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cheesy09 · 3 years

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[CN West Moon] Kiro: The Same Ballad

✨ Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for an event story “同谣” that hasn’t been released in the EN server yet. Read at your own discretion! ✨

[Note: This translation was done using the help of Google Translate :>]

───※ ·❆· ※───[Ch.1]───※ ·❆· ※───

The setting sun gradually faded to the west, and the evening quietly landed amidst the melodious flutes.

The tall and lush banyan trees look like overlapping clouds from a distance. Among them sits a young man with silver hair. His legs are crossed as he leans against the trunk, and his hair rises in the wind.

The warm wind comfortably sweeps across the lush wheat fields, wafting layers of waves, and in an instant, fragrance bursts.

The young man played the finger flute and looked deeply into the distance, as if to find something in the wave of wheat.

The broken melody finally strung together. But soon there was a gap in the memory, and the melody became intermittent.

Who was playing the same notes in the gap of time in his youth? He frowned, but couldn’t remember anything.

The melody stopped abruptly at this moment.

He didn’t know when the past melody was greyed out, together with his lost past.

───※ ·❆· ※─── ───※ ·❆· ※───

In the 105th year of the Western Moon, on Jiuhuatian Street, I met that blond teenager.

When I met him, he was surrounded by a few older children. He was thin and small, and looked as big as me. His face was covered with mud spots and dust, but he could hardly conceal the exquisite features of his appearance.

There is such a beautiful boy in this world-- that was my first impression of him.

Although it wasn’t uncommon for people from outside to appear, it was the first time I’d seen a boy who was as beautiful as a doll.

Vagrant: Hey, Blondie, what did I say to you! Where are the remaining copper plates?

The older child pinched his arm with one hand, and grabbed his hair fiercely with the other. The boy frowned with pain, but did not say a word.

His reaction clearly angered the older children. One of them raised his fist and was about to swing at him. He held his head high without evasiveness, his face full of stubbornness.

MC: Let him go!

As soon as my voice fell, several pairs of eyes looked towards me. The boy looked into my eyes, and the blue jewel-like eyes made me stunned.

Vagrant: Tch! What is happening here is none of your concern. Hurry up and leave!

I wanted to refute, but I saw a copper box on the ground, and a plate of small gongs.

It turned out that these people were doing art in the street... I got an idea.

MC: I don’t want to disturb you either, just....

MC: I just saw a team of officers and soldiers patrolling. And they’re on this street...

MC: Anyway, I’ve said too much. I’m leaving now.

Sure enough, as I expected, the faces of the several older children changed.

Vagrant: You... Do you really mean it?

I nodded. Seeing me like this, he immediately winked at the others, picked up the gong on the ground, and the few of them ran away like the wind.

Seeing that the strategy succeeded, I couldn’t help laughing out loud.

MC: Hello, are you okay?

The blond boy looked at me blankly. I stretched out my hand and shook it in front of his eyes. Only then did he react, first nodding, and then shaking his head.

MC: What is it?

At this moment, a series of muffled sounds of “gū gū” sounded, and I subconsciously touched my stomach, only to find that the noise did not come from me.

Looking up, I saw the boy doing the same movements as me. After sensing my gaze, his cheeks grew slightly red and he lowered his head to the ground in embarrassment.

MC: So you’re hungry...

After thinking for a while, I took out something wrapped in coarse paper from my arms and opened it carefully. There was a candied fruit inside. I smiled and handed it to him.

MC: Here, this is for you. This was given to me by the boss of Miguofang.

He looked at me in a daze.

MC: Eat it soon. Next time, don’t steal other people’s copper plates.

Boy: I didn’t steal it! That was from my tricks!

He spoke suddenly, his tone a little defensive. I smiled disapprovingly.

MC: Do you play tricks? It’s okay, you don’t have to lie to me. I’ve done this kind of thing before when I was also very hungry but--

MC: Your hands are not for stealing.

I said solemnly, and motioned to him to take the candied fruit, but he still shook his head.

MC: You! Hmph, forget it.

I retracted my hand angrily, twisted the candied fruit and threw it into my mouth.

MC: This is the delicacy I treasure! I never share it with anyone!

I muttered dissatisfiedly, turned my head and left.

I thought that it was just a small episode in my wandering life. I never thought that our lives would change because of it.

I didn’t know that since then, in places where I couldn’t see, that boy’s eyes have been following me.

───※ ·❆· ※───[Ch.2]───※ ·❆· ※───

There is such a lovely girl in this world-- this was Kiro’s first impression of the girl.

When the girl turned her head angrily and left, he still stood stupidly in the same place, not knowing how to react for a while.

How can a girl’s face become red so fast?

He didn’t pick up the candied fruit because he really hadn’t stolen the copper plates. However, even though he was misunderstood, he was not upset.

When the girl smiled and handed the candied fruit to him, it was the first smile he had received since his parents were killed.

Suddenly, his little heart was filled with something, abundant and full, and became warm and soft, and full of strength.

This was the first time he had the feeling of wanting to be with someone.

Kiro looked at the girl’s fading back, thought for a moment, raised his foot and followed her.

At this moment, he decided to accompany the girl in the days to come, illuminating the road ahead for her.

On this day, Kiro followed the girl as usual.

The girl wandered in the street for a long time, and when she saw someone conjuring something, she surrounded them curiously.

While following the girl, Kiro found that she was homeless and on the street, just like himself.

During the day, she would scurry around in the street and join in the fun everywhere. When she was was hungry, she would take a stroll on Three Dreams Square. The kind proprietress would give her the leftover food from the guests.

At night, the girl slept in a deserted thatched cottage. Sometimes the wind was violent and the dilapidated wooden door would shake. So he would quietly close the door and stay outside all night.

Because he was afraid that he would disturb the girl, he never dared to talk to her, but stayed with her silently in the dark.

MC: You are clearly lying!

The girl’s voice interrupted Kiro’s memory. He looked from a distance. She seemed to be having a dispute with the conjurer.

He followed up and took a look, and found that it was the people who robbed him of the copper plates the day that he conjured the trick. There was a row of open bowls at their feet.

Vagrant: You again? I lie, you say? If you have the ability, you can change one!

The people around started to roar. The girl looked a bit flustered and looked around at a loss.

With his hands hanging on his sides clenched into fists, Kiro gritted his teeth and squeezed into the crowd, his small body desperately moving forward.

Kiro: I’m here!

People looked around for a long time before turning their attention to the thin and small him.

Noting the girl’s gaze, Kiro patted his shirt, raised his chest slightly, and walked towards the center of the crowd with his head held high.

Vagrant: Blondie? What are you doing? You want to get beaten again?

He ignored the boy’s malicious provocation, but picked up a bowl, looked at the crowd of onlookers, and raised a smile.

Kiro: Look here!

The eyes of the crowd couldn’t help but focus on Kiro. He seemed to have a special attraction.

The empty bowl swayed back and forth in his hand, and then there was a stream of clear water, which caused people to exclaim.

Kiro: The best part is yet to come!

His smile got brighter and brighter. He tapped the bowl with his fingers and sprinkled the water around. The people who were caught up in it were about to open their mouth and scold him, but they were stunned by the scene in front of them.

A goldfish swam in the bowl held by Kiro.

As soon as he turned around, the fish jumped into the bowl in front according to his movements, and the water splashed for a while.

The goldfish appeared in different bowls following his movements and people opened their eyes wide and looked, trying to find the fish.

Kiro’s posture was light and agile, and his movements flowed smoothly. People’s eyes widened in surprise, but his eyes kept falling on the girl.

Seeing the girl’s amazed expression, he turned faster. His mouth was raised high, with a certain air.

The copper plates were thrown into the small gong on the ground like rain, filling it in the blink of an eye. Applause and cheers came and went one after another, and his wonderful performance was full of colors.

Those older children had long since disappeared. After the crowd dispersed, Kiro hurried to find the girl, still holding the small bowl with goldfish in his hand.

He stared at the girl’s face intently, but saw that she kept her head down and refused to look at him. He frowned nervously.

Kiro: What happened?

MC: I-I didn’t expect you to really conjure up tricks. Sorry, I misunderstood you before.

The weight on his heart was suddenly lifted. He breathed a sigh of relief, smiled again, and stretched the bowl in his hand to the girl.

Kiro: For you.

In the open bowl, the goldfish swam slowly.

MC: So beautiful...

MC: Unexpectedly, you are so good at this! That was the best trick I had ever seen!

Hearing the girl’s unabashed appreciation, he scratched his head, slightly embarrassed.

Kiro: It’s nothing... If you want to learn, I can teach you!

MC: Really?!

The girl grabbed Kiro’s arm with excitement, but she touched the bruise on his arm that hadn’t disappeared. The pain caused him to take in a cold breath.

MC: S-sorry.

Kiro: It’s okay. It doesn’t hurt at all. Really.

Kiro shook his head and said with a smile.

The girl noticed the bruise on his arm and looked him up and down again.

MC: Are you alone? What about your family?

The smile on his face instantly faded, leaving only a haze in his eyes.

Kiro: They were all killed.

Perhaps that was the case. But such an expression shouldn’t have appeared on a child his age. The girl was a little stunned and stood in place.

After a long while, Kiro felt a piece of warmth sticking to his hand-- It was the temperature of the girl’s palm.

MC: I’m the same as you. Except that I was abandoned.

MC: You are not from here, and you will have a lot of trouble in the future.

MC: I grew up here, and I know everything very well. And I also know how to avoid those older kids.

The girl’s face showed a maturity and firmness that did not match her age.

MC: Why don’t we stay together! Two people are always better than one.

There was a warmth in his heart, and Kiro nodded his head with almost no hesitation at the girl’s expectant gaze.

Kiro: Okay!

The girl jumped up happily. In the sun, her smile bloomed like a flower, which made Kiro sway.

Although he didn’t eat the candied fruit, he thought that the girl’s smile at this moment must be sweeter than the candied fruit.

MC: By the way, I don’t know your name yet. My name is MC. What about you?

He raised his lips and smiled brightly.

Kiro: Kiro. My name is Kiro.

───※ ·❆· ※───[Ch.3]───※ ·❆· ※───

After some discussions, Kiro and I went to the most sophisticated Chinese restaurant in the city.

After saving money to buy candied fruits, there was only enough left to buy a bowl of beef noodles.

The steaming bowl of beef noodles was served on the table. The soup was clear, and the pale yellow noodles floated with verdant green leaves and thinly sliced beef slices, and the aroma filled the air.

The both of us opened our eyes and swallowed involuntarily.

I couldn’t wait and reached for it. But the dish was so hot that as soon as I touched the edge of the bowl, I screamed and my hand was quickly withdrawn.

Kiro: Let me see!

Kiro took my hand anxiously and saw that my fingertips were slightly reddened. So he placed it on his lips and blew lightly.

Kiro: [blowing] It doesn’t hurt anymore, it doesn’t hurt anymore...

Looking at him, the fingers that were hot just now didn’t seem to hurt that much anymore.

We waited for a while. We didn’t start to feast until we found that the noodles had cooled down a bit.

The quantity of beef slices was not much. I had eaten some, but Kiro still hadn’t touched anything.

MC: Don’t you like beef?

Kiro: I... I’m tired of eating!

MC: How can you get tired of such delicious beef?!

Kiro: Hmm... we had beef for every meal. I used to eat too much, so you should eat it!

MC: Oh...

I nodded dumbfounded, and looked at Kiro’s cheek and saw that he was wearing a strange earing on his left ear. I couldn’t help but reach out and touch it.

MC: What is this... you actually have a hole in your ear! Does it hurt?

Kiro’s palm covered my hand, and the light in his eyes flickered slightly.

Kiro: It doesn’t hurt anymore.

Wearing weird earrings and not eating beef... I became more and more curious about this boy from a foreign country.

MC: Where you used to live... what does it look like?

Kiro was taken aback for a moment, then curled up his mouth.

Kiro: It’s a beautiful place.

Kiro: There are woods full of flowers, huts with blue bricks and red tiles, and the sea beyond the horizon like the sky... my family lives by the sea.

MC: I really want to see it...

Kiro: When I grow up, I will definitely take you there!

MC: Okay!

MC: But... there’s still a long time till you grow up. What if you change your appearance by that time, and I don’t recognize you?

Thinking about the unpredictable future, I couldn’t help worrying even though I was excited just now. Kiro also tilted his head and fell into thought, his expression a little frustrated.

I’d already faced us parting once. I couldn’t help but start worrying about the next separation.

Inadvertently, I glanced at the gold metal ring he wore around his neck.

MC: What is this?

Kiro: This? It’s my ring.

Kiro: Because my hands are not big enough, I can only hang it on my neck for the time being.

He took the ring from his neck and handed it to me.

Kiro: I have been wearing it since I was a child, and I have never let go of it.

MC: What a beautiful ring...

I fiddled with it curiously, and suddenly I touched a raised area. I flicked it lightly with my finger, and something popped out.

I subconsciously placed it on my lips, and breathed out gently, and a clear flute sound suddenly sounded.

MC: Look, you can make a sound in this way!

I said to Kiro excitedly, his face overflowing with a hint of surprise.

Kiro: It turns out it can be used to play...

MC: I know! When you blow this, I will recognize you!

I happily shook the finger flute in my hand at him.

Kiro’s eyes were shining, and he smiled and said to me.

Kiro: Even if you can’t recognize me, I will recognize you at a glance!

In the bustling restaurant, some people were looking for fun, some were complaining to each other, and some were frustrated and hesitant. But all of this had nothing to do with us.

We shared a bowl of beef noodles and made a vow about the future. We had great happiness and joy.

───※ ·❆· ※─── ───※ ·❆· ※───

MC: Kiro, the officers and soldiers are here, run!

As soon as my voice fell, Kiro picked up the gong on the ground and we ran away wildly together.

When we finally reached Miguofang, we were exhausted and out of breath.

Kiro: Ha... ha... Why don’t we do business in Three Dreams Square? If so, we don’t have to worry about being captured by the officers and soldiers.

MC: But-but, that’s an area where civilians and the poor live... Earnings are much less there than on the street...

I answered breathlessly.

MC: Boss! Buy a pack of preserves!

Kiro: Boss! Buy a pack of preserves!

Kiro and I shouted in unison. Seeing the boss shiver by our loud voice, we laughed happily.

In the years of wandering together, we were like free and casual clouds. Instead of being alone, when two people are together, everything experienced becomes a landscape.

But the tricks did not make money all the time, nor did the proprietress help us fill our stomachs every time.

When we were too hungry, we would go to Three Dreams Square to do some drudgery that no one wanted to do in exchange for some food.

A few months later, we finally managed to get enough money to buy a bag of preserves.

Boss: Here, little girl, take it!

MC: Wow, thank you boss!

Just as I took the candied fruit and was cheering up, I suddenly heard a scream of horses neighing, and someone riding a big horse with a tall head came forward, and the dust in the sky was raised in an instant.

Kiro: MC!

Kiro quickly dragged me behind him, but the candied fruit in my hand rolled to the ground. There was the sound of horse hooves stepping on them, leaving all traces of it trampled on the ground.

MC: Ah! Why is this...

The months of hard work were all ruined. Grievance and anger suddenly flooded my heart, and my eyes were covered with moisture.

Kiro: Don’t cry! I’ll buy you another bag next time!

Kiro comforted me at a loss.

MC: Where will you get the money... we can’t even eat food now...

I chuckled, wiping my tears with my hands.

In the vagueness, I seem to see a rare expression on Kiro’s face. There was a little sadness, and a little self-blame.

Kiro: I will buy it for you. I always do what I say!

I sniffed and sobbed. Before I could answer him, I seemed to hear his murmur again--

Kiro: I will definitely stand higher. Trust me.

───※ ·❆· ※─── ───※ ·❆· ※───

When I woke up the next day, I found more bags of candied fruit beside me, and some copper plates scattered on the ground.

MC: Where did these all come from? You didn’t steal them, did you?!

Kiro: No! I just went to get back what belonged to me.

Kiro raised a big smile at me, but no matter how I asked him, he would not tell me how these were obtained.

All I know is that when he came back, his nose and face were swollen, and there were more bruises on his arms. He looked like he had been in a fight with someone.

The winter and spring in the West Moon Kingdom are very cold. Kiro and I only wore thin singles and squeezed into the small thatched house.

The howling of the wind sounded like a beast whimpering. Kiro tightly hugged me, who was shivering, and put my head on his chest.

Kiro: My mother said that when she was scared, listening to the sound of the heartbeat would make her feel better.

Seeing the wooden doors being opened and closed by the wind, I hugged Kiro even more vigorously.

Kiro: If you are still scared, I will play the flute for you! However, I only just started practicing, so it may not sound good...

MC: it’s okay. Play it!

The melodious flute sound rang in the small thatched house. Although there was some stumbling in between, it was sincere and beautiful.

The sound of the flute mixed with the powerful heartbeat made me feel relieved, and my eyes were also drooping.

Half-dreaming and half-awake, I looked at Kiro curiously.

MC: Is it this cold where you live?

Kiro: No. The place where I live is very warm in spring, summer, autumn and winter. Although the temperature of the sun was not high, people were not cold. Just like...

MC: Like?

Kiro: Like a hug.

MC: Well, is there no place in West Moon Country that has the beauty of your hometown?

He blinked and smiled mysteriously at me.

Kiro: There is.

Kiro: It’s my “secret base.” I will take you there next time!

I nodded happily. Kiro’s temperature gradually spread to me. He was like the warm sun in spring. Not blazing, but warming my little world.

The intermittent flute sounded slowly again. Groggy, I soon fell asleep.

The secret base Kiro talked about was a wide wheat field.

Next to the wheat field was a small river with sparkling waves. On the clear water, the shadow of a whirling tree swayed, and the blue sky and white clouds rippled.

The tall grass of wheat managed to hide us, and we often played hide-and-seek in the vast wheat fields.

MC: Why haven’t you found me...

I laid down in the soft embrace of the wheat field, looking up at the endless sky, boredly humming a little song, and muttering in my heart-- “Find me quickly.”

Suddenly, there was the sound of a flute in the distance, and I closed my mouth and hummed the melody.

The sound got closer and closer, and stopped suddenly when I could hear the sound of human footsteps and the rustling of clothes.

Kiro: I found you, MC!

Kiro parted the wheat stalks with both hands and poked his head out of it. His golden hair was more dazzling in the sun.

MC: You made me wait for so long. I thought you couldn’t find me anymore.

I deliberately said in a slightly complaining tone, but in fact I was relieved with joy.

Kiro: Sorry! You were a little far away, so I took some time...

Seeing him sweating profusely but still smiling, I couldn’t bear to tease him anymore.

MC: Actually...

Kiro: But no matter where you are, I can find you!

He interrupted me and gave me a sly smile. I was immediately hooked with curiosity by him.

MC: Really? Is there some secret?

Kiro: The secret is--

Kiro: The song you just hummed!

I curled my lips in disappointment.

MC: But I just sang it casually...

Kiro: Then... coupled with the sound of my flute, this will be our special code!

Kiro: In the future, no matter how far apart we are, as long as this melody is played, we will be able to find each other.

His confident smiling face made me want to believe him involuntarily. Under his influence, I also curled my mouth.

MC: Then no matter where I am, you must find me! It’s a promise.

Kiro: Of course! It’s a deal!

Immediately, he fell down on the soft fields. Together we looked at the blue sky, traced the trails of the wild geese, and listened to the horns of the ships passing by.

Clusters of wheat ears rippled with the wind, and the swaying wheat stalk continued to form a sea. Kiro and I laid among the golden waves.

He said that listening to the sound of the wheat swaying in the wind like a sea tide, was like returning to his hometown.

I took off a wheat ear and nestled it against his face, softly tickling him.

MC: And now, this is our home.

There was a tall banyan tree in front of the wheat field. We often sat on it side by side, and occasionally there would be bird feathers on our clothes.

Kiro: MC, did you know? Here, you can see the most beautiful sunshine in West Moon Kingdom.

He took off his finger-flute and placed it against his lips, pressing the sound hole with both hands, blowing slowly from his mouth.

Under the banyan tree, Kiro played the flute, and I hummed softly--

That section only belonged to each other’s melody.

The melodious melody wafted on the banyan tree until the sunset and dusk set in.

───※ ·❆· ※─── ───※ ·❆· ※───

We released the goldfish that we got from performing tricks in the creek beside the banyan tree.

The fish swayed, swimming freely, and splashing up water.

MC: It looks so happy!

Kiro: If it’s good, then in the future, every year on this day, we will come here to release a fish!

Kiro looked at the swimming goldfish with a look of envy in his eyes.

MC: Okay! But what day is today?

Kiro though for a while, smiled and looked at me.

Kiro: It’s the ninth day of April.

Behind Kiro, the sunlight-reflecting leaves fell silently, whirled a few times in the air, and finally landed lightly on the soil.

Kiro and I buried a “treasure box” under the banyan tree, and agreed to dig it out at an important moment in the future.

MC: We are not allowed to peak in advance!

With the last swipe of the loess, the treasure box was covered, and Kiro and I looked at each other and laughed.

The warm wind blew, and the waves of wheat rolled. Under the green banyan tree, small hands, connected to small people, seemed to be able to reach eternity in an instant.

───※ ·❆· ※───[Ch.4]───※ ·❆· ※───

With the help of his sleeve, Kiro wiped the sweat sliding down his cheeks, reflecting the dazzling light.

In a few days, it would be that very important day for them. In order to surprise the girl, Kiro set up a swing under the banyan tree.

Kiro: I don’t know if she will like it...

He looked at the swing swinging slightly in the wind, his face full of satisfaction and expectation.

In the distance, over the wheat field, a black goshawk swiftly passed by, and the wheat ears trembled in the wind.

Kiro: Faster!

Kiro happily took the girl to walk deep into the alley, eagerly rushing to the secret base.

MC: Why are you so excited?

The girl pursed her mouth in dissatisfaction, but with a smile in her eyes. She looked at the small fish tank in her hand. The goldfish inside was wagging its tail happily.

MC: Little fish, you can be free today!

Kiro: Mm! We...

Before he finished speaking, a dark shadow appeared in front of them.

A silver-white cold light flashed in front of him. He noticed it before the girl, and was about to block it.

Kiro: Be careful!

But he was a step too late in the end, and the dagger slashed through the air in a strange arc, and the blood-red wound crept up onto the girl’s shoulder.

The fish tank in the girl’s hand slipped and shattered on the ground. The water splashed in all directions, and the fish bounced on the ground in vain.

The screams resounded through the alley, and they stunned the nearby crows.

Kiro tried his best to push the girl away, and crimson blood splashed onto his face.

He lost his weight and fell to the ground. The pieces of the fish tank tore at his skin and pierced into his shoulder.

Kiro: [wincing] MC...

His left eye seemed to be pierced by something severely, and his pupils burned into gold. There was a force in his body that was gushing out, which seemed to be accompanied by double the pain.

Intense emotions swept through him.

His vision gradually blurred, until the moment he lost consciousness, his heart still clinging to a single belief.

───※ ·❆· ※─── ───※ ·❆· ※───

In the air-tight dark room, the silver-haired boy slowly opened his eyes.

His blue pupil gleamed in the dark. He didn’t know where he was or how long he had been asleep.

The figure hiding in the dark slowly appeared, and a low voice sounded in the silence.

??: Follow me.

The heavy murderous aura mixed with the pungent smell of blood, cold and pressing. He walked through the dark corridor with the man in black, and from time to time, the sound of fighting came from the sealed windows on both sides.

They stopped in front of the closed black iron door, which was mottled with dark red blood. The man in black looked down at him, a hint of interest in his eyes.

??: let me see your strength.

The door opened, and rust-like scent of blood rushed toward his face.

He walked in, and a dozen pairs of indifferent eyes stared at him. They were covered in blood, like beasts waiting for opportunities. The iron door slowly closed at this moment.

It was hell on earth.

After lighting a stick of incense, he walked out the door.

The hand holding the dagger had become numb, and his left eye was shining with a golden light.

??: Welcome, to the Shadow Pavilion.

Said the man in black. He raised his eyebrows, and a flash of disgust flashed in his icy eyes.

He had fought so hard, not because he yearned for life or because he was afraid of death. But in his vague memory, he vaguely remembered that he had lost someone, and he wanted to find them.

But after that, he couldn’t even remember that.

He couldn’t even remember his own name, but he didn’t need to remember. Here, he only had the code name- Hei Ling.

The day he walked out of the dark room, he took back his package.

In the package, there was only a single dusty ring.

A strange emotion flashed in his heart, but it was soon suppressed.

The main task of an assassin was to assassinate the hidden master. For him, with the power of Yama’s pupil, there was almost no difficulty.

Trivia: A hidden master is a hidden person whose mission is to annihilate demons . In the early years, in order to fight against the increasingly powerful Demon Realm, the three imperial hermit master families of the West Moon Kingdom established the imperial hermit master association. Today, the Royal Hermit Association is one of the most important power institutions in the West Moon Kingdom. A hidden person needs to pass the certification of the association to get the tool of annihilation and become a hidden master .

As a result, he became the the top assassin in the pavilion. The assassination missions he received rarely failed. Except that one time.

He made a light leap and landed on the treetops. When he was about to break through the window, he felt a sense of weightlessness. It felt as if he was stepping on air, and he almost fell down.

He immediately terminated the mission, returned to the inn, and fell into a coma for an instant.

After regaining consciousness, his heart seemed to be empty.

Later, he heard that the witches of this country also fell from the high platform on the same day.

MC is a witch, as well as the “Miko” in this world. So apparently she has an affect on Kiro in this world as well.

───※ ·❆· ※─── ───※ ·❆· ※───

He was used to walking on the street with blonde hair, and seemed to be more at ease in this way. His eyes swept across every corner of the street, and an indescribable sense of familiarity lingered in his heart.

Next to the bun shop, a dirty boy in single clothes and thin trousers was looking around. Seeing that no one was paying attention, the child quietly stretched out his hand to the bun on the chopping board--

Mystery boy: Stop.

He grabbed the boy’s wrist. The strength from the hand made the child grin in pain.

Boy: You, what are you doing?

Mystery boy: If you want to survive, there are some errands in Three Dreams Square. As long as you are not afraid of hardship, you can do it.

Mystery boy: After passing the front alley, there is a thatched cottage on the east side where you can sleep at night.

A cold aura emanated from all over his body. The boy who was aggressive just now couldn’t help but tremble.

Boy: You... Who are you?

Ignoring the boy’s words, he was about to turn his head and leave. Suddenly a few words flashed across his mind, and he blurted out--

Mystery boy: Your hands are not for stealing.

There was a momentary trance in his head. This sentence seems to have been said by someone before.

Suddenly, a strange feeling came out of his body, and his pupils suddenly widened.

Just in the middle of the boy’s dazzling spirit, he hid himself in the alley ahead, supporting himself on the wall with one hand, breathing heavily.

This was the same feeling as when the assassination failed three years ago.

There was a burning pain in his left eye, and he covered it in pain.

The blue faded, and the dazzling gold gradually emerged.

On the other side, in the room of a wine shop, the girl called the “Miko” slowly opened her closed eyes after being asleep for three years.

───※ ·❆· ※───[Ch.5]───※ ·❆· ※───

In a bustling restaurant, he sat in a private room. His lazy eyes fell out the window, but was soon attracted by a young girl.

The girl wandered in the street with a novel look, and the smile on her face was too dazzling for him, who was used to the darkness.

Dian Xiao Er: Guest officer, what would you like to order? We have...

Mystery boy: Beef noodles.

Even before Dian Xiao Er could finish speaking, he interrupted him without even turning his head.

Xiao Er curled his mouth a little uncomfortably. This person was sitting in the private room of Jiazi, but he only ordered a bowl of beef noodles? However, afraid of his aura, he responded and left.

He stared at the girl and a special emotion filled his heart.

Royal Hermit: Who is in the room? Come out quickly, I have business that needs to be done today!

A rough voice came from outside the door. After a long while, Xiao Er who had just left, walked in with a panicked expression.

Dian Xiao Er: Guest officer, how about I change your private room...

He just glanced at Xiao Er indifferently, and then continued to look out the window. The shouting outside the door continued.

Dian Xiao Er: Outside the door is the famous imperial master of this neighborhood. If you provoke him, it will not end well for you...

Dian Xiao Er reminded him in a low voice with an unhappy expression, but he remained unmoved.

Royal Hermit: I want to see who’s the one that’s hiding in there!

The door was knocked to the ground with a “clang!” and the visitor swaggered into the room.

Royal Hermit: Hey Silver-hair, I’ll count to three, and if you don’t get out, you’ll get into serious trouble!

Royal Hermit: One-- Two--

He lazily tapped on the table with his index finger, and when he was about to reach the third number, the dagger rotated twice in his hand under the table, and a cold light shot towards the door.

Mystery boy: Trouble.

The dagger pierced the air like lightening, leaving a very thin bloodstain on the neck of the hidden master.

But in the blink of an eye, the Royal Hermit died.

??: Mu-murderer! Murderer!

Screams and fleeing filled the restaurant for a while. He frowned impatiently, kicked the hidden master out of the window, and then disappeared into the alley.

He knew well that killing without permission was a violation of the rules of the pavilion. But there seemed to be a voice in his heart telling him that he had a reason to do so.

In the alley, his sensitive nerves made him spot the girl who was eavesdropping early that morning.

He should have killed her. But when the girl stroked his cheek, she was dazed in place.

MC: Your face is dirty...

He felt wonderful empathy, and emotions that did not belong to him, flooded him-- helplessness and fear, leaked tenderness, and a touch of nostalgia...

And that the emotions in his heart seemed to have been spied on.

Mystery boy: Do not touch me.

After speaking, he hurriedly disappeared from the girl’s sight, leaving only the black feather.

The breeze was blowing, and the figure of the boy loomed in the shadow of a tree. He did not leave, but silently stared at the girl.

Even he couldn’t tell whether he accidentally dropped the black feather, or whether-- Hei Ling chose a girl.

His eyes were locked firmly on the girl’s body until he watched her put away that black feather, and then left the restaurant.

This was a moment from Chapter 1 of the main story. You can check @xiaomoxu’s post for more context :>

The silver-haired boy sitting on the banyan tree slowly put down the finger flute, and the sudden termination of the melody made him a little upset.

This was the only song he could play, but it would always get interrupted in the same place, like a broken memory that couldn’t be finished.

He took out a paper bag from his arms which contained various candied fruits that shone with multicolored light in the afterglow.

He always carried a bag of candied fruit with him. He had had this strange habit ever since the day he walked out of the shadow pavilion and saw the fruit shop on the street.

He picked up one and put it in his mouth, and the familiar sweetness spread between his lips and teeth.

He couldn’t help thinking of what the girl had just said in the cave.

Even though it was hoarse and vague, he was still sure that he heard the word “Ki” clearly.

This was a moment from Chapter 2 of the main story. You can check @xiaomoxu’s post for more context :>

Was that her name? She knew herself? Who was she? Did she have anything to do with the forgotten memory that he kept looking for?

Countless questions came to his mind, but there was no answer.

He put the finger flute on his lips again, and unexpectedly, the jammed melody slowly became smooth.

The melody in the memory gradually sounded...

The melody covered in memory gradually became clear. Several fishing boats moored on the river, their fishing boat lights swaying over the mist covered water.

On the banyan tree, the golden leaves fell one after another, and under the banyan tree, the unmanned swing danced with the wind.

The last rays of sunlight on the horizon had also completely dissipated. The wild goose had long been gone, only the sound of the flute was still melodious.

When did he remember it?

He couldn’t help but wonder.

However, the melody in his memory unknowingly eased the boredom in his heart.

??: No matter where I am, you must find me!

Suddenly, a vague and tender voice sounded in his head.

Who was talking?

The voice was sometimes clear and sometimes vague. He held his breath and waited, wanting to hear it more realistically.

Children: “Got you!”

He suddenly raised his head and looked at the golden wheat field.

The violent wind swept past, and the billowing wheat waves stretched into the distance, accompanied by the sound of the sea tide, but no trace of people could be found.

Vaguely, he heard the lingering laughter of children.

Someone was playing hide-and-seek again.

───※ ·❆· ※───[END]───※ ·❆· ※───

#mr love queen's choice #mr love queen's choice kiro #mr love #mr love kiro #mlqc kiro #mlqc cn #mlqc spoilers #mlqc westmoon #mlqc #SOBBING T^T #KIRO YOU ARE TOO GOOD FOR THIS WORLD #HIS BACKSTORY IS SO JUICY #BUT OH SO TRAGIC T^T #PLUS THAT LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT AAAA

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belit0 · 3 years

Note

Okay hear me out something really really and really dark with indra 🤭 Like you “cheating on him” ( Reader didn’t probally just some weirdo mailman arriving at theyre mountain home asking for stuff and the reader lets him and somehow they make it into the bedroom?? 😭) and indra comes in and it just becomes really dark

"something really really and really dark with Indra..."

My brain didn't need much more to create something completely bizarre and sickening.

TW: Non-con, kidnapping, blood, s3x with a dead man lmao.

The night was short, too short for your liking. You always get this feeling when Indra is absent when his presence is so far away he is not even perceptible in the scope of your reach.

If your man is with you, you know when the sun goes down the torture begins. Upon meeting him, you never expected such a handsome countenance could carry so much evil inside. And although he claims to want you, at this point you understand all he wants is absolute possession over you, he is not interested in pursuing your love or seeking your adoration.

But of course, whoever fell into the clutches of such a beast, and to make matters worse, voluntarily as you had done, had no way to escape. Who would dare to face the mighty Otsutsuki? He who would make people run in dismay at the mere sound of his name.

Trapped in the depths of an isolated forest, you had given up any hope of ever walking the earth freely years ago. There was no way to evade the surveillance of your partner, who was everywhere with the secrecy of a feline.

If you had the courage to try to run, to scream for help, what awaited on feeling his hands around your neck was even worse than death. He always got what he desired, and the only thing he had craved was you.

It took several frustrating attempts to free yourself that led you to be brutally clamored by him on the forest floor, while his grip left bruises on any part that had contact with your skin. The scene ended grotesquely, as he carried you back home as if nothing had happened. Your bloody form, with clothes torn off and a few bones, were broken by Indra's violence, lay fainting on his arms, time after time.

Eventually, you understood that there would be no point with such an approach when in your last try it all got too much and he decided to break both of your wrists to make you stop resisting. The recovery was long, and when you were back to normal, you decided to succumb to being used every night rather than savaged that way.

But now, as you sat looking out the window, you thought to yourself. Indra had left on a trip weeks ago, and as usual, it was unclear where he was heading. Escaping would be imprudent, for perhaps it was all a test, a made-up situation to see how you would react to such a prolonged absence.

Forgetting the matter, you got up to the kitchen when a loud noise on the outside caught your attention. Resuming your previous position, you watched as a man with long black hair fell to his knees a few feet from the door, dropping to the ground and barely holding himself up with his hands.

There it is, Indra's damned testing.

Rushing away from the window and leaning your back against the wall, you gasped for breath, trying to calm yourself. As sorry as you were for that human being, you knew that your partner would appear at any second and cruelly end his life. He was simply trying to make you take a false step, tempting your big heart and your ample generosity.

Minutes that felt like an eternity passed, as the pleas for help grew lighter and lighter and the volume diminished.

No one was attacking.

The man continued to kneel, trying to reach the house.

Unable to endure, you decided to betray your preemptive alarms and ran out of the house. This person was severely wounded, unable to move or walk on his own.

A sense of security assaulted you as you helped him in and laid him down on your bed, while you analyzed the wounds and the origin of the blood.

No one was attacking!

It was a tough job to put the man's battered body to rights, but after extensive treatment of his wounds, he was no longer in danger and regained his breath, still lying on Indra's pillow.

And with that, the man grabbed you by the nape of your neck and leaned you over him, causing the lips of the two of you to gently meet. It wasn't like Indra's touches, it wasn't possessive or unwanted, it was romantic, gentle, warm, and beautiful.

"You saved my life and I don't even know your name..."

"No need to exaggerate, gentleman. Had I left you there, you probably would have woken up after a good few minutes, I simply relieved the pain. As for my name... I regret to say that I cannot reveal it."

"A beautiful mystery... in that case, there's no need to know mine either."

The temperature rose, not taking long to exchange tongues, and avoiding to climb on top of him because of the state of his poor body, you lay down on your side of the bed, where Indra had taken you countless times.

Not wanting to let go, you simply let him handle the moment.

After a slight hesitation, he pulled away and looked into your eyes, asking permission to do it again. Licking your lips, it was you who initiated the action this time.

Hands danced everywhere, and clothes were lost with speed. He had you mount him, making it clear he could not exert himself too much due to lack of strength. Not wanting to argue against that logic, you sank on his erect length with a moan, while your eyes closed tightly.

You only opened them when you began to feel your orgasm approach, seeking eye contact for more pleasure. But you were disconcerted to see that his gaze was fixed on a corner of the room, to which your back was turned.

A pleased smile graced his features, not even paying attention to you.

"This way is fine, boss?"

Your blood froze in understanding.

Indra's test.

But what you didn't expect was for the man beneath you to suddenly become completely paralyzed, as a muffled THUD rang through the room and the hot liquid splashed your face and chest, as well as your arms.

Your eyes squeezed shut as a kunai was thrust into his forehead, killing him on the spot. A quick instinct assaulted your muscles as you tried to pull the slain man's limb out of you and run, getting away from your partner and trying to save yourself.

Now, this was the worst situation in the world.

There was no way you were going to pull through this.

But a huge, strong hand grabbed your hair as he noticed your intentions, pulling you down on the man's body and extracting the murder weapon with the other hand.

Tears began to stream down your cheeks as your hands closed over his wrist, futilely trying to make him let go of your hair.

"Unsightly..."

"Disgusting..."

"It only took you a second of my absence to jump on a bastard's cock. I knew you were an insufferable fucker from the way you cry and beg for my touches, but now I see it's your natural way of acting...you're just a whore, aren't you?"

It has been a long time since you realized how your rejections towards his actions were perceived and qualified as wanting, where Indra's reality was completely distorted.

"I...N-N-N..."

You can't get your tongue to move properly to outline his name, trying to defend yourself somehow. Ironic, for that heated muscle had danced shamelessly seconds ago across the man's lips lying beneath you.

"Shut your ungrateful mouth you rotten filthy bitch."

Your face is pressing against the man's neck, being held still by Indra. The blood dripping from the mortal wound on that person's forehead oozed down your features, mingling with your tears.

"Is this what you wanted? It takes a worm-like him to make you realize who you belong to? A damn misfortune that cute little cunt of yours has been desecrated in such a manner."

And as your breathing continued to heave and your body was convulsing in revulsion because the murdered man's limb continued inside you, you didn't notice Indra's weight on your back until it was too late.

"I allowed this hole to remain virgin waiting to be taken when my first son was inside you... The notion of fucking you along with my offspring was wonderful, but as you won't outlive this, I'll give myself the treat I've been depriving of."

You can feel the tip of his cock exert pressure on your ass, and even as a dead man lies beneath you both, filling your pussy, Indra has no trouble getting fully hard and forcing his way into you.

Holding your neck with both hands, his chest is pressed against your back as his waist slams viciously over your form, making you cry out in pain and getting halting pleas for mercy from your lips.

Everything is a nightmare.

Indra is a nightmare.

And even with the dark picture in that room, with your face smeared in The Otsutsuki's latest victim's blood, you hear his breathing pick up pace, grunts coming from deep in his throat as his dick mercilessly works your tight channel.

The man's length beneath your body lost its rigidity, uselessly stuffing you.

You have no idea how much time elapsed in that assault, for your consciousness shut down a few times and you were forcibly awakened by his slapping.

Eventually, his seed mixes with the blood coming from your not-so-virgin opening. Beastly sounds are heard from behind you as your eyes close in defeat, tears continue to fall unchecked.

And suddenly the last sensation you experience in your life is that of such abuse.

Accompanied by the sharp cold metal teeth of the kunai that slits your throat and robs you of your last breath.

#otsutsuki indra x reader #indra otsutsuki #otsutsuki indra #naruto shippuden #naruto imagines #naruto x reader #indra x reader #indra otsutsuki x reader #indra scenario #indra imagines

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the-lady-writes-what · 4 years

Text

Gilded Cage, Part One

Summary:

Keigo Takami, AKA Hawks, has turned villain and you don't know why. After a run-in with the League of Villains, you give chase after the former hero. When you end up taking a bullet to the knee, you're surprised that Keigo not only left you alive, but has taken you to his secret lair. He's built a special cage for you. He says it's to keep the League from coming after you, but you can't help but wonder if it's true or if he just wants you for himself.

Content: Kidnapping Sorry. No smut this time, but it'll be in the next one. Stay tuned

Villain!Hawks x Hero!Reader

(You're a pro-hero whose quirk is basically bending metal. Think Toph Beifong from Avatar: The Last Airbender)

PART 1 / PART 2 / PART 3

This part does not contain smut (See above mentioned note). For smut, please follow the links for Parts 2 and 3

---080---

It was hard to walk down the halls of Endeavor’s agency these days. The news of Keigo Takami’s, also known as Hawks, betrayal hit Japan’s hero world like a tsunami. It turned into a question of who the next hero will be to go against their moral code and become a villain. Your workload had increased in the drama and paranoia that followed after Keigo’s sudden villainous change. Endeavor worked you down to the bone, but that was because he must have seen you as useful. Your hero name? Iron Maiden on account of your ability to bend metal, such as iron, steel, and copper. Netting bad guys was a whole lot easier when you could wrap them in a fence or trap them with a lamppost.

You finished the afternoon’s paperwork before heading to the breakroom for some lukewarm coffee. You half-expected Keigo to be sitting on the counter where you used to find him. He used to be a fan of Endeavor’s, so he frequented the agency whenever he felt like it. Of all the time you got to see him, it became evident that he wasn’t there to goof around Endeavor’s office. You should have known better than to encourage his casual flirting, but you couldn’t help yourself. Keigo was the first guy who turned your way after a dry spell in the romance department. It had been months since you last had a date, and even if Keigo was joking, it was nice to have a conversation with someone that didn’t involve hero work.

If only you knew back then that his over-confident smile belied an insidious plan to turn to the other side.

Keigo didn’t hurt people. Much. It wasn’t a great comfort to know that he at least didn’t go around murdering people as soon as he became a villain. That didn’t change the fact that he had become one of them. He robbed banks, caused collateral damage to the cityscape, and set the hero society into panic mode. Nobody knew who would switch sides. Heroes and civilians were starting to look at each other with suspicious eyes ever since.

You fixed yourself a cup of coffee when the cellphone on your hip went off. You immediately stopped what you were doing to pick it up. Shocked, you found your boss’s name and number on the screen. You didn’t hesitate to hit ‘receive.’

Endeavor’s voice came loud and clear, even over the sounds of fighting.

“We need you over by Central Park. Takami’s new crew showed up, and we need your quirk to help round them up!”

“On my way, sir.”

Central Park was at least ten miles from your location. Even if you speed, you won’t make it there on time by car. Not this close to rush hour. Of course, you had other methods of getting to where you needed to go. You pried open the nearest window and lept threw it. Part of your hero costume involved strips of steel wire you could sling around with like that American comic book character. Sailing over the city and swinging in between buildings was much faster than any car. You arrived at the scene with the villains terrorizing civilians trying to enjoy their day at the park. You spotted three of them charging at you as soon as you hit the ground. They were nothing but mooks. Clustered together, it was quick work wrapping them in a bundle of wire. You spotted others and repeated the process. Keigo was nowhere in sight. You heard the sound of flames engulfing the trees. Pillars of red and blue flames shot up in the distance. You found heroes to take care of the villains you’d already captured before heading towards what should have been the epicenter of the fighting. Endeavor was busy with Dabi, and there seemed to be no other villains in sight. Still no sign of Keigo anywhere.

“Endeavor!”

You dodged a blue fireball just in time. You hoped that Endeavor would order you to go elsewhere. Five more minutes, and you’d be cooking in your costume.

“Takami headed west. I leave it to you to apprehend him!” Endeavor was so focused on his opponent that he didn’t turn towards you when he gave the order.

You had to dodge more flames, both Dabi’s and Endeavor’s, to head towards Keigo’s last known whereabouts. Away from the smoke and flames, you found a trail of red feathers. There was a moment where you stopped to wonder if Keigo had been injured and left behind some feathers by mistake or if he was deliberately mocking you. However, you didn’t have a moment to linger on that. You followed the trail of feathers regardless if it was a plot.

Keigo made it easy for you to follow. That should have been your first red flag. You were so focused on getting him in handcuffs that the apparent beeline to him was so fucking clear as day. You picked up the feathers as you went. You had a fistful in each hand by the time you reached the end of the park. Your trail went ice cold.

That is until you spotted the shadow of bird wings graze above you. Your head whipped to the sky. Hawks swooped down, nearly knocking you down to the ground. His wings grazed you. He perched himself on a branch far above you.

His appearance was vastly different from the last time you saw him. He wore an all-black suit with a red and gold tie. Pewter rings were on his fingers. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days, but his smile was the most unnerving thing about him. You lashed outwards with your arms, the metal from your gauntlets catching him by the ankles.

“Keigo Takami, you’re under arrest. You have the right to—”

Keigo didn’t let the mild impairment weigh him down. His wings couldn’t be easily held down by you. He flew straight towards you. His height never hid the fact that he was powerful. He plowed you into the ground. The wires unwhirled around his feet and let him soar above you.

“Get back down here, bird brain!” You lashed out your wires again in hopes of pulling him back down to earth.

Each time Keigo moves just a little bit out of reach. You already spent so much on capturing those D-level cronies that you didn’t stop to think of conserving your limited amount of iron wire. Keigo’s wings took him high above to where your weapon couldn’t reach him. He smirked down at you before taking off.

You ran after him, going so far as to hopping over the chain-link fence and following on foot. Your wires came in handy twice today as you soared from lamppost to lamppost, tracking Keigo’s aerial movements. Citizens yelled words of encouragement as you chased after Japan’s new most wanted criminal. The air stung your cheeks, and you could feel your eyes watering as you sped faster between rooftops.

Keigo made the mistake of flying to close to the building whose roof you just scaled. There was a split-second decision. You could stop and let him get away, or you could take the chance. You lunged for him, limbs scrambling through the air to find purchase. Your hands grabbed his suit jacket. Hauling yourself upon his back, you managed to secure your legs around him and put his neck in a headlock.

“As I said before, you’re under arrest!” You screamed as the wind busted your eardrums.

Keigo merely looked over his shoulder at you. His smile was cheeky as ever.

“Really, Princess? The way I see it…you’re the one at my mercy. Unless you got a plan to get us both safely on the ground without bashing our brains on the concrete.”

You growled as Keigo caught you. You didn’t think this far ahead.

You screamed as Keigo flew up towards the sun at lightning speed. Light burning your eyes, you had no choice but to shield them. Keigo used your distraction as the opportunity to shift your weight off his back. All too late, you felt your legs and arms loosen around him. Soon you were plummeting back to the ground. With any luck, your wires would find purchase on something and save you from falling to your death at the last minute. At the rate you were falling, good luck.

You were ten feet from meeting a concrete rooftop when Keigo reappeared. He wrapped you in his arms almost in a possessive manner.

“You’re way too pretty to let splatter. Come on. I’ve got a much better place to finish this!”

His clever hands worked your phone from your belt. Keigo dropped it on the ground, where it shattered several feet below you. Your only chance of survival was to let him take you where he wanted and not get your brains to plaster the sidewalk. His wings soared over the city. You once imagined being in his arms like this. It only made your stomach churn with the thought of what he was going to do to you once you were where he wanted you.

Keigo dropped down in the industrial district. Factories surrounded you. The smell of iron and diesel filled your lungs. But of all the places he picked, why did Keigo go where you had the most advantage? Didn’t he realize that with all of this metal, you were the one with the home-field edge? You didn’t have the time to ask or react when he pulled out the gun from his jacket.

In a flash, your life flashed in your mind. You didn’t stand there waiting to die. At least, you were going to make sure they say you died fighting to your last breath. You charged for Keigo, metal whips whirring to life.

BANG!

It was over. Except instead of sweet oblivion that came with death, you found yourself bleeding on the ground. Your blood pooled around your knee, where he shot you. The pain was exquisite as the bullet lodged itself in your knee cap. You weren’t going to be standing on that leg for a very long time; you could forget about fighting. Keigo’s black shoes came into your line of vision. From shock, you got onto your elbows to look at the bastard.

“What…the hell?” You ground your teeth. “I didn’t picture…you to be the sadist. Going to kill…me…slowly? Is that how you roll now?”

Keigo put his gun away. Then, he reached into the other side of his jacket. When his hand came away this time, he held a syringe.

“That was just to keep you from fighting me. I’m going to get you patched up real quick. Just as soon as I give you your medicine.”

Keigo was faster than you. Your hand shot up to grab him, but the needle was already in your neck. He squeezed the trigger and pumped you full of the drug. It took a few minutes for it to kick in. By the time he had you in his arms again, your head was spinning. A moment later, you finally found that oblivion you were looking for earlier. This time, you were reasonably sure you’d wake up this time, and you weren’t going to know where he was taking you. And that was the scariest thought you had before passing out in the former hero’s arms.

When you woke up, you noticed the stiffness in your leg. Your favorite color draped the bed you laid in. Your hero’s costume was gone and replaced with a negligee you wouldn’t own even if you had a boyfriend. It, too, was in your favorite color. The lace hem barely touched your upper thigh.

Further down, your right leg was held in a cast. Your foot rested on a pillow. As your vision cleared, you got a better picture of where you were.

It could have been described as a room if only it had more than one wall. Where plaster walls should have been, stood solid gold bars. The floors were marble tiles. There was a dresser, a desk, a lavish set up on a vanity, and a familiar coffee table on which sat a widescreen T.V. Every item in your cell was made of either wood, fiber, plastic, or metal you couldn’t bend, including the bars. Squeezed between the actual wall and the cell bars stood a small room. With its door closed, so you couldn’t discern its purpose yet. Footsteps came down the hallway. They rounded the corner. Keigo smiled at you like you were a pretty bird in his cage.

“You’ve been asleep for a while now. Doc had to give you an extra shot so you wouldn’t wake up in the middle of your surgery. Sorry I had to bust your knee cap. You can be so stubborn sometimes.”

“Why am I in a cage? Why am I dressed like this? Just what the hell are you on?” You started to get up from the bed, but it was difficult to swing your leg over the bed when it was in a cast.

“In reverse order,” said Keigo, “I’m not on any drugs. I thought you would look cute in that negligee, and it’s in your favorite color. I put you here for your protection, and honestly, you look damn good in it.”

“Why? Why the hell did you do any of this?” You still struggled to move your damn leg.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. I’d hate to come in there and show you why.”

His eyes held a glimmer of that charm you once fell for, but there was a predatory light that eclipsed it. Keigo leaned against the bars, stroking the beams.

“Solid gold. It took me a long time to find enough money and resources to build this thing. A pretty little cage for my pretty little bird.”

“Just how long have you been saving?” You wanted to know how long he had wanted to put you in here, yet you still dreaded his answer.

“A couple of years. My original idea was to take us on a cruise. It probably would have been much more romantic, but things come up. You change your plans. Ideals become tainted, and you have to find new ones.”

“What happened to you? You were the number two hero! Some so many people looked up to you. There are still people who believe that this is just a rouse to capture the League of Villains. How could you do that? How could you betray everyone’s trust?”

Keigo didn’t say anything. He held his head down as if lost in the thought. He braced his forearm against the bars as he leaned his head against his arm. Inhaling a long breath,

Keigo let out an aggravated sigh. When he looked up at you, you saw a different man. “Let me ask you this, Princess. How could somebody’s parents sell their kid to the government? How could anyone take a small kid and turn them into a child soldier? For what? So they can pat themselves on the back and say that they’re morally superior to the villains. They take kids from their parents and steal their childhood. And when those kids grow into adults and realize what a shitty system they were raised in, they stare up at you surprised that you had enough of their bullshit.”

“T-Takami…”

“I realized too late that everything that was supposed to be mine was taken from me. My family. My name. My childhood. For what? So I can be number two behind a man like Endeavor. Have you spent time with the bastard? I never noticed it before, but all of a sudden, it becomes clear that society cares less about a hero’s moral code and more about their ability to beat down the nail that sticks out. Ever wonder how his youngest got that scar?”

You nodded. You vaguely remember hearing Endeavor talk about his youngest son.

“It turns out Endeavor pushed his wife around so much that she went mental. She burned the side of Shoto’s face because it reminded her of the man who knocked her around and forced to have his four kids. Does that sound like hero material to you?”

Blood drained from your face. It made sense…in a way. You never met Endeavor’s youngest, so you couldn’t verify the truth or not. For all you knew, Keigo was pulling it out of his ass to make you sympathize with him.

“Why didn’t you go to the authorities? There must have been someone who would have investigated it.”

“By the time I found out, nobody would have believed me at any rate. Endeavor might be a bastard, but he’s still the number one hero. I’m just the rejected garbage the Safety Commission doesn’t want to clean up.” Keigo unlocked the door to your cage.

“Why are you telling me this then?”

Keigo crossed the “room” and picked you up from the bed. You couldn’t move your leg without feeling a jolt of pain go up to your thigh. There was no way for you to struggle. “Because I made a deal with the League. As long as I keep you by my side and you don’t go anywhere, they won’t touch you or your family. I’m afraid you won’t be seeing much of the outside world for a while. At least until Shigaraki accomplishes his goals.”

“You know he’s crazy, right?” You sneered.

“Yeah. Little bit. He’s also the first person who made any damn sense when I realized how badly they screwed me over,” said Keigo as he carried you down the hall.

There were a few rooms that he walked past, but he stopped at the end of the hall. He kicked it open. Your heart fluttered like you were his bride; he carried over the threshold. Your stomach churned with guilt rotting inside it. You shouldn’t be having those kinds of thoughts for the man who turned into a villain and kidnapped you. He confessed to planning to keep you as a prisoner for however long it took for that maniac Shigaraki to complete his mission.

Keigo brought you to an actual bedroom. It was a little more sparse than the cage he planned to keep you in. He must have spent more on you than himself. Looking around, the bedroom contained a giant bed and little else. He had you sit on the bed for a moment. Keigo pulled back the covers and fluffed the pillows before gently grabbing you and laying you out. There was a contraption hanging from the ceiling that he pulled down using a thick cord. He slipped your leg into a sling and adjusted it to your comfort before Keigo left you to pull clothes from the dresser. He disappeared into the adjacent bathroom didn’t return until he was half-dressed in a pair of black sweatpants.

Small scars littered his chest and shoulders. From what, you dared not ask. You remembered his words about a stolen childhood to be raised as a soldier. You wondered if they were true. Your mind was plunged headfirst back into the present when Keigo crawled under the sheets with you. Your face went red.

“Relax, Princess. I’m not going to do anything,” he mumbled. He turned off the lights.

“Then why am I dressed like this?” You asked in the dark.

You felt Keigo’s weight make the bed dip. He settled on his side so he could snake his arm around your waist. He snuggled uncomfortably close, but he kept his hands mostly to himself or above the blanket.

“Because you look damn cute in (fave color). I like looking at you.”

His breath against your skin created goosebumps in its wake. Your eyes eventually closed to sleep. As you drifted off, you asked yourself: How long could you live like this?

---080---

#mha #my hero academia #my hero academia fanfiction #mha fanfiction #mha smut #bnha #boku no hero academia #bnha fanfiction #hawks #Keigo takami #reader fic #hawks x reader #au #villains!Hawks #Hawks smut #minors do not interact #minors begone

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mshermia · 3 years

Text

FEBUWHUMP DAY 25 - CAR ACCIDENT

On a cold winter night on their way home after a dinner at the Stark's cabin, Peter, May and Happy get into an accident. Tony rushes to the scene to help, terrified that it might be too late.

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It's still Febuary *somewhere* in the world, right? Also, is there a penalty for starting too many WIPs? Asking for a friend...

AO3 Link

CW: (Minor) Characted Death

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Tony's heart was racing. It was beating so fast he'd had to silence FRIDAY's emergency alert twice, overriding the blaring alarm entirely the second time to just make her shut up. It was sheer panic that had his pulse spin out of control and there was nothing, nothing that FRIDAY's empty words and warnings would do about it.

The road was dark and winding, trees closely lining either side of him. Despite the snow and ice that hung heavy on the branches and had powdered the ground into what Morgan had described as a 'winter wonderland', the road was dry and clear. Just as well because Tony was driving as fast as he dared. Maybe a little faster than that.

It didn't matter that he was speeding. He was still not going fast enough to keep the horror scenarios at bay, the nagging fear that every attempt he made now would be too little, too late anyway. They might be dead already.

Tony pulled in a deep breath through his teeth that sounded too close to a sob even to his own ear. Desperate, he pressed down a bit further on the gas paddle but instead of going even faster, the car suddenly lost a significant amount of speed.

"What the fuck is happening?" His hand hit the steering wheel, his foot coming down harder on the accelerator. "FRIDAY, for fuck's sake--"

"Boss, we are only about three miles out from the last signal I received from Peter Parker's car. The heightened possibility of an active game path or hidden black ice that could have led to the accident increase the closer--"

"FRIDAY, override code two-double-seven Stark."

"Override denied."

Tony cursed, followed by a deep guttural groan. "I will fucking melt you down to your integral components if you don't do as I tell you right this second!"

"I'm afraid you cannot use your override code again for another 23 hours and 49 minutes."

"For fuck's sake, FRIDAY! Fucking get me there as fast as possible!"

He should have just taken a suit. He hadn't been thinking, had just reacted. His suits had been stored and locked away in the basement of the cabin for years. Three and a half years of retirement had changed his instincts more than he had realized and now, he was fucked for it.

It had been such a great day. Just that morning he had been out in the snow with Morgan. The older she got the harder a task it was to drag her out of the house for some fresh air with her old man, but as soon as he had her out the door in the snow, it was a joy.

Peter, May and Happy had arrived with cake in the afternoon and then stayed through dinner. The three of them had grown so close over the years. It had been hard work, no doubt. As much as the survivors had suffered after the Snap, the undoing of it came with its own struggles.

Tony should have made them stay the night. He should have just fucking made them!

The miles were crawling by and Tony's eyes flashed back and forth between the road ahead and the map where the GPS signal of the car was blinking red and rapidly, mocking him.

The location it indicated was right by the river. If the car had skidded off the street, if they had slipped into the water. The temperatures were way below freezing out there. If they had hit the water...

Tony's stomach turned as he was finally coming up to the scene of the accident. The forest opened up towards the river on his right side, but there was no car in sight. The road was empty.

Then he saw it, tire marks that ran off the lane. There was a bit of a bend in the road where the river was closest to the street barrier, but that barrier was gone now.

Panic rushing in Tony's ears, he pulled his car off the road into the snow on the other side of the street near the trees. His hands were shaking as he swung open the door.

"HELP! P-PLEASE..."

"Pete!"

The kid's voice was croaky and weak. Even without seeing him, it was abundantly clear that Peter was crying, bordering on hysterical. Still, it was better than the silence Tony had dreaded.

"Tony! Oh... oh god... please... Tony, please... I... I can't, I... oh god..."

Tears shot into his eyes at the desperation that swung in his kid's voice. Tony sprinted towards the sound. He had almost crossed the street when his feet were practically ripped from underneath him. As if in slow motion his arms were spinning like propellers trying to fight gravity. His only luck was that he had been rushing just enough to land on the ground next to the road instead of breaking his tailbone on the asphalt.

Black ice.

Tony didn't hold back. He cursed as loud and as strongly as the little breath he had left would allow him while he struggled back to his feet.

It was freezing out and idiot that he was, he hadn't even brought a jacket. Not that he felt the cold but with every curse he blew out, a cloud of white breath formed in front of his face. That was until his breath was gone entirely, robbed by the scene in front of him.

The car was in the water alright, halfway submerged under the cold waves right next to the shore. The only reason it hadn't been pushed out and even further under was Peter who stood on the far side of the car, water up to his chest, fighting against nature itself.

"Help," Peter cried, just as exhausted as desperate. "I can't... can't... much longer... Tony... please... please help them..."

Despite himself, Tony had frozen. He shouldn't freeze like that. He would never have frozen like that before. He was Iron Man after all. Had fought intergalactic battles and... and... now, at the disaster unfolding in front of him, he didn't even know where to begin.

"They're... in the back... Tony... please... plea—Urgh!"

The car moved another inch further into the river and the shock of it, the pitiful whine from Peter finally pushed Tony into action.

"I'm here, buddy! It'll... help's on the way, okay! Just... just hold on a little longer, Pete."

Tony's ripped the door to the backseat open easily enough, his eyes straight on the two unmoving figures slumped in their seats, belts still buckled tightly.

"I... I don't know what happened, I... oh god," Peter sobbed. "We... we were fine, we were—"

"It'll be alright, Pete! Just... just concentrate, okay? I'll... I'll be quick. I'll get them out!"

Happy legs were submerged entirely. There was a cut on his face, blood running down the side of it. He was pale, too pale.

"Hey, Hap... Happy, come on!" Tony shook him, then pulled Happy's face towards him. "Come on, now! Don't leave me hanging! Fucking... May? May, wake up, come on!"

Neither of them gave even a twitch as Tony reached across Happy into the icy water. The seat belt came off at once. There was no time to lose. Between the water and the limp body, Tony tried his best to heave Happy out of the car. His arms were straining under Happy's weight. The angle was awkward and difficult to pull at but every whimper from the kid holding this ship afloat spurred Tony on to be faster, to be better. So he did, just because he had to, adrenaline and panic giving him a boost.

He managed to maneuver Happy onto the ground next to the road. By instinct, Tony pressed his shaky fingers against Happy's neck, searching for a pulse but he felt nothing. His throat was so tight, he desperately gasped for air, eyes burning with fear. It was just his fingers. Had to be. His fingers were cold and numb and there was no point in even trying. Peter's voice tore him away from his friend, back into action. Peter was still begging for help, May still trapped in the car.

The water seemed to have risen further in the car. His legs were spasming from the cold, arms and hands numb and heavy as he waded through it, trying to get to May. Her head was bowed low, the water almost at her mouth. It wasn't until Tony had gotten this close to her that he saw the dent in her side of the car.

They hadn't just skidded clean off the road then but hit something along the way.

Tony held her by the shoulder, trying to keep her upright and out of the seat belt so he could unbuckle it. The hand on her shoulder came away stained dark. In the low light, he could only guess it was blood.

Through the window, Pete's face looked back at him, trembling lips stained dark likely turning blue from the cold. "Tony!"

"I'm right here, bud," Tony breathed, possibly too quiet.

"Are... are they alive?" Peter's words were mumbled, difficult to make out. They were running out of time.

"They'll both be fine, buddy, okay? Just... just hold on a little longer!" Tony slung his arms around May and crossed them over her chest. With short strong pulls, he moved her further and further towards the open door, towards the safety of the shore. "May, you have to wake up," he whispered, his own voice heavy with fear. "This... shit... you can't do this to him. Not like this. Not—"

He yelped as the car slid further into the water.

"I... I got it, I..." Peter winced and there was another jolt. "Tony... get her out! Get out! Get out!"

His own panic gave Tony wings. Another two pulls later and he had finally freed May from the car.

"I got her," Tony yelled in Peter's general direction. "Get out of the water, buddy. Careful now!"

By the time he had laid May down right next to Happy, Peter was rushing to his side.

"Are they okay? Tony, please... are they... oh, oh god, no, please, I—"

Tony turned fast. Both hands cradling Peter's face, he made him look right at him. "Everything will be fine, okay? Go to my car and get the first aid kit out of the trunk."

"But—"

"Listen to me!" Peter's eyes had already moved down to the lifeless forms of May and Happy again, but Tony gave his head one good shake, fighting to get his attention back. "Go to the car. Watch out for the ice. I need your help now, Pete!"

Eyes wide, Pete nodded. His tears were mixing with blood streaming down from the cuts on his face, leaving smudged dark lines all across it. He moved fast enough. That was a good sign. His clothes were soaked through, sticking to him as he rushed towards the car. Before Tony could warn him again, Peter slipped just like Tony had, just like the car had. He fell hard on his left side.

"Shit, you okay?" Tony's stomach turned at the sight of the kid, as he lay there for a moment, not getting back up. "Peter, are you—"

"M fine." A lot more carefully than before, he struggled back to his feet.

"Get the blankets, too!"

Tony knelt down between May and Happy, once again he pressed the index and middle finger of both his hands against either of their throats. The way his own heart was rushing, it would be a miracle if—

He gasped. There was a flutter, a sign of life on Happy. Tony had clearly felt it. There was hope then. This... they could make it out of this!

His eyes shifted to May but even by the time Peter had made it back, blankets and first aid kit in hand, Tony had no idea if May was even still with them.

Just in case, Tony started with compressions, desperate to be subtle about it but there was no way for Peter to miss what was happening.

"What... Tony? Tony, what are... are you doing? Wha—" The sob that had Pete stop mid-word hit Tony squarely where it hurt most.

"My fingers are really numb, kid, okay? I just... I'm not sure. It's... just as a precaution."

"She... she doesn't... oh god, she has no pulse, she has no—"

"Pete, listen to me." Tony's body was aching from the cold, from the adrenaline rush. From the loss that he might not be able to protect the kid from. "The paramedics will get here and then they'll warm them up, okay? Put that blanket around Happy and then get in my car. Get out of those wet clothes and turn on the heater."

"No," he mumbled. "No, no, I... please... this can't be... I can't—"

"Peter!" Tony was losing focus and with that the count on the compressions. "Blanket! Happy! Come on now! I need you, buddy."

The kid's wet sobs rang in Tony's ears, as Pete took one of the blankets and wrapped it around Happy. Before Tony could say anything else, he took the second blanket and wrapped that one around the lower half of May's body.

It felt like endless hours but couldn't have taken more than a couple more minutes until sirens and lights finally flashed up in the distance. Tony had to practically force Peter to stay back while they put first Happy then May onto stretchers and into the emergency vehicle. Just as quickly, Tony made Peter get into the car to follow the ambulance to the hospital.

Peter refused to take off the wet shirt but at least discarded his pants and wrapped himself in the blanket. The blanket that had been covering May just moments before. He used the corner of it to hide his face, leaning heavily against the door. Away from Tony.

"How are you feeling, bud?" It was a fucked up question, but he had to know what he was dealing with. Tony's eyes flickered back and forth between the street and Peter. "Are you hurt? Anything other than the cuts on your face?"

Peter's hand pushed the fabric of the blanket away at that, shaky fingers fumbling across his skin, looking for cuts.

"Stop that!" Tony reached out to him but jerked away at the icy coldness of Peter's hands. "Geezes, kid! Rub those together, okay? Warm them up! Put them on the seat!"

"I'm fine," he hissed, face turned back towards the window.

There was little Tony could do. He couldn't stop, couldn't take his eyes off the road either. All he had left was mumbling reassurances how everything would be okay. Lies, nothing more. Tony had no idea if any of this would ever be okay again.

They arrived at the hospital just after the ambulance. Peter didn't even wait for him to come to a full stop.

"Kid, just-- Fuck..." Tony rushed after him into the hospital.

The neon lights were blindingly bright, almost like spotlights on a stage. He felt uncomfortably exposed, his wet clothes still clinging to him. Peter had already made it to the reception, the blanket still wrapped around his waist. He... shit. He wasn't even wearing shoes. Tony wasn't sure if he had lost them in the water or had simply taken them off in the car along with his soaked pants.

Either way, his wide-eyed panic and torn-up look had already attracted hospital security. Peter's fist banging against the reception desk as he demanded to see his aunt, didn't help either.

"Hey... hey!" Tony had stormed after him just in time to push a tall guy in hospital uniform off his kid. "Take your hands off him and get a damn doctor!"

"Sir, this is a hospital, not a carnival," the security guard growled. "There are procedure and—"

"We came in alongside the ambulance, you clown!" Tony was pointing a finger squarely at the man's chest. "My son was in a car accident. He was in the river. I need a doctor!"

"No, I need to see my aunt!" Peter was panting. "My aunt was in the ambulance I need to—"

Tony grabbed him by his shoulder and forced the kid to turn towards him. "Pete, they—"

He froze, Peter's face looked so much worse under the light than it had in the dark of the road. His lips were blue, pupils fully blown despite the bright light and his skin was so pale, he looked un-dead. The bad kind. Tears and blood from the cuts on his face were smeared all over his face.

"Jeezes, kid! You..." Tony spun around towards the receptionist. "I need a fucking doctor! He was in the river 15, 20 minutes!"

Peter stepped up right next to Tony, both hands holding onto the desk. "I'm fine! I'm not even shaking! I just need to see my aunt!"

"You're hypothermic, Peter!" Tony's adrenaline spiked as high as it had back on the road when he had spotted Peter standing in the icy waves.

"Gentlemen, let's calm down." Finally, a doctor had walked up behind them. "What is the—" The man stopped midsentence as he took in Peter's face. "Come with me."

"No," Peter growled again. "I need to check on my aunt!"

The doctor wasn't much taller than Peter but he squared his shoulders and stepped up close into his space. He eyed him for a moment, his face hard. "What do you think your aunt will say if she wakes up and I will have to tell her that you died from hypothermic cardiac arrest, hm?"

Peter's mouth clapped shut at once. Fresh tears fell off his lashes.

"Doctor Gordon," the receptionist interrupted. "The patient's personal data needs—"

"Just give the man a damn form," the doctor barked at him as he grabbed a hold of Peter's upper arm and dragged him along.

With ease, Tony snatched the forms from the receptionist's hands and quickly followed the doctor to the closest treatment room. Inside, Doctor Gordon asked his name as he checked his pupils and lungs. Then he had Peter strip off the last of his wet clothes and wrapped him in a hospital gown. In quick progression people carried equipment into the room, starting with heated blankets that two nurses wrapped around him before they helped Peter to lie down on a padded stretcher.

One of the nurses fitted a breathing mask over Peter's mouth as Gordon leaned over him and carefully untangling one of Peter's arms from the blanket. "We'll use humidified oxygen to rewarm your airway. Additionally, we— ah, yes, thank you, Leslie." The nurse had carried in a bag of fluids that she fitted to the stand next to Peter. "It's a warmed saltwater solution to help warm your blood back up. Now, you'll start shivering soon, but that completely normal as your body warms back up. Your dad can stay with you, okay?"

"Okay," Peter mumbled through the masks, his eyes finding Tony's.

Two quick steps and Tony was right next to him, grabbing his hand just after the nurse had fitted the IV.

"And Leslie," the doctor called out to her. "Can you organize dry clothes and a heated blanket for Mr. Stark here as well, please."

Tony sucked in a breath before he turned towards Gordon. "Thank you."

"Why don't you take care of those forms, then we can get you an update on Peter's aunt?"

The forms balanced on the foot of Peter's bed, Tony quickly filled out all three of them - May, Happy and Peter - while nurse Leslie cleaned and taped up the cuts on Peter's face. The doctor hadn't been gone more than a couple of minutes. The nurse was still busy with Peter's face when the kid called out to him.

"Just... please... can you make sure they are fine? I just..." Peter swallowed hard, his eyes still wet. "I need to know that they... that they—"

"Alright, buddy." Tony squeezed his hand then as the nurse turned away to grab a pair of scissors, he stepped close and pressed his lips against the kid's cold forehead. "You stay right here, okay?"

With a quick glance to either side of the waiting room, Tony strode back towards the registration desk. There weren't many patients in, even fewer people waiting in the seated area for friends and relatives. Less stress for the staff meant fewer mistakes and Tony would not be able to live with any more mistakes tonight.

He slid the filled-out forms across the table towards the receptionist. "I need an update on May Parker and Harold Hogan."

The receptionist's eyebrows were pulled up high. "And your relation to Mrs. Parker and Mr. Hogan is?"

"She's my son's legal guardian," Tony bit out. "He's my brother."

He pursed his lips, shuffling through the documents. "The doctor will find you when—"

"No!" Tony's fist crashed against the wood of the desk. "I need an update right now!"

"Sir, you will get an update when we have an update to give, or do you want me to drag one of the doctors away from the treatment and—"

"Fine!" Tony pulled both of his hands up and took a step away from the desk lest he'd strangle that arrogant little prick.

Instead, he stalked away from the man and fished his phone out of his pocket. There were two text messages from Pepper. One from almost an hour ago.

'FRIDAY filled me in. Call me as soon as you know more.'

Then another one from 12 minutes ago.

'Tony, please call me. I'm worried.'

Without a second thought, he did. The phone rang for all but two seconds before Pepper answered him.

"Tony? What's going on?"

He pressed his eyes shut. Just the sound of her voice had him tear up. "Hey, Pep..."

"FRIDAY puts your car at Ellenville Regional. Is everyone okay?"

"I... erm..." One hand steadied himself against the wall. "Pete's hypothermic."

"Oh no," she gasped.

Tony's eyes stung. "The car skidded into the river." He ignored her next gasp and pushed on, his voice low. "He held the car up and May and Happy I... I pulled them out when I got there. I'm... I don't know... Happy had a pulse at the scene but May, she..." He stopped himself, unable to keep going.

Just the thought of what it would mean if the worst were to happen... if it were to happen like this. Peter would never forgive himself.

"Oh my god, honey... I... I'll pack some things and I'll meet you there. Morgan, I'll... I'll just have to bring her and—"

"No!" His voice came out sharper than he intended. "You stay where you are!"

"Honey, I can't leave you all on your—"

"There's black ice out there on the very road that leads here. I don't want you on the street tonight."

"I... okay..." She was crying now. "Just... just call me, okay? Call me as soon as you know more."

"I will, Pep. I will. Just..." Tony blew out a breath and shot a glance over his shoulder at the commotion coming from the reception desk. "I gotta go. I love you, honey. Give Morgan a kiss."

He didn't hear his response, his heart pounding like a steam engine in his ears. The doctor that had just turned away from the registration desk locked eye with him, her expression sober as she walked over to him.

"Mr. Stark?"

Tony's limbs were numb. Somehow he knew. The way the lady was looking at him. How she held herself. He knew what she was going to say but his brain wouldn't let him accept just standing there and taking it. It seemed to float away, anywhere but here to just not hear it.

"I think maybe we should go and see your son as well. He is in treatment room 3, yes? We can just have... I have some information that—"

"No!" His voice was composed, so much more than he felt capable of. "No, you... you should tell me. Tell me here."

"Mr. Stark..." Her eyebrows were raised in sympathy. She even reached out to him, a soft hand placed on his lower arm. "I think it might be easier if we're all in a room together, so I can—"

"No." This one sounded less sure though he felt a lot more certain than before. Yeah, it would be easier. She was right. It would be easier for him, but telling Peter. No, that was his job. Not his job, his responsibility. "Just tell me."

It was an out-of-body experience to hear her say it. To hear her say how sorry she was. How despite their best efforts... May was gone. Was dead. That was what she said. Dead. Not 'gone'. Not 'had passed on'. She was dead.

They said that was important. That the words you used had to be the right ones. That there couldn't be any confusion.

"Mr. Hogan is currently receiving hemodialysis to rewarm his blood. His vitals so far are holding steady. We are hopeful that he will make it through the night and then we will have to go from there."

Hopeful that he might make it through the night. Hopeful. May Parker was dead.

"Mr. Stark?"

His eyes shot over at the doctor, blinking. He hadn't realized he had looked away. "Right, I... I guess I will... will go. Talk... talk to my kid." He swallowed hard.

"If you would like me to, I could—"

"No, I... I need to do this. For him. It's..."

He shook his head and without another word, Tony made his legs move, surprised that they did. His mind was still not with him, still flowing around him, unwilling to come back to him. One hand on the door, the other on the doorknob, Tony paused. Memories flashed in front of his eyes. Doctors in white coats who stood in front of him, informing him of his parents' passing.

It wouldn't happen to Peter like that. He wouldn't allow it. No strangers, no detached condolences by faceless shadows.

Tony took another breath like it would make him ready to do this, when nothing would ever make him ready for this. Waiting... waiting just made it worse so he pushed the door open, relieved to find Peter alone, still on the bed hooked up to the IV and the humidified oxygen.

Doubts crashed down on him. Maybe he should wait. Wait until Peter was more stable, had recovered.

"Tony?" The kid's voice was muffled by the mask, questioning more than panicked until it wasn't. Wasn't not panicked. "Tony, what... what is..."

He closed the door behind him, still holding onto it like the words would magically come to him. Tony knew what to say, the main thing to say was clear, way too clear and sharp and brutal, but how to begin?

In the end, he didn't need a preamble. In the end, that face he so prided himself on having control of, said it all for him.

"N-no..." Peter's eyes widened. With every breath the kid took, they came faster and faster until he was panting, sitting up in his bed. "No... oh... oh god, no... no!" The IV on Peter's arm dislodged before Tony had even had a chance to get to him. Peter ripped off the mask just as fast.

"Buddy, I... I'm so sorry, she—"

"No, don't!" Peter grabbed both of his arms just as Tony tried to pull him close. "Don't say it! Don't... don't say it!"

But Tony had to. He had to because if he didn't, Peter would never accept it, never. "I'm so sorry, kid. She died, she–"

Peter struggled against him, pushing him but not hard enough to move him. "Oh god, no... please... I... no, you're wrong! You're wrong!"

"Pete, I'm so sorry—"

"You... you need to call Doctor Cho! You need... you need to call her and then at.. at the Compound, they can save her, please!" The panic in Peter's eyes was threatening to strangle him, both of them, his hands erratically tearing on Tony's green scrubs. "We should have gone there right away! The cradle, they... please, please, you need to save her, Tony, please."

"Oh, buddy..." His heart hurt with every beat from the bare pain that was radiating off Peter. "Cho can't do that. She... she can't bring people back."

"We need to try, please! Please just... just try, just ask her to try!"

In a twisted way, Tony almost welcomed the way Peter's hands kept hitting him, almost relished in the sting of it. "The doctors tried reanimating her, buddy, but they couldn't. She..." It wasn't enough. He was chickening out. He had to say it properly, had to be strong for his kid who was crumbling right under his fingers. "May died. There's... there's nothing we can do, bud. May is dead."

The pained howl Peter pushed out chilled him to the bones, so much worse than the icy water of the river had. With it, Peter's arms went slack and he slumped forward into Tony's waiting arms. All he could do was hold him, be there. It wasn't much, it wouldn't make this any better but there was nothing else for Tony to do. He couldn't conquer death. He couldn't take this pain away.

Tony rocked him, back and forth, forgoing all the empty phrases of how it was alright. How they would get through this. Phrases that meant nothing, never had. No, instead, he told Peter how much he loved him. He told him over and over again, mumbled it into his hair, told him with the slow circled he rubbed into his back, with the way he held him up, tightly pressed against his own chest.

The desperate sobs that shook his kid broke Tony piece by piece. None of this was alright.

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To be continued...

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Special thanks to @spagbol99 !

#iron dad and spider son #febuwhump2021 #febuwhump day 25 #irondad #iron dad fic #cw: character death #car accident #hurt/comfort #post-endgame #tony stark lives #peter parker #tony stark #fanfic #febuwhump #whump

35 notes · View notes

chayacat · 3 years

Text

Devil’s Sweet Star (21)

Fandom: Dead by Daylight

Ghostface x Female Reader

Rated M for Violence, Language and Smut

***

Fear. Fear is something that has always been part of the human being. It's something that follows us everywhere and it's always the first thing you feel about the unknown. What will happen to me today, tomorrow or in the days, weeks, months to come? What future is for me? How long am I going to live? Will I find love? Is it the good one or the bad one, will it last or not? Should I do it or not? Should I say it or shut up... All these questions that we ask ourselves throughout our lives always plunges us into fear. Because we don't know what our choices will bring as consequences. The famous butterfly effect.

Fear also manifests itself in dangerous situations, where death can strike at any moment, and when it is about to strike us, fear invades us. Moreover, it is the greatest fear of Man: to die. But some are not afraid of Death: it is even a friend who comes to relieve us of our suffering once and for all. And others believe that death is a simple passage from one life to another through time. Maybe it’s true, maybe it's wrong. Who can really know?

It was with this fear in your stomach that you woke up this morning. The cause? A simple, insignificant, small, piece of paper. How can a single piece of paper scare someone; you'll tell me... Maybe because it's not that insignificant. In fact, it's not the paper that scares you, it's what's written ON IT that scares you.

“He’s dead.”

Those simple words made you react. These simple words frighten you. Because you know who wrote them, and who he's talking about. He did it. He really did. He has told you for a long time that he will. Yet inside, you feel relieved to know that McKellan won't be able to do anything to you, but that means you'll have to thank Ghostface. Once again. And if it happens like last time... You'd rather not think about it. Because the worst thing for you is that you liked it, deep down. But Jed's here now. And you know nothing can happen to you now. Right? My poor little girl... if you knew the truth... you left the door open. And the big bad wolf came home. Without knowing it, you’ve thrown yourself into the devil's arms.

While you were about to serve yourself a coffee, in order to chase away your dark ideas, someone knocked on the door. You put down your cup and you walk to the door. When you open it, you come face to face with Jed. But a Jed... quite different from usual. His Auburn hair was loose, wavy and cascading, he always wore his glasses, but his outfit was very different, a black t-shirt under an open denim shirt, grey jeans and black sneakers. But this face... and that angelic smile. It's something that will never change in him.

“Well... What happened to the real Jed last night? Have you been hit by the change fairy?” You said laughing.

“You can see it that way, yes. I thought you'd like it if... if I changed my look a little bit.” He responds laughing too.

“Just a little? I feel like you were kidnapped last night to change you or replace you with another. But... I don't mind. Because no matter what you look like... I know you'll always be you.”

You kissed him and he kiss you back, holding you in his arms. It was soft, smooth as always, a feeling that you never want to forget. Never. But Ghostface’s words brought you back to mind and made you tremble slightly. Certainly, Jed is the only one who agrees to write articles about him and that make him the "star" of Roseville. But knowing this sick man... He's capable of anything. Jed felt your concern, put an end to your kiss and recoiled his face to better observe you, passing his hand over your face to reassure you.

“Hey... What's wrong? You... Have you changed your mind?” He asks, worried.

“No! Of course not! I love you, it’s just that... He... he killed him.” you said, looking elsewhere.

“What? Who kills who?”

“Ghostface. He killed McKellan. He left me that note last night. I know it's him and it's McKellan he's talking about. He told me for a long time that he would do it... I should have told you about it or called the police or...”

“Hey hey hey... Calm down. It's going to be alright, okay? Imagine if you'd told the police about this. He would have killed you. Or torture or worse. We don't know what this psycho can do. You saved your life in some way.

“I know. But I can't help but feel guilty, the cops must know that I had a conflict with him. When they find out his body... they will come to see me and I am afraid... I'm afraid of what's going to happen.” you replied with tears in your eyes.

“Hey, I am here. And as long as I'm here no one will come near you and hurt you. I lost Carla, there's no way I'm going to lose you, is that clear? Our relationship has just begun and I intend to do everything I can this time to make it last for the rest of my life.” He said holding you close to him.

You both stand still for a few minutes without saying anything, enjoying the present moment. Nothing could ruin this moment. But one thing for you remains worrisome: the fact that you had a conflict with McKellan could put you on the suspect list. Even if Ghostface is the author, you may have problems. Maybe...

Maybe he did it on purpose? It's possible after all! Since you've known each other, he's been trying to push you to kill. He wanted to make you, his accomplice. And if, despite your categorical and repeated refusal to do so, he had taken the initiative? To drag you with him into the spiral of his massacres... And his madness.

“You don't have to worry, knowing Ghostface, he must have left a signature. He doesn't really have the kind to attribute the murder to someone else. So, there is no risk that the police will come to question you.” Replied Jed, backwards to better look at you: “I'm not working today, but I have to finish my article. I'm going to stay with you at the café, okay? And... If you ever need a helping hand, I could help you. Is that okay with you?”

“Say that way you can taste my cakes in secret .... You're going to end up with a nice round belly one day. But if you have to help me, you can bring the cakes for your colleagues. Let's go a little glutton. I'm going to end up being late.” You said, taking two boxes with cakes inside for the newspaper.

Jed smiles before kissing you and open the door. What a gentleman. All both, you're heading to Jed's van to get to work. The streets were quiet on this beautiful day and the cold weather of the last few days had disappeared. We will have to provide air conditioning otherwise the customers will melt ... and the cakes too. You were always worried about this paper but reassured by Jed's words. He is right, so far Ghostface has always signed his crimes. So, there is no reason to worry. Absolutely none. right?

“By the way, Melina... Melina told me for... You know, your family. It's really generous, you know. You... You could have kept it all to yourself. And you give up almost everything to your family. I'm sure your parents are proud of you up there.” Said Jed, breathing deeply without leave the road with your eyes.

“When...When my parents died, my uncles and aunts took care of me... I was in an emotional state... Deplorable. Even so, they've always been there for me. I owe them a lot. So, I think it's normal for me that some part of the inheritance goes back to them.” you respond looking at the road then at him.

“What are you going to do with... Your share?”

“Keep it. As much as I could. I will try to live as much as possible with the coffee money. And then maybe one day I would live in a nice little country house, far from everything. With the sound of birds and the singing of the rooster to wake me up. Or I'll take a trip around the world. I've always dreamed of going to Norway or Sweden... These countries are beautiful...”

Jed smiles while parking in the newspaper’s parking lot. It's best not to get fined. And since you have cakes to deliver... You might as well give them in your own hand, don't you? And so, you can see the newspaper's premises. No sooner do you enter the building than you freeze on the spot. Who would have thought that a small newspaper like the Roseville Gazette could have so many people? And to think that Jed is one of them! There are even security guards! It's impressive! You give them the boxes and tell them to be careful that no cakes end up crushed. Then all two go back and open the café. It's time. Jed settled down at the table next to the counter. The start of the day went very well, customers were always flocking as delighted to come to see you. The lunch break came and you sit at Jed's table, slightly exhausted.

“Maybe you should hire someone to help you. You're going to get sick by putting so much pressure on yourself.” Said Jed smiling.

“I thought about it... but not yet. I want to be financially sure I can pay a salary. Are you getting away with your article?” you ask.

“Yes. Mike was such a rotten man. A drug dealer and a pedophile on top of the market. Apparently, he was wanted in other states for these facts. But he always managed to evade the police. Unfortunately for him he did not escape death. Even my boss is disgusted to know that he had such a criminal in his employees.” He answers.

“No one could have known... There are true masters of concealment. We think they're honest people and then one day they reveal their real faces. And on that day, it's already too late to do anything.” You replied sadly.

“That’s true. You know, I've been very concerned about how Ghostface works... Since I've been writing these articles, I've noticed two or three little things about how he operates. He went after people who... always do something wrong. Since he started these murders... all of his victims either committed robberies, assaults, or trafficked drugs.”

“It’s to believe that he wants to pretend to be a hero.”

“Or he gets rid of the competition. This guy's a narcissist. He doesn't seem to like being robbed of the limelight. If he gets rid of those who want to steal the show... Then he'll be the only criminal in all of Roseville and I'm sure he's not going to stop there. He'll go all over the country.” Said Jed, replacing his glasses on his nose.

“He wants to be the biggest criminal in the whole country. The question is... Why?” you said confused.

The break ends and you get back to work quickly. Jed is right about one thing: one day you will have to hire someone. You won't be able to hold the coffee forever on your own, and if you're ever thinking about expanding it, you'll need employees. During the afternoon, you receive a phone call from the police that made you panic. Have they found McKellan’s body? Do they already want to question you??

None of that. The policeman on the other end of the line simply summons you to have your statement in relation to your attacker. You almost forgot that one. You say that you would be available tomorrow during the day because you’re not working. To which he replied that everything was written down and that he would be waiting for you tomorrow in his office. You sigh with relief when you hang up the phone before explaining everything to Jed, who laughs slightly shaking his head.

The rest of the afternoon went very well, and the time of closing arrived. After your usual little ritual, you and Jed go to eat something. For the first time a good burger and fries will be your meal tonight. After that, you head to your home. You greet Mr. Lawson, and go up to your apartments. But instead of leaving you, Jed kissed you while making you enter his house.

“What are you doing?” You said laughing.

“I don't want to sleep alone tonight. So, I'm kidnapping you.” He said before kissing you again, lifting you by the waist, making you let go of a little squeak of surprise.

“Well, what a force...”

“And you haven't seen anything yet.” He replied, heading to his bedroom.

He laid you down on his bed gently before putting himself above you. He removed his t-shirt, revealing his finely trimmed body, and with his wavy, cascading hair... he looks like a god. He kissed you again, began to slide his hands over your body, making you shudder slightly. But this time, it's a shudder of pleasure. He kissed every part of your body from head to stomach, then gently removed your top. He pushed his hair with a wave of his hand, revealing blue eyes piercing to fall out.

“It's... Maybe it's a little too soon. You may need a little time.” He said with a little smile.

“I... I’m sorry, I didn't want to...” you said worried by his reaction.

“It’s okay. I'll wait until you're ready. But on the other hand, that day ... I can't guarantee I'll control myself.”

“I can't wait to see that then.” you replied by getting up before being lying down again by Jed.

“I said I didn't want to sleep alone tonight.”

“I don't even have pyjamas for tonight!” you said laughing.

“Never mind... I'll lend you one.”

He put on a quick kiss before getting up and throwing a pyjama at you to change you. He undressed, wearing only his boxer before bed. Once changed, you join him in bed and you settle in his arms, passing your hand in his hair. You kiss one last time to wish you good night and fall asleep both. In his arms, all your fears fly away. All your worries disappear.

Nothing can happen to you.

Nothing scares you.

Not even Ghostface.

***

(I'm officially passing my code exam on April 9th! I can't wait! and I'm a little scared too XD But I've got a week to review so I should be fine! So, since we are confined for a month in France, the chapters will come out as planned, since I no longer go on vacation ... I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as the others! Good weekend to all! See ya!)

#dbd fanfic #dbd #dead by daylight #ghostface #danny johnson #jed olsen

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sopxhiea · 4 years

Text

Reckless

Alfie Solomons X Reader

Sabini makes an appearance.

| Prompt

“You’re going to burn in a very special level of hell. A level they reserve for child molesters, animal abusers and people who talk at the theatre.”

He was humming a low melody, one you recognised but couldn’t exactly pinpoint. It could’ve been something from the station for all you knew but you couldn’t put your finger on it, it was ought to bug you today.

The weather was quite lovely, spring was upon the city and the weather seemed to chirp up all the creatures that took shelter in the usual state of the city. You’d seen too many people around in the morning, just walking or playing around more than usual commotion, summer would come along soon.

You shifted your weight between your feet, leaning back on the wooden wall while the bulky man watched you. They’d told you that he was for protection, you didn’t need protection. He was the biggest guy you’d seen in a long time but something about him was familiar, strangely close to your heart. Your gaze traveled across his at first, finding a blank canvas of nothingness.

He was supposed to be here.

Alfie had called you in for a meeting with another gangster. He hadn’t told you who the other man was but you trusted him enough. You’d worked with him on numerous occasions and you knew he wouldn’t go so far as to pull something behind your back, he knew you’d kill him if he did.

You’d hesitate but you’d still cut his throat if he betrayed you.

You walked towards the heavy doors while the bulky man followed you, calling you ‘miss’ and telling you to stay where you were. He should’ve known better than to order you around. You turned towards him in one swift motion, eyes cold as ice while his gaze escaped yours.

After successfully scaring him off, you kicked down the door to Alfie’s office. He had told you he’d be with you in a few moments after greeting you at the door but he had also been the one to disappear into that office of his. His eyes looked at your figure when the loud noise of the door hitting the wall filled the spacious room.

Ollie’s mouth was agape.

It wasn’t the first time you’d kicked down a door, certainly not the first time you’d kicked down his door. You scoffed, seeing him knees deep in paper work. You had things to take care of, people to chase but there he was making you wait. He didn’t say anything but got up instead, you gave him a mocking smile as he talked.

“What’s got ye bothered, woman?” he spoke, getting his jacket.

You were supposed to meet the other guy an hour ago but he was far from being present. You scoffed again, a sarcastic expression on your face as he stared at you.

He knew how to get you fired, the sparks beneath your pupils were glistening. He mostly did it because it was amusing to him, entertaining to a point of slight arousal for the tall man.

“Where the hell is the men?” you said, following his built form through the corridors of the distillery. “You said the meeting would take place an hour ago!” you raised your voice while stepping in front of him, he stopped when his much bigger form towered above your small one.

“’m takin’ ya’ to the fuckin’ spot.” he said, calm and clear. You rolled your eyes before stepping out of the way with a loud sigh. He was so frustrating sometimes.

You were an agent of sorts, gathered information and killed when the occasion occurred. You stole for millionaires and accompanied rich man to dinners, only to hog information from their daft minds. You’d done business with Alfie more than a few times til now, he had hired you and worked with you on robbing some very powerful people and he said he had a new proposition for you and that explained your being in his distilliery.

The man was rough on the edges, blunt and way too stubborn. He was mostly agitated and didn’t like to negotiate but you’d managed to bring him down a little and snatch a few terms of your own to every work you did together.

He also happened to be brilliant, he was sharp and undeniably handsome. You overlooked the last fact most of the time, mostly because it had nothing to do with business and you didn’t intend on getting distracted by the tall man walking in front of you.

He also happened to be the only man able to fight the fire you had inside.

You had a quick wit, playful banter and cutting words were your specialty. You did your job well because you could speak your way into anything. It was sometimes an old man’s secret box or a classy event, you always got your way.

Your appearance helped, too.

Alfie knew you were smart, way too devious and rather sly compared to a person your age. You were younger than him but he was sure you’d had more experience killing men than he did, including his war memories. He enjoyed battling with you when it came to it, you were quick on your feet and a word he said would never go unanswered.

But you were also extremely captivating. Your look was one out of a dream, it helped you in your line of business. He’d expected a skeleton looking woman in her older years when they’d told him about all the things you did, he thought they were simply too many to fit in a young life out of logic.

Instead, he’d met an alluring young woman who held her chin high.

Ollie opened the door to the storage space rather loudly while you followed Alfie’s bigger form, right behind his side. Your eyes met the men inside, there were about fifteen young ones dressed in grey suits, one older man dressed in a creamy suit.

You hated his face.

You made a sour face when your eyes met his, he was the boss for sure but he had something unlikeable about him, you didn’t know what it was. Alfie walked in front of you, not shaking the man’s hand when he was about to sit but instead, showing him the seat with his hand while the other rested on his cane.

You watched them sit as many other males stood standing. The room was tense but it didn’t affect you. You sat down loudly, crossing your legs in a not-so-ladylike manner while everyone else looked at you, not Alfie.

He was used to it.

You offered the man a smile as Alfie cleared his throat, his attention brought to Alfie once again while you threw your arm around the chair you were sitting, it was a comfortable position but definitely not appropriate.

“‘ello, Alfie.” the boss of the other party spoke, his voice was more dreadful than you’d thought it would be.

You shook your head.

“‘ello, mate.” Alfie greeted back as Ollie stared at the man before him.

The boss turned to you, eyes scanning your rather awkward sitting position while you offered him a sheepish smile. Your first impressions were always a favourite of Alfie’s.

“Who’s the lady?” he spoke, sarcasm apparent in his voice while you stared right back at him. Alfie was about to speak but he knew better than to not let you have a go at Sabini.

“Why are you asking?” you spoke, eyes half closed while Sabini watched you sit up on the chair.

“I wouldn’t want word to get ou-” he spoke, you cut him off after understanding the point of the unfinished sentence. It was supposed to a be secret meeting and you were a stranger.

“I’m Alfie’s friend.” you spoke, Alfie’s amused eyes met yours and you winked at the familiar face.

Sabini seemed dumfounded until Alfie spoke, his eyes motioning at you while his voice filled the room. “My friend.” he almost smiled.

Your daring eyes met Sabini’s and instead of dwelling on the peculiar subject, he moved on to talk about the details. You listened intently but the tone of his voice started to get boring after the fist twenty minutes. You shifted on the chair again, throwing one leg on top of the other and moving your foot up and down.

Your foot remained on its own for a while until it hit Alfie’s much larger one. He didn’t react as he listened to the man before him so you nudged his foot again, making him move in his place. You touched his foot again once more, a little more persistently this time which made him turn to you with a low smile.

“...pet..” he said, warning you.

It was a wonder that you still hadn’t slept with him, you thought to yourself.

You’d come close, almost had him have you in dinner parties right then and there but you’d somehow gotten out of it. You knew how to tease him and he loved to tease you back, you were still wondering how his plump lips tasted after holding yourself back for the past two years of working with the man.

He recognised your gaze, lust swimming in your orbs as his lips parted. He mirrored the expression in your eyes, going from casual business Alfie to a hungry version of himself.

You were fire and he liked to play with fire.

You both held each others’ gazes for more than a minute and some more before Sabini spoke up. He was unable to read the energy between you and Alfie, unlike Ollie who had flushed cheeks from the intense stares you were giving Alfie.

“What the fuck is going on?” Sabini raised his voice after his last two questions were ignored. You didn’t even know what he’d asked.

You both turned to the man but you were quicker than Alfie in terms of action. Standing up, you inched closer to Sabini’s face with hands on the table. He leaned back when you got all over his face, you were seething with anger. You spoke into his face as he watched you fire up.

“You’re going to burn in a very special level of hell. A level they reserve for child molesters, animal abusers and people who talk at the theatre.”

He chuckled weakly at first, not realising that you had a small blade right under your finger that was inching closer to his throat. All his men got their guns out in the next second, everyone was standing up now that guns were out except Alfie who kept on watching you.

The contract was long forgotten.

You let Sabini’s collar go and leaned back, you were still standing when you fixed your hair a little and spoke. All the guns were pointed at you except the ones on Alfie’s men had on their hands.

“I’m not gonna kill you..” you said, a smile on your lips Alfie was too familiar with. “..not today, anyway. I’m wearing a new dress.” you chuckled at the end of your sentence and the last remark made all men look at you once more.

You looked like you were meant to be reading poetry under a tree, not dealing with dirty old men and their meaningless words.

Alfie chuckled at your words, his eyes sparkled with admiration and lust. You sat back down and put your elbows on the shared table as Sabini’s assistant kept his mouth open.

“The contract will be signed by Alfie and me.” you spoke, letting the man know of the participants of the deal.

“And I think it’s fucking underwhelming for someone with your reputation..” you shook your head as he stared at you with shock on his face. “I’m not signing it..” you smiled innocently before finishing your sentence. “...because it sucks.”

You leaned back on the chair, letting the man absorb the weight of your own words while Alfie chuckled at you, he loved seeing you like this.

He stuttered at first, found it hard to speak because he felt insulted, and he was. You watched as he screamed at you, anger and frustration evident in his eyes as he spoke the words a little too loudly. You let him unleash the feelings, watching him get up and throw a couple punches. He then started screaming at Alfie, calling you all sorts of things and blaming him for such a bad scene.

He wouldn’t let the words go but he knew you were just warming up so he let Sabini be.

He sat down with a heavy chest while you watched him calm down. “You’re done?” you asked, he didn’t say anything.

“A bitch?” you asked, talking about his latest remark about you.

“How original!” you gave him a smile while Alfie watched you dig your finger on his knee, the small blade went all the way through while his men just stared at the scene, guns ready in their hands but they just froze.

You got up, Alfie watched you as you straightened down your dress and gave him a smile. You would see Alfie soon about all this but you were too tired for this. He was glad you could even come, the blade on Sabini’s knee was the perk of it. Your hand rested on Alfie’s shoulder while you said your goodbye to him, turning Sabini not too long after for the final farewell.

“I’ll see you in hell.”

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psychemeanscure · 3 years

Text

PART 15

Yes, their treacherous war has started indeed that for some time Sung Eunyoung will be left off-guard the moment she went out of her car through entering her possible investor’s premise just to be fazed by the leaving familiar parade of his underlings’ car or rather him in it. “Mierda! He’s at it again?” getting robbed surely for every now and then Jang Taeyoung’s persuasions were getting better and better. Guess Zilo’s helping hand somehow paved way literally.

Yet with next days she manages to counter still. “Boss, they pulled back with our offer.” Like how the simple message he heard from his assistant annoyed him on the spot. “What? F*ck this, Sung Eunyoung!” Cursing by her savage competence for he had lost another entrance of opportunity.

Their game of gain and loss, the survival of the fittest, name it. They’re on the bridge of push and pull of business rivalries that’s for sure. Before they realize? They both burnout with exhaustion. Riled with loads of work ups and deals, they certainly need a break.

Especially, Jang Taeyoung. For it is winter. The season he hated the most. A day he doesn’t want to remember. It slipped in his mind perhaps thanks to their busy reciprocal fights somehow, but not when he happened to glimpse by the window glass though. ‘Sucks.’ A curse he can only manage with his thoughts, walking lazily to get the clearer view.

Surely as he saw few snowflakes dropping by. He confirmed it. The next thing he did? He was already drinking hard of his whiskey until he went drop, oblivious of his drunken state. He had never been in a while but guess he chose just this once as exception.

It’s past midnight yet Sung Eunyoung is still up in the middle of reviewing few documents in her room when a consecutive ringing from her apartment’s doorbell and knocking of the door interrupted her from doing so as a crunching forehead creep into annoyance. “Who the hell is dilapidating my doorsteps in wee hours?! Ugh.”

Not minding to check the intercom again, she was shock after finding out who it was indeed. A drunk Jang Taeyoung leaning by the threshold who seems planning to offer a set of drinks seeing the plastic bag he carries which intently levels in front of her while the other in its common spot in his pocket. Faced with an exaggerating smile, he greeted. “Hi. Can I come in?”

For a drunken person, he’s pretty decent somehow. A good thing perhaps. Twitching her brows then while crossing arms, she speaks. “The last thing I know we were enemies already, aren’t we?”

Her simple counter certainly just to be welcome by his disappointed leaning head to the wall and a falling elevated hands with plastic bag. “Right. But can we at least drop it and be friends?”

“What? Are you seriou---“

“Just for today. Please, Sung Eunyoung. Hm?”

And God knows how she was taken aback from what she heard. Or rather, from the gentle expression she had never seen on him but now. Has to even blink twice as if absorbing every sentence, he said. ‘Cabrón.’ With the unspoken curse she obliged to hide, she composes herself by avoiding his gaze. “Whatever.”

Her firm consent instead while occupying her long couch in the living room, dodging the fact that he even chooses to sit beside her. Tending a drunk man, she considers pampering him for once surely as she was just constantly gaping every move he does without her usual nagging. Pulling out the contents of the plastic bag consist of canned beers and as well the instant product she can’t believe she would witness with him. “Ramyeon?” her surprised sound from the word definitely before shaking her head as if she already knew what’s the next thing that could happened. “Jang Taeyoung, don’t you dare ask me to cook for you cab---“

“Please?”

‘What the?’ Cut by a request certainly for she can’t help but to think a cuss again. “Hey look you Cabrón, if you were just craving for noodles why not bought cup noodles instead of tiring me like I’m some sort of your nanny here. Come on.”

Proceeded by her continues rejection just to be responded by his pity- kind of sigh. “I was actually looking for a soup ingredient but can’t find any from that lousy convenience store so I end up buying this instead.”

“What? So you even intended for a soup? Great!”

Her sarcastic reply then, only to see the pleading expression he keeps on giving even a while ago. Enough for her to surrender as well. “Aish. F*ck this. Will you just stop that candid face of yours? You’re not even a puppy to begin with. Please!”

As a rare English curse came into her, glaring to the only chuckling man in front of her. “So you’re doing it? Does it work?”

“Shut up.” Snatching the product from his hand with no choice but to enter her kitchen with a frown, nagging in between every move she does. Yet she ends up finishing it anyway to later remembering what he actually wanted in the first place though. Unfortunately, she’s not too familiar with the variety so guess she has to choose the most typical kind which everyone knows eventually. Good thing she have still ingredients of it from her storage that with a pulling for more kitchenware and bowls she basically starts cooking again then. “Tss. I can’t believe I’m doing this for that loco.”

Her last ramble of words indeed before finally setting up her finished work on the tray, obliging to serve it to her unwelcome guest as always. Just to be thanked by a half sleeping Jang Taeyoung who’s head already rested on the backrest of the couch. “What a life. Now I have to deal with a sleeping adult.” Putting the tray on the center table then as she was just standing right there staring at him for no reason like she has to grant the rest he needed.

Not when she begins to memorize his face though. The meek appearance she never imagined to perceive in front of her eyes. New to the smart- like eyeglasses she only once saw him wear but now. The standard curled brush up of his hair for she can always observe every outline of his manly forehead. Enough of denials, she did saw him as a handsome lad of her liking. She just doesn’t like to admit it given the arrogance he possesses.

Too late for her to realize what she is currently doing actually. Absentmindedly tracing the parts, she describes till she went overboard to his lips as it only takes a second for her to come back on reverie. Almost touching hands stop mid-air, shutting eyes in conviction from her crazy actions she could have executed.

Before she knew? She was already tapping impulsively with his right shoulder by her right back hand which apparently wakes him up from slumber. Met by the still half hooded eyes, straighten up in a snap recognizing his positon. Pleased after sighting the serve tray with covered bowls on it. “Oh, okay. It’s ready.” As he was blinking in couple of times as if hiding the obvious embarrassment by composing himself like an innocent victim. Swearing all her might from her own thoughts seeing a peculiar behavior she had never future giving in with suppressing laugh. Lucky to be able to hold it thankfully as she cleared her throat, placing her usual straight face.

“You better pay me after this loco or I might just destroy you completely. You know how expensive I am, aren’t you?”

As if a threatening sarcasm she seriously means while voluntarily opening two canned beers, taking one for herself and one for him before deciding to sit on the single couch instead. Unaware of what he is reacting for she is still busy savoring her own drink yet aware of his silence thus she insists to proceed in another rambles. “By the way, speaking of which. I was about to remind you tha---“

Just to be confused finally after seeing the reaction. ‘Again? What’s with him today, really.’ The unspoken verdict she prefers not to voice out. “Hey! If you just being picky from my effort, then better trash it inst---“

Intended to switch the mood somehow by standing while planning to pick up the bowls he already opened only to be cut off anyway from him stopping her wrist. “No. Please don’t.” He leads her instead to sit next to him again. “It’s good, Eunyoung. Thank you.” To later saw a small smile after, and for her to guess what she felt with his presence all along.

Reserved. He looks reserved like he obliged to keep it on his own. Yet she remained silent. She was just right there observing his every move once again as he quietly starts to get some rice she includes to serve to slurping between the noodles and the soup he actually stared for quite a minute as it was also the reason of her sudden confusion. ‘What’s bothering you, Jang Taeyoung’ unspoken concern she obliged to hide.

That with a loud thud of spoon and chopsticks, and a final belch of being full, she chooses to offer her satisfaction and pride. “Wow… what a hospitable guest I have. Doesn’t even try to give an inch for his hired cook.”

A mockery he obviously understands which he answered by a chuckle as well. “Well you didn’t ask, so I presume you’re not hungry. Were you?” rolling her eyes not wanting to fight a drunk man. “Let me guess. Five bottles of whiskey?”

Only to be reciprocated by his knowing arrogance. “Ten, actually.”

For she can only draw in shock. “What? And you can still stand like a sober one?”

Garnering a laugh from him already. “Come on, milady. You do know I’m Jang Taeyoung for nothing as well, right?” initially tilting his head afterwards “And your serving only makes it helpful to complete it.”

Acknowledging her lose by his wink after the last sentence indeed, she surrendered groaning in defeat. “Stop it, Jang Taeyoung or get out.” As it’s not already hard for him to cope up on what she means, laughing from the idea instead. “Alright, I’ll stop.”

If this was an ordinary day she used to foresee his slyness, she surely drags him already out of her doorsteps but no. He was undoubtedly obedient that he only casually positions himself to a better angle where he can stare at her comfortably. Idly resting his head on the backrest again but this time, in sideways. Truly as she is also leaning by the armrest, free to look at him as well.

It was as if a solemn air indulges them to seek in silence and just remain in there steady breathing while devouring their separate drinks. She only waited. So as he broke the ice. “Eunyoung.” His mere call of her name. “Hm.” with the mere hum she replied.

“Can you talk about your mother?”

She stifled. Stiffed in the middle of trailing the rim of her own beer, looking at him with a baffled frown. “Are you sure you went to the right person?” a sarcasm which only answered by his chuckle the moment he shifts in a straighten position again, looking down calmly to its cupping hands of his own drink. “I’m sure I am.” Shrugging his shoulders then as he proceeded for another sentence. “It’s just that, beside your father’s story I haven’t heard about your mother’s.”

“And why is so?”

This time he turns a head to her again. “You wouldn’t know. I might spill something for your interest.”

A matter of fact, it intrigued her indeed. She gave in. For she watches by the glass window right behind from where they’re seated. “She died.” And it surprised him. Yet he remained silent while only waiting for her to continue. “Chronic cancer. Mom’s death was maybe one of the reason of father’s downfall with his business. He can’t think straight, guess that’s why it’s easy for that Spanish hag to take advantage of his motive.”

It was her turn then to look down on its own. Getting sensitive from the memories of her biological parents. Rubbing some droplets of water from her canned beer. “And you know what’s strange?”

“What?”

She looks up then to gaze at him once again. “That we can’t seemed to find her body after being put up in mortuary.”

“Dad that time is planning a private burial for mom, then the day after tomorrow it disappeared. Even the hospital staffs felt puzzled as they were also sure that they have taken mom from that storage.”

“Unless…” he started to interrupt finally.

“Yes, unless of someone. So dad tried checking the hospital’s security, even brought it to the police but none. They can’t give any leads. He was devastated and I can only cry for I am still powerless kid.”

“But you have it now. Did you try?”

“I did.”

Shaking her head then. “But in spite of all the connections I earned, I can’t still.”

So as quietness came in then as it was enough for Jang Taeyoung to fill the pieces in his mind. Staring bewilderedly with nowhere, open for Sung Eunyoung’s notice once more as she tilted her head out of curiosity. “Why?”

Sighing for he is still processing things on a right place. “Now it makes sense.”

For it was her turn to get confused over. “What do you mean?” a simple question, little not knowing what comes next.

“I heard it.”

And it triggered her. Just right to halt the elevated canned beer she somehow planned to sip again.

“What?”

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supernaturallyobsessedchic · 3 years

Text

7 Days to Die - Part 6

Home

Pairing: Jensen x Reader, Danneel x Reader (Jenneel)

Warnings: Scary situation, implied smut, implied threesome, poly-relationships, maybe fluff (it’s a feel good one I think)

Word Count: 2,086

Summary: It’s a race against the clock when Danneel doesn’t get better. The reader and Jensen trek far to get the meds she needs. And discover some feelings along the way.

Main Masterlist

7 Days to Die Masterlist

Mobile Masterlist

“How’s Danneel?” Jensen asked.

“Look boss, there’s no easy way to tell you this.” Benny says.

Misha enters to conversation, having finished with Y/N. “Dee’s fever keeps getting worse, though we keep lowering it as best we could, but it just keeps going up.” He explains.

“It’s odd, if the kids and her had the same shit, and the kids bounced back just fine. They’re with Gen by the way.” He explains, quickly adding. “But she just gets worse. And keeps getting worse no matter how hard we fight against it. And I’m running out of supplies.” He says.

“We got to find out quick, I’m not losing her either.” Jensen urges.

When Y/N woke up, Danneel was still fighting a fever.

She walked out of the infirmary feeling achy but better. She heads to the camp entrance to find Benny and Jensen standing watch.

“How long was I out?” she asks, startling them.

“Chic’s a silent walker.” Benny says, placing a hand over his own chest.

“Yeah she is.” Jensen says, walking over to her. Engulfing her in a hug.

“Thank god you’re okay.” He whispers.

“You were worried about me?” she asked.

“Of course, I am, you’re my friend. You had my back, saved me countless times.” He says.

Countless times? She wondered.

“How’s your wife?” she asked.

“She’s still fighting a fever. Her immune system is overrun by a virus. And they’re trying to find the right meds to fight it.” He says.

“Let me look at my map for check points, I have all kinds of markers on my map.” She says.

“Now, why do you have a special map and we don’t?” Benny asked.

“Because it’s where I’ve been. I’ve walked all the way up here from the states.” She says. “Been across my share of military base camps, medic camps, you name it, I’ve seen it.” she adds. As she digs in her pack to pull out a stack of maps. Labeling them as such, military, medical, food and shelters.

And she took Jensen’s map, being a map of the Vancouver area, mostly just the British Columbia territory.

She does the math, considering her maps are in states, and towns from where she’s visited. She needs to map out how far the trek would be.

She was doing the math in a cabin used for security. She comes out, looking not too happy, yet not too sure either.

“How bad?” Jensen asks.

“Well, do you want good news first or bad news?” she asked.

“Do they go hand in hand?” he asks. She nods. “Good news then.” Jensen says.

“Okay, I found a camp that is labeled to have meds, and supplies for CDC officials. They have camps all over the US.” She says.

“Bad news is, it’s far.” Jensen says. She nods, closing her eyes with a sigh.

“Yes, it’s about a week’s walk or more. But if I have a horse, or a car, I could get there faster.” She says.

“You’re not going alone.” Jensen says.

Considering walkers, raiders and cannibals, she needs someone to watch her back.

“Fine, but do we have that mode of transportation or not?” she asked.

“We kept the Impala, but there’s too high of a risk of it either attracting the wrong attention or attention period. Or it breaking down. It’s been acting up.” Benny says.

“I bet; you guys must have put some miles on it.” Y/N says.

“That we did.” Jensen says.

“There’s a Jeep in back, it’s new. One of the kids hijacked it and brought it here. You could use that.” Benny says.

“Okay, we need to pack and leave. Now. My wife can’t wait any longer.” Jensen urges.

“Already packed, let’s hit it.” Y/N says.

With the occasional off roading, she sped the whole way to the camp on the map.

The camp was, just outside of Seattle Washington. She made it within a day.

The camp came into view as they screeched to a halt.

“Grab all that you can, we’ll haul it in the Jeep.” Jensen says. Y/N nods.

They ran in the abandoned camp, going from tent to tent, building to building, grabbing jars of medicine, bandages, antiseptics, surgical supplies, even gowns and gloves. They made multiple trips, carrying arms full of loot.

They heard a hiss of a walker nearby.

Once they thing they got everything, the got in the Jeep and drove back to Vancouver.

The engine showing signs of overheating caused them to stop. They were still miles from the camp, but they weren’t about to carry all the medical supplies they looted.

Jensen parks the Jeep on the side of the road, turning off the lights so as to not draw attention to them. And prepares to keep watch as Y/N works at getting comfortable.

She kept tossing, not finding that sweet spot she could tolerate sleeping in.

“Sorry, this isn’t comfortable of place to stay.” Jensen says.

“It’s okay, it’ll still do. I’ll just wait a bit. Try to relax before I try to sleep.” She says.

“I just hope that this is enough to help her fight.” Jensen says.

“It is, I was grabbing some very wordy, and lengthy names of medicines, for some reason that told me it’ll help her. Just got to have faith Jensen. She’ll make it.” She says. “Besides…We pretty much cleared the camp and emptied it of everything.” She added. Jensen nods.

Lifting the center console to reveal a middle seat, he sits closer. She didn’t question it, she embraced him. She can feel him tremble at the thought of losing his wife. He just needed the assurance that she’ll be okay.

Jensen buried his face in the crook of her neck as they hugged, taking in her comfort.

When he pulls away slowly, his hand still by the nape of her neck, she sees him look at her lips. Then leans in slowly, hesitantly. And lightly brushes his lips along hers in a gentle kiss.

It took her a minute to register before she kissed him back.

They’re lips moved together in the kiss, as they poured out their love into it.

They were letting in breaths in through their noses as they continued, and deepening the kiss.

Jensen’s tongue brushing along her lip, asking for permission. She parts her lips, allowing him access.

He works her down onto her back, laying in the front seat of the Jeep. As their moment begins to build into something more.

The sun was about to rise when they decided it was time to hit the road.

Despite the pleasurable night, neither one got any shut eye. But felt rested and content. As they drove, Y/N sitting in the middle seat leaning into Jensen’s side as he drove.

Entering the complex with the supplies, they rushed to get Danneel the meds she desperately needs, and it quickly became a waiting game after the first few doses.

She just had sex with Jensen Ackles, how will Danneel react if she wakes up? Or was that just a heated moment? Her mind reeled at the thoughts and scenarios. But all she can do, is wait.

As the days passed, Danneel slowly improved.

And when she finally got the okay to go home she was eager to see Jensen again.

She saw him at his post, like always.

“Jensen?” she goes.

“Baby?” Jensen says, looking extremely happy she’s alive, healthy and awake.

He rushes to her and engulfs her in a big, tight hug.

“Jay, babe, I need to breathe.” Danneel says, after a while in his arms.

“Sorry, it’s just, I’ve come so close to losing you.” He says. “If it weren’t for Y/N, who drove me to keep looking for meds, you wouldn’t be awake right now.” He adds.

“Well then let me thank her too. She not only helped save me, but she kept my man sane.” She says.

“Think Misha has her out on a hunt, she should be back soon.” Jensen says. “She took Jared’s place.” He adds.

“Oh, where is he?” Danneel asked.

“On our trip back, he was scratched by a walker. He…died.” Jensen says, feeling remorseful looking back on that day.

“How’d Gen take it?” She asked.

“Not well, but she’s doing better. Y/N and I have been keeping an eye on her. Y/N’s been looking after the kids when she can.” Jensen says.

“This Y/N, she sounds quiet the character.” Danneel says.

“We’re back!” They heard from the trail. “And we got the good stuff in the way of food and clothes.” Y/N says leading her pack back.

“I’ll take the food over at Mass Hall.” Rob says, carrying a few of the boxes as he lead a few guys carrying food to said Mass Hall.

“And Benny and Jensen, weapons.” Y/N says, pointing to the Jeep, loaded to the brim with ammo crates, boxes of all kinds of weapon goodness.

“We’d be lost without her and her map.” Benny says as he checks in the weapons.

“And medical?” Jensen asked.

“Of course medical, I already brought it to the medical supply camp back there.” She says.

“Hi Danneel.” Y/N says, noticing she’s up and at them. “Nice to see you awake. Jensen wouldn’t stop worrying, I kept telling him you were fine.” She says.

“I’m glad you’ve been keeping him sane for the time being.” She says.

“Any word from Gen?” Y/N asks Jensen.

“She’s fine today, maybe watch our kids for Danneel. I don’t get off till late.” Jensen says.

“Will do.” Y/N says.

“I’ll walk you to the cabin.” Danneel says. Leading the way.

That night, Y/N and Danneel just talked and talked as they watched the kids play and be kids from the front porch of their cabin, sitting on an outdoor couch. Danneel learned of what they did on their ventures. And how close Jensen came to dying due to the gun shot injury.

Even their moment on the drive back.

“I didn’t want to say anything, but, I’m not all for keeping secrets. It’s worse if you’ve kept it and they are just now discovering it in the most wrong way possible or worse if it’s years in the future.” Y/N explained.

“It’s okay, I’m not mad.” Danneel says.

“Y-…You’re not?” Y/N asked, confused. “Most women when they find out their man did that, they’d be pissed.” She adds.

“For some reason I’m not.” She says. “And the more I hang out with you the more comfortable I am with you, it’s like…It’s like I’m falling for a girl, which hardly ever happens. Last girl I had a crush on tried to use me.” She adds.

“Oh, well I’m not all about that. And I’m flattered you like me. I like you too actually.” Y/N says.

Danneel smiles, and rests her head on Y/N’s shoulder.

“If we continued this, would it be weird if…a married couple, such as ourselves, ever loved someone else. Like, make it a poly-relationship?” Danneel asked.

“Maybe to some. But I’m not weirded out by it, oddly enough. I guess as long as it’s something all three of us would want.” Y/N says. “And if all three of us, really loved each other.” She adds.

“My guts saying to do it.” Danneel says.

“Then lets. I mean, I feel like Jensen, like, I know his feelings toward me. I mean a few nights ago, that told me a lot. And if you want to try it, and I want to try it. Then I say let’s do it.” Y/N explains.

Danneel looks up at Y/N from where she sat, resting her head on her shoulder. Y/N returns the soft and content look. And Danneel takes that chance and delivers a gentle kiss.

Y/N quickly returns the kiss and the girls sat there, kissing sweetly until they hear a groan near them.

Jensen had quietly walked up the stairs to their porch, off duty, expressing how turned on he was with the dark expression in his eyes.

“That was so hot.” Jensen moans. As he takes two easy strides to his girls, kissing both sweetly on the lips.

“Something tells me, daddy’s wanting some.” Danneel says, with a devilish grin.

“And daddy want’s doubles.” Jensen says, turning to Y/N.

“Let’s get the kids in, it’s getting late.” Y/N says with a smile as Jensen kisses her neck. Giggling when his lips gently suck on her pulse point. Only to turn into a moan when he doesn’t stop sucking and biting the patch of skin.

“And inside we go.” Danneel goes, break them up and guiding them inside.

Jensen Tags:

@luci-in-trenchcoats, @supernatural-jackles, @becs-bunker, @mlovesstories, @winchesters-favorite-girl, @moonlight-on-her-skin, @backseat-of-deans-67chevy, @salt-n-burn-em-all

Copying and reposting someone else’s content is plagiarism and illegal. This work is property of supernaturallyobsessedchic. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. These works contain material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of these works may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher. An electronic reference link to the original posted work may be provided for purposes of promotion or assistance of publication by the readers discretion, if proper credits are given to the author in the re-post. 10/28/2020

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thanks--for--listening · 3 years

Text

atlas

are we surprised I caved and wrote angsty wandavision fic? no. not really. also because I was too slow to get this done before 1x05 we’re gonna just forget about that episode right now. (also on ao3)

Nobody touched her when it was over. An army of agents, and all they could do was stare.

The battle had been quick enough. If she was being honest, she didn’t remember most of it. Newscasters would report about a red sky, booming thunder but no rain in sight. Before, that type of attention might have sent her heart racing, might have caused a panic over the delicacy of her public perception. Not anymore. She didn’t care about what they might say. She didn’t care about whoever was behind it, the puppet master pulling her strings. She didn’t care about anything at all.

—

Cracks had been building since the start. Wanda wasn’t so blind that she couldn’t see them. Dinner. The beekeeper. The imposter. It had lived in her, the pressure, the weight of the walls she refused to let crumble.

She’d patched them up as best she could. Every hole, every slip, she’d fixed with a spark of red. When bandages weren’t enough, she’d held the world together herself, thrown it onto her back without a second thought. Any pain she had to endure would be welcomed, if it meant salvation.

But when the curtain fell and the lights dimmed, when the credits began to roll and the actors took their bows, the undeniable truth couldn’t be ignored: her world was bleeding out. And she wasn’t sure she was strong enough to save it.

—

Interrogation rooms were their own kind of deception. She’d spent enough time in them to know that nobody was ever on her side. Promises made were nothing but lies cloaked in pleasantries that would crumble the minute Wanda opened her mouth. And despite their claims, nobody would ever listen to anything they couldn’t use against her.

She was only vaguely aware of the man sitting in front of her. Suit that screamed government, grey hair that couldn’t hide the youth underneath. She didn’t have to hear him — he’d follow the same script as the others. He’d say he only wanted to ask her some questions, would talk in his most neutral voice, would do his best to keep either fear or disgust or both out of his eyes. When she didn’t answer, he’d get angry. The volume would increase with every lack of reaction, until she could feel his spit on her cheeks and his fists pounding against the table.

It wouldn’t work. All their notes and profiles and desperate attempts to figure her out, and they never learned. She’d spent two days waiting to die. When hunger gnawed at her gut, when fear shook every bone in her body, when an exhale could have brought the whole building crashing down around her, she’d survived. When the only thing standing between life and death was her strength of will, it became a power of its own.

Threats of making a home out of a prison cell she’d lived in before fell flat at her feet. The straightjacket’s embrace was too familiar to cause the discomfort they hoped for. Her eyes had watched the world disintegrate into nothing. Her body had been torn apart and put back together by the same hands. Over and over and over again she’d let her heart attach itself to another’s, only to end up shattered, pieces jagged and sharp and as dangerous as the rest of her.

Rock bottom had its perks; there wasn’t a single thing these agents could say or do to make her life any worse.

—

Chaos came quickly. She wasn’t sure if everyone else could see it. There was a buzz in the air, a mimicry of the white noise that indicated a lost connection. Standing in the middle of the street, she could see the houses flickering, their occupants an artificial type of calm. They were all watching her.

He was watching her, too. The facade had faded, the concern of people seeing his real face forgotten entirely. He wasn’t one to panic often, but she could see it in his eyes. They didn’t search for anyone or anything else, didn’t hunt for a culprit the way she had. They just stayed glued to her. “Wanda.” The desperation was quiet. She wasn’t sure anyone else would have noticed it. “You have to make it stop.”

“I’m trying. I don’t know how.”

“What do you mean you don’t know how?“

“I mean, I don’t know what’s happening. I don’t know how to stop it.”

“But—but before, you always—“

“That was different! The small stuff was easy, but this...something’s wrong at its core. It’s out of my hands.”

He looked like he didn’t want to ask. “How? How could that be possible?”

“Because,” she said, fighting the voice in her head that demanded she keep her mouth shut. “I didn’t put us here, Vision.”

The words felt like a confession. It wasn’t her. It never had been. She could fix it, could adjust the world she lived in, but she hadn’t created it. And she certainly wasn’t behind its destruction.

“Then—then we can just leave. Let it fall apart. We’ll live outside, go to a new town, buy a new house. Start over.”

She shook her head. “We can’t.”

“But why—“

“You can’t.” God, she was so sick of crying. The walls tried to close in on her, as if they could feel her heart tightening. She pushed them back, forced air into her lungs and refused to let go.

“Wanda.” Even now, his voice had a softness, a gentle touch that she hadn’t found anywhere else. “Am I...did something happen to me? Before we came to Westview?”

The pressure grew, and she couldn’t keep a shout in as her grip tightened on their reality.

“Wanda, you have to tell me. Please.”

She’d never regretted anything about their relationship. She’d cursed the circumstances, condemned fate and bureaucracy and everything else that kept them apart, but never the bond itself. Not until now. All she wanted to do was look away, but her eyes met his against her will. It was like they were drawn to him, like something cosmic was tying them together. Not even their world collapsing could stop it.

“You—“ her voice shook, the images coming too quickly for her to block out. “You asked me to do it. To destroy it.” The light had been blinding, had robbed her of seeing his face one last time. He’d promised her he felt no pain, but he’d forgotten where her powers came from, the energy source that fueled them both. And in the moment before the blast, when it sent out a desperate plea, a last-ditch effort to avoid combustion, she’d felt it. Even with Thanos to her left, even with the fate of the world in her hands, she would have hesitated. She would have done anything to stop that feeling, to keep him and the stone intact.

It didn’t give her the chance.

“The stone.” He said it like he remembered. She prayed he didn’t.

“You begged me. You said it—it had to be me. There was no one else.”

The look in his eyes didn’t change. Even in her worst, even when she’d turned her power against him, he’d never held an ounce of fear toward her. “And did you?”

She nodded. “I didn’t want to do it. I didn’t want to, but I did, and then...and then he—“

The sky nearly collapsed; saving it was agony. He reached for her when she screamed, tried to protect her from the threat he couldn’t feel. Wanda wanted nothing more than to run to him, but she couldn’t let go. She wasn’t sure what would happen to him if she did.

He frowned. It looked all wrong on him. “You can’t hold on for much longer.”

“Yes, I can.”

“If it isn’t you, then there’s someone else behind all of this. And I don’t think they’re going to stop until Westview is no more.”

She shook her head. “I can fix it.”

“It’s draining you. I can feel it. I can feel you.”

A shiver went up her spine. “Don’t say that.”

“The boys, the town — can they survive outside?”

“I don’t know!” The barrier pulsed. Billy, Tommy, their neighbors, they were safe so long as they were here. She could fix anything inside these walls; it was outside she couldn’t control. “I don’t know,” she said quietly, more to herself than to him. “I don’t know.”

—

They left her alone for a while. As if they thought solitude might drive her mad enough to give them some kind of confession. As if they thought she still had a sound mind to lose.

Wanda didn’t care. If she closed her eyes, she could relive the moments she longed to go back to. Vision holding Tommy for the first time. Sharing ice cream in the park. Billy falling asleep in her arms. It wasn’t the same, but it was better than staring at nothing. Better than remembering reality.

She didn’t move when she heard the door open. It didn’t matter that he’d come back; nothing he said or did could pull her from where she longed to be. The sound of the chair screeching against the floor didn’t phase her, not when she could replace it with his endearingly pitiful singing, echoes from his desperate attempt to distract his boss’s wife.

“Hey, neighbor.” Her eyes betrayed her, snapped open at the familiar voice. Her hair was different, and she wore an outfit that made it clear she was with whatever group had cleaned up the mess. None of that mattered — she’d recognize those eyes anywhere. They’d belonged to an ally once. A friend.

The collar around her throat vibrated at her body’s instinctive call to her powers. Those eyes had also belonged to an enemy.

“I should probably start with an apology.” If she expected Wanda to react to her words, she didn’t let it show. “Although, to be fair, that town pulled me in without giving me much of a choice in the matter. That probably should have been my first clue that it wasn’t your doing.”

Wanda held her tongue. She was a prop, a familiar face being used against her. The good cop in relation to the bad cop she’d met earlier. She wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of breaking her.

And yet, the temptation grew, ever so slightly. It was the first time since the fight that she’d seen anyone from Westview.

“I should also tell you that everyone from that suburban nightmare is alright. I mean, they’re disoriented as fuck, but they’ll survive.”

The question sat heavy on her tongue, itching to come out. She refused to let it.

Her face softened. “We don’t know anything about the twins,” she told her, answering the very thing Wanda couldn’t ask. “It’s like they just...disappeared. Like they never existed. I’m sorry.”

She shut her eyes again. She didn’t want to think about that, about who else she may have left behind. Who else died with Westview.

—

“Wanda.”

“I can fix it.” Her arms were locked above her head, her effort covering their entire town in red. “I can fix it, Vis. I can fix it.”

“You’re the strongest person I know. You’re the strongest person on this planet. But some things just can’t be fixed.”

“No, I can do it. I can stop it.”

“Someone’s doing this to us, Wanda. They’re trapping all these people in here.”

“No. This isn’t a trap. It’s our home.”

“It’s not.”

“Why can’t it be?” The desperation was palpable, but she couldn’t find the energy to care. “Does it matter that we didn’t create this world? It gave me you. It gave us our family.”

“Darling, if I— if I can’t live out there, then it isn’t real.”

“Bullshit. We’re real, aren’t we? Our love for each other is real. Our love for our boys is real.”

“Yes, but—“

“This life, it can be our reality. I can make it our reality.”

“And what about everyone else?” He pointed behind them, motioned to the rows of houses that lined the street. “Does our reality become theirs as well?”

“I—I don’t know. I didn’t bring them here.”

“But if you fix it, if you build Westview’s walls back up, they’ll be trapped with us.”

“I don’t care.”

“I know you do.”

“No, I don’t. I don’t care about anybody else.”

“You’re a hero, Wanda. You care about helping people. You have a good heart and you fight for what’s right. And that’s why you have to let it go.”

Her knees threatened to buckle underneath her. “Why?” She yelled loud enough for the forces of the universe to hear her. “Why do I always have to lose everything to save everyone else? Why does it always have to be me?”

“I don’t know. I know everything else in the world except for why you constantly have to hurt the most.”

She stared at him, memorized every inch of his face. It was a habit she’d developed years ago, when their meetings were few and far between. A temporary fix to tide her over until she never had to stop looking.

The tears hadn’t stopped since the collapse began, but she felt them fall even faster. “It isn’t fair.”

“I know it’s not. But you have to be the hero, Wanda.”

“What’s the point? What’s the point of winning if I’m only going to lose you?”

“You can save everyone else. All our neighbors and friends. Our boys. I’m not worth hurting them. I’m not worth you hurting yourself.”

“You are.” She begged him to hear her, to believe her. “You’re worth everything.”

“I can’t be.” The desperation she’d monopolized slipped into his voice. “You can’t let me be.”

It was an impossible ask. He was blessed with ignorance, with the gift of the sacrificed. He gave his life, but she had to live with it. To watch him die, twice, and be expected to move on and be okay.

“Please don’t ask me to do this,” she pleaded, her voice bargaining with him even when she knew it was fruitless. “I can’t—I can’t lose you again.”

He put his palm on her cheek, and she melted into it. “How can you lose me if I’m already gone?”

“You’re not gone to me.”

“And I never will be. I promise.”

She looked up, stared at the red that continued to spill into the sky, forming a dome all around them. Her strength, materialized. When she’d signed up for it, what felt like lifetimes ago, she’d been desperate for some kind of control. Something she could use to protect herself, her brother, her home. A reason to never be afraid again.

“I don’t want it.” It wasn’t the first time she’d thought it, but it was the only time she’d felt confident in the feeling. “I don’t want this power anymore.”

“Don’t say that.”

“It’s true. This...this curse, all it ever does is hurt people. All I ever do is hurt people.”

“You have never hurt me, Wanda.”

“Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, I have. I’ve thrown you so far into the ground I don’t know how you ever came back up. I’ve changed your perception, your thoughts.” She took a breath. “I’ve killed you, Vision.”

“You’ve also given me more joy than I ever thought possible. You’ve given me our family. You’ve given me time, Wanda. Time to experience everything life has to offer. I have never felt more human than when I’m with you. I can’t begin to explain what that means to me. ”

“What good are my powers if they can’t save you? What good am I if I can’t keep you?”

He brought his second hand up, held her face in his palms. “Darling, our life here has felt like a fairytale. Even in its flaws and imperfections, it’s been bliss. But our story has to end. Like every story does.”

Her voice got caught in her throat. “It’s too short.”

“The best tales often are.”

The pressure increased. Any more and she knew she’d be on her knees, crumbling under the weight of the world. Atlas reimagined.

Her mind tried to balance the scales, the consequences of holding on and letting go. Every calculation only ended in pain. If it was only hers, if he had asked her to let him stay, then maybe...maybe she’d be able to make the choice she wanted to make. Maybe it wouldn’t be so hard.

Wanda closed her eyes, gave herself a moment she didn’t have. He’d suffered enough at her hands.

“Billy,” she whispered. “Tommy.” They’d split up, gone to different ends of the town to try and keep it in one piece, but she knew somehow they’d hear her.

In an instant Tommy was by her side; not ten seconds later, Billy joined them.

“I’m putting everything I’ve got into it, Mom, but it’s hardly making a difference.”

“I haven’t found a weak spot yet,” Tommy added, “but I’ll keep looking. There’s got to be an error somewhere. Something we can fix.”

She wasn’t sure she could stand it. Staring at them, she could see her and Pietro, not just in their powers but in their personality. Their determination, their empathy, their passion. Wanda sent up a prayer to anyone who might listen for then to have the future her and her brother had been robbed of.

“Boys,” she said, her breathing becoming more labored with every passing second. “Hold onto your father.”

They hesitated, gave each other a look before they moved from her side to Vision’s. Looking at him, she saw the understanding in his eyes as he put his arms around them.

“No matter what happens,” he said, “this family has been my greatest light. And you have been my shining star, my love. My anchor in a world I was never meant for. They may not see you the way I do right now, but they will.”

She could have lifetimes and never find the right words to express how much he meant to her. “You will always be my compass,” she told him. “My guide when I’m losing my way. Loving you is the best thing I’ve ever done.”

It wasn’t lost on her that they’d never exchanged vows, never had a ceremony to profess their love for one another. The world and its cruel sense of irony, giving them the chance only in their conclusion.

“Mom,” Billy said. “We’ll see each other again, won’t we?”

If there was any part of her heart that had yet to shatter, it imploded at his words. “I promise you that one day, we’ll be together again. I won’t let anything keep me from you two.”

She wasn’t sure if it was a promise she’d be able to keep, but she made it anyway, and meant every word. Throwing a last ditch effort into the ceiling above her, she straightened her knees, stood up as tall as she could.

Her eyes met his, for maybe the last time. He’d always felt real to her. Not just a vessel but a soul, one that lived and breathed even when his body didn’t. In a world that had never cared for her, he made her feel safe. She wondered if she’d ever find that feeling again.

His hands weren’t on her face anymore, but she swore she could still feel him. “You are everything that is good about humanity, Wanda. Never forget that.”

Five seconds. That was how long she gave herself to look at him, at the three of them. Her family. The only thing that mattered. She couldn’t keep them, but she could give herself this one thing. This last moment.

Wanda let go. She threw herself forward, into their open arms. “I love you,” she whispered, closed her eyes and put herself on repeat. I love you. The world sparked like a cut cable. I love you. The ground beneath them trembled. I love you. The warmth, the weight in her arms, dissolved into nothing but air. I love you. I love you. I love you.

—

“You know, I understand where you’re coming from. Why you’d stay.”

Neutrality be damned; Wanda let the glare through, let her know exactly how she felt about that assertion. The agent before her had taken a sick kind of pleasure in letting her know how twisted her delusion was, how weak she must have been to not only fall for it, but fight for it. Had she put an ounce of effort into listening to his words, she might have shown him exactly what that weakness looked like.

“I’m serious.” The agent formerly known as her neighbor kept going. “You were blipped, weren’t you?” Wanda’s face must have reflected her confusion, because she elaborated. “You disappeared. Woke up and realized the world had kept spinning without you on it.”

She didn’t give anything away. It wasn’t a real question.

“I was, too. Closed my eyes next to my mom’s hospital bed and opened them to find it empty.” She looked up at her, and Wanda could see the tears in her eyes, the pain hidden behind them. It was unnerving, how familiar it felt. “I’ll never understand it. How a person can be fine one day and gone the next. How quickly they can be taken away. How the body can rebel against itself and take the mind and soul with it.”

A voice echoed in her mind, her brother’s teasing just minutes before his last breath. He’d laughed that afternoon. The sound haunted her, snuck into her dreams even now. She didn’t think she’d ever stop hearing it.

“The people who survived, they don’t really get it. How awful it is, making up for lost time. Everyone else has moved on, but for me, the pain was so...fresh. It still is. So, yeah. I don’t blame you. Hell, if I had been in your position, I’d probably do the same thing.”

Wanda wondered what the point of it all was. Whether hearing about her grief was supposed to make her open up, cry about her feelings and bond over their shared trauma. She’d tried that before. It didn't make her feel any better, knowing that other people suffered. Especially since their grief always felt like a luxury compared to hers. A singular loss, a life without constant disapproval from people who held fractions of the responsibility she was chained with. It only reaffirmed what she already knew to be true: the world had a unique and bitter vendetta against her. And it wouldn’t let up until she cracked underneath it.

“I’m not telling you to make you feel bad, or to try and say that what I’ve been through can compare to what’s happened to you.” Wanda wondered for half a second if they trained them for this, a powerless type of mind reading. “I just want you to know that there’s someone on your side here. Someone who doesn’t think you’re a villain.”

The word made her heart skip a beat. He’d used its antonym with pride. When the world couldn’t make up its mind about her, he’d never had a doubt. If he could hear it, the one-sided conversation, he’d be beaming. Proof, he’d say, of someone who shared his point of view. Proof that he’d been right. Proof that she wasn’t a lost cause.

As she got up and turned toward the door, all Wanda could see was his face. His desire for her to become everything he thought she could be. His love for her in all her messiness, in her broken and angry and scarred state. His need for her to trust that someone else would see her the way he did.

“I’m guessing,” Wanda said quietly, freezing her in place with her hand on the doorknob, “your name isn’t Geraldine.”

She glanced back at her with a mix of curiosity and amusement. If she heard the way Wanda’s voice had cracked, the hoarse consequence of the sobbing and screaming that had led her through the fight, she ignored it.

After a few seconds, she smiled. “Can’t say that it is. But it did have a nice ring to it, didn’t it?” Not-Geraldine turned back, reached into her pocket and slid a business card across the table. “Captain Monica Rambeau. Nice to properly meet you.”

Wanda watched her go, waited until the door shut behind her before glancing down at the card. She memorized it the way she used to memorize faces. It was more than a plan for the future, a place to land should she crash and burn — it was hope, a sign that a future existed at all. A reminder she hadn’t realized she’d needed.

She counted seconds. When enough time passed, she let her head tilt to the side, closed her eyes and only opened them when she felt the familiar red glow. The shock from the collar stung for a moment before it snapped, falling to pieces at her feet. The jacket followed, it’s straps undone with ease. Confinement was fine, for a while, but time was a resource she refused to waste anymore. Not when she still had promises to keep.

#wandavision #wandavision spoilers #i thrive on validation so pls let me know what you think #also sorry for the angst #but admittedly #things are not looking great for this couple #also i was intentionally vague on plot stuff bc i don't know what's happening #and i've read too many theories to guess lol #TFLAO3 #wanda maximoff #vision #monica rambeau #wandavision fanfic #mcu #marvel

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lordbord · 3 years

Text

*cross posted on Wattpad*

First story

*This is a alternate version of the main show*

We all know how this story goes, Midoriya is born quirkless, gets bullied by his childhood friend for 10 years. He saves Bakugou from suffocating in slime after All might stepped on his dream, All Might changes his mind, offers his quirk and then trains Midoriya for the entrance exam, he gets in and then his story begins.

In the main story, Most of Izukus life was spent being picked on and bullied by peers and so called friends, with no one not even his own mother believing in his dream.

What if that were to change?

What if someone did believe in him?

What if at one point he gained a brother who helped him through thick and thin?

This is that story. A story of two brothers related in all but blood going on a journey to become hero's together. Watch as the bond they have moves mountains and see how far they go for one another in the events of their life.

Watch as they become the symbol of hope: Deku

and the symbol of change: Black Light

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heroic duo

Chapter 1

Childhood beginnings

"Not all men are created equal." that was the sad truth of the world I learned at the age of four.

One day the world had changed, after a baby started to glow brightly it was the first recorded citing of a superpower, soon enough more and more people have ended up developing these gifts and 200 years later, superpowers became the norm. 80% of the population had developed superpowers called quirks and with them a new profession, Hero's. like all kids my age I wanted nothing more than to be a hero unfortunately....

"Sorry kid it isn't going to happen."

"Im sorry Izuku!!"

"Didn't you hear, he's..."

Quirkless, I became one of the 20% who don't develop a quirk. The door to my dream was locked before I could even open it, as for my friend Katsuki Bakugou, who I call Kacchan...

"You really are useless, deku." A ash blond said to a downed green haired boy with pops coming out of his hands.

He became my number one tormentor, I should have told mom but after dad left us she has been working hard for the both of us to live a comfortable life, not to mention that Mitsuki Bakugou is Kacchan mother and her best friend since college.

So I didn't say anything as to not burden her more than I already do and for two years I will have endured beatings, bruises, cuts and burns from my former friend.

I thought that was how my life was going to be, just a useless deku with a too big dream.

Then that day happened.

It was the afternoon in Musutafu, Japan and school just got out, at a nearby park five children were near a sand pit, three kids were standing just outside the pit with an ash blond standing in front of the trio while a green haired boy with green eyes had his arms in front of him, standing in-front of a brunette girl with brown eyes who is on the floor rubbing a bruised cheek from the hit she took from the blond.

"Stop it Kacchan! Can't you see she hurt!" Said the green eyed boy trying to protect the girl.

"She thinks she can be a hero like me with a weak quirk like that!! She had it coming, Deku!" The ash blond now known as Kacchan says, while the girl starts to tear up a bit from the rude boys words.

The green haired boy now known as Deku gets angry at his old friend, he doesn't know why and probably never will but he instinctively responds back to the blonds cruel words.

"Who cares if her quirk is weak right now! If she trains hard it can be a great quirk, and m-maybe she'll be a b-better hero than y-you!!"

There were four reactions that took place from that statement.

One being from the girl who looked up in astonishment and a bit of gratitude.

The two lackeys of the ash blond who can't believe that useless Deku yelled at Bakugou.

Deku himself, who just realized what he just said is slowly losing the confidence before his outburst,

And Bakugou himself who had veins sprouting around his face slowly, hair covering his eyes and shaking in quickly building fury.

Knowing whats about to come from the volatile blond, Deku backs up a bit to the girl and kneels on a knee, while picking up some sand discreetly

"Listen, go get some h-help while I distract him I'll be fine but he might focus back on you if your still here." Deku says with what ever confidence he has left.

The girl was about to protest but then saw the look in his emerald eyes and reluctantly agreed.

Deku smiled a little knowing she didn't want to leave him alone so attempts to reassure her.

"D-Don't worry I-I'll be f-fine" while giving wide shaky smile before turning back around to the sounds of popping.

"Why?" Barely above a whisper from the blond

"Why?" louder this time with explosions popping starting to pop from his hands faster and faster.

"WHY DOES A USELESS DEKU LIKE YOU THINK YOUR BETTER THAN ME!?!?" He yells before charging at the green and brown eyed children.

"RUN!!" Deku yells just before throwing the sand into Kacchans face, blinding him temporarily and catching his ire, while the girl gets up and runs fast trying to look for her parents to gets some help.

Meanwhile the two lackeys grab either arm of the greeny to hold him down for their boss, waiting until he clears the sand from his eyes.

Once Kacchan cleans the sand and can see, his pupils dilate as they zero in on deku and charge at him again and with uncontrolledly rage, he hits him with an explosion right in the chest above the heart, blasting Deku out of the lackeys hold and onto his back, with a new hole in his shirt. The blast could be heard all over the park.

While fading out of consciousness, footsteps can be heard running towards him all he can think about was that he successfully got the girl away from harm.

(??? Pov)

A minute earlier....

"How did I fall for such a obvious scam" I say to myself while walking past a park, just a couple of minutes ago I was talking with a guy who was asking for directions for a specific store, he was unbelievable vague and this distracted me long enough for his buddy to rob me with his quirk and get away. as I walk by the gate to the park a girl crashes into me, knocking both of us over, I was a knocked on my back while I can only assume the girl was as well from the soft "ow" that I heard

"Im so so sorry!" she apologizes loudly while offering to help me up.

"It's fine, why are you in such a rush?" I grunt out as I accept the help up.

She was about to say before we heard a loud "BOOM" coming from the park, we here this and she then freezes on the spot, before bolting to the sounds origins. I was both concerned and confused about what just happened so I ran after hoping to gain an answer.

I was not prepared for what I saw next.

I saw a green haired boy my age on the ground with smoke coming of his chest, the girl is freaking out above him trying to see what she can do before turning to the right to see a angry blond with a grin shouting at the unconscious boy before walking over menacingly with smoke coming from his hands.

Acting quick I pull on the shadow from a nearby bench and made a circular shield before sliding in between the two people, blocking the EXPLOSION?!? EXCUSE ME WHAT?!? The angry blond seemed surprised seeing that he didn't hit the two behind me. I stand to my full height, as I am a little taller and put away the shield.

"Now I don't know what happened and personally I don't care but can you please leave them alone or do I have to use force?" For added effect I absorbed some shadows, then made it into a giant broadsword with an eire purple glow, with one of my eyes having a purple glow, I then hung the sword over my shoulder, while glaring at the three in front of me.

Needless to say it worked, the two behind the blond with smug expressions prior to me showing up are now turning heel and running away, the blond however clicks his teeth dissatisfied with the outcome before walking away.

After getting rid of my sword I turn around and see the girl with tears in her eyes about to rip a piece of her shirt for the green boy.

"Hey, you don't need to do that I got some spare clothes in my bag." She stops what shes doing and proceeds to help me tear a T-shirt from my bag. After wrapping the guy up, she floats the green haired boy and brought him to the bench where we lay him down, there was a bit of a silence before she spoke up finally.

"He was hurt cause of me" she said just above a whisper, I let her continue since she seemed to need to get it out of her system.

"I was punched by that blond guy from before, he p-pushed me down and started saying things, how I wouldn't be a hero with my quirk, then he showed up" she was starting to tear up again.

"He got in front of him, he defended me and helped me run away so I can get help." She says the tears coming faster now her voice starting to shake.

"If I knew that blond guy would have done this I would have stayed, I wouldn't have let him got him hurt because of me and n-now h-he's.." she was openly crying now I didn't know what to do so I just went up to her and gave a hug, she froze at first but then just let everything out, after a bit she calmed down and pulled away, looking back at the boy who helped her

"Its not your fault, you know" I spoke up finally. She turned to look at me and I took that as a sign to continue.

"Look I don't know either of you but from how you reacted to finding him hurt in the first place I can honestly says that this was not something you could have known, if anyone is to blame its the blond guy's fault, for doing this in the first place." I finish talking hoping that she will take my words to heart, from the slight nod of her head I can only assume she understood.

"My name is Ochako Uraraka, by the way thanks for helping us." She says with a small smile.

"Well its nice to meet you Uraraka my name is-" I was interrupted by a small groan, turning back we see the green boy starting to wake up.

(3rd person POV)

As Midoriya wakes up, he slowly gets his senses back, which left him groaning when he started feeling pain again and as he opens his eyes he is first see brown eyes blinking down at him.

'Kacchan's eyes aren't brown' he thinks to himself. He then tries to sit up only to wince in pain before lying back down as Midoriya looks at his surroundings he realizes he's not only on a park bench but also has two people in front of him, one the short brown hair and eyed girl that he defended from before and another one being a boy he has never seen before. He was a bit taller than Midoriya , with a bit of a round face and a dark skin tone with hair split down the middle with white on the right and black on the left, the most noticeable part were his eyes which seem to be purple on one side and light blue on the other with a bit of bags underneath. Midoriya being the intelligent human being he breaks the silence in the most eloquent way possible.

"Uhhh.... Hi."

The next thing Midoriya know Uraraka hugs him, now if this was a un-injured Midoriya he would have froze from his brain not processing physical affection from people other than his mother. Sadly, this Midoriya is injured and as such he winces from pain on contact which causes Uraraka to pull back and start apologizing while flailing her arms, with Midoriya saying its alright. After that comedic scene Midoriya decides to ask the million dollar questions.

"Uh.. sooo, who are you guys and what happened after I passed out?" izuku asks too confused by his situation to care about his anxiety.

"My name is Ochako Uraraka and this is.."

Midoriya look over to the boy as he starts talking.

"My name is Felix Richmond, she kinda crashed into me while running out the park, we then heard a big boom and she ran inside, I followed her a bit after, I took care of the blond guy and then we ripped one of my shirts and wrapped it around your burn, we moved you to the bench and we were just waiting for you to wake up." He finishes explaining.

"We were worried after you got knocked out but you woke up so at least we know you'll be okay." Uraraka says her tone going from worried to happy mid-sentence.

"Also thanks for saving me from that blond guy..." she pauses realizing she doesn't know his name.

"Oh I-I'm M-Midoriya Izuku" he says a bit shakily.

"Well it's nice to meet you both, but I feel like we should get going since it almost evening" Richmond says while pointing at the sky.

'Oh no mom/my parents are gonna kill me' went through both Midoriya's and Uraraka's mind as they internally panicked.

"Uraraka why don't you get home, I can help Midoriya here get home, since I doubted you can move all that well." Richmond says first addressing Uraraka before switching his attention to Midoriya who is startled by the offer, he was going to reject...

"Before you say anything I don't have to worry about my p-parent so you either agree and I piggy back you to your home or I princess carry you, if you don't agree." Richmond says with the last part stated with a smirk.

Midoriya, who would definitely be a strawberry if he was princess carried, nodded in defeat, saying their goodbyes to Uraraka and a promise to meet up again at a later date the two boy head onwards to Midoriya's place, it was silent till Richmond asked a question.

"So why did you do it?” Richmond asked.

"Why, what?" Asked Izuku confused by the question.

"Why did you protect her, from what she told me, you were nowhere near involved in the one sided fight so why did you help?" Richmond says.

Midoriya thinks about it before speaking again "I don't know, I guess my legs moved on there own, one second I was looking at her being pushed the next thing I knew I'm standing up to Kacchan and his friends." Midoriya finishes upset now realizing his old friend is the one who scared him.

"Kacchan?!" Richmond asked surprised such a cute name was given to someone so aggressive.

"T-thats the nickname I gave him, I couldn't pronounce his name when we were younger so I called him that, his name is Katsuki Bakugou, we are- were friends but that was before he got his quirk." Midoriya finishes once again lamenting the lose of his old friend.

Richmond in a attempt to lighten the mood jokes. "And let me guess he's a mean dandelion jealous of your quirk?" Richmond says hoping it worked.

It didn't.

"I actually don't have a quirk." Midoriya says in a soft whisper, if he wasn't on Richmonds back he probably wouldn't have been heard, but Richmond hearing Midoriya regrets the joke instantly, and says something that shocks Midoriya.

"And whats wrong with being quirkless?" Richmond ask.

Midoriya who was still a bit upset answered "Since I'm quirkless, I can't become a hero." Tears starting to well up.

"You saved Uraraka today, so I think you already are a hero." Richmond answer backs.

"Do you really think I can be a hero?" Midoriya asks, hoping beyond hope he gets the answer he was waiting for.

"Definitely." Richmond says, unknowingly opening the floodgates that are Midoriya's tear ducts.

Midoriya was overwhelmed by emotion and could only feel gratitude to the split haired person for giving him some form of hope.

After calming down they finally arrived at Midoriya's house knocking on the door, upon opening it the worried mother see a peculiar site of a child holding her baby on their back with a bag worn on the front of their body.

After some explaining of what happened, Why it happened, who caused it, and some waterfalls from both Midoriya's 'is this genetic?' Richmond thinks before the conversation switches to him.

"Thank you for helping him." The Elder Midoriya says while giving a hug to Felix who flinches slightly before relaxing again.

"It's no problem Miss Midoriya." Richmond reply's awkwardly patting the back of the women.

"You can just call me Inko." She says as she pulls herself back from the hug.

"But I can't help but ask, don't you need to go back to your home, it's getting rather late." She asks the innocent question.

Richmond's freezing doesn't go unnoticed by the Midoriya's, as he looked down at his hands he starts to remember everything he escaped from, the beatings, yells, him begging for it to stop, the crash.

"I-I d-don't h-have a-a ho-me." Richmond says still looking down, tears start going down his face.

Inko shocked by the once smiling teen froze for a moment, in that moment only Midoriya moves to start hugging the boy.

Richmond caught of guard by the hug flinches a bit but quickly returns it letting the tears flow, finally dropping his guard and relaxing slightly, he was still on edge but the Midoriya’s were very....... calming to the split haired teen.

"You can stay with us if you want." Midoriya says after a while. Surprised by his words, Richmond looks at Izuku before directing his gaze to Inko, who just smiles softly and nods to the unasked question.

Allowing himself a small smile Felix looks back to Izuku and says "I guess that makes us brothers now." He says before getting two hugs on either side of him, laughing at how his life changed in a minute.

No one knew that the two boys would grow up to become something greater than themselves.

But where's the fun in that right?

#bnha #fanfic #my fic #wattpad #bnha oc #not entirely focused on OC #everyone gets attention #Izuocha #oc likes puns

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warsofasoiaf · 4 years

Note

Have you played Fallout 4? What did you think of it?

Joseph Anderson had a phenomenal video on Fallout 4. Although it is enormous, so be careful. Overall, there were things to like and things not to like about Fallout 4. I’ll start with what I liked first. Throwing a cut in here because it’s long.

Combat in the first-person Fallout games has always been clunky, and enemy AI relatively largely consisted of straight charging or shooting from as maximum range as possible. Difficulty came primarily from enemy quantity, high damage output, or incredibly enemy hitpoints. The last of these has been a particular Bethesda problem in their games, with enemies being incredible damage sponges, making late-game fights a boring slog as you slowly whittle down their health while being impossible to damage in any meaningful capacity. While enemy variations aren’t nearly as high as the game’s fans would have you believe if you conceive of them as AI patterns, the AI activity did have some nice variations. Human enemies used cover, ghouls bobbed and weaved as you shot them, mole rats tried to ambush you. It’s got nothing on games with fully realized combat system, but it does make the combat that you do engage in much more enjoyable.

All of the random crap you can pick up in a Bethesda game having a purpose is another positive. It is a true nuisance to find out when playing a game that I hit my encumbrance limit only to find out it’s because I’ve picked up a bunch of brooms, bowls, and other garbage accidentally while grabbing coin and other worthwhile treasures. Actually having these things mean an object is worthy mechanically, aside from level design; typewriters are useful as items as opposed to something that shows you that the ruined building you’re in was formerly a newspaper. As crafting is a big portion of the game, having these things provide component parts that you use for crafting on their own creates more utility in these elements of clutter which still require modeling, rendering, placement, etc. Now if you need aluminum, you’ll try to raid something like a cannery because it will have aluminum cans, which is an excellent way to create player-generated initiative. It also reinforces one of the primary themes of the game which is crafting and design, where even the trailers of the game suggest building as a key idea of the game. Certainly sensible for a post-apocalyptic game to focus on building a new society upon the ruins of the older one, and given what the game was trying to do with their four factions mechanic, it’s clear that this was their intent, and good job for trying to ensure that things factor back into their principal intent.

Deathclaws look properly scary, the animations with Vault Boy were funny, there’s some pretty window dressing. The voice work wasn’t bad, the notable standout being Nick Valentine. The Brotherhood airship was an impressive visual. I had a little fun creating some basic settlements, particularly in Hangman’s Alley where I tried to create a network of suspended buildings and Spectacle Island where I had room to grant every prospective settler a shack. Bethesda clearly looked to create a game with mass market appeal, and I believe the metrics bears out that they succeeded in that regard. The robots in the USS Constitution quest were very funny, the writers were able to make the absolute ridiculousness of the situation work (curse you Weatherby Savings and Loan!) and framed it well as a comedic sidequest, with a final impressive visual if you side with the bots and the ship takes flight.

Now that this is out of the way, I think that a lot of what Fallout 4 did was not the right move.

The quest design was particularly atrocious in this regard. Most of the radiant quests boiled them down to a simple formula - go to the dungeon, get to the final room where you need to either kill the boss or get an item from the boss chest, return. In this game though, the main story quests often were boiled down to just this simple formula. You need to find a doodad from a Courser to complete your teleporter? Go to the dungeon, kill the boss, recover the item. The Railroad needs you to help an escaped synth! Do it by going to the dungeon and getting to the final room. This really hampers the enjoyment of games because the expressiveness of the setting and elements of an RPG is often explored through quests. Quests are meant to get you out into the world and give you an objective, but they are also meant to connect you to the people that you’re dealing with. If every quest is boiled down to the same procedure, that hurts the immersion, but the bigger sin is that when you return you have another quest waiting for you. That robs the player of the sense of accomplishment because there is no permanent solution to problems, even for a minute. There is no different end-state for the player to see the transition from one to the other and feel accomplished that they were the ones who did it. Other RPG’s always understood this - a D&D game might have a party save a town investigate an illness dealing with a town, take out an evil druid who has charmed the wildlife into attacking supply and trade shipments, slay goblins who are raiding cattle, there are a lot of possibilities that might even feel samey: if you’re killing charmed dire wolves or goblin cattle thieves, you’re still going to the dungeon and fighting the boss, the usual flair and variation came from encounter design. After you’d do that though, the NPC’s might say “Hey, Mom is feeling better after you cured that disease, she’s starting to walk again,” “Hey, we were able to send a shipment of wine from the vineyards out to the capital, here’s some coin for the shipment as reward for your service,” or even just a simple “Hey, thanks for taking out those cattle thieves.” There’s a sense of accomplishment even if it’s a fleeting “we did a cool thing.” Computer RPG’s are tougher in this regard, part of the sense of accomplishment in tabletop gaming is also with your friends, it’s a shared activity, but usually in that the reward was some experience and character growth and going to new content. There isn’t new content here in Fallout 4 though, because of the samey quest design and lack of progression.

The conversational depth was also ruined, with so much of the voice choices mangled by the system of conversation they designed. By demanding a four-choice system, they limited themselves to always requiring four options which completely mangled interactivity. The previous menu design allowed for as many lines as you wanted, even if the choices were usually beads on a string. The depth and variation, however, are even lower than what could be found in games like Mass Effect 3, and the small word descriptions were often so inaccurate that it created a massive disconnect between myself the player and the Sole Survivor, because they weren’t saying what I thought they would be saying. That prevented me from feeling immersed, because a “Sarcastic” option could be a witty joke or a threat that sounds like it should come out of a bouncer. The character options were already limited, with Nate being a veteran and Nora being a lawyer, but this lack of depth prevents me from feeling the character even moreso than a scripted backstory. You get those in games, but being unable to predict how I’m reacting is something that kills character.

Bethesda needs to end the “find (x) loved one” as a means to get people motivated to do a quest, or if they don’t want to rid themselves of that tool in their toolbox, they need to do a better job getting me to like them. More linear games can get away with this, but open world games encourage the sort of idle dicking around that doesn’t make any sense for a person who is attempting to find a family member. Morrowind did this much better, where your main task was to be an Imperial agent, and you were encouraged to join other factions and do quests as a means to establish a cover identity and get more acquainted with combat. Folks who didn’t usually ended up going to Hasphat Antabolius and getting their face kicked in by Snowy Granius. Here though, what sort of parent am I if instead of pursuing a lead to find my infant son I’m wandering over east because I saw what looked like a cool ruin, and I need XP to get my next perk (another gripe, perks that are simple percentage increases because they slow down advancement and make combat a slog if you don’t take them, depressing what should be a sense of accomplishment). By making us try to feel close with a character but by refusing to give us the players time with them, there is no sense of bonding. I felt more connection to James in Fallout 3 than I did for Sean, but even then, I felt more connection to him because he was voiced by Liam Neeson than because of any sense of fatherly affection. The same goes for the spouse and baby Sean, I feel little for them because I see them only a little. I know that I should care more, but I also know that I the player don’t because all that I was given is “you should care about them.” You need time to get to know characters in game, along with good writing and voicework. I like Nick because he quoted “The Raven” when seeing the Brotherhood airship and I thought that was excellent writing, I didn’t have any experiences with Sean to give me that same sense of bonding.

They’ve also ruined the worldbuilding. The first-person Fallout games have always had a problem with this, with Fallout 3 recycling Super Mutants, the Brotherhood of Steel, and other iconic Fallout things into Washington D.C. Part of this is almost certainly the same reason that The Force Awakens was such a dull rehash of the plot of A New Hope, they wanted to establish some sort of continuity with a new director to not frighten off old fans who they relied on to provide a significant majority of the sales. The problem of course, is that this runs into significant continuity problems, now needing Vault 87 to have a strain of FEV and having a joint Vault-Tec/US Government experiment program there on the East Coast, so we can have Super Mutants. Jackson’s chameleon isn’t native to Washington D.C., but we need to have Deathclaws because they’re the iconic scary Fallout enemy, as opposed to creating something new with the local fauna, which is only made worse because they did do that with the yao guai formed from the American black bear (the black bear doesn’t typically range in the Chesapeake Basin near DC these days, but it’s close enough and given the loss of humans to force them back they could easily return to their old pre-human rangings). Some creatures are functions of the overall setting and can be global, ghouls are the big one here since radiation would be a global thing and fitting considering Fallout is a post-apocalypse specifically destroyed by nuclear war. Others though, are clearly mutated creatures and so they would be more localized. Centaurs and floaters were designed by FEV experiments and collared by Super Mutants, they should really only be around Super Mutants. Radscorpions shouldn’t be around, there would probably be instead be mutated spiders. Making things worse are that the monster designers do develop some excellent enemies when they think about it. Far Harbor has a mutant hermit crab that uses a truck as a shell (a lobster restaurant truck, which is passable enough for a visual joke even if it falls apart when you think about other trucks that they might use) and a monster that uses an angler lure that resembles a crafting component - these are good ideas but the developers needed to awkwardly shoehorn in iconic Fallout things that have no place there. This isn’t to say that I’m in love with a lot of Fallout’s worldbuilding, a lot of the stuff in Fallout 2 I found to be kind of dumb particularly the talking deathclaws, but as the series went on it took objects without meaning. The G.E.C.K in Fallout 3 was pretty much a magic recombinator which makes no sense as a technology in a world devastated by resource collapse, something similar can be said about the Sierra Madre vending machines.

Fallout 4 though, had a lot of worldbuilding inconsistencies that really took an axe to the setting. The boy in the fridge outlasts the entire Great War, but apparently never needed to eat or drink water. This is, of course, stupid, because ghouls have always been shown to need to eat and drink - Fallout 1′s Necropolis section has a Water Chip but if you take it without finding an alternate source of clean water, the ghouls will die. Ghoul settler NPC’s that flock to your player-crafted towns require food and water. The entire thing was ruined from a complete lack of care, to build a quest where you reunite a lost boy with his still-alive ghoulified parents. I think this one bothers me not simply because of the egregious worldbuilding which isn’t even consistent in the very game it’s written it, but it’s done so frivolously for a boring escort quest. It feels scattershot, and that’s the problem I think with a lot of Fallout 4′s quests. They feel disconnected, like every writer worked in a cubicle without talking to any of the other writers. Same with things like the Lady in the Fog.

Are we done with that? Good, because now we’re going into the parts that I really dislike - the main quest and the factions. These are just awful. The developers took what folks really liked when it came to Fallout 2 and Fallout: New Vegas (Fallout 1 did have interesting factions but they were largely self-contained, more towns than anything else) and completely botched it. New Vegas was the clear inspiration for these factions, with the four faction model of NCR, Legion, House, and Indepenedent meaning that there were four different ways to go forward into the future, so we get three factions that fight each other and a fourth more player friendly faction that roughly resembles the Independent Vegas where you can pick and choose which factions you bring in with you and which you get rid of. Thematically, this fits in with the core of the game, crafting is a big portion of what you do and so crafting what sort of world the Commonwealth would be is simply a logical extension of it. The factions aren’t presented well though. The Railroad are impossibly naive and don’t demonstrate any rougher edges like denying supplies to humans in order to fuel their synth effort, even though such a thing should be evident if the post-apocalypse of the Commonwealth is to be believed. The Institute are sinister murderers and replacers without bringing any of the advanced technology that could provide some benefit such as the gigantic orange gourd that can grow. So much of their kill-and-replace mentality seems to be done for no great overarching purpose. The Minutemen are basically blank, pretty much just a catch-all for the player-built settlements, though the player as the leader of the Minutemen ends up getting bossed around by Preston to the point of the faction rejecting your commands to proceed with the main quest, a significant problem with Bethesda factions where you are the leader but never get any actual sense of leadership. There doesn’t appear to be any addressing of the failures of the previous Minutemen whether that be the previous summit, or new problems such as settlements feuding with each other requiring the general to intervene and mediate. The Brotherhood come the closest to a real faction with advantages and drawbacks if you squint, they are feudal overlords with the firepower to fight Super Mutants and other mutated nasties, but also violently reject ghouls and synths as part of their violent dogma except for seemingly not caring when you bring a companion around or killing ghoul settlers in settlements they control. But even then, we don’t really see the Brotherhood providing protection to the settlements that they demand for food, the typical radiant quest to destroy a pack of feral ghouls or super mutants is directed from a Brotherhood quest giver to a randomly determined location, hardly a good way to illustrate whether or not the Brotherhood is actually protecting settlements that they administer. We see little change in the way of the Commonwealth save that certain factions are alive or not because the game needs to stay active in order to perform radiant quests, so not even the signature ending slideshows can give us the illusion of effects building off of our actions. This is contrary to the theme of building a better world in the Commonwealth because there is no building.

Special notice must be given to the Nuka-World raiders because they show the big problems with the factions. You can be a Raider in Nuka-World but only after becoming the Overboss, which is fair enough. But you’re already a Minuteman, but the Minutemen don’t activate any kill-on-sight order and Preston still helps you out. The game is so terrified of people losing out on content that they make permanent consequences rare, and when you do something like order an attack, it can be rescinded automatically if one of your companions is there. As an Overboss, you do grunt work in the Commonwealth, and the factions get mad and pissy if you don’t give them things despite even if you only give one section of the park to one of the factions, that’s more than they got from Colter. It’s like they don’t exist until the player shows up, which is exactly how a lot of modern Bethesda character and faction building seems to be. While in most computer games a sort of uneasy status quo is the desired beginning state because it gives the protagonist the chance to make ripples while justifying the existence of a status that allows the player to change it, it has to be applied consistently.

The main quest itself is silly. There’s a decent twist with Sean becoming Father that sort of works, which would have worked much better if we had actually gotten a chance to bond with him, although the continuity of everything gets wiggy quick. When he said that he looked over the world and saw nothing but despair, I was wondering if they were going to actually bring a big question up and a debate between Father and the Player, the idea of what worth the people on the surface have, but it goes nowhere, it’s a missed opportunity. The main quest is just a means to meet all four factions and it’s a barebones skeleton at best. There are some interesting concepts they try, but what they do often falls flat. They try to establish some sort of empathy for Kellogg in the memory den, but it’s lazy and cheap because he kidnaps a baby and wastes your spouse, a wasted effort of empathy only made worse when you get criticized for not showing any sympathy. Kellogg then shows up in Nick’s memory for one second and then that little story nugget is ignored. The half-baked nature of the story keeps being brought back up, which is a pity because we actually saw them do a competent job in Far Harbor. The Followers of Atom are crazy and they really aren’t sympathetic in any way, but some of the folks inside the sub aren’t so bad that it might prevent you from wanting to detonate the sub, or at least you might think enough that you look for another solution. DiMA did some monstrous things, and if you bring him to justice, the game actually takes the time to evaluate whether or not you helped out Far Harbor, with meaningful consequences being taken if you took the time to do the sidequests which imparts far more meaning to them.

While there’s a lot of problems that show up in terms of binary completion, the question of whether to replace Tektus and turn the Children of Atom to a more moderate path is a good question, it actually gives a lot more merit to the Institute if they were ever to have been shown to enact the same level of care. That only makes the Fallout problems stand out more, because it shows that they were capable of it but didn’t. This isn’t the only missed opportunity, synths themselves become a big problem. The goal was to create a very paranoid feeling but it was so sorely under-utilized that I never grew suspicious of folks because the game never gave me enough incentive to be suspicious of them. I didn’t think that Bethesda made synths that would give you false information or ambush you because that would have been potentially missed content. The idea of whether you are a synth or not is clearly an attempt to give the game more depth than it is presenting. You’re not a synth, Father’s actions make no sense if you are one, and DiMA attempting to make you think you are is silly because you know you aren’t one.

I think the game would have been much better if they had dropped the notion of Fallout entirely. If they had instead looked to create an open-world post-apocalyptic game focusing on crafting and building towns, perhaps with an eventual goal state of building many towns, establishing transportation networks, and rebuilding a junkyard society as a decent place (or going full Mad Max Bartertown complete with a Thunderdome for players looking for an evil and over-the-top option). That might have been an interesting game for Bethesda to potentially develop a new IP, even contracting with smaller studios for those who wish to tell story-heavy games in the setting. Instead, they applied Fallout like a bad paint job, cobbling together weak RP elements and story that made the game feel like a hydra that couldn’t recognize it was one being with multiple heads, constantly tearing the other parts of itself to ribbons.

If I wanted to further improve it, I think I would have instead made the spouse a synth. It would require some serious reworking, but I would have made it so that Sean did believe that synths were people, or that they were real enough that the difference was negligible, they had free will. During the initial grab, the Institute took the entire cryopod where Sean was, baby and parent both. They used Sean to create the next generation of synths, but something happened with the parent, and they died during defrost. Sean hates the Institute for what they did, but what happened was truly a medical complication, not malicious in any way. When he learns that the player character is active, he creates a synth programmed to believe they are the spouse. He believes that exposing who he really is to the surviving parent would be traumatic, and as he hears that the player character is thriving, he wants to give them a chance at a normal life, and to alleviate the loss that he had in his life with the loss of his own parents. So the spouse is sent to you, and for a long time, you and the spouse have no idea. You adventure together, you build settlements together, the game encourages you to have a good relationship. It doesn’t have to be hunky dory, and I’d argue it’s actually better if it’s not. Have the spouse be programmed with some rough experiences in the Wasteland, so they’re nervous, skittish, maybe even a little resentful that the player character snoozed their way through everything, but slowly rebuild the relationship. That way, when the quest eventually comes where you find the truth, the player character has to confront that reality. Then when you confront Sean, Sean explains himself and the player is given the choice to forgive him, be understanding but still angry, or be hugely pissed at the manipulation. That’s drama that uses the core theme of what synths are about with the whole kill-and-replace motif the Institute does. There’s a plot twist that batters the player, there’s one that’s just messy and gross and tough to reconcile. There’s one where the conclusion the player comes to is valid because it’s the player themselves deciding what the meaning of it is.

So overall, I see Fallout 4 as a bunch of missed opportunities and clumsy writing wrapped up in the popular shallow open-worlds that triple-A games end up having.

Thanks for the question, Jackie.

SomethingLikeALawyer, Hand of the King

#fallout 4 #fallout #video game reviews

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kittensjonsa · 5 years

Text

Otherwise, Engaged

The Proposal AU (with a slight deviation from the actual movie)

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4

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Chapter 5

Jon had just turned sixteen when he received news of his parents' death. It was a car accident that took their lives instantaneously. He could still remember being called to the principal's office one sunny afternoon, sitting in that uncomfortable chair whilst the police officer broke the news to him.

He did not remember crying much but he did remember the people who came for the funeral, a good-sized turn out, paying their respects to Rhaegar Targaryen and Elia Martell. Everyone was cordial, kind and concerned. All he did was shake hands with them and telling them he was all right, and that he was getting the help needed. That was the only memory growing up that stayed with him, sad as it was, being around that many people who knew and loved his family. Jon loved his parents and they adored him that much he knew but being left alone and on his own, truly changed his world. He had to do everything himself, apart from the lawyers who helped with the estate, he had to figure out life on his own. It was difficult at first but soon enough, it became comfortable. His solitude became a sanctuary; a soft-padded cell he enjoyed retreating to and quite often.

But that was almost twenty years ago. A sad memory he associated with family. A social event he wished he didn't have to be a part of and since then Jon had grown accustomed to avoiding any large family gatherings or any gatherings at all. He grew comfortable living in a huge house alone, got through university alone somewhat breezily thanks to the lack of social distractions. He had the time to hone his writing, an outlet that healed him and thanks to it, eventually went on to be a reporter, the kind whose articles touched the outside world. And with that, surfaced a chance meeting with Jeor Mormont of the renowned Mormont & Sons Publishing, in whom Jon found his family.

Family, Jon thought. For fifteen years or so, it was word that rarely came to mind.

And now here I am. Jon watched as people stopped them to greet and hug Sansa as she made her way to the house. Jon could tell she was very much loved in Winterfell and it made him wonder why Sansa would want to leave all of this behind.

“So, you ready?” Sansa's voice broke through, waking him from deep thought. Jon afforded a smile and a shrug. “Here we go.”

“Hey, look who's here everybody!” the announcement was barely needed.

“Ahhhh! SANSA!!”

The collective squeals and shrieks of joy were deafening and perhaps startled him a little as Jon stood back and observed the throngs of people heading his direction and huddled around Sansa. Beloved Sansa.

“Oh my god! You're back!”

“It's been so long!”

“ You look amazing!”

“We missed you so much!”

The showers of love kept on coming for Sansa and though he was mostly invisible, which was understandable, Jon quite enjoyed watching as it all went on. Sansa took the time to hug every single one them and it occurred to him that he hadn't seen her entire family yet. Did it say anywhere in that file how many siblings she had? Jon made a mental note to remember these things. After all, it might turn up during the inquiry with the Immigration Department.

The excitement eventually subsided and Jon found himself face to face with a crowd of curious onlookers. Jon figured he probably looked out of place, with his formal suit on and not being recognised as someone from Winterfell.

Sansa was quick to pick up and as always, the well mannered lady she was, stood next to him as everyone gathered around them.

“Everyone, this is Jon. And Jon, this is everyone,” Sansa began with the introductions. Jon gave his best smile and shook hands with everybody. No mention of fiancé yet, he thought. Keep mum and follow her lead.

“Sansa?” a small boy peeked out from behind one of the guests. He had blue eyes and dark auburn locks just like Sansa.

“Hey buddy! Oh my god! I missed you! Look at you! You're so big now, Rickon!” Sansa swooned as she lifted the boy in her arms.

Another boy, this time brown-eyed with the same copper hair jumped in. “You're back, Sansa!”

Sansa gave them each a kiss on the forehead as they held on to her tightly. It was a lovely private moment Jon felt he wasn't privy to and his insides were twisting a little, reacting to emotions he had not experienced for a very long time.

Sansa wiped away a stray tear. “Hey guys, I want you to meet Jon.” She didn't have to, Jon thought.

Jon knelt down and extended his hand to them. Family. Her family.

“Hi guys. I'm Jon. What are your names?”

“I'm Rickon and he's Bran," the younger boy pointed to himself and Bran. “Are you Sansa's boyfriend?”

Jon had to laugh. He had skipped all of that when he fake-proposed to Sansa eighteen hours ago. “ Well, yeah I guess.”

Rickon made a face. “Eww.. don't kiss okay.”

“Rickon!” Sansa chided him. Jon guffawed. Nope, buddy. No kissing expected. Bran had his face in a palm, obviously embarrassed by Rickon's forthrightness. “Oh my god, Rickon! You can't just ask people stuff like that!”

Sansa giggled at the exchange. “They're my little brothers. Rickon is six and Bran is ten. They're just curious so don't mind them if they keep asking you questions.”

“That's all right. They can ask me anything,” Jon winked at them. For a moment, flashes of his own childhood came flooding back. I was once like them too.

“There she is.” A young man appeared squeezing himself in from the group, this time much older than the boys. He had the same blue eyes and auburn hair.

“Robbie! Lisa!” Sansa held out her arms once again, to him and the lady who accompanied. Sansa was beyond ecstatic having everyone she loved surrounding her.

“Oh my god..” Sansa gasped the moment she saw the noticeable bump on Talisa. “I'm going to be an aunt?”

Talisa nodded excitedly, stroking her belly. “Yep. To twins.”

Sansa sniffed, the tears were coming hard and fast. The welcoming party isn't so bad after all. I miss everyone so much.

“Congratulations,” Jon added . Then, he forgot they haven't been introduced.

“Oh hi.. you must be-”

“Jon. Pleasure,” Jon introduced himself to them.

“Nice to meet you Jon. I'm Rob and this is my wife, Talisa.”

“I'm guessing Sansa's older brother?”

“That obvious huh?” Robb chuckled.

“The eyes and the hair,” Jon smiled.

Sansa cleared her throat. She forgot for a second that Jon was here with her, and why. Rip the band aid. Do it.

“So, guys.. he's my fiance. S-surprise.”

There it is. Jon bit his lip.

The smiles on Robb and Talisa's faces dropped. Jon guessed that would be the general reaction to the news so he'd might as well get used to it and perhaps, practice his best ‘surprise fiancé’ face.

Sansa and Jon both grinned nervously, watching both Robb and Talisa slowly come round from their initial shock.

“I.. I heard from Dad about a guest but… well, this is news! Congratulations to you both,” Robb finally said. Talisa eyed them curiously, wearing a polite grin but leaned in to whisper to Robb.

Jon had to get used to that too for the next two days. Talk of the town.

“But we thought… Jon is.. kind of your boss?”

Bingo. Cue the Q&A. Sansa was about to face the firing squad and she hoped Jon had well-prepared answers like she did.

“Well, yes but you know.. things happen,” Sansa lied, shooting a warning glance at Jon.

“Right. Of course.” Robb and Talisa paused for them to continue.

Think of something.. quick!

“I guess all the late nights at the office, the weekends working together.. I mean, she was practically glued to me,” Jon quickly added, though it made things worse.

“So is that why you said you couldn't come this weekend, Sansa?” a voice called out from behind them. A lady with long dark red hair and fierce blue eyes approached them. She was beautiful and elegant. A lady of the house. It was unmistakable who she was and didn't take long for Jon to guess.

“Mom,” Sansa greeted her. Jon watched as the two of them hugged. It wasn't quite as warm as he had seen with the rest, and Jon noticed how Sansa pulled away almost immediately.

“You must be Jon. The boss she had been talking about lately.”

She made him nervous. Jon smiled and nodded, holding his hand out anyway.

“Well, I'm not surprised. I hope it has all been good.”

She eyed him up and down, the upturned corners of her mouth faded the moment she met his eyes. Jon regretted immediately just breathing in her presence.

“I'm just glad she decided to come. I guess you must be the one to thank then.. Jon, was it?”

“Jon, this is Catelyn, my mother,” the introduction by Sansa was unnecessary.

“But you may call me Mrs Stark,” Catelyn advised. Jon gulped.

“Pleasure to meet you, Mrs Stark. Y-you.. have a beautiful house.”

Catelyn looked around at the people from around town that she had invited for her father's eightieth and Sansa's long overdue homecoming. And here was Jon. A complete stranger who kept her beloved daughter away for far too long. Keeping her composure, she had promised Ned to be at her best behaviour, especially after he shared with her the shocking news. It wasn't the homecoming she was looking forward to.

“Thank you. Please do make yourself comfortable. Seeing you'll be joining us for the weekend.”

“Thank you… Mrs Stark.”

A chime of the doorbell and a cacophony of voices joining the fray caught Catelyn's attention, before she could continue. Saved by the bell, Jon watched as Catelyn gave Sansa and him a nod before greeting the guests who had just arrived.

If hell froze over, it would have been right at that moment, as Jon exhaled, a long breath he didn't realise he was holding.

“Interesting,” Jon remarked, giving Sansa a questioning look. Robb and Talisa were similarly reeling from the chilly encounter but deflected well, excusing themselves and shuttling the younger boys away from Sansa and Jon.

“Well, it's clear your mother doesn't like me very much. I wonder why,” Jon nudged Sansa into a quieter corner. “Is there something I should be warned about?”

“What do you mean?” Sansa bluffed.

“Okay so I haven't been the best boss, I know that but I am trying my best as I promised you. We're in this together so help me out here. What am I missing?”

Sansa couldn't look him in the eye. “She kinda hates your guts.”

Okay not really a surprise. “Because?”

Sansa groaned. “ Because! Well.. because I left Winterfell right after graduation and got a job in the city! And I then told her you were kind of a dick. That's why.”

Jon sighed. “Great. Just great.”

“Well, you asked.”

Sansa continued. “Since I left and started working for you, I haven't really visited home.”

Jon was confused. “And why didn't you? What has that got to do with me?”

Sansa stared at him in disbelief. Three years I have given to you. That's three long years I haven't seen my family. “I have not had any vacation days since I started working for you, just to jog your memory a bit. So yeah, she kind of blames you for taking me away from her.”

Oh. And him being here, as Sansa's fiancé was a slap in the face, Jon surmised. “Right. So.. there's no way to fix this?”

Sansa shook her head. She really didn't expect her mother to act out the way she had with Jon. But it was unavoidable, the tension brewing from day one, what with all the heaty exchanges on the phone with Catelyn demanding why Sansa hadn't resigned yet if she hated her job and boss so much. And now, imploded with Sansa returning home with him as her fiancé. Sansa was well aware how she herself had caused it but simply had no clue on how to fix it. She hadn't thought that far yet. All she wanted was to get through the weekend without the family drama.

“Sweetie, do you want to put your bags in your room?” Ned's soothing voice was just the escape both Jon and Sansa needed. Yes, they were tired, exhausted already from the charade and some time away from lying to people would be a welcome change of pace.

Jon followed Sansa upstairs where Ned, Robb and Talisa led them to their room for the night. Jon noticed there were many rooms in the large house, he had hoped it would be one with a comfortable bed at least. And as far away from the family as possible.

“Oh, my old room! You still kept it like before?” Sansa cooed as she dropped her bag on the floor. Her bed and the comfy couch were still in the same spot as was her desk and dresser. The posters were long gone and probably for the better but the nostalgia got the better of her.

“Yeah, Mom wanted to keep it in case you returned home. You know how she is. But anyways,” Robb said, draping his arm around Sansa's shoulder. “Welcome back, Sans.”

It was all very nice and warm to observe but Jon couldn't wait to see his room. Sansa's had a fantastic view of the snow capped hills that Winterfell seemed to have so many of and he didn't mind waking up to the same.

“This is nice. Well, I do hope mine is half as nice as this.”

Robb and Ned turned to him, puzzled at his statement. A nervous chuckle escaped Ned, as he scratched at his beard.

“Well, this is weird for me to say in front of my daughter but I am under no illusion that you two have shared a bed together. I mean we are all adults here, we can understand how two people engaged to each other sleep.”

Oh dear god. Jon and Sansa exchanged looks of horror.

“Besides there is only this room. The guest rooms are being renovated at the moment,” Ned added.

“Right.. okay.” Jon gave up.

Can today get any worse?

“The towels and sheets are in that cupboard over there if you need them. And, oh,” Talisa walked over to a wooden closet and took out a thickly folded hand made quilt.

“This should keep you warm in the cold Winterfell weather,” she smiled and handed it to Jon.

“Oh, lovely. Thank you so much.” It looked nice and comfy, just what he needed since he didn't quite pack proper sleep wear.

Talisa giggled, then whispered to Sansa and Jon as she pointed to the quilt. “That blanket is also sort of a Stark tradition. It's called the Baby Maker, you know.” Talisa cheekily pointed to her burgeoning baby bump.

Oh god, no. Jon flinched and tossed the blanket aside. “Well, we gotta be extra careful with that one, right there.”

Sansa was aghast. “Yeah, super extra careful.” Goodness.

“Right, okay we'll leave you two love birds to take a break. And umm.. maybe keep it down eh?” Ned joked awkwardly. It was disheartening to see his darling girl all grown up.

“Oh my god, Dad!”

“Okay, okay we're leaving,” Ned yielded as he made his way out.

“Do come down in a bit for snacks and say hi to the guests if you can. Seems they're all curious to meet you,” Robb suggested, giving Jon a wink and Sansa a kiss on the cheek.

Sansa and Jon watched as Ned and company left their room. Sansa quickly shut the door and locked it before anyone in her family barged in. In that room and only in that room were they Jon Snow, Editor-in-Chief and illegal immigrant and her, Sansa Stark, executive assistant and accomplice. Just two people brought together by a set of very strange circumstances and ill-thought decisions. The brevity of the situation wasn't lost on Sansa as there stood only one bed before them. Yeah.. nope.

“You're taking the couch.”

Jon groaned. He wanted the bed. If he had stayed at the hotel, he would've already been in bed now, all tucked in and snoring away. “This is not how I planned the weekend.”

“Well, too bad. Unless you want to all this to blow up in everyone's faces and we're found out because of your brilliant idea, we have to stay here, like it or not. In my old room. And no, I am not sharing my bed with you.”

Fair enough. Jon couldn't insist on taking the bed nor share it with Sansa. There were clear boundaries he had set for himself, unspoken but unquestionable. This was a fake engagement, they didn't have to actually share anything at all. Besides, Jon had slept in worse places before, recalling the futon from his old college dorm. Sansa's couch looked bigger than the futon and far more comfortable.

“Fine, take the bed.”

The rest of the evening was more of the same - Sansa and Jon introducing themselves to the rest of the people who were either neighbours or childhood friends. Winterfell seemed like a large town where the Starks knew everyone. Well, they are well to do, Jon understood that was expected. Catelyn was still giving him the cold shoulder and Jon found solace in playing UNO with Sansa's kid brothers at the kitchen table. Sansa was still catching up with everyone else and it was only right that she did, so Jon didn't want to intrude.

“Hey guys, think maybe it's time for bed?” Jon asked, seeing the large yawns that took over the boys. It was their fourth hand in the game and though Jon enjoyed their company immensely, he too was tired.

Rickon rubbed his sleepy eyes. “Okay but only if we play again tomorrow.”

“Promise,” Jon held out his fist for a bump. The boys waved good night and Jon drank the last of his juice as he compiled the cards into a neat deck. The house had gone quiet with the party guests gone, save for the quiet hum and rattling of dishes in the dishwasher. It was ten and high time for a hot shower and then crawl into bed. In Sansa's room. Great.

“Knock, knock. Everyone decent?” Jon had to make sure.

“Yeah,” Sansa answered. She was already dressed for bed and tucked in under her covers, scribbling thoughtfully on her notepad she had propped up on her knees.

“Whatcha doin?” Jon cringed. He had never made any small talk with Sansa before and it showed.

Sansa's eyes never left the notepad. “Just a script. Sort of I guess.”

“A script?” Jon took off his coat and hanged it neatly in the empty closet. Sansa obviously hadn't unpacked yet, seeing her bag was only half open.

“Yeah. I mean I have to say the right things when my family and people start asking questions. At breakfast, at dinner. We're going to be surrounded by family if you haven't noticed. Maybe you should do one too?”

“What's wrong with going with the flow?” Jon wondered. He thought today had gone pretty well, considering.

“Well, my mother for one and two, I'm really bad at lying if you can't tell already.”

Oh dear. Jon sighed as he removed his vest and unbuttoned his shirt. Though, a script didn't sound half bad. Charm might not work so much in the North.

“But I'm drawing blanks. I really don't know what they're going to ask,” Sansa tossed her pencil in frustration.

“Maybe it's best not to overthink it. Say what comes naturally. We'll figure it out when we get to it, okay?” Jon suggested. He didn't want to overact his part, he'd look and feel awkward and that would only make it worse. He needed to sell it and sell it right. Jon sighed as he pressed on his temples. His head was pounding from the amount of quick thinking and shrewd planning he did today. All he craved for now was a hot shower, to wash the day away stinking of lies.

The steam and the hot water did wonders in soothing the tense muscles he didn't realise he had. He was wound up so tight from all the interactions earlier than day that his shoulders and neck were as stiff as concrete. Can't wait to get into bed. No, Jon thought. Couch. Dammit. Jon didn't want to leave the shower but any longer he would've used up all the hot water in the house. I miss my bed.

“Umm Jon? What are you wearing?” Sansa narrowed her eyes at him as he came out of the bathroom. He felt the chill seep right through his bones. Note to self, buy pyjamas.

“ What? This is what I wear to bed.”

“Boxers? You're going to freeze in your sleep.”

Jon was fully aware and accepted his fate, that it could happen but he didn't have much of a choice now.

“Well, the idea was to have a nice warm bed all to myself in a hotel. But... here we are.” The cancellation was uncalled for but it wasn't her fault.

Jon glanced at the couch. Sansa had already placed pillows and a blanket for him but Jon had an inkling they wouldn't be enough to keep him warm. But he'd make do. One night down. “Good night Sansa.”

Sansa shrugged. “Good night Jon. Don't die on me, okay?”

Whatever. Jon ignored Sansa and rested his head on the pillow, pulling the sheets and blanket right up to his neck. He still felt cold but he would try to endure. Shutting his eyes, Jon counted to a hundred. It was a coping technique his grief therapist recommended, especially useful during uncomfortable situations and for whenever Jon needed to get his bearings. Also, he didn't want to think about dying frozen in his sleep, no thanks to Sansa.

Jon sighed as he reached sixty, his eyelids were getting heavier and the cold wasn't nipping at him so much now. As he gently drifted off to sleep, Jon made a wish, for warmer weather the next two days, the only remedy he'd ask for to get through the weekend.

Stay warm, stay warm.. stay warm.. must keep warm..

And indeed it was. Jon wriggled, his body welcoming a lovely warm sensation that enveloped his chest and legs. Slowly, it covered him more and more, causing Jon to stretch his arms as he adjusted himself, wallowing in the sudden warm, comfy bliss. It was so soft and cozy where he laid, pleased that the weather gods had heard his wish. Jon wanted to remain just like this for as long as he could.

“Mmmm..” A groan.

A rustle.

But Jon didn't move an inch. He didn't want to. Another groan heard and then the warmth he felt, shifted. Why is this couch moving?

Reluctantly, Jon opened his eyes, squinting as the bright rays broke through the crack in between the drapes and slowly came into his line of vision. Jon shut his eyes again. All he wanted to do was sleep in. It was the weekend, after all.

Weekend... Sansa.

“Oh my god!”

“Jon!”

“Why are you in my bed?!” Sansa shrieked.

#jonsa #jon x sansa #the proposal au #modern jonsa au #fave movies au #fic trope: only one bed #jonsa fic

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youngster-monster · 4 years

Text

four leaf clover - lucky

Something explodes in the distance.

Razel reacts accordingly: he jumps to his feet, lifts his hand off the supplies he was rearranging, and says, “Didn’t do it!”

For once it’s more than a desperate attempt to avoid his supervisor’s wrath. Surely he’d have noticed if the crate of — he checks the label quickly — dehydrated fruit rations had exploded in his hands, and it sounded pretty distant anyway.

It turns out to be useless: no one is looking at him, accusingly or otherwise. All the other workers spur into action at the sound and Razel is left standing there like an idiot as they run around the docking bay, strapping crates of supplies to each other the way they do when they’re about to enter a planet’s atmosphere.

Another explosion, and this time the floor shakes under his feet. People yell in surprise, trying to hold the few unattached boxes in place before they fall on someone. Razel stumbles and almost collides with his supervisor, Lexi Kendall. She catches him by the sleeve of his shirt before he can hit the ground instead and shoves a gun in his hands.

“Make yourself useful,” she barks.

She strides away before she can see him fumble with the weapon. They both know he’s no good with guns, so he’s not sure why she gave him one.

Yet another explosion rocks the ship, loud enough to cover the sound of panic in the room. The lights turn red, alarms blaring. Through the chaos, a voice screams,

“Guard the doors!”

Razel looks down at the gun. Then up at the crowd of people rushing through the small hangar space. Back at the gun. He puts it down on a nearby crate. Better be unharmed than accidentally shoot someone — it’s happened before and he doesn’t fancy a repeat of that particular lecture. He replaces it with the crowbar he was using on the crates. Now that he can do something with.

Somewhere on the ship — above their heads, the mess hall maybe — there’s the sound of fighting, people running over metal floors. Silence falls on the room, or as silent as it can be with the alarms still screaming in their ears. Workers and guards shift uneasily, fingers tightening around their guns.

Then, as suddenly as they started, the alarms stop. It’s quiet enough to hear a pin drop… or the feet pounding outside the docking bay, coming to a stop on the other side of the door.

Razel takes a low stance, relaxes his shoulders and breathes out.

When the door is blown off its hinges, he’s ready.

Bullets rain over the singed gap left in the wall, but whoever was behind ducked for cover just in time. Kendall steps closer to the hole, her rifle held at the ready.

She collapses before she reaches it.

A second later enemies swarm the room, shooting down anyone who tries to fight back. They advance with ruthless efficiency but instead of uniforms they’re wearing mismatched pieces of armor, obviously stolen off other shipments, patched to hell and back.

Pirates. He’s never met those before! He’s a little excited, to be honest.

Razel jumps out of cover when one of the pirates walks by the pile of crates. He slams the crowbar into their head and grins when they collapse to the ground. A good kick sends their stun gun way out of reach and he moves to the next one.

It takes a second for the pirates to react. Whatever opposition they were expecting, a maniac with a crowbar wasn’t it. He gets a good few hits before they start shooting at him. He drops to the ground then, narrowly dodging a projectile. His slide takes him right into a pirates’ knees— and in the middle of the rest of them.

Think fast. Better: don’t think at all.

He throws the crowbar with all his might. It hits a pirate square in the chest — he was aiming for the head but alright. There’s a sound like something cracking, and he winces even as he scrambles back to his feet and jump over their fallen body. It didn’t sound pleasant.

Gunshot. Something collides with his back hard enough to send him back to the ground. He tries to cushion the fall with his hands but his body seizes up, muscles locking tight, and he hits the metal flooring face first. It hurts — might have broken his nose — but not as much as the burn of electricity through his veins.

Stun guns. Who would have thought.

He’s still seizing up by the time footsteps reach him, echoing sharply in the room, quiet again save for the faint moans of pain from the other paralyzed workers. The toe of a boot nudges him in the ribs before flipping him on his back with a light kick. He wrinkles his nose — the only protest he can muster in this state — and groans when it only makes the pain worse by jostling the possibly broken cartilage.

The pirate standing over him, a stun rifle held loosely against their chest, is the one they got in the chest. He thinks it’s a miracle they’re standing after that kind of blow before his eyes trail up to their face and he finds mechanical eyes staring back.

An exo. That explains it. Not much that can keep these down.

“Feisty, aren’t ya?” The exo says — a male, by the sound of it. He gives Razel something that might be a smile, internal light brightening as he opens his mouth slightly, and nudges him again. “A gun might have been more useful.”

The electrical jolts have calmed down enough that Razel can unlock his jaws enough to say, “Can’t shoot.”

The exo kneels next to him and drags him up into a sitting position, pulls his arms back and loops a long cord around his wrists. His voice sounds a little mocking when he speaks again, moving down to do the same thing to his ankles.

“And they hired you anyway?”

“They never told me I’d have to use a gun!” He pouts. “Not that I need one anyway.”

“You’ve got a good throwing arm on you, I can tell ya that much.”

Once satisfied with his knots the pirate steps away and to the center of the room, making a quick turn on himself to take a good look at the rest of Razel’s coworkers, all similarly tied-up. He clears his throat, if such a thing is necessary for robots.

“Good evening, good people of the Clovis Bray Corporation!” He makes a mock bow at them, opening his arms wide like a performer thanking the public after a play. His finger never leaves the trigger of his handcannon. “My name is Cayde-5, and my wonderful friends and I have decided to huh… appropriate the goods you are carrying. Stay calm, and we’ll be off before dinnertime!”

The rest of the pirates — most of them exos, he notices — don’t look half as friendly. Relaxed, yes, as they lean against walls and cargo crates, but the way they keep their guns pointed at the hostages doesn’t seem friendly to Razel. Their leader though… He’s fun. If he wasn’t holding him hostage, Razel thinks he’d like him.

It’s a little disheartening to see all his hard work organizing these crates goes to waste as the pirates start carrying them away to where one of their own is setting up a transmat zone. He sighs wistfully as they cart off the crates full of canned food. There are canned peaches in these that he’d kill for.

“Something on your mind, crowbar guy?”

He has to crane his neck to look Cayde-5 in the eyes from his position on the floor, and the movement isn’t made any more comfortable by the way his arms are tied behind his back. He manages a small shrug despite the tight bindings.

“It’s Razel, actually. And I guess I’m kinda bummed out,” he says. “If I’d known we were gonna get robbed, I’d have kept some of my candy stash for later. I was kind of resting all my hopes on those canned fruits.”

“Never put all your eggs in one basket,” Cayde-5 says wisely. “Sucks for those snacks though.”

He thinks about it for a second. “I have a chocolate bar left in my pocket actually,” he says, because he remembers shoving it there before Thomas could catch him in the act and steal it. “So it’s not too bad.”

There’s a second of quiet as both of them watch the pirates work. Finally Cayde says, “Gotta say I’m impressed, crowbar. You’re taking this really well.”

“Thanks! All the ships I get on end up getting robbed at some point so, you know, you get used to it.”

He can see Kendall glaring at him from behind the pirate’s back, probably because he’s chatting with the enemy, but it’ll be awhile before they’re done taking all their stuff so he might as well entertain myself. Cayde looks above his shoulder, and Razel thinks he somehow felt the weight of her glare on his neck, but he just calls out to one of his pirates instead.

“You heard that Mint? That guy survived… how many robberies was it?”

“Huh, I don’t know. About a dozen?”

“A dozen robberies Mint! How cool is that?”

One of the pirates stops, puts down the crate he was carrying and leans against it to reply to his boss. “Doesn’t sound all that cool for the one getting robbed though.”

“I know, but… dozen attacks, and he still has all his limbs! How lucky is that?”

Mint thinks about it for a second and concedes the point with a nod and an appreciative hum.

“It’s not so bad, after a while,” Razel feels the need to clarify. “I mean, once you’ve sat at gunpoint while someone took all your stuff once, it all starts to look the same, you know?”

“It is more fun when you’re the one doing the robbing,” Cayde agrees. He sits down on his heels and gives Razel a good hard look. He’s glad for it: his neck was starting to ache. “Tell you what, you give me that chocolate bar you’ve got squirreled away in one of these pockets and you can tag along, see how it looks from the other end of the robbery. How does that sound?”

A few pirates make noises of protest, though there’s not much energy in it, like they’re used to that kind of recruitment technique. Kendall yells something along the line of don’t you dare-

Razel them and takes a moment to think about it, really think about it. He looks at the pirates, who shakes their head at their captain’s antics and move on. He looks at Kendall, glaring daggers at the two of them, then at Cayde, who winks at him. He looks at the crate of fruit preserves.

“Okay,” he agrees. “But I call dibs on the canned peaches.”

“Deal.”

#writing #April Bouquet #destiny 2 #cayde-6 #my ocs #razel

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the-shadow-of-atlantis · 5 years

Text

New In Town

Summary: Since when are there archers in Gotham?

A/N This idea was requested by @lizartgurl and Maia who gets mentioned belongs to @royslittleharper

Tagging: @lizartgurl @thespacebuns @melyaliz @coffee-randomness @speedypan @gobydana

Read Earlier Parts Here

“So where have you been for the past two months that I had to use puppies to lure you in?” Olivia asked as she began feeding the dogs in the kennels.

Annabella cooed at the tiny puppies that were crawling all over her, lifting one up so she could kiss his little belly.

“Dad put me in this program and I made some new friends there. It’s actually pretty fun.” Annabella lied, well sorta.

“So you’re making friends with rich kids now.”

“They’re not rich kids. They’re just… special.”

“Mmhhmm, well I’m glad you’re having fun you do seem happier.”

“You know I still love this place.” Annabella said looking up at Olivia. “I’m sorry I haven’t been here often.”

“Hey don't worry about it.” Olivia smiled. “I’m just glad you’re finally having fun as a kid.”

Annabella smiled as she began putting the puppies back into their box.

“So, hows your mother doing?” Annabella asked looking carefully at Olivia.

“She’s hanging in there.” Olivia sighed as she finished up feeding the last of the dogs. “I’m basically running this place on my own and doing school and just trying to help her.”

Annabella nodded sadly.

“Anna don't even think about it.”

“I didn’t even say anything.”

“No but I know that look. You don’t have to do anything, we got this.”

“But we can help.”

“You and your father have helped us in more ways than anyone. But somethings we have to go through ourselves.”

“Fine.” Annabella sighed.

“Come on. Lets go get some batburger.” Olivia said holding her hand out to Annabella.

“You think dad might let me have one of the puppies?” Annabella asked as she waited for Olivia to lock up.

“Ha I’d like to see you try.” Olivia snickered.

Annabella felt a chill run down her back and quickly turned with her first up but was face to face with a gun pointed straight at her face.

“Don’t try anything stu-AH!!!!” The gunman cried out as oliva quickly maced him, Annabella kicked him for good measure and turned to run down the street with Olivia right behind her.

However as they got close to the corner two more men came out, Annabella quickly slid and shot her leg upward managed to get the man in the crouch who whimpered and leaned against the wall. Oliva was about to try and dismantle the other one but a shot rang out and both girls froze looking at each other to try and see which one got shot. By the time they figured out that no one was hurt Annabella got yanked up by her hair making her scream.

“Anna.” Olivia tried to move but the men had them surrounded, the one who had been maced was rubbing his eyes furiously but his gun was pointed right at Olivia and one Annabella had kicked was still leaning against the wall but his gun was trained on her, and Annabella couldn’t figure a way out, not with this many guns pointed at them.

“Boss you realize who you got there?” One of the guys said.

“Yeah, I had a hunch. But now that’s she's close up I can see. We were thinking of just robbing the place but I think we can get a lot more with this little one here.” Annabella struggled but the man pulled on her hair tighter. “Behave our your friend becomes target practice.”

“Don’t!” Annabella shouted trying to get her thoughts together, her bracelet! “Y-you can get money for her too.”

“Yeah right.”

“She’s my friend. My dad would pay double to get us back safe.” Annabella tapped her bracelet from behind her praying her dad was near by.

“What you think boss?”

“You better not be lying kid.” The man growled in her ear he lowered the gun and suddenly an arrow knocked the gun out.

Before anyone could react another arrow was shot and sprang a net around the guy who Annabella kicked. More arrows were shot and Olivia ran and punched the guy holding Annabella. Annabella tried to find the archer.

“Will-wait wha?” Annabella spotted a blond girl in a green suit fighting the man that grabbed her. Okay definitely not Maia.

“Annabella get back to the clinic.” Olivia said grabbing her by the shoulder.

“Wait we can’t leave her.” Annabella said.

“Go.” The blonde said as she took down the last guy. “Stay safe while help comes.”

Olivia nodded as the blonde finished tying everyone up.

Annabella sighed as she waited for Olivia to finish giving her statement to the police.

“Annabella?” Came her father's panicked voice as he pulled out of the car.

“Dad!” Annabella said as she hugged her dad tightly

“Are you okay?” He asked looking her over.

“I’m fine, they didn’t get to do much. We got saved… by an archer. But this I think this is someone new.” Annabella said hoping he knew what she meant, her dad slightly nodded.

“Gordon can you please escort Ms. Argall back home. I’ll take my daughter home.”

“Of course Mr. Wayne.” Gordon nodded.

“Sorry we almost got kidnapped.” Annabella sighed as she hugged Olivia..

“Its alright.” Olivia sighed as she hugged Annabella. “Just promise you’ll visit soon.”

“I will.” Annabella smiled as she pulled away.

Bruce lead her back to the car and sighed.

“Are you sure your okay?” He asked.

“Yeah. Those guys must’ve been new. If it wasn’t for their boss actually showing up Olivia and I might have been able to get away.” Annabella mumbled.

“The archer that saved you are you sure it wasn’t Maia?”

“Maia isn’t blonde.”

“She wears a wig.”

“Yeah a blue one. This archer looked younger too. And she was dressed in green. Did Ollie get another sidekick with out us knowing?”

“Doubt it. I’ll talk to him.”

“She’s not in trouble is she?”

“She saved you, we’ll hear her out see what it is shes trying to do.”

Annabella nodded as she stared out the window.

~~~~~

“Hey Dinah.” Annabella said as she hopped on Black Canary’s back when everyone cleared out from training.

“Hey you.” Canary chuckled.

“Has Ollie talked to the archer girl yet?” Annabella asked as she looked over to see Canary’s face.

“Her name is Artemis and no not yet we’re still keeping an eye on her, but we’ll talk to her soon.” Canary smiled as she looked over at Annabella. “But I have a feeling that’s not what you really want to ask me.”

Annabella stayed quiet for a little bit looking around to make sure they were still alone.

“Remember how you said you could show me better self defense if I wanted to?”

“Yes.”

“I want to take you up on your offer.” Annabella mumbled.

“Alright.” Canary nodded. “Let’s begin.”

Annabella smiled as she hopped off her back and got into position.

#oc x oc #oc x artemis #yj imagine #part of the team

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denouemwnt · 6 years

Text

meeting the squad

you can also read it in AO3!

pairing: jake peralta x reader

warnings: nope

summary: Jake Peralta wants you to finally meet his family, the Nine-Nine squad, and it won't be a simple introduction.

words: 1634

(you can see my masterlist here!)

________________________________________________________________

“So… When I get to meet your family? You met mine last month and it was such a disaster.”

You were binge-watching Die Hard at your apartment with your boyfriend, Jake. You weren’t sure how many times you have done that since you started dating one year ago, but probably this was the tenth time you were doing.

The credits of the first movie were still rolling on the screen yet none of you wanted to get out of the couch to put the second one. You were just too comfortable cuddling, Jake being the little spoon like 99% of the time and you, obviously, is the big one.

“It was not that bad…” He turns around to look at you and suddenly you both started laughing. “But… which family?”

“I don’t know. Which one are you most comfortable to present me?” You decided to get up and he started asking you to come back. “I’m going to get more candies, got tired of popcorn! Try not to miss me so much, baby.”

“The kitchen is so far away!” Jake pretends he’s sad, but he soon gets up and goes after you.��“I think the squad is the better option right now. My parents…” He hugs your back while you get some candies and puts his head on your shoulder.

“It’s ok, baby. You don’t need to get me to meet them if you’re not comfortable with that.” You turn around to hug him properly.

Knowing what Jakes has been through with his parents since he was a kid made you feel sad. He used to feel so lonely and you saw that in his eyes when you first met him.

Everything changed for him that day.

“It’s just… My dad, you know?” He sighs and carefully presses his forehead against yours.

“I’m so sorry, Jake.” You hold the bowl with candies in one hand and the other one you use to put on his neck to help you get up a little more steady to kiss him.

“Don’t be, babe.” He grabs the bowl from you and runs to the living room. ”Tomorrow you’re going to meet the squad and I’m sure they will love ya! I already started planning it in my mind right now; it’s going to be amazing!” Peralta screams.

Oh, no.

You come back to the room and sits beside him, getting one chocolate bar.

”Now, let’s watch the second movie!”

_____

Jake notices your feet trembling all the way to the bar.

“You’ll be fine, babe.” He places his hand on your thigh and gently caresses it.

“Just a few friends, right?”

“Yep.”

You take a deep breath and get out of your boyfriend’s famous car holding hands with him. When you put your feet in the place ‘We are the champions’ starts playing in the background and a lot of people turn to see you. You are almost certain that the whole police station is here. He leads you to the center of the bar and calls everyone’s attention. You have no idea how to react, being totally shy since you stepped in.

“Hey, guys! This pretty girl here, Y/N L/N,” He takes out from nowhere princess tiara and puts on your head “is my amazing girlfriend and I just want you all to know that I’m so lucky to date her. Happy one year anniversary, babe.” The people started clapping to the both of you.

You try to get back at your normal self again and pretend your boyfriend isn’t being a little too much today and awkwardly kisses his cheek. After you say hi to them, Jake says that the drinks are on him, turning the attention off you.

“Too much?” He holds your hands in his.

“Too much.” You laugh. “But that’s just you, babe. I must have known that something like this would happen.” You now give him a normal and passionate kiss since – you think – no one is looking at you.

Peralta takes you to a big table where some people were, the only one that you recognized was Boyle, who discovered your secret relationship during a kind of intimate moment.

“Guys, this is Y/N L/N, my girlfriend.” He says proud of himself, making you chuckle.

“I think you made that pretty clear a few minutes ago, Jake.” You lightly punch his arm and present yourself to his co-workers. “It’s nice to finally meet all of you.”

“It’s nice to meet you too, Y/N. Actually, you look too nice to date him.” You smiled and sat in the available place beside the woman who said that to you.

“Let me present everyone to you, Miss L/N.” He sat beside you and whispered in your ear. “Terry. Gina. Charles, but you already know him. Rosa. The famous Captain Holt. And Amy, the one who said you’re too nice to date me. Done.” He said it out loud, pointing to each one of them.

“How did Charles know about Y/N and I didn’t? I feel so offended.” Gina looked falsely disappointed at Peralta.

“Well, ahh, we-” Jake tried to say but Boyle interrupted him.

“I have the key to Jake’s apartment so I entered and they were making out.” He said quickly. “Sorry, Y/S/N, I really needed to tell them, I wouldn’t keep it one day more.”

“It’s okay, Charles. Wait, did you just invent a ship name for us?” Jake put his hand on your thigh, below the table.

After that, everyone orders their drinks and you get the chance to talk to all of the squad. You have never seen co-workers with such a good relationship like theirs. Jake was so happy to work with them, you could clearly see that.

“So, Y/N, why did you and Jake decide to let your relationship in secret?” Terry asked.

“At the beginning of it…It was because we weren’t sure about it and we wanted to see what would happen.” You put your hand above Jake’s that were still on your thigh. “But, when some months passed on, it was just because it was fun dating in secret.”

“We had a lot of fun together doing everything in secret, right, babe?”

“Hell yeah. Remember that time when you went to my office and-”

“Guys, we don’t need the details,” Gina said.

“Oh, no, there isn’t what you’re thinking.” You laugh. “On Valentine’s Day, Jake decided to put some rose petals and an anonymous card on my desk at work. And actually, he went to the wrong room. He put them in my boss’ and she thought she had some secret admirer and was happy the whole week.”

In return, Jake told them an embarrassing story of you trying to surprise him on his birthday.

“I can’t believe I’m saying that but they’re perfect for each other,” Amy whispered to Rosa.

“Me too. I’m happy for Jake.” Rosa whispered back.

“I am- wait- what? Did you just say you were happy?”

“No. Didn’t say that.”

You excused yourself to go to the bathroom. You are so nervous and couldn’t stop wondering that maybe they didn’t like you. The squad is really important for Jake, they are his family. At least you like them, they seem really nice people. So different from each other and yet so similar.

When you come back to the table you hear your boyfriend telling his friends about the one time you kicked a man’s ass because he tried to rob you.

“What kind of weapon did you use?” Rosa asked you.

“Oh, I had my favorite knife in my hand - I had my grandfather give it to me when I was a teenager, it’s a family thing. Anyway, I didn’t even use it, I just showed him, but that was enough.”

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but what’s your last name again?” The Captain Holt asked.

“L/N.”

You knew one of them would make the connection. Your last name was known some decades ago. That’s why your first family meeting with Jake was such a mess; they talked all the time about that damn past.

“Are you Y/G/N L/N’s granddaughter?” Holt looked at you… surprised? You didn’t know how to read the man so you thought he was kind of surprised. “He was the head of the most famous Mafia in the 60s.”

“Yes, that’s him.” You sighed. “I don’t have much proud to say that he and all the others involved belong to my family, they did some pretty bad stuff in that time.”

_____

You and Jake were a bit drunk when you got to your apartment, which was the closest one. Immediately taking off your heels and placing them on the floor, you jumped to your bed.

Jake did the same as you, taking off his shoes and lying beside you. He looked at your face for a few seconds.

I am not sure if you liked the night, the squad and the way I planned everything, Peralta thought.

“Don’t worry about it. Everything was perfect, baby.” You turned on your left side to face him.

“How did you- Uh- I mean- What?” He looks at you shocked.

“You actually said that out loud, baby.” You get closer to him and gently kiss his lips, as a form to thank him for the night.

Of course, it was cool to date him in secret, but it was much better to finally know his co-workers, who he talked about every day. Being a detective it is not a job for him, it’s much more than that. He loves being a cop.

For a few seconds, you just stopped and looked at him. Jake Peralta is a childish handsome and awkward cop and you love him with all your heart. He doesn’t know it yet… Maybe one day he will.

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