#Dani: What? Why? Other wh words???

[wandixx]

Ghost of fries and hero of cookies part 6

All work words count: 14 643

Words in this part: 2 686

Summary of whole work: Duke wasn't expecting to wake up from his quick rooftop nap to some meta kid with fries. He also wasn't expecting kid to stay

Or

Danny asked Dani to stay safe while she was in Gotham. Where would she be safer than under the wing of local hero? And he looked like he needed bad day combo anyway

This part summary: Batman wants an explanation. His kids however, wouldn't be themselves if they did add some chaos

Beta read by @audhumla-sailor though English is second language for both of us, so proceed with this in mind. I also know all of the charaters through fics alone, so probably ooc. Stay catious if it's something you don't like

First part, Previous part

“Signal.”

Duke bit back a sigh as his last hope to leave Cave undiscovered disappeared. He shot Steph message of:

Having The Talk. Come as moral support

and turned around to face Bruce.

“Yes?”

B grunted in disapproving and ‘Signal report’ way but Duke decided to buy some time and answer only questions that were actually asked. He slowly sat at the briefing table and looked at the man expectantly.

Lift chimed and moments later Tim and Cass went to Batcomputer and training mats respectively. Duke was, like, 80% sure they were there to eavesdrop. He knew them well enough. He knew them well enough.

“The girl”

“Izzy?” Was Duke annoying on purpose? Yes. He really didn’t want to have this talk. Like, at all. Psychological warfare it was “I mean, I know she is civilian and you don’t approve but at least she isn’t doing anything illegal, right? Like, you know, robbing museums or killing people?”

Bruce looked repulsed and Tim snorted.

“Low blow Narrows, low blow” Jason announced through speakers. He was slightly winded as if he just finished a fight “Good job kid”

“So you’re listening too, great” Duke muttered under his breath before louder he added “Is everyone who wants in on a show, here already?”

“Give me a sec- here Dick you’re going live now”

“Thanks Babs, you’re the best”

“I know. Donuts, you know which one”

“Of course. Glad we’re finally going to talk about Duke’s kid”

“Shut up, she is not my kid!”

“Steph ETA 2 minutes” Cass interrupted.

At least Damian didn’t show up- as if summoned by this thought Damian stomped down the stares, Alfred the Cat curled in his arms. Maybe others had a point, calling him Demon kid and stuff.

“What is an emergency?” he demanded and Duke decided to take what little relief he could from the fact that Bruce seemed equally defeated by sheer number of people around for this talk. 

“It seems like… oh, literally everyone lost an adoption bet” Babs explained. Huh, so Steph didn’t change her stance.

Damian looked genuinely terrified as he muttered “No” eyes darting between everyone present in silent calculation.

“Oh, shut up” Duke whined knowing all too well his stalling had to come to the end. Maybe it was wishful thinking but he almost heard roar of engine of Steph’s motorcycle. Her presence would be double edged sword but she would help him advocate for Dani and that was more important.

“Thomas, what have you done?!” if it was anyone other than Damian, Duke would call sound he made a whine. As it was, he preferred his entrails to stay inside and since the boy showed up, called by thought, the older boy preferred not to take risks.

“Nothing, Babs is overreacting”

“Don’t deny it. She went about it kinda Tim Lite style but it worked”

“I don’t even know her surname, where she stays or really, anything about her life outside of our patrols, how do you expect me to go about adoption?!”

“B knew even less about me when he decided, yes this tire thief is my new son!” Jason chimed in and Duke knew he was grinning despite voice modulator.

“What from my origin story was lost to make Lite version?”

“Identities weren't breached as far as we're aware. Just ‘came one day and refuses to leave’ part and some light stalking. She was smart about it, invisible, keeping out of sight and to the hot spots. Wouldn't find her if I didn't know she was there”

“She could still just not tell, I mean I knew for years before telling anyone…”

“There is no way. Believe me, she has no brain-mouth filter, I swear”

“But-”

“She introduced herself by her first name,” Duke deadpanned ”She told me civilian names of heroes from her hometown, in context that didn't require me to do any actual research to clue me. I did anyway. I don't think she even realized she did it. If she knew our identities we would know already”

There was a moment of silence as everyone digested the thought of just how gigantic breach Dani accidentally caused.

“Well, it's as good of a proof as we can get for now,” Babs bristled. 

“Who let her in on such secrets then?!” Damian sounded genuinely appalled and Duke wasn't too surprised.

Like on a cue, Steph stormed inside on her Spoiler in civies. Bruce looked about ready to get aneurysm. Duke was a bit glad that everyone was doing such good job in distraction department.

“IT’S OKAY, WHY? BECAUSE I AM HERE!” Steph yelled, jumping from before her vehicle fully stopped. She threw something small in general direction of Batcomputer “Timmy plug it in, I made a PowerPoint!”

Duke felt blood leave his face. He wasn't sure if he wanted to know what Steph put together but he probably didn't. Tim opened it anyways.

WHY HOOPOE IS ADORABLE&CHAOTIC BEAN AND SHOULD BE PART OF THE TEAM

The title slide said, one of the clearest photos of Dani from before she started wearing mask in the background. It was close-up of girl smiling, bits of brownie on her cheeks.

“Was this photo taken with a goddamn calculator?” Tim asked with disgust so clear Duke could taste it. Metaphorically of course.

“Nah, just body-cam. Her powers mess with technology a bit”

Tim still looked displeased at the craftsmanship.

“Don't worry, it's not  a bad photo. Baby Bird is just being perfectionist,” Dick placated.

Duke didn't realize that Damian froze until he unfroze and made his way to the screen, stopping less than one foot away from it. His movements were rigid, his face scrunched with distress. Alfred the Cat escaped its master probably due to hoe tense he was. Everyone in Cave quietened as soon as boy took first step and expecting mood had to run through microphones because nobody from the on-line crowd quipped in.

“This is the green of Lazarus” he whispered finally, sounding actually scared. Jason swore. Bruce and Cass visibly stiffened. Tim choked and he wasn't even drinking. Dick did his whinny breezy name saying thing when he wanted explanation and felt lightly betrayed. 

It was Duke's turn to freeze because… it wasn't. Of course he wasn't all that well versed in the Pit, less alone its color but he did bust quite a few trafficking rings with Jason and he saw his eyes afterwards all raging, toxic, neon green glory and it wasn't the same as Dani’s. As much as he liked English and how good he was at it, it failed him at simple task of describing the obvious difference between each other. He'd have more luck describing tastes with set of color samples from IKEA or something. And really, even if he tried he would lose the fight of competence with Damian. Who wouldn't.  But-

“There is no way she has any connection with LOA”

“Why is that?” Damian seemed to misinterpret it as challenge like he always did when emotions were running high. Duke took a deep breath. Well, it was a moment to use all of his diplomatic skills and speak in the language of the demons.

“I've seen her fight. She would be utter disgrace”

“It does not prove-”

“It does” Duke interrupted with the tone and mimic of person who saw too much because he did ”None of you have any say until you watch a tiny and I mean tiny ten year old tackle five Joker goons like it's a joke, by sheer virtue of super strength and intangibility-means-I-can-ignore-bullets-Signal-don’t-be-such-worrywart. She should get shot, like, three times at least. And she kept laughing!” he was low key wheezing at the end because even after all this time (a week) it was fucking horrifying. Bruce made a huff that meant he was laughing and put a hand on his shoulder as a sign of support. Dick's lighthearted laugh sang from the speakers.

“Don't worry Duke, it never gets better” B said with mirth.

He refused to elaborate whether he meant ‘kids keep jumping into danger like there is no tomorrow‘ or ‘it's equally terrifying every time’ and Duke decided to reflect on that sentiment later. It put some things into perspective. A lot of things if he was being honest.

Also, he was not ready for stuff like that to become even semi-normal occurrence. He was ready to give her all of his Alfred cookies if it could change anything. He knew it wouldn't. 

“Do you have any other evidence that your new acquaintance does not just fake being less experienced to make you lower your guard?” Damian asked warily.

“I had to teach her out of putting her thumb in her fist,” he deadpanned. Several people hissed in empathetic pain. Steph coughed to bring attention to where she stood in front of Batcomputer, other slide of her Power Point open. Duke recognised video from his body-cam.

“Exhibit A” she announced. She played a video with Dani’s first mugging attempt he witnessed. Let it be said, it was a disaster.

“Exhibit B '' One of Dani’s most epic fails at side-kick that ended with her falling face first to the ground.

“Exhibit C” Dani fumbled with zip-ties, looking at him utterly at loss.

“Exhibit D” the talk about her prior training.

“What’s was that sound?” Dick obviously on the verge of cooing when girl on video growled. Steph stopped video.

“Very angry kitten” Tim stated with soft smile.

“Honestly, furious girl” Cass corrected “She was really mad at you”

“Yeah, I know but promise of Alfred’s cookies was enough to placate her”

“You gave her Alfred’s cookies?!”

“She started by giving me a lot of food on a really shitty patrol, had to repay somehow”

“Was it from your share or-” Dick asked like it was most important thing in the world.

“Miss Hoopoe was added to my plans after she picked her new name” Alfred explained and shit, Duke really should get used to how man just appeared sometimes. Jumpscare the original.

“Alfred, you knew?” Bruce sounded so utterly betrayed.

“I have yet to meet her but I was informed about her presence about two weeks ago”

“He caught me printing mask for her”

“About that” Steph clapped and skipped her slide show “Look at thi clueless child with such horrible disguises and codename ideas” There was whole list of every name Dani wanted to try out and photo of her bare face.  Duke kinda repressed his memories of it. It was worse than he remembered.

“Did she really tried kenting that?”

“Got it after her cousin. He used his first name as part of his alias for almost half a year” Duke admitted in carefree tone, knowing it would cause a mess.

“Cousin?!” several people yelled in surprise.

“Caped cousin?!”

“Yup. Small time hero from Illinois. As far as I’m aware she’s alone in Gotham but they’re in regular contact and she has strong believe that he can and will help her if she used her panic button”

“Who in their right mind let’s kid alone in Gotham?!” Jason sounded about ready to strangle Phantom.

“He seems to be fifteen himself. And has anti-meta parents if I’m picking things up correctly. She didn’t mention them much. I highly doubt she has present parents at all, so…”

“What the hell Narrows.”

“I don’t know, it’s just a wild guess”

“Does it call for the rescue?” Steph asked eagerly.

“We’re not going to Illinois to rescue Phantom if he doesn’t ask for it. He has means to it” Bruce interrupted with bone deep sigh.

“How do you know I meant Phantom?” Duke perked up because he never mentioned this name.

“He is from Illinois, looks almost the same as far as I can tell from the photos and they share a lot of powers”

“I didn’t know you knew about random kid hero from other state?”

“He dropped by on few Justice League’s mission. There is still dispute whether we should approach him in his city or not. He was very clear on his opinion that we should stay away. I think we really shouldn’t”

“How you haven’t gone or sent anyone there yet?” Tim teased.

Bruce just stared at him then gestured at mountain of cases they were currently working on. Yes, they were printed. Apparently for man it made it easier to work on them like that.

“Can we focus back on untrained child you let join you on patrol, Duke?”

“You act like I could stop her from doing her own thing if I didn’t  let her. Plus, even though she doesn’t have combat training, she can handle herself well enough. And has this damn intangibility that makes her really hard to punch”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t tell anyone other than Alfred and Steph and I wanted to wait a bit before leaving her to the wolfs”

“The bet”

“Shut up Steph”

“When did you plan on letting us know?” Bruce ignored what blonde insinuated. Duke was utterly grateful for that, he knew he would get lecture for that later but he was more than happy to leave it be for now.

“Somewhen next week. I hoped to introduce her gradually but apparently everyone knew already?”

“Kids tell me things. Hoopoe made a good impression on them” Jason explained.

“Hero sightings on Twitter” Dick admitted without a shadow of shame.

“What he said” Tim agreed “This person from crochet dolls made one for your kid too, so in public eyes she’s our already”

“For the last time, she isn’t my kid!” Duke groaned but as always went ignored.

“Nobody expected old man’s tendencies to rub on you so fast, Narrows”

“Shut up and this is half a reason I didn’t let you meet her. All of you”

“With all due respect Duke” Babs started teasingly “You gave us ammo yourself. You improved her diet, you brought her to The Food Track Of Mental Breakdowns, you teach her stuff, you check in on her almost as often as her cousin and their friends do…”

“How did you hack her pho- No, wrong question, why?!”

“We’re all paranoid bastards, I needed to check out the newest bird. She legally doesn’t exist btw so I suspect some shady stuff with her birth but otherwise nothing sus about her. Comms and trackers for her are waiting in drawer C19. You will give it to her tomorrow”

“Aye, aye captain Oracle ma’am” he joked.

“Wait, you showed her The Food Track?”

“She deserved it” he gritted out.

Before this could turn into a fight or something, Alfred demanded:

“Since we are all on the same page now, I would like to extend an invitation for family dinner to miss Hoopoe”

“We’ll eat it down here in full costumes”

“As you wish master Bruce. Master Duke make sure to let her know”

“Of course Alfred”

And he planned to do that but Dani didn’t show up. He hadn’t thought much of it because she was unpredictable like that. She tended to disappear from the face of the Earth for a day or two and return with tales of her “autograph hunting trips”

But then she didn’t show up on the next patrol too. It was unprecedented. And she hadn’t responded to the check in. Three times in the row. He was getting kinda sick from the stress.

He knew Dani well enough, she wouldn’t ghost him like that and in Gotham disappearing meant three things: getting kidnapped, trafficked or six feet under. To their knowledge, Dani didn’t have anyone who would pay ransom for her other than Signal and no demands were made so the first option was out.

Bats launched full fledged search.

Duke himself found and busted two trafficking rings in three weeks which was around how much he did in two months on a daily basis.

Thanks to Oracle, they found Dani’s utterly crashed phone in the dead end in the Narrows. It didn’t look any better.

Duke really hoped they wouldn’t be too late.

With each day it seemed more likely.

********

Bruce: *wants to have private conversation with his son about unknown child he's been working with*

All of the Batfam: Hello there

Duke: I managed to keep Dani secret my family of detectives!

Everyone other than Bruce: I knew for past two weeks, but goood job kid

Random o Twitter: I'm sooo disappointed with Signal for letting Hoopoe fight crime. She is just a little child, she shouldn't have to witness Gotham's worst

Other Random: Have you heard about Robin????? Have you seen teories that Signal is teenager???? With proofs????? Are you mad at child for not taking proper care of the other child????? That's messed up my dude/gal

Yell at Batman

Signal: You act like she isn't personification of feral cat I try to coax home so I can prevent her from getting in trouble. I dare you to try and stop her

Phantom: I do too, 100$ if you manage. It would save me from so much stress

Random: Now, who the f*ck are you?!

(Guess who never touched Twitter with 20 meters stick in her life)

Next part

Tag list: @pickleking8 @mynameisnotlaura

#dpxdc #dcxdp #dp x dc #dc x dp #dani hangs out with duke #signal got new sidekick and he cares about her deeply #it would fit more in part 2 probably but i forgot about it #Signal to Dani: Hydration check! #Dani: What? Why? Other wh words??? #Signal: I care about you so I want to make sure you're taking care of yourself #Signal: Drink something #Dani: Okay cool here's a proof i'm drinking *photo of juice* #Dani to Danny: Hydration check! Drink something so I know you're okay #Danny: 👍 *sends photo of unholy mix of coffee red bull and ectoplasm with trice as much caffeine as it's legal in USA* #Dani: Glad you're being nice to your body #wandixx writes #ghost of fries and hero of cookies #have a nice day dear stranger who got to this part

[popchoc]

Congrats on 3000 and hurrah for more prompts. I'd like to read your take on 5 (do you love her) for Gini, please </3 (ps read your note, I will say hi via dm, hope that's ok too)

Gigi Ghorbani & Dani Nuñez, The L Word: Generation Q

5: Do You Love Her

****************************************************

Six nights have passed. Six terrible nights, filled with pain, tears, doubt and regret - not just for Dani, and not just for Gigi, but for the both of them. 

Yet for the first time in months that's something they don't know about each other.

Ironically enough they find themselves on the same park bench where they had lunch over a year ago, a few hours before the best chapter of their lives started - or at least that's what Dani believed until only a week ago. Right now she doesn't know what to believe anymore.

Just like then, they're sitting a full arm’s length away from each other. Out of reach, in so many ways.

"Thanks for coming," Gigi speaks up quietly, "I wasn't sure if you would."

Dani gives her a sullen look. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Because last time you threw a bunch of oranges at me," Gigi shrugs.

Sighing in frustration, Dani shakes her head. "Wrong answer."

"Wh—" Gigi blinks in uncertainty, then exhales deeply and lowers her gaze. "Because I hurt you," she corrects herself. "I let Nat kiss me - that should never have happened. And I... I don't know. I acted all weird. Giving you these mixed signals. But..."

"But what?" 

Dani's voice is sharp like a raiser. Nevertheless Gigi forces herself to meet her eyes.

"But you hurt me, too."

"Good," Dani thinks, but she doesn't let her anger win this time. "How?" she asks instead.

When Gigi draws a shaky breath, a wince of pain flashes over her face; a pain that's not just caused by broken ribs.

"By dismissing me," she answers. "By punishing me for the confusion I tried to share with you. For the fact that I wanted to figure things out. Not just for me, but for us."

"Us... and Nat?" Trying to keep calm, Dani shifts in her seat. 

Gigi nods. "In a way, yeah. I'm sorry, but she became part of this mess."

Dani bites her lips, restlessly and harder than she probably should. She needs to ask, needs to know, but what if...?

Shaking off her fear, she looks Gigi straight in the eyes. Here goes nothing. 

"Do you love her?"

"Yes." 

Gigi's quick and honest answer hits Dani like a punch in the stomach, making her gasp for air.

"I- I would lie if I said I didn't. I will probably always love her. But not in the way I love you," Gigi goes on. "That part I'm sure of."

"What does that even mean?!" Dani blurts out, fighting the urge to walk away again. "That I'm a nice fling, but she's the actual love of your life?!"

"No!" Gigi exclaims. 

Instinctively, and ignoring a new wave of pain, she scooches closer - yet that only makes Dani flinch away from her. After another deep breath she tries again, a little calmer this time. 

"No, it means the opposite. Nat is the mother of my children. She's family, and I love her as such. But you... Dani, you're it. I'm so, so in love with you. Deeply, still and - I'm sorry, but - probably forever."

Dani stares at her, then narrows her eyes. "You sound pretty sure. I thought you were all confused?"

"Yeah, well, let's say I got hit... again! By you, leaving me. Turned out I prefer heavy car crashes over being without you."

"Gigi..."

"Look, I know I was an idiot. And I wasn't fair to you. But I see it now. I see that once it comes to it, my kids are my number one. I'm not apologizing for that. I would never choose anyone over them - not even you. They are the ones who come first - and thus who first come to mind. And with that, Nat is just... in the same frame. That doesn't mean she shares the same meaning though. She doesn't," Gigi emphasizes. "Not ever again."

Her stream of words is followed by a long, heavy silence, awaiting Dani's response.

Dani, taking her time, sits back and blows out her cheeks, closing her eyes for a second. When she finally faces Gigi again, she looks tired, but also slightly less agitated.

"I'm not apologizing either," she sighs. "For the oranges, that is. But I am sorry for leaving you behind like that."

Exhaling in relief, Gigi shows her a small, cautious smile. "For dumping my ass, you mean?"

"Well... yeah." 

The light shrug of her shoulder is followed by the faintest hint of a grin. Gigi catches it though, gaining enough courage from it to shift closer again. And this time Dani doesn't move away.

Gigi turns towards her. "You think there’s a way you could... undump me?"

Looking pensive, Dani tilts her head at her. 

"I think after this week we both have some recovering to do," and then, chuckling and with the first real smile in six days, "How’bout we start with a fresh squeezed orange juice?"

****************************************************

celebration prompts (closed)

#writing prompts #fanfiction #dani nunez #gigi ghorbani #dani x gigi #the l word: generation q #if they think they can ruin them in 2 minutes than i'm allowed to fix them just as easy #ha! #(and hi via dm is def ok - but by now you knew that already lol)

[abbatoirablaze]

The Avenger's Initiative, Chapter 17

Word Count: 2.1k

Warnings:  smut, mentions of death, slight angst, feels.

Dani’s POV

"And you're sure it'll be okay?" I asked nervously. He smiled reassuringly as he pulled my face to his own. Our lips met in a chaste, sweet kiss and I sighed dreamily.

"I know it will be okay, Lady Danielle." He pressed a few buttons on the elevator and I nervously took his hand in my own. He pulled me into his arms, "I promise that I will allow no bad things to happen to you."

"You make a lot of promises, god of Thunder."

"And I follow through with them, do I not?" he grinned, referring to how we'd spent a few weeks at my parent's lake house. I'd taken care of everything. I dropped out of college and told the squad that Brittany had fallen in love and was out as well. They had already been informed of it though, and oddly enough the rest of the girls' records were gone too. The only ones that were still enrolled were Mira and Jade, and it made me nervous. I thought something had happened to Kenzie, "don't I, my fair maiden."

I blushed at his words, "Thor."

"I'm not saying that I'm a god in bed," he smirked, "but I do know how to please a maiden."

"Oh my god, Thor!"

He sent me a playful wink, and I felt my worries fading away, yet again. The elevator dinged and we were smack dab in the middle of the avenger’s main area. Thankfully, no one was there though.

"Hmm, that's odd," he said thoughtfully, "F.R.I.D.A.Y, who is within two floors of us?"

"Welcome back pointbreak," the AI confirmed, "On the floor below: Ms. Romanoff is currently in the training room with Sergeant Barnes. On this floor: Mr. Stark and Dr. Banner are in Mr. Starks lab. Captain Rogers is in Dr. Banner's lab with Miss. Daniels and a therapist. On the floor above: Loki is with Mackenzie and Jade in the living quarters of Miss. Romanoff and the girls. Do you wish to know where further avengers are on lower or higher floors?"

"That will be all!"

"Would you like me to notify them of your arrival?"

"Yes!" The AI beeped in response, and he grabbed himself a water from the fridge, "my love, would you like one as well?"

"No thank you."

"It is good to stay hydrated," he reminded me, "after all the strenuous activity we have endured, you should consider it."

"You can't use that line for everything," I said in response, trying to stifle my laughter. I thought of how he had begun to say that all the time the past few weeks. When I made him help me clean up the house. When I taught him how to build a snowman after the first snow. When he and I finally made love and didn't stop for what felt like days...

"Who the hell is this? Mr. Stark is going to be pissed you brought some random chick here, Thor!"

I whipped around and came face to face with a kid who was probably my age, but looked closer to a twelve-year-old.

"Midgardian spider boy," he smiled joyously, wrapping his arms around the petite superhero, "I'm glad you are here. Meet Lady Danielle!"

"Hi," he said nervously, gazing at me. Then his attention snapped to the entrances, "you need to go. I'm sure Thor promised you a tour of the towers and all bu-"

"This is my girlfriend!" he boomed, stepping away from the kid, "Lady Danielle is my chosen one."

His brows furrowed, "like from the lake house?"

"What is she doing here?"

"And why is she alive?"

I turned to see Dr. Banner as well as Mr. Stark coming in from an entrance off of the far wall. I felt my nerves come up again.

"I chose Lady Danielle."

"Yeah, we see that, Thunder brain," Tony said sarcastically. He took a few steps forward and I instinctively stepped behind Thor, "but why is she here? Alive? At the tower?"

"Well, you brought the other maidens here, did you not?"

"Thor you've been gone for weeks!" Dr. Banner said, jumping into the conversation, finally getting over his own shock, "like a month worth of weeks to be exact."

"I wanted to take time with my maiden before we came back to the tower," he replied, as if it were the only logical answer, "I had not had much time with her while at your lake house. So, we spent time at hers."

"Did you let her tie you up instead?"

I blushed at Tony's sarcastic tone, but Thor looked at him incredulously, "sometimes! It depended on the scenario on that given night."

"THOR!"

My eyes went wide.

"Well, he asked," he said quickly, "how am I to know that Stark knows of our conquests."

"It was a joke, brainiac," Tony said, shaking his head at the god, "but I forgot you don't understand those."

"I understand jokes."

"Sure, you do, big guy," Tony replied, making a few different faces, as if he were trying to switch out the memory of the admittance from a few seconds ago, "but you still didn't answer me. Why did you bring her here? After you said you didn't want to claim anyone. She should be taken care of."

"And I will take care of her," Thor admitted, clearly not grasping what he was saying, "I remember the rules, Stark. If you claim a maiden, you must provide for her and take care of her. I have claimed Lady Danielle, many a time in the past number of weeks that I have not been here. She and I are in a committed status. I have met her father and mother and informed her that her sister is living in the city with the metal armed one as to keep them from being alarmed."

"D-dani?"

I turned to see my twin sister, standing at the entrance of the elevator. Loki and Jade were behind her. I felt the tears well up in my eyes as I saw her again. Even though the AI had confirmed it, I still hadn't believed that Kenzie was okay.

"Ken!"

She rushed up to me and pulled me in a hug. Her tears hitting my cheeks, "I thought you were dead. Oh my god, Dani. You're alive."

"I thought I lost you too," I admitted. My tears fell against her cheek as well as we sobbed against one another, "I'm so glad you're okay." 

Kenzie’s POV

WARNING: Definite adult themes. AKA NOT SAFE FOR WORK. NSFW! Soft, fluffy, smut though. Teddy bear Bucky.

"So, this was cleared by your therapist."

"Yeah."

I bit my lip and looked at him.

"D-do you want to come in?"

I nodded, and he stepped to the side, allowing me into his room. I tried to keep calm as the door closed behind me. Looking around the plain beige walls, I didn't see anything decorating them. He barely had any furniture. The space had definitely looked bigger because of it. There was a simple dark couch and a television on an entertainment center, but other than that his living room was pretty bare. Looking behind me I saw that he had some snacks on the island that separated his living room area from his kitchen. Down the hall there were two doors, for which I could only assume were the bathroom and his bedroom. It reminded me of a quaint little apartment, and not a loft area somewhere close to the skyline.

"Are you hungry?"

"Not really," I said with a shake of my head. He nodded and came back out of the kitchen, "did you just move in or is this your normal amount of stuff."

"Minimalist," he nodded in a simple breath, "I uh....used to being on the move a lot I guess. You can sit down if you want."

"Okay."

I sat down on the couch, and he sat on the opposite end of me, nervously tapping his hand against his hip.

"I'm gonna get a beer...do you want one?" he asked after a minute. Without waiting for my response, he went back into his kitchen. As he opened the fridge, I could hear him muttering to himself before he turned to me, "uhm…I’m sorry.  Did you want one?"

"I'll take one."

He nodded, opening it and bringing it back out to the living room. Taking a sip, I placed it on the floor beside me after realizing there wasn't an end table or coffee table.

"Sorry."

"For what?"

"I don't have people over a lot."

"I don't mind."

He nodded, taking a long swig from his beer, "did you want to watch a movie? Or talk? Or get dinner?"

"We can talk."

"Okay."

"Are you okay, Bucky?"

"Yeah."

"I can tell you're lying," I said softly. His eyes flashed up to mine and he shook his head, "Bucky. You can talk to me...remember?"

"I know."

I scooted closer to him on the couch, "then why am I here?"

"What do you mean?" he asked, confusion knitting his brow, "I wanted to see you...and my therapist sai-"

"No," I replied, cutting him off, shaking my head, "why did you choose me? You were with Mira...weren't you?"

"I felt something when you kissed me," he admitted. He looked down away from me and swallowed hard, "and then when we kissed again..."

I smiled, not saying anything.

After a minute he finally looked up to my eyes again, "What?"

"This Bucky," I smiled, thumbing the edge of the label on the beer’s glass, "it's cute."

"What?"

"You're all sweet and shy," I laughed, "I find it hard to believe that you were like this before the serum...does all that stuff get to your brains and make you a babbling mess in front of women?"

He smirked, catching on that I was trying to ease his tension in the situation.

"You think you're being clever; don't you doll?"

"Sarcasm and insult humor always brings me out of a serious situation."

He smiled, licking his lips, "oh is that what this is?"

I nodded, moving closer to him. He looked away from me for a second before biting his bottom lip.

"How do you do it?"

"What?" I asked, leaning forward, "be so amazing?"

"Exactly that."

It was then that I took in the dreamy look on his expression and the glassy look in his eyes.

"Wait, you're being serious?"

"As a heart attack, doll," he said softly. That's when I noticed that the hand that had been laying delicately on my knee had met up with my own and was lacing our fingers together. Licking his lips once more his vibranium arm tucked itself under my chin, lifting my face so that my lips could meet his.

Feeling breathless as our lips met for the first time in a month since we'd been here, I leaned into it. His lips were surprisingly delicate as he deepened the kiss. The silkiness of the kiss was offset by the stubble on his face, but it only added to the feelings I got in my core. I let his tongue explore my mouth as I led his flesh hand down to my hip.

Letting go of his hand, I pulled him by the belt loops of his jeans until he was hovering above me as I laid on the couch. I let my hands glide down his chest, over his shirt and he moaned into the kiss, especially when my hands rode low on his abdomen, right above his jeans.

"Wait," he moaned, breaking the kiss as I unbuttoned his jeans, "I-I don't want you thinking you have to do this. We don't have to if you don't want to-"

"Shut up," I said softly. Catching his lips once more he didn't fight me as I started to slide his jeans down. I let a moan go as his fingertips began stroking me through my own denim clad bottoms, "Bucky."

"Call me James, doll," he moaned through the kisses. Before his hands could work me out of my jeans, I slid those and my underwear off, already tired of how long we'd prolonged our feelings, "oh god."

He moaned again as I pressed my hips against his, teasing him in the only way I could think of. His breathing got heavier as I started kissing down his jaw and along his neck. When I got to his pecs, he stopped me, pulling me so that I was on top of him. I gasped as I felt his hardened length beneath me.

"James."

He smiled, pulling me back to his lips again.

"Ride me, doll."

"Yes sir, Sergeant Barnes," I smiled playfully as he lifted me and guided me onto his length. As he slowly lowered me down, I wanted to close my eyes. The stretch of him felt so deliciously good. "oh god, James Buchanan Barnes." 

Chapter 18

Tag List:  @krissy25, @lohnes16, @multifandom-world8

#the avengers #dark avengers #avengers initiative #marvel #marvel au #soft thor #thor #basement wife #thor x reader #thor movies #thor odinson #thor mcu #mcu #marvel mcu #soft bucky #bucky barns x reader #bucky #bucky barnes #james barnes #sergeant james barnes #sergeant james buchanan barnes #james buchanan bucky barnes #james buchanan barnes #falcon and winter soldier #the winter soldier #winter soldier

[appalachianwiine]

These Little Things, You Gotta Let Them Go

Robert Baratheon is not a morning person, that much is for certain, and thus when Lyanna’s alarm clock had started going off at 7 am he’d rolled over, turned it off, and failed to give it a second thought. He wrapped his arms around Lyanna and nuzzled his face into her hair. It was a Saturday, her kid was at his dad’s, and they had all morning to laze about in bed with no one to disturb them.

Or so he thought.

He’s not sure how much time has passed when he starts to wake again, vaguely aware of the sound of the bedroom door opening. He yawns and stretches, just because Lyanna was up didn’t mean he had to be. He rolls over, intending to fall back asleep on his other side when he’s met with a pair of heads, one dark and curly and the other very very blonde. He blinks, and as his brain begins to process what’s in front of him his stomach drops.

Six year olds Jon Stark and Daenerys Targaryen are standing at the edge of the bed. He sits up, rubbing his eyes. “Shit.”

“That’s a bad word.” Daenerys says.

“Lyanna!” Robert hisses, waving his arm behind him absently to shake her awake. “Lyanna!”

“What? What?” Lyanna groans, he hears her shifting in the bed behind him and sitting up. “Shit!”

“That’s a bad wooorrrddd” Daenerys sings rocking up on to her tiptoes as Jon cocks his head curiously at them

“Bad time?” The words draw Robert’s eyes from the two six year olds to the doorway. There, dressed all too impeccably for a Saturday morning, stands Rhaegar Targaryen. Behind him he hears Lyanna let out a soft ‘ fuck’

“That’s a - “ Daenerys starts

“Jon, Dany,” Lyanna interjects, “Go - go to the living room, i’ll be there in a minute.”

“But we’re -” Jon starts.

“Now.” Lyanna says firmly. “You know where the cereal is, go.”

“Yes mummy.” Jon mutters, giving them each one last look at taking Daenerys’ hand and dragging her from the room. Rhaegar steps back from the door, watching the children go with bemusement.

“Why the hell are you in my apartment?” Lyanna growls at him, pulling the sheet up with her as she searches for her shirt in the bed clothes. Her face is very red, embarrassment more than anger if Robert had to guess “You only have him two weekends a month can’t you even handle that?”

“I take it you forgot then.” Rhaegar raises his eyebrows.

“Forgot what?” Robert asks, frowning over at Lyanna.

“Oh shit.” Lyanna’s face falls and she raises a hand to cover her mouth. “The- the wedding.”

“Yes.” Rhaegar sighs. “We switched weekends because I’ve got a wedding in Dorne to go to and you offered to take Daenerys too.”

“Wh- why didn’t you call?” Lyanna says. “I - when I dropped Jon off last night you didn’t say anything?”

“I said I’d bring him and Daenerys over today on my way to the airport around 10.” Rhaegar says. “And I did call, twice, your phone is off.”

“Shit.” Lyanna says, looking sheepishly over at Robert. She’d turned it off last night when Ned had tried calling her twice in the middle of their evening. “Oh my god I - I’m so sorry I just - I completely forgot.”

“I figured.” Rhaegar purses his lips and looks the two of them over for a moment. “Look I’ll… give you a minute to get dressed but I would like a word Lyanna.”

“Right.” She groans, watching him leave before flopping back down on the bed and letting out a long moan of embarrassment.

“Why didn’t you tell me you had the kids this weekend Lya?” Robert grumbles, grabbing his boxers off the floor and sliding them on. “Gods be damned, that was not exactly my idea of a nice wake up.”

“Oh and it’s mine?” Lyanna grumbles, pushing herself up and scowling at him. “Being woken up at 10 in the morning by my kid, his aunt, and my ex is not exactly how I envisioned people finding out about us - and if I remembered I had them this wouldn’t have happened at all.”

“How could you have forgotten that detail?” Robert says, holding her a shirt out for her and grabbing his own from the bedroom floor.

“Well the wine probably helped.” Lyanna mutters, giving him a look and pulling the top over her head. She had a point there, they’d gone through a bottle of wine together last night and as it was they had a no kid talk rule on their nights together. “Gods I think i’d rather it have been Ned.”

“I wouldn’t.” Robert chuckles, pulling her to a stand and giving her a kiss.

“Really?” Lyanna raises her eyebrows, standing on tiptoe to kiss him. “You mean to tell me you’d prefer two six year olds and my ex to my brother?”

“Hands down.” Robert laughs. “He may be an ass but at least he won’t punch me for sleeping with his little sister.”

She smacks his chest playfully and goes to get her pajama pants off the nightstand with a roll of her eyes. “Well no, but we did just traumatize his son and his sister.”

“They’re much too young to have understood that.” Robert rolls his eyes, following Lyanna from the bedroom.

“But they aren’t too young to tell Ned and Cat.” Lyanna reminds him. She moves through the living room, stopping briefly to kiss Jon and Daenerys on the heads. Both children are occupied with cheerios and the television for the time being and Rhaegar is standing near the door, looking irritable. “What’s up Rhaegar?”

Deciding it’s best to leave them to their discussion Robert goes into the kitchen and starts on the coffee, trying not to eavesdrop. It’s easier said than done however, the entry way is right next to the kitchen and though Rhaegar seems to be trying to keep quiet, the same cannot be said for Lyanna.

“You’re an ass Rhaegar Targaryen.” Lyanna growls.

“Lyanna -” Rhaegar’s tone is more even and measured. “I think it’s perfectly within my right to worry what you’re exposing our son to, he’s only six.”

“Exposing our son to.” Lyanna scoffs. “You haven’t got a leg to stand on there. How old were Rhaenys and Aegon when you started fucking their nanny?”

“Lyanna.” Rhaegar chastises. “The kids.”

“Oh don’t ‘the kids’ me Rhaegar.” She mutters. “Look, I’m sorry I forgot, it won’t happen again, just go.”

“Lyanna I’m just -”

“Are you marrying mummy?” Jon’s voice almost causes Robert to drop the coffee pot. The little boy is standing in front of him, Daenerys just behind him, grey eyes and violet ones blinking up at him in unison.

“I um -” He swallows, glancing at the doorway, Rhaegar seems to be leaving now and Lyanna has her arms folded crossly as she watches him. “Um why?”

“You were sleeping with Mummy.” Jon continues. “Like Uncle Ned and Auntie Catelyn do. Only they said it was only for married people and to knock before Robb and I come into their bedroom. Do I have to knock before coming into Mummy’s room?”

“That’s not true.” Daenerys scowls at Jon. “It's not just for married people. Remember Vis and Arianne?”

Jon starts to cut in but before long the two of them are arguing back and forth in Valyerian and Robert can’t understand any of it. Lyanna comes in then, red in the face and practically shaking with anger. He looks around the room, at the two arguing kids, the still empty pot of coffee, an angry Lyanna. He sets the coffee pot on the counter and claps his hands together to get the kid’s attention. They stop arguing long enough to look up at him.

“Both of you put your shoes on. We’re going to IHOP. My treat.” He announces, Dany and Jon forget their argument immediately, clapping their hands and scrambling off to find shoes.

“Robert,” Lyanna sighs, looking over at him. You don’t have to do that.”

“No, no.” Robert shakes his head. “You heard me, IHOP, my treat.”

“Okay, okay.” A smile cracks across her face and she raises her hands in surrender. “I’m going to put some actual clothes on first.”

Ten minutes later the four of them are piled into Robert’s truck, Jon and Dany sitting in the back seats, chittering away together. Robert reaches over and takes Lyanna’s hand, pulling it up to kiss the back of it.

“I’m sorry about that.” Lyanna sighs. “I completely forgot about the wedding this weekend. I should've told you this wasn’t a good time.”

“It’s fine, Lya.” Robert assures. “I mean I was embarrassed but mistakes happen. Wires get crossed. Sure I could’ve done without that being how your kid and his dad find out about us but we would’ve told them at some point right?” They never really talked about telling people about them, they’d been doing this for a few months now, spending nights together when they didn’t have their kids, they’d been on a few dates while Jon was at sleepover with Neds kids, but never anything super serious, and certainly not anything to tell the kids about.

“Yeah.” Lyanna sighs, glancing at the back seat to make sure Jon and Dany were still occupied. “I - I mean I think this has been headed in that… more serious direction. Don’t you?”

“Yeah.” He admits. Relationships weren’t always his strong suit, the three kids by three different women attested to that, but this felt different. This wasn’t just drinking and fighting and sex. There was drinking, but a lot less of it than usual. Sex, but a lot more personal sex then he was used to. Fighting? Well they hadn’t really done any of that yet. This felt like it was going somewhere. “Yeah it does. I just - I didn’t have that being how we told them.”

Lyanna snorts. “That was nothing short of the most embarrassing moment of my life.”

“It’s definitely up there.” Robert chuckles, pulling into the parking space at IHOP. “Come on lets feed these kids.”

Ten minutes later the four of them are sitting in a booth near the window. Jon and Dany sit on one side, coloring the pictures on the paper menus with the provided crayons. He and Lyanna sit across from them, a cup of coffee in front of each of them and his arm around Lya’s waist as the two of them peruse the menu. He’s pretty sure both kids are going to stick with chocolate chip pancakes and as much whip cream as the waitress will bring them, but he would like a real breakfast.

“Definitely banana pancakes.” Lya decides, closing her menu and taking Robert’s free hand.

“It’s always the banana pancakes.” Robert chuckles, closing his own menu. “But I’ll be sticking with the egg breakfast so I guess I can’t talk.”

“You eat more eggs than any person I know.” Lya teases, kissing his cheek.

“They’re a good source of protein!” He protests. “What about you two little dragons hmm?”

“Chocolate chip!” Jon grins, Danny nodding her head in agreement.

“Jon?” The familiar voice of Ned Stark says from behind them. “Lyanna? Robert?”

This day just kept getting better.

#lyanna stark #robert baratheon #asoiaf fic #lyabert #jon snow #daenerys targaryen #fic; these little things you gotta let them go

[21burritoseavey]

Hahah sorry 😬I meant y/n as the reader and Daniel are in a secret relationship

hey! I'm sorry this took so long. It's a little unedited and long...and for what?? but anywaysss i hope you enjoy it i kinda went a little crazy.

Hollywood Fix (d.s.)

Daniel always loved to spend time with his girlfriend, but since Why Don’t We’s album release back in January, all of his effort went into making music at the studio. Out of sheer love and passion for creating, his thoughts would be filled with new song ideas or random melodies he hummed quietly before bed. Daniel and Y/n only met up sometimes throughout the past few weeks. Y/n was busy herself of course. With homework piling up (literally) and work right after school, she hardly had time to come over, and when she did it was for a little while. Daniel would notice her slightly less cheerful mood when they’d FaceTime before saying goodnight every night. He wanted to remind his girlfriend how much he loved her.

With his Friday night free of work, he made a reservation for dinner, sending Y/n a fake urgent message to surprise her when she’d come over that same evening.

Y/n, I need you please come over

The door burst open just ten minutes later. Y/n leaned her arm on the door handle, tired and breathless as she scanned the kitchen and living room. “Daniel!” She called; her voice wavered in panic. The eerie silence of the house only made her more anxious. Daniel was crouched behind the grey L-shaped sofa in the living room, biting back the giddy laughter that tried to fall past his lips. Kobe squealed and squirmed as he saw Y/n and Daniel tried his best to shush the puppy in his arms as he watched her quietly.

“Daniel? Where are you? You got me all worried!” She yelled again, kicking her shoes off at the door out of habit. She walked over to the counter to set her keys down and as she lowered her gaze, she noticed Daniel’s phone sitting on the tabletop, readily showing the confirmation email for his reservation at the restaurant he’d talked about on their nightly call the night before.

Daniel lingered behind the couch a little longer than intended just to see her neutral lips curve into a toothed smile and he let Kobe leap out of his arms when he stood up. “Surprise!” He shouted happily, a small bouquet of flowers in his hand.

Y/n shot back in surprise, wide eyed and open mouthed. After a few seconds of trying to wrap her mind around the fact her boyfriend was standing right there, she ran into his arms with a squeal, pressing her hand to her mouth as she giggled. “Dani!” She exclaimed, snuggling into his warm embrace. “I missed you!”

“Hey, my love.” Daniel kissed the top of her head. He dropped the flowers onto the couch and smoothed out the wisps of her hair with his free hand soothingly. “I missed you too.” He said quietly, learning back to press a few soft kisses to her lips.

Y/n stepped back and smacked his shoulder playfully, her joyous expression veiled with annoyed furrows. “You scared me, you dummy! No wonder that text was sketchy.” She tisked.

“Hey! I had to think quick, okay?” Daniel defended. He pulled her back into a tight hug and Y/n let them linger in each other’s arms for a moment before rushing over to the flowers she glanced at.

The bouquet of tulips slipped slightly in the brown paper wrapping, as fresh and soft as the sunset that bloomed outside. Y/n looked down at them fondly. Her fingers stretched out to touch the petals and she stared up at Daniel with a pout on her lips. “These are so pretty,” She pressed a hand to her heart and wobbled on the tips of her toes to give Daniel a kiss. He gladly accepted, sliding his arms around her waist and dipping her down just a little to kiss her deeper.

---

“Thanks for taking me out, Daniel. I needed this.” Y/n said sweetly, squeezing her grip of his hand as they sauntered down the footpath. He looked beside him and gave Y/n a warm kiss on the cheek, “don’t thank me yet," he whispered into her ear.

Daniel made a reservation at a newly opened restaurant downtown and as soon as he finally told Y/n, she ran to her brand new, emerald dress she hadn’t even touched yet, nearly ecstatic that she’d finally have an occasion to wear it. Daniel thought her excitement was cute, and on their extra slow walk to the restaurant - just to savour each other's presence - he complimented and flirted with her every chance he could. Teasing glares, blushing cheeks and light chatter filled their walk, until Y/n noticed...a crowd of people in the distance, near the restaurant’s entrance. She’d thought that they were merely there for dinner, since the place just opened and all, but they seemed like they...were waiting. Suddenly, it seemed all too familiar. She stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and peered at the large cluster of people through a narrowed gaze. Daniel stood beside her, confused. Y/n heard the high-pitched screams of what must’ve been excited fans and saw their small signs held up by flailing arms.

“Is that Hollywood Fix?” Y/n asked, gently tugging at Daniel’s hand.

Daniel met her gaze. His white button up shirt rose and fell with the soft evening breeze that murmured along the lit-up trees around them. “Very funny, Y/n.” He tisked.

“No, seriously. Look over there” Y/n shot her hand up to point at the bright blinks of light getting closer and closer.

Daniel lifted his gaze, noticing the black exterior of the cameras peeking through the mass of people. “Wh-what? What do we do?” Daniel paused in thought for a second, “Should we hide?” He puckered his eyebrows towards his girlfriend.

“No, you dummy!” Y/n slapped his arm. “Just let go of my hand...” She spoke gingerly, unravelling her fingers from his and she stepped further to the side of the footpath, “and... we’ll just have to stand further apart.”

Daniel nodded after a few seconds and wrung his hands nervously. “Okay, okay. Act natural.” He cleared his throat and raked a hand through his hair.

“You call that natural…” Y/n giggled, pressing a manicured hand to her mouth.

Daniel glared at her with a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. “Baby-” He started, only to get cut off by the sound of photos and fans right in front of him.

The interviewer nearly ran into Daniel in excitement. “Hey, Daniel! How’s it going dude?” He spoke with a sort of enthusiastic haste, shoving the microphone just below his chin as he waited for an answer. Y/n walked backwards to follow behind the both of them. She left a decent space between the two young men who talked. She was silent.

“It’s going well,” Daniel started, “how are you?”

“I’m great. What’s going on with the band? Any music coming soon?” The interviewer pulled a grin towards Daniel as they both weaved through the group of young people. Multiple camera guys walked backwards behind them too, catching every word that Daniel uttered through the mic. Daniel paused at times to give a fan a hug, or take pictures and sign autographs, but Y/n kept her distance. She walked silently down the walkway.

“Yeah, yeah. You know, we’ve got some stuff ready..” Daniel shrugged with a cheeky smile.

“Anyone with you tonight, or…?” The interviewer piped up. Y/n couldn’t help but lift her gaze at the question and she turned to Daniel to hear his reply.

Y/n hoped with everything in her that he’d say the truth, what they both wanted to finally tell the world but felt too scared or anxious to say. She, at times, loved the secrecy of their relationship. It was freeing not to worry about what his fans would think, but at the same time, it felt almost humiliating, like she was a dirty secret that his management didn’t want to crawl out his band’s perfect boyband image.

Daniel looked towards the interviewer with a toothy smile and bowed his head as he racked his brain for a lie. He stuttered out a “Nah...n- not right now, the band should be here soon though.” and let a strained smile play on his lips.

Y/n gulped hard at his words and dropped her gaze to her feet walking over the cracks of the footpaths, precariously trying not to step on them. It was a little game she always played when she was nervous. Daniel and the interviewer exchanged conversation while Daniel continued meeting his fans. Y/n tried to plaster on a friendly smile as they talked just in case she might appear in the frame, but after a few long moments, she let her lips droop into a frown.

She quickened her pace and slipped past them with an expressionless glare that wandered anywhere but them. Daniel noticed her but shrugged it off, watching her walk to the host stand.

The autumn sky met Y/n’s gaze. It was the perfect shade of orange, coloured by the slanting rays of the setting sun and she let her face soften at the sight of it. “It says here the reservation for Daniel Seavey is for two people?” The hostess glanced up.

Y/n drifted her head back towards the lady and smiled. “Yeah, he’ll be joining me later,” Y/n replied quietly. The hostess nodded and continued checking her in.

“Alright dude, we’ll see you later!” The interviewer shouted.

“Nice meeting you, bye!” Daniel couldn’t have been more thankful that the conversation finally ended. He let out a relieved sigh and studied the crowd for his girlfriend, but she had already disappeared through the doorway. He huffed and walked over to the host stand, mindlessly tapping his foot against the concrete as another couple checked in. The cameras kept filming from a few paces away until they watched him enter the restaurant.

On opening night, the restaurant was bustling and glowing with overlapping chatter and vibrancy. Fairy lights were strung along the ceiling and across the freshly painted walls. Y/n had made her way over to the table Daniel had booked. She smiled down at the vase of tulips that sat on the centre of the table and stuck at her fingers to pick one out and smell it.

“Y/n!” Daniel called through the loud room behind her. His voice startled Y/n and she popped the soft pink tulip back in the vase, watching it slip back into the water as Daniel settled into the seat across from her. “Hey, where’d you go?” He asked, panting slightly from rushing in so fast.

“I...” Y/n paused and thought about what she would tell him, but merely sighed and shook her head seconds later. “Nowhere, it’s fine.” She said, fidgeting with the gentle, green silk of her dress. “I’m just so hungry that I couldn’t wait.” She pulled a smile towards Daniel, but of course, he wasn’t fooled.

“Y/n,” He glared at her teasingly. “You could’ve waited for me,” he said gently.

“Oh and watch you lie about our relationship?” She murmured, lifting her glare to Daniel. “No thanks,” she unfolded the napkin a little too harshly and watched the petals of the flowers shake.

Daniel frowned towards her. “Lie? Wh-what are you talking about?”

“You lied Daniel... said you weren’t with anyone tonight.” she mumbled. Daniel opened his mouth to say something but the waiter behind Y/n walking towards the table stopped him.

“You know I can’t say that we’re together, Y/n.” Daniel whispered as the waiter lingered between them, pouring their glasses of water.

“I know, but you said you talked to management about it.” She lifted her gaze to Daniel and met his eyes with an equally upset expression.

Daniel stayed silent.

“You didn’t talk to them, did you?” Y/n asked.

Daniel sighed and leaned forward in his chair. “It’s not that simple, Y/n. You can’t have everything the way you want it.” He slid his hand across the table to tuck his hand in hers, but Y/n drew her arm back and dropped her gaze to the table. “Y/n,” he spoke gently. “Hey, listen to me,”

Y/n didn’t look up.

“My love, please, I planned this date so we could have fun, and not have to worry about all this other stuff.”

“It’s not just all this other stuff, Daniel. This is our relationship. Doesn’t it upset you that we can’t post about each other? Or that I can’t be there for you when you perform? Or that I can’t even be within 3 feet of you when we’re in public ‘cos your fans will go crazy?!” Y/n hadn’t realised how loud her voice had become until she received awkward glances from other customers. She leaned back in her seat and huffed. A roiling anger took root within her, and even though she tried to hide it, Daniel could see the tears pooling her eyes. They both took a few moments to calm down amidst the lively buzz of the restaurant.

“Yeah, it bothers me, Y/n. You’re right, I’ll try...and talk to them. You know, maybe they won’t agree at first but I’m not gonna give up, okay?” Daniel spoke up gently. Y/n nodded and let a small smile tug at the corners of her lips. She let their hands meet in the middle and intertwine.

“I love you...and we’ll find a way to figure this out, okay?” Daniel said, pulling a fake pout towards her. Y/n giggled lightly and pressed her fingers to the corner of her watery eyes carefully.

“M’kay...I love you.” Daniel leaned in again and held her face with his palm. Their noses bumped lightly before their lips met. They kissed, softly at first, then as Daniel turned Y/n’s head slightly, their kiss intensified, kindled by the heavy emotions released seconds ago and love that radiated from them, as strong and vivid as the warm lights surrounding them.

taglist: @chilling-seavey @marthagryffindor @randomlimelightxxx @hiya-its-amber @the-girl-who-cried-wolf @hackerXavery @jonahlovescoffee

join my taglist!

#daniel seavey x reader #daniel seavey one shots #daniel seavey imagines #why don't we fanfiction #why don't we oneshots #why dont we imagines #why don't we imagines #corbyn besson #jackavery #zach herron #jonah marais

[ladydimitrescuspet]

Make Me Feel Better - Chapter 3

ao3 link! fair warning, reader gets spanked, it's not like graphic or anything, but it happens. sorry for the wait, but please enjoy and tell me what you think in my ask box on @homoo-wan-kenobi! and apologies for any grammatical errors!

***

You’d told Angelika that you’d be right back after you went to go check on Natalie. You knocked on her door, hoping that she’d be in there.

"Yes?” She answered when she opened the door. “Oh, Y/N, it’s you! Is everything alright between you and Lady Dimitrescu?” Natalie asked as she let you into the room.

“Everything’s fine.” You said. “I just wanted to make sure you were fine. That she hadn’t done anything to you.”

Natalie gave you a small smile. “I appreciate that, Y/N.”

“I should probably get back.” You said. “But I’m glad you’re okay and I swear I won’t ever ask you to do something like that.” You pulled Natalie in for a hug, holding her for a few minutes before letting go. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Good night.” You said before you exited the room.

As you walked back to Lady Dimitrescu’s chambers you ran into Angelika coming out. “Oh, the Lady wanted me to tell you that she’s gone to speak with Lord Heisenberg and she’ll be up momentarily.” You nodded your head. “And your bath is ready.”

“Thank you.” You replied before you entered to get ready for Lady Dimitrescu’s arrival after her conversation with Heisenberg. Poor man, he was in for it big time with her. And you were right about that.

“Heisenberg,” Alcina started, but he cut her off.

“Listen, Al, before you get all huffy and puffy, let me just say this.” Alcina crossed her arms. “Y/N told me what happened with Daniela, what she said. Did you talk to Daniela at all before you shipped her off to Mother Miranda?��� Heisenberg asked.

Alcina shook her head. “I saw no reason to, Heis. She lashed out at Y/N and I simply don’t have time to deal with her behaviour right now. If any one is fit to do so, it’s Mother Miranda.” Alcina replied. “Why? Are you questioning my parenting skills?”

Heisenberg shrugged. “Maybe I am, maybe I’m not. All I’m saying is that maybe you should’ve talked to your daughter first.” Heisenberg said. “It’s obvious that Daniela feels like you care more about Y/N than you do her and her sisters. And the fact that you sent her away and took Y/N’s side proves that, Al.”

Alcina growled at her brother. “How dare you?!” Alcina practically roared at him. “I appreciate you getting Y/N here safely, but you have no right to talk to me about my daughters. I care for each of them as I care about Y/N. For you to stand there and imply that my daughter lashed out because I am not giving her enough attention is outrageous.” Alcina said in a dangerously calm voice.

Heisenberg gulped. “I know it’s not my place to judge your parenting and I’m not.” Heisenberg said. “But when the girls get back home, just speak to Daniela. Obviously she’s holding some resentment towards Y/N for some reason. She lashed out for a reason, Alcina. And you, you weren’t there for her. I know Y/N needs you, but sometimes you have to tend to your family first.”

“Get out, Heisenberg. Get out right now!” Alcina yelled, her claws extending.

Heisenberg held his hands up. “I’ll go, Al, but talk to Dani before she does something you can’t reverse.” Heisenberg said. "And go easy on the kid, they were just scared, Alcina." He added before walking away from her.

Alcina allowed her claws to retract before letting out a sigh. “Maybe that idiot brother of mine is right,” She mumbled to herself as she headed back upstairs. When she entered the room you were sat on the bed without any clothes on, but wrapped in a blanket. “What do you think you’re doing?” Alcina asked.

“I got cold.” You replied, snuggling deeper into the blanket that you had wrapped around you. Alcina raised her eyebrow and you removed the blanket. “Better?” You asked.

“Much.” She replied before sitting at the vanity. “I see you didn’t listen to my instructions.”

You shrugged. “I didn’t feel like being in ropes tonight, My Lady.” Alcina raised her eyebrow again at you defying her orders to better suit how you were feeling. “May I say something?” You asked and she nodded her head. “I’m worried about Daniela.”

“As you were before you ran away, though you didn’t explicitly say that.” Alcina said. “Heisenberg’s already given me his opinion and told me that I should talk to her.”

You nodded your head. “He’s just concerned about his niece.” You replied. “And I am too. I mean, I’m still hurt by what Daniela said, but I care about her. And this Mother Miranda you sent her to, Heis doesn’t make her out to be a good person.”

“I wouldn’t call Mother Miranda a saint, but she will certainly know how to help Daniela reign in her emotions.” Alcina said. “You needn’t worry yourself with how Mother Miranda works, it’s none of your concern.”

You frowned. “Who even is Mother Miranda, Alcina?” You asked.

Alcina sighed before she met your gaze in the mirror. “That’s an explanation for another day, darling.” Alcina replied. You cocked your head to the side at the reply. “Don’t give me that look. I am very upset you with you and your actions.”

You lowered your head. “I’m s-“ Alcina cut you off.

“I don’t want to hear it, Y/N.” Alcina said before she stood up and made her way over to the bed. “You put not only yourself in danger, but that of your friend, Natalie. If Heisenberg hadn’t found you… Where were you even going?” Alcina asked.

You shook your head. “I don’t know. I just, I got scared.” You replied softly. “I had to get away for a while. I was going to come back in a few days, promise.”

“What were you scared of?” Alcina asked as she crouched down in front of you. “Were you scared of Daniela? Of me?”

You shook your head. “No, not of you, never of you. And Daniela, yes, I am scared of her, but she’s not even here.” You replied.

“Then what, Y/N?” Alcina asked, her voice a bit more firm.

You looked up at her, your lip trembling a bit. “Last night, I had a dream that I was with the people that kidnapped me. And then when Daniela snapped at me, it just made me remember the terrible things they said to me… and I got scared because what if they’re looking for me? I don’t want them to find me.”

Alcina cupped your face in her hands. “So why’d you leave the castle, little one? They’d get you out there in the village, yes, but in here? On my grounds? They wouldn’t dare touch you. Do you understand me?” You nodded your head as best as you could. “You could’ve talked to me about it, you didn’t have to run. Do you know how worried I was about you?” Alcina asked. You nodded your head. “If anything happens to you… I just can’t let that happen.” She let your face go before she went to go get the box from the other night and placed it next to you on the bed.

“What’s that?” You asked.

Alcina grinned. “It’s a surprise.” Alcina replied. “And I’d let you have it, but you haven’t been good for me. In fact, you’ve been very, very bad and Mommy is not happy with you.” You gulped as your heart race picked up. “I see you’ve grown a little scared of what I have planned for you.”

You shook your head. “I’m not scared.” But you both knew that wasn’t true.

“Oh, is that so?” You nodded your head. “Very well then. Shall I let you choose your punishment, hmm?” You nodded your head again albeit hesitantly this time. “By all means, throw some suggestions my way, draga mea.”

“I could clean the castle by myself.” You suggested. Alcina shook her head. “No sex?”

Alcina frowned. “That would be punishment for both you and me, dear. Try again.”

You scratched your head. “I could… you could have your way with me and then, then you could chain me up or, um, put me in the cellar.” You fidgeted with your fingers while you spoke.

Alcina hummed. “It’s an interesting idea, pet.” She said as she leaned down, placing her hands on your thighs. “But first, we’re going to have a little fun. Crop or paddle?”

Your eyes widened at her question. “Wh-what, My Lady?”

Alcina pursed her lips. “You know I don’t like repeating myself. Either you pick one or I do.” She growled out.

“The, um, the cr-crop.” You replied. Alcina grinned as she pushed herself off of you and headed toward her closet. “Will it h-hurt?” You called out to her. She didn’t reply so after a few minutes you called out to her again. “Alcina?”

“Yes, dear?” Alcina replied. Your words caught in your throat when she stepped out of the closet. “Dear, if you’re not going to speak then please let me concentrate in silence, yes?” You gulped before nodding your head and she smiled at you before she went back into the closet.

You let out a deep breath. She looked absolutely gorgeous in the black slip she had on. You didn’t realise she was changing when you had called out to her and the thought made you flush a bit. You were so lost in your thoughts that you didn’t realise she’d come out of the closet until the crack of the crop made you jump.

“Penny for your thoughts, my dear?” You opened your mouth to answer but no words came out causing Alcina to chuckle. “Oh, cat got your tongue, hmm?”

“N-no, My Lady.” You replied. Your face was on fire from when you’d seen her the second time she exited the closet. She’d change from the black slip to a black lacy corset, her stocking connected to her garter belt with suspenders, and a pair of panties that matched her corset. She’d taken her hair down, letting it rest against her shoulder blades. “You look mesmerising, My Lady.”

Alcina hummed as she walked toward you. “Flattery won’t get you anywhere now, soarece mic.” Alcina said before standing right in front of you. “Up.” You obeyed, standing up face to face with her thighs. “You listen so well.” Alcina sat down in the spot that you’d previously occupied before pulling you into her lap.

“I tho-“ You started, but she cut you off.

“Relax, little one.” She cooed. “To answer your question, yes, it will hurt. But don’t worry, Mommy’s going to take good care of you after.” She whispered into the back of your head before pressing a kiss against your head.

“You will, My Lady?” You asked.

“Of course, darling.” She replied. “Now, shall I have you over my knee or would you like to hold onto the wall?” You sat on her lap in silence as she ran the crop over your thigh in a circular motion. “Won’t you answer my question, dear?” She whispered into your ear.

You nodded your head and bit your lip as you thought about which position you wanted to be in. You let out a startled yelp when you felt the crop hit your thigh causing you to cry out an answer to her. “Your knee, My Lady!” Your lip trembled at the sting of the crop, you hadn’t expected her to hit you.

“I told you that it would hurt.” She chided before she pushed you off her lap. “Over my knee. And if you need to help muffle your sounds, you may bite my thigh. I’m not in the mood to take pleasure in your noises.”

You nodded your head before you placed yourself over her knee. You felt her push her other knee against your legs to lock you into place and you braced yourself for the first hit, but it never came. “My Lady?"

Alcina hummed. “I’m just appreciating you for a moment, pet.” The statement caused you to smile and flush a bit.  “How many minutes until the hour, dear?”

“Um,” You started before you turn your head as best as you could to see the clock. “23 minutes, My Lady.” You replied.

Alcina grinned. “Then you will get 23 hits. I don’t want you to count them. I want you to stay still and be good for Mommy. Can you do that for me?” You nodded your head. “Good.” She said before she raised the crop and hit your right cheek causing you to stiffen. “Was that alright, pet?”

“Yes, My Lady, that was fine.” You replied.

She didn’t reply, instead she took her time alternating between both of your cheeks as she hit you with the crop. By the seventh hit, your fingers were digging into the flesh of her thighs as you had your mouth over her thigh to muffle your cries. Alcina made sure to praise you every few hits, proud of how well you were taking your punishment. By the fifteenth hit, you were silently sobbing into her leg, your bottom had gone numb a bit, and your grip on her had tightened. Lucky for you, there were only eight more hits left. But by the time she'd gotten to 23, your body felt like jelly. Your arm was hanging down her leg and your face was pressed into Alcina. You didn't even realise that she'd finished until she sat you up in her arms.

"Hush now, little one, it's over." Alcina said softly as she pressed a kiss to your forehead before wiping away your tears with the pads of her thumbs. You pushed yourself face first into her chest to cry a little more before you allowed yourself to calm down. "Are you alright now, dear?" You nodded your head slightly in response.

Alcina then laid you down on the bed face first and you whispered at the loss of her touch. "I'll be right back, draga mea." She pressed a kiss to your temple before she got up from the bed and headed to the bathroom. When she exited the bathroom you could see something in her hand and noticed that she now donned a black robe. "I'm going to spread this over your bottom to help soothe it." Alcina explained as she sat back down on the bed.

The ointment she out on you was cold at first, but after a while it became quite comforting, making you close your eyes. "So nice." You mumbled out and Alcina chuckled a bit. When she was done she laid down next to you, pulling you back against her.

Alcina ran her hand down your cheek as your breath started to even out. You felt her press a kiss to the back of your neck as her hand came up to you neck. She pressed more kisses to your neck as she held you against her causing you to moan softly. The pleasure of the kisses only lasted a few more seconds before you felt her fangs bit into your neck causing you to scream out in shock.

Alcina drank from you for a moment before she pulled away, her mouth coming up to your ear. Her breath against your ear caused you to shiver. "You're mine." She whispered into your ear. You whimpered when she pushed you onto your back and leaned over you, her hand still choking you a bit. "Do you understand that, draga mea?" You nodded your head as best as you could. Alcina smiled before she leaned down and gave you a kiss, a bloody one to be exact.

When she pulled away, you had blood on your lips and your teeth from when she had pushed her tongue into your mouth. "M-my Lady?" You panted out. Alcina hummed as she pressed more bloody kisses to your neck and chest. "I'm sorry."

Alcina pulled herself away from you and gave you a smile. "I know, little one." Alcina said. "You've been so good for me tonight, I think you deserve a treat. Don't you?" You nodded your head, albeit hesitantly. "It's in the box, go ahead and open it."

You could still feel your blood rolling down your neck as you struggled to sit up. You reached for the box, opening it with shaky hands, gasping when you saw what was in it. You pulled out a black collar with Dimitrescu written on the middle of it, two red roses on each side of the name. The Dimitrescu family crest hung from a ring connected to the collar. You held it in your hands as you looked up at Alcina with wide eyes.

"Do you like it?" You nodded your head. "Splendid. Let me put it on you." You passed the collar to her and allowed her to place it around your neck, making it as tight as possible. "Now, if you ever decide to pull another one of your stupid stunts again, no one will touch you because you're mine." She growled as she tugged on the collar, pulling you closer to her. "Who do you belong to?"

"Y-you, My La-lady. Only y-you." You replied. There was blatant fear in your eyes that pleased Alcina.

Alcina hummed before she attached the collar to a leash. "That's right, darling. You belong to me." She tugged on the leash as she stood up from the bed. "Grab the blanket, pet, you're going to need it." You did as she told you and followed after her as she walked out of the room.

You didn't say anything, but you knew where you were headed. This part of the punishment was inevitable, being put into a cell. "Do I have to?" You asked in a small voice.

Alcina sighed. "I'm afraid so, darling. I wish I didn't have to send you down here, but bad pets need to be thoroughly punished. It'll help you think twice before making bad decisions." Alcina replied. The two of you walked in silence after that, only stopping so she could unlock the door that led to the dungeon. A shiver ran down your spine as you followed her down the stairs, the moaning and growling from the moroaică making you clutch onto the back of Alcina's robe.

"I don't like it down here." You said when the two of you stopped in front of your cell. The cell was customised a bit for you with a small bed and a desk for you to write at. And unlike the other cells, it didn't have bars, but four walls and a door. It was made that way so you wouldn't see anything disturbing and didn't have to worry about creatures being able to come into the cell. When you entered the cell after Alcina unlocked it, you turned to face her. "Please don't leave me down here." You were crying again and you could see the sadness in Alcina's eyes.

Alcina cupped your cheeks and pressed a kiss to your forehead before she straightened herself up. "I'll send one of the girls down here to check on you when they get back." Was all she said before she closed the cell door in your face, locking it.

You stumbled over to the bed, your shoulders rising as you sobbed. Laying down on the bed, you wrapped yourself up in the blanket to provide you with some warmth and comfort. You had no idea how long you would be down here. You pulled your knees up to your chest as you cried and listened to the noises of the creatures outside of your cell, wishing for this part of your punishment would be over, wishing that you'd wake up from this nightmare soon.

#lady dimitrescu #alcina dimitrescu #lady dimitrescu x reader #resident evil #resident evil village #resident evil 8

[a-bang-for-your-bucky]

Playin' With Fire: Into The Flames

Summary: Santiago has some shit he needs to figure out. THE MISSION. Dani has some shit she needs to figure out. Will is an angel. Catfish just wants to get home to his baby. Benny's just along for the ride.

WARNINGS: SMUT(18+), EXPLICIT LANGUAGE, Movie typical violence, people get shot, Tom is an asshole, like straight up, mention of pregnancy, because again Tom is an ASSHOLE.

Word Count: 7,453

At the bar, Santiago was outside waiting for Frankie and Dani. He didn’t know why it bothered him so much, They needed to talk, especially if they were going to work this mission together. But a part of him didn’t want them to. He remembered how close they were. He knew he was being selfish. He had her to himself for three years.

He heard Frankie’s chevy long before it pulled into the parking lot. He parked it right next to Will’s. It took everything he had not to run to her. She and Frankie walked up to the entrance, his arm slung over her shoulder. Santi’s heart all but crumbled. Why did this bother him?

“Hey, Santi.” Dani smiled, removing herself from Frankie’s hold. Frankie opened the door for her but didn’t follow.

“I gotta talk to Pope real quick. Go on ahead. Ben’s probably thinking you left the country again.” Frankie told her. She gave him the stink eye, sticking out her tongue. Dani went on inside though because Frankie was right.

Once she was in the building and the door was shut, Frankie turned to his friend. “You’re an idiot.” He blurted out. Santi tossed him a confused look.

“Wh-what?” Santi was surprised at Frankie’s blunt words. Frankie kicked a rock in front of him, frustrated that his friend is being so dumb.

“You fuckin’ idiot. You had her, man.” Exasperated with Santiago, Frankie threw a finger in his face, accusingly. “You fuckin’ had her.”

Santiago scoffed, shaking his head side to side, “You don’t know what you’re fucking talking about, hermano.” Santi shoved his hands into the pocket of his jeans, turning away from the man in front of him.

Frankie’s fingers tightened into a fist. He wasn’t gonna hit him, at least not yet. “I know she’s heartbroken. I spent the last twenty minutes talking about it.” He scoffed. Santiago was not a stupid man, quite the opposite, so it blew Frankie’s mind that he was acting like this.

“Yeah? Did she tell you that it was her idea? That she didn’t want a relationship because of you?!” Venom dripped off of Santiago’s words. He wasn’t trying to hurt his friend, but Frankie had no idea what the fuck had transpired in the last 36 months.

“She did, actually.” Frankie informed his friend. “Pope, man. What is wrong with you?” Frankie removed his ‘standard oil’ cap, running his fingers through his hair. Santiago huffed a breath.

“If you would have just stayed away from Vanessa, you two would be together; She’d be Ellie’s mom. You’re the reason she ran to Colombia with me in the first place!” Santiago’s voice echoed through the empty parking lot. Without a second thought, Frankie's fist collided with Santiago's jaw.

“Oh. I didn’t realize it was my fault you can’t keep your fucking dick in your pants!” Frankie shot back at him, struggling to hold back the anger bubbling inside him. “I know I fucked things up with her, but I got Elena out of it. She’s worth more to me than anything. Don't ever think for a second that anyone matters more, including Dani.” Frankie relaxed his fists, thinking about his daughter. “What do you have, cabrón?”

Santiago let Frankie’s words sink in. He was right. What did he have? Santiago took a seat on the sidewalk of the bar, running a hand down his face, hissing when he rubbed the tender spot on his lip. “Fuck, Fish.” Santiago sighed, looking up at his friend, eyes pleading for help. “I don’t know how to fix it.”

Frankie joined Santiago on the ground. “You tell her, hermano.”

“Tell her what? ‘Sorry for sleeping around on you, even though I’m pretty sure I’m madly in love with you. I just wanted to give you what I thought you wanted.’ I mean she’d go for that right?” Santiago rambled.

“Pope, you’ve lived with her, slept with her, and have cared for her for three years. Get your fucking shit together and talk to her." With that, Frankie walked inside to join the rest of the group. He left Santiago sitting there, mind churning over the words they had shared.

"FISH!" Benny yelled as he saw Frankie filter through the small crowd to their table. "Where's Pope?" He asked, and Frankie turned around to see Pope was nowhere in sight. Dani instantly noticed Frankie's red knuckles from where he had hit Santiago.

Dani looked up at Frankie with concerned eyes, "Where is he, Frankie?" She whispered. Frankie pointed toward the door. She shot up from the table, weaving through the crowd and out the door. She found Santiago standing by Will's truck.

"Santi?" She called out to him, causing him to lift his head. She could barely see the blooming bruise on his lip, but she knew it was there. She reached him in just a few short steps, wrapping her arms around him. He returned the gesture, holding her tightly. "Are you okay?" She whispered into his hold.

He didn't answer right away, he just pulled her closer. He nuzzled into her hair, breathing in the lavender scent. "I'm okay, beautiful. Don't you worry. Frankie was just knocking some sense into me." He mumbled against her. He was okay, as long as she was in his arms. The two of them stood there for a while, not wanting to let each other go. No other words were spoken, they only held onto the comfort that they had become accustomed to. Dani didn’t even realize she was crying until she pulled away from him, and wet stains were left in her wake.

“I’m sorry.” She apologized, wiping her eyes. “Come on,” She grabbed his hand, “They’re probably missing us.” She told him as she pulled him back toward the bar. He let her lead him, enjoying her hand in his. He had to tell her. He halted in his steps, jerking her back into his arms.

“Wha-” She started, but was cut off by his lips on hers. Sighing, she melted into his hold. Their lips moving in sync. There was no rush, but Santiago kissed her with urgency, wanting her to feel the emotion flowing through him. When they parted, she sucked in a breath, her lungs burning for oxygen. She went to speak, but before she could he placed another soft peck to her lips.

“You don’t have to say anything. Just know that we need to talk before we leave. Promise me, we will talk.” Santiago still held her hand, looking into her eyes as he spoke, “Promise me.” He said again. She nodded, telling him that she promised. With her confirmation, they walk back into the bar with the rest of their friends.

Back at the Miller house, they all stumbled through the door, laughing like children. Dani thought it was nice for them to feel so care free before the mission. She left the guys behind, wanting to shower before bed. Santiago watched as she walked away. He wanted nothing more than to follow her down the hall, strip her down, and make love to her like he should. Instead, he plopped himself down on the couch with a groan.

Will sat himself beside him. “So, Fish clocked you, huh?” He asked. No one had brought up the fact that Santi had a busted lip and Fish had a busted knuckle. Santiago nodded. “Can’t say you didn’t deserve it.” Will shrugged, crossing his arms.

“Thanks, man.” Santiago scoffed, “I know I fucked up, okay. All I want is to make it right. But I can’t.” Santi wiped his face. “She deserves so much better than me.” Will shook his head.

“Let her make that choice. You opened that door when you asked her to go to Colombia with you.” Will advised him, “I’m sure Frankie told you this already, but talk to her.” Will slapped him on the knee before heading off to bed. Santiago followed suit, walking down the hall to Dani’s room.

He was wringing his hands as he stood outside of her door. It had already been decided that they would stay with Ben and Will until they left. He knew he was welcome inside, he just couldn’t find the courage to open the damn door. With Frankie and Will’s words prominent on his mind, he raised his hand, landing three small knocks to the wood.

She opened the door, clad in a towel, blonde hair still dripping from the shower. “Santi? Why did you knock?” She asked, moving back into the room to let him in. He walked inside, closing the door behind him.

“Oh, um. I didn’t know. I mean, I thought maybe you’d want privacy, since we weren’t in Colombia.” He fumbled through the sentence. Santiago wasn’t a nervous person. He could shut down, manipulate, whatever he needed to do to complete his mission. When it came to expressing his feelings though, he was a wreck. Dani noticed his change in demeanor.

She sat on the bed, the same bed where they first slept together. “I told you, while we’re here, this is your room, too.” She wanted him to feel comfortable. He just nodded in response, still standing by the closed door. “Okay, what is going on with you, Garcia?” She asked, the words coming out a little harsher than she wanted.

“Can we talk now?” His voice was low, his head even lower as he looked at the floor. She stood up, which caught his attention. His eyes roamed over her bare legs, up to where the towel rested right below the apex of her thighs. He felt his cock stir in the confines of his jeans. No, not now, he thought to himself.

“Yeah, let me just get dressed.” She disappeared into the en suite bathroom. Santiago took the moment to adjust himself in his pants. He needed to tell her with words how he felt, not his dick. She emerged from the bathroom in his Metallica shirt, the same shirt she wore the last time they had sex. She was not making this easy for him. “What’s up, Santi?” She hopped onto the bed, crossing her legs under her, exposing her deep maroon panties to him.

He groaned and turned away from her. “Querida, please. I’m trying here.” His voice was strained. He was fighting the urge to take her right there. He heard shuffling, and she told him to turn around. She had covered herself with the blanket. He mumbled a thank you before sitting on the bed beside her. It was all so familiar. This was where everything had started between them. Santiago couldn’t help but think it was fitting for this to be where it ended.

Dani watched as Santiago seemed to search for words to say. “Dani,” He started. He almost never called her by her name. This wasn’t good. She swallowed harshly, trying to ease the constricted feeling in her throat. “You are, fuck, you are phenominal.” Santiago said, taking her hand in his. “You deserve everything that is good in this world. And I’m sorry I kept you from that.” Tears pricked his eyes. Dani’s breath caught in her chest.

“Santi, I don’t. I don’t understand.” Her voice broke. She didn’t know where he was going with this.

Santiago squeezed her hand. “I was selfish with you. I was so fucking selfish. And I hurt you in return. There aren’t enough apologies that will fix that.” Santiago didn’t cry, but a single tear rolled down his face. “I have to let you go.” He sounded conflicted, and he was. He wanted to keep being selfish, but letting her go, getting her away from him, was the right thing to do.

Dani shook her head, “No. You don’t get to make that decision for me.” She cried, “How do you know what I deserve?” The sadness in her voice tugged at his heart. She moved to sit up on her knees, still holding his hand. “Santi, these last three years with you have been amazing. You are amazing. Why would you ever think anything less?”

Santiago met her eyes. They shimmered in the low light of the bedside lamp. “I’m not capable of being who you want me to be.” He swallowed hard.

“How do you know what I want, Pope?! You haven’t asked me!” She raised her voice, the alcohol in her system affected her volume control. Santiago was sure the whole house heard her. She pulled him closer, grabbing his other hand. “I don’t know why, but I love you, you dope, I would walk through hell and back for you.” She confessed.

Her blue eyes met his brown ones. “You shouldn’t love a man like me, princess.” Santiago protested, releasing her hands to caress her face. Her skin was soft, but wet from the tears. She shook her head side to side, moving her face closer to his.

“Too late,” She whispered before pressing her lips to his. He pulled her closer if it were possible. His lips parted, tongue prying hers open. She instantly gave him access. His hands found their way down her back, to her ass. He gripped the tight muscle, pulling her into his lap. He moved them up the bed with skill as they fought for dominance. The kiss got more aggressive. He was the one who broke the kiss, only to find his way to that spot on her collarbone.

“Santi,” She moaned. He continued his way up her neck, nibbling on her ear, before returning his lips for a quick kiss. His hands hooked her panties, dragging them down her legs, as he moved off the bed. He unbutton his jeans, removing them and his underwear in one go. Once his pants were out of the way, he took his place back between her thighs. She could feel him hard against her thigh. They both knew there would be no foreplay, that this was something else. He couldn’t say the three words that were floating in the air, he didn’t know if he was capable.

Her hands were buried in his salt and pepper curls, leaving love bites on his neck. “Fuck, hermosa. I need you.” He groaned, rocking himself through her wet folds.

“Then take me, Santi.” That was all he needed to sheath himself to the hilt in one swift thrust.

The ride into the jungle of South America was bumpy to say the least. Dani had made herself comfortable in the back with Frankie, almost falling asleep a few times. Santi backed the SUV into the jungle thick, expertly hiding it from the view of the road. Santi gave Dani the bag of comms. “Pass those out.” He instructed her as he gave out weapons. Dani didn’t like the feel of a gun in her hand, she was a healer, not a killer. They separated as they stalked through the jungle up to Lorea’s house.

Dani wasn’t sure why she let herself get caught up in this as she laid between Santi and Tom on the forest ground. The boys were clogging up the comms with witty banter and stupid jokes. She was barely paying attention until she heard Frankie’s voice.

“Pope. Pope, I have kids over here. Does he have kids living with him? Cause that’s gonna make things a whole lot more complicated and is not what I signed up for.” The worry was thick in his voice. Dani only assumed it was because he was now a father himself. Thankfully, she had planned for this.

“The family’s not the problem, Frankie. They’re the answer.” She replied instantly, and Tom gave her a weird look.

Frankie asked why and Pope had a simple answer. Church. “Lorea is very devout. Every Sunday morning, He sends three guards to the 6am service. When they get back, he sends the rest of the team, along with the family.”

“That leaves him and three guards in that house with the money. That’s our window.” Dani finished for him.

“Well aren’t you guys fucking cute, finishing each other’s sentences and shit.” Tom snickered into the comm. Dani wanted to punch him.

Will stalked through some brush, making his way to his check point, “Why would he do that?”

“He’s worried about someone taking his kids, and he never leaves his money. Also, I don’t think he believes anyone would have the balls to rob him.” Santiago answered him, chuckling a little at the end.

“That’s probably because it’s a stupid idea.” Dani could hear Will roll his eyes.

Benny broke the silence, “Pope, I got your girlfriend coming up right now. Holy shit, she is beautiful.” Dani clenched her jaw. She told Santiago that she loved him, and he never said the words back. The night of Benny’s fight, she was sure they made love. It was a completely different feeling. They still weren’t officially a couple, she didn’t know if they ever would be.

“I fucking knew it.” Tom groaned, looking over Dani to Pope.

“Fuck off.” Santi growled, not missing the look he received from Dani. Santi knew that he messed things up with Dani. He loved her and instead of telling her, he had sex with her. It was different that time, though. It was more passionate, more meaningful. He knew what he was getting himself into when he started sleeping with Yovanna, but that didn’t stop him from doing it. He just hoped that one day, Dani would forgive him.

“God damn.” Will whispered, “I got an execution about to go down over here.”

“Are you at the tennis court? That’s his spot of choice.” Dani responded, knowing that’s where Lorea liked to do business. The gunshots made Dani jump and Tom sighed.

“We can’t babysit you. If you can’t handle some gunshots, maybe you shouldn’t be out here.” He growls at her. She moves to get up, but Santi grabs her arm. She looked over at him, waiting for him to say something, but he didn't.

“Shit, we got ground sensors here.” Benny’s muttered voice crackled through the comm, breaking up the tension, looking down at his feet.

“Did you hit one?” Santi asked, quickly.

“I’m not sure.” Benny replied frozen in his place. “That stock boy job at wal-mart is starting to look pretty good right now boys.” He huffs out as two guards on motorcycles approach his location, but swiftly turn around. It was a close call; Too fucking close.

“Let’s get the fuck outta here.” Will huffed, once it was confirmed that the informant made it out.

The bar was quiet, minus Benny telling some dumb story about how he almost pissed himself. Santiago tossed back his shot and Dani sat quietly, enjoying their company, nursing her tequila on ice. Will asked what the plan was and how Santiago was going to present to the agency.

Santi told the guys the real plan. He wanted to pull the job with just them. He didn’t want to involve the local government. He knew that with his team, they could get it done and take the money for themselves. The guys were pissed.

“Who paid our fees?” Will asked him, and Frankie pointed to Will indicating that he had the same question. They all had the same question.

“It’s complicated.” Santiago told them.

Tom scoffed, “How fucking complicated can it be? It’s a hundred thou-” Frankie stopped him as a group of men walked in. Dani told the guys she was getting the bill. Frankie sarcastically thanked her as she walked away.

“Well fellas,” Benny started, “This turned out to be some full on cowboy shit.” He finished before down the rest of his beer.

The guys moved back to the car. Santi was mid speech when Dani rejoined them. “You may not believe it, but I have spent the last three years of my life trying to make a difference. But it’s a fucking mess.”

“Santi’s right.” Dani spoke and the five guys turned to her. “Lorea has people everywhere. You have no idea what it’s been like for us.”

“Come on, guys.” Santi started, and pointed at Tom. “This man is a goddamn hero and can’t even afford to put his kids through college.” He turned to Fish, “You are the most talented pilot I know and you’re grounded on some bullshit coke rap.” He finally looked at Will. “How many times can your brother get the shit knocked out of-” Benny cut him off.

“I didn’t get the shit beat out of me. I won that fight.”

“Sorry, Benny.” Santi apologized.

“How many more pep talks can you possibly give, man? I’m done. Both knees are shot. That neck surgery I got last year made everything worse.” Dani had never heard Santi sound so hopeless.

“What about her?” Tom asked, pointing to Dani.

“What about me, Tom? You got a fucking problem with me being involved?” She questioned him, wanting to know what his deal was.

“I just don’t see why your involvement is necessary.” He spat at her, crossing his arms.

“This was my fucking plan. I helped with every part of this recce.” Dani growled at him, hands clenching by her side. Santi noticed and stepped between the two.

“Come on, man. I’ve trained her. She helped prep all of this. She’s in or no one is in.” Santi defended her. Tom shut up real quick. “I guess the question is, do we finally get to use our skills to our own benefit and actually change something?”

On the drive back from the bar, Tom had come up with a fool proof plan, “Sunday Soft Hit” he called it. Dani sat in the back with Benny and let the guys talk it out. Tom made it very clear that this was their area of expertise, she was just along for the ride. She watched as rain drops rolled down the window. She really hated the rain.

The next day, Pope had left to meet up with his informant. Dani tried not to let them see how much it bothered her that he went alone. That he didn’t want her to go. She tried to let Benny distract her with his silly jokes, but still in the back of her mind, all she could think about was Santiago.

They met him at a shipping container yard. He had a key to one, pulling open the doors. Santi was prepared for this moment. Every fucking gun, bullet, toothpick was sourced in-country, he was ready to pin this on a local rival gang. Santiago’s informant had come through with the recording of inside the house and promised to get an extra van into the compound.

They had everything they needed; The bird, the extra van, and Lorea confirmed inside the house with the money. Tom was conflicted about the whole situation, and that made Dani uncomfortable. She kept her thoughts to herself, not wanting to start another fight with the captain. Tom gave a speech about how they could get out now if they wanted. Dani honestly thought it was touching, but none of them were turning back; The six of them were really going to do this.

“It’s a good thing these guys are so devout.” Benny started, looking up at the sky as the rain poured down, “Our dad used to say ‘when it’s raining, it means God didn’t need us in church today’.” Dani smiled at the comment. She really missed Mister Miller.

They watched intently as the guards piled the family in the vehicle to leave. None of them caught sight of Lorea. The family had left for church, and the informant showed up with the extra van. “Damn, Pope. This lady is a keeper. Punctual, smart, and brave as shit.” Benny spoke into the comms. Dani rolled her eyes, jealousy did not become her, but she didn’t care.

She entered the house behind Santiago. Two of the three guards were subdued easily by the former Delta members, but Frankie shot the third in the knee when he walked up on him and Will. “Eyes out for Lorea. He sure as fuck heard us now.” Santiago groaned, helping Frankie bound and gag the guard. Dani quickly went to work setting off the charges in the security room.

The five men searched the house, but Lorea was nowhere to be found. They were almost frantic looking around the property. “Everyone to the office right now.” Tom growled into their ear pieces.

“What’s going on?” Dani harshly whispered into the comm but didn’t get an answer. Before she could ask again, Santi grabbed her, pulling her upstairs with him. Santiago walked into the office to see his former teammates. They were pissed.

“What the fuck?” Benny was the first to speak, tossing an empty money bag to the floor. Dani looked around the room. Something wasn’t right.

“Lorea?” Tom asked, and Santi shook his head.

“He’s gone with the money.” Will scoffed, dropping into a chair.

“Your girl gave us up, Pope.” Frankie sighed, leaning back against the desk. “We gotta get the fuck outta here.” Dani hated hearing the regret in his voice. What the fuck did she do?

Santi ripped off his hat, “No, no, no, no.” He repeated as he removed his pack. How did this happen? He looked around, distraught written on his face, before taking a deep breath. “What’s that smell like to you?”

Frankie looked up at his friend, “Like a serious fuck up.” Will chuckled at Frankie’s sarcasm.

“No,” Santi shook his head, pointing to the painting equipment by the desk. “Paint.” He scrambled to the nearest wall, running his hand down it, before drawing back and punching hard. Dani watched curiously, wondering if Santi had finally lost his mind. He punched again, breaking through the drywall.

He ripped the debris out of his way, reaching a hand into the wall, pulling out a wad of cash. “La casa es la caja fuerte.” She mumbled, “The house is the fucking safe.” She laughed, picking up on what Santiago had just figured out.

The six of them started tearing down the wall and stacks of money fell out. They quickly packed it into bags and carried them down stairs. Santiago was still concerned about finding Lorea as they pulled out more and more stacks, packing them away. The more money they dug out though, the less confident Dani felt in the situation. Tom was getting carried away, determined that they had time for “A couple more loads”. Benny assured her that Tom never missed a hard out, and here he was, making up some bullshit about a fifteen minute cushion.

“Fuck this. Time’s up, we gotta go.” Will growled, glaring at Tom. Dani finished packing her bag, handing it off to Benny.

“I want one more sweep for Lorea, alright! Then we burn it all down.” Santi all but demanded. “Tequila, stay with someone.” She nodded, and walked into the bedroom with Will and Santiago, gun raised. She opened the wardrobe door and there was nothing but clothes inside.

Suddenly, the whole thing moved, and Lorea shot at her. She returned a single shot, straight to where his femoral artery would be and the man fell to the ground. Santi walked up and fired one, two, three, more shots at him to ensure he was dead. He stood over the dead body, reloading his pistol.

“Fuck, I’m hit.” Dani and Will groaned together, Will dropping to his knees. Will was bleeding from his left side and Dani had a through and through on her left shoulder. Santi whipped around to see Will and Dani both kneeling on the floor. Blood was soaking her shirt, as he charged over to her.

“You’re hit?” Will asked, eyeing her shoulder, and she nodded. “Fuck, Teq. You shoulda stayed home.” He groaned the last word as she put more pressure on the wound. “Get me the clot kit. I’ll be fine” He grumbled.

Santi dug through the bag on Dani’s back, handing her a kit, getting one out for her as well.

“What are we shooting at in here?” Frankie yells as he walks into the room. He immediately notices that Dani is bleeding. “Fuck, Dani.” Even though he wanted to, he didn’t move toward her, because Santi was already there, applying her clot kit.

“I told you this was a stupid idea.” Will spoke through clenched teeth, looking at both Dani and Santi.

“Yeah, you did Will. Here ya go.” Dani agreed, wrapping his abdomen with a bandage. She hissed as Santiago did the same to her shoulder. Things had shifted between them. Will had never seen Santiago so attentive during a mission.

“Sunday school’s over fellas. We gotta go. Oh, holy Shit.” Benny says as he sees the scene before him. His brother was bleeding from his abdomen, Dani from her shoulder. He told them that the first shift of guards were back and that they needed to go. The rest of it was a blur. Dani barely remembered getting down stairs, let alone into the van with Frankie. She looked back to the house and it was ablaze. It was over, they just needed to get home safely.

The drive up to the meeting point for the helo was a short one. At least, it seemed short. Dani had gone into shock. “Fish, I don’t feel so good. I don’t think the bleeding has stopped.” She whimpered with her head against the window, the hand holding pressure on her wound was bloody.

“Just hold on tight, hermosa.” She heard Frankie say before everything went dark.

She woke up with someone jostling her. It was Santiago, who was carrying her bridal style out of the van. “Hey, querida. You with me?” He asked, laying her on the ground, her head propped up on a bag.

“I’m here, Santi. I should have some bandages and extra kits in my bag. I brought them in case one of you idiots needed it. Turns out, I’m the idiot.” She laughed as he dug through her bag, holding up the tool once he found it.

“This is going to hurt, hermosa. You want to take a swig first?” He asked, showing her a bottle of tequila she packed just in case. She nodded, taking a generous swig, hissing at the burn of the liquor going down. “Alright, Teq. Ready?” She groaned as he redressed the wound. It would need stitches to ensure it heals decently, but they would have to wait.

“Thank you.” She whispered when he was done. “Let me go take care of Will.” She took the bottle of liquor over to Will. “This is going to hurt like a bitch. You might want to.” She offered him the bottle. He took a quick gulp, before gesturing to her. She shook her head no. She was able to stitch Will up while the other guys loaded the helo. She looked over and saw Fish yelling at Tom as she started working on the stitches.

“If we want to get to the ocean, we gotta fly over the fucking Andes, man!” Frankie yelled about the weight issue. Dani and Will leaned onto each other as they walked toward the helo. Tom groaned about leaving two hundred million dollars on the runway. “Fine! She’ll make it. Let’s go!” Frankie ordered.

Dani was seated in the back of the helo between Benny and Will. Benny was helping her stitch up her shoulder. Dani couldn’t help it but her eyes trailed over to Santi who was staring at Yovanna, the informant. Jealousy and bile rose in her throat. “I’m good, Ben. Thank you.” She looked up and saw Tom staring at her, his eyes dropping to her hand that was splayed over her abdomen, then back to her, with a knowing look on his face.

They dropped Yovanna and her brother across the Peruvian border. Tom escorted them off the helo. Santi joined him with a bag of money and an envelope with documents. Once Santiago was sure they were good to go, they were back in the air. “She’s lying.” Tom said and Santi disagreed. “There’s consequences to this shit. You know what we should have done?” He deadpanned.

Dani couldn’t believe him. He wanted to kill her? After everything she did to help? “That’s one you wouldn’t come back from.” Will attested. Tom just ripped the headset off before moving into the cockpit with Frankie. Santi didn’t spare Dani a second glance as he laid back against a duffle and shut his eyes. She sighed, leaning into Benny, closing her own.

Frankie was constantly watching the gauges on the dashboard. It seemed as if they were going to make it, even with the weight issue. Everything was going smooth until it wasn’t. “We’re red-lining, man.” Santi’s voice was on the headset as he peered over his friend’s shoulder. Frankie was adamant that they needed to lose some weight. Dani heard Tom complain about leaving fifty million dollars in the middle of the jungle. He is going to get us fucking killed, she thought. Frankie shot back, standing his ground, asking if he wanted to make it to the ocean. Tom conceded; Will opened the door so Santi and Benny could throw out some bags.

It seemed to work for a moment. Frankie tried raising the helo up over the lowest peak he could find. There was rapid beeping and the aircraft started jerking. One of the gearboxes blew and the helo started to drop. There was a reason Santi wanted Catfish. He really was the best. He immediately regained control of the craft, maneuvering it so that it didn’t go into a spin.

“I’m losing altitude. We should land. We should land now.” Frankie grunted, trying to come up with a landing plan.

“Crash land here and we all will die.” Tom snapped at him. Frankie gripped the cyclic tighter.

“I’m trying to get her back to flat. There was a farm, not too far back.” Frankie growled back at him, trying to make sure he gets the craft to ground as safely as possible.

“Prepare for a hard landing!” Tom called the warning over his shoulder toward the back of the helo. Dani had one hand gripped to the wall, the other was attached to Benny’s leg.

“I can’t land with this thing with that net under us. We lose the money, maybe we don't die.” Frankie tried to reason with him, but Tom didn’t want to budge.

“LOSE THE MONEY OR WE WILL ALL DIE!” Fish’s voice boomed through the headsets as he tried to keep the helo steady. “Pull the external load release on the wall!” Dani looked over her right shoulder to the lever. She looked back at Santi, like she wanted permission.

“Pull the lever, Tequila!” Santi yelled, giving her the okay. She pulled it down with a struggle.

Will opened the hatch. Dani took a spot next to him, looking at the net. “It didn’t work!” Dani was terrified.

“There should be a manual override on the cargo hook.” Frankie explained. Benny crawled out the hatch and kicked the handle. The net of money fell to the earth below them. The helo jerked before Benny could climb back in, knocking him further out. Luckily, Will was able to grab him, preventing him from dropping straight to the ground. It became obvious to the man dangling from the floor of the chopper that he would die if it crashed with him barely hanging on.

“I gotta jump!” Benny yelled, releasing the grip on his brother’s arm and tumbled to the ground, just in time for the helo to crash hard. He ran back to the smoking wreckage. “Tequila! Fish!” Benny bellowed as he dodged shrapnel from the crash.

Dani groaned as she moved from where she landed on top of Santi. “You okay, cariño?” He asked her, and she remembered that Benny fell out of the fucking helo. “Benny?!” She yelled into Santi’s face, scrambling to get up.

She stumbled up to the front, where Fish and Redfly were crawling through the busted windshield. “Benny?!” She called again. He kneeled down into view, reaching for her.

“I’m good, Tequila. I’m good. Come on, I gotcha.” He said as he helped her through the broken plexiglass. She crawled out, trying to make sure no one had any lethal injuries.

“Oh, Fish.” She whispered, looking at the nasty gash on his face. She pulled some gauze out of her vest pocket and tried to clean it, but he pulled away.

“I’m okay, Tequila. Tom, they’re getting into the fucking net.” Frankie yelled over her, pointing to the villagers.

Climbing out of the overturned helo, Santiago looked over at Dani who was next to Frankie. Pushing down the bubbling jealousy, Pope asked, “What’s the plan here?”

“Benny cover us from under that treeline there, to the right. Frankie, you and Tequila take the left, while Pope and I go look as peaceful as we can.” Tom paused, “That’s cocaine they’re growing, so they probably already have weapons trained on us.” Pope was apprehensive about Dani leaving his side, but he knew she’d be safe with Fish.

“Comms are dead, so we use hand signals.” Pope informed the group before he stepped between Dani and Frankie. He caressed her face before placing a kiss to her lips. He didn't know what had possessed him to do it. They were in the middle of a cocaine field, and they just survived a helicopter crash.

“Be safe.” She whispered where only he could hear. Tom called him away and Frankie grabbed her arm, pulling her in the opposite direction.

Frankie and Dani moved into position on the left hill. She raised her rifle, peering through the scope. “Hey, put the gun down.” Fish told her, “You don’t need to do this.”

She scoffed at his words. “If it comes down to you guys or these people, I will choose you guys, no questions asked.” She trained her eyes back to the field. This wasn’t the same girl Frankie met almost five years ago. She was different, harder. Like the time she spent here changed her. Pope had changed her.

They watched as Tom and Santiago tried to reason with the Farmers. Dani could see through her scope that Santi tried to keep his hands up, away from his weapon; Whereas, Tom’s flitted above the hand gun the whole time.”Frankie.” Dani whispered, “What is that?” She asked him, seeing that one of the farmers looked like they were going to draw a weapon. All she could think about was Santi.

He hated being so far away, even through the scope, Frankie couldn’t get a good look at what was going on down in the valley. “Pope, is that a weapon?” Frankie spoke into the dead comm. Dani moved his hand off the button and shook her head. “Fuck!” Fish yelled, as shots were fired by Tom. He let off one shot before they moved down to the rest of the group.

Dani all but ran down the hillside. “Santi!” She called out for him, seeing him just beyond the bodies. He turned when he heard her voice. “Santi!” She collided with him. “You fucking scared me.” Dani's voice cracked a little. He didn’t speak, he just lifted his eyes to her. She could see the regret, the pain. Santi didn’t shoot, that much she knew.

Was it an avoidable blood bath? Probably not. Who knows though. What they did know, was that Tom fucked up. Santiago sat down with the village leader and was able to pay the ‘debt’ owed and acquire some mules to help carry the bags. Dani knew though, all the money in the world couldn’t replace the men, the family, that those people lost. As they moved away from the small village, Dani took one last look back. Her eyes connected with a young man for a split second before turning around and walking on.

Trudging through the woods was what they wanted to steer clear of, for Will’s sake, but here they were. The six of them led the mules down a beaten path. All of them stuck in their own heads until Will addressed Tom. He asked about the payment for the damage they had caused. Once Tom answered, Will stopped, turning to the man. “Which one of you shot first?”

Tom looked at his former teammate. “I don’t know.” The lie slid off his tongue easily. Dani watched from behind Santiago. Will rolled his eyes, not buying Tom’s shit.

“We need to watch ourselves here.” Will told him, before turning around, leading his mule on. Santiago nodded his head, agreeing out loud with Will’s statement.

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Tom growled at Santi.

“Nothing. We just have to watch ourselves, that’s all.” Santiago responded, not wanting to stoke anymore fires. They had to get through the fucking forrest. And it t was fucking raining, again. They found a rock formation to hold up under to try and wait it out.

“How far have we gone?” Benny asked Santiago as he looked at their map.

“About twelve clicks. And it’s another day and a half to the boat.” Santi responded, putting the map away.

“How are you holding up, princess?” Tom asked, condescendingly. Dani had been quiet since the farm incident. The other guys shot Tom a look and he just shrugged.

“I’m fine, jackass.” She mumbled, turning away from him, wrapping her raincoat tighter around her.

“You shouldn’t have come out here.” Tom scoffed, shaking his head.

“I’m starting to see why Molly divorced your miserable ass.” She gritted through her chattering teeth.

“The fuck did you just say? You want to get personal?” Tom shot back, “Does Pope know you’re knocked up?” Dani stopped breathing, eyes going wide. She could feel Santi’s eyes burning into the back of her skull. “Oh, yeah. I figured that out in the helo. That’s why she looked like a sad puppy while your informant girl was around. Don’t worry, I’m sure it’s not yours. Could be Frankie’s.” He crossed his arms, and sat back against the rock. Clearly, he was proud of himself.

“You don’t know what the fuck you are talking about Tom. So, shut the fuck up, before I make you.” She stood up and whipped around to face him, ready to throw punches.

Frankie was the one that pulled her back. Tom laughed at this. “God, how is it that you leave the man when he needed you most, running off with his best friend nonetheless, and he is still wrapped around your goddamn finger.”

Dani shrugged out of Frankie’s hold and stormed away into the rain. Shit, she wasn’t pregnant. She had confirmed before they left for the recce. She never would have come out here if she thought she were. She didn’t know how long she stood in the rain before someone touched her shoulder. It was Frankie.

“Teq.” He started, but she cut him off. “Frankie, I’m not. I wouldn’t have-- I wouldn’t be here if I even thought for a second I could be. ” she sobbed. How could Tom just drop a bomb like that.

“está bien, cariño, está bien.” He whispered as he pulled her in for a hug, as her tears mixed with the rain drops on his shirt. “I think you need to talk to Santi.” He mumbled into her hair and she nodded. He walked her over to where Santiago was sitting alone. He looked up when he saw the two coming toward him. Frankie nudged Dani and she moved to sit next to him.

“Were you going to tell me?” He whispered, looking at the ground.

“If there was something to tell, yes. The test I took before we left was negative, I promise.” She tried to explain herself. Santi looked up at her.

“Why would you even come out here?” He mumbled, his eyes falling to her shoulder injury. “Fuck, you got shot, and you were in a helo crash.” Santiago caressed her face, moving his other hand down to her shoulder. “Lo siento, hermosa. I’m going to get you home safe.” He promised her, placing a soft kiss to her lips.

Frankie watched as Santi pulled Dani in for a hug, trying to push down the jealousy stirring in his gut. He had his daughter he needed to get back to, that’s what he needed to focus on. Dani lifted her head from Santi’s shoulder, her eyes meeting Frankie’s. What was she going to do?

Translations:

Hermano: Brother

cabrón: Bastard

Hermosa: Beautiful

está bien: It's okay

cariño: Sweetheart

Lo Siento: I'm sorry

Tags: @mylifeisactuallyamess @danniburgh @speakerforthedead0 @221bshrlocked

#playin with fire #santiago garcia fic #santiago garcia x ofc #santiago pope garcia #santiago garcia #frankie morales fic #frankie morales x ofc #frankie catfish morales #frankie morales #will miller x ofc #will miller imagine #will miller #will ironhead miller #santiago garcia imagine #frankie morales imagine #santiago garcia smut #oscar isaac smut #oscar isaac #pedro pascal #charlie hunnam #benny miller #benny miller x ofc #why didn't benny get a better callsign? #triple frontier smut #triple frontier imagine #kat writes

[deniigi]

I WOULD LOVE A DAVE FIC !!!

Excellent. Here’s for you and  @dudewhereismy-tardis

I am putting most of it under the cut because it is LONG

Dave (Daredevil copycat from Inimitable Verse) POV. Reminder that Dave is not his real name, but one given to him disdainfully by Wade in this verse.

Title: rises in the east

------------

“Dad.”

What?

“Dad.”

What time was it?

“Your phone’s ringing,” Charlie said. “It’s the boss.”

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

“Give it here,” Dave rasped, throwing an arm over his eyes.

“Mom said you’re gonna hurt your back sleepin’ on the couch,” Charlie reported as she shoved his phone into his palm.

“My couch, my rules,” Dave said. He crammed the phone to his ear. “Ansel here,” he said.

Charlie wanted to stay home and if she was a year older, Dave would have let her. But alas. The last time he’d let her stay home, she’d texted her friend Jesse who had become unspeakably jealous and had appealed to her own parents for such freedoms, and now the whole block thought that Dave recklessly abandoned his daughter when he went to the goddamn grocery store.

All that for a can of Sprite, man.

This neighborhood was off the fuckin’ charts sometimes.

Case in point: Dani standing in front of him in the lobby with her hands on her hips, telling him that he needed to wear a tighter t-shirt or to start flexing because they were losing business.

“Dani, I’m an instructor,” he reminded her. “I’m hired to do classes.”

“It’s two hours,” Dani said. “Take the damn fliers.”

But he didn’t want to?

Dani blinked at him slowly from under her headband.

 --

 Charlie was having a great time and Dave was glad for that because he was not. He was being stared at by every person in the street as if they’d never seen a dude with muscles before.

It was the shirt.

He knew it was the shirt.

And possibly his nipples. Smashing the brochures high enough against his chest to cover them wasn’t going well and the highlighter teal underarmor Dani had forced upon him left very little to the imagination here.

There wasn’t anything else to do but let the poor things live their best lives.

“Dad, gimme more,” Charlie said.

She tugged at the brochures covering what was left of his dignity.

Blessed child, who hurt you?

“Where did the others go?” he asked her.

Charlie pointed across the road to a gaggle of ladies leaning out from their stoop, smiling.

Ah.

Yes.

Them.

“Let’s try for someone who looks more like a bro,” he told his offspring.

Charlie blinked up at him.

“Why?” she asked.

Oh, baby.

“Because they’re an easy mark,” he said. “Go up and say ‘my dad can take you’ and send ‘em my way, okay?”

Charlie’s face went from confused to ready to kill instantly.

This was her game face. This was her ‘I’m gonna wreck this goalee’s teeth’ face.

Dave shouldn’t have been proud of her, really; her teachers said that she was becoming argumentative and obstinate in the classroom. But there was just something there in the fact that his kid sure as shit wasn’t no sheep that made his chest feel big, wide, and full of hot air.

“I’m on it,” Charlie said.

He gave her three brochures and let her scramble off to the other side of the sidewalk and then turned to meet the eye of a family with a father with neat hair and the beginnings of triceps peeking out from under his sleeves.

“You lookin’ for a gym, sir?” he asked.

The guy looked his way and eyed him up.

He took a flier on his way past.

 --

 “Excuse me?”

“One second, man,” Dave said, doing the rock-shuffle to keep all the fliers on the table from blowing away.

“Excuse me.”

“Hey, I said just a sec,” Dave snapped.

He turned back and found himself staring into the dark eyes of a bald man with olive skin and deep wrinkles in his forehead.

And Dave knew him.

Holy shit.

Dave knew him.

Fuck.

God.

Jesus, Lord.

“I am so sorry,” he started.

“DAD.”

Ch—Charlie?

He looked down and sure enough, holding Rudolph ‘Diamond’ De Luca’s massive bearpaw was his very own daughter. De Luca made her wiry, suntanned limbs seem like unbaked pretzels.

He was so much bigger than he’d seemed on TV all those years ago.

“This your kid?” De Luca asked.

Jesus.

“She is. I’m so sorry,” Dave said, “Did she—she didn’t bite you or anything, did she?”

“Dad,” Charlie whined. “Don’t tell ‘im that.”

“I’ll pay for whatever damage—” Dave continued.

De Luca blinked at him impossibly slowly with long dark eye lashes. He turned his face slowly back down towards Charlie.

“You sure this is your old man?” he asked.

Wh—

Wait.

What the hell did that mean?

“That’s him,” Charlie moaned. “He’s just bein’ dumb. Dad. Stop bein’ dumb. This dude’s the real deal. He’ll fight you in a heartbeat.”

Dave grabbed his child before she could cause any more damage. She made a fuss, but let go of De Luca’s mitt. Dave shoved her behind him, just in case this situation got any more tense than it needed to be.

De Luca lifted an eyebrow at that and then brought his face back up to Dave’s.

“Who’s gym?” he asked.

What?

Oh.

“Spitfire,” Dave said. “We’re, uh, just about there, on the—”

“I know where you’re about,” De Luca said.

Dave didn’t know what to say. De Luca held his eye.

Oh, god.

This wasn’t going well.

“How old are you, son?” De Luca asked.

FFFFFFFFFFFffffffffffffuck.

“38,” Dave said.

“And your baby girl?” De Luca asked, gesturing with his chin down at Charlie.

“I’m 12,” Charlie told him brightly.

“Hm,” De Luca said.

He shifted his weight back and wrapped a few fingers around his chin, surveying Dave’s whole body like he was the statue of David with a knee injury.

Dave became intimately aware of his nipples again.

“Not bad,” De Luca said.

Oh, thank god.

“Thank you, sir,” Dave said. “Is there, uh, somethin’ I could help you with?”

“You got an accent,” De Luca noted.

Uh?

“A good accent,” De Luca said. “Whereabouts did you grow up?”

Oh.

Well.

Dave could actually just point to it from here. The condo was still standing, despite all building codes and actual alien invasions. At this point, the only thing that was gonna take it down were the rampant, rapidly mutating, borderline feral gangs of chickens that roamed its halls.

Not that anyone spoke about them.

No, that was inviting trouble to your doorstep.

“The chicken coop?” De Luca said.

The one and only.

“Bless you, you poor fuck.”

Yeah, that tended to be the usual reaction.

De Luca laughed.

“You’re a funny guy, uh,” he squinted at Dave’s nametag, “Ansel?”

How could a word sound so wrong in someone’s mouth?

Where had Dave’s life gone wrong that his own name sounded so foreign and distant to his ears?

“Actually,” he said, swallowing, “My uh, my friends call me ‘Dave.’”

De Luca’s head snapped right up and slowly, a grin spread across his face.

“Oh, now, that’s a good name for ya,” he said. “You look like a Davy.”

Hng.

Diamond De Luca thought he looked like a ‘Davy.’

Diamond De Luca thought he looked like a ‘Davy.’

Welp.

Time to get that birth certificate changed.

“Listen, Davy,” De Luca said casually, “Your baby girl there was tellin’ me that your boss has you out here like dancin’ monkey; is that true?”

Fffffffffff.

Technically yes?

“It’s even his day off,” Charlie whispered.

Dave wrapped a hand over her face.

“It’s fine,” he said. “It happens. Folks’ve been sick lately. I don’t normally do this kinda thing.”

De Luca’s face said that that was real cute. Real, real cute, honey.

“Well,” he said, “Let’s just say it like this. Where you work don’t gotta be where you train.”

Oh.

Was he offering--?

“If you decide to drop by, tell the guy at the desk Rudy sent you,” De Luca said. “Your kid’s real sweet, Davy. She can come too, lord knows the damn place is a daycare at this point.”

“Thank? You?” Dave stuttered.

“Don’t mention it,” De Luca said.

He left. Dave watched him waltz down the block and wave at the gals collected on the stoop at the end of it and felt a little lightheaded.

“Dad?”

Not right now, champ.

“Dad? Is he famous or somethin’?”

HHHHHHHHHHNG.

 --

 Back when Dave had been 14 and scraping the tips of his fingers into callouses on the old guitar he’d found tossed into a dumpster in the Upper West Side, he’d had to compete with the sound of the couple fighting in the apartment next door and with the radio the old man downstairs always had playing on his fire-escape window.

The old man downstairs was a real hard-ass. Always slammed a broom into the ceiling, scaring the shit out of Mom and Dad and sister and auntie. Dave had never seen him not smoking, nor had he ever seen him without suspenders.

The man was a retired plumber, apparently. And while Jim Beam was his main vice, his passion was boxing.

To the tune of chords picked out of an out-of-tune guitar, Dave had listened to tinny commentators oohing and awing over match after match, until finally, when sleep wouldn’t come one night, Dave had snuck out of the room he’d shared with Flora. He’d settled down on the living room couch, next to his old man splayed out in the recliner.

Dad had lifted his eyes slowly his way and told him that he should have been in bed.

Dave had told him that he couldn’t sleep because the couple next door was makin’ up from their daily afternoon argument and Dad had just sighed.

He’d let Dave stay up with him and the TV in the living room had fuzzed and rattled away, making sounds really familiar to Dave at that point.

Boxing was a sport that he had, up until that night, left to his father. But for the lack of anything else to talk about that wouldn’t make his dad look at him with disappointment in his eyes for all that damn music-playin’ and eyeliner, he’d asked who the guy on the screen was.

And that was how he’d learned about Diamond De Luca.

About Kenny Varga. Bert ‘The Albatross’ Kleinfeld.

But there was one guy who Dad had mentioned was his favorite rookie and, now it felt both kind of silly and surreal that the name had been spoken so casually in Dave’s home growing up.

Dad had been puttin’ money on Battlin’ Jack Murdock back when Dave had been a little kid.

He told Dave, disappointedly, after a few weeks of Dave getting up at 12:30 to come out and watch boxing with him that he’d really thought that Murdock was gonna be the next big thing.

Guy was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, Dad had said, shaking his head. But wolves that got too wily got put down and Battlin’ Jack had been found in an alley, bled out in the arms of his reason for fighting.

Dad said it was a fuckin’ shame that Murdock had gone out with a slug in his head.

A fuckin’ shame, he said.

Dave didn’t remember him every saying that Murdock’s reason for fighting was a blind ten-year-old, but the thought was now merged with that memory.

That, in itself, was merged with the memory of Dave’s phone ringing one night was Addie’s name on the Caller ID. Her voice was shaking when she told Dave that the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen had just called her from an unknown number.

He had their baby.

He’d snatched her and Jesse out of the arms of two men looking for girls to be used in businesses Dave didn’t want to think about.

He’d saved them.

The devil had heard their screams when no one else had and he’d come flying out of the dark.

He’d held the girls in the light of a bodega and he’d coached Charlie through typing Addie’s number into his phone and then he’d taken it from there.

Addie was too scared to go meet the devil on her own. Mason hadn’t been around yet and so Dave had thrown on his shoes and had meet her on 46th.

The devil was on 48th, swinging his boots with both girls in his lap.

They were all singing. The devil had pretended like he didn’t know the words to Britney Spears’s ‘Toxic.’

Matt Murdock was under that mask.

Knowing that this whole time, he’d been the one dragging a stick against the fences and bricks of Hell’s Kitchen was almost impossible to digest.

And Dave had worked with him now.

He’d seen that smirk and that notorious jaw unwrapped from its red armor and that didn’t make reconciling the murdered boxer’s son with the man who’d saved his daughter any easier.

Charlie hadn’t remembered him.

She thought that Matt Murdock was a weird fuckin’ dude, and granted, he was a weird fuckin’ dude, but Dave had to say: he was grateful.

Matt Murdock not only brought home his baby, but he’d given Dave purpose in a life that had become consumed by the daily grind.

Matt Murdock had smiled in his direction, never quite into his eyes, and he’d passed along the baton with next to no fight.

Dave wasn’t him.

Dave would never be him.

Matt Murdock wasn’t just some poor murdered boxer’s blind son. He was the product of some serious poverty. Some serious violence. A whole fuckin’ cult induction, if he was to be believed. And Dave wasn’t so sure if he was always to be believed.

But he still appreciated Matt Murdock for what he’d done and what he’d made for this part of the city.

He’d made Daredevil.

And he shared that with Dave.

Dave’s own dad’s approval hadn’t felt like the honor that had come with Matt Murdock’s covered eyes and curled lip slowly relaxing as he’d lifted his face up from Dave’s knees.

He hadn’t been inspecting.

He’d been listening. Dipping his fingers into the blood in Dave’s heart and deciding if he was worth his salt.

Matt Murdock, son of Battlin’ Jack Murdock, was a product of Fogwell’s Gym in the Kitchen.

Diamond De Luca, retired heavyweight, was a product of Fogwell’s Gym.

The stars had aligned. And Dave had stood in their path.

And he wasn’t wasting the chance that they offered him.

--

Charlie was stoked to be allowed to come to the gym with him. She usually went to Jesse’s house, where Rubes would look after both girls for a few hours.

But De Luca had said that it was okay for her to come along, and so he figured, why not?

Fogwell’s was an institution in the Kitchen. All kids deserved to know their own history.

“I’m gonna fight Fogwell himself,” Charlie announced halfway down the block.

“You will not,” Dave told her. “Because I’m not tryin’ to get thrown out before we even get started here, alright?”

Charlie whined.

He ignored it.

 --

 This wasn’t the first time he’d been to the gym. Matt Murdock slipped in and out of it when he was in the city and he’d taken the whole team there once or twice. But it was different to be there in the presence of the daytime crew.

Dave felt very small in their presence.

The whole place was full of people pounding bags and swearing and shouting at kids who were tumbling all over the rows of benches set off to the side of the bags.

It was not what Dave had been expecting.

He told the guy at the front that ‘Rudy’ had recommended that he stop by and got a nod and a wave.

“He’s probably upstairs,” the receptionist said. “Go pick a bag, I’ll give him a buzz.”

 --

 Charlie refused to join the kids on the benches because apparently that was ‘only for babies, Dad.’ She wanted to hold the bag.

She was not, in one thousand years, holding the bag.

Dave wrapped her hands and let her go at it first to ‘soften it up’ for him.

De Luca caught him adjusting the demon-child’s thumbs before they ended up at the hospital again and laughed.

“Davy-boy, you made it,” he said.

Dave snapped up straight to attention.

“I did,” he said.

De Luca laughed again.

“Relax, kid,” he said. “Damn, you’re tight wound. Don’t worry, we won’t tell no one you’re sleepin’ with the enemy.”

Ahahahaha.

Please don’t.

These people were jacked. Dave was but a kickboxing instructor.

“Here, bub, lemme see what your pops has got,” De Luca said, shooing Charlie out of the way.

And this was the moment of truth.

 --

 De Luca seemed surprised when Dave finally laid off the bag. And Dave couldn’t read his expression for a million bucks.

“Uh?” he tried. “Not good?”

De Luca blinked himself back to earth.

“Oh, no,” he said. “It’s just uh, you fight a little like someone I know.”

Please don’t say a mobster.

Please don’t say a mobster.

“Kid used to live around here; name’s Matt Murdock,” De Luca said. “You know him?”

Did—

Did he know him?

QUICK. Answer the question.

You’re takin’ too long.

He’s gonna—

“S’alright if you don’t,” De Luca said. “I was just sayin’. Kid was like one of my own.”

He—

What?

“Yeah, boy fought like the devil like his daddy before ‘im,” De Luca said. “He’s the only one Fogwell lets call him ‘Grandpa.’ He’s about your age, actually. God, I’m old.”

AHAHAHAHAHA.

Please change the subject.

“You’re not that old,” Dave said. “I think I might have heard the name.”

Charlie looked up at him, baffled at the hedging.

He pleaded with her with his eyes not to say a damn word.

“Yeah, he’s somethin’, left here for San Francisco. Didn’t even say good-bye, the little shit,” De Luca sniffed. “Came back last year all ‘I’m gettin’ married’ and I swear to god, he’s picked up some kid. Just between you and me, pal, the old guard here have been talkin’, and we think that someone missed out on the sex ed talk, if you know what I’m sayin’.”

Oh.

Poor Sam.

He wasn’t even there to scream from the mountaintops that Red was a last resort for him at best.

“I’m just sayin’,” De Luca said with a shrug that spoke far more of supreme irritation than nonchalance, “He coulda just told us. I’m just sayin’.”

Any more ‘just sayin’s’ and Diamond De Luca was gonna go find a wall to bury them in.

“Did you, uh, have any feedback?” Dave blurted out as the guy started mumbling.

“Hm?”

“Feedback,” Dave repeated, waving a gloved hand at the bag.

“Oh. Yeah, loads, kid. You got all the muscles and not a damn lick of memory, here, lemme show you.”

Crisis averted.

Thank god.

 --

 D2: hey uh, DD?

SM: DAVE

S2: DAVEEEE

S3: DAVE

SM: what’s up man?

D2: nothing I was just trying to get ahold of DD?

BT: He’s trying to get Kirsten to give up her dreams of an indoor office pond rn. Can I help?

SM: I want an indoor office pond

S3: omg same

D2: uh yeah actually could you just tell him I met a guy named De Luca the other day and he might want to give him a call?

BT: de Luca?

D2: yeah

BT: okay sure thing

D2: thanks

BT: I’ll go see if I can get a word in edgewise.

SM: good fucking luck

S2: I hate fish

S3: leave this place and never return

S2: I HATE FISH

DD: WHAT

SM: oh shit that was quick

D2: oh. I was just saying that I met Diamond De Luca the other day?

SM: ?? Who’s that?

DD: oh no

S2: ??????????????

DP (´｡✪ω✪｡´): who the fuck is that?

DD: are you still with him?

D2: no?

D2: he caught me out fliering and invited me to Fogwell’s

D2: and when I got there he mentioned my stance was like yours and he uh

D2: got a little distracted

DD: what kind of distracted?

D2: He thinks Sam’s your bastard kid

BT: GODDAMNIT

DD: FOR FUCKS SAKE

BT: First Mrs. Jones, now this guy?? TEACH.

DD: These people have zero faith in me I swear to god.

DD: like come ON man. I did sex ed in the same class as Angie he knows I’m too catholic for that shit

DP (´｡✪ω✪｡´): I looked this man up and he looks like an Italian nate with less hair

SM: wh

DP (´｡✪ω✪｡´): okay you’re right he looks nothing like nate

SM: that

SM: that’s not even slightly helpful, wade, thanks not at all. Hey who’s angie?

DD: long story. Rudy’s daughter

S2: RED YOU FUCKED A BOXERS DAUGHTER?? That’s a million dollar baby man

DD: I

DD: what?

DD: no? Why would I fuck angie she’s like my sister?

S2: oh nvm

SM: 😬😬😬

S3: I am confused ❤

D2: you should probably call him, friend

DD: on it. thanks for the notice

DD: hey what’s your fuckin name again?

S2: f

S3: f

SM: f

D2: It’s Ansel

DD: Adams?

D2: not the photographer. Ansel West.

SM: WEST

S2: OMG

S3: guys don’t

SM: I BET YOURE A SUNSET DAVE

S2: YOU EVER FEEL CALLED TO THE PRAIRIE DAVE???

SM: YOU’RE A&W, DAVE!!

S2: ROOT BEER ROOT BEER

D2: ah yes. Middle school. I remember this feeling.

--

Dave laid his phone on his chest and stared back up at the ceiling.

It was never dull, this new life he’d settled into.

He said a prayer for Murdock and rolled onto his side.

It was still his goddamn couch.

 --

#fic #inimitable verse #ficlet #team red

[apostlearcana]

Bits and pieces of a fic I wanted to write, wrote half of, and now feel like I have to tweak and twist and fix... are laying around on my Google Docs drive, and of course one of them is Plasmius coming back after thirteen years of drifting in space and being a- terrible person. What a surprise.

Of course when Phantom corners him after the last two weeks of secret bullshit he’s pulled to no one’s knowledge, it gets hairy and angry and we have a villain going hammy. Sorta.

If you don’t count the mentions that Dani and Dash were murdered thanks to him.

--

“Really, old man? The football field? You couldn’t think of a better place?”

Phantom landed gently on the grass at the forty-five yard line, fists clenched and eyes ablaze with fury. Even after all these years, it was still surreal to actually see the ghost in front of him. 

Vlad Plasmius was ten yards away, watching the man with the slightest hint of a smile. Just like old times, the two arch enemies stood on neutral grounds to keep the playing field even- so Phantom wanted to think. 

There was something off about this, however.

Even with his friends and family fighting off the army of clones that Plasmius had crafted, he had been so easy to locate. The Ghost Punk Spotter had been pretty helpful in that regard, much to his surprise. It also made him wonder, though; did that mean Plasmius was a complete ghost now and not a hybrid?

Plasmius did not answer Phantom’s quip, his head tilting to the right. “Does it matter?”

There was no mockingness in his tone. Phantom knew there was something wrong now, given the voice. He had heard it in his dreams for so long, but to hear it again in-person brought a cold shiver down his spine.

“Kinda does, y’know. Symbolic, some game of whatever the hell you’re playing… the works.” Phantom tried to keep it somewhat lighthearted, but it was falling flat. “What the fuck are you doing here anyway?”

The other ghost snorted softly. “That should be obvious, Daniel.”

There it was; that name, the full name that Vlad gave him whenever he was chiding and condescending was spoken, and Phantom unclenched his fists. He crossed his arms, scowling now. “Some game of four-dee hologram chess that neither our families or we can barely comprehend with our minds, right? Still a fuckin’ chessmaster with all these dumb moves before anyone else can catch on.” 

Phantom raised his hand, mimicking Vlad’s voice. “‘Oh Daniel, you can’t even begin to fathom what I have in store for you and your family. I’m going to take them all from you, and then I’m going to take you out like the insignificant child you are.’” His posh voice stopped, and he lowered his hand. “Well? How close am I?”

Plasmius did not move, sans his eyes. They narrowed just slightly, and he did not reply to the mocking voice. Instead, there was a little smile that was on his lips; he would have been impressed years ago, had his human half still been alive. 

Those days were long gone.

Phantom clenched his fists again; he was pushing for a response. Any response now would work- anger, despair, a laugh. He just wanted something from the other, and he gritted his teeth. “Your game is up, Plasmius. We all know about your scheme to take over Amity Park, we know you killed Dani and Dash, the board of directors… all of it.”

Plasmius still did not open his mouth. That little smile remained.

“Well? Am I right?” Phantom challenged. “Did I get it all right? Or did I miss a piece? What’s the endgame?” His hands began to glow with emerald green energy, anger seeping into his words. “Why won’t you say something, god dammit?! Where’re your stupid cracks about Mom? Dad? Me? What do you want?!” 

He threw his hands up in front of him, raising them over his head before thrusting them forward. A beam of energy shot towards Plasmius, connecting with the target and engulfing the ghost with its brilliant light. Phantom’s eyes squinted before he stopped the attack of energy and lowered his hands.

Plasmius remained standing, not a hair out of place and a cloud of dust settling at his feet. His head moved, the smile now gone and eyes still on the adult. 

“God, you’re a fucking pain,” Phantom spat, leaning forward. “If you won’t talk-”

“You’ll what?”

Phantom went back upright, hands still clenched. That was what he was looking for- words, talking, any kind of banter at all. Deep down, he knew it was a fruitless endeavor; the whispers in his head told him everything. ‘No more games. No more fun.’

“You truly believe this is some ‘four-dee chess match’ I’ve been playing,” Plasmius continued. Even as he spoke softly, it carried more than his screams ever did all those years ago. There was malice dripping from every word; there was no point in mocking what Phantom was thinking. “That I have been planning this for years, that I’m here to fulfill some project or whatever that mind of yours is thinking.”

"You always used to, fruit-loop.” The joke fell flat again.

“What if I told you there is no endgame? There is no grand scheme; there is no ace in the hole I have to play to sway you or your family.” He tilted his head again, his gaze fixated on the one man who made his life what it was now. “If I had any endgame… it would be to make you wish you were dead.”

The speech was so clear; there were no lies to what Plasmius had said. Phantom swallowed and spoke just as softly as his nemesis. “You’ve gotta be kidding me. That’s it? That’s all you’ve got? Dude, you’ve got some fuckin’ issues.”

Plasmius raised a brow slowly. “And what do you expect from one who’s lost his humanity, Daniel?”

“Wh-?”

Plasmius slowly raised a hand at the hero, his gaze steady. “Tell me. As one who exposed himself, lost his other half, spent years drifting in space and battling his own sorts of demons only to realize that the one thing that could fulfill his desires was the torture of one man that sent you toppling over the edge…” 

The hand glowed that familiar magenta hue, hair whipping back behind him as he smiled with his fangs in view. 

“I ask you again, Daniel- what would you expect?”

Phantom’s hands were alight once again, crouching into a defensive position. “Really wouldn’t expect you to show your face around here again, that’s for sure.” 

His mind was swimming in an overload of information, shaking his head and trying to block out the words echoing in his mind.

“Doesn’t really matter though. I’ll just kick your ass for old time’s sake and make sure you don’t come back here ever again.”

Deep down, he knew that would not happen. He was in trouble. He was in so much trouble.

He was fucked.

Plasmius knew it, too. He watched Phantom with that fanged smile. “...come.”

And Phantom did.

#danny phantom #vlad masters #adri's fic snips #fan fiction #vlad plasmius #i needed a new tag for my little things so here we go! #everyone loves Badger Cereal and all the other goods #i'll be over here providing the 'VLAD IS AN ASSHAT' content #someone has to do it

[littlemrcaprisun]

TW: major character death, mentions of illness/disease, extreme alcohol consumption

This time wouldn’t be any different than the last: Dani would pack up her bag, kiss her girlfriend goodbye and go stay with her mom for a few weeks. They’d go to doctors appointments, she’d give her mother poisonous cocktails through an IV that made Dani question how it even helped, and then she’d take the long drive back home. Every time the disease recurred the four of them; her two sisters and their mother, would spend hours discussing what the game plan was going to be. It never changed. Sofia was always too busy with school halfway across the country and god forbid anyone asked her to come care for her dying mother. Then there was Tiffany, the baby, she lived with Alcina but at 16 and in high school there wasn’t much the poor kid could do for their mother. So that was the end of it.

This last call felt different, Alcina felt more desperate for Dani to come, for both her and Sofia to come. Sofia made a promise to come at the end of the semester and Dani swore at her for five minutes while Alcina tried to calm her and Tiffany cried. Mother was dying and Sofia was wasting precious time with her. Dani told Sofia to go fuck herself and hung up and hasn’t spoken to her since. That was two weeks ago. Now as Dani pulls into the long drive of the mansion just beyond the family vineyard, she wants to vomit. How much longer would they have to do this? How much longer could their mother hold on like this?

It took her a full five minutes of standing outside the front door before she was finally able to knock. From the other side of the door Dani can hear the wheels of the IV stand getting louder as her mother approaches the door and as the door opens Dani’s breath leaves her body. Alcina has never looked this horrible. Her face was a hollow shell of what it used to be, dark empty eyes, unnaturally protruding cheekbones; but her smile was still warm and still felt like home. Dani refused to hug her, she couldn’t bring herself to do it, that wouldn’t feel like her mom.

“Hello, little ladybug.” Her voice doesn’t even sound right. It’s tired, raspy, just sick. Dani can’t even explain it any better than sick. “Oh, Daniela, please stop staring at me. I know I look atrocious, I have to see myself everyday.”

“You always look beautiful, mother.” Dani’s comment is quick and she brushes it off as quickly as it comes out. “Where’s Laughy Taffy?” Dani crosses into the foyer and throws her bag down next to the stairs to deal with later. The house smells more and more like a hospital the closer Dani gets to her mother’s bedroom. It feels far more familiar than the sickly sweet artificial scents her mother kept to try to cover the smell of disinfectants and latex gloves. Dani can’t help herself when she passes by but to open the door and peak inside. The sight should fill her with sadness but it makes her angry. The machines’ gentle hums sound more like laughs mocking Dani, the hospital bed sitting at 45 degree feels like it is sitting up and judging her, the pepto-pink emesis buckets stacked nearby make her nauseous. This just had to happen to their family. This just had to ruin their lives.

“They brought a new machine last week.” Tiffany’s soft melodic voice interrupts Dani from the rage building in her chest. “It’s so she can do all of her treatments at home now. I can show you how it works.”

Dani turns around and all but throws herself at her sister, pulling her not so little sister into her arms. “You can show me that stuff later. I wanna know about how you’re doing. You’re like 6 feet talk now, right? Almost as tall as mother.”

“Yeah… Last doctor's appointment I was around 5’8” or something.” Tiffany shrugs it off, trying to act like she wasn’t proud of her height, like she didn’t love towering over her older sister.

“Why did you have to go to the doctor?” That word was like a bad omen in this house. It left their mouths feeling dry and their skin crawling.

“Just my yearly physical for tennis. Don’t worry.” But worry was the only thing that they could do in this family. Every second was spent worrying whether or not Alcina was going to have another nose bleed, or if she was going to be able to get out of her chair, or if she would even wake up in the fucking morning. “So, has she talked much about this with you? Or is she keeping everything to herself again? The doctor had to call me again this time because she wouldn’t.” Dani tries to keep it casual as if this is the kind of conversation they have everyday, though at this point that’s what it was turning into. Tiffany’s face grows solemn and grows dark.

“She won’t tell me anything, neither will the doctors, but I know it’s worse. She is so sick. She throws up all night and her medicine is stronger and sometimes she doesn’t remember who I am…” Tiffany starts hyperventilating and Dani hugs her once again.

“Hey, hey. Don’t worry about it. It’s gonna be just like last time, okay? She’s gonna be sick for awhile, I’ll be here for a few months then she’ll start to feel a little better, then she’ll go back into remission.” Dani assures Tiffany, not realizing that their mother was standing behind them listening to everything.

“Tiff, my sweet, will you go grab my pill box from the kitchen? I forgot it before dragging myself up here.” Alcina makes them jump with her sudden appearance. Tiffany bounds down the stairs, ready and willing to do anything for her mother at any moment. “Dani, come here. We need to speak.”

They sit on the edge of the thin, firm hospital grade mattress and Dani knows the bad news is coming: a new prognosis.

“How long? Just tell me.” Dani looks down at the beige carpet, focusing on a faded stain where she had spilled grape juice when she was 6.

“Daniela… please.” Alcina reaches for her child’s hand but she pulls away. “Three months.”

Suddenly, Dani feels like she’s going to pass out. That’s the shortest time they’ve ever given her. Nothing hurt this bad, nothing had ever knocked the air out of her lungs like this just did. “Wh-Why? What happened? You’ve always been able to manage this and you’ve always been able to come back from this. You’ll be fine.”

“Ladybug, we always knew this would happen.” Alcina is trying to be gentle but that isn’t what Dani needs. Dani needs to know now.

“Mother, tell me, now.”

“It’s progressed. There is no chance for remission, there is no more treatment, there is nothing else. This is the end of the line, my sweet.” Alcina seems peaceful and that makes Dani angry. She wishes she could feel anything but angry. “I’m ready, it's okay. The medicine will help keep me comfortable until I slip away. It won’t be painful.”

“For you…” Dani’s eyes burn. “What about Tiffany? Are you just going to keep lying to her? She thinks you’re going to get better!” Dani doesn’t want to yell at the poor fragile woman but it just comes out but before she knows it her mother’s arms are wrapped around her holding her tight.

“We’re all going to be okay.”

#lady dimitrescu #alcina dimitrescu #lady alcina #lady alcina dimitrescu #daniela dimitrescu #resident evil village #resident evil viii

[abbatoirablaze]

The Understudies, The Betrayal Of Ben

Word Count:  1.5k

Warnings:  angst, mentions of cheating, lying, manipulation, jealousy, fighting, implied smut, mentions of fighting with knives/blood, implied death of a major character.

“Look, Ben…it’s not like I planned it, it just sort of hap-“

“Klaus…please stop talking.”

Klaus frowned as he looked at the brother he was closest to, “I mean…you think you’re upset, imagine how Briana feels…she went to support the band even after they kicked her out, and then Danielle kisses Diego…that’s ro-“

“Klaus…”

“Right,” he agreed, nodding his head, “I just…I couldn’t not tell you…you’re my brother.  My compadre…my best friend. My-”

“Klaus…maybe you should go…I think I just want to have some time to myself.”

“Yeah…right…sure,” he agreed, feeling bad that he’d told his brother about his girlfriend cheating on him, “that’s a lot of information for anyone to take in, let al-“

“Klaus…”

“YEAH, WELL HE’S LYING,” Danielle screamed at her boyfriend as he confronted her, “HOW ABOUT THAT?”

“Dani…why would Klaus lie about that?”

“Because he hates that we’re dating!” she said quickly, “he’s always hated me.  He’s always been against me, from day one.”

“No he hasn’-“

“Hasn’t he?” she asked, “how about when we were eight, and he had a ghost haunt me for a week?  Or when we were eleven, and he had a ghost read my diary and then he told everyone all my secrets?”

“Dan-“

“He’s been trying to break us up ever since we started dating, Ben…”

Ben sighed, knowing that he wasn’t going to get anywhere from her.  But he did, however, know that if Klaus was telling the truth there was one other person, he could ask…and he knew that Diego wouldn’t lie about it. 

Diego looked defeated when he opened his bedroom door and saw that it was Ben standing there.  His shoulders slouched and he instantly looked away from him.  Behind the door Ben could spot a small box of what looked like Briana’s stuff. 

“Is it true?”

“L-look, if you’re he-he-here to yell at me, then you can g-go to h-h-hell,” he growled, stuttering out his reply.  He went to shut his door in Ben’s face, but he stopped it, “g-go away, B-b-Ben.”

“Look, I need to know if it’s true,” Ben said angrily, staring down his brother, “Dani said that she never kissed you, but Klaus told me tha-“

“Klaus!” he scoffed, rolling his eyes, “of course it was Klaus that told you.  Like him taking Briana’s virginity wasn’t eno-“

“Klaus had sex with Briana?”

Diego’s jaw tensed, “ye-y-yeah…he did…and she was so pissed off about the kiss that when I walked into the bathroom and saw him having sex with her, she slowed me down.  I could see everything…b-bu-but I couldn’t move…I had to watch Klaus have sex with m-m-my girlfriend.”

“She didn’t break up with you?” Diego looked away, and Ben noticed a box of her stuff sitting by the door yet again, his brother’s eyes falling sadly on it, “she did break up with you…”

“Go away Ben…”

“Ben…wh-what are you doing here?”

But Ben didn’t answer.  Instead, he swiftly swept Brianna up in his arms and their lips met.  She gasped into the kiss, both surprised, and taken back by Ben’s forwardness. 

Growing up they hadn’t really talked a whole lot, but he was always kind to her.  He taught her and Vanya all of the training that Reginald refused to give them when they were younger.  And at one point, she had even developed a small crush on him. 

That had all faded away though when they turned twelve, and he and Dani started dating.

But now, to have his lips on hers, was confusing at best.  And while she didn’t want the experience to end, she was quick to push Ben away. 

Her fingers raced to touch her lips, “Ben….wh-what was that for?  Why did you do that?  I-you-you’re dating Dani.”

“I-it’s something I should have done a long time ago,” he admitted, swallowing his nervousness, “I-I always had a crush on you, but Dani told me you didn’t like me like that, a-“

“What?”

“When we were kids,” he admitted, nervously rambling through it all, “I helped you and Vanya train all the time…it was-it was because I liked you…but Dani said that you liked Diego, and-“

“I had a crush on you then too…”

“You did?” he asked.  Ben looked at her, his heart racing as she nodded, “c-can I kiss you again, Bri?”

She nodded once more, and he instantly swept her up into his arms all over again.

“I think I’m in love with you…” Briana’s heart stopped as she looked at Ben.  He gave her a soft look and his hand reached up to brush some hair behind her ear, “I think I’m in love with you, Briana.”

“Ben, you can’t jus-“

“I’ve known it since we were kids,” he said softly, pulling her closer to his bare chest, “we-I-I just…we’re manipulated by everyone around us, Bri…”

“T-they our family, Ben…”

“Run away with me,” he begged, “I-I’ll leave the group.  We’ll leave the Umbrella Academy behind…it’ll just be the two of us.  No Reginald.  No Dani or Diego.  No Allison or Luthor or-“

“What about Vanya and Klaus?”

He smiled, his hand gently taking hers.  He pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles, “oh…we’re not abandoning Vanya…or Klaus…they’re stuck with us.”

She giggled, but that quickly faded, and a frown placed itself on her lips, “Ben…th-this is all happening too fast…we-we have to think it through.  I-this all…I-I’m not a replacement for Dani, you know.  I’m not her.”

“I imagined it a million times when we were kids,” he said thoughtfully, “me and you running off and never looking back…”

“Ben…”

“Think it over…we have one final mission tonight…and we’ll be back tomorrow…if you want to run with me…we’ll never look back.”

“I don’t need to think,” she said quickly, “i-I want to run away with you Ben.”

“One more mission!” he promised.

Ben regretted saying that he’d do one more mission. 

Everything was going sideways. 

The dynamic was off. 

Luthor was barely leading anyone. His mind was caught up in how Allison had rejected him yet again.   And Diego had a chip on his shoulder from Briana still.  Klaus was high.  The only ones who were trying were Ben and Allison. 

“SON OF A BITCH!” Ben’s eyes shot to Diego’s and then back to his own uniform which was staining with his own blood, “ARE YOU SERIOUS?”

“BEN MOVE!” Diego growled, trying to throw another one of his knives past his brother.  It barely missed him but went into a henchman’s arm behind him.

“THIS IS LIKE PARIS ALL OVER AGAIN!”

“IS NOT!”

“IS TOO!”

“WOULD YOU TWO IDIOTS STOP FIGHTING?”

“Let’s just get this over with,” Ben growled, glaring at Diego, “stop messing up and we can go home.”

“Some of us don’t have anything to go home to!” Klaus said in a daze as he took a punch from another henchman.  Diego launched a knife straight into the man’s throat, “HEY!  I was sort of winning”

“Winning best punching bag, maybe!”

“At least I’m an honest punching bag.”

“GUYS, STOP!” Allison demanded.  She turned towards the henchmen that were surrounding Luthor, “I heard a rumor that you all jus-“

But she was cut off when another guy hit her in the back, knocking her to her knees.

“Why so anxious to get back, huh?” Diego taunted, “it’s not like you have anything to go back to either.  Allison has Hollywood.  Luthor has space.  We just have that stupid ho-“

“I have Briana,” Ben growled, throwing his anger, as well as his powers towards his brother.  A tentacle swiped angrily past him, slicing a henchman in half, “last night I did what you were too much of a jerk to do.”

Diego stopped fighting and looked at his brother, “what are you talking about?”

“I’m in love with her, Diego,” Ben said quickly, turning towards another henchmen, “we’re leaving the Umbrella Academy.”

But none of the siblings were aware that one man was listening in on the comms.  His heart dropped at the thought of his favorite child running away with number six.  He pressed a button so that he was tuned in only to number three.

“Number three…it’s time…”

“I-what?”

She looked around at her siblings, a frown on her face as she rose to her knees, knowing what he was about to tell her. 

“You know what to do,” he reminded her firmly, “if any of you were to leave the group-“

“Reginal-“

“NUMBER THREE!” he commanded angrily, his hand harshly bouncing on the control panel, “YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO.”

Allison looked at her brothers who were bickering, knowing that she was going to be the reason today ended terribly.  Her heart broke, and a few tears slid down her cheeks, “I-I don’t want to do it…”

“Number three, you do it, or I’ll pull you from Hollywood so quickly yo-“

“I heard a rumor,” she whispered, the waves already echoing throughout the chamber they were fighting in, “that Diego killed Ben, but that it looks like the mission went sideways to everyone else and that we couldn’t save him.”

“Very good, number three.” He commended, “now take cover…a battle between two and six is sure to get ugly.”

#the umbrella academy #tua #the understudies #netflix #dark horse comics #number 3 #number 4 #number 2 #number 6 #the kraken #the rumor #the seance #the horror #diego hargreeves #allison hargreeves #klaus hargreeves #ben hargreeves #reginald hargreeves

[damianwaynerocks]

Ghosts in Gotham

Danny Phantom / DC Comics fanfic

Dedicated to: @dannyphantom-justiceleauge

Summary: The Batfamily has been through their fair share of the supernatural. That’s why they originally weren’t worried whenever ghosts started showing up in Gotham City. Until one day, something happens; Batman is captured and taken into the Ghost Zone. With no way to go in there themselves, the no way to fight the ghosts inside, the bats decide to call the person who can; Danny Phantom. Together, Danny takes Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown and Damian Wayne into the Ghost Zone before the Batman is lost forever.

Words: 2032

ch 2 Masterlist

Chapter 1:

-

Every city had its hero.

Gotham City? Batman. Metropolis? Superman. Central City? The Flash.

Amity Park? Danny Phantom.

Amity Park had mixed feelings about Phantom. Some said he was a helper, a true hero, keeping the town safe. Others said he was a criminal, doing nothing but wreaking havoc on the town. Either way, Phantom was known for one specific thing; fighting ghosts.

Which is what he was doing at the moment.

"I am!! The Box Ghost!!" a short, stocky ghost shouted. His eyes glowed blue and an aura of the same color surrounded the boxes crowding the back of a movie theater. "Beware!" he raised his arms and hurled three boxes at a figure who easily dodged.

"Come on, Box Ghost," a teenage boy with white hair and green eyes floating above the ground groaned. "I don't have time for this! I have to order the new Cheese Viking game before it sells out!"

"Beware!" The Box Ghost shouted again, throwing more boxes at the boy.

Danny Phantom rolled his eyes as his body became intangible, the boxes easily passing through it. He raised his arm, and a blast of bright green energy shot from his palm, hitting the Box Ghost square in the chest. The Box Ghost, with a grunt, was blown back into the brick wall of the movie theater.

Not wasting any time, Danny grabbed the thermos that he had strapped to his back and pointed it at the other ghost. In a flash of light, the Box Ghost was sucked into the thermos.

"Finally," Danny muttered as he took off into the sky.

Danny Phantom, his real name being Danny Fenton, was a sixteen-year-old halfa, or a ghost-human hybrid. He could switch between ghost and human form at will. He'd gotten his powers from an accident with the Ghost Portal, a portal in his home that was a bridge between the human world and the Ghost Zone, where every ghost resides.

Ghosts repeatedly escaped the Ghost Zone through this portal for one of three reasons; to wreak havoc on the human world, to kill Danny or both. Usually, it was the latter.

Danny returned to his house, passing through the walls of the building with intangibility and landing in the lab. He switched back to his human form in a flash of light, changing his hair color from white to black and his eyes from green to blue.

His family was made up of ghost hunters- aside from his sister -so they had an entire lab dedicated to ghost technology.

"Back you go, Boxy," Danny said as he released the Box Ghost into the portal. "Finally," he sighed, "Time to get Cheese Viking."

"No!" he shouted five minutes later at his computer. The new Cheese Viking, Danny's favorite game, had sold out.

"Danny!" a large man in an orange jumpsuit burst into the boy's room. "Are you okay!? Are you hurt!?"

"No, Dad, I'm fine," Danny replied to his father, Jack Fenton. "Except for that stupid Box Ghost making me too late to get Cheese Viking!"

He hadn't told his parents about his life as Phantom until he was fifteen. Well, it wasn't Danny who told them. His sister found him in his room passed out with a gaping hole in his side, and she had to tell their parents so they could help him.

Jack paused. "But.. you got him?" he asked cheerily. Danny smiled.

"Yeah. I got him." Jack slapped him on the back.

"Thatta boy!" he said with a grin. "Come on, Jazz got a letter from Wayne Enterprises and your mom wants the whole family to watch her open it!"

Jazz, Danny's sister, had just graduated high school and had applied for an internship at Wayne Enterprises, one of the largest businesses in the world. An internship there would kick-start her career in marketing. That was the reason she claimed, but Danny was sure that part of the reason was that Bruce Wayne, the billionaire who owned Wayne Enterprises, was cute.

"Finally!" Jazz, a girl with long red hair and a blue headband huffed. "I haven't been able to look for three hours! What were you out doing?"

"Uh, my job?" Danny smirked as he hopped over the back of the couch to sit on it. Jazz rolled her eyes.

"Open it, dear!" Their mom, Maddie Fenton, urged. Jazz grinned widely, opening the letter. Her smile grew, and she jumped up and down.

"I got it!" she squealed. "I got it!! I got the internship!!"

"That's great, Jazz!" the other three Fentons exclaimed at once. Jazz seemed to get even more excited as she continued reading the letter.

"And," she continued excitedly, "All the interns are expected to attend the next Wayne Gala with their families! All expenses paid!"

"Yes!" Jack cried. "We're going to New Jersey, baby!" As the entire family celebrated, Danny couldn't help but be suspicious. Jazz had applied late and while she was smart, she wouldn't have been anything special next to the other applicants.

Something was up. _

"So what, you think she only got accepted because of you?" A girl with short black hair raised an eyebrow as they walked through the halls of their high school. "Why, exactly?"

"Because, Sam," Danny responded to his girlfriend. "It's weird. I was looking at the Infi-map, and there's a portal to the Ghost Zone in Gotham that wasn't there a month ago. And get this? It's five miles away from Wayne Manor.”

"You think Bruce Wayne wants you out of the way for some plan?

"It wouldn't be the first time somebody did."

"But how would he even know who you are?" Sam Manson asked, "I mean, there's no way he knows that you're Phantom."

"Um, because he's Batman?" An African American boy walking beside them scoffed as though it was obvious. "Batman knows everything."

Danny and Sam laughed. "Tucker, seriously?" Danny shook his head in disbelief. "That conspiracy? Batman and Bruce Wayne have been seen at the same time in the same place multiple times.”

"Okay, well, you can clone yourself! Who's to say Batman can't? Or maybe it's a hologram! Or maybe it's one of his thousand children in the suit!" Tucker Foley counted on his fingers as he rattled off the various theories. His eyes widened, and he grabbed Danny's shoulders. "Dude, you have to get proof."

"There's no way I'd be able to get close enough to Bruce Wayne to prove anything."

"Then trick him!" Tucker said, his eyes bright. "Most of Bruce's adopted kids are boys with black hair and blue eyes! Just say you're an orphan and I bet he'll be like 'Of course you can stay, I am always down for more children."

"Okay, first of all," Danny began, adjusting his backpack on his shoulder and prying his friends arms off of him. “His son Damian? That kid scares me, he gives off Dash vibes. Did you see how he made that interviewer cry?"

A few months prior, a video had surfaced that showed Damian Wayne insulting a girl who was trying to give him an interview. The two-minute video ended with the girl crying.

"And second of all-" Danny was cut off as he was shoved to the ground. He looked up to see Dash Baxter, a muscular boy with blonde hair.

"Watch where you're going, Fen-freak," Dash sneered, "Before I shove your puny face into a locker!"

Danny gritted his teeth as he sat up. Dash had been picking on him from the beginning of high school. Two years later, he hadn't stopped.

On any other occasion, Danny would have said something in response, but Dash had already continued down the hall.

"Why can't you just zap him or something?" Tucker grumbled. "He's the worst!"

"Yeah, I know," Danny stood up, wiping dust off of his shirt. "But I can't. It isn't right."

"Your moral code is dumb," his friend snapped back.

"If you're going to Gotham," said Sam with a pointed look at Tucker. "Who's gonna be here to help with the ghosts?"

"I've got it covered," Danny replied swiftly, looking up. "Dani's coming down.  It'll be fine. I have to keep Jazz safe, and figure out what Brucie Wayne is up to."

__

"I am sure Father would have a better plan than to invite some under-qualified intern to the Manor."

A seventeen-year-old boy with spiky black hair rolled his eyes. "Damian, she isn't under-qualified. She meets all of the qualifications for the internship."

The first boy, an Arab thirteen-year-old with the same spiky hair and bright green eyes, scoffed. "There is no way a person from some backwater town would have received the internship if we hadn't needed her brother."

Tim Drake and Damian Wayne, the youngest children of Bruce Wayne. Damian currently held the Robin mantle, while Tim used Red Robin. The brothers were in a large cave decked out with a plethora of high-tech equipment.

"Okay, but you think every place outside of Gotham is a backwater town." Tim pointed out as he swiveled his chair to face a massive computer.

"Amity Park is a backwater town. The citizens there are animals," Damian retorted, crossing his arms. "You just cannot see that because you are also a backwater type."

Tim laughed as he realized what the younger boy was basing his opinion on. "Damian, please tell me you haven't generalized an entire city just because of one tourist from Amity Park ran into you and spilled soda on your shirt."

"It was my favorite shirt! And that cretin did not even apologize!" Damian spat. "The nerve!"

"Okay, well, put aside your dumb grudge and think about the objective," Tim responded. "I think, if you look within that thing you call a soul, you can see that letting one intern that you think is under-qualified is worth getting Bruce back."

"Tt. I suppose," Damian admitted begrudgingly. "If this Danny Phantom character truly has the potential to save Father."

"He's the only one who can." Tim reminded him. "We can't get into the Ghost Zone without a ghost, and I don't think any of the ones we've seen so far would be willing to help," He paused. "Plus, don't the Fentons make ghost hunting gear? Who knows, maybe they have a ghost sword."

After a sudden wave of ghost attacks in Gotham, Bruce had poured in countless hours of research to find out as much as he could about ghosts. He had discovered that they came from another dimension and that there was one person who was an expert at fighting them; Danny Phantom of Amity Park. It didn't take very long for him to uncover Phantom's true identity.

"Tim! Dames!" a voice shouted. "My boys!" Tim and Damian looked towards the stairs and saw a taller man with black hair and blue eyes jump the railing of said stairs, landing in the Bat Cave.This was their oldest brother, Dick Grayson, also known as Nightwing. He grinned brightly. "How's it going?"

"Making sure that we have every possible outcome of this mission prepared for." Tim replied as he continued typing on the Bat Computer. Damian nodded.

“Yes, and so I have decided that I shall accompany them on this journey."

"Damian, no." his older brothers said at the same time. Damian scowled.

"Why not? I am plenty capable of-

"Because people would get suspicious if Batman suddenly didn't have a Robin," Dick answered, strolling towards the younger boy. "That's why Jason, Tim, and Stephanie are going. They won't be missed," He gave Tim a nervous look. "No offense."

"None taken," Tim replied, waving his hand. "Sorry Damian, you'd just get in the way."

"But I have died before!" Damian huffed, his hands clenching into fists. "That combined with my skills- which are far greater than yours, Drake, I might add -makes me much more qualified than you."

"Little D, dude, I just told you," Dick ruffled his younger brother's hair. "It'll be suspicious if you're gone. And besides, I need you. We're a great team."

"But my father is in there-"

"Master Damian-" their butler, Alfred Pennyworth, interrupted the trio's squabbling. "You won't be going anywhere until your homework is done."

"Homework? Finding my father is much more important than an essay on why the Roman empire fe-"

"Master Damian." Alfred repeated in a low tone. "Now."

Damian scowled as he trudged up the stairs. It didn't matter how tough the person was. When Alfred told you to do something, you do it. "I will be going with you, Drake!" he called behind his shoulder. "I promise you that!"

Dick and Tim exchanged a glance and rolled their eyes.

"Children."

#phantom planet? we dont know her here #people dont know danny is phantom #danny phantom #danny fenton #danny phantom fanfic #danny phantom fanfiction #danny phanfic #phanfiction #phanfic #tucker foley #sam manson #danny phantom headcanons #incorrect danny phantom quotes #danny phantom crossover #batfamily #tim drake #red robin #damian wayne #robin #damian wayne fanfic #jason todd #red hood #jason todd fanfiction #dick grayson #batfamily fanfiction #danny phantom batfamily crossover #danny phantom dc comics #danny phantom justice league #my writing #ghosts in gotham

[winchesterbrotherstan]

SPN- Croatoan (2.09)

🥺🥺🥺

Pairing: Olive Winchester (sister OC)

Summary: After Sam sees something in a vision, the siblings set out. The case tests their bond, and Dean reveals a startling secret

(tbh i think you can tell how much tv i watch based off how i write descriptions LMAO)

Warnings: cursing, blood, uhh it’s a virus so maybe don’t read if current events are freaking you out, death, some shooting, guns, uhh, so much blood, olive growls a lot i felt like a furry writing this, uhh, idk, the usual

Word Count: 6719

I snorted at Dean’s joke as I pushed the motel door open, tossing the keys onto the table by the window. Dean shut it behind me, and Jinx came running, howling and whining. I looked up to see that the room was empty.

“Sam?”

He popped up between the beds, panting. I shoved the bag of beef jerky into Dean’s hands and ran to Sam, kneeling beside him.

“Sammy?”

“Sam?” Dean joined me, eyebrows creased in concern.

“No…”

                                                             ***

“Continue on OR 224 West.”

“There are only two towns in the US named Rivergrove.”

“How come you’re so sure it’s the one in Oregon?” I asked, running my hand through Sam’s hair.

He sighed and squeezed his eyes shut. “Uh, there was a picture. Crater Lake.”

“Alright, what else?” I coaxed.

“I saw a dark room, some people. A guy tied to a chair.”

“And I ventilated him?” Dean asked, glancing over and then back at the road.

“Yeah.” Sam nodded. “You thought there was something inside of him.”

“What, a demon? Was he possessed?”

“I don’t know.” Sam whispered.

“It’s okay.” I cooed, hand still in his hair.

My arm was hooked around the back of the bench and I was propped up on my own feet, but playing with each other’s hair was something the three of us always did to calm each other. Jinx was standing on her hind legs and pawing at my hands.

“Well,” Dean sighed. “Your weird-ass visions are always tied to Yellow-Eyes somehow… was there any black smoke? Did we try to exorcise it?”

“No.” Sam shook his head. “Nothing, you just plugged him. That’s it.”

“Well, I’m sure there was a logical explanation.” I shot Dean an anxious look.

“I sure hope so.” Sam mumbled.

“What does that mean?”

Sam said nothing, and I looked at Dean again, chewing at my bottom lip.

“I mean, I’m not gonna waste an innocent man.”

Sam’s eyebrows shot up, and I glared at him.

“I wouldn’t!” Dean protested.

“I never said you would!” Sam hissed.

“Fine!”

“Fine!”

“Boys!” I took my hand away from Sam’s hair and sat back down with an angry huff. 

Jinx let out a loud whine, curling up in the backseat.

I sighed. “Cut it out. Look, we don’t know what it is. But whatever it is, that guy in the chair is a part of it. So let’s find him, and let’s see what’s what.”

“Fine.” Dean frowned.

Sam scowled. “Fine.”

                                                              ***

I shivered as we walked across the patchy lawn, toward an older man, who was cleaning his rifle. Jinx pulled on the leash, and Sam cleared his throat as he pulled back. I could barely manage her at this point.

“Morning.” Dean greeted.

“Good morning.” The man set the rifle down. “Can I help you?”

“Yeah.” Dean flashed his badge. “Uh, Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard, Dani Mitchell. U.S. Marshals.”

The man eyed me and then Jinx, and Sam cleared his throat. “She’s a trainee, she’s at the top of her class. This is Jinx.” He motioned to the dog. “She’s also in training.”

“What’s this about?”

“We’re looking for someone.” I spoke, looking up at Sam.

“A young man, early twenties.” He blinked, hard. “Uh, he’d have a, uh, a thin scar right below his hairline.”

“What’d he do?”

“Well, nothing. We’re actually looking for someone else, but we think this young man could help us.”

“He’s not in any sort of trouble or anything.” I eyed the man. “At least not yet.”

Dean’s head tilted ever so slightly, and a small grin flashed over his face. My own lips twitched into a smirk. He had just found us a way in.

“I think maybe you know who he is… Master Sergeant.” He smiled. “My dad was in the Corps. He was a Corporal.”

The man’s face softened. “What company?”

“Echo-2-1.”

Sam and I looked at each other, then back to the man. “So can you help us?”

He hesitated, then sighed. “Duane Tanner’s got a scar like that. But I know him. Good kid, keeps his nose clean.”

“Oh, I’m sure he does.” Dean smiled. “You know where he lives?”

“With his family. Up Aspen Way.” The man pointed.

“Thank you.” Dean nodded his head.

We turned on our heels and started back toward the car. I couldn’t shake the bad feeling in my stomach. I looked over my shoulder, only to see the man staring at us with a nasty glare. I stumbled over a crack in the road, and Dean snatched me back onto my feet.

“You okay, Ol?”

I nodded. “Yeah. Just got a bad feeling.”

Sam was already across the street, staring at something on a telephone pole.

“Sams?”

He waved us over and pointed.

CROATOAN

“What’s that?” Dean frowned.

I huffed. “Roanoke.”

Dean stared blankly.

“Dude. Lost colony? Ring a bell?”

Dean shook his head, and Sam rolled his eyes.

“Did you even pay attention in history class?” I squinted.

“Yeah!” Dean scoffed defensively. “Shots heard round the world, how bills become laws…”

I giggled. “That’s not school, De.”

“That’s Schoolhouse Rock.” Sam scoffed.

Dean rolled his eyes.

“Roanoke was one of the first English colonies in America. What was it, late 1500s?” I looked up at Sam.

“Oh, yeah.” Dean frowned. “Yeah, I do remember that. The only thing they left behind was a single word carved in a tree.”

“Croatoan.”

“Yeah. And I mean, there were all these theories. Indian raid, disease.”

“Nobody knows what happened. They were just gone. Wiped out, overnight.”

“You guys don’t really think that’s what’s going on here… do you?”

I sighed and looked up at the boys. “Sams? What do you think?”

“Whatever I saw, it wasn’t good. But what do you think could do that?”

“I mean, like Dean said, all of your weird-ass visions always have something to do with Yellow Eyes.”

“We should get help.”

“Bobby? Ellen, maybe?”

I shrugged. “I can call Ellen, you call Bobby.”

Dean nodded, fishing his phone out. I dialed Ellen’s number, but the call wouldn’t go through.

I frowned and showed it to the boys. “No signal.”

Sam and Dean shook their heads. They didn’t have any either.

Dean looked around and whacked us each on the arms. “Payphone.”

Dean picked it up and held it out. I stood on my toes to hear. It beeped, the usual out of service beep that came with old phones. The boys looked at each other, and Dean clicked the receiver multiple times.

“Line’s dead.” I sighed.

Dean hung up the phone. “I’ll say one thing, if I were gonna massacre a town, that would be my first step.”

                                                            ***

I shuffled into step behind Sam and Dean as we made our way toward the cabin. I looked around as Dean huffed. We had left Jinx in the car. This looked like the place to get murdered, and we didn’t want her there if that happened.

“I’ve got a bad feeling.” I mumbled.

Sam sighed and knocked on the door. We stared at the tacky sign that read born to fish, forced to work, hung by the door.

“Yeah?” A boy my age opened the door, staring with dead eyes.

I shifted closer to Dean, feeling like I was about to be sick.

Dean flashed his badge. “We’re looking for Duane Tanner. He lives here, right?”

“Yeah, he’s my brother.”

The boys and I shared a look before we turned back to the boy.

“Can we talk to him?”

“Oh, he’s not here right now.”

Dean sighed. “Do you know where he is?”

“Yeah, he went on a fishing trip up by Roslyn Lake.”

“Are your parents home?” Sam squinted.

“Yeah, they’re inside.”

“Jake? Who is it?” Mr. Tanner shuffled out into the doorway, standing by his son.

“Hi, U.S. Marshals, sir. We’re looking for our son, Duane.”

“Wh-why?” Mr. Tanner’s eyes got wide, but he too, looked like there was nothing inside.

I cleared my throat and inched further away, bumping into Dean’s side. His hand landed on my shoulder as Mr. Tanner spoke again.

“He’s not in trouble, is he?”

“No, no, no.” Dean shook his head. “We just need to ask him a couple of routine questions, that’s all.”

“When’s he due back from his trip?” Sam forced a polite smile.

“I’m not sure.”

“Well, maybe your wife knows?” I piped up.

“No, I don’t know.” Mr. Tanner began to stumble over his words. “She’s not here right now.”

“Your son said she was.” My eyes narrowed.

“Did I?”

I couldn’t stop the confused scowl that danced over my face as I looked back at Jake.

“She’s getting groceries. So, when Duane gets back, there’s a number where he can get a hold of you?”

“Oh, no.” Dean shook his head and grabbed my shoulder, pulling me back. “We’ll just check in with you later.”

We turned and walked down the steps. The door slammed shut before we made it back onto the dirt path. Dean turned with a furled lip, and Sam looked uneasy.

“That was creepy.”

“Yeah. A little too Stepford?” Dean offered.

“Big time.” Sam agreed.

We looked around, noticing that these people had no neighbors within at least a mile. Dean and Sam shared a look, and I caught Dean’s eye, nodding.

“Stay behind me.” He ordered as he pulled his gun out.

Sam and I followed suit, leaving me, as usual, sandwiched between the two. Dean led the way, sneaking around to the back of the house. Dean cleared his throat before setting himself up. I flinched as he kicked the back door down. We rushed in, guns raised.

Tanner came at us with a knife, but Dean reacted faster, shooting him at least three times, shredding his chest to pieces. The boy jumped through the window, leaving glass shards as he darted off into the woods. I lined up my shot, but before I could pull the trigger, Sam knocked my gun from my hands. I jumped with a squeak, and Dean was immediately at our sides. He pulled me into his chest and stared at Sam, panting.

                                                            ***

Sam helped Beverly out of the backseat as Dean and I popped the trunk, eyes darting around every few seconds. The wind howled, and I jumped, growling back. Jinx was standing by my side, a similar growl leaving her mouth.

Dean sighed as he grabbed my arm. “You’re okay. Come on.”

I slammed the trunk shut as Dean grunted, shuffling under the weight of Tanner’s dead body. I walked two steps ahead of him, pushing the door of the clinic open and holding it for him. We walked down the hall, apprehensive as we turned the corner and rounded into a room. Jinx ran straight into Sam, who squatted and patted her head.

“Is that…”

“Mr. Tanner.” Dean cut the woman in the white coat off.

“Was he attacked too?”

“Uh… no, actually.” I sighed. “He did the attacking and got himself shot.”

“Shot?” She repeated.

“Yeah.”

“Who are you?”

“U.S. Marshals.” I flashed my badge.

“Oh. Bring him back here.” The doctor beckoned for us to follow.

                                                            ***

I watched, leg bouncing up and down as Dr. Lee helped Beverly with her wound.

“Wait, you said Jake helped him? Your son Jake?”

Beverly nodded. “They beat me. Tied me up.”

“I…” The secretary, Pam, sighed. “I don’t believe it.”

“Pam.” Dr. Lee warned. “Beverly… do you have any idea why they would act this way? Any history of chemical dependency?”

“No, of course not!” Beverly shook her head. “I don’t know why! One minute they were my husband and son.” She sniffled. “And the next, they had the devil in them.”

My eyes widened and I looked up at Dean. He shot the same look back before nodding at Sam, then jerking his head to the side over his shoulder.

“Those guys were absolutely fucked.” Dean whispered.

“What do you think? Multiple demons? Mass possession?”

“If it is a possession, there could be more. I mean, fuck knows how many. Could be like a fucking Shriner convention.”

“Great.” I sighed.

“Of course, that’s one way to wipe out a town. Take it from the inside.”

“I don’t know, man. We didn’t see any demon smoke, or any of our other usual cues.”

“Well, whatever.” Dean scowled.

“Something turned him into a monster, Sams.”

“And you know, if you would’ve let Olive take care of the other one, there’d be one less to worry about.”

“I’m sorry, alright! Dean, it was a kid!”

“No, it was an it. Not the best time for a bleeding heart, Sammy.” Dean scoffed.

Dr. Lee came out of the room, heels clicking loudly. The three of us whipped around, clearing out throats.

“How’s the patient?”

“Terrible!” Dr. Lee sighed. “What the hell happened out there?”

“We don’t know.” Dean told the truth.

“Yeah? Well, you just killed my next door neighbor.”

“We didn’t have a choice.”

“Maybe so… but we need the county Sheriff. I need the coroner.”

“Phones are down.” I shook my head.

“I know, I tried. Tell me you have a police radio in the car?”

“We do. But it’s fried, just like everything else.”

Dr. Lee sighed. “I don’t understand what’s happening.”

“How far is it the next town?” Dean looked up, thinking.

“It’s about forty miles down to Sidewinder.”

Dean nodded. “Alright. We’ll go down there, see if we can find some help.” He looked down at me, then clapped Sam’s shoulder. “Sam here’ll stick around, keep you guys safe.”

“Safe from what?” Dr. Lee squinted.

“We’ll get back to you on that.”

                                                            ***

“What the fuck?” I mumbled as Dean stopped the car.

The Oregon plates on the totalled car read WTF 4C7. We shared a look, and I huffed. He tucked his gun into his waistband, and I did the same. We got out of the car and gave each other another look.

Watch each other’s backs.

He took the lead as we stalked toward the SUV. The windows were smashed. I flinched as we circled the car. The seats were covered in blood, and the baby seat in the back was drenched. I shuddered and looked over to the other side of the car. Dean was nowhere to be seen.

My gun immediately went back up and I bared my fangs, letting the stream of blood fall down my chin. I slowly made my way around the front of the car, hands shaking.

“Shit.”

I huffed as I recognized Dean’s voice. I swung around to face the driver’s door. Dean eyed me from his spot on the ground, a bloody bowie knife in his hand. I let my gun go slack as I sighed, and he stood, dropping the gun.

“Did you see all that blood?” I asked, shivering.

“Yeah. Something’s wrong. Let’s go.”

                                                            ***

“Oh, son of a bitch.” Dean groaned as he pumped the brakes.

I sighed as he stopped the car. The bridge out of town was blocked by trucks and SUVs, and there were six or seven guys with rifles circling around. Dean looked over at me, and there was a thump on the roof of the car. Dean jumped, and I snarled. Dean’s hand slapped over my mouth as a man leaned in through Dean’s window.

“Oh, hey, hi.” Dean stuttered.

“Sorry. Road’s closed.”

“Yeah, we can see that.” I spat, shoving Dean’s hand away.

He shot me a glare and turned back with a smile. “What’s up?”

“Quarantine.” The man eyed me.

“Quarantine? What is it?”

“Don’t know. Something’s going around out there.” The man kept his eyes on me.

“Uh huh.” Dean shifted, blocking me from his view. “Who told you that?”

“County Sheriff.”

“Is he here?” Dean asked.

“No. He called.” The man looked around Dean, eyes locking back on me.

I grabbed a fistful of Dean’s jacket. The sheriff couldn’t have called. The phones were still down.

“Say, why don’t you get out of the car and we’ll talk a little?”

Dean chuckled, nervous. “Well, you are a handsome devil, but I’m on the clock here.”

“I’d sure appreciate it if you got out of the car. Just for a quick minute.”

“Yeah.” Dean’s arms tightened on the wheel, and I reached for the gear knob. “I’ll bet you would.”

I pulled it into reverse and Dean swung the car around. The man reached in and grabbed Dean by the collar before we could take off. The men at the roadblock began to shoot, and Dean gunned it, swerving the car and shaking the man off. I panted as we drove off.

                                                            ***

“What the fuck is going on?” I hissed.

“I don’t know, pumpkin.” Dean sighed. “Can you control yourself right now?”

I sighed. “Barely. If I get spooked one more time I might snap.”

“I’m right here. Okay?”

I nodded as he gave me a soft smile. I glanced back at the road and yelped.

“Dean, stop!”

Dean slammed the brakes as Mark stepped into the middle of the road, rifle aimed at us.

“Hands where I can see them!”

“Son of a-”

“Get out of the car!” Mark screamed. “Out!”

I kept my mouth shut, but I couldn’t help the low growl that was beginning to rumble in my throat. Dean eyed me as he pushed his door open.

“Okay. It’s okay. We’re okay. Easy there, big guy.”

Mark’s eyes flickered to me, and that was all Dean needed to whip out his gun. “Alright, put it down!”

“Lower it now!” Mark shouted back.

“Put it down!”

“Are you one of them?” Mark stalked closer.

“No! Are you?” Dean inched closer to me.

“No!”

“He could be lying, Dean.”

“So could you!”

“Alright!” Dean huffed. “Alright. We could do this all day, alright? Let’s just… let’s take it easy before we try to kill each other.”

Mark sighed and lowered his gun. Dean did the same, and I shuffled into his side, swallowing the blood in my mouth.

“What’s going on with everybody?”

Dean shook his head. “We don’t know.”

“My neighbor… Mr. Rogers, he-”

I snorted, and Dean blinked. “You’ve got a neighbor named Mr. Rogers?”

“Not anymore.”

Dean and I shared a look, and I held back a laugh.

“He came at me with a hatchet. I put him down. He’s not the only one. It’s happening to everyone.”

Dean nodded. “Look, we’re heading out to the doc’s place. There’s still some people left.”

“No. No way. I’m getting the hell out.”

“There’s no way out.” I snorted. “They’ve got the bridge covered.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Dean shrugged. “Fine. Stay here. Be our guest.”

Mark eyed us and sighed. He put his rifle down and pulled a handgun out, warily pointing it at Dean. I took Dean’s from his hand and pointed it at Mark as we shuffled toward the car.

“Get in the back.” I motioned with the gun.

He slid into the back, the gun still pointed at Dean. I sat sideways in the passenger seat and kept Dean’s gun trained on his head.

“Well…” Dean huffed as he shut the door and started the car. This oughta be a relaxing drive.”

                                                            ***

I was stuck to Dean’s side, gun still on Mark. He kept his on Dean, and I was growing increasingly angrier.

“Sammy!” Dean pounded on the door. “Open up!”

The door swung open, and I heard Sam stumble for words. “Did you guys, uh… get to a phone?”

“Road’s blocked.” I didn’t turn to him.

“We’re gonna have a word. Doc’s inside.” Dean spoke to Mark, pulling me along with him as we shuffled into the building.

Mark put his gun down and continued down the hall, and the boys and I stayed by the door. Dean tugged his gun from my grip, and Sam nudged me.

“What’s going on out there?”

“We don’t know. I mean, I feel like Chuck Heston in the Omega Man. Sarge is the only sane person we could find, and Olive keeps bugging out.”

“I can’t stop it. Something’s putting me on edge and I can’t control it.”

“Sammy, what are we even dealing with?” I wrapped my arms around myself.

“Doc thinks it’s a virus.” Sam tugged his jacket off and draped it over my shoulders.

“Okay, great. What do you think?”

“I think she’s right.” Sam sighed.

“Really?”

“Yeah.” Sam nodded. “And I think the people infected are trying to infect others.”

“How?”

“Blood-to-blood contact. And get this. The virus? It leaves traces of sulfur in the blood.”

“A fucking demonic virus?”

“Yep. It’s like demonic germ warfare. At least it explains why I’ve been having visions. Probably why Ollie’s on edge, too.”

“It’s like a Biblical fucking plague.” Dean grumbled.

“You have no clue how right you are. I’ve been poring through Dad’s journal, found something about the Roanoke colony.”

“What?” I looked up.

“Dad thought Croatoan was a demon’s name. Sometimes known as Deva or Resheph.”

I sighed. “Resheph was the Egyptian personification of the fucking plague.”

“Well, that’s fucking terrific.” Dean grumbled again. “Why here? Why now?”

“I have no idea. But guys, who knows how far this thing can spread? We’ve gotta get the hell out of here. We’ve gotta warn people.”

Dean sighed, a weary look on his face. I huffed.

“He’s right, Dean. We have to let Bobby know. E-Ellen, Jo. Any other hunter. This is big. We can’t stop it alone.”

“They’ve got one! In here!”

The three of us jumped before scrambling into the next room. Mark was pointing at Beverly through the window. Dean squinted.

“What are you talking about?”

“The wife. She’s infected.”

“We’ve gotta take care of this.” Mark sighed. “We can’t just leave her in there. My neighbors, they were strong. The longer we wait, the stronger she’ll get.”

Dean only paused for a second before pulling his gun and stalking into the lab. Sam and I scrambled to follow with eyes bulging out of our heads.

“What do you mean you’re gonna kill Beverly Tanner?”

“Wait, hold on.” I blurted as we walked in. “Could there be any kind of treatment, Doc? Maybe some kind of cure for this?”

“Can you cure it?” Dean repeated.

“I don’t even know what it is.”

“I told you, it’s just a matter of time before she breaks through.”

“Just leave her in there. You can’t shoot her like an animal!” Pam cried.

“Sam. Olive.” Dean called for us as we walked over to the door of the utility room.

Dean and I pulled our guns out, and Mark shakily did the same. Sam carefully opened the door, only to reveal Beverly on the floor, knees drawn to her chest. She jumped at the sight of us and began to sob.

“Mark, what are you doing? Mark, it-it’s them! They locked me in here! They tried to kill me! They’re infected, not me! Please, Mark! You’ve known me all your life! Please!”

“Are you sure she’s one of them?” I whispered.

Sam nodded, baby face twisted in pure distress. Mark let his arm go slack as he took a step back. Dean sighed, and I shook my head. I clenched my jaw and fired twice.

                    ��                                       ***

Mark peered through the shades. I finished sharpening Sam’s knife before handing it back to him. Dean was loading his gun. Jinx was curled at our feet, whining. A vial shattered, and there was a scream.

“Oh god! Is there any on me? Am I okay?”

“You’re clean, you’re okay.” Dr. Lee reassured her.

“Why are we staying here?” Pam squealed. “Please, let’s just go!”

“We can’t, because those things are everywhere.”

Pam slumped down to the floor with a whine, and Dr. Lee knelt beside her.

“She’s right about one thing.” Sam whispered. “We can’t stay here. We’ve gotta get out of here. Roadhouse, maybe?” He shook his head. “Somewhere. We have to let people know what’s coming.”

“Yeah, good point.” Dean sighed. “Night of the Living Dead didn’t exactly end pretty.”

“Well, I’m not sure we’ve got a choice.” Mark huffed. “Lots of folks up here are good with rifles. Even with all your hardware, we’re easy targets. So unless you’ve got some explosives…”

Sam sighed, and his eyes widened as he realized something. I looked up at him and followed his line of sight. Dean looked at us, confused.

“We could make some.”

“Yeah.” Sam started for the high shelf and went for the bottles of Potassium Chloride.

Someone started to pound on the door, and the three of us scrambled back just as Mark swung the door open.

“It’s Duane Tanner!”

Duane limped in, backpack swung over his shoulder. “Thank God.”

“Duane, are you okay?”

Dean and I turned to Sam.

“Is that… the guy that… Dean…” I slowly slashed a hand across my throat as Dean let out a whistle.

“Yeah.”

“Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Easy, there, chief.” Dean grabbed Duane’s arm. “Hey, Doc! Come give Duane a good once-over, would you?”

“Pam?” Dr. Lee called as she led us into the examination room.

“Who are you?” Duane fussed against Dean’s arm.

“Never mind who I am.” He shoved him into the room. “Doc?”

“Yeah, okay.” She eased.

“Duane. Where’ve you been?” Mark questioned.

“I was on a fishing trip up by Roslyn. I came back this afternoon. I… I saw Roger McGill being dragged out of his house. By people we know! They started cutting him with knives! I ran! I’ve been hiding in the woods ever since… has anybody seen my mom or dad?”

Dean swallowed and turned to us. “Awkward…”

Duane sat on a stool, and Dr. Lee groaned.

“You’re bleeding.”

Dean took a step forward. “Where’d you get that?”

“I was running, I must’ve tripped.”

Dean didn’t miss a beat. “Tie him up, there’s rope in there.”

“Wait!” Duane got to his feet.

Dean, without hesitation, pulled his gun. “Sit down!”

“I’m sorry, Duane.” Mark untangled the ropes. “He’s right. We’ve gotta be careful.”

“Careful? About what?”

“Did they bleed on you?” I squinted, feeling uneasy.

“No! What the hell? No!”

“Doc, is there any way to know for sure? Any test?”

Dr. Lee sighed. “I’ve studied Beverly’s blood-work backwards and forwards.”

“My mom!” Duane sat up.

“It took three hours for the virus to incubate. The sulfur didn’t appear in the blood until then, so… no. No, there’d be no way of knowing. Not until after Duane turns.”

“Guys, I’ve gotta talk to you. Now.” Sam pulled on our sleeves.

Dean and Mark shared a look before Sam dragged us out.

“What’s going on, Sams?”

“This is my vision. It’s happening.”

“Yeah.” Dean huffed. “I figured.”

“Okay, well, what do we do so that it doesn’t turn out the way it did?”

“We can’t kill him. We don’t know if he’s infected or not.”

“Well, I think we’re pretty damn sure, Sam. Guy shows up out of nowhere, he’s got a cut on his leg, his whole family’s infected?”

Sam sighed. “Alright, then we should keep him tied up, we should wait and see.”

“For what? For him to Hulk out and infect somebody else? No thanks, can't take that chance.” Dean started to push past Sam, but Sam slammed a hand onto his chest and stopped him.

“Hey, look, man. I’m not happy about this, okay? But it’s a tough job and you know that.”

“It’s supposed to be tough, Dean. we’re supposed to struggle with this. That’s the whole point.”

“And what does that buy us, Sam?”

“A clear conscience, for one!”

“Well, it’s too late for that.”

Sam and I shared a look, both sighing. Sam stopped Dean again. “What the hell happened to you?”

“What?” Dean spat back.

“You might kill an innocent man, and you don't even care! You don't act like yourself anymore, Dean. Hell, you know what? You're acting like one of those things out there.”

“Dean, I thought we were past this.” I whispered.

Dean only nodded. He moved again, and Sam reached out to stop him a third time. Dean pushed him into the wall, hard. I snarled and ran after Dean, but he shoved me back into the room and locked the door.

“Dean!”

“Hey!” Sam was now at my side, pushing at the door. “Open the door, Dean! Don’t do it! Dean!”

“Dean, don’t!”

There was a long silence, and Sam and I stared at each other, horrified. Dean wasn’t himself. He seemed more like Dad every day, and the influence of Gordon was still lingering.

The door unlocked, and Sam and I both jumped to push it open. We stumbled out into the hallway. Dean caught me as I tripped. I looked up to see his face clean of blood.

“Did you-”

“No.”

                                                            ***

Jinx yawned, and I did the same. Sam shoved another rag into a bottle, and Dean handed me the one he had just finished. I tucked it aside with the others and sighed. The door opened, and Dr. Lee strode in, hands in her pockets.

“It’s been over four hours. Duane’s blood is still clean. I don’t think he’s infected. I’d like to untie him, if that’s alright.”

Dean glanced up at us, then looked back down, lowering his head. Sam and I sighed, and Sam nodded.

“Sure.”

She nodded and shut the door behind her. Sam shifted in his seat, looking over at Dean.

“You know I’m gonna ask you why.”

“Yeah. I know.” Dean huffed.

“So why? Why didn’t you do it?”

There was a long beat, and Dean tossed a rag aside. “We need more alcohol.”

Sam huffed and got up, leaving. Jinx whined, but she stayed in her spot. I yawned again, and Dean crossed his arms over his chest. I sat in Sam’s empty seat and leaned forward.

“Why didn’t you do it?”

Dean looked away.

“De.”

“I don’t wanna be Dad.”

A wave of relief washed over me and I sighed. There was a crash from the next room over. Dean and I both shot up, sharing a look.

“Sam.”

We each pulled out our guns and ran to the door, met by Mark, who also had a gun in his hand. I tried the handle, but it was locked. I nodded at Dean, who reared back before kicking it open. Pam was straddling Sam, hand to his chest. Dean fired three times, and Pam fell to the floor, dead.

“Sams, oh my god.” I tucked my gun into my waistband.

“No!” Mark grabbed me by the upper arm and yanked me back.

A snarl ripped past my lips and I bared my fangs at him. Mark jumped away, and I knelt next to Sam, reaching for his hand.

“She bled on him. He’s got the virus.”

Sam pulled his hand away from me, eyes wide. My eyes began to fill with tears as I looked down at his bloodied chest. I looked over my shoulder at Dean.

“What do we do?”

                                                            ***

Sam was sitting on the exam table, a bandage taped to his chest. His head was down, and he was near tears. The others were crowded in the room, and Dean was pacing. I sniffled, arms crossed over my chest.

“Doc, check his wound again, would you?”

There was a long pause, and Dean’s head snapped up, fire in his eyes.

“Doctor!”

Mark scowled. “What’s she need to examine him for? You saw what happened.”

Dr. Lee sighed. “Did her blood actually enter your wound?”

“Come on, of course it did!” Mark spat.

“We don’t know that for sure.” Dean tried to reason.

“We can’t take a chance.”

“Doc, just… check again. Please.” I begged.

“You know what we have to do.” Mark crossed his arms over his chest.

“Nobody is shooting our brother.” Dean snarled.

“He isn’t gonna be your brother much longer. You said it yourself.” Duane snapped.

“Nobody is shooting anyone!”

“You were gonna shoot me!”

“You don’t shut your damn mouth, I might!” I snarled.

“Guys…” Sam spoke up. “They’re right. I’m infected… just give me the gun and I’ll do it myself.”

“Forget it.” Dean scoffed.

“Dean, I’m not gonna become one of those things.”

“Sams, we still have time.” I whined.

“Time for what? Look, I understand he’s your brother, and I’m sorry, I am. But we gotta take care of this.” Mark pulled out his handgun.

I bared my fangs, growling. Mark stuck his gun against my forehead.

“What the hell are you?”

“Something that can kill you, no doubt.” I hissed.

Dean eased a hand onto my shoulder and tugged me away. Mark’s gun went down, and Dean got in his face.

“I’m gonna say this one time.” Dean spoke slowly. “You make a move on either of them, you’ll be dead before you hit the ground.”

Mark said nothing.

“You understand me?”

Still, nothing.

“Do I make myself clear!”

“Then what are we supposed to do?”

There was a long pause, and Dean and I shared a look. I nodded, and Dean fished his keys from his pocket. He tossed them to Mark.

“Get the hell out of here, that’s what. Take my car. You’ve got the explosives. There’s an arsenal in the back. You’ve got enough firepower to handle anything now.” Dean eyed me. “Take the rest of them.

“What?” I gasped as Dean pushed me toward Mark.

“Well, what about you?” Mark eyed Dean.

There was a beat, and Sam shook his head. “Dean, no. No! Go with them. This is your only chance!”

Dean shook his head right back. “You’re not gonna get rid of me that easy.”

“No, he’s right.” Mark tried to reason with Dean. “Come with us.”

Dean shook his head. Mark held a hand out for me, and I flinched. I looked at the boys, who both nodded at me. I handed Mark Jinx’s leash with tears in my eyes.

“Take her. Please.”

Mark squinted, and the boys began to protest.

“Go.” I pointed at the door.

Mark shrugged. “Fine. Your funeral.” He led Duane and Dr. Lee toward the door.

“I’m sorry.” Dr. Lee whispered. “Thanks for everything, Marshals.”

Dean snorted. “Oh, uh… actually, we’re not… really Marshals.”

“Oh…” She hesitated before leaving with Mark and Duane.

I hoisted myself onto the exam table as Dean shut the door. Sam began to cry, looking from me to Dean. I leaned my head against his arm, grabbing his hand in mine.

Dean smiled softly. “Wish we had a deck of cards. Or a foosball table or something.”

“Guys.” Sam whimpered. “Don’t do this. Just get the hell out of here.”

Dean shook his head. “No way.”

“Give me my gun, and leave.”

“For the last time, Sams, no.” I hissed.

Sam shrugged me off and stood up, slamming his hands on the table. I jumped, and Dean’s face hardened. Sam sighed, realizing that he scared us both.

“This is the dumbest thing you two have ever done.”

Dean shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know about that. Remember that waitress in Tampa?” He shuddered.

“Ew.” My nose scrunched up.

Sam sighed. “Dean… Olive… I’m sick. It’s over for me. It doesn’t have to be for you.”

“No?”

“No. You guys can keep going. You have before.”

“I don’t want to.” Dean whispered.

I shook my head. “Not without you, bubs.”

“What?”

Dean pulled his gun from his waistband and settled onto the file cabinet, across the room from us. Sam sat back down on the exam table.

���I’m tired, Sam. I’m tired of this job, this life… this… this weight on my shoulders, man. I’m tired of it.”

“So what? You’re just gonna give up? You two? Just lay down and die? Look guys, I know this stuff with Dad has-”

“You’re wrong.” Dean cut him off. “It’s not about Dad. I mean… part of it is, sure. But…”

“Then what is it about?” Sam whispered.

There was a bustle outside the door, and the boys and I looked up. I bared my fangs with a low growl. Dean and I both held our guns up, and Dean quickly opened the door.

“You’d better come see this.” Dr. Lee stood in the hall.

                                                            ***

I huddled into Dean’s side, a low feeling in the pit of my stomach as we looked around. There was nothing. Nobody, no noise.

“They’ve all just… vanished.”

                                                            ***

Sam shifted on the exam table.

Dr. Lee looked up from the microscope. “Well, it’s been five hours and your blood’s still clean.”

Dean and I sighed in relief.

“I don’t understand it, but I think you dodged a bullet.”

“But I was exposed. How could I not be infected?”

“I don’t know.” Dr. Lee shook her head. “But you’re just not.”

I ran at Sam, pulling him into a hug. He wrapped his arms around me with a sigh. Dr. Lee grumbled under her breath before letting out a curse.

“What happened?” Dean perked up.

“Their blood.” Dr. Lee looked confused. “The Tanner samples. There’s no trace of the virus. No sulfur. Nothing.”

The boys and I shared a look.

                                                           ***

Dr. Lee spoke to Duane and Mark, who were loading up a truck. She shook her head before coming over to us. Mark waved, and the three of us held a hand up.

“What about him?” Dean asked Dr. Lee as she sighed.

“He’s going to be fine. No signs of infection.”

I hummed, and Dean nodded. Sam chewed at his lip, eyebrows furrowed. Mark and Duane got into the truck and pulled away. Dean looked up at Sam, who put his hands up.

“Hey, don’t look at me. I got no clue.”

“I swear, I’m gonna lose sleep over this one. I mean… why here? Why now? And there the fuck did they all go? It’s like they just melted.”

“And why was I immune?”

Dean blew a raspberry. “Yeah, you know what? That’s a good question.”

I shrugged. “I’m already starting to feel like this is the one that got away.”

                                                           ***

“So…” Sam takes a swig of his beer and looks down at the river. “Last night. Wanna tell me what the hell you were talking about?”

“What do you mean?” Dean squints.

Olive looks between the boys. Sam gives her a soft smile. She leans into his side and closes her eyes.

“You said you were tired of the job, Dean. And that it wasn’t just because of Dad.”

Dean huffs. “Forget it.”

“No. No, I can’t.” Sam shakes his head. “No way.”

“Come on, man.” Dean scowls. “I thought we were all gonna die. You can’t hold that over me.”

“No, no, no, no. You can't pull that crap with me, man. You're talking.” Sam crosses his arms over his chest.

“And what if I don't?”

“Then I guess I'll just have to keep asking until you do.” Sam challenges.

Dean sighs again, looking out over the water. “I don't know, man. I just think maybe we ought to… go to the Grand Canyon.”

“What?”

“You know, all this driving back and forth across the country, we’ve never been to the Grand Canyon. Or maybe we could go to T.J. Or Hollywood. See if we can bang Lindsey Lohan.”

Olive’s nose scrunches up, and she looks up at Sam, who is equally confused.

“Dean…”

“You’re not making any sense.”

“I just think we should take a break from all this. Why do we gotta get stuck with all the responsibility, you know? Why can't we live life a little bit?”

“Why are you saying all this?” A concerned look drapes itself over Sam’s face.

Dean shakes his head and looks the other way.

“No, no, no. Dean.” Sam tries.

“Dean, we’re a family.” Olive places a hand on his shoulder. “We carry each other’s burdens, remember?”

“I can’t. I promised.” Dean whispers.

“Promised who, Dean?” Sam inches closer to his siblings.

“Dad.” Dean’s voice is weak.

“Dean, what are you talking about?” Olive squints.

Dean looks down, then up, tears in his eyes. “Right before Dad died, he told me something.” He takes a deep breath and looks up at Sam. “He told me something about you.”

Sam’s eyes grow wide. “What?”

Olive feels the tension, as does Jinx, who whines from her spot on the ground.

“Dean, what did Dad tell you?”

Previous Ep: Crossroad Blues (2.08)

Next Ep: Hunted (2.10)

taglist:

@i67​

#supernatural #supernatural cast #supernatural season two #supernatural fic #supernatural oc #winchester sister #dean winchester #sam winchester #sam and dean #dean and sam #sam winchester and dean winchester #dean winchester and sam winchester #dean x sister!reader #dean x sister!oc #dean winchester x sister!reader #dean winchester x sister!oc #sam x sister!reader #sam x sister!oc #sam winchester x sister!reader #sam winchester x sister!oc #winchester!reader #winchester!oc #croatoan #micwrites

[bettyxinez]

Nothing Left To Give

chapter two - alarm

Malcolm was bewildered as to how he got into this situation. He was hunched around a corner, footsteps sounding a scarily short distance away from him. Kat was not too far away, her hand clenched around her gun. It was still holstered to her side, however. She gestured behind her, where an alarm could be seen on the wall. She pulled out her HT and whispered into it. "Gil? I need you to tell the fire department that a fire alarm will go off at our location, but that its not real" Gil replies with an equally quiet whisper. "What? Wh,-" "Just do it. Please." A beat of silence. "Fine. Give me one minute." "Thanks." Kat looks at Malcolm then. And he's confused. "What are you planning?" "You'll see. When I pull the alarm, follow me." And then, about 48 seconds later, she dashes to the fire alarm, takes out a lighter and a note card, lights the corner on fire, and holds it directly to the fire alarm.

_______________________________________

"We don't have enough information on our killer, Kat" Gil had responded, looking at her. "I think we do. Hold on one second." She kneeled down then, replacing her gloves. She slowly removed the sheet shielding the womans lower region, and looked for only approximately five seconds. She then put it back.

"She was sexually assaulted. And tortured before hand, and probably during. The latter is obvious. Our killer didn't like doing too much damage. He didn't like torturing his victims to death as much as he liked torturing them, and then killing them."

Malcolm spoke up, then. "His victims are predominantly female. Based on the nature of the crime. Hes most likely white as well."

But Kat wasn't listening. She walked to the bathroom and looked through the cabinet.

There, were various bottles of anti-depressants and anxiety medication.

She went to the kitchen. Various cheap meals could be seen in her freezer, and Ramen filled her cabinets. Keys laid on the counter, a pack of cigarettes nearby. Hanging on the walls were a few pictures of various things, each of them having a girl with long dark hair. She looked just like the body in the living room, except her eyes shined bright and her smile radiated in every picture.

Down the hall, Malcolm was staring at her.

Kat turned away from the pictures. "Look for a phone. If there's a password give it to me."

Malcolm nodded. He walked to a bedroom that he only assumed was hers, and on the floor near her bed laid a phone, plugged in and long stuck at 100 percent. He grabbed it, and it came to life in his hand. He swiped up- no password.

The background of her phone was a man with a rather expensive camera. He scrolled through her apps, first sifting through her messages. The last one had been sent

An hour ago?

Cole (delivered at 4:16 pm): Dammit Lucas! What are you doing?

Lucas (recieved at 4:17 pm): Chill babe. I'm finishing up a shoot.

Cole (delivered at 4:19pm): Hurry up. I got home from Chases almost an hour ago. Your supposed to be here.

Lucas (received at 4:19pm): I'm omw.

"Cole" he assumed, was Colette. He went to a different chat. This time with "Sam".

Sam (recieved at 2:24pm): Are you going to break up with him today?

Cole (delivered at 2:26pm): Yeah. When I get home.

Sam (recieved at 2:26pm): Be careful

Cole (delivered at 2:26pm): I know.

Malcolm read the rest. The conversation picked up almost an hour later.

Cole (delivered at 3:12pm) Hes not here

Sam (recieved at 3:14): Wdym

Cole (delivered 3:15pm): He isn't here. He said he would be here when I get home.

Sam (recieved at 3:15pm): Maybe a shoot ran late?

Cole (delivered at 3:15pm): Yeah. I'll wait a bit before texting.

Those were the only people she had texted. In her call history, he saw that she had called Sam at 5:03. He connected the dots in his head.

Meanwhile, Kat had found a check, from "Lucas Schroeder" She started walking towards Malcolm.

"Malcolm. I think the manager of the strip club is named Lucas. There's a check here from him." Malcolm looked up at her. Her voice was back to normal, soft and gentle.

"Yeah. I think this was a revenge kill. She broke up with him approximately 2 hours a go, its all in text."

"That would make sense. She was also depressed. And had some form of anxiety disorder. There are pills in the medicine cabinet." Malcolm nods, taking note of her words. "Think we have enough info to go to that address?"

_______________________________________

Thats how they ended up here. Well almost. Gil had said yes and they found themselves at 2735 Pierre Avenue. The house looked very run down, boarded up windows and a door that swung off its hinges. It looked abandoned.

Kat had insisted on going alone, her voice lower again. Malcolm looked at her, confused. "I need to be as silent as possible, and unless you can promise me that you can make absolutely zero sounds, you shouldn't come."

He was taken aback, to say the least. He was pretty sure that that was the most she had talked since he met her. He just nodded. "I promise. You shouldn't be going in there alone."

He was kind of beginning to regret that decision.

She had sighed at him, relenting.

They slowly walked forward, and he went to reach for his flashlight, but she grabbed his wrist and shook her head. She slipped through the swinging door, making sure not to touch it. Malcolm eyed her, and struggled through it himself. Kat immediately walked up the stairs straight in front of the door, her footsteps silent. He looked at her wonderously, trying to copy her moves. He walked exactly where her feet landed, staying just as silent as she did, much to his astonishment.

Kat slowly peeked around the corner, and stopped dead in her tracks. She turned her head to look at him, held a finger to her lips, and then pointed around the corner. Telling him that theres a person. She slowly crouched to the floor.

Then there was a voice.

"Dumb bitch thinking she can leave me. She's mine. She's not allowed to live without me." It was a masculine voice, with a hysterical edge to it. Malcolm and Kat looked at each other, and then Kat stood up and took two large steps forward, toward another hallway. The killer was just behind the wall she was standing next to. She looked around and then pointed behind her, at a fire alarm.

_______________________________________

Running. The fire alarm sounds loud in his ears, reverberating through his entire being. Kat ran in front of him, down the stairs and around a corner. She finds a back door and waits, pulling Malcolm out with her. "Why are we at the back door?" He asks. "In case he uses this one." And as if on cue, a man bursts out of the door and Kats whole body twitches for a second. She holds up her gun.

"NYPD! you are under arrest!" The man shoots her a look, before he makes a beeline for the forest, running through the large expanse of grass surrounding them.

And Kat takes off in a dead sprint. She runs much faster then the man. Malcolm is kind of surprised as he tries to keep up with her. She's very skinny, and she looks borderline malnourished, but still, she runs faster then he had seen anyone run before.

Kat jumps up at the man, tackling him to the ground. "Get off me bitch!" She brings out handcuffs, and the man is cuffed in a matter of seconds. She pulls him up by his arms, and pulls his hood down.

The man has greasy, sandy blonde hair and dark, bloodshot eyes. She pushes him into Malcolm, and together they bring the still-fighting man to Gil. "She deserved it! She's a slut and she deserved it!" Dani pushes him into the police car and slams the door shut.

"I see your fire alarm plan worked."

"Yeah well. I was kind of just going with the flow. I figured it would work, and it did."

Malcolm eyes her through his tousled bangs.

_______________________________________

This chapter is ab 400 words shorter, but what I plan for next needs its own chapter. Let me know what you think yall.

[emzalot]

What a Furry Ride

Chapter 10 Set in Episode 9

***I don’t speak Spanish so yes I used google translate...sorry hehe***

Stiles walks through the cafeteria and sits down next to Scott. He sets his tray down, dumping his bag onto the floor before glancing over at Dani. Dani decided to join them for lunch today due to the new Jackson situation. “Did you get her to give you the necklace?” Stiles asks. 

“Not exactly” Scott shrugs. 

“What happened?”

“She told me not to talk to her...at all.”

Stiles bites off a chunk of his roll, giving a slight nod. Dani sighs, poking her food around her plate. “So, she’s not giving you the neck-” 

“She’s not giving me the necklace” Scott snaps, interrupting Stiles.

“Okay, did you find anything else out?” Stiles asks.

“Just that I know nothing about girls and that they’re totally psychotic.”

Dani looks up from her tray and slaps Scott upside the head. “What the-?!” Scott grabs the back of his head. 

“Excuse you, I am not psychotic!” Dani snaps. 

“I didn’t say you!”

“You said ‘girls’, I’m a girl you idiot!” 

The siblings glare at each other for a moment before Stiles refocuses them. “Okay, I came up with a plan B in case anything like this happened.”

“What’s plan B?” Scott asks.

“Just steal the stupid thing.” 

“That’ll work.” Dani chimes in. 

Stiles gestures to her like it will enforce his idea. Scott sighs heavily. He didn’t want to have to do that, going through Allison’s things and all. She’s so upset with him already. He didn’t want to make it worse and lose the possibility of being friends with her. “Couldn’t we try at least getting to Harris?” Scott asks. “My dad put him on a twenty-four-hour protective detail, okay? The necklace is all we got.” Scott lets out another sigh. He’s already hating plan B.

Scott looks up and finds Jackson staring at him from several tables away. Scott straightens up and swallows hard. Dani notices her brother’s uneasiness. “Scott, what’s wrong?” she asks. “He’s watching us” Scott says. Dani and Stiles share a glance before looking around the cafeteria. Dani’s gaze lands on Jackson who is practically glaring holes into her little brother. A flare of protectiveness ignites in her belly and she tenses. “Act normal” Scott whispers. Stiles gives an awkward nod, focusing on his tray. Dani sighs and runs her hand across Scott’s back trying to calm him.

Jackson takes a bite of his apple. Scott cringes as the sound echoes in his ears. Jackson notices and frowns. 

“Scott” 

Scott’s eyes widen slightly. 

“You can hear me?... You can, can’t you?” 

Dani watches Scott slightly squirm in his seat. “What’s wrong?” she asks. “Jackson’s talking to me, he knows I can hear him” Scott says. Dani clenches her jaw while Stiles looks right at Jackson. “Look at me! Talk to me, act like normal- pretend like nothing’s happening” Scott says.

“What, are you trying to pretend not to hear me?...” 

Stiles and Scott’s minds scramble as they try not to panic. “Where’d he go?” Dani asks. Scott looks over finding Jackson’s seat empty. “Where the hell is he?” Scott scans the room, trying to find him. 

“Looking for me, McCall?”

“Scotty, just ignore him” Dani says. 

“I can’t, he’s in my head!” Scott whispers. 

“I’m right here…So what else can you do? Can you see better, are you stronger, more powerful?”

Dani and Stiles watch Scott very carefully as he grips his water bottle. 

“I knew there was no way you just suddenly got that good at lacrosse. Which means you’re actually a cheater. Aren’t you?”

Scott stares forward, glaring at nothing as Jackson’s words start to get under his skin.

“Can you even play lacrosse?”

“Yes” Scott growls to himself. 

Dani and Stiles look at each other again. They can see how tense Scott has gotten so whatever Jackson is saying it’s starting to get to Scott.

“I bet my new co-captain is going to score a bunch of shots tonight, aren’t you?”

Scott becomes more visibly agitated and Dani glances down at Scott’s hand. His right hand, gripping the water bottle is shaking. Dani clenches her jaw. “I’ve had enough” she says, getting up. She’s sick and tired of Jackson tormenting her little brother. No one comes after her family. She doesn’t care that Jackson is friend, he’s crossed the line.

Dani walks around the cafeteria, finding Jackson leaning against the wall. She walks right up to him, getting his attention. “Dani! Happy Birthday!” He says, acting like nothing was going on. “Hallway, now” She says through gritted teeth. Once they’re in the hallway, Dani throws her bag on the floor. “¿Qué demonios estás haciendo?” (What the heck are you doing?) Dani shouts and shoves him. Jackson blinks at her. “¡Si lastimas a mi hermano, quemaré tu casa!” (If you hurt my brother, I will burn your house down!) she shouts. “¡Y también conseguiré tu estúpido auto!” (And I’ll get your stupid car too!) “English, Jesus Christ!” Jackson shouts back at her.

“What the hell are you even saying?” Jackson asks. Dani glares at him, her anger practically radiating off of her. “Leave Scott alone!” she shouts. Jackson stares at her, everything coming together in his head. Dani watches his expression fall and how it’s quickly replaced with surprise and anger. “You know?” he says, staring at her in disbelief. “You know?!” He repeats, raising his voice. “Of course I know, he’s my brother!” Jackson’s lip twitches up as his anger boils. “I knew you all were a bunch of freaks” Jackson says. Dani scoffs and folds her arms over her chest. “Freaks? What an original put down” she says. “I find out about you threatening and blackmailing my brother, how do you expect me to react? You’re my friend Jackson, so I’m trying to be-” Dani trails off watching Jackson stand there texting, completely ignoring her. “-What the hell are you doing?”

Jackson slips his phone into his back pocket and looks up just as Dani’s phone dings. Dani glares at him, pulling out her phone. She scoffs, seeing that the text is from Jackson. She’s so close to beating him over the head with her shoe. She unlocks her phone and reads the text.

‘It’s over. Friendship terminated. We’re done. Please return my sweatpants as soon as possible.’

Dani looks up from her phone, just staring at Jackson for a moment. “What?!” she says. 

“Did you not read it?” Jackson asks.

“Yes, I did.”

“Well, obviously not thoroughly because it clearly says that we’re not friends anymore so I’m not sure why you’re confused.”

“Jackson, what the hell?”

“I’m cutting the dead weight out of my life to make room for some new changes your brother is going to help me with.”

“What?!”

“Alright, I’ll make this short so you can understand. Friends don’t keep secrets from each other Dani. Why you didn’t tell me about this, I have no idea, but I’m over it and I’m over you.”

Dani stares at him in disbelief. It was never his business. He had no right to know about Scott being a werewolf. Jackson’s completely obsessed with being the best. It’s almost like he’s trying to prove himself to someone who’s not even there. “I’m not cool with your brother, so I’m not cool with you” Jackson adds. He pulls a small bracelet out of his back pocket and holds it up so she can see it. It’s one of the friendship bracelets they made together in third grade. He pulls out his pocket knife and cuts the bracelet in half before handing what’s left it to Dani. “This should solidify the termination of our friendship” he says.

Dani stares down at the ruined bracelet, tears forming in her eyes as Jackson storms off without remorse. Dani slowly pulls her matching bracelet out of her pocket and lays it in her hand next to Jackson’s. It’s really over. 11 years down the drain. Her chest is unbelievably tight with rising emotions, the stress of the situation, and being overwhelmed by everything that’s happened in the past few days. Now this? Is she really being punished for something her brother never asked for? She pulls out her inhaler and inhales a puff, trying to calm down. Dani places the bracelets in her back pocket and picks up her backpack off the floor. She quietly makes her way into the bathroom. She can’t handle anymore input today. She’s reached her max.  

~~🌻~~

After school lets out, Stiles rushes home. He dumps his book bag in the floor of his bedroom, happy to be away from the stressful morning, but he has work to do. He sits down at his desk and logs into his laptop. “Hey Stiles” he hears his dad call from down stairs. Stiles spins his chair around. “Yo da-Derek” Stiles freezes. Derek is standing just by his door in his room. Stiles gapes at him for a second trying to regroup. Derek raises his finger to his mouth, gesturing to be quiet and then points at the door. Stiles looks over seeing his dad approach and he launches out of the chair, scrambling for the door. He grabs the door pulling it mostly shut, standing in the doorway nervously. “What’d you say?” Noah asks. “What?- I said ‘Yo dad’” Stiles says as calmly as possible, shrugging off the response. “Listen, I got something I gotta take care of, but um… I’m gonna be there tonight, I mean, your first game.”

“My first game. Great, awesome uh… good” Stiles says. He was trying very hard to stay chilled out so his dad would leave as quickly as possible or even worse, step inside his room. Noah pauses for a moment, smiling at his son. “I’m very happy for you” he says. “And I’m really proud of you” he adds. “Thanks. Me too I’m happy and proud” Stiles says. The awkwardness is so thick in the air around him he just wants the moment to end. “Of myself” he adds. 

“So they’re really gonna let you play right?” 

“Yeah, dad I’m first line.”

“I’m very proud.”

“Me too.”

Noah moves in, pulling Stiles into a hug. “Hugy” Stiles mumbles, pulling away awkwardly. “Hugy hugy…” he trails off. Noah frowns at his son for moment. “See you there” he says, turning for the stairs. “Take it easy” Stiles says. Stiles drops his head back against the door letting out a sigh of relief, practically deflating against the door. He slips back into his room only for Derek to pin him against the door. “If you say one word-” “What, you mean like ‘hey dad, Derek Hale’s in my room, bring your gun’?” Stiles interrupts. Derek bites his tongue for a moment, letting go of Stiles. He doesn’t have the upper hand in this situation so he can’t exactly force him to submit.

“I mean, do you have a death wish?! My dad is the sheriff!” Stiles says. “You can’t stay here, man” he adds. Derek nods and backs away from Stiles. Stiles moves back over to his desk and studies him for a moment. “I’m guessing you’re here for a progress report” he ventures. “Scott didn’t get the necklace?” Derek asks. “No, he’s still working on it…but there’s something else we can try.” Derek steps forward, shrugging as if to ask, ‘What?’. 

“The night we were trapped at the school, Scott sent a text to Allison asking her to meet him there.” 

Derek frowns. “So?” he says. 

“So, it wasn’t Scott.” 

“Can you find out who sent it?”

“No, not me…but I think I know somebody who can.”

Derek nods, shoving his hands in his pockets. 

“Okay now…out you go” Stiles says, waving his arm at the window. 

“Where am I supposed to go, Stiles?” Derek asks. 

“Oh, I don’t know, have you thought about hiding out with the only person who likes you?” Stiles suggests. Stiles stares at Derek, unable to read his expression. “Personally, I think it’ll make for a fantastic birthday surprise.” Stiles flashes Derek a shit-eating grin and Derek rolls his eyes. “Don’t worry, she never locks her window. Now would you please go?” Stiles says, waving his arm at the window again.

~~🌻~~

Dani swung by Taco Bell after school and hit the Dollar Cravings Menu for some grade A stress eating. She bought two twelve packs of Cinnabon Delight’s and a large Dr. Pepper. She’s spent the last five minutes just driving. Dani’s been overemotional for a good portion of the afternoon and she has no idea what to do with herself. She just knows that she doesn’t want to go home. She wants somewhere safe to go. That’s not home, or school, or the diner, or Derek’s, or Stiles’s. That leaves only one option left. Dani quickly turns around and heads toward the only safe place she has left.

Dani pulls into the driveway of the Argent’s house and parks Chloe. She takes off her seat belt and inhales deeply. She lets out the breath in a heavy sigh, her emotions starting to get the better of her. Dani grabs her Taco Bell bag and drink before getting out of her car. Her chest feels so tight it almost hurt. She walks across the driveway to Mr. Argent’s SUV, knowing it’s unlocked, and climbs into the backseat. Her last safe place.

Chris is in the kitchen washing the dishes that had been left in the sink from breakfast. He rinses off the last pan and bends over, setting it in the dishwasher. He dries his hands off with a paper towel before quietly making his way over to his study, at the front of the house. He sits down at his desk and opens his laptop. He glances out the window for a moment and frowns when he sees Dani’s car. Allison isn’t home right now, and he didn’t hear Dani come inside earlier. Where is she? Oh.

Chris steps out on the front porch, closing the door behind him. He glances over at Dani’s car as he walks down the steps, moving towards his SUV. He reaches the car and opens the door. His frown melts off his face in an instant at the sight. There’s Dani, stuffing a Cinnabon Delight in her mouth, eyes full of tears, her messy hair sloppily tied back in a slouching bun, her cheeks stained from trails of tears, sniffling. She looks up from her bag and gives him the tiniest smile before going back to chewing. Chris sighs, climbing into the backseat and pulls the door shut. He watches her quietly, eyes full of concern. She’s a wreck. He wants to reach for her, to hold her, but he doesn’t want to push her. The car is quiet for a while, except for the occasional sniffle or slurp of Dr. Pepper.

“Hey” Chris starts. “Hi” Dani says in a small voice, not looking up from her bag of delights. Chris turns his body so he’s facing her. He reaches over, touching her thigh. “Dani” he says softly, trying to draw her out. Dani shifts her attention from the bag to Chris’s face. Her eyes are glassy, full of tears and she sniffles again. “I didn’t want to go home” she says. Chris nods, studying her. “What’s wrong?” he asks, gently. Dani tosses her hands up, giving a distraught sigh. “So many things” she whimpers. Chris sits quietly, watching her face, and waiting.

“What happened?” Chris asks after a moment. Dani remains silent, eating another Cinnabon Delight. “Dani, do you trust me?” he asks. Dani nods. “Then talk to me” he says. “I don’t-” Her voice breaks and she trails off, shaking her head. “You can’t eat an elephant in one bite, so how do you eat an elephant?” Chris asks. Dani shrugs, taking a sip of her Dr. Pepper. “One bite at a time” he says. He taps her knee, getting her attention again. “Start slow, tell me little by little.”

“No,” Dani whimpers. Chris frowns, watching her take in a shaky breath and pulling her sleeves over her hands. “Because then I’ll start crying” she says. She brings her sleeve-covered hands to her face, pressing the soft cotton fabric to her face to dry the tears that were already threatening to fall. “Crying isn’t something to be ashamed of,” Chris says. “Well, that’s how I feel about it,” Dani says letting out a sigh. “Dani…I want to help, but I need you to tell me what’s going on- to tell me what you’re feeling so I can try.”

Dani lifts her head, meeting his gaze again. The pain in her expression only makes Chris’s concern grow. He’s never seen Dani like this. He’s sure not many people have. Dani takes a deep breath and wipes her eyes again. “Do you know what…a friendship breakup is?” Dani asks. Chris nods slowly. “Yes, I do” he says. “Yeah…Jackson walked out on me today” Dani says quietly. “My oldest friend.” Chris lowers his head slightly. He knows how it feels to lose someone you’ve been close with for a long time. He’s lost more than a few with his line of work. Just because it happens often doesn’t mean it makes it any easier.

“I won’t beg him to stay. If he wants to leave, fine.” Dani says. “It’s fine…” Chris looks over at her again. “It’s okay to be angry, Dani” he says. Dani shakes her head, a tear slipping down her cheek. She sighs, looking away. “It’s a waste of time” she says softly. They sit in silence again, Dani eating another delight. Chris thinks on her words, rolling them over in his head before coming to a small conclusion. “Dani” he says, getting her attention. “Do you think a part of why you are so upset is because of your father?” He asks. Dani’s jaw clenches and Chris notices. “Something happened with Jackson that you don’t totally understand and now he’s leaving you” he adds. “I see the parallel” Dani says quietly.

The last time Dani crawled into his backseat she told him about what happened with her father and how he left. That was a long afternoon. She told Derek a piece of the puzzle about a few weeks ago when they were resolving a fight after he’d been shot. Chris is the only one who’s heard most of the story. She didn’t tell him everything, I mean, how could she? She’s been trying to void those memories her whole life. “Are you okay?” Chris asks, pulling her from her thoughts. “No” she says. Chris nods. “Well, before you go anywhere else in that head of yours, I need you to know that I’m not going anywhere. I promise you that. I will always be here for you and you can always count on me to leave my car unlocked for you to hide in” he says. Dani gives a short laugh, a smile replacing her pained expression. “There it is…” Chris says softly, brushing his index finger against her cheek.

Chris watches her for a moment. “You done talking, huh?” he says. “Yeah” Dani answers. Chris nods and leaves it at that. He reaches over, pulling her across the seat and into his arms. Dani sighs and nuzzles into his chest, feeling his warmth seep into her. “Thanks Mr. Chris” Dani says softly. “You’re welcome, sweetheart” he says, kissing the top of her head. They sit in a comfortable silence, Chris rubbing her back and Dani’s head tucked under his. “I’m sorry about your birthday” he says softly, breaking the silence. “Me too...” Dani whispers. “You’ve got some unpacking to do on this one, kid” He says. Dani sniffles, “Yeah I know.”

#WAFR #what a furry ride #Daniella McCall #derek hale x daniella mccall #derek x daniella #dani mccall #derek hale #derek hale imagine #Scott McCall #scott mccall imagine #stiles stilinski #stiles imagine #stiles stilinksi imagine #teen wolf #teen wolf imagine

[primatechnosynthpop]

Good to be back

This is something I've written for @moschicanes because they, like all of us, want Ned back. You know at the end of episode 29 when it sounded like Aubrey had brought Ned back but really it was Thacker? This is basically an au where it actually was Ned. Enjoy!

---

This has to work. This has to work. That's all Aubrey can think as she takes deep breaths, in and out, and lets the magic flow from her hands and into the cold, motionless body laid out on the table before her. Standing across from her, Janelle has her eyes closed and is deep in concentration--the type of concentration that Aubrey was never very good at. She knows she'll have to try to focus, though, in order to get this spell right. For his sake, she'll do it.

For a long moment, nothing seems to happen. A faint orange glow fills the room, pulsating out from Aubrey and setting the body awash with its soft light, but there's no sign that the magic is working, no twitch of movement to alert her to the presence of regained life. A few feet away from Aubrey and Janelle, Barclay paces anxiously back and forth. Aubrey waits with bated breath for something, anything to happen, and then--

Ned's chest heaves, and his eyes snap open, bright and attentive and alive as ever.

Immediately, tears spring up in Aubrey's eyes. She jumps back from the table, clamping her hands over her mouth in delighted shock. Emotions swirl through her like whirlpools as she stares down at Ned. He glances up at her, opens his mouth as if to speak, then breaks into a coughing fit. With a jolt of dread, Aubrey reaches for him, laying one hand on his chest and the other on his back to help him into a sitting position. He blinks gratefully at her as his coughing subsides, then looks slowly around the room, bewilderment creeping onto his face.

"Wh-what happened?" he asks. He looks down at himself--no wounds, no blood, just a perfectly intact living, breathing body. "...Aubrey, what is this?"

"It--I--you--"

Aubrey's voice is choked out by tears of overwhelming joy and relief. She's sure she looks ridiculous, standing there grinning and crying like this, but... for crying out loud, she's just raised the dead! Technically not for the first time, but... this means so much more than the first time she did it. No offense to Deputy Dewey, but she would take Ned over him any day.

Forget about saying the words she wants to say to him. Where would she even start? She can hardly even remember what she was so furious with him for on the night he died. Or, no, that's not true. She can remember; it just doesn't seem so important now. She'd missed him so damn much--she and Duck both had, and Barclay, and Kirby, and... yeah. It's real fuckin' good to have him back. So, no, words wouldn't do her feelings justice.

Instead, she grabs Ned and pulls him into a hug. He lets out a startled gasp at the contact, and she could swear to god she feels him flinch, like he's afraid she's going to hurt him. But why would she ever do that? She was mad at him before, and with good reason, but... she didn't mean the things she said to him that day. She could never hate Ned. Him and her and Duck and the other residents of the lodge... they're family. She loves them all, including Ned.

"I'm so glad you're back," she manages to choke out between sobs. The words are muffled against the fabric of Ned's coat. "I'm just so fucking glad."

"Well, it's certainly good to be back," Ned says slowly as, after a long moment, they pull apart from the embrace. "But, erm, would anyone mind telling me what the hell happened here?"

"It's a long story, Mr. Chicane," Janelle says, laying a hand on Ned's arm and giving him the sort of comforting smile that a doctor or nurse might give a patient. "Why don't you let Aubrey here explain it on our way to the apartment?"

"Apartment?" Ned echoes. "Aren't we going to the lodge? Wait," he continues, a stricken look coming over him, "is Dani okay? The last thing I remember, she was all... all feral and nasty, and..."

"Dani's fine," Aubrey assures him. Then, as she and Janelle gently ease him to his feet: "That was two months ago, by the way. You've... you've kind of missed a lot."

"Ohh, boy," Ned sighs. Once he's back on his feet, he stretches his arms above his head and yawns, as if he's just woken up from a nap. Aubrey can't say for certain, but she's pretty sure that Ned has yet to realize that he's been dead for the past two months. "Well, I'm glad to hear that young Dani is alright. Now, where'd you say we were going? Hi, Barclay," he adds with an amicable wave.

"H-hey there, Ned," Barclay responds with a shaky smile. It looks like there's something he wants to say, but he remains silent apart from returning the greeting.

On the drive over to Duck's apartment, Aubrey does her best to fill Ned in on everything that's happened, although she winds up rambling a lot and skipping over some important details by accident. Ned nods along to everything she says, but judging by the vacant look in his eyes, she guesses he's not fully taking in what she's saying. That's fine, though, because she and Duck can explain it all again to him later. Because they have more time together with him now, she reminds herself, and the thought brings a grin to her face. Ned is back, and she's going to make sure it stays that way.

-

Duck is in his apartment, alternating between watching TV and trying to read a book while not really paying attention to either, when the doorbell rings. Letting out a long, heavy sigh, he turns the TV off, closes the book, and gets up to answer the door. He has no bloody idea who it could be--Aubrey never rings the doorbell and very rarely knocks before barging into a room, so it can't be her, can it? He knows she's out on some sort of errand right now, although he's not entirely clear on what it is. When he asked her about it earlier, an odd, sort of troubled look came over her.

"I don't really want to tell you," he remembers her muttering, "Because it's kind of up in the air as to how it will pan out, and... well, I just don't want to get anyone's hopes up, I guess."

Duck has no idea what Aubrey meant by that--that is, until the doorbell rings again, this time followed by a very distinctive knock. The sound makes Duck's breath catch in his throat, and he freezes in place with one hand on the doorknob. No. That's impossible. It's not--it can't be--

From the other side of the door, he hears Aubrey pipe up:

"Geez, are you gonna answer the door or not? We're trying to do a big dramatic reveal here, c'mon..."

"Well, alright, no need to get snappy," Duck mutters.

Trying to get the sound of the knock out of his head (even if he only recognizes that particular series of raps from one man, it's just a knock; anyone could learn to reproduce it) he opens the door to see Aubrey standing in the hallway. Standing next to her are Barclay, Janelle, and...

"Ned?!" Duck laughs, incredulous. "God, it's so good to see you, bud!"

Without thinking, he steps forward and pulls Ned into a hug. His mind reels as he feels the steady rise and fall of Ned's chest against his ear. This... this can't be real, he thinks. He must've fallen asleep on the couch again, and he's gonna get woken up any minute now by something or other. That'll sure as hell be disappointing, but for now, it's nice to see and feel Ned's living form, even if it has to just be a product of his imagination.

Ned chuckles, a little more uneasy than usual, and claps him on the back, then pulls away. Next to him, Aubrey is grinning from ear to ear. Shit, was this the mission she had wanted to avoid telling him about? Duck still can't quite bring himself to believe it, but god, it's tempting to.

"It's good to see you, too, friend Duck!" Ned says. "Although, from what I understand from what Aubrey here has told me, it's been a fair bit longer from your point of view than mine. And for that, I am truly sorry."

There's a note of genuine sincerity in his voice, though it sounds almost like he's trying to cover it up by talking in a big booming showbiz tone. Duck smiles and shakes his head.

"Shit, dude, you've got nothing to apologize for," he says. "I mean, we--we missed you like hell, but it wasn't your fault! That bullet hit you by mistake; it was nobody's fault."

Aubrey nods, although she looks uncomfortable at the mention of the incident. Then, she gasps and snaps her fingers together.

"Oh, we should go bail Pigeon out of jail!" she exclaims. "You can't be arrested for... for killing someone... if the person isn't dead, right?"

"Now hold on a minute," Ned interjects. "They shouldn't have locked her up in the first place! Like you said, it was an accident, so..."

"Yeahhh, law enforcement rarely cares about that sort of thing," Duck reminds him. "I figured you'd know that, what with your whole, ah, background."

Ned clucks his tongue and looks mock offended.

"Now, I don't know what you're accusing me of, young man, but--"

"But, yeah, like Aubrey said," Duck interjects. "We should look into getting Pigeon released."

"Yep, add it to our to-do list, along with about a million other things." Aubrey mimes writing something down on a checklist. "Find a way to get to the archway, free Mama, defeat the Quell..."

"Say, what's this about freeing Mama?" Ned asks. "She didn't get arrested too, did she?"

Grimacing, Aubrey glances between Ned and Duck. They're all still standing out in the hallway, with Janelle and Barclay hovering nearby. Sighing, Duck lays a hand on Ned's shoulder and gestures toward his apartment.

"C'mon inside, sit down, and Aubrey and I can explain everything," he says. "And... listen, I know I already said this, but man, it's good to have you back."

-

Things go more smoothly than anyone ever could have really anticipated. The Pine Guard defeats the Quell and saves both earth and Sylvain, and they all manage to do it without beefing it. Afterward, once everything is settled and everyone's lives go back to whatever semblance of "normal" they'd been before, Ned is left with a lot of time to think things over.

It just doesn't make sense that everybody loves him so much. Maybe now, after he helped save the world, but before that? Aubrey knows about the whole fiasco with the Flamebright pendant and her house burning down, and he can only assume she's told everyone else about it. Or even if she hasn't, Duck and the rest of them know that he's done some godawful shit in the past. So why do they continue to care so much about him, and how could they have missed him so much when he was gone? Why would Aubrey put in the effort of casting a spell to resurrect him? It just doesn't make sense.

The only explanation he can think of is that they're somehow still under the impression that he's a better person than he really is. But he isn't. He is a terrible, horrible person, and he knows full well that he always will be, no matter how hard he tries to escape his past.

A couple weeks after his coming back to life and the hectic days that followed, Ned manages to get "Saturday Night Dead" back on the air. The name is ironic now, he thinks, and he weaved a reference to this fact into the script. Now, as Aubrey holds the camera steady in front of him and Duck hangs back a few feet checking over the sound equipment, Ned clears his throat and mentally runs through his opening monologue one final time before the little green "ON AIR" button flickers on overhead.

"Hello, hello, ladies and gentlepeople!" he begins, putting on a big, cheesy grin and amplifying his voice. "Putting an end to its two-month-long hiatus, welcome back to Saturday! Night! Dead! ...With your newly revived host, Ned 'zombie' Chicane!"

("Zombie, huh?" he recalls Aubrey saying when she read over the script a few hours earlier. "Don't you mean Edmund Kelly Chicane?"

"Oh. You... you and Duck read my letters?"

Aubrey nodded. The revelation shouldn't have surprised him--he had written those letters specifically as goodbyes to his fellow monster hunters, after all--but somehow, it did. It brought a stir of unease and guilt to his gut to think that, until Aubrey brought him back, that was probably the only closure she and Duck had gotten.)

"Now, for anyone who's surprised to see me back among the living, I don't blame you," he continues, then pauses to chuckle for a couple seconds. "You see, I owe it all to my dear friend Aubrey Little. You may know her as the Lady Flame, but as it turns out, she's so much more. In fact... you could even call her a reanimator!"

("Aw, shit, Jeffrey Combs?" Duck remarked upon reading the script. "I remember that guy from Star Trek."

"Well, friend Duck, Mr. Combs' role in this film is no friendly star explorer," Ned informed him, making a dramatic hand gesture to go along with his words. "You see--"

"I mean, I wouldn't call any of his Trek roles friendly," Duck cut him off. "Weyoun 6, maybe, but that's about it...")

"That's right, my dear viewers, the movie I've got for you tonight is none other than 'Reanimator', a chilling tale of mad science!" Ned announces. "I guarantee it will chill you to the bone... mwahaha!"

The episode goes off without a hitch--no technical difficulties or anything, which is more than he can say for most episodes of his show. It quickly becomes the most-watched episode of not only "Saturday Night Dead", but of any Kepler-based programming. To say that Ned is flattered would be an understatement, but he still doesn't entirely understand why. Did the whole town really miss him that much? What has he done to deserve being loved so deeply and by so many people?

Ned still can't find the answers to those questions, and he's not sure he ever will. But if him being gone upset his friends so much, then he supposes he should stop putting himself in danger so often. And if they, the folks who know him better than anyone, think he's a good person, who is he to argue with them?

All Ned knows for sure is that they're glad to have him back, and through that fact alone, it's good to be back.

#taz #amnesty #hey did you know that i write stuff sometimes? #i dont normally tag things as #taz spoilers #but i guess I'd better do it for this just to be safe