#╰ (✪∀<) ~ *:･ﾟ✧ They locked me up and took my soul‚ ashamed of what they’d made. ◜☆◞ UNKNOWN. | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

torukmaktoskxawng · 11 months

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tsamsiyu ta’em - a new leaf part two

Masterlist - part five

Summary: Desertion must run in the family.

Pairing: Ronal/Tonowari/Original Female Character

Tag: #tsamsiyu ta'em fic

posted on ao3

Word Count: 9k+

Taglist (bold indicates “could not tag”): @mooniequeen @shit-i-say-shit-i-think @heart-an0n @amiets2 @slutforsmut4ever @yeosxxx @im-in-a-pansexual-panik

Warnings: canon-compliant, canon-typical violence, mature language, adult content, slow burn, polyamory, found family, cool aunt agenda, alien/human (technically avatar), jake sully sister agenda, time skips, I'm trying to hurry up and get to the good parts so bear with me, fluff, angst, adopted spider, tags to be added

A/N: Thank you so much for 300 followers! 🎉

Right from the start of the day, Jake knew something or someone was bothering his sister. She was quiet, she kept to herself, and she went stiff when anyone came near her. It was as though they were right back at the start when he first brought Kayla to High Camp. What was worse is that the kids had noticed and asked their father what was wrong with Auntie, and Jake couldn't afford to tell them that he didn't have all the answers and he had been wondering the same thing. A small part of him was scared that something had happened to her back at Bridgehead or maybe she was changing her mind about staying. Whatever was wrong, Toruk Makto needed to fix it, one way or another.

She had been particularly moody to him all day, but unfortunately, she had to be in close proximity to her brother when they were both given the task of tending to the ikran and their harnesses. She decided to be silent, cold, and distant as they worked. Jake decided not to push his luck and worked in silence alongside her, just trying to be a comforting presence despite not knowing what was wrong. He did, however, notice other presences around them, and they were paying particularly close attention to his sister.

It was a small group of young Na'vi warriors, likely around Kayla's age if not a little younger. They stood off to the side, openly staring at Kayla and whispering to each other. Jake couldn't tell if they were curious or making fools of themselves by mocking her, but Kayla didn't appear to even notice them at first. Then, some avatar scientists joined the group, also publicly gawking at Kayla when their fellow Na'vi friends whispered to them, too. They laughed quietly among themselves and one unfortunate bastard was cursed with a snorty laugh that drew Kayla's attention to the group, sharp eyes locking onto them before she could even blink. The whole group quickly turned away, all either embarrassed or ashamed.

Jake took this opportunity to laugh and lighten the mood, "You've got a growing group of admirers, it would seem."

Kayla paused, still watching the group of men and women now clearly avoiding her gaze before actively ignoring them, bringing her eyes back down to her hands as she worked on weaving together a spare banshee harness. Jake huffed with amusement, "What? Not your type?"

"Not my priority," she muttered, "Besides, I'm pretty sure they're not staring at me because they wanna get some."

"Does that mean you have someone?"

Her eyes shoot up to him like a bullet, narrowed and glaring into his soul as she spits out, "Would I have come to Pandora alone if I did? I'm not the one who abandons people when they need me."

The silence is thick and palpable, able to cut through with a knife. Both Sullys stare at one another, unblinking. One stared in shock while the other glared in rage, but it's not hard to tell which is which.

Jake swallowed back the emotions when his throat suddenly dried, ears lowering in shame, "I'm sorry."

"After all, 'Sullys stick together', right?" She mocked, and one look at her and Jake could tell why she was suddenly pissed off at him. The shame quickly eats him up and threatens to spit him out as her voice wavered, "Usually, I'd find it sweet that you taught your kids some of our family's old traditions... but when that tradition ended up becoming a lie--"

"I was going through it," he tried making up excuses as a desperate attempt of calming her, "I wasn't thinking."

"You were going through it?" She huffs out a laugh of disbelief, the smile that briefly graced her lips was vile and hysterical, "I get that you were twins, Jake. But Tom was my brother, too."

Jake lowered his eyes, unable to look at her any longer. It seems as though Kayla can't just settle on one emotion, all her thoughts that have been stewing for some time beginning to boil over like a volcano. Her voice shook, either in rage or distress, Jake didn't want to look up and find out. "And for a while there, I thought I lost both of you."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sure you are. Doesn't excuse the fact that you left me all alone, found yourself a wife, and had a few kids all the while letting your sister believe you were dead!" She snapped, growing angrier by the minute when tears started to brew in her eyes. She didn't want to cry. She wanted to be angry. She wanted to punch him and scream but she was frustrated because she had clearly missed that opportunity when they first reunited, "I missed out on so much of your life, Jake. I missed out on their lives, and you didn't care."

"I did care. I still care--"

"You didn't. If I recall, the last thing you ever said to me was 'have a good life, kid' in that passive-aggressive tone of yours."

His eyes flick up to hers, "And your last words to me were even less than friendly."

"Sue me." Kayla snarled back, quick as lightning, "My brother abandoned me on a dying planet, all alone, and didn't bother to make sure I was taken care of."

The wording felt like heavy lead beginning to build in Jake's gut, tilting his head curiously at her, "What do you mean? What happened?"

"Nothing happened. I just did exactly what you told me to do. I grew up." His ears pin to his skull as his mind prompted him to a distant memory of the last time he ever spoke to Kayla. The shame and humiliation were evident in his eyes when she glared back, "To make ends meet I became a marine. You didn't give me much of a choice."

His hand reaches out before his brain could order it to do so, "Kayla--"

She hissed ferociously for her first attempt, the sound coming low from her chest and throat, baring her sharps fangs at her brother, "Don't fucking touch me."

Jake pulls his arms back, afraid she'd bite, and raised them in surrender so she had a clear view of both of them. Defeated, Jake keeps himself back and willingly exposes himself to her verbal lashings, "Alright, let's hear it. I wasn't sure how long it would take us to talk about it. But there's no easy way around it. So come on. Let's talk."

Her eyes were still pooling, threatening to spill, as she shook her head when words failed, "Maybe we shouldn't."

"No, we should. I knew this was coming. Go ahead."

She took a moment to try and find the right words, but there weren't any that she hadn't already said. Instead, Kayla confessed what she had been feeling all this time after having bottled it up for so long, "Initially I was glad that you're still alive. Now that the initial shock and relief have worn off-- fuck you, Jake."

She picked up her work and turned a full one-eighty, walking away and keeping her head low so no one would think she was making a scene. She wasn't able to get far before Jake comes after her, being sure not to touch her, and instead making her stop in her tracks when he rushed around to cut off her escape, "Look, Kayla, wait-- hate me all you want. I know I deserve it. But don't take it out on anyone else but me."

The words were enough to confuse Kayla as her rushing thoughts pause, peering up at Jake in puzzlement, "What makes you think I would do that?"

"I can't afford not to," his whole posture displayed the stern form of an olo'eyktan, shoulders stiff with the weight of hundreds of lives relying on him, "Kayla, you and I, right now, are on opposite sides of a war. Alright?"

The firm reminder breaks the spell and Kayla quickly looks away, deciding to focus on a Na'vi child in the distance, running away from their mother as they laughed instead. Jake sidesteps until he's in her field of view again and she is forced to make eye contact. His expression stays serious, like a father talking down to their child, "Whatever punishment you think I deserve for what I did, I'll take it gladly. But don't do anything to punish anyone else, like telling Ardmore where we are. Don't feed my family to the wolves for my mistakes."

It hurt to think that after everything Kayla has seen in these last few months, Jake would believe she could possibly do something so monstrous. Her eyes widen at him, shattered as she voiced this in such a soft tone, "Do you honestly think I could do something like that?"

He doesn't relent even though he wants to. He wants to believe his sister loved his kids and would never throw them under the bus for crimes he committed, but he's seen too much. He knows what people like Ardmore are capable of, and has seen firsthand what they can do to get what they want. "It's like you said. Twenty years is a long time but it's enough for someone to change. And the side that you're fighting for, the Sky People... They have done nothing but hurt the Na'vi. They've killed animals, entire ecosystems, and even the People themselves. I watched them destroy Neytiri's home and there were many casualties. Men, women, and children. All for what? For the ore that lay underneath. I thought we had driven them away but now they're back, and they're more ruthless than before. That field outside Bridgehead. The Kill Zone? That used to be a forest. A beautiful, powerful, living forest. And now it's gone. Burnt down to the dry desert it now is."

Kayla's eyes dart away, her expression crumbling into a whole range of emotions that she tried to contain, conflict and sadness being only a couple of them. Jake doesn't relent, "Come on, Kayla, you know I'm right. You know what the Sky People are doing is wrong."

It was a weak attempt at defending herself and her species, but Kayla's sisterly instinct to argue with her brother was a lot stronger than common sense, "... They're my people. They're your people."

"No." He shut her down firmly, harshly, "I chose my people. I chose people who love life. 'People who love the ground they walk on and respect the animals they hunt. They believe that everything must return to the dirt so life can start all over again. When have you ever seen a human give back?" When he's met with silence, he takes a different approach, "You're a soldier, Kayla. Soldiers don't have the freedom to make their own choices. They're not allowed to feel or have their own opinions. I would know because I was a soldier, too. I was just like you. But now I'm a warrior."

She frowns, staring up through her eyebrows with doubt evident through her yellow orbs, "There's a difference?"

"Yes. Warriors are loyal and brave. They have honor. They're not mindless animals who only do what they're told regardless of whether or not what they're doing is wrong. Only a soldier does that. I refuse to be a soldier ever again."

The arguing side of her finally gives in, exhausted from spewing all her emotions out all at once in the heat of the moment. She just wants to sleep now, and at this point, she'll do whatever it takes to get back to her nivi, "What do you want from me?"

The opportunity presents itself and Jake finally admits the motivation behind bringing her here in the first place, "I'm asking you to stop being a soldier and start being a warrior. Join us. Join us and learn to love life again as you did before. Stay here. Be a part of our family. Fight for the survival of our family." Kayla looked as though she had expected him to say this, but still appeared unsure, scared of the danger of staying. Jake took a brave step forward and gently placed his hands on either of her shoulders, "My kids love you and they need you. Do you love them?"

She thought of Neteyam, so kind and brave and nurturing. Kiri, so full of hope and life and is just trying to know herself. Lo'ak, desperate for approval and to make himself seen, yet so reckless and funny. Sweet Little Tuk, so full of love for everyone around her and all-inclusive when showing her creativity and happiness. Kayla even thought about Spider, who smiles and laughs with her and tries to make her feel welcome, despite being an odd teenager who has yet to figure out how adult life works. Going beyond the kids, Kayla thought about Neytiri and Norm, people who have included her in everything and accepted her despite their differences, and who have grown to be her friends and family. Kayla's eyes briefly flick back to Jake and nodded, "Yes."

He smiled, "And the forest? The colors? The people?"

"Yes."

"All of that will go away if the Sky People continue to stay here. They'll dig up and burn every tree all the way down to the roots. They'll be an infestation to this world that you've grown to love. Please, Kayla. Stay here."

Determination and desperation intertwine on his face, and Kayla hated how she had to be the one to break such confidence in him. She partially wondered when did their roles reverse, where she had given up but he had hope. Maybe it had been when he first came to Pandora and saw his life through other people's eyes did he decide to change, and even though Kayla was proud of her brother for becoming a better man, she still felt the hurt of abandonment. Despite wishing she could hurt him as he hurt her, she didn't want it to be like this, "I can't, Jake."

His face had started to fall before she could quickly add, "Not when my real consciousness is in Bridgehead. As long as my body's there, I'll always have to go back."

He breathed a small sigh of relief through his nose, calm now that he knew she wanted to stay but just couldn't find the courage to do so, "Then wake up and run away."

"... How?"

"I have a plan."

~~~~~~~~~

The nights were a little cold high up in the cave systems of the floating mountains, but Kayla was ignoring the cold in exchange for looking into a cracked mirror hung up off to the side of the Longhouse, meant to be used for when the avatars needed to do their nightly routines. Kayla purposely waited until she was the last one to use the mirror for the night, the other avatars already lying in their hammocks, waiting for lights out to be called.

Her reflection was something she had only just begun to get used to. Big, yellow eyes, and cerulean skin with natural, flowing blue stripes perfectly shaping the angles of her face. Kayla pressed a finger to one of the many star-glittered freckles on her cheek that she had recently learned the Na'vi call tanhì. She followed the design for a while, losing count after twenty and then meeting her cat-like eyes in her reflection.

It was a face she was going to have to get used to if she was really going to go through with this. She once saw the avatar as a separate person entirely, but now she understood that they are one in the same both mind and soul. No matter what form she took, either blue or peach, she was still Kayla, and she had to remind herself of that every day in the mirror, no matter what reflection was looking at her. Although she was beginning to wonder just how much time she’ll be spending in her human body after tonight.

A plan had been set and now all she had to do was go to sleep and wake up in Bridgehead. Easier said than done, her nerves acting as a stimulant to keep her awake. Already, she was hearing snores coming from the biolab trailer. She heard quiet chatter in the distance, but other than that, the whole camp was asleep, marking just how late her rushing thoughts kept her up. Taking one last look at her avatar, she finally pulls away from the mirror and gets comfortable in her hammock, internally asking Eywa to wish her luck before closing her eyes.

She's awoken by the same blinding white lights and lab coats, asking a hundred questions a minute while routinely going through the motions of giving her nutrition and simultaneously taking blood samples through various needles and tubes in the crooks of her arms. Kayla blankly stared at her pale arms, a little thinner than normal. She hadn't had time to take care of her body in between links and decided that this should be one of the many reasons she needs to leave. Her stomach growled at the idea of freshly cooked teylu waiting for her back at High Camp and was extremely disappointed when a scientist handed her a granola bar instead. Finally, after they had bandaged her fresh wounds and were satisfied with her answers, Kayla stood from the ledge of the link bay and steadied herself,

"I need to talk to General Ardmore."

The general was summoned and brought to the biolab by the time Kayla was offered water and a full meal. The corporal even had time to pull her hair up into a more respectable bun before she would stand in attention for the general. Frances Ardmore walked in and Kayla salutes stiffly, keeping her eyes lowered until she had been given permission to speak.

"Report."

Kayla looked up with a stern look in her eye and a monotone voice, lying through her teeth gracefully, "There's a crash site near the location of what used to be the Na'vi's Hometree. A gunship with some bodies inside. It's not my brother, I know, but with your permission, General, I'd like to go out there and extract them."

"With your avatar?"

"Just myself, ma'am. I had to leave my avatar behind at the crash site." The general's eyes narrow and so Kayla quickly adds before she could be interrupted, "She's safely hidden, I assure you, but I left a tracker on her so I can find my way back. With your permission, I'd like to take a gunship out there and I'll retrieve the remains myself and bring them back so they can be properly identified and sent home to their families. There won't be any need for extra manpower or wasted supplies."

Ardmore didn't speak for a while, and Kayla had to use every muscle in her face to keep herself from smiling at the idea of Ardmore trying to remind herself that she needs to act sympathetic to the families of possibly deceased soldiers. Kayla was sure that Ardmore could care less about some bodies that were over a decade old, but courtesy forces her to be civil as she curtly nods to Kayla, "Permission granted. You get there, you extract the remains and come right back. That's it."

"Yes, ma'am."

The next morning, with a large satchel of "rations" at her hip, a mask over her face, and an AR rifle strapped to her back, Kayla is led to a gunship and then left alone. Remembering her previous training, Kayla strapped herself in and begin the process of starting up the engines while waiting for Control to clear her for take-off. Finally, she gets her orders and she barely contains her eagerness when responding cordially and taking off, floating up into the air before flying away. Silently repeating the rendevous coordinates Jake had provided her the day before, Kayla beelined in the direction of what used to be the Omatikaya's home.

In Sector Twelve, about ninety-three kilometers from the abandoned Hell's Gate facility, now sat a slowly healing memorial site of Hometree. Kayla had heard stories about this place, mostly from Mo'at, Neytiri, and even Neteyam, despite the fact the young Na'vi boy had never seen its former beauty before the RDA had decimated it. Despite never seeing it stand tall and mighty, Neteyam told stories that he had heard from the Na'vi around him who had seen it. He even proudly stated how his own bow, much like his mother's and maternal grandfather's, was made from the wood of Hometree. It is from Neteyam's stories that now let Kayla's imagination run wild as her gunship slowly circles around the site of the former home of the Omatikaya.

Most of it was still barren, Eywa's hold not yet fully restored over this land. Plants and signs of life were visibly, but not yet solidified. The great corpse of such a large, magnificent tree was still visibly, lying across the landscape like a fallen giant. Vegetation was growing all around its trunk, uproots, and branches, cementing it to the forest floor where it will one day fully return to the dirt to give back what it had taken from the Great Mother. Neytiri once told Kayla that the tree will likely not fully decay under her children's grandchildren are born, but by then, she hopes that more songs will be sung for them to remember it by.

Reaching her destination, Kayla slowly lowers her gunship to the forest floor but wisely chooses to stay inside the vessel, knowing that the world's immune system will not take her presence lightly-- not in this mundane form. She anxiously waits, breath somewhat shaking when she exhales, and purposely cuts the engine. She won't be needing to bring this gunship home, after all.

She's thankful that she doesn't have to wait for very long, hearing the familiar, echoing call of an ikran approaching. Sighting familiar blue and purple wings, Kayla grabs her things and climbs out of the gunship, double-checking that her mask was tightly secured before stepping out into Pandoran air. Tightly holding the strap of her bag, she makes the trek over to the ikran and its rider, who has landed a bit of distance away from the gunship out of paranoia.

Jake sucked in a sharp breath of air, his expression solemn and grave as he took in the human form of his sister, in the flesh, for the first time in over two decades. She was shorter than he remembered, with her dirty-colored hair cut to her shoulders and those familiar, Sully blue eyes staring back up at him through her mask. It was like staring at a ghost, haunted by several memories and none of which Jake was entirely proud of, given the latest argument with his sister. Kayla stared back at him with an all-knowing gaze, equally somber and grim as she stood off to the side of his ikran, patiently waiting. Bob had bristled underneath his rider, clearly uneasy about the human beside him, but through the bond, the banshee kept mostly to himself, aware that he was not allowed to eat this human. Jake broke off tsaheylu and dismounted, trudging over to Kayla and motioning her to lift her arms.

"You're a lot smaller than I remember." He stated slyly while inspecting her person for any trackers or listening devices, gently taking the bag from her shoulder and flipping it open.

"Last I checked, I was taller than you in your wheelchair, so watch yourself."

He glanced up from the bag and hissed playfully at her, causing a small smirk to form behind the glass of her mask. Jake hands her back her belongings and then rejoined his ikran, taking a few sticks of dynamite and a detonator out from the pockets of his saddle.

Kayla frowned at the sight of the explosives, glancing between them and the gunship, "Are you sure you don't want another gunship on your side? Two is better than one."

The Na'vi shook his head, "We can't risk it. For all we know, the RDA is tracking all their gear now."

Sighing in defeat, Kayla nods and stands off to the side while Jake rigs the gunship with explosives and calibrates the blasting cap with a timer. He walks back to his ikran, forming tsaheylu before hopping on and reaching down to Kayla with an offered hand. She takes it willingly and allows him to lift her up on the banshee while Bob grunts disapprovingly at the added weight. Jake places Kayla in front of him on the saddle and they take to the sky, high enough to be out of range when Jake finally hits the button setting off the detonator.

The gunship explodes in a blooming flower of fire and debris, the smoke rising into the air in the form of a small mushroom cloud. The loud noise disturbs the wildlife momentarily, with small forest ikran and stingbats taking to the sky. Jake doesn't give the explosion much thought as he grabs a tighter hold on Eywa te' Bob tan'sey mak'ta with one hand, but squeezes Kayla's shoulder with the other, "Now with any luck, they'll label you killed in action."

"Or missing." She muttered.

"Ardmore isn't gonna want that kind of paperwork. She would much rather label you as a traitor than start a manhunt looking for you lost in the woods. You said it yourself, she doesn't like wasting resources on just one individual."

"... So that's it? Just like that, we disappear?"

"Not what you were hoping for?" He peered down at her briefly before looking ahead, continuing to fly.

Kayla hesitates, glaring ahead at the skies while internally fighting with herself before finally confessing her inner thoughts, "A part of me thought it would've been easier for the both of us if I never found out you were still alive. We could've just-- lived out the rest of our lives living in our respective worlds."

Jake allows the wind to fill in the silence, noting how defeated she sounded even with her back to him and the air whipping past them, obscuring her voice. He shakes his head despite the fact she couldn't see him, "The 'what if' scenarios aren't a thing around here. We don't believe in that kind of thing. Everything happens for a reason, and everything happens because it is the will of Eywa. I hope, in time, you'll learn to call this world your own as I did, kiddo."

She drops the debate, for the moment, and scoffs distastefully, "Okay, new rule. No more 'kiddo' talk. I'm not a child."

He smirks, "No? Then why are you small like one?"

He earns himself a sharp, small elbow in his ribcage when she reached back at him and a threatening promise, "Just wait, Sully. Soon I'll have your kids pinned against ya with all the stories I have of you up my sleeve. You'll regret the day you decided to pull me into this world."

~~~~~~~~~

Her nerves returned when they flew back to High Camp and a horn was blown to announce their arrival. Bob lands and Jake helps Kayla down before letting the ikran fly away. Na'vi were beginning to gather, and Kayla, yet again, felt more exposed than usual, even more so now as she was given some obvious glares regarding her obvious sky demon body and military clothes. Jake places a hand on the back of her neck, yet again, and led her away, immediately finding his family huddled together in the back of the crowd, waiting for him. He and Kayla part through the Omatikaya that have gathered and now stood in front of the Sullys.

Kayla wasn't surprised to see them all slightly hesitant by her human presence, and even though she couldn't blame them, it still made her stomach clench uncomfortably. She couldn't meet any of their eyes due to the height difference, and to her horror, even Tuk was taller than her in this form. When Kayla's eyes met the youngest Sully child's, Tuk shied away behind her mother's leg, clearly curious but unsure of getting closer. Off to the side, Kayla noticed that Norm, Max, and Spider were also there to greet her, and, much to her disappointment, even they stood taller than her as her fellow humans. The traitors. Kayla has never felt so small in her whole life.

Jake pats Kayla's back in sympathy while addressing the family, "Alright, Sullys. Your Aunt Kayla is going to be a more permanent presence in our lives now, and she's going to need help to feel welcomed as both a human and a Na'vi. I'm counting on you to have her back, okay?"

And of course, Neteyam is dutifully the first to step up, offering his hand out to Kayla with a gentle smile, "It's wonderful to meet you, Auntie-- again."

She sees a small hint of humor behind his eyes and relaxes, taking his hand in both of hers and smiling up at her oldest nephew, "You, too, 'Teyam."

He steps aside when he felt the shadow of his little brother behind him. The ice is broken and Lo'ak is milking the height difference with good-natured laughs and Spider was egging him on, glad that he was no longer the shortest out of the group. Kayla felt a grin twitch on her lips without her consent and pinches Lo'ak's side to make up for it, laughing when he yelped in surprise. Kiri had walked up, holding Tuk's hand so she didn't feel alone and the sight of the girls reminds Kayla that she had come bearing gifts to try to ease the kids back into accepting her.

"Kiri--" she calls out while frantically fishing around in the bag she kept strapped at her hip. Pushing aside a few necessities she had taken with her, she pulled out a book and sighed in relief, smiling up at the girl while holding the gift out to her, "As promised."

Kiri's eyes widen and reached out, gingerly taking the gift as if it was something precious. She read the title and then the author's name before glancing back down to Kayla, eyes and smile warm, "Thank you, Auntie."

Finally, Tuk's shell cracks and she begins by poking and prodding at the human woman that now stood shorter than her, lifting Kayla's arms and inspecting her form in awe before her fingers find her aunt's hair and instantly start playing with it. The girl giggles while stating, "It's so soft! We gotta braid all this, Kiri."

"Tomorrow, sweetheart, okay?" Kayla shines a smile at her youngest niece, who nods eagerly and puts her whole weight into hugging her aunt, who is barely able to catch her before they could fall.

Jake smiles while watching the heartwarming interactions before tapping Human Norm on the shoulder, "You got a space for her, right?"

"Absolutely. The second half of the old shack is still functional and is currently being used as storage. She can have my old bunk if she wants."

Jake's nose scrunched up, a little put off by the suggestion, "I doubt she'd want it if I told her all the things you and Trudy got up to in that bunk. She can have Grace's old space."

Norm snorts while shamefully scratching the back of his head, "Sure thing. Probably a better idea." He breaks away to greet Kayla himself, putting on the widest grin as he stands next to her, comparing their height difference with his hand much like before, "It's nice to see that this transfers, no matter what form you take."

Kayla rolls her eyes and shoves him in the chest, causing Norm to bark out a surprised laugh. Through reacquaintance with her family and friends, Kayla had noticed Neytiri standing off to the side in her peripheral. The human woman took a moment to pointedly stare at the Na'vi woman, their eyes meeting and forming a standstill. Neytiri was stiff, both in posture and expression, a statue that didn't waver against Kayla's gaze. It unsettled the Sully woman but she tried not to show that in her eyes, instead she brought her fingers to her forehead, and lowered them in Neytiri's direction. The Na'vi woman blinked, and with the gesture, her posture began to relax. Neytiri smiled. It wasn't big or emotional, but it was small and sincere. She nodded back in response.

After dinner, Norm brought Human Kayla to her new room she would be sleeping in when out of her avatar body. It was a separate trailer from the biolab, standing on its own and older than some of the buildings the humans have taken from Hell's Gate. Norm explains that the trailer was a part of Site 26, a small mobile link meant for avatar scientists who went off-grid for research in the mountains. He tells the story of how he was part of a small science group who retreated there to work so people like Parker Selfridge and Colonel Miles Quaritch wouldn't be breathing down their necks back in the day. After he and Kayla go through the airlock pressure doors and step inside, Kayla takes off her mask and looks around, immediately noticing a few familiar sights.

The first was a wheelchair, abandoned, covered in dust, tossed off to the side. Clearly, the place needed some cleaning, but Kayla wasn't worried about the dust at the moment. She beelined for the wheelchair, bending down and helping it stand back up on its wheels. Norm stands in the doorway and watches the scene in front of him with a solemn reaction, explaining as she continued to look around, "This is it. This is where Jake and I made our last stand as avatars before the fight. The other half of this shack is where the link bays were, but the trailer was completely demolished back in the war and so we left it abandoned out in the woods."

She moved over to the desk and lifted a picture from its home there, blowing away the layer of dust and revealing the contents of the picture. It was clearly Jake at the front of the group photo, human, sitting in that very same wheelchair, smiling at the camera lens. Kayla's finger briefly traces her brother's old face, willing her mind to remember it after staring at his avatar form for so long. Standing on either side of him was Norm and a woman Kayla didn't recognize. Clearly of a military background, the woman -at least younger back then compared to Kayla now- grinned behind her sunglasses, her dark hair pulled back in a ponytail and spilling over one side of her shoulders. Behind Jake, with both hands firmly placed on his shoulders, stood an older woman with short, curly red hair and sparkling eyes as she smiled, proudly, at the camera.

Kayla hears Norm shuffling around behind her and gently places the picture down, turning back to him as the male scientist was moving around some old equipment and patting the mattress of a bottom bunk off to the side of the trailer, "This was Grace's bunk. It's yours now."

That night, as she sat alone in her new living quarters, Kayla got to work on making this place feel more like home. The first order of business was to clean away all the old pictures and put up the new ones-- well, not really new compared to the photo of Jake, Norm, and the two women. Kayla retrieved her envelope of pictures and placed one photo on the mini-fridge, inspecting it for a moment before she had to move on.

The picture was definitely older than the ones of Jake and the scientists. It was a picture that was taken roughly a month before Tommy was killed. The twins were sitting on the couch so Jake could feel a bit of normalcy, requesting that his wheelchair be kept out of the frame of the photo. The twins smiled at the camera, and Kayla stood behind the back of the couch, leaning over her brothers with a wide grin on her face. Present Kayla smiles to herself before moving on to the next big step of her life.

~~~~~~~~~

As promised, Kayla spends the next morning and afternoon with her nieces, in human form, so that she can watch and learn how to properly braid Na'vi hair. She learns this by letting the girls use her unconscious avatar as a demonstration. Kayla's avatar hovered in her sleeping hammock, unconscious to the world, while both Kiri and Tuk weave every little bit of her locks into various small, intricate braids, pulling them tight along her scalp and purposely braiding the hair behind her large ears so the locks were out of her face. Kayla watched from off to the side, trying to pay attention even as the braiding took hours to complete. Tuk eventually got bored and left her sister to finish the look before excitedly asking her aunt if she could braid her human hair instead, to which Kayla agreed but only if the braids were larger and didn't take as long.

As the girls worked on both human and Na'vi hair, they decided to share their parents' love story, much to Kayla's awe, amusement, and horror all in one. Of course, she was curious about how her brother and Neytiri met and why Jake decided to turn against his own kind for her, but Kayla wasn't hoping for any specific details. Unfortunately, the Na'vi do not shy away from such topics and even openly talk about it to their young, as Tuk liked to prove to her auntie as she refused to spare her any... scrutinous details.

"-- And then they mated before Eywa!"

Kiri's body and tail go rigid even as she frantically scrambles over hammocks to cover Kayla's ears while berating her loudmouth sister, "Tuk!"

Despite the uncomfortable conversation, Kayla found herself laughing to the point she was crying, holding her ribs as they ached and wheezing until she couldn't breathe. She didn't find the initial storytime hysterical, but Kiri's haste to spare Kayla's dignity, Tuk's innocent gaze, and Kiri's hands practically folded on either side of the human woman's face definitely acted as the cherry on top.

Days went by and Kayla was much more comfortable jumping in and out of her avatar form, even more so now that she wasn't waking up and being constantly poked and prodded. On one of her first days as a human in High Camp, Kayla wore a tank top and was bombarded with concerned questions when Max noticed all the needle scars on her arms. Although she tried not to think about how she was practically a guinea pig for the RDA, her family wasn't letting her forget it. Max must have told Jake because the olo'eyktan regarded his duties for the day to instead take some time to spend with his little sister. He grabbed a child's bow and brought her down to the forest floor to do some fishing, even keeping a spare mask strapped to his hip for her if she needed it. He never asked about the scars, but Kayla could feel his eyes on her arm when she pulled the string of her bow back and tightened her form per his instructions.

After firing and missing a few arrows, clearly distracted by his stares, she sighed heavily before turning to look up at him, "It'll never happen again, thanks to you."

~~~~~~~~~

In between lessons, Kayla was finally getting to know other humans who honorably live among the Omatikaya. One individual, Jocelyn, was one of Kayla's personal favorites, aside from Norm and Max. Jocelyn was a biolab tech and didn't own an avatar, so she goes about her day normally, as a human, with a breather mask always secured on her face. Her knowledge stemmed from fixing vital technology -to help the humans survive- all the way to medical training -to keep the avatars kicking-. Not only did she live among the Na'vi, she talks to them fluently, and they don't appear bothered by her tiny presence. Kayla often sees Jocelyn, short as she is, trailing after a couple of young Na'vi hunters. Two young men, to be precise, who always love showing their little sky demon friend things they've brought back from their travels outside High Camp. They always let Jocelyn take samples and further inspect whatever they bring home. Not only was she a technician and a healer, she was also a scientist and she was always hungry for more knowledge of the world she lived in.

But even though she's full of wonder and excitement, she is also pretty strict. The kids in particular exasperate Jocelyn and Kayla always gets a kick out of watching her trying to wrangle the Sully kids whenever Spider sneaks them around the biolab. Kayla has interacted with Jocelyn loads of times at this point and always found her intriguing, but this took the cake, especially when she noticed how Spider practically had the female biotech wrapped around his finger. To be fair, Spider has most of the human scientists and avatars wrapped around his finger. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and the humans left behind on Pandora were no exception when it came to raising Spider.

However, despite this, Kayla couldn't help but wonder why Spider doesn't hang out with anyone else outside of the humans and the Sullys. He's an overall good kid and he's passionate about the Na'vi culture. If it weren't for the physical looks, Kayla would've definitely thought he was one of the Omatikaya when they first met.

She decides to ask him about this one day when Spider decided to sit down and teach her more of the language. Kayla was in her avatar form that day, now sporting tightly braided hair with beads that clicked when she walked. Kayla had to admit that she liked her new look even more knowing that her nieces had woven her a new identity. Spider appeared relaxed while teaching her certain words that are generally used in combat while her mind was still buzzing with her own questions.

"So do you just hang out with Kiri and Lo'ak or do you have other friends?"

Spider shrugged, "Some of the other scientists had kids while being stuck here, but I was older than all of them so I didn't play with them much."

Kayla nods, indicating she was listening. She had been told of Ardmore's initial threats to the humans who harbored Jake Sully and the Omatikaya when the Sky People first returned to Pandora. Some humans, especially the ones with families, stood down and surrendered in exchange for full pardons and safety for their children. That included Spider's foster family, the McCoskers. From what Kayla has heard, Spider's foster family was not the greatest of guardians, especially the foster father. He had betrayed Jake and the Na'vi to Ardmore, being responsible for the deaths of fellow humans who sympathized with the Omatikaya. Jake didn't go into depth with what happened to the McCoskers and the other humans who surrendered, but she assumed that for Spider's own sake, no one wanted to mention them now that they're gone.

Spider didn't appear to notice Kayla's inner turmoil as he continued, "Tuk is kinda in the same boat. I hung out with Neteyam for a while there. We're the closest in age... but he hasn't really been wanting to hang out anymore."

"Why not?"

The boy stares off in the distance, unable to keep his eyes on Kayla for long before he has to look away again as he muttered, "Probably because he's training to be the next olo'eykan. Which is fine. Good for him."

It sounded only partially genuine, and Kayla doesn't back down, "But Kiri can still hang out with you even as... uh... what's the word for tsahik in training?"

"Tsakarem."

"Right." Silence lingers until Kayla braves awkward silence, "It... it doesn't have to do with whatever Neytiri has against you, does it?"

A scowl immediately forms behind the breathing mask, "She hates me. Hates the fact her kids love me even more."

"From my experience, it doesn't take much to be on her bad side," she tried lightening up the mood, "I wouldn't sweat it too much, kid."

"You don't get it."

"Don't I? I know she's not overly fond of humans."

"It's more than that with me. To her... I remind her of the man who nearly took everything from her family. My father was Quaritch."

The name sounds bitter on Spider's tongue, clearly a bad taste for him. Kayla's comically big and yellow eyes widen even further, "You mean the colonel who ran security at the mine before the humans were sent back to Earth?"

He only nods and she hisses in sympathy, "Shit. Okay, I can see why you'd have a hard time getting on Neytiri's good side."

"Yeah. No kidding."

~~~~~~~~~

Unlike Spider, it didn't take Kayla a whole lot to get on Neytiri's good side, but it's not as though she had to try. Neytiri was already warming up to Kayla, both in and out of her avatar form. The Na'vi woman sometimes enjoyed Kayla's presence in her human body, despite not wanting to be around the other Sky People that live amongst her clan. In many ways, Neytiri felt as though she was with Grace or Sylwanin again. They would've loved Makayla Sully. She was more level-headed than Jake -or at least compared to when he was younger- and she was observant, someone who calculates before doing anything. She thought ahead and she always had something Neytiri remembered Grace calling 'common sense'.

Neytiri grew to appreciate Kayla and would fondly watch her interact with Jake. Neytiri was aware that her mate had at least one sibling in the past, but up until now, she could only imagine what kind of a brother he was. With Kayla around, Neytiri got to see a side of her husband he hadn't let anyone see before. With Kayla around, a bit of mischief returns to his eyes, always ready to tease his sister without a second thought, regardless of who was watching. Mo'at wanted to berate the olo'eyktan for such childish behavior, but Neytiri was quick to silence her mother, "They need time to be reacquainted as siblings."

And siblings they were. Neytiri often smiled when around the adult Sully siblings. Watching Jake and Kayla interact often reminded her of other sibling duos, such as Neteyam and Kiri, or even herself and Sylwanin. But it's not to say Jake and Kayla were the most perfect siblings. Kayla still had trouble forgiving Jake for past mistakes and would often remind him of said mistakes just to add dirt to the fresh, reopened wound. Neytiri understands why Kayla must hurt Jake the way she had been hurt, but Jake was still Neytiri's husband and she was protective -if not a little possessive- of him. So, to try and find peace between the brother and sister, Neytiri decides to take Kayla hunting without Jake present.

Kayla didn't refuse, slipping into her avatar form and excitedly following Neytiri to her ikran. The pair fly down to the forest floor and immediately pick up a trail that had to be yerik. While tracking the animal down, Neytiri found it the best time to breach the topic, "Jake tries his best to help you feel at home here. You try your best to push him away."

Blunt as ever, she takes Kayla off guard, the female avatar turning back to face her with wide eyes. They stood in silence, the hunt momentarily forgotten until Kayla's mind catches up to her and she shakes off the initial shock. She turns back to the task at hand, following the tracks Neytiri had instructed her to follow with a scowl on her face, "Jake was the one who told me that relying on others won't help when you're trying to survive. I'm just living up to his advice."

"He's not like that. Not Ma Jake."

"Then congratulations, Neytiri," she exclaimed sarcastically, "You got to experience the best side of him. I didn't. I lost a brother before him. I can do it again."

"Can you?"

She is met with silence again, staring at the back of Kayla's head. Neytiri took the moment to admire the braids her daughters have woven into their aunt's hair before bringing herself back to the present and gently adding, "I understand."

"Do you?"

"I lost my sister," Neytiri forced out, her tongue tasting bitter from the words. She never said such things out loud, and the shock that sinks into Kayla's face was one of the reasons why. Neytiri despised any pity people send her way after everything she's lost. She didn't want the pity, especially now when she has more family than she ever thought she'd have. "The Sky People murdered her right in front of me. I was only a little older than Neteyam when it happened."

Kayla's mouth opened and closed as she tried to come up with something comforting to say but the only words that come out are her initial thoughts, "Oh, my God. I'm sorry."

Neytiri tightens her lips together and briefly smiles before letting it fall, having heard all those words before. She took point in the hunt, walking ahead while following the tracks so she wouldn't have to look at her sister-in-law, "Can I ask? What happened to Tomsully?"

"He was killed," Kayla explained automatedly, "Some... murderer with a gun shot him down in the streets and left him to die alone. It was cold and raining that day. They said he didn't suffer, but..." Kayla shook her head to refrain from thinking about it, "I wasn't there. Neither was Jake. I was job searching and Jake was out drinking his life away. He never mentioned?"

"He grieves as I do. I don't talk of my sister. My children don't know enough about her. Ma Jake says little about his old life."

Kayla swallowed thickly, eyes hard as she stared at the back of Neytiri's head, "Let me guess. He never mentioned me."

The Na'vi woman paused in her steps, hesitating before finally turning back to meet Kayla's eyes, "I did not know he had a sister until you came here."

That stung. It stung knowing that neither women were ever aware of each other until now but Kayla couldn't wrap her head around another mystery, "So-- how are you so calm about all of this? Why are you so accepting of me? I'm part of the same species that's responsible for your sister's death."

"So is Ma Jake."

"But you're not hostile toward me like you had been when you first met Jake, or so I'm told. Why?"

Neytiri smiles, opening her mouth and taking a breath before whispering, "... You are my husband's sister. He shares your blood... as do my children."

She steps closer to Kayla, reaching out and placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, much to Kayla's surprise as Neytiri proclaims, "You are Makayla te Suli tsmuke te Toruk Makto. You are my family now. Ma tsmuke."

Kayla's ears and tail twitch in attention to the sound of her name, using her newly gained knowledge of the language to finally understand what her sister-in-law said. Slowly, a smile formed on her lips, warm and quivering ever so slightly, nodding to Neytiri when she didn't have any other words to say.

She had always wanted a sister.

~~~~~~~~~

By the time the kids had gotten used to Kayla's human form, they were dying to show her their world through her eyes and not her avatars'. Without her night vision, everything glowed so beautifully at night and Spider suggested taking her to some fields to watch the fan lizards fly. Lo'ak was immediately all for the idea, dragging the rest of his siblings into it so they could all go. His parents were hesitant at first, but then Kayla reassured them that she'll keep a close eye on the children and so Jake and Neytiri relaxed before seeing them all off, wishing them to have fun.

The children didn't waste time once they were deep in the forest, hunting for kenten as eclipse rolled around. Before she could blink, Kayla was completely surrounded by floating lizards, glowing in many shapes and colors, flying above her head with helicopter-like wings. All the kids laughed at her reaction, the human gobsmacked by such wonder. Tuk tugged her along and the kids all began running around in the fields, disrupting more fan lizards and laughing as the animals took to the sky, igniting the world around them with their soft lights.

Kayla stood off to the side, watching the children and laughing with them. After a time, Spider had taken a break from the fun and collapsed on the ground at Kayla's feet, laughing in between catching his breath. Looking up, he noticed the adult's eyes on his and his smile immediately fell, quickly turning his eyes away to watch his friends play in the fields while trying his best to ignore Kayla's stares and shrink in on himself.

Kayla didn't take it to heart, only bluntly stating what she thought, "You prefer me in my avatar form, don't you?"

Spider's shoulders rise and fall but he still couldn't look at her, "... Sorry."

"No sweat. Can I ask why?"

He shrugged, "I don't know."

"I think I do. Can I guess?" Spider shrugs again and Kayla plops down in the spot beside him, resting her arms over her knees when she brought her legs up close to her chest, "Originally I only wanted to hang out with you and the other humans in my own skin so you didn't feel intimidated, but I think you're actually more intimidated by humans compared to Na'vi. You prefer my avatar because it's all you've ever known living here."

They sit in silence apart from the Sully kids laughing when one of the kenten decided to land on Lo'ak's face to rest. Spider huffed a small laugh at the scene but otherwise didn't say anything. Kayla grabs his attention again by elbowing him, "It's not a bad thing."

"It's not?"

"Why would it?"

He spares a glance at her, the reflection from both of their masks making it difficult to find her eyes right away, "You don't think it's bad that I prefer hanging out with a species other than my own?"

She flashed an amused, exasperated expression, "Kid, my brother permanently transferred his soul from one body to another of a completely different species. Do you think I'm one to judge you when you're the one teaching me the Na'vi ways and hanging out with my brother's kids?"

She laughed and Spider's ears heat up in shame, a little embarrassed for assuming the worst out of her. He looked away and mumbled under his breath, "My foster family didn't want me to forget where I came from."

"That's not bad either unless they forced you..." Initially, Kayla brushed off the silence until it began to linger too long, then she spared a glance back at Spider. He was stiff, unable to stare back while stubbornly keeping his eyes on the Sully kids. Kayla's eyebrows furrow, "Did they force you?"

"... What is Earth like?"

"Sure. You strike me as the kind of guy who would like music concerts. I'll start there."

Beating around the topic and finding a new one. Classic. It almost would have been easier if Spider had just said 'yes', but Kayla doesn't scold him. Instead, she hums, staring up at the stars as she thought back to her homeworld, "Nothing you would miss, kiddo."

"Can you tell me things I might've missed?"

A/N: Jocelyn is technically one of the many unnamed scientists we see in the Way of Water. She's the one who Tuk annoys with her toy in her first scene and further gets after the teens when they cut through the Avatar Longhouse. She technically doesn't have a name but I used her actress' real name to fill in the blanks.

Sorry if this felt a little rushed, but the next chapter is gonna be the start of the events that transpire during the Way of Water! Buckle up! We're getting close and I'm so excited to share with ya'll! Thank you so much for the support!

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thevoidscreams · 26 days

Note

Request prompt for mating press March for you!

You have recently been assigned as a chapter serf for the black templars and have been trying your best but it’s tiring work and during one of your late shifts you have fallen asleep! You thought you’d gotten away with it and no one had noticed but the next day you are told the chaplain has asked for you. Turns out he spotted you whilst you were sleeping on the job when you should have been attending your sacred duties. Perhaps big stern dom chaplain will teach you a lesson to reaffirm your faith…

Day 19

Pairing: Chaplin Soren (oc)x reader

Warnings: mentions of religion, spanking, bondage, cumming inside, power imbalance (if you squint)

My head snapped up, and I shook it as I looked around, confused. I clenched a soft rag in my hand, and brushed a stray bit of drool from my lip. What was I doing here?

It came back to me as I smelled the smoke from the censer. I had been polishing the steps leading up to the altar inside one of the ship's many chapel.

I looked around in a panic. No one was around. How long had I drifted off for? A few minutes, a few hours.

Throne preserve me, I'd fallen asleep on the job. This was sure not to go over so well if I was seen. Hopefully, I could finish up quickly and be on my way. I didn't see anyone, and surely I would have been chastised for falling asleep in a place of worship. The chapel wasn't for napping. It was for giving praise and worship to the god emperor. I bowed my head and continued on with my task, ashamed. Finishing the task as swiftly as I could I hurried out. At least no one saw me.

Dark eyes watched from behind the visor of the skull. Disappointment and disapproval swelled in Soren's hearts. He had liked you as much as it was possible for an astartes of his station to like a serf. You'd done excellent work up until this point, so diligent, completing tasks without complaint. And your work in this very room meant that you'd built a good report. It was a shame you'd likely never see him the same after he decided your punishment.

His hands twitched as he reminded himself that you are only a human. You do not have his endurance. But still sleeping in the chapel could not be allowed to go without some form of penance being served.

He felt his body stirring at the idea. He'd have to punish you so you didn't do this again. He'd have to be..very thorough.

The next day I was assigned to the chapel again on orders of Soren, one of the kinder and more personable chaplins. I thought about him and the odd request as I ran my rag over the stone steps again. I wondered if there was a reason I was to clean it again at night. Probably as not to interfere with the worship during the day.

The sound of ceramite on stone made me look up sharply. I was almost done.

"Good evening, my lord." I spoke reverently, not looking up past his greaves. I knew who he was without having to look past that point.

I'd cleaned his armor enough times to know it by heart.

"It is rather late, little one." His rich voice greeted me from behind the skull.

"Yes, I am almost finished. This is the last step, it took me a bit longer last night as well. There’s much to do." I replied, heart beating a bit faster than normal. I liked the Chaplin, Soren. I found him insightful and he was often good company to have while I worked. He would tell me stories.

"Perhaps you would have finished sooner had you not been sleeping."

My body went cold, not like the room was chilly, but as if my blood had spontaneously frozen in my veins. My hand stopped over the step and my limbs locked up, tense as if readying to make a run for it.

"It would seem you understand just how unacceptable this action is. Perhaps it was merely a mistake. I wouldn't have taken you for someone who disrespects the god Emperor. But then again, I am no psyker, I cannot see a person's soul."

"It was an accident my lord. My body was weak, there was so much work...forgive me..." My voice came out quiet, like a mouse.

“That is no excuse. If you are not fit for the rigors of your station then perhaps you might better serve in another form.”

My chest tightened and I found tears of fright blurring my eyes.

“It will not happen again, I promise. Please my Lord. I do not wish to serve as a servitor.”

Soren laughed, it was a deep rolling sound that flowed over the stones around me and despite my fear I found the sound lifting my soul ever so slightly.

“Dry your tears serf. I will not tell anyone. You have served well until now and I, unlike many of my brothers, understand that your body has limits that you can not always fight.” So he’d been jesting, just to see me squirm. He wasn’t going to have me turned into a mindless robotic slave.

He grabbed my arm, I was going to drop to my knees and kiss his ceramite clad feet in thanks but I found myself up on my feet, his free hand tilting my face back to face his helm.

“But you will need to face some punishment for this. You have allowed yourself to falter in your duties to our Emperor. You must confess and repent for these sins. I will handle you and this event will stay between us. If I deem it satisfactory then no one else will need to know.”

I nodded, fresh tears of relief streaked down my cheeks.

“Thank you my lord. I am so very sorry.”

Soren still held my arm and forced me, much more gently than I had expected towards a room towards the back where I had never been before.

The door was heavy, an ornate carved wooden door. My body was pressed firmly against it by him as he reached for the knob. I felt a familiar heat in my belly as he grunted softly and forced it open on creaky hinges.

The room was dim, lit only by the candles on a desk.

“I will remove my armor and hear your confession.”

I tilted my head in confusion as he let me go. Take his armor off, why would he need to do that?

He began to pull away pieces of his plate, placing them carefully, almost lovingly on a stand. I averted my gaze as he began to remove his body glove, my cheeks were probably very pink.

His helm was the final thing he pulled away and I found myself mesmerized by him. He was younger than I’d thought. His hair was a deep brown, cut short and neat. His skin was pale and his features were sharp. Throne he was beautiful, I found myself unable to look away. His eyes were dark, so deep I’d thought they were black till he lit a match off one candle to light several more. The depth of that blue was entrancing. The blueness of his eyes grew more apparent.

I felt as though I could dive into those blue pools and never resurface.

Soren came towards me, I hadn’t realized that I’d been backing up until my back hit the wall. He looked good in nothing but light pants and a tabard.

“You will confess to me now.” His deep voice sounded so clear and precise without the filter of a helmet. It sent pleasant shivers through my body.

“Yes, my lord.”

He guided me to my knees and I bowed my head in shame. Remembering why I was here.

“Tell me. What have you done?”

“I fell asleep in the middle of my duties to the Emperor. Leaving them unfinished while I rested. And I did so in the chapel. I slept in a holy place of worship.”

“Good. You have made a good confession. Is there anything else you would like to confess?”

I shook my head earnestly, I was sure that that was all.

“Very well, I will administer your penance, and you will repent.”

He made a motion for me to stand. I did, he took my arm in his and slapped a black iron cuff around it.

I flinched in surprise, he only chuckled. “Do not fight me. And this will go quickly.”

He took another cuff and locked it around my other wrist.

They were heavy and linked with a thick iron chain just as dark in color.

“For your penance,” he began as he dragged me to the wall and hung my chain on a hook just high up enough that I had to stand on the tips of my toes. “You will have one lash for every ten minutes you lay on the emperor's steps.”

One for every ten minutes. How long had I slept, two hours? That was twelve! Twelve lashes!

I craned my head to try and get a look at whatever implement he'd chosen and was surprised again to see not a flail or whip, but a paddle.

His bulky hand gripped the hem of my light gown and lifted it until the dress was over my head.

I wiggle my face free of the fabric and gasped as his fingers tugged my panties down as well. Leaving me with no layers between myself and the lather paddle.

Soren moved to a place where I couldn't turn my head and see him.

Soren admired the soft skin of your ass as he looked for just the right spot to begin. Throne you were a stunning creature. He felt his own excitement at having you chained and helpless under him.

He ought to be the one on his knees confessing. He was a Chaplin after all. But the way you whined in discomfort as you tapped around on the tips of your toes and looked so meek made his body hot.

He ran calloused fingers over the leather and then reached out to touch your warm supple skin.

Beautiful. Magnificent. Gorgeous. All failed to express how perfect you looked right then.

Drawing the paddle along your rump he felt his manhood twitch at your gasp.

You were enjoying this too much, he decided. He came to your side, paddle in hand and pulled it back to deliver a hardy thwack against your skin and he drank in your cry with a stifled groan of his own.

The pain was sudden and hot. My right cheek stung as the paddle made contact. It hurt, so why did I not cry out in pain. And why was there a deep and sudden urge to feel more of that burn?

“Count.”

Soren demanded.

I drew in a shaky breath. “One.”

“Good.”

He brought the paddle down on the other cheek.

“Two.” I squeaked the number.

I felt strange, a certain anticipation for the next blow growing. I gasped as his next blow went a bit lower and I heard Soren grunt in satisfaction at something.

“Three.” I mewed.

It was much the same for four and five.

I felt something warm trickle down my thighs and thought for a moment that I was bleeding.

Soren brought the paddle down for six, his manhood was rock hard now. The sight of your excitement dripping down your thighs was simply splendid. “Six~”

He hung the paddle on the hook next to the one you were chained to.

He needed this, his rough hands brushed your rump.

“Chaplin?”

Your voice, your body, your everything. It drove him mad.

His hand came down causing an audible mewl of pleasure to pour from your lips.

He licked his parched lips.

“Number?” He growled.

“Seven.”

“Good..” He almost called you a good girl. “Five more.”

I nodded at his words.

His free hand held my hip as he brought the other down to clap against my ass.

“Mmm!~ E-eight!” This was meant to be a punishment, I shouldn't have been enjoying it.

His hand seemed to linger before he drew it away.

Bringing it back down, alternating which cheek he struck.

Soren was practically panting as you moaned the word “nine” . He looked down at your soaked thighs, licking his lips and closing his eyes as he took a steadying breath.

It only served to fill his nose with your heady and feminine scent.

The Chaplin swallowed and raised his hand, bringing it down again, you counted out and he watched a trickle of slick fluids course down from your wet lower lips.

My ass was on fire, but I'd never felt so high.

Only two more, I whined at the thought. After these next two he'd send me away. I didn't want that, I didn't want him to send me off into the world never to speak of this again.

I'd just have to savor this.

His hand came down, I gasped, and wantonly moaned the next number. “Eleven.”

Soren came around to my back again, I could hear his quiet panting. Was he as affected by this as I was?

“Just one more.”

“Yes, my lord. Give me my just punishment.” The words seemed to pour forth unbidden.

Soren tensed, his hand on the verge of delivering the final blow.

He gave it, in the center of your ass. His hands came away wet, a splotch of your juices on his fingers.

He barely registered your count as he raised his fingers to his lips, he needed this, but it was wrong. Wasn't it?

His tongue darted out and his cock jumped as your salty musk coated his tongue.

His eyes slid shut, it was a moment of pure indulgence. The flavor was unlike anything he'd ever tasted. Fertile with the promise of your body.

Soren could bear it no longer and dropped to his knees. His hands gripping your thighs, just as taste, it was all he needed. A taste.

I was shocked by his actions, my voice failing me as I waited for whatever it was he was going to do.

I felt his thumbs brush the softness of my lower lips as he pulled them apart. I moaned softly into the fabric that had been pulled up and over my neck.

“My lord? What-” My question died on my lips as his tongue ran up my thigh. Collecting the warm sticky fluids I'd been spilling since we began.

He stopped just below my cunt and I whimpered. His tongue then made the slow torturously slow path up my other thigh.

Throne I needed more, I needed him to do this properly.

Was this part of the punishment, teasing me with that hot muscle till I was half mad with need? I already felt close to that anyway. But I doubted it, none of this felt like it was calculated. A spur of the moment decision to indulge in a forbidden fruit.

I could feel his breath, hot and wet as he rubbed at the outer edges of my cunt. His fingers dug into the meat of my thighs and I felt him lean in, silently urging him to do it.

Soren's mind raced, his thoughts a jumble. The sweetness called to him. He watched as a fresh gush of arousal wetted your entrance, and his breathing hitched as he felt the desire to lap it up with his tongue.

He shook his head, his knees felt shaky aashe stood. It was an alien sensation, uncertainty.

“Your punishment has absolved you of your sins… but you still lack the strength you need to finish your tasks. I will..” He swallowed. “I will fill you with the strength you need.”

The raw excitement that I felt was like nothing I'd experienced before.

“Yes, please my Lord. I am weak.” I gasped, submitting to his will and judgment.

I felt something warm and solid hit my back and jolted in place. His hand grasped the thing and his fingers grazed against my back as he stroked himself.

“Beg.”

It was all he had to say.

“Please my Lord, I am so weak. So frail, I need you to lend me your strength, your certainty. So I may serve the emperor with the same fervor and will as you.”

I felt the tip of his cock catch at my entrance and shivered. Then there was a terrible burning as he pressed in his length, made only a fraction easier by my wetness. He was big, so, so big.

He filled me, leaving me breathless as I felt his tip somewhere near my stomach.

Soren leaned over me, a groan welling up from his lips as his hands found the walls for support.

Soren's eyes practically rolled back in his skull as he pushed in as far as he could go. Breathing a few words of adoration as he regained his senses.

His right hand remained on the wall as his left arm grabbed you around the waist. Lifting you just a bit off the floor as your hands grasped the chain making it rattle

“I will give you all that you need, you need only ask.” His hips pulled back, his cock slipping out a fraction, a groan of satisfaction at finally tending to his more human needs accompanied the action.

He wasn't going to stop till he was fully satisfied.

He set a hard even pace, his hips clapping against your tender backside.

I whined, the pain hadn’t lasted, as soon as he began his cock touched all the empty places inside me that I hadn’t known were there.

I cried out for him, begging, pleading, my desperation for his cock was almost shameful. But my shame was the farthest thing from my mind at that moment. I just wanted to cum on him, and feel him cum in me in return.

It was a greedy feeling. Wanting more than he was already giving me. His chest was a persistent heat on my back and he panted out each breath.

Though I knew his transhuman form was not winded.

“Does my body please my lord?”

He groaned, and I felt a smattering of drool hit my shoulder blade as his face lowered down to press into my neck.

“It is..” He grunted, “an excellent vessel to receive the grace of the emperor. I should keep you filled, so that you may never falter. I will have to see to this task.. personally.” He moaned the last word and I clenched around him involuntarily as I understood his meaning.

“I would be honored by my lord’s offer. I would cherish the feeling of being filled by his strength and light. Please my Lord.” I squeaked, pressing my cheek against him. “Please never let me be empty of you.”

He groaned, and picked up his pace, lifting me further till my chain came off the hook. Soren held me as he stumbled back into a chair with me in his lap. He grunted and the sudden change in position forced me down on his cock further. Soren fucked me with an almost mindless need. Mumbling under his breath as if he was praying.

“Never let you be empty. Keep you full of the light. Keep you.. full.”

His left hand went to my stomach and he touched it with such love. It made me shiver and made my head spin.

“Yes.. full.” I gasped and finally came undone on his cock.

Soren fucked me through it, his pace increasing unevenly as he worked his way up to his climax.

He held me down on his cock as he let loose all of his seed.

I felt the heat with every pulse of his cock as he continued to fill my womb with rope after rope.

It felt like he came forever, but really it could only have been a few seconds. Yet I was full by the time he was done.

Just as he promised.

Soren undid the cuff, setting them on his desk and fixing my dress.

Then he took me to a cot I hadn't noticed before, he sat us down and laid me across his lap. Picking up a small bottle from a box next to his bed.

I wasn't sure what he was doing until he lifted the dress again and poured a generous amount of oil onto my still reddened ass.

He set the bottle aside and his calloused hands set to work, massaging the oil into my sore cheeks.

“Thank you.” I broke the silence and he hummed.

“I.. I will not say that I am sorry for all that had transpired here. You took your punishment well..but afterwards.. I did not intend for that. You must forgive me.”

He urged and I did something I didn't expect. I laughed.

It was such an absurd circumstance I just couldn't help it.

“Why are you laughing?” His hand clenched around my ass cheek and I could hear the hurt in his voice.

“There’s nothing to forgive my lord. I would happily do that with you again. And besides, I believe you said you would keep me full right?”

I peek over my shoulders to see his face darken with a blush. It was very cute.

“I would not force that on you.” He told me as he kept rubbing.

“I figured.. but, I enjoyed it. Very much so, that was the best I've ever had.”

“Truely?”

“Yeah, if anything, I feel I should be thanking you. It was fun, even if it was meant to be a punishment.”

Soren met my gaze and held it.

“I will have you assigned to this chapel then.. you will see to its care and when you do a good job… I will keep you filled.”

I smiled at his words. “Thank you my lord.”

He finished and I was going to get up but he pulled me into him, laying down.

“The stairs-” I began but he cut me off.

“Will be there in the morning. Rest now.”

I nodded and laid my head on his chest, sleep came easy.

Soren held you close for hours, just brushing his hands over your form and watching you as you slept. It was good that you rested so easily in his arms. You were going to need all the strength you could get because he was already planning on fulfilling his promise when you woke up.

#warhammer 40k #warhammer #40k #my writing #mating press march #warhammer 40k x reader #astartes x reader #black templar #black templar oc x reader #oc x reader #my oc

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lupinmoonlight · 1 year

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Amortentia Part 2: You're mine

Masterlist AO3 Part one Part three Summary - After the incident with Professor Lupin, Y/N can't think clearly. She breaks curfew in the middle of the night and makes her way to Lupin's office. She ends up bent over his desk.

Note - This fiction is sexually explicit. All characters involved are assumed to be adults (university age, i.e., 20+). I am so nervous posting this as it is my first time writing explicit content. I hope you enjoy it. I was thinking of having a part 3 for the aftercare? Let me know what you think.

Warnings - teacher/student relationship, rough sex, mentions of bruising.

The rest of the day was a blur. Y/N could not focus on any of her classes. The scent of Amortentia was still filling her senses. The memories of Professor Lupin's lips on hers still vivid, his beard lightly scratching her soft skin, his hands all over her body as if he owned her. She felt dizzy. It was wrong. She knew it was wrong, but that's what made it feel right.

Y/N lingered in the Y/H common room until nightfall. Once everyone had gone to bed, she quietly made her way out. She felt a rush of adrenaline at the idea of breaking the rules. It was almost as if she was not in control of her own body, it was just guiding her towards what it needed the most.

Y/N tiptoed through the darkened hallways, her heart pounding with each step. As she approached the door to Professor Lupin's office, Y/N hesitated. She took a deep breath before knocking softly on the door.

A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing the man Y/N had been craving all day. Instead of his usual scholarly attire, Professor Lupin was wearing a simple grey pullover sweater and black jeans. His hair was tousled, and he had a hint of stubble on his chin, which added to his relaxed appearance.

"Miss Y/L/N? What are you doing out of bed at this hour?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

Y/N could not meet his gaze. A lump started forming in her throat and she didn't trust herself enough to speak. "I just wanted to see you..." she finally let out, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lupin's eyes darkened, his expression shifting from concern to desire. He remained silent for a moment before stepping aside and motioning for Y/N to come in.

Lupin led Y/N to his desk, his steps slow and measured. As they walked, there was an undeniable tension between them. Y/N was nervous, and Lupin's demeanour was serious and focused, adding to the tension in the air.

Once they reached his desk, Lupin turned to Y/N, his eyes searching her face. Y/N shifted uncomfortably under Lupin's intense gaze, feeling as if he was looking right into her soul.

"We can't do this, and we shouldn't have done it," Lupin said sternly, breaking the silence.

Y/N kept her eyes on the floor, knowing how right he was. She started regretting her decision of coming here.

Professor Lupin leaned in, his voice firm and commanding. "Look at me," he said, his eyes locked on her face.

Y/N's gaze flickered up to meet Lupin's, and for a moment, they were caught in his intense, penetrating gaze. Y/N felt a jolt of excitement and arousal, wondering what it was that Lupin was seeing in them, and what he might say next.

"Is this really what you want?" he asked, his tone serious.

Y/N nodded, unable to speak.

"I need to hear you," he commanded.

"Yes, Professor," she whispered. The words made his body tense with desire. He had to hear her consent because he knew that once he'd let himself have her, he wouldn't be able to stop.

He approached her slowly, his lips barely brushing past hers as he made his way down her neck, kissing and biting softly. Y/N was trembling with anticipation. The scent of him made her dizzy. Fresh parchment, wildflowers, chocolate. It was almost too much for her to take yet she needed more.

"Please," she begged, almost ashamed at how desperate she sounded. She could feel his arousal as he pressed his body against hers. His hands were rough and calloused, but they were gentle on her skin as he explored every inch of her body. She felt a shiver run down her spine as he kissed his way down her neck, his tongue tracing patterns over her collarbone. She moaned softly as he cupped her breast through her shirt, his thumb flicking over her hardened nipple.

"Fuck," he grunted. He was drunk on her. He wanted her to be his, he wanted to mark her so that no one else could have her.

In a rush of possessiveness, he bit her neck, leaving a harsh bruise. She gasped. "Please, I need-" she begged again, too flustered to finish her sentence.

"Say it," he commanded. "Tell me want you need."

"I need you. Please," she continued.

Before she could even finish her sentence, Lupin spun her around and pulled her close, pressing his hardness against her lower back. With one hand wrapped around her neck, he slowly began to lower her trousers, his fingers trailing along her skin. Y/N felt her breath catch in her throat as she waited to see what would happen next.

She heard Lupin unbutton his jeans and gasped as she was roughly bent over his desk. His movements were urgent. He needed her just as much as she needed him. One of his hands moved to Y/N's hips, steadying her as she tried to push back into him.

Y/N moaned as she felt a wet finger pressing against her entrance, slowly entering her. He tried to prepare her as good as he could, but her moans became almost unbearable. Without wasting any more time, he positioned himself at her entrance, grabbing her hips with both hands.

Y/N felt a wave of heat wash over her body as Lupin pushed himself inside of her, moaning at the light sting she felt from being stretched. He stayed still for a moment, allowing her to get use to his length. Her breathing became heavy. "Are you okay?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice. "More, please Professor," she replied, her tone desperate.

All the self-control Lupin had been trying to maintain escaped him as the words left her mouth. "You're gonna take it then," he said as he grabbed a handful of her hair and began thrusting into her with force. "You're mine," he whispered in her ears as he pulled her against his chest. Y/N shivered at his words. The professor she knew to be so kind and soft was now rough and dominant, marking her body. "Yes, Professor," she moaned in response.

Lupin continued to thrust into Y/N mercilessly, the words almost pushing him over the edge. She gasped as he pushed her back onto his desk, grabbing her hips harshly to keep her in place. His thrusts became harder and harder, each stroke taking Y/N closer to the edge of pleasure. It was almost too much and Y/N felt her body trembling as she reached her climax.

"I'm gonna fill you up," he growled as he continued to pound into her. In one final thrust, he buried himself as deep as he could, reaching his climax and finishing inside of Y/N. She could feel him pulse as he filled her with his seed.

Lupin stilled and stayed inside of her for while, both trying to catch their breath. His hands were still holding her hips in a bruising grip. The pleasure was so intense, Lupin realized he had not even bothered undressing Y/N or himself. It was rough and fast, but it was what they both needed.

Y/N whimpered as Lupin slowly pulled out of her and released her hips from his firm grip. She already felt empty. She stayed there, bent over his desk, as if she was waiting for his command to move. Lupin felt ashamed at how easily he lost control with her. He stepped back and pulled his jeans back up as he admired the marks he had left on her body.

"Hey," he said softly. His heart sank when she didn't respond. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern as he gently pulled her trousers back up. Y/N nodded. She could not form a proper answer, still overwhelmed by what had just happened.

Lupin leaned in and carefully lifted her up from his desk, turning her to face him. "Look at me," he said softly as he lifted her chin to meet his gaze. "Did I hurt you?" he asked.

Y/N shook her head "Just a little sore," she whispered, avoiding his eyes. She was a little ashamed at how much she enjoyed being manhandled like that.

Lupin leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. This time, the kiss was gentle, loving, comforting. It felt like home.

"I should head back to my dorm," Y/N said after pulling away, a hint of regret in her voice.

He knew she was right, but he couldn't live with the guilt of just using her for his own personal desires. He should have remained in control, but the attraction was too strong. There was something more to this. He cared about her.

"I can't let you go like that," he answered, his tone serious. "Let me take care of you," he continued as he led her to his chambers.

#remus lupin #remus lupin x reader #professor remus lupin #remus lupin smut #professor remus lupin x reader #dom!remus lupin

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sobeautifullyobsessed · 7 months

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how about a healthy serving of Stephen angst to warm you on a chilly autumn night...

14,000,604 ~ ch.four

Stephen reveals one of the most painful aspects of his search for a way to defeat Thanos

"…the initial attack had blasted the whole area down to bedrock, and once Thanos unleashed the full weapon fire from his ship, it cracked the remaining wall of rock that was holding back the lake.” Stephen’s voice had grown ragged, almost hoarse, as he revealed the details of the battle to come. "I’ve lost track of how many times I tried to set all the pieces in place…to marshal my forces so that enough of my fellow sorcerers would be standing ready to hold back that water—but I could never make it work. Moving just one of them away from their battle position changed the course of the overall battle by the littlest bit…“ His hand trembled badly as he held his thumb and index finger together, demonstrating the barest bit of the change that he had dared, ”…but always just enough to throw things off balance, enough that eventually Thanos triumphed—so that it always had to be me to work that spell."

Hope drew a deep breath, her eyes locked on his, and laid her hand against his cheek, like a benediction against the guilt deeply rooted in his soul. She had listened mostly in silence, only speaking up softly when he seemed to lose his train of thought, and patiently urging him to continue only if he felt up to it.

"And that was my last option,” he continued, nearing the crux of what pained him the most, “Only I could keep the battlefield from being flooded—so that the only man on the field who could secure the Stones, and use them to destroy Thanos and all of his forces, would actually have that chance.”

“But he’ll die doing it,” she surmised, “He’s going to die, and you can’t save him…”

Stephen nodded, and then hung his head, “Yes. I’ve tried and tried and tried, Hope…so damn hard…with every power at my command…with every…” He gritted his teeth, exasperated by his own uselessness, “…with every breath I’ve taken since first seeing that outcome…with the full scope of my imagination…to find a solution that won’t cost Tony Stark his life.” Stephen let his shoulders sag, the sting of his shame refreshed as he spoke his failure aloud.

“No,” Hope whispered, clasping both of his hands in hers. "No, Stephen—you have nothing to be ashamed of,” she insisted, her voice growing with conviction, "You’ve done infinitely more than any mortal man could…”

“But it wasn’t enough,” he groaned, shaking his head in denial, “I even explored more than a million outcomes, specifically looking for one where Stark’s fate would fall on me instead—but I could never make it work.” Stephen finally let his tears fall freely, grateful that he was safe in sharing the true depth of his heartache with his ever-gentle confessor. He looked to Hope again, saw only understanding and sweet mercy writ upon her face, and knew he had chosen well to trust in her. "In my old life, I took an oath to do no harm, but when I return to Titan, I’m going to have to save his life, only to ensure that this good man—this father and husband…“

In his mind’s eye, a series of images flickered at the speed of thought, from a newborn baby Morgan in her father’s arms, to her parents joy at each new milestone their child reached, through years of laughter, love, and the challenges of parenthood, and ending with the upbeat farewell that Tony had made to them both, before leaving their secluded haven to head to the Avengers compound in New York. Pepper had calmly kept her tears at bay, not wanting to alarm their precocious little girl; Tony had put on his most casual, cavalier face, but when Morgan tucked her head into the crook of his neck and reminded him that she loved him ‘3,000’, the look he’d exchanged with his wife had devastated Stephen seeing it the first time—and now, just remembering it as well, knowing it was inevitably the last time that Stark would ever hold her.

“…and true hero—will not only craft the method of our salvation, but also die to save the world,” he finished bleakly.

"Oh god,” Hope’s voice cracked with sorrow for his pain. "Stephen, please…please…believe me,” she ran her fingers through the streak of white at his temple, trying her best to assuage him, "You mustn’t do this to yourself…” She closed the little gap between them, drawing his head against her shoulder, sighing hard as she stroked his hair.

“My darling,” she crooned, the first time she had ever used such an endearment for him, “You’ve borne far too much, far too alone, for far too long. If I could just take a little of this burden from you, I’d consider myself blessed.” Through tears of compassion, she repeated his name, “Stephen…my darling, darling Stephen…you mustn’t torture yourself so.”

Soundlessly, he clung to her, his heart grown greedy for the softness she offered by simply being herself. Between this solitary, bitter journey, and the time spent in the loop with Dormammu, Stephen had lived out thousands of years apart from any companionship, let alone understanding and mercy. He had never asked for help or succor in all that time, being only ever focused on protecting and saving lives—nor had he ever expected thanks or any sort of recompense. But for the first time in what felt like an eternity, here was someone who recognized the price he paid to wear the mantle of Master of the Mystic Arts, Time-Stone Wielder and Protector, and guardian of this reality—and often even more.

“Yes, dear,” she murmured, feeling him relax in her arms, while laying the softest kisses he’d ever known on his cheek and near his ear, “Let it go for at least a little while. Know that you’ve done your best, Stephen; that no man could possibly do, or give more, than you already have.”

“It doesn’t feel that way,” he husked against the tender flesh of her neck, breathing in her sunshine warmth and the pale, citrusy scent of her skin. Another memory he would be sure to carry with him into the inescapable future.

“I know, darling,” she whispered against his ear, “I know—but trust me in this, okay?”

Stephen nodded and inhaled deeply, feeling her calm start to fill his lungs, replacing a share of his guilt with relief. When he finally felt ready, he sat back in his chair; Hope was quick to smooth the tears from his cheeks, “You are the best man I've ever known, Stephen Strange. Strong. And kind. And good." Words that felt to him like they came straight from her tender heart. She exhaled slowly, and the knot of anxiety and despair that had been lodged in his chest for a thousand years, began to unclench as he read the truth on her sweet face. "Now, my darling, beautiful, Stephen," she continued calmly. Gently. Lovingly. "There’s something you need to remember…something you might not have thought of…okay?”

He cupped one of her hands against his cheek and nodded again, even managing the ghost of a smile in answer to her request.

“Good.” She gave him the same sort of smile back. "Two things, really. First, that because of you, Tony Stark is going to survive Titan, and have those five beautiful years with Pepper and their daughter. From what you’ve described, it sounds like the life they have, the love they share, is something most people never even get to experience.”

"Alright,” he agreed, for she echoed what the small voice in the back of his mind had been insisting for some time now. "And?”

"And…” she informed him firmly, yet with the same gentleness that marked her regard for him at every turn, “…from everything you’ve told me about Tony Stark, I’m absolutely certain that if given the choice, he would step up to save the world for their sake alone. Don’t you think so?”

He had been so exhausted for so long, and so immersed in his guilt and desperation, that such an idea had not really occurred to Stephen. Now he could almost hear how Stark might exclaim it: If the only way they survive—and that Earth survives—is for me to lose…well, hell, I gotta be on board with that. Stephen closed his eyes, and his breathing slowed and steadied, as he shed another share of the guilt that had become his unflagging companion on this ponderous quest.

"Yes," Hope urged him, "Your burden is heavy enough already without piling on the responsibility for the choice which Stark is bound by his own nature, to make."

He nodded, the warmth of her palm against his cheek soothing him in equal measure to the wisdom of her words. "I don't think I realized until just now how much I needed to hear someone say that," he admitted, looking into her eyes once more, and seeing the gentlest of affirmations there.

Hope's brow furrowed a moment, as though she was perplexed, though her voice held no reproach, "You mean I haven't told you this already, in your previous visits here?"

"I never gave you the chance to," he confessed, regretting that choice in light of her merciful, sympathetic response. "I never confided the entire story to you before."

She hummed softly at that revelation, mulling it over. "Okay...I, uh...I guess I can understand that. But, um..." she lowered her eyes and hesitated a moment, "...what makes this time so different?"

Although Stephen was sure that she had already guessed the reason, he knew he owed her the answer. "Because this time, when I go back," his voice broke with the sad truth of it, "It's going to be for good.

Hope nodded and a couple of tears spilled from beneath her lowered lashes, sympathetic tears for the inevitability of his burden. "I kinda figured that was...that was why." When she met his eyes again, hers shone bright with further tears withheld. "I'm so sorry, Stephen. I wish there was more I could do than just...offer you words...I..." she sighed, "I wish you didn't have to face this all alone."

An unexpected sense of peace filled his chest, and spread throughout his body like the warm flow of blood in his veins. "Oh, honey," he promised her, "I won't be entirely alone. Not anymore. Stephen gathered her other hand in his, and lightly traced his thumb back and forth along the heart and life lines on her palm. "That's your gift to me, Hope. I'm here right now because I knew that you could grant me that last little bit...," he gave her a quiet, bittersweet smile, "...of very human, very humane magic. And that's exactly what I've been needing to see me through to the end of this battle."

Her smile at that was sunshine breaking through thunderheads, so lovely and purely for him that his heart felt like to burst with the bloom of love---the seeds of which had lain dormant since his life had been stolen from him in the shadow of that invading spaceship, too long ago for him to even reckon properly now.

Hope bit her lip, eyeing him with curiosity and her ready humor. "So, tell me, Mr. Remarkable---what comes next?"

"Well," he began, grinning at the nickname she had given him on the day they had met, "I was hoping you would stay with me a while longer. Now that I've nearly reached the end, I believe I can afford a little time to just...be. To simply enjoy your company. Maybe we can sit beneath that silver maple in Washington Square Park again, and I can finally breathe air clean of the haze of battle and feel the sun shine on my face after so much smoke and darkness." And death, he might have added, but for the happiness his suggestion had brought to her face. "And I'm going to take a long, hot shower, because it's been literally a thousand years since I had that luxury."

"Well, I wasn't going to say anything," she teased him, "But you might wanna do just that."

Stephen narrowed his eyes, enjoying her return to playfulness, for it was a form of healing that he had prayed to find in her. Cherishing every moment of their now, while his heart stored all of them up for future comfort---for he still did not know what future awaited him, let alone Hope, once the endgame of this epic, universal struggle played out in full.

“Alright then,” Hope concluded, rising and beginning to clear the dishes away, rinsing them quickly before depositing them in the dishwasher, “Whatever the Master of the Mystic Arts needs, I’m more than happy to provide---it’s the very least that I can do for the salvation of the universe.”

Silently, Stephen stood up while she went about her task, fascinated with---and grateful for---her resiliency, and thanking the universe that had seemed to be so unendurably cruel since Bruce Banner had come crashing through the Sanctum roof, for finally giving him a measure of mercy. He took Hope by surprise, sliding an arm around her waist, and turning her to face him. “Just leave the salvation of the universe in my hands, honey. It’s enough for me that you’re seeing to my own.” With that, he kissed her breathless, before they left the Sanctum arm in arm, in search of sunshine enough to ward off the darkness that awaited him once he resumed his dread task.

Read the full story on AO3

tagging: @dutystricken @mousedetective

buy me a ko-fi?☕️

#my writing #ANGST #with a wee side of comfort #14000604 #Doctor Strange #Stephen Strange #Hope Collins #OFC #OC #doctor strange fan fiction #doctor strange fanfiction #stephen strange fanfiction #stephen strange fan fiction #avengers: endgame #Endgame #Strangebatch #My Eternal Muse #Benedict Cumberbatch

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theircurse · 29 days

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╰ ☆ ✧ — @lunargifted asked: "" KYUSAKU — why is the card i gave you at negative 450 dollars !? how did you even manage to put it in the negatives!? ”

Atsushi || To Q

↳ -: ☆ ( Unprompted ) ☆ :-

˗ˏˋ *ㅤ★ㅤ‿︵ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤ𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔 𝒖𝒑 from their obviously brand new Nintendo Switch OLED; one of the most expensive models in the gaming market. To their side was their dollㅤ—ㅤwho also had a Nintendo Switch OLED. Surrounding the duo were various other VIDEO GAMES and TOYS as well as some snacks.

⊱ ★ ⊰ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤCompletely oblivious to the fact that anything was wrong, the child SMILES at the other.

⊱ ★ ⊰ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤ❛ㅤThat card is AMAZING, Atsushi - san ! You can get anything you want with it ! Except I think it got declined one time when I tried to buy a gameㅤ—ㅤso I just took it from the display when no one was looking !ㅤ❜

⊱ ★ ⊰ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤ❛ㅤWant to PLAY with us ?ㅤ❜

⊱ ★ ⊰ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤAt least they hadn't figured out what MICROTRANSACTIONS and GACHA GAMES were just yet.

#lunargifted #╰ (✪∀<) ~ *:･ﾟ✧ I was raised in a deep and dark hole; a prisoner with no parole. ◜★◞ IC.#╰ (✪∀<) ~ *:･ﾟ✧ They locked me up and took my soul‚ ashamed of what they’d made. ◜★◞ UNKNOWN.

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theircurse-archive4 · 5 months

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╰ ☆ ✧ — @neardeathdetective asked: ‍"My....you have quite the funeral procession behind you." Vivia hadn't entirely meant to voice his thoughts, but perhaps it was just the surprise at the amount of malicious spirits following this child around. Were they called here by them? Or were they attracted to them for some reason? Vivia couldn't be sure with the little information he had.

"Doesn't it get tiring, to carry around all of that burden?"

↳ -: ☆ ( Unprompted. ) ☆ :-

⊱ ★ ⊰ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤ𝑨𝒍𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒕, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 at this so - called ' funeral possession ' that appeared behind them today. It was as if they had known exactly where to look; as if this was NOT the first time that something so SUPERNATURAL and BEYOND REASONING had happened to them before. Some spirits they recognized, some they vaguely remembered, and some they didn't even recall at all. They were all probably victims of their abilityㅤ—ㅤor perhaps something even WORSE.

⊱ ★ ⊰ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤWhat they were most surprised about was that someone ELSE could see the dead. No one else ever could beforeㅤ—ㅤthey had always dismissed those spirits as HALLUCINATIONS and nothing more.

⊱ ★ ⊰ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤ❛ㅤHmmmㅤ—ㅤyeah ! They're really creepy and they're hard to get away from ! But I didn't think you'd be able to SEE them too !ㅤ❜

#neardeathdetective #╰ (✪∀<) ~ *:･ﾟ✧ I was raised in a deep and dark hole; a prisoner with no parole. ◜☆◞ IC.#╰ (✪∀<) ~ *:･ﾟ✧ They locked me up and took my soul‚ ashamed of what they’d made. ◜☆◞ UNKNOWN.

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ultima-ratio · 1 year

Text

I was raised in a deep dark hole,

A prisoner with no parole.

They locked me up and took my soul,

Ashamed of what they'd made.

Go Tell Aunt Rhody // Resident Evil 7: Biohazard.

#resident evil 7 biohazard #resident evil 7 #re7 biohazard #re7 #ethan winters #mia winters #eveline #jack baker #marguerite baker #zoe baker #lucas baker #chris redfield #lyrics #Go Tell Aunt Rhody #Michael Levene #relatable

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darkreflectionworld · 2 years

Text

So I landed an assistant coaching at a local university and I couldn't have been more excited. After a few weeks though, I knew two things. The first was that the star quarterback, Rich, was everything I wished I could have been when I was younger. The second was that the head coach, Alan, was everything I feared becoming.

Rich was a handsome, charismatic, and decently intelligent total jock. He was a great athlete and seemed like a great person from what I could tell. Alan was a hairy, nasty, big brute of a man who I believed only had his job due to tenure. He treated me like shit, and openly lusted after some of his athletes, Rich included.

I was playing around on the internet one night when I saw an article on Astral projection, and how one might be able to use it for interesting purposes. Apparently it is possible to go to the Astral plane, pull a sleeping soul out of a body, place it into yours, and put your Astral self into the empty vessel. It took less than a second for me to want to try it out on Rich. I take great care of myself, but this guy was on another level. I was getting hard just thinking of what I could do with his body.

I'm a little ashamed to admit it, but one night during practice I slipped a little sleeping aid into his cocktail. I waited an hour or so until after practice when he was in the showers to dose myself, so that my body would remain asleep while I adjusted to his.

The other athletes left, leaving him alone. He fell asleep before he could start getting dressed and I saw my opportunity. I focused on my Astral form and felt myself leave my own body. I flew over to Rich and stuck my hand through his chest, found his spirit, and extracted it from his body before tossing it in the direction of my old one.

His body laid before me ripe for the taking. Soon I would get to experience his life, his body.

As I started my descent into his body I felt a tug on my shoulder. Turning my head, I saw the ghostly form of Alan floating above me. He roared, before throwing me behind him and diving into Rich.

I woke up sometime later, corporeal again. I definitely didn't feel like myself, and the second I moved my arm I knew I wasn't Rich either. I was in a chair inside a familiar office, and naked. One glance down at my body sent chills down my spine. There was a mirror on the wall and I fumbled towards it.

"No!" I shouted out loud in a deep, booming voice.staring back at me in the mirror is the nasty pig Alan.

"Seems like we had the same idea," I heard Rich's voice say from behind me. "Except I have more experience than you."

I spun to face the real Alan, now happily residing in the body I had lusted after. I tried to get my Astral self to leave his body but I felt somehow locked into this new form.

"I know what you're trying to do, and it won't work," he said. "Let's just say I've learned some tricks. Wow," he took a step back. "You need a shower, pig."

"You can't do this!"

"It's already done, boy." The kind face Rich usually displayed had been replaced by an evil sneer. "But, until I say otherwise, you are Alan now, and always have been. You are going to pretend that nothing has changed, and you are going to tell me enough about you to convince the real Rich that you and he alone swapped bodies."

"Why, why would I agree to go along with this?"

"One, you don't have a choice. I put a special Astral lock on that body that only I can undo. Second, if you choose to try anything, I just have to show the school officials this." He moved over to a cabinet behind the desk -my new desk. Opening it, I saw a monitor that was connected to what looked like a security camera feed of the men's showers in the locker room. "If they find out how much of a dirty, filthy, disgusting beast you truly are, looks like you'll be out of a job."

"You son of a bitch!"

"Watch your tongue! Just for fun, you're going to do everything I ask of you as well. First things first, you are going to clean yourself up and get back to my old gross apartment. Tomorrow night is amateur night at that gay nightclub downtown, where you will be signing up to display yourself as the sexiest mature stripper anyone has ever seen."

"And then what?"

"Then we will see. I am loving this body, and I can see you're already rock hard. Why don't you come over here and suck my hot jock cock, then you can tell me a little bit more about yourself so we can get started. This is going to be a blast."

#switch bodies #body swap #bodyswap #male body switch

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mysafehaneul · 6 months

Text

Chapter 8 Part 5

"Y/N," he whispered in a fearful tone, his heart pounding in his chest.

Wonwoo abruptly cut the call and flung his phone somewhere in the lavish living room. It landed with a muted thud against the foot of the large glass center table, accompanied by the rumble of the expensive couch.

The room exudes opulence, with its enormous TV set mounted on the wall, sumptuous leather couch, and gleaming glass center table. In this space of apparent luxury, the only sound that filled the air was the pounding of Wonwoo's anxious heart.

She stood there, a portrait of betrayal painted across her features, her eyes glistening with emotions he couldn't fully comprehend.

With determination in his steps, Wonwoo moved closer, but she swiftly raised her hand, a clear signal for him to halt. He froze in place, uncertainty etched into every line of his face.

"Y/N, I can explain," he stammered, his voice trembling.

Slowly, her shoulders slumped, her handbag slipping from her grasp and dropping onto the floor with a sharp thud and clanging of metal against the tile. She lowered her head as if the weight of the moment had become too much to bear.

"People who tend to be in one-sided love," she said, her voice taut and strained. "What he just said" nodding towards the phone "Is it true that it was all just an act, a plan?" Wonwoo felt like throwing himself at your feet and admitting all his sins, with an ashamed whisper he said, "Yes."

Then, almost out of nowhere, her shoulders began to shake, and a strange, almost manic laughter bubbled up from deep within her. She doubled over, resting her hands on her knees, gasping for breath between fits of giggles.

"AHHAHAHAHAHAH!" she laughed a high-pitched, wild sound that reverberated throughout the room. Her laughter continued as if she had just heard the most absurdly funny joke in the world. She pressed a hand to her aching stomach, trying to control her spasms of laughter. Finally, she straightened up and wiped away the tears that had escaped the corners of her eyes, while Wonwoo watched in confusion and disbelief, dumbfounded by her unexpected reaction.

"OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD," you repeated, tapping your chest in an attempt to calm yourself down. Your laughter had subsided, and now you were struggling to make sense of the situation. "I can't believe this," you said incredulously. "I can't believe you're wasting your potential as a businessman. You should be an actor. You're so convincing and natural that I can't even decipher if it all was an act or IF YOU GENUINELY GAVE A FUCK ABOUT ME"

Your voice echoed through the empty living room as you continued to pace, frustration and anger consuming you. "I'm such a fool," you muttered, shaking your head. "Such a fool to think that maybe I'm too capable of love. I also deserve to come home to a family. I can have someone to call mine, someone who wants me, someone who chooses to be with me."

Wonwoo tried to intervene, reaching for your shoulders, but you forcefully shrugged him off, as if his touch would burn you.

Your eyes blazed with anger as you took a step forward, locking onto his gaze. "Tell me, was it worth it?" you demanded. "Was it fun when I bared my soul to you? I mean, it must be amusing. I let you in, I trusted you enough to be around Noel, NOEL!! about whom I didn't even tell my parents, He calls you dad, Wonwoo do you even realize what that means?? and you did all this for what? a plot?" your voice breaking at the end as you search for his eyes. "You know if you'd just come to me like a decent human and tell me why you wanted it, I would've given it to you" You furrowed your brows, you shook your head matter of factly, "But no, your pride won't allow you to take a bow in front of a woman because you want to snatch it, fair and square" you run your hand through your hair "LIKE A FUCKING GAME OF CHESS!!!" your whole body shook in agitation. While he just stared at you the pain of regret painted on his face. "I thought games like this were amusing for college boys, but I guess it's true. Boys never grow up; their toys just change."

You nodded sarcastically. "Hmm, nice job, Wonwoo. Just as you said, it's me and my delusions." Your voice wavered as you spoke, and your chin trembled as tears welled up in your eyes. "You played with our emotions Wonwoo." You quickly wiped them away as they trickled down. "Okay, just tell me one thing," you continued with a mixture of frustration and vulnerability. "Was it fun? I mean every day how you and your little assistant would plan out the script? I bet you both had a great laugh? Or your family was in it as well"

"No, They know nothing about it" he somberly clarified still avoiding eye contact.

Your words hung in the air, a complex mix of anger, hurt, and self-doubt. The room felt heavy with the weight of the conversation, and the tension between you and Wonwoo was palpable.

Wonwoo felt a painful lump form in his throat, his eyes burning with the intensity of the moment. He cleared his throat and tried to find the right words. "Y/N, baby girl, please listen to me. I know you're hurt. I will admit that at first, after we signed the contract, I wanted, in the five years, to gain ownership of Oasis and Burbone Road. But ever since we got married, and then at court when I saw how much you cared and the bond you both share, I cannot in good conscience hold myself back from wishing to be a part of it too. I truly—"

"KEEP YOUR DAMN MOUTH SHUT, AND DON'T YOU EVER CALL ME THAT AGAIN," you seethed, your voice laced with disgust. " CONSCIENCE," you huffed a sarcastic smile "YOU DISGUST ME. DO YOU REALLY THINK I'D BELIEVE A WORD THAT COMES OUT OF YOUR LYING MOUTH RIGHT NOW?"

Grabbing your bag from the floor, you began to march towards the door. But a thought suddenly stopped you, and you turned back to face him. "One last thing," you said, your voice dripping with scorn. "That night, When you told me about Mingyu, did this plan of yours have anything to do with his last wish or did you just lead on with that, to make it a proper backstory too?"

"Y/N," Wonwoo roared in warning, his frustration and anger evident.

"Good," you responded, your tone sharp. "At least there's some conscience left in you. Don't ever show your face to me again. I can't believe I was starting to like a man like you."

With those words, you took off your wedding ring and put it in his hand as you walked out of the front door, leaving Wonwoo standing there, looking at your retreating figure. The door slammed shut with such force that it made the chandelier shake and the windows rattle.

The driver was startled by your fuming figure as he heard all the screaming.

"LEAVE THE BAG INSIDE AND GIVE ME THE KEYS!" you demanded, and he hurriedly handed you the keys.

"Madam, I don't think you should drive in this condition," he cautioned.

You ignored him and settled into the driver's seat, fastening your seatbelt. You were about to insert the keys and start the engine when someone yanked the door open.

"Y/N, get out of the car," Wonwoo insisted, leaning in and speaking through gritted teeth. "Right now."

"Let go of the door, Wonwoo."

"No, you're not going anywhere until we've sorted this out."

"There is nothing to sort out. Congratulations, you won."

"I don't give a damn about winning or losing. I care about you. Get out of the car. You can't drive like this."

"Wonwoo, let go of the door, or else you'll get hurt."

"Don't say I didn't warn you." You revved the engine and pressed down on the accelerator. His hands were yanked as you sped away, forcing him to let go of the door handle. His fingers throbbed in pain.

The watchman rushed to open the main gate as you closed the car door while it was still running and sped out of the mansion gate.

"Master Wonwoo, are you okay? ICE! SOMEONE BRING ICE!" the driver shouted as Wonwoo stood there, looking at your disappearing car, and then he dashed back inside the mansion.

…

You had been driving around for the past hour, the engine's hum providing some strange comfort as you navigated the nearly empty streets. You'd almost run over a crossing cat, but the nimble feline had managed to evade your tires. Thank goodness for reliable tires.

Eventually, you ended up at the international departure gate of the airport. It was well past midnight, and the airport was quieter than you'd ever seen it. The only sounds were the low hum of the building's systems and the occasional footsteps of late-night travelers.

The flight attendant at the counter looked at you with a mixture of concern and trepidation in her eyes. "Ma'am, I'm afraid I can only offer you an economy ticket at the back of the airplane." Her voice wavered slightly, clearly unsettled by your intense gaze.

You offered her a tight smile and retorted, "Beggars can't be choosers, can they?" With that, you handed her your sleek black card.

The flight attendant's hands shook as she carefully took your card and swiped it to complete the transaction. Luckily, you had your passport on hand, as your improvisational schedule took an unexpected turn.

…

Wonwoo paced around the opulent living room, his frustration evident in every agitated step. "You just had to run your mouth," he groaned into the phone while talking to Chan.

Chan, sounding apologetic, replied, "I'm sorry, but how was I supposed to know that your wife would be standing right behind you?"

Wonwoo clenched his fists, his voice dripping with tension. "Find out where she is, do whatever it takes. Just tell me she's safe and alive. As soon as I find her, you're fired."

"Understood, boss."

As Wonwoo raised a hand to run through his hair in sheer tension, he realized two things: his hand was wrapped in a bandage, and he had a temper that could rival his own.

"Damn it, Y/N, where are you?" he muttered.

Just then, his phone chimed, and he thought it might be an update from Chan. To his dismay, it was a link sent by his PR assistant. Opening it, he saw two images – one where he was leaning against a door and another of you driving away, capturing him clutching his injured hand. The caption read, "Not everything serene in the Serene Villa!! Read all about the first hitch on the newlywed paradise. Click the link to read the whole article."

Wonwoo exclaimed, "Oh, for heaven's sake!"

An idea suddenly struck him. He dialed Chan again, who picked up after just one ring. "I told you I can't do it if you keep calling me every five minutes."

"Can you give me Rachel's number?"

"Rachel?"

"Y/N's assistant, Rachel."

"Okay, hold on."

Rachel was in a beautifully furnished penthouse, adorned with statement art pieces and vintage furniture, complete with an Afghan rug that added a touch of classic charm. The owner of the house was down in the cellar room, retrieving another vintage bottle from his extensive wine collection.

As Rachel sipped from her third glass of wine, her phone rang loudly, surprising her. She answered hesitantly, "Hello?"

"Hello, Rachel, it's me, Jeon Wonwoo."

"Oh, hello, Mr. Jeon. Is everything all right?"

"Yes and no," Wonwoo replied. "Y/N and I had a fight, and she drove away, likely furious. So, would you mind telling me where she might have gone?"

"Mr. Jeon," Rachel began, "in times like this, I'd sincerely advise you to leave Ms. L/N alone. I'm sure she'll be okay."

Wonwoo sighed and said, "I appreciate the advice, Rachel, but I really need to know. Could you please help me?"

Rachel pondered for a moment and then answered, "Mr. Jeon, In situations as such she would never go to her parents' house. Since Ms. Sinha is in Tokyo right now, and she doesn't have any close friends here as well, I'd say—"

Just then, a voice in the background interrupted their conversation. It was the housekeeper, the security man, who informed Wonwoo that a person had arrived to return the car Madam had taken.

Rachel whispered into the phone, "Ask him from where he picked it up."

Wonwoo relayed the question to the guard, who then reported, "The airport, sir."

"Mr. Jeon, I think she went to London," Rachel responded while still on the line as she recalled that her boss was going to attend her best friend's wedding.

"Okay, thank you, Rachel. Sorry to disturb you. Good night."

"You too, take care, Mr. Jeon. Let me know if you need anything. Good night."

Once he hung up, the wine butler aka Jungkook entered again, holding a bottle from the 1950s collection, along with two new glasses.

Jungkook, who had overheard the end of the exchange, asked Rachel, "Why did my brother call you so late at night?"

Rachel looked at him with a worried expression, her concern evident. She sighed, Rachel knew that Y/N was not someone to get so worked up over something unless it had truly struck a nerve.

…

The clock read around 6 a.m. when your weary self finally touched down at Heathrow Airport. Your eyes were bloodshot, your body felt like it was on the verge of shutting down, and you were battered mentally, physically, and emotionally. You dragged your luggage to the cab stand, exhaustion was evident in every step.

After what felt like an eternity, you finally retrieved your bag and booked a cab from the airport. As you settled into the backseat, the old cab driver, likely in his sixties, began to chirp cheerfully, apparently oblivious to your disheveled state.

"Lovely weather we have, eh?" he commented, trying to strike up a conversation.

"1 Hampstead High Street, please," you mumbled, your voice tired and strained, as you leaned back against the seat. Your eyes were heavy, and you fought to keep them open.

"Right-o," the driver replied, and you were grateful that he didn't push further on the weather.

However, you didn't have to fight off sleep alone for long. The taxi driver was in a chatty mood, and he embarked on a monologue about the conditions of the streets, the sorry state of the political scene, his son studying economics at Kingston, and even his cousin's experiences in a foreign exchange program. He was now onto the topic of his third daughter, a prodigy in making cookies.

After enduring this verbal onslaught, you couldn't contain your frustration any longer. The combination of exhaustion and irritation resulted in a burst of words.

"Excuse me, sir," you said, exasperated. "I flew from France to my city and had a massive fight with my husband, which I think will end up in divorce. I almost broke his hand when I drove away in a fit of rage and took the next flight to London. I had to sit near the toilet on the plane and pretend I was deaf and mute, sandwiched between two people who were grossly and suggestively flirting with each other. So, no, I don't care what cookie cutter your daughter uses or where in China your cousin went to school because I am not from there. Please shut your mouth and drive."

The cab driver looked at you through the rearview mirror, and then his gaze returned to the road. After a few minutes of awkward silence, you thought you might have been too harsh.

"Talk about a bad weekend, huh?" he said, breaking the silence.

You couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of the situation. "Oh, for fuck's sake," you mumbled in French.

…

After what felt like an eternity, about 15 minutes later, you were buzzing at Jeonghan's door. A crashing sound came from the other side before a disheveled Victor opened it, his eyes half-open.

"If it isn't my favorite Groom," you greeted as you pushed the door open with your hip and dragged your small suitcase inside the room.

"Y/N?" a groggy voice came from the other side of the room. "Weren't you supposed to come later in the night?" Victor looked at your disheveled state and asked, "What's going on?" You threw yourself at Jeonghan.

Jeonghan, still half-asleep, took one sniff of you and felt the discomfort of stomach acid rising in his throat. "Geez, you smell like… armpit."

"As chivalrous as ever, JJ," you replied, seemingly unaffected. He tried to pull you away from him and took in your matted, greasy, product-laden hair, smudged kohl, bloodshot eyes, and crooked smile that looked too forced to be real. Something was clearly not right. He hadn't seen you like this since a long time ago, and it was like you were on the threshold of a breakdown.

"Y/N, are you alright? Where's Wonwoo? Aren't you both supposed to be here together?" Jeonghan inquired, his concern evident.

"I'd rather not talk about it," you deflected, pushing him aside and stumbling towards the couch. You weren't drunk, but you looked beyond exhausted.

Jeonghan couldn't help but be persistent. "You didn't…Kill him, did you?"

"I don't know. I didn't look back when I drove away," you replied, your words sending a chill down their spines.

"Just one more thing," Jeonghan continued, earning an annoyed groan from you as you covered your ears and groaned into the couch pillow.

"How did you know the address?"

"Huh?" you mumbled, still disoriented.

"The address. How did you know it?" Jeonghan pressed.

"Oh, from Noel's live location," you explained as the last words escaped your mouth. You drifted into unconsciousness, worn out from the events of the day.

As you stirred, the room was cloaked in the heavy embrace of a moonless midnight, the night sky shrouded in darkness beyond the windowpane. Confusion and anxiety rose within you; where were you? The recent memories flooded your mind in disjointed fragments: the intense fight, the nearly disastrous encounter with a cat, the impulse flight to London, and the animated debate with a chatty cab driver. Everything felt hazy and disconnected.

The room you found yourself in was distinctly unrecognizable, far too beige and minimalist to be your own. Your gaze drifted to the photo frames adorning a nearby shelf, each one capturing precious moments in the lives of your friends. One frame displayed Jeonghan and Victor during a proposal, their happiness immortalized in the frozen image, while another frame depicted Noel's 6th birthday celebration, with you and Jeonghan helping him cut the cake.

As you groaned in both pain and disorientation, you caught a whiff of yourself and promptly decided that a shower was imperative at that moment. You noticed your suitcase perched beside the dresser, and faint sounds of conversation seeped through the door from the other side.

Summoning your strength, you pushed yourself out of the bed and shuffled your way to the en-suite bathroom, determined to wash away the weariness and confusion that clung to you like a second skin.

Stepping out of the room in a fuzzy bathrobe that provided warmth and carried a fresh scent, you walked with soft, hesitant steps on the wooden floor. White street light streamed in through the curtains, bringing a serene night atmosphere to the space. You noticed Jeonghan sitting at the dining table with a cup of what you guessed was warm milk.

"You too, Take care, Good Night," he said into his phone, hanging up as he caught sight of your approaching figure. He managed to suppress the irk that threatened to rise, silently reminding himself of the mantra 'happy thoughts'. Jeonghan was not particularly fond of sharing his robe.

"Good morning, ma'am," he greeted you with exaggerated cheerfulness. You responded with a sleepy yawn and surveyed the quiet room.

"Where is everyone?" you asked, still rubbing the remnants of slumber from your eyes.

"They're all asleep, like normal people. Victor's at his sister's place; you're not supposed to see each other before the wedding, superstition and all," Jeonghan explained, rising from his chair. He motioned for you to sit down in the one next to him.

He retrieved a plate from cling wrap and heated it in the microwave, then set it down in front of you. You groaned at the sight of the food, but Jeonghan said nothing, allowing you to focus on your meal.

"Wonwoo was quite worried about you," Jeonghan mentioned as you took a sip of water.

"He called," He added, but your expression grew distant as you stared down at your now-empty hand.

"I don't want to talk about him anymore. We're done," you stated, collecting the dishes and moving toward the sink.

Jeonghan, however, called out from behind you, "Fights are the most normal part of any relationship. You can't say it's over after every disagreement."

Counting your breaths to maintain composure, you forced yourself to breathe deeply, '1, hold 7, release.' Your hands trembled as you reached for the dish soap to wash the plate.

"There was never a relationship, to begin with, at least not for him," you whispered, your vision blurring. Blinking as the tears fell onto the sink, "and it was never supposed to be for me either" you completed the dishes and placed them on the drying rack.

"What do you mean?" Jeonghan's voice conveyed deep concern. Your legs gave out, and you slid down to the floor. Alarmed, Jeonghan rushed to your side.

"It was all a plan. He never wanted anything to do with me. He just wanted the ownership of the resort, JJ. He was fooling me, and me being the fool I am, I let myself lose control, We had a five-year contract, he'd help me with the adoption and I'd make him the partner over the project on land he was after for years, just business and nothing more." you confessed. Your heartache was palpable as you sobbed in Jeonghan's embrace.

"It was never supposed to be anything else, Then why did he do this, Why did lighten these expectations in me, it hurts. It hurts so much JJ," you cried, clinging to Jeonghan. He gently cooed and patted your back, letting you release your emotions.

"I liked him, JJ. I wanted him to be part of our family, mine, and Noel's," you continued, your voice choked with pain. You clutched the front of Jeonghan's shirt, crumpling the fabric in your hand.

"I wish I never met him. I wish he wasn't so kind to me. I wish he didn't make me feel like I deserve a happy ending, too."

"Why am I so broken, Jeonghan? Why does everyone want what I have? Why does nobody want me?" you questioned, your voice filled with anguish. Jeonghan felt like someone was squeezing his heart to see you in so much pain. He yearned to confront the guy responsible. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he held you close.

"You're not broken, Y/n. You are the best person in the world, and you deserve the best damn happy ending in the world, you hear me?" Jeonghan whispered, his eyes glistening with tears. Your sobs echoed in his ears, and he vowed to be your anchor, your solace amid this storm.

He continued, "And just because a double battery, palm tree wannabe can't see that doesn't mean anything. You got me."

You chuckled at his reference, appreciating the humor in your pain.

….

It's fascinating how life often feels like a repeating script written in different fonts. Moments and memories may seem unique, but sometimes people live the same sentences in different styles. Here you are, seated on the kitchen floor, your best friend Jeonghan holding your hands, his thumb gently circling your knuckles. Your head rests on his shoulder, just like that evening after Noella left your flat. Numbness has taken over after shedding all your tears, and you've poured out everything to Jeonghan, from what you said to what Wonwoo said. Jeonghan listens attentively as you both sit in silence, with only the faint barking of a dog, the chirping of crickets, and the hum of the fridge in the background.

You break the silence, opening your mouth to ponder, "You know, all of this wouldn't have happened if we both had gotten married and adopted Noel."

Jeonghan muses, "What would we do about Victor?"

You chuckle, "We would have hired him as our in-house gardener and let the neighbors think that I'm screwing with him. But in reality, it's you."

Both of you burst into laughter and shake your heads in disbelief.

"Yeah, I think that would've been a lot less dramatic than this," Jeonghan remarks.

"I know, right," you say.

"Thank you, Jeonghan, for always being you," you express your gratitude.

He raises his eyebrows and smirks, "Crying makes you all sappy, huh?" He leans down to kiss your forehead and adds, "You're welcome. I take card as well as cash."

You playfully punch his shoulder.

"How are you feeling now, love?" he asks, a concerned look in his eyes.

"Numb," you admit. After a moment's thought, you continue, "The other day, Elle asked me if the mole on his face was familiar to Noella. I couldn't recall her face. I mean, I do remember how she looks in photos, and I still feel the same love when I look at them, but, JJ, I feel like I'm forgetting her."

Jeonghan consoles you, "You're not forgetting her, love. You're moving on. Life goes on. Don't hate yourself for it. You're living your life, and there's nothing wrong with it."

You dejectedly hum in acknowledgment. A few minutes of silence pass before you smile and say, "I'm glad that you found Victor."

"I'm glad I found him too," Jeonghan responds. "It wasn't easy, you know. In the beginning of our relationship, he was embarrassed to even hold my hand in public. Remember the time when he took his assistant as his fake girlfriend because he was afraid of what his family would think? I was so mad that this man, who couldn't even come to terms with his own identity and heart, how could I believe him when he claimed to love me?"

"What did you do?" you inquire.

"I gave him an ultimatum. It was either owning his identity or we were done. I asked him not to call me or text me until he had a definite answer."

"Then what happened?" you press on.

"He invited me to his father's birthday and kissed me in front of everyone," Jeonghan recalls with a laugh.

"So you forgave him," you deduce.

"Of course, I did, you silly girl. My love for him was much greater than my anger."

"Sometimes, y/n, our idea of something is different from the reality of it. I mean, when I broke up with Grey in college, I thought maybe all my relationships would be like that—casual, just for fun, and then breaking up when things got serious. And this was my intention with Victor as well, just a hitchhike until the next stop came along. But I didn't realize that even if I said I was done, I wasn't. I wanted to solve our problems; I wanted us to work. And here we are, getting married in less than 32 hours. There are no boards without marks. It depends on us whether we focus on the mark or the board," Jeonghan looks deep into your eyes and says, "I won't tell you what to do, but I will tell you this: there's no 'Mr. Right.' You find a 'Mr or Ms who's willing to prove They're the right one.Love will always be a dependent variable, but compromise, forgiveness, and effort and consideration are independent."

"Because in every theory, not all hypotheses are always proven right," He conclude.

Jeonghan gets up and helps you to your feet, nodding toward the buzzing handbag near the couch. "hear him out once then you can decide what to do."

With that, Jeonghan went to his room to sleep. You opened your bag to take out your phone and saw a barrage of notifications—missed calls, messages, and emails, most of them from Wonwoo, ranging from "I'm sorry" to "Stay safe." You couldn't find the strength to deal with him right now. What really angered you, though, was a message from your mother containing a link to an article followed by the message, "I thought I raised you better than this." Frustrated, you switched off your phone, plugged it into the charger, and then made your way to Noel's room.

Noel was sound asleep, his peaceful face reassuring. You sat down next to his sleeping figure and started caressing his hair. He stirred and mumbled, "Tante?"

You replied in a soft, comforting tone, "Yes, baby."

"Are you okay now?" he asked, his voice slightly hoarse from sleep. "Uncle JJ said that you're not feeling well, that's why you're sleeping so much. Are you hurt somewhere?"

You nodded, "Yes, but I'm fine now. Sorry for worrying you."

Noel whispered sleepily, "It's okay," and began to drift back to slumber.

That night, you lay next to Noel, your mind empty as you gazed at his peaceful sleeping form, finding solace in his innocence. Eventually, you too drifted off to sleep.

Part 6

#aquamarine chapter 8

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emotionalcadaver · 11 months

Text

Part 13: Dance of Darkness

Fandom: Peaky Blinders

Pairing: Tommy Shelby x Grace Burgess x OC

Summary: Their day starts with a funeral, and somehow it only gets worse from there.

Word Count: 3,389

Notes: I am so sorry that it’s taken me so long to get this out! I’ve recently been juggling finishing up college, family visiting, some health issues, and my other stories so things have been a little chaotic. But I hope you enjoy this next installment! No warnings.

Masterlists: Main • Series • Fic

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Chapter 1: Bird of Doom

Lucy tugged her black coat a little tighter around herself to protect against the chill of the wind that brushed lightly over the graveyard. Her eyes fixed dully on the pile of dirt that sat beside the open grave, every once in a while flicking over to glance at Ada, holding little Karl close to her. The priest’s words were little more than numbed mumblings. Nothing that he had to say was of much value to Lucy anyway.

She supposed that there was something twistedly funny about the whole thing; a priest standing there, speaking of God and heaven and eternal souls, when the Devil was standing right there over the grave, hands crossing in front of him, head bowed just enough so that his hat hid his eyes in its shadow. So that no one could tell if the orbs with which he used to see were red or blue. His shoulder brushed against hers, an eternal, warm comfort in the otherwise harsh coldness of Birmingham.

When the priest had finished speaking, Tommy took a few measured steps forward and cleared his throat, giving a brief, yet heartfelt speech about his late dear friend, Freddie Thorne.

Thunder rumbled. Esme and John’s baby was crying. The black veil that was covering Polly’s face flapped in the wind. Every once in a while, Ada’s chin would tremble; the only evidence that she was fighting back tears.

Lucy had to give her credit for how well she was handling the whole thing. Perhaps Tommy’s little sister was actually much stronger than she had ever given her credit for.

The ceremony ended with them each taking a handful of dirt in their hands, tossing it into the grave to splatter onto the top of the coffin already settled in the hole. Taking a step back for the next group to toss their handfuls of dirt in, Lucy trailed behind Tommy and Ada towards the exit of the cemetery. Ada had her arms wrapped around herself, while Tommy spoke to her in a quiet voice, trying to convince her to come back to Birmingham. Ada ignored him, instead focusing on the unfairness of the wealth he had acquired over the years. As if he needed to feel guilty of the rewards he’d more than earned through years of hard work and diligence.

“So now they’ve made you ashamed of us, eh?” Tommy cleared his throat, raising his cigarette to his lips. Lucy sighed, linking her arm with his in what she hoped would be some form of comfort. Much as she understood where Ada was coming from in a way, she didn’t understand why she had to be so harsh with the rest of the family when they just wanted to help her. Not to mention that all she ever ended up accomplishing was hurting Tommy’s feelings, hard as he may have tried to hide it.

Polly came up behind them, interrupting to give an update on Karl, who was off playing with his cousins. She smiled through her veil, then took a step forward. “Ada. Are you coming home?”

“I’m going home,” Ada corrected. Tommy was looking down.

“It’s alright, Pol. We make Ada embarrassed.”

“That’s not what I said,” Ada snapped back.

“You didn’t have to,” Lucy said. Tommy tightened his grip on her in silent warning, and she locked her jaws shut before she said anymore while Tommy tried to explain to Ada the potential danger she would be in during the expansion in London. She wasn’t convinced.

“The expansion means it’s gonna be dangerous to be a Shelby in London for a while,” he shot a look at Ada that was notably concerned, particularly for him.

“Yeah. Well, I’m not a Shelby anymore. And I’m not a Thorne now either. I’m free.”

“I’m not sure that argument is going to be persuasive with the gangsters in London, Ada,” Lucy tried.

Ada looked at them all. “I’ve got to get Karl home.”

Polly reached out to her as she walked past, but then pulled her hand away. Tommy had his lips pressed together, drawing in a slow, deep breath, worry etched into his face like stone even as he told Polly he would get some of their men to watch Ada’s house until the danger was over.

It had started up raining, big fat droplets splattering down onto them from the sky. A man on a motorbike had come roaring up the path, speaking urgently to Arthur, who began to walk promptly towards them, gesturing to Tommy, who moved to meet him halfway. Lucy went to follow, but not before she heard Polly muttering under her breath.

“Till the danger passes. That’ll be the bloody day.”

∗ ∗ ∗

“You’re really sure that you don’t want me to come with you?” Lucy fretted, crimson painted lips rubbing together with worry.

“Yes, love, I’m sure,” he said, trying hard not to let her fussing irritate him too much. She was just worried; he couldn’t exactly begrudge her that. “I need you to begin organizing a clean up and refurbishment of the pub. I don’t want it to be out of commission for very long.”

Her arms were crossed over her chest. “Alright. I’ll make the calls.”

“I’ll meet you after,” before he could step out the door, she took a step forward, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. Tommy rubbed her back in what he hoped was a soothing manner.

“Don’t die.”

He bit back a laugh. “I won’t. Promise.”

Stepping back, she pecked him once quickly on the lips. “Okay.”

Tugging his hat on, he stepped out the door and began walking briskly down the road, pulling a cigarette from his case and setting it between his lips, lighting it. She’d been a little more clingy than normal, as of late. He wondered if it had something to do with Freddie. Perhaps his rather sudden death had affected Lucy more than he thought. Or maybe it was the knowledge that soon they would be heading back into London. And London for Lucy held a lot of conflicting, dark memories.

It wasn’t like he particularly minded. And if being closer to him made her feel safe, he wasn’t about to scold her over it. But this particular meeting was one that he needed to attend alone.

The explosion at the Garrison while they were at the funeral had taken him by surprise and put them all on edge. He was hoping that this meeting would reveal at least some answers as to who was behind it.

Then he could send Lucy to cut their eyes out.

∗ ∗ ∗

He spent the entire walk back to the office stewing, his frustration only mildly dissipated by the time he threw open the big double doors to his office. Lucy was sitting at the round table near the fireplace, scribbling at some papers.

“Oh hey, you’re not dead,” she said, greeting him with a chaste kiss after he’d shut the doors behind him.

“Funny,” he grumbled dully, walking to the desk at the far end of the room, tossing his hat onto the wood surface and collapsing into the chair behind it. Lucy came around, hopping up to sit on the desk in front of him, finger trailing over his arm.

“It didn’t go well?”

He just grunted, one hand holding his cigarette, the other snaking around her waist, and she laughed in a combination of delight and confusion as he pulled her from the desk to instead sit straddling his lap, burying his face in her neck. She smelled like cigarettes and her perfume, and when her fingers petted through his hair and massaged at the nape of his neck, he allowed himself a brief reprieve of peaceful contentment. Amazing, how she could almost instantly make him feel better with just a simple touch.

“It’ll be alright,” she said. Tommy nodded, leaning back from her neck to look into her deep green eyes. He would tell her about the new situation with the Irish and the assignment they had forced upon him in a moment. For now, he just wanted to bask in having her nearby. Allow her presence to soothe his irritable mood and shot nerves.

“The information you gathered about that Irene O’Donnell and her son came in handy,” he informed her.

“Oh, good.”

“I need to make a call,” he reached for the phone, pulling it from its cradle. Lucy made a move to get off of his lap, and he tightened his arm around her waist. “Just where do you think you’re going, eh?”

She laughed again as he pecked a kiss to her jaw while he tucked the phone against his ear.

“This will just take a minute,” he promised. Lucy nodded, body resting more heavily against his chest as she got more comfortable.

∗ ∗ ∗

She sat on a stack of crates beside Tommy, legs swinging. He was leaning against the crates, eyes staring out the opened entrance of the garage. Neither of them said anything, both just silently brooding over the task that the Irish had assigned to them.

Well, technically to Tommy, but he’d gotten permission to bring her along. And it wasn’t like she was going to just leave him to carry out the assassination on his own.

They both snapped to attention when Moss approached them.

Tommy mumbled a few orders to him, handing him a wad of bills from his pocket.

Moss pocketed the cash. “I’ve got some information you might be interested in. No charge. An old friend of ours is coming back to the city. He’s, uh, just passing through, he says,” as he continued to describe this ‘old friend,’ Lucy’s blood grew cold, jaw clenching. Moss bid them goodnight, and they both watched as he walked away. Lucy hopped down from her seat on the crates.

“He can’t mean who I think he means, can he?”

Tommy pressed his lips into a thin line and Lucy groaned.

When she’d heard from her sources of information that Grace had shot Campbell in the leg at the train station, she’d laughed for about a solid five minutes. When she’d told Tommy, he’d grinned, eyes dancing with silent mirth and approval. It was the least that the old bastard had deserved.

She’d hoped that the multiple humiliations, both public and private, that Campbell had suffered during his stint in Birmingham would mean that he would be reluctant to show his face in the city again.

Apparently not.

“Is it just me, or is our list of potential problems growing by the day?” she asked.

“No,” Tommy said, tossing his cigarette to the ground. “It’s not just you.”

∗ ∗ ∗

They arrived late to the family meeting on purpose. Half the time John or Arthur were late anyway; they might as well get a taste of how fucking annoying it could be.

The hum of Polly’s voice was the first thing Lucy heard as Tommy held the door open for her to step into the betting shop, but when they strode into the room, everyone went silent. Polly had been staring at Esme tactfully from where she was standing near the double doors. Esme was seated on the stairs, a book in her lap.

“I’m told only family are allowed to speak,” she said. Lucy felt her eyebrows lift. News to her. Eyes snapping accusingly to John, he met her look with a stubborn glare. It was no secret that if John had it his way, Lucy would probably have gotten her lips sewn shut by now. Jackass.

“Everyone’s allowed to speak,” Tommy disagreed. “On your feet, Esme. Let’s hear what you have to say.” John cleared his throat, shifting from foot to foot. “I speak for our household. So, could–”

Tommy fixed him with an ice cold, stern gaze. “John, this company is a modern enterprise and believes in equal rights for women,” Lucy didn’t think she’d ever loved him more than she did in that moment. He looked back at Esme, again encouraging her to speak.

She put her book aside, bracing a hand on the banister to raise herself up to stand on the staircase, towering over the rest of them. “I’m not a blood member of this family,” she started. “But perhaps, indeed because I’m not a member, I can see things in a different light. So I’ll get to my point–”

“That would be nice,” Polly ground out. Lucy felt a sudden rising desire to slap her. These people. They really seemed to have no appreciation for how cold and unwelcoming they could be; how difficult it was to actually become a member of their inner circle. And how intimidating it was to speak to them all the way that Esme was. Of all of them, Tommy was the only one who had actively accepted Lucy into the group with open arms. Still, after years of nothing but loyal service, the others froze her out.

It was hard not to be bitter about it.

Esme spoke in her soft, low voice. About the things she had heard about London and the wars that were forged down there between the gangs. “London is just smoke and trouble, Thomas,” she concluded.

“‘Thomas?’” Polly quoted incredulously. Lucy rolled her eyes. That was his name, wasn’t it? Or did Polly think that she was the only one who had the right to call him by it? Tommy leaned his shoulder against the doorframe, watching Esme closely as she spoke.

“Thank you, Esme,” he said, taking the glass of whiskey Arthur offered him from over his shoulder. “Firstly, the bang in the pub had nothing to do with London. Understood? The bang is something I’m dealing with on my own with Lucy. Secondly, we have nothing to fear from the proposed business expansion so long as we stick together. After the first few weeks, nine tenths of what we do in London will be legal. The other tenth is in good hands. Isn’t that right, Arthur?”

“That’s right,” Arthur concurred.

“Some of you in this room have expressed your reservations. Fair enough. Any of you want no part in the future of this company, walk out the door,” Tommy gestured. Lucy glanced amongst them, waiting. “Right now,” he was staring specifically at John. “Go and raise your chickens. For those of you with ambition, the expansion process begins tomorrow.”

At that, Polly started. Arthur brought his glass to his lips, smirking.

No one moved towards the door.

∗ ∗ ∗

“Polly. Give me the combination.”

She ignored him. Straightening, he shoved his hands into his pockets. He supposed that she was overdue to have another fit with him about the way that he was running things. But still, the last thing he had wanted to hear when he came in to open the safe was how he should have spoken to her first before making decisions about the expansion. Or to be questioned about why he had gone to the Black Lion pub.

Oh, and she had changed the combination to the safe. Probably just to annoy him.

Why, why, why did they all insist on making everything so bloody difficult all the time?

“What happened to the pub is Irish business. We’re in a situation where, for everyone’s safety, it’s best if some things remain undisclosed.”

Polly looked up at him, setting down her pen. “You’ve told Lucy.”

Tommy sighed. “Lucy’s helping me with it. But there’s no reason to get the rest of you involved.”

“But you tell her, and not me?”

He looked at her, levelly. “Yes.”

Polly’s jaw twitched, but she thankfully didn’t push the matter anymore. “So why tomorrow?”

He internally counted down from ten, and then told her, again, his plan to head into London while all the bosses were at the races. The Italians and the Jews had been at war for months, and the Jews needed allies.

“Yeah, but we don’t,” Polly shot back.

“We need a foothold at the southern end of the Grand Union. The Jews control Camden Town.”

“How do you know all this?”

“Lucy has eyes and ears in London. They’ve been providing us with information.”

“Information that you trust?”

“Lucy’s information is rarely bad, Polly. She does good work. And she knew the current leader of the Jews during the time that she lived in London. She didn’t know him well, but she knew him. That gives us an angle in.”

The expression on Polly’s face was fearful and suspicious as she fretted. Afraid that he was going to get himself killed. Probably even more afraid that he was going to take the whole lot of them down with him.

Still, he tried to explain. To get her to understand.

He was pretty certain that he failed, in that regard.

“Now, please, open the fucking safe.”

Polly looked away only for a moment before standing and going to the safe. “You know it was a fine speech you made in there, about this company believing in equal rights for women. But when it comes to it, you don’t listen to a word we say.”

He looked away, keeping his jaws locked tight. He listened to Lucy. He listened to her advice and her opinions all the time. But he doubted that would count for anything to Polly and her absurd, undying hatred of the woman who was both his lover and his assistant.

∗ ∗ ∗

“Love, are you okay?” Lucy was curled up in the seat by the fireplace, glass of whiskey balanced loosely in her hand against her thigh while she watched him where he was seated at his desk.

“I’m fine,” Tommy mumbled without looking up. “Why?”

“You’ve been quiet. More than usual.”

Sighing, he set his pen down, leaning back and rubbing at his eyes. “It’s nothing.”

“Did Polly say something to you?”

“Polly always has something to say to me these days.”

“Mm,” she angled her head in agreement. Resting his knuckles against his lips, Tommy examined her.

“Lucy?”

“Yes?”

“I…you don’t think that I don’t listen to women, do you?”

“What? What do you mean?”

“I mean…you don’t feel like I ignore your opinions, do you?”

“What?” she looked truly stunned. “No! Never!” she unfolded herself from the chair, striding across the spacious office to him in a quick few paces. Setting her glass down on the desk, she smoothed her hands over his hair. “I’ve always felt like you listen to me. Even when we disagree or you decide to go against my suggestions,” a rare occurrence, admittedly. They were so often on the same wavelength when it came to most things, business and otherwise. She shot him a knowing look. “Polly just thinks every idea she’s ever had is pure gold. If you’d listened to her, the company wouldn’t be even close to what it is now and she’d still be buying secondhand jewelry and telling fortunes on the side to make an extra buck. I’m not saying she doesn’t have good ideas or insights, but she’s not always as irrefutably correct as she tends to think she is.”

Tommy hummed. “Yeah. You’re right,” he leaned his head against her, feeling the steady thumps of her heart through her clothes. “Thanks,” with a sigh, he decided now might be as good a time as any to bring up the other thing Polly had said to him that had been prickling in his head since their meeting. “She thinks it’s Grace’s fault.”

“What? How?” Lucy stiffened at the name, and with his ear against her chest he was able to hear the way that her breath caught in her lungs.

“Who knows? She seems to believe that I don’t trust any women now ‘cos one betrayed me,” he tipped his head back to stare at the ceiling, as if the answers for how to deal with his aunt were written up there somewhere. “She says that I should just forget about her.”

Lucy started unconsciously fiddling with the plain gold rings that adorned her hands, staring at a spot on the wall. Her eyes contained the same lost, pained expression that he was sure crossed his own every time he thought of Grace.

“Easier said than done.”

Thank you for reading! Please consider leaving a comment, reblog, or like. I always appreciate feedback and love getting the opportunity to interact with you and hear your thoughts!

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#tommy shelby #tommy shelby x oc #peaky blinders #lucy winters #lucy winters x tommy shelby #my ocs #my fanfiction #dance of darkness #fanfiction #lucy winters x tommy shelby x grace burgess #tommy shelby x grace burgess #tommy shelby x grace burgess x oc #grace burgess x oc #grace burgess #grace burgess x lucy winters

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