszlo!”
Evelina nodded. “I know that to many it is a peculiar match, but they don’t know him as I do. He is brash, closed off, and such a dear!” She says the last words with such adoration.
Sara tried to bite back a smile, but she couldn’t help it. “Has Laszlo ever said anything to you?”
“No. I think perhaps he sees me only as a friend, but I swear, I’d see him looking at me in a certain way, says a word, or perhaps touch me in a way that makes me wonder if he feels the same as I do. But I think it’s only my vain desire for him to reciprocate.”
Taking her hands, Sara smiled and with confidence said, “Evelina, I can safely assure you, you are not wrong. Laszlo does feel the same, I know he does.”
“Has he said so?”
“Not in the exact words, but everything else he does and says have told all I could ever know. Whenever someone mentions you, his eyes just have a certain glow in them, and I’ve never seen him be so at peace with himself and the world until you came.”
Evelina’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
“Really. And I think you should tell him now. If I were you, I wouldn’t waste another second and let it all out. And I guarantee you, he will do the same.” Sara ran a friendly finger down Evelina’s face and smiled. “You two will be very happy, I know it.”
Sara walked Evelina out and hailed a carriage, watching her get in and instructed the driver to stay until Evelina returns back to the house. Evelina popped her head out of the window, took Sara’s hand and smile. “Would you like to know something Sara? When you said about his eyes having that glow? I noticed the same in John’s eyes when he sees you. Just thought you’d like to know.” And with that, the carriage raced off to the institute.
He had not expected to see her, for the plan was for her to go from the opera house back to Sara’s and if she were to ever go out, it would be accompanied by another. And yet, here she was, standing in his office, looking radiant, excited, and happy. She looked so happy, why wouldn’t she? She just spent the afternoon with John Moore, handsome, charming, able bodied John Moore. What more could a woman want? And he felt his heart crack at the thought, and he silently began to berate himself for daring to hope that he could be loved, for once in his life, to have someone love him back. Such a foolish hope, really, a waste of a dream.
“I presume you had a pleasant day with John.”
“Yes. Today has been enlightening, to say the least.”
“Yes, I am sure.” He fiddled with his bad hand, then suddenly became insecure and covered it with his good left one. “Evelina, I feel that as we have gotten close in a few short months, I feel safe in saying this.” She looked at him with such tenderness and joy that it sent a quiver through his heart and he thought he couldn’t go through with it. “John is a good man, can even be a great man with the right kind of woman beside him. He has some rather unfavorable habits, the brothels, the drinking, and gambling, but he would gladly give it all up. For you.”
He did not notice her hopeful expression turn to confusion, then hurt. Why was he saying all this? Was Sara wrong in her assumption?
“I think it would be a rather nice match, truly. And I can only see a promising and bright future for you both.” The next words he had to turn away, for this was the hardest part. “And I am sure that with everything in your life, you’ll not be able to see me as much. Oh, we will see each other at parties and at the opera, but I think that it would be best that you do not come to see me as much as you did. Certain professions leave rather damaging marks on those through association and it would be best that before any damage is done, that we agree that we should not see much of the other in the capacity such as this.”
Evelina stood, blinking to hold back the tears. “I see. Well, thank you, doctor, I shall take your advice. And you needn’t worry anymore of seeing me. In fact, I may even let you know when I shall be performing, so you need not bother coming. Good day.” She hurried out before he could say anything and once out of the house, she began to cry. She cried through the carriage ride back to Sara’s house and then ran in and up the stairs, sobbing terribly.
“Evelina?” Sara and Tessie looked at each other and hurried up the stairs, finding Evelina across the bed, sobbing into a pillow. “Evelina, dear. What happened?”
“He doesn’t feel the same! You were wrong, Sara. He doesn’t feel the same at all!”
“But what did he say? Evelina?” She continued to sob, and Sara turned to the maid and asked her to make a strong cup of coffee. As she waited, Sara continued to try and soothe her friend and figure out what happened. She tried to encourage Evelina to drink, but she nearly destroyed the cup when she pushed it away. “Evelina, please, tell me what happened.”
Evelina looked up and managed to say through the tears, “I went to tell him what I felt, but all he did was go on about how John and I would be a good couple and tried to warn me of his bad habits. Then,” fresh tears appeared but Sara continued to rub circles on her back, trying to calm her, “He said that we should not see each other anymore. He said that certain professions can be damaging to others.” She threw her fist down on the bed in hurtful anger, “He was talking about me! My profession as a singer is damaging to him! I bring shame to him but won’t even say the words! He couldn’t even look at me when he said it! He doesn’t feel the same, if anything, I think he hates me! Oh, God, how can I bear it?”
Sara looked down in shock. No, she was certain that Laszlo felt the same, Evelina’s handkerchief was the definite proof. Why would Laszlo say such things to her? “Evelina, I know I am not wrong and I shall get to the bottom of this.” Removing herself from the bed, she turned to Tessie and said, “Stay with her and try to calm her down. I’ll be right back.”
“What shall you do, Miss?” Tessie asked after her.
“I am going to knock some sense into that man, even if it means I must do so literally.” And down the stairs she went in a flash.
Laszlo had been holding this book for ten minutes, staring at its pages. His eyes looked over the words, but his mind couldn’t register their meaning. He replayed the interaction, trying to find the mistake. Perhaps it was the truth that made it difficult for her to accept, or perhaps it was how he said the words, but he couldn’t quite understand why she made that comment of warning him ahead of time when she would perform. She never struck him to be a volatile person, so if she was angry, she could have said so.
A powerful bang resonated in the room, making Laszlo jump and look up. It was Sara, the door swinging back from the force she gave it, her face a calm fury.
“Sara, what is the matter?” He got up, setting the book aside, and moved closer, “Are you hurt?”
“I am not here for myself but for another. Someone who is hurt and therefore I share her pain.”
Laszlo removed his glasses. “I am afraid I do not follow.”
“What happened just now with Evelina?”
“Um, I tried my best to encourage her pursuit of John, but I supposed I over shared of his past as she was solemn as she left.”
Sara shook her head. “Oh, men! How on earth did we ever allow you lot run the world? You hurt her terribly! The poor girl has been a sobbing wreck. I only managed to get her to calm down enough to tell me what happened. And even when I left, she was still a mess.”
The thought of her being hurt because of his carless words broke him and he cursed himself for his bluntness. “My intentions were never meant to hurt, but to encourage and to warn. I would never dream to hurt Evelina, it pains me now to think my words made her even shed a single tear.”
Sara took a deep breathe, as if to try and calm her fury, then spoke. “Laszlo, do you know why she came to see you?”
“Because of John.”
“Because of you! If you weren’t so filled with self-loathing and pigheadedness, you would have realized that she is in love with you!”
Laszlo wasn’t sure if what he heard was correct, he couldn’t be. Evelina in love with him? “What would make you say such a thing?”
“Because she told me so herself. When she did, I encouraged her to tell you, as I know you love her. No, don’t deny it,” she quickly cut him off, “I’ve seen it in your eyes, in your voice and manners, and if that wasn’t enough, I saw that you carry her handkerchief over your heart.” Laszlo’s hand instinctively reached up to the spot where he had safely tucked the material, and he felt his face grow warm at being caught. “Admit it, you love her.”
“Yes,” he softly admitted.
“Deeply.”
“More.”
“Then I beg you, come with me and let us clear this all up.”
“No. Even if what you say is true, she deserves someone better than me. She’s young, beautiful and entire life ahead of her. I’d only weigh her down.”
“Laszlo, do you realize that you are about to give up a chance to find happiness? Here is someone who loves and adores you and yet you refuse to believe it. Even if you refuse to think of yourself, think of her! She thinks you not only do not love her, but that you don’t want to be associated with her anymore due to her being in the opera. She thinks you outright despise her and that she brought shame to you by mere association.”
Laszlo was mortified beyond belief. So that was why she made that comment and stormed out of here. His words were never to imply she brought shame to him, but rather the other way around, that he would bring shame to her. “Yes, I must fix this.” He slipped his jacket on and followed Sara out the door, thinking only of Evelina. He tried to rehearse what he’d say to her, the proper words to correct his mistake. He just hoped that he was not too late.
When they arrived, Sara climbed out then froze. Laszlo looked out and was going to question Sara’s hesitation, but noticed that her door was ajar. Pulling out her pistol, Sara and Laszlo carefully entered the house, looking around. In the den, Sara noticed Tessie laid across the floor. Laszlo went to her and took her pulse. “It’s alright. She’s unconscious.”
“Evelina was in her room last I saw her.”
Laszlo felt a surge of panic as he ran up the stairs, skipping a few steps, and barged into the room. “Evelina? Evelina!” The room was empty, but there clearly was a fight as the sheets were pulled off the bed, a vase was shattered and scratch marks on the doorframe.
“Laszlo!” He hurried down the stairs, hoping that Sara had found her, but instead, he saw her holding up a note. “It’s addressed to you.”
Curious, he took the letter and nearly torn it in half opening it. He recognized the handwriting, the same that smashed through his window.
Dear Dr. Kreizler,
Though we have never met, you and I have a score to settle. You see, we both have something in common and that tie is Miss Evelina Lind. I urge you to meet me in the cellars of the opera house, in the prop rooms. I expect you alone, for this is a party of three and it would be dreadfully rude to invite others.
Sincerely,
Miss Lind and I shall be waiting eagerly of your arrival.
Winston Lind.
Laszlo felt his blood run cold. He has her. And it was his fault.
Tagging: @monsieurbruhl @flutterskies @sokoviandelights, @cazzyimagines, @rumblelibrary, @fictionlandslanddreams, @violetmuses and @barnesxnobles. If anyone else would like to be tagged, please let me know!
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I don't have to explain myself
Original/Fanfiction: Fanfiction
Fandom: Stargate SG1 & Atlantis
Rating: Teen and upwards
Warning/Triggers: None
IN last years Fictober challenge I did a piece called "Give me that!" and I said on A03 in the notes something along the lines of "We all know he went to see her right?"
So I wrote it it's kind of a chapter 2 to it, if you have the patience it was published on here, all you need to do is scroll down my profile to #27 of last years fictober20 stories. If not you can read both this and 'give me that' on A03
https://archiveofourown.org/works/34777771 (A link can be found to find "Give me that" in the notes on A03)
The Stargate started moving and the alarms started to blare. Sam moved slowly with her broken leg but still made it to the control room before the end of the sequence.
“We have an IDC coming through.” Rodney confirmed and was surprised at the name which popped up on the screen. “It’s General O’Neill’s personal code.” He confirmed.
Sam smiled widely and started moving towards the gate room. “Drop the shield!” She called behind her.
John was already standing in the gate room looking towards the open Stargate. “I wonder what prompted this visit.” He whispered smugly to Sam.
Sam could feel the blush rise but she teased tight back “I wonder.” She said seconds before Jack O’Neill stepped through the gate.
Both Sam and John snapped to full stance and Jack approached them “At ease both of you.” He told them.
“We weren’t expecting you sir.” John grinned.
“Yes well, I thought it would be a nice surprise.” He told them. “It’s a nice surprise right Carter?” He asked her without looking.
“Always a pleasure sir.” She said obediently.
“I thought you were meant to stay off that leg?” He finally said looking at her.
“It’s not as bad as it sounds.” She tried but could see the concern in his eyes, and wanted to melt into his arms right there and then.
“I want you to take a look at this General.” Rodney said walking into the room with a tablet in his hand.
“Rodney!” John growled.
“What? It’s just a proposal for him to look at.”
“Not now!” John tried.
“What? He’ll like it, it’s space guns.”
“Space guns you say?” Jack perked up.
“Yes,” Rodney replied to Jack then looked towards John “See he likes it!”
“He’s just came through the Stargate Rodney, let the man get out the gateroom first!” John exclaimed.
“Right!” Jack said then with a grin to Carter said “Colonel, can you show me where I’ll be staying?” He asked her.
“Sure.” She said trying to suppress her smile while John didn’t even bother suppressing the chuckle. “Right this way sir.”
----
Needless to say their make out session was a little trickier with a cast on her leg, but it didn’t stop them, it had been months since they had last touched so once inside Sam’s sizable quarters they were striping and giggling over their clumsiness because of the cast when they heard her doorbell ring.
“Ignore them, they’ll get the message when I don’t answer.” She said quietly to him, although she wasn’t sure why, the Ancients had made the bedroom walls all soundproof.
“I don’t think I could stop if I tried.” He growled, squeezing her naked breast again making her gasp in delight.
The doorbell rang again and Sam looked at the door in frustration.
“Come back to me.” Jack growled nibbling at her now exposed neck. He could almost feel the tension leave her shoulders as she closed her eyes enjoying the bliss he was bestowing on her, for a few seconds more.
“Oh my God!” They heard from the door.
“Oh God!” Jack exclaimed upon seeing Rodney at the door.
“Oh my God!” Sam exclaimed, grabbing her afghan blanket from the back of the sofa doing her best to cover herself. “Rodney what are you doing?” She asked him.
“I thought your door must be broken!” He exclaimed.
“We were ignoring you!” She exclaimed as Jack lifted off her, pulling a cushion over his middle and giving her room to sit up and adjust.
“You?!” He exclaimed looking at Jack “a-aand you?!” He said turning on his heel and going out into the corridor.
“Damn it.” Sam whispered, getting up.
“Sam, you shouldn’t be walking on that leg.” Jack admonished her gently when Sam started going after Rodney.
“I have to tell him to keep his mouth shut.” She finished just as she walked out into the corridor with not a stitch on except the Afghan blanket around her.
“Rodney!” She called to him.
“How long huh? How long have you been stringing me along?” Rodney’s words rushed out as they did when he was confused or upset.
“Excuse me?” Sam demanded.
“Are you in love with him?” Rodney asked him voice audibly going up in tone.
Sam didn’t owe him an explanation about who she was with or not with, not even a little, and she thought it would mean even less to him as she thought he was seeing (she was never 100% sure with Rodney) someone else. “I don’t have to explain myself.”
“You do!” Rodney told her “After everything we meant to each other, did none of it mean anything to you?”
“Rodney—”
“No, you see because this is the part you tell me the whole thing was in my head.”
“It was.” Sam stated calmly.
“And that you weren’t right there stripping off trying to distract me from fixing the ship a couple of years ago.”
“Huh?” Sam questioned.
“Or or or there wasn’t explosive chemistry between us, that time I came to the SGC.”
“Rodney!” She started annoyed but checked herself and took a deep breath in. “The only place there has ever been anything more, then friendship between us, has been in your head. When we met in the SGC I thought I had never met anyone so arrogant, petty or bad with people in my life! Ever! And I was a Major in the Airforce! My whole life was dealing with people like that. Take a long hard look at the man I am with and you’ll know he’s not like that, at all!”
Rodney’s face dropped in disappointment, if Jack O’Neill really was who she loved the question remained “You really don’t like me?” He asked.
She sighed and studied him for a moment “You’ve made incredible strides forward in a lot of areas Rodney.” She told him honestly. “It’s made it easier for people to approach you, it’s made you easier to work with, and I have to admit an ease to our relationship which I never saw coming.” She told him. Rodney perked a little still looking hopeful “But I’ve never been in love with you.”
“Do you love him? In there?” Rodney asked, waving his finger towards her room. “General Underpants?”
Sam almost lost her composure over his inadvertent use of Vala’s nickname she’d given Jack, but soldiered on with a straight face “Yeah. For a long time.”
“How long have you been a thing?”
“Nearly 3 years.” Sam told him.
“Three years! And no one bothered to tell me?”
“It’s not any of your business Rodney!” She reminded him. “And very few of the personnel here know, we have an exception letter from the president that doesn’t matter because I’m not in his chain of command anyway but we don’t like to set the appearance of a bad example so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t say anything to anyone.”
“Does John know?”
“Rodney!”
“Right, um well, fine… fine.”
“You know it’s for the best, we would make a horrible couple.”
“I’m sure.”
“And don’t you have something going with—”
“Yeah, so it’s maybe for the best. Of course, your secret is safe with me. My last act of adoration.” He cut her off and started walking down the corridor away from her.
She closed her eyes, sighing in relief and slightly bemused.
“Oh and just one more thing.” He added, as she opened her eyes. “Just so you know my imagination did not do you justice.”
“Erh, thanks?” She questioned but the intonation was lost on him as he walked away.
Sam shook her head and went back into her quarters.
She looked across the room to see her lover there, waiting for her. “Where were we?” she asked, locking the door again behind her.
#fictober2021#fictober21#fictober2020#fictober20#samantha carter sg1#jack o'neill#jack o neill#samantha carter#sam x jack#stargate sg1#stargate sg-1#stargate atlantis
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The Owl Pirates Chapter Twenty
First Chapter Tumblr Link HERE
Previous Chapter Tumblr Link HERE
Posted First On A03 Here
It’ll be updated on A03 first and might take me a bit to get to updating it here as I always seem to forget about my tumblr. <3
Trigger Warnings Always Read Safe: Depression, Suicidal thoughts, Pushing down feelings, Overworking self to ignore feelings, Child Abuse (Belos is a bitch okay), Gaslighting, Self Gaslighting, Manipulation, Injuries, Dead body, Eda eats a dead guy in Beast form,
Notes: TRIGGER WARNING: There is a dead body this chapter, And Eda is eating it!! Read safe!
Chapter 20: Plans, Traps and Words
It was easier to leave the cabin in the morning. Not only because Luz got a full nights rest- which was a hard feat considering everything- but also because she knew Hunter would be forced to stay down by that bird. That little red bird that came from his necklace.
Honestly it was amazing to see Hunter relax this much. The injury was forcing him to stay down and with Flapjack now keeping him entertained he didn’t seem so on edge all the time. He was being himself- even if just a little. No chores to distract him or others to defend himself against. He was truly starting to open it.
Luz almost could be excited. If she wasn’t so busy herself.
She needed to find the others. She would take anyone who was still alive. It was her fault to being with that they all were pirates now. It was her fault they all ended up on this island- or if they were dead. She had been the one to convince them, one way or the other, to join the Talon.
Which eventually led to this- hopefully they all were alive.
The cabin on the cliff seemed to be the tallest part of the island as Luz always found herself heading downhill no matter which way she traveled. It made the journey back exhausting but she had always had an overfill of energy, as her mother put it.
She sent Owlbert to scout in another direction. Trusting him to be safe. It was better to have two sets of eyes searching for the others, and if Flapjack hadn’t been keeping Hunter entertained she probably would have asked him to help.
They had plenty of supplies built up from Luz the last few days. So today was all about searching for someone else. Anyone else. Just someone needed to be alive.
She stopped in her tracks when she saw the blood painting the grass a bright red.
A fresh red.
She stared with wide eyes at the red trailing through the bushes.
Please don’t be anyone she knew.
But who else could it be?
Luz followed the trail silently. It was fresh blood after all- whatever made them bleed could still be around.
Luz froze when the large figure came into view. It was towering over a body tearing into it mercilessly.
Luz had seen this beast before- once.
Edas owl beast.
Eda was stuck in owl beast form.
Luz could only stare covering her mouth. She barely could stomach looking at the body beneath Eda, trying to see whose it was. Anything that could be an indicator for who feel victim to Edas monster.
It took a moment for Luz to recognize the navy uniform.
At least it wasn’t one of them.
But there was still the issue of Eda being stuck as an owl beast.
Luz tiptoed away, unsure how to handle Eda in this form. There wasn’t anyway for her to fix Eda without an elixir.
Their only hope would be if one washed ashore.
Luz made her way to the beaches to search- and hopefully stumble upon the bright orangish yellow elixir.
----
They came up with a plan to kill the beast. Amity, Edric, Alador, Harvey and Steve all talked a while last night and this morning about how to deal with the large creature that was haunting them.
If they had to survive on this island for a while, they were at least going to make it a little easier.
Edric and Alador would make the traps. A place where they could easily avoid but the beast would end up triggering. They were collecting supplies for them now and finding a perfect spot to put them.
Then Amity- as she was the fastest- was going to lure the beast to follow her. Be as loud as possible and then run as fast as she could to said traps.
Steve would be following behind quietly. In case of any injury, but she doubted the beast would catch her.
Then after they get the beast stuck, they would work together and kill it.
It wasn’t a perfect plan.
But it would work if they properly set it up.
“It’ll be nicer,” Amity commented to Steve who she was walking with. They were collecting food today. “once the beast is gone.”
“Yeah.” Steve agreed. Though truthfully Amity had never seen Steve not look like a ray of sunshine before, but since they landed on the island he seemed duller, worried, anxious.
“Matt’s stubborn.” Amity remarked. “He would not let a shipwreck bring him down.” she said it as if it were a matter of fact, because Matt did seem like the type to haunt them if he died in a non dramatic way.
“Right.” Steve gave a half hearted chuckle, but his smile did not meet his eyes.
“I bet he’s not even acting worried right now.” Amity scoffed playfully. “Pretending he’s tough enough without the rest of us- but we all know what he really thinks.”
“Uh huh.” Steve was not really listening, Amity realized.
“And I bet he’s making a deal with a demon to gain all power. “ Amity made up. “He’s never going to use that power responsibly of course, only to win at cards.”
“Hmm.”
“Oh come on.” Amity stopped in front of Steve to make him truly look at her. “I am not the optimistic one between the two of us. So stop letting yourself dwell on the fact- that they- might-” She looked down to the ground.
Luz was always much better at this.
“Hey.” Steve put a hand on Amity's shoulder giving her a smile- a weak sympathetic one- but a smile nonetheless. “They’re okay.”
There was no chance everyone was okay.
She sighed and nodded. “Just- you need to remember that too.” She turned back and continued walking.
Luz would’ve said something a whole lot nicer than that.
It seemed to fast, to easy, to perfect. How quickly they were able to set up their traps. It all came down to Amity. Amity who couldn’t afford to mke any mistake here. She would have to be fast, and agile and perfect.
She could do perfect.
She walked through the forest now alone. Well, not truely alone. Steve was nearby somewhere and the others were all waiting for her to come running back with the beast to the traps.
It was just a matter of finding the best.
“Oh look I’m a delicious human.” Amity yelled, walking casually but looking around. “Look at all this delicious meat on my bones. I hope no monster that's hungry for human flesh is lurking around this forest. That would be bad for little oh human me.”
Luz would find this whole thing hilarious.
A loud growling alerted Amity and she turned to see the pair of dark eyes watching her. Blood was smeared around its claws and mouth. It tilted its head as if watching a meal.
She froze waiting for the creature to make the first move.
She could probably out run it.
She had to outrun it.
The beast launched itself and Amity slid into a run making her way back to the traps.
She just needed to be faster than the creature.
She ducked underneath some branches to possibly cause the creature to slow, but the beast only lept over them keeping right behind her.
The beast was faster than her. It was going to catch her.
Amity leapt over a log that the creature barely saw as a stepping stone.
Her heart beat echoed in her ear as she panted and squeezed her way between two trees growing close together. Even those few seconds of the beast going around might help.
She was going to get caught.
She had to keep going.
She had to just run.
Amitys foot landed directly in a small hole in the ground causing her to come crashing down. She tumbled forward trying to keep up momentum but there was only so much distance a person could make while falling-
She tried to scramble back up but the beast launched itself on her. Pinning Amity to the ground.
As the creature grinned down Amity could pick up the smell of blood on its breath.
This was it then.
She was going to die.
She hadn’t been perfect enough.
Amity closed her eyes, turning away as the beast growled at her.
At least she hoped it would be fast.
“WEH!” A loud booming shriek nearly burst Amitys eardrums and she could only cover them in defense.
The creature screamed in pain backing off of Amity.
Amity through a ringing head and blurry vision tried and failed to scramble up to her own feet.
“WEH!” A figure jumped in front of Amity. Bewteen the beast and her.
“King?” She couldn’t hear her own voice as she tried to blink away the shakiness. It sounded like King. It had to be the siren.
The siren grabbed Amitys hand and ran. In what direction Amity couldn’t make out. Only follow King to the best of her abilities. Letting him drag him through the woods.
“King- We set traps.” She tried to say but she wasn’t sure the volume of her own voice.
King said something in response but Amity could barely make out the whisper of him talking.
“Can’t hear.” She explained her balance returning as she looked back to see the beast starting to make its own way back to pursuing them.
Amity pulled King away now leading instead. Towards the traps where they could trap and kill the beast. As the area the traps came into view she realized the siren was trying to pull back and fight her on this.
Why would he fight her on this?
“King its okay, we have a plan.” She resoned.
“That’s Eda!” She was only able to make out King yelling it as a quiet noise above the ringing.
“That’s Eda?!” Amity repeated, coming to a halt just outside the traps.
King nodded his head and looked back to the beast- Eda charging towards them. He held his hands above his finned ears to tell Amity to cover and then WEHed at Eda sending her flying backwards.
“Are you sure?” Amity watched the beast- that could in no way be Eda- but Eda was always buying those Elixirs- and she mentioned once something about being a burden- and oh it was Eda wasn’t it.
“Yes.” King replied.
Well so much for their perfect plan.
“We can’t kill Eda.” Amity groaned. “What do we do.”
The beast was starting to get back up. Shaking off the loud noise and glaring at King.
“She needs an Elixir.” King did not take his eyes of Eda. “But they went down with the ship- I didn’t think about it- I should’ve grabbed one.”
“Well how do we fix this?” Amity sighed not really expecting the child to have an answer. “Oh Eda.” She looked back at the traps.
The traps that were only meant to capture, not harm.
“I have an idea.” Amity grabbed Kings hand again and led him through the safe path of the traps.
Eda launched herself at them and landed square in one of them. She went flying upwards as the makeshift cage pulled her up into the trees. She clawed and growled at the cage.
It did seem a shame for the captain that was all about freedom to be locked in a cage.
“Sorry, Eda we don’t have a choice.” Amity sighed.
“You did it!” Edric came running out of his hiding place, the others following. “Now we can kill-”
“Actually-” Amity looked to them. “We have a different problem.”
----
Camila was getting awfully tired of Kikimikis complaining. Even as a ‘prisoner’ the little woman had something to say about everything.
And the praises she’d sing about the evil man that was Belos.
Camila would be lying if she said she wasn’t a little tempted to do the woman in if she said one more thing about the disgusting slithering man.
“I am going to be his right hand.” Kikimiki declared, despite her being tied up by a rope that did not diterate her dexterity. She jumped up the small ledge with ease with her hands bound- a ledge that Camila could easily step up sure but it was a little worrying that the woman could move so easily. “There’s an opening and I’m the perfect candidate. Especially if I bring back the traitors and the owl woman.”
“It’s owl lady.” Camila sighed out. “At least get her title right.”
“Her ‘title’ holds no value, therefor there is no need to properly acknowledge it.”
Camila really wanted to stab her sword clean through Kikimiki. It would be so easy, so easy.
So why isn’t she?
‘Everyone deserves a second chance.’ The young voice of Luz echoed in her memory.
But did Kikimiki really?
“Keep a move on.” Camila scolded, after tall the tiny woman kept proving she could still move easily.
“What is your plan anyway?” Kikimiki scoffed. “Keep walking until the island ends?”
“Just until I find someone.” Camila answered simply.
“Well that’s stupid, no one could survive a storm like that.” Kikimiki stated.
“Then we must be ghosts.” Camila shrugged off. “Besides, us owl pirates are more stubborn than you give us credit for.”
“Owl pirates.” Kikimiki spit. “You shouldn’t sound so proud of that.”
But Camila was proud, she wasn’t about to hide it. Sure, she never planned on being a pirate until Luz had gotten Eda, Gus, Willow, and King together to break her out of the prison Camila had wrongly been put in. It wasn’t the plan to become wanted by the navy because she escaped her own execution.
Though, Camila wouldn't change the way fate played out. She loved the sea and her pirate family, and her blood family. Belos only made a more powerful enemy trying to pin the blame on Camila oh so long ago. Trying to hold her own husband's death against her.
If Camila could choose how fate had went before, well she would still want to meet the Owl pirates, still want to be part of the family, and still want to protect every single one of them.
Even if it meant constantly worrying about life and death.
“You pirates think you’re oh so wonderful.” Kikimiki had been spouting off as Camila thought of her family. “I bet you even see yourselves as the good guys in this whole ordeal. Somehow justifying your actions by some silly words or ideas.”
Ironic coming from one of Belos’ idiots.
“All because you can’t follow the rules- I’m sorry your parents clearly didn’t love you enough to teach you morals-” Kikimiki spat going on and on to the point Camila stopped listening entirely.
She wished she had found something extra to tie up the tiny woman's mouth.
Then she stopped walking as she reached it. A large split in the island, only two cliff sides going straight down into the water below. The other side so close and yet so far away.
They would have to walk around.
“I’m sure Belos will show you mercy if you meerily-” Kikimiki was walking forward as she was too busy talking to see the edge of the cliff.
Camila regretted grabbing Kikimiki by her collar to save her life and stop the tiny woman in her tracks.
“What are you-” She started before looking ahead. “Oh.” She looked over the edge of the cliff as she registered it.
“Come on Kikimiki.” Camila sighed making her way around the cliff but not seeing an end to it.
Kikimiki shut her mouth for a bit, and Camila found herself hoping to enjoy the silence. Though that had been stupid as Kikimiki picked up her pace to match Camila and then continued with her declarations of how awful pirates were.
It would be oh so easy to push the tiny woman down into the water below.
But Camila was unfortunately a good person.
----
It had been a few days now. Being stuck in this cave below the world. There was no escape other than the hole far above their heads.
Matt had checked every nook and cranny around them to double- triple- multiple times check if there was something he’d missed but to no avail.
They were stuck and they would remain stuck if no one walked above the hole and heard the two boys down here.
So, they talked. It wasn’t like there was anything better to do anyway, and it was easy to talk about anything and everything with Gus anyway. They were best friends after all- maybe- at least Gus was Matts best friend.
Gus told Matt about growing up with visions, and how everyone treated him like a freak because of it. How he meet Willow as they went to the same school and she also had problems with people bullying her. How they bonded as the ‘weird kids’. Then how they met Luz, Luz who had been hunting down the Talon with Eda, and King- apparently Eda sold it when she planned to retire and the merchant was not keen in selling it again, wanting to keep it as a trophy. Luz had convinced Gus and Willow to help- well they volunteered as they knew the merchant and his weaknesses, it had been to late when they realized that helping pirates wasn’t something you could easily go back home after with.
Gus had a way with stories, somehow making them feel so fun to listen to. He would gesture and do voices and Matt loved to listen. The way Gus’ eyes lit up when he was excited about a memory, or how his expression would sour as he described an old enemy. The way he snickered when recalling how crazy Luz had acted when they first became pirates.
Of course, Matt shared some stories too. Mostly about life before Steve left for the navy. How mom, him and Steve used to make shadow puppet stories. When Steve had decided to leave for the navy and how Matt and his mom had a big day to stay goodbye to him.
And Matt didn’t mean to tear up at the memory.
And he wasn’t embarrassed about it at all.
Nor did he blush when Gus held him and comforted him.
That would be stupid.
Waiting had never been a strong suit of Matts. Waiting to be rescued was not something he liked doing. How long would they have to wait. Would they be rescued before their rations ran out or-
Matt made sure to divide the rations for as long as they possibly could. There was no food source or clean water source down here so they only had what they had.
Matt even debated on trying to scale the wall out of the hole- but he knew that no one could scale that, Not even Luz- though she would certainly try.
“This is annoying.” Matt complained leaning against the rock that he and Gus often laid against. It was directly under the hole so they could see the sky, and possibly their voices would carry outside.
“You said that.” Gus remarked leaning so casually against the same stone. It was like the boy just knew they’d make it out of here- possibly he did.
“Did a vision show us getting out of here?” Matt asked eyeing the taller boy.
Gus stiffened at the mention of his visions. Right- he still didn’t want to talk about the one- “No.” He stated.
“but it happens outside the cave.” Matt sighed looking back up to the sky. It was just a big waiting game then.
After a long moment of silence Matt found himself sitting up as Gus said “No.”
“What?”
“No-” Gus made eye contact for a second with Matt before turning his gaze to look up at the sky. “No- it happens in teal lighting.”
Teal lighting- like the teal glowing moss?
“So soon?” Matt questioned.
Gus had already said it wasn’t bad, and Matt had agreed- sort of- not to pry anymore but if it happened so soon why was there a need to hide it.
Why was Gus so flustered about the whole thing?
“Possibly?” Gus sat up and shrugged. “It was fast- I didn’t-” He stopped not finding the words.
Matt did not miss the way Gus scotted away from him.
Why would he do that?
“So- you’re not going to tell me?” Matt asked folding his legs up so he could rest his arms on them. It was weird seeing Gus so- so quiet.
It only took two words spoken so quietly, so quickly that Matt almost didn’t catch Gus saying them at all. Two words that made Matt’s entire body explode in blush and had him scrambling to his feet in a panic. Two words that Matt surely misheard.
“We kissed?” Matt repeated stupidly. The two words nearly getting caught in his throat as he said them.
Gus only nodded before hiding in his own legs.
Matt scrambled backwards away from Gus putting as much distance as possible between them. Matt had never been good at feelings and this was to much for him to handle. His heart hammering in his ears as he crossed his arms and faced away from Gus.
They kiss?
They kiss?
They kiss.
His heart was caught in his throat as he peaked back at Gus.
Gus who was still curled in on himself not daring to look at Matt.
Did Gus even want too?
A familiar dread slowly overpowered Matt as he starred at the taller- but younger boy. The same boy he tried to hint to so many times, that always seemed to not notice- or not care about Matt’s flirting attempts.
There was no way Gus wanted this.
“Your visions- don’t always come true.” Matt faced away again unable to meet the gaze of Gus. He sure felt it burning into his back. “Do they?”
“They usually do.” Gus replied, his voice was shaky. “Do you not want-” His voice broke and Matt’s heart sunk at the sound.
“NO- I mean- I do- I mean only if- '' Matt stumbled, daring a glance back to see Gus looking at him with big tearful eyes. “I want to.” He ended with a shaky exhale but then the realization of what they were talking about re-hit him and the warm flame of red erupted again and he turned quickly away. “I mean if you do!”
Gus’s soft sad chuckle echoed around the cave. So did his little sniff as he weakly smiled. Matt hadn’t realized he turned back to peek at Gus’s reaction until he saw the smile. “I do too.”
Oh.
Matt could only stand dumbly crossing his arms to hug himself and stare at Gus. Gus in turn was looking at him with a curious expression.
“Why are you standing over there?” Gus asked.
Because facing these feelings he spent forever trying to push back down was too much.
Matt slowly made his way back to where Gus was sitting, but still left a good few feet between them.
“So, “ Gus started. “This is weird.”
“This is stupid.” Matt agreed.
Gus laughed at Matt’s comment and Matt found himself chuckling along.
They were stupid.
The laughing slowly turned to awkward silence and the two boys sat for far to long waiting for the other to start. Matt turned to peak at Gus about the same time the other boy did and they both ended up red messes once again turning away quickly.
“Can we wait.” Matt’s voice felt heavy as he spoke but before Gus could open his mouth he added. “I’m not ready to- I want it but - I’m not good at this sort of thing.” He hid his head under his arms wishing he had his bandanna to pull down over his eyes but he had given that to Gus for his leg.
“Yeah.” Gus answered. “Me too.”
And it was weird now.
Both of them in an awkward silence.
But Gus liked Matt back then?
Gus wanted to kiss Matt.
Matt hid himself further as the heat flooded his face, the butterflies in his stomach stampeding in celebration.
They were going to kiss.
#Mine#My Writing#TOH fanfic#toh pirate au#the owl house pirate au#the owl house fanfic#toh au#the owl house au#au#pirate au#fanfic#a03#a03 writer#pirate fic#toh pirates#the owl house pirate#the owl pirates
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