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buckets-and-trees · 4 months

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Warm Shadows - Carving Through the Dark (3/4)

Fandom: MCU Collection: Warm Shadows [ part one | part two ] Title: Carving Through the Dark Characters/Pairings: established Alpha!Bucky x f!Omega!Reader, Alpha!Steve x f!Omega!Reader Word Count: 14.4k

Summary: Worse than a nightmare because it's real, Bucky has to track down his kidnapped omega and the man - the super soldier - who had been his closest friend turned into the dark, rival alpha, Captain Hydra.

Content Warnings: DARK, a/b/o dynamics, angst, explicit smut, vaginal intercourse, consensual forced orgasm

Logistical Notes: Shhh - yes this was the final story update I had planned for the Dark Forest Fest and it's the first week of January! But. Well. The word count. But we're here now, okay? Title taken from Hozier's Who We Are.

Additional Notes: Okay, I know that I did a poll asking last month if folks wanted the final chapter split into two parts or just one long chapter and - er - I kind of did both. I did not split this chapter, but a couple of days ago I realized we needed a fourth and final part. Lastly, @biteofcherry has been an absolute lifeline during the composition of this chapter - thank you for putting up with my conjectures and letting me piece together some of the elements. And even a little thank you to @rookthorne for cheering and bullying me over how long this got.

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“I can’t help you,” Shuri states, though there’s the flicker of it almost being one final question of it in her eyes.

“No,” Bucky confirms. “No more than you already have.”

He knows she says it as one last opportunity for him to change his mind, but also in acknowledgment that he must do this on his own. They clasp hands and then he turns to walk up the ramp of the aircraft.

“James,” she says when he’s nearly gone. He turns back to look at his friend, one who has seen him at the best and worst of times. “Whoever he is now, he knows Bucky, he knows the Winter Soldier, he will have learned everything about the Soldat from their archives, so you must truly be the White Wolf. She knows the wolf, but he does not.”

He nods and then walks further into the aircraft, leaving Shuri behind.

After you’d been violated and taken from him, Bucky had lain in anguish until just before dawn, raging over the loss of his world and everything he’d worked for, built, found, cherished. He would find you again – when he’d sworn, “There’s no corner of this earth you can go where I won’t find you,” it had been a promise to you as much as a warning to the monster – but none of you three were the same after that night.

To be the White Wolf…

It will take all the tactics he learned in the army, that he was forced to acquire as Hydra’s finest assassin, and since he escaped and then truly reclaimed his freedom. As angry as he is, as desolate as he feels, he holds the emotions at arms’ length, he needs to be at the eye of the hurricane so he can maneuver the way he needs to.

Bucky hasn’t been able to feel you. His desperate hope is that it’s because you’re sedated and unconscious and not … not anything else.

In Wakanda he and Shuri hadn’t been able to find even a sliver of a trace of the jet that had come and gone for Steve to enact his plan. It was a statement that whoever he was now, Captain Hydra was utilizing every ounce of knowledge Steve had and blending it with whatever Hydra hat put in him.

Bucky won’t leave a trail either.

It will take Steve time to figure out how Bucky left Wakanda – on foot, ground transport, or air transport – if he can figure it out. But Bucky was the untraceable ghost over fifty years of missions for Hydra, and he didn’t have the motivation he does now.

Bucky devised that going on the already-scheduled aircraft to the Wakandan Outreach Center in Oakland gave him the best options. He assumes Steve would have managed to get into the networks used by the Avengers and SWORD, and since he flew an aircraft in and out of Wakanda undetected and Bucky won’t be able to use Wakandan technology to best him either, so landing in Oakland also puts him in proximity to the hardware, software, and network resources he would need to build his own tech. During his convalescence in Wakanda before the Infinity War, it had been days of goats and technology research and development in the most advanced science facility in the world. He is not the expert that Shuri is, but he knows enough. His aversion to much of “modern” technology has always been due to how primitive it was compared to anything from Wakanda.

It takes weeks, but Bucky acquires the hardware he needs, modifies software, creates the network and protocols he needs to start Hydra hunting, and puts it all to work. He knows what to look for – the patterns, the seemingly innocuous inconsistencies – and he knows it because he was running data point for the team of analysts dedicated to Hydra hunting before this. He had taken more responsibility at the base of operations and fewer and fewer field assignments to be home and build his life with you.

Bucky doesn’t hesitate in ignoring any ethical limits whatsoever for his surveillance protocols. When he was working within the system, they had established some lines they weren’t willing to cross.

With seven billion humans in existence and him alone looking for two, lines to cross no longer exist.

He knows he will never get his life back, but he will not let anything prevent him from getting you back.

He puts every piece into play immediately as he builds, sleeps only the bare minimum. Truthfully he had only indulged in more than the minimal sleep a super soldier needed these past years because it was time spent blissfully with you. Without a reason to rest, he didn’t have any problem cutting back to short sleep allotments to keep him operating at peak condition.

In putting his own tap into the Avengers’ database, he studies the work that had gone on while he was gone for his annual retreat away with you. He discovers that Steve and Sam followed leads in Europe.

“Damn you idiots,” he murmurs.

The reports show his two friends go dark after losing comms nearly a month ago. A team went in after them and their debrief says they found only their communication devices. ‘Search ongoing…’

That was a month ago.

He knows the status of Steve.

Sam could be a live asset in play, an asset still being trained and molded by Hydra, their prisoner for torture, or he could have been eliminated already.

It takes him sixteen days from the beginning of his build to finish – he’d been collecting intelligence, but once everything is in play and he continues to hone in on incoming results, things progress systematically, satisfyingly, in a foreign familiarity that evokes memories of this time hunting as the Winter Soldier.

Two more days and he’s got enough evidence in the intelligence to confirm you’re somewhere in Europe. Within two hours Bucky recalibrates calculations based the new findings, conducts new searches, gets confirmation of a face on a traffic camera in Gdańsk that looks like Steve, and when he’s able to piece a clear trail that follows him through the city and then to an aircraft that he’s further able to track until it disappears over northern Italy. He knows this for what it is – a trail tempting him closer to the trap. A challenge, an invitation, but only if he can put together more pieces to find you. How many times did he set beautifully complex traps for some of his prize targets when he was the Winter Soldier? Breadcrumbs to entice, to drive his opponent to work harder, to put their prowess to work, to make them feel confident so he could trick, trap, and kill them in the end.

This monster of a man tricked him in Wakanda. It will be the only time. Expert and intricate traps of this sort are something his opponent has been playing with for a few weeks. Bucky has more practice and expertise, infinitely more motivation, and no distractions.

He travels under cover of transports between Wakandan outreach centers from Oakland to Washington DC, and then from Washington to Bilbao. When he touches down in Bilbao, his information relay device has a new lead based off a visual of Steve in a bookshop in Turin twice in the previous week.

He takes the train to Turin. Within twelve hours he finds the location of the Hydra facility, and Bucky makes enough noise to reveal to Hydra that he’s in the city and trigger the personnel to raise the facility to its red alert security status. He plants a false trail indicating that he’s given up and gone further north, all the while watching every aspect of the base, making plans to infiltrate, and ensuring sure none of the vehicles or teams moving in and out look like they’re transporting you somewhere else. They drop to an orange threat level, and then yellow – standard caution and operating procedures.

Bucky would have been floored that they believed he’d missed them in Turin and moved on to search somewhere else, but it spoke to one of the weaknesses of Hydra’s organization: the arrogance. Instead, Bucky hacks into their base network as well as their external communications channels.

This observation, research, recon, and analysis Bucky does not rush. Everything he cares about is at stake. If he’s going to be successful in getting you back there can be no room for error as he’ll be up against Hydra and the only other super soldier on the planet who could potentially match or outmatch him.

And as the weeks wear on, the other thing he cannot deny, that he’d known from the beginning of this nightmare even if he’d wanted to try to ignore it, it that he isn't in this to rescue only you.

When all is said and done, the reality is he has to get Steve back, too.

Bucky knows the longer it takes, the more dangerously close he gets to your next heat. He knows an omega being in a distressed environment will affect the heat cycle. It could bring it on early, or potentially also push you to the extremes of a dry heat depending on the conditions they are keeping you in, and how you’re feeling. Once he determines he knows enough to start putting together a plan of extraction, he also determines it’s too close to when your heat might hit, and he can’t risk trying to extract you if you’re in heat – it becomes an element he can’t predict and ensure that his plan will still be successful.

His own senses are strained with the tenor of your unease in a way that’s different from before. It’s driving his alpha side mad, and he wants to storm the facility and reclaim you, and that’s one more element contributing to the volatility of the situation. He knows he can’t gamble on so many unpredictable elements.

He must wait.

But when he sees Captain Hydra leave in his jet right when Bucky is certain you are close to your heat, Bucky is stunned.

It might be too damn close to your heat, but clearly you’re not in heat yet or the other alpha would not leave you. This was not his plan, but it is a prime opportunity he can’t ignore – not if he can get to you alone and save you from a heat away from him. His heart can’t deny this unexpected opportunity.

After Bucky had hacked into the Hydra base’s network, he’d discovered that the small jet Captain Hydra had exclusive use of had been excluded from all navigational tracking and that the man only communicated by radio with one individual whenever he left. He’d further discovered that Captain Hydra was a weapon still cloaked from most of Hydra, with nothing about him other than his existence as a new asset available on the network. Even his former identity was not yet disclosed or recorded anywhere digitally.

This means Bucky has no idea where the man is going or when he will be back, but he hears Captain Hydra and his liaison discuss and confirm his time of arrival and his estimated time of return. Bucky must work quickly, but there is a window.

As he had not anticipated infiltrating so soon, he still has to finish putting things together for the actual extraction – like transportation, supplies, and thoroughly planning out three escape routes and destinations – and while he works quickly, he does not rush those final preparations, and so that takes him a significant amount of the window of time he knows he has.

But he only needs long enough to get you out.

He will have that.

He ambushes the delivery truck bringing in the week’s food shipment with no trouble and drives it right into the base as he has all the proper credentials on his person and its still pre-dawn hours, so lack of light works in his favor to get through the first gate.

But of course when he doesn’t follow delivery procedures once he rolls up to the shipping and receiving dock, that’s when his limited time really begins. The first decision he must make is whether or not to take out a man of average height but portly build that approaches the truck – one of the cooks, Bucky has studied the personnel files for everyone registered on this base – and Bucky evaluates as he steps out of the truck. He could kill him, but this man should probably be spared. Bucky doesn’t want unnecessary blood on his hands. So with lightning fast moves and a choke hold, the man goes down. But next are two security personnel, and them Bucky shoots point blank, taking each of them out with single shots. He leans down to lift the comms off one of them, putting the piece in his ear so he can hear everything as it unfolds across the base.

He yanks open the first door and moves down the hallway. And then there’s a frantic message over the comms, “Code Red! Winter Soldier, loading docks, two personnel down, in pursuit!”

Bucky growls and turns back down the hallway and swears when he sees the man putting comms in his ear and squaring up a gun he’d clearly lifted off one of the security guards was the cook he thought he’d put out cold. Apparently the man had more in him than Bucky had accounted for, and so now Bucky takes aim and shoots him once he’s close enough to secure the kill shot, only having to dodge two close but errant bullets himself as the cook had tried to run him down.

Lethal force for everyone it is, he thinks.

He’s irritated he wasted extra time on this man trying to keep down the body count.

He does not make that mistake again, killing everyone who comes across his path. The silver lining working in his favor is that this base in Turin is a science facility, not a military facility, so he has fewer muscle personnel to deal with than other places you could have been kept, and he can hear over the main comms that scientists and researchers are being given orders to shelter in place while there are instructions given over the security comms in Bucky’s ear that prime-level scientists are to be evacuated. It’s the directive he expected, which benefits him as the security personnel are split between pursuing him and evacuating those individuals deemed indispensable.

But dealing with those who are in pursuit of him is simple. When he’s out of ammunition, he makes quick work dealing what should be lethal wounds with his knives. Every man or woman down is one less he will need to contend with while trying to safely get you out, and while he’s reasonably sure he’s dealing death to everyone, there are a few he thinks may survive.

He has studied every aspect of this facility while making his preparations, and he sends a message to Captain Hydra that he was prepared by shooting glances cleanly into every camera he knows he passes.

There’s a flash of fear that ripples through him – it comes from the bond he’s tried to keep dormant between you since you were taken, but this is too powerful, and it’s a barb he can’t ignore. It flares and then dies out, which could be either a good thing or a bad thing. He squares his shoulders and moves more quickly.

As Bucky reaches the quadrant they’ve been keeping you a few moments later, the words, “The Omega is secured, sedated, and ascending to the roof with team Foxtrot, thirty seconds until air evac.”

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!”

He knows he can’t make it in time, but Bucky still races down the hall to the stairwell, launching through the door and then hurtling up the stairs, taking them three and four at a time. His super speed isn’t enough to scale four flights of industrial facility stairs, and he bursts out on the roof to see the coaxial helicopter already twenty meters up in the air and navigating away to the north.

He wants to shout until his lungs bleed because he was so close, but he knows he can’t afford to indulge in emotions that strong in this moment. Instead, he takes huge gulps of the fresh air, pulls the door from its hinges, and hurls it across the roof before going back down the stairs.

He does not engage with anyone but comes across few through his retreat. Instead, his focus now is decimating what he can of the facility without wasting time or going out of his way as he escapes the base, rigging explosives quickly in key areas on his way out.

While he left destruction in his wake, and he leaves alone, he was precise in how much damage he dealt. He left the area of main logistical operations intact because he didn’t want to destroy their network and communications, eliminating his ties to tracking their next moves.

Bucky immerses himself in tracking and monitoring everything the second he’s back in his hideout with his tech. He sees the Captain return. He watches the final evacuations. They send him to Geneva, and Bucky is ready to follow, knowing exactly where the Swiss facility is located since he’s fully infiltrated the Hydra network of information. He can’t travel as quickly since he doesn’t have access to any Hydra aviation, but he makes it there by sundown.

He wouldn’t risk trying to disrupt your heat now, not with everyone moved and on high alert, it would be dangerous for you. Instead, he works on setting up his new undercover observation point in Switzerland. He fine tunes his information tap into the Hydra system. As he works, he notices the rise of an anxious feeling pulling at his hind brain. He’s felt the press of you trying to reach across the bond while you’ve been apart, but this is different – there’s a frantic, wild tug, and while it’s insistent, it’s more erratic, like the flickering of a flame, as if you aren’t even concentrating on the connection to him.

He knows so much of you that he knows you have to be on the brink of your heat but that you must desperately be trying to fight it. The discomfort he can sense continues to ebb and flow. It morphs. It becomes tinged with more discomfort. Then there’s a lick of desire that is almost imperceptible. That’s followed rather quickly be a flare of adrenaline – or is it fear? Another shift a few minutes later, and tone of this is pure arousal, the feeling he’s shared so much of with you, and the thought that you…

He grits his teeth, shuts his eyes, and abruptly stills every muscle in his body. You are his omega. Another alpha bonded you. Your heat is undeniable. His brain knows that – it’s one of the things he’s been focusing on, acknowledging the various scenarios that could play out for this heat, he just did not want this, nor was he prepared for what it might feel like. And so, with forced, measured breaths, he does everything he can to concentrate on shutting down the connection, to put his alpha side to sleep, because he can not bear this. He has suppressed so much of everything since losing you, only holding onto the faintest tether, but he cannot endure this – not and keep his rationality and do what he needs to do now, which is to formulate the next steps, the things he needs to figure out and watch for now that this cruel game has changed. Emotion will distract him, but there’s also the flow that could go the other way and throw you off, and he swore to keep you safe.

Diving into the network databases of this new Hydra facility, Bucky notices something he noticed in Turin: there are no records that contain any of your names on file – not you, not Steve, not Sam. He thought it was strange before, but he had a theory it could have been the nature of secrecy around all the projects at the research facility in Turin – there were very few data files on the science being explored on that base. But in transferring the Turin personnel out, with a contingent of them going to Geneva, he pours over all the documentation and the only he finds is the transfer of a high-level asset referred to only as Waffe SR4718. He easily knows the German word for weapon, and without missing a beat Bucky knows the letters and numbers are supposed to seem random but clearly refer to Steve Rogers whose birthdate is the fourth day of the seventh month in the eighteenth year of the previous century. It’s innocuous to anyone coming across it, but abundantly clear that it’s specific for those who were supposed to know.

With all Bucky knows of his own time with Hydra, how there were always layers within layers, secrets buried, hidden, withheld, he’s certain the acquisition of Steve and metamorphosis into Captain Hydra is as dark and as quiet as his own existence as the Winter Soldier.

There are quarters assigned to Waffe SR4718, and Bucky tags it track all status alerts – comings and goings, services, requests. He also puts the cameras for that hallway up on a constant feed monitoring protocol with the AI he’s adapted to bring up the imagery if there’s any movement in or out of the door.

Knowing you’re in heat, Bucky concentrates on new extraction tactics and mapping out escape options from this new facility.

But at three in the morning during the second night in Geneva – the second night of your heat – the door movement alert goes off, and Bucky immediately turns his attention to watch as Steve slowly emerges.

Why would he have any reason to leave you during your heat? He knows he could order food, clothing, bedding, medical personnel if absolutely necessary…

A quick check of the log shows that there have been no such requests.

And then he sees the unthinkable.

You’re right there behind him, following as he starts to make his way down the hall, dressed in darker clothing as he is. He has a small tactical pack slung across his back.

“What the hell are you doing?”

The question is only uttered out of frustration and disbelief because he could immediately decipher what is happening.

As precarious as it is to interfere with your heat, the two of you are clearly on the move.

The other alpha has no intention of staying at this base.

But why?

His mind begins deciphering even as he’s pulling up security cameras as the pair of you move through the facility, tracking your movements and actions.

The calculated risk is to get out when you’re supposed to be in heat. Bucky did see that status reported on the log – omega in heat. The protocols were to leave alpha and omega Hydra personnel undisturbed unless a priority one situation developed – typically reserved for life or death and rarely anything less urgent or pressing. It meant no one would think to check after the asset immediately. Even if an alpha skipped regular ordering for a meal or two to the living quarters, that wouldn’t be taken as out of the ordinary, merely unnecessary or forgotten due to being otherwise occupied, or deciding to make do with the food already with them.

The movement logically progresses toward the transportation hangar under the building – intending to employ ground transport.

On the way, the two of you duck into a room and close the door. Bucky accesses the schematics to discover it’s a data analytics workspace – cooperative computer sharing area. There weren’t any goons to hide from, so Bucky works quickly, trying to pull up the specific workstations in there. He sees the log in for a science officer. The user accesses the personnel transfer files for everyone from the Turin base submitted due to the evacuation. Four names are brought up on the roster and their locations are changed from Turin to the other the other bases anyone from Turin was reassigned to – a pair of them to Odessa, the other pair to Trondheim.

Subterfuge. He’s displacing security agents – or at least their location statuses.

Bucky frowns.

The rest of your course takes you directly to the vehicle hangar. Moving in the dead of night has capitalized on as few people as possible moving around the base for you to encounter, and it paid off. The other alpha selects a smaller SUV, loads some readily available weapons and supplies from the nearby vicinity into the back and then – faster than lightning – he withdraws something from a pocket near his chest, presses it over your mouth, and Bucky can see you seize up and then slump into his arms. He tucks you in amongst the supplies before throwing a canvas over everything and closing the hatchback.

Clearly you had been cooperating with this escape, so why was it necessary to knock you out?

Then he leaves the vehicle, leaves the hangar, goes back up two floors to the security personnel floor, and knocks on one of the doors.

Bucky accesses the database to see who’s assigned to that room as he watches this man converse briefly with whoever answers the door.

The two names assigned to the room match the two names reassigned to the Trondheim base on the evacuation transfer records.

“What larger game are you playing, Captain Hydra?” Bucky murmurs.

Because it’s back down to the hangar and the SUV with you stashed in the back, but then he waits.

And within five minutes, two men in full tactical gear get in the vehicle as well, and only then does he start up the car and leave. There’s a tracking device on this vehicle, so Bucky starts to pack up his tech, and pulls up the tracking on his smartphone.

He’s about to shut and pack away his laptop when he thinks of doing one more thing. It will take time, and this is why he knows Captain Hydra didn’t do it, but it will be worth it. But after his time in Wakandan labs and building up his own robust systems, within twenty-five minutes, Bucky has gone through the security camera system and successfully removed all footage of you and the captain moving throughout the base, rewriting it with the empty hallways from just before and after, effectively erasing the evidence of your escape. This will buy more time. No one may have thought to look for any movement in and out of Waffe SR4718’s quarters, but now they won’t find it when they ultimately go back and try, extending Bucky’s time to tail you without Hydra in the mix. They will assume the alpha and omega are still in heat seclusion now without any reason to doubt it.

Bucky leaves his temporary Geneva hideout with the essentials he arrived with. He chose this location because it was two streets down from one of the larger private car services in Switzerland. Bucky knows he can pass as a mechanic with his clothing, and the service staff works overnight to keep up maintenance for the large fleet of vehicles that provide VIP transportation, airport pick up and drop off, limousine transfers, corporate chauffeur services, ski transfers, and event chauffeuring. Acquiring a non-descript vehicle is as easy as he hoped, and it’s more than simple to de-activate this car’s GPS tracking system.

Within half an hour, he’s comfortably in pursuit. The vehicle he’s tracking has maintained its course and is an hour out of the city now, but an hour ahead is reasonable.

When the Hydra vehicle is three hours outside of Geneva, it makes its first stop. Bucky presses a button on his phone to pin the location. The stop is for less than five minutes, and then it continues, but Bucky will stop there as well to assess the purpose and glean any information he can.

Bucky is an assertive driver, making up speed, but not at a point to draw attention. When he reaches the pin he’d set on the route for the stop your vehicle had made, it’s on a bridge.

There’s only one reason Bucky can think of to stop on a bridge.

A reason that could make Bucky’s heart stop with devastation, but he must continue to operate under the assumption it wasn’t your body dumped into the river. Anything else wouldn’t make sense.

Unless the other alpha has become completely unhinged and all of this is an elaborate game to drive Bucky beyond all limitations of his own reason.

Within the next two hours, he sees you pass the border into Germany, and then another stop is registered on the GPS tracking near the city of Albstadt. Bucky has made up a significant amount of the head start the other alpha had had. When he arrives in Albstadt, he finds the SUV. It is most likely that this vehicle had been abandoned for another, but Bucky has to stop at this point and tap into security feeds for the city to see whether you’re here or not. He picks a spot that advertises wifi with their sandwiches, refueling his body while setting up his tech in a spot most won’t question him to hunker down for some serious work on a laptop. He gets into the city’s street cameras, sees Steve steal another vehicle, pulls the license plate, and then he programs his algorithm to watch for the number to track the route now. He won’t be able to smoothly follow the route of a GPS-tracked vehicle anymore, but Bucky knew this would grow more difficult. As long as his goal was to draw out the Soldat, Captain Hydra will still leave a trail of breadcrumbs, but it will be scant if he’s trying to evade Hydra.

While Bucky has questions of intent, he has no question that it’s what the Captain is doing now.

Bucky is able to pick up the trail with license plate tracking and route mapping into Stuttgart. All the way to the train station. But this is where the other alpha shows incredible skills for blending in. It’s a busy station. Bucky will have to run thorough security camera assessments of the Stuttgart station, figure out when – or if – they got on a train, and then continue tracking from there. If the alpha and omega got on a train, Bucky can at least narrow his search to that route and its stops for that schedule, but Bucky used train stations to cover his tracks as well, and sometimes that involved never boarding the train but leading anyone tracking him to believe that he had.

With that much information, he writes new coding into his overall system, sends it back to the larger machine he left in Oakland to do the heavy computing so it can start the work he’ll need to fine tune once he can settle in a more permanent stopover, pays for his meal, and then drives to Stuttgart. The hacking into facial recognition has been so enhanced beyond boundaries though – especially because he can tailor it to look for only two faces he knows as well as his own – that he sees the two of your board a train headed west, targets the route, sets up the watch parameters for the schedule, and catches you getting off in Paris.

Another smart move blending into the vibrancy of a large city, but Bucky is sure it’s not the final destination either. But Steve knew enough French to blend into the country, as well.

It takes Bucky and his systems six more days, but he confirms three separate facial recognitions for the other alpha in a town outside of Bordeaux small enough to be off the beaten path but big enough to blend in and go unnoticed by its people.

Bucky travels there as quietly as possible. He does not want to tip his hand. He’s too close now to have you slip through his hands again.

After two more days and with the assistance of satellite imaging, he has found the small house in a forested area outside of the town.

Bucky grips the edge of the small desk he’s been working at, grounding himself. Adrenaline had immediately surged through his veins, but he must keep everything contained. He has practiced so much control and restraint that if his heart betrays him now, he’ll carve it out himself and leave it behind. He cannot compromise this delicate situation.

He drives out to the area and leaves his vehicle well-hidden a kilometer out from the house and approaches on foot, circling at a large perimeter and slowly moving further in, cautiously, taking in everything. He doesn’t want to trip anything the other alpha may have set up to alert him to intruders.

What he discovers is minimal, and all old tactical elements – things they’d done as

Cap and the Howling Commandos back in the old war.

Effectively things that would have worked on anyone from this day and age but that only Bucky would know to look for.

He doesn’t trust it.

This is another trap.

But he has to walk into it and fare as best he can.

That’s what Captain Hydra had said was his plan from the beginning – draw out the Soldat.

The White Wolf would enter the trap but would need to control it and come out on the other side with his omega.

He can’t even think those words without his pulse racing now, and he digs his vibranium fingers into the trunk of the tree under his hand, splintering the wood while he closes his eyes and stamps down everything that wants him to sprint to the house he can see, break down the door, and launch himself into your arms.

He timed his approach when he’d seen the other alpha leave – likely for more food and supplies – but he knew the time alone would be limited.

Bucky takes measured but determined steps to the green wooden front door of what’s essentially a little cottage.

Straining his ears and focusing on his enhanced hearing, he doesn’t pick up anything beyond ambient noises – and your soft, slow breathing.

He takes a deep breath, slowly twists the doorknob, and opens the door.

There you are, curled up in a cozy armchair, dozing, hand pressed up against the spine of a book that has fallen to your chest after you clearly fell asleep reading, and this.

This simple scene nearly knocks him to his knees.

The way you’re there, feet away from him, it’s the most beautiful sight of his entire life.

But still, he is quiet, cautious.

His entire chest aches for you.

He shuts the door softly behind him, then crosses the small living room and kneels next to you. He eases the book out of your hands and puts it on the small side table. He’s done this before so many times. You make a slight hum through your sleep.

Brushing his fingers over your cheek is almost enough to make the nightmare of the last six weeks vanish as if it really had only been a nightmare.

He almost doesn’t dare to breathe.

But the warmth of his hand against your skin evidently reaches in to stir something in your subconscious, because you shift slightly, sigh, and tilt your head into his touch and murmur, “Bucky…”

The stutter of his chest is both painful and euphoric at once, and everything wells up in his chest, everything he’s been holding back.

He drops his hand from your cheek to your shoulder, gently trying to nudge you awake.

Coming back into consciousness, you take in a deep breath before blinking your eyes open. Your gaze drifts to him, and then your body seizes up one moment, and the next you’re scrambling up and away from him, whipping over the back of the armchair you’d been curled up in.

“Bucky?” your voice comes out in a wounded whimper of a tone that pierces him, confounds him.

“Yes, it’s me,” he answers, brow furrowing. He hadn’t allowed himself to think over what this moment was going to be like – he knew the fixation would have been too painful to hope over – but it was not supposed to be this, with you looking at him with caution, with hesitancy, with your guard up.

“Omega?” he questions tentatively, rising from where he’d been crouched on the floor.

You don’t move your position, but you draw yourself up to your full height as well.

Bucky maneuvers around the furniture, wanting to remove the barrier between you, but he changes his position slowly, allowing you time to retreat if you feel compelled to. You hold your ground but do keep yourself squared off facing him as he moves. He does what he hasn’t done since this ordeal began and definitively opens up the gateway of the bond between you, tentatively reaching out, trying to read you.

Your mood is hard, and it doesn’t fluctuate. There’s a steady mix of fear, doubt, and what he thinks is exasperation there.

No, it’s more than that.

“You’re angry with me?”

“I’m more than angry with you!” you hurl the words at him and cross your arms over your chest. “I’m livid.”

“I came to you as fast as I could!” He steps closer, and now you step back. He moves closer again, but with a smaller step.

“It’s not that, I know you worked as hard as you could–“

“Then what else could you possibly be upset about, Omega?” His tone is desperate, earnestly seeking the answer, but also tinged with a warning he can’t help from bleeding into the question.

“I couldn’t feel you.” The anger gives way to let the anguish of your words bleed through, and they sweep over both of you. “You cut yourself off from me. I was desolate and scared and alone, and you withdrew any hint of our connection.”

He steps forward once more, finally close enough to reach for you, and as he continues to close the distance, you unfold one of your arms and backhand slap him. “I needed you!”

Bucky staggers a step back from the raw force you hurled at him, but it only takes him the space of a breath for him to recover enough, and he surges forward and pulls you into his arms, uttering your name the way one pleads in a fraught prayer. You try and push against his chest and squirm out of his arms, but he only secures you more firmly, holding you dearly and desperately to him.

“I needed you,” you sob out. Instead of continuing to try to struggle away from him, to hold your hurt at bay, he feels you stop fighting and the turn as you let everything out. He holds you, soothing you, but not trying to quell any of this yet. He knows everything you’re feeling is warranted, can feel now that you held back as much as he did while you were apart. Endured as much hurt as he did – more in many ways. He won’t tell you to settle down, because the hurt needs to be acknowledged and not minimized.

Once your chest is no longer wracked with sobs, when your crying has abated from steady streams of tears to the small sniffling, he gently wipes the tears from your cheeks. Then Bucky decisively nuzzles his face down into the crook of your neck. Slowly, tentatively, he presses his lips to the place he claimed and bonded you as his omega, his mate. You whimper, but your hands clutch at his shirt, and the immediate flood of relief, of love, of devotion, washes over you both. He can feel it, he knows you feel it.

His large hands are planted firmly on your back, one at the curve of your spine, and one between your shoulder blades, pressing you as close together as he possibly can. He plants a longer, more concentrated kiss to the mark, and your right hand slides up to thread your fingers into his hair and press him closer.

The more he kisses into your neck, the more whole he feels. He had ignored the hollow, empty feeling in his chest, had truly rejected all feeling, as cold and empty as he’d operated while being the Winter Soldier. He’s feeling human again. Himself again – or at least it’s all coming back to him now.

He doesn’t even realize when your body has fully melted into him, too caught up in the mending of the connection, but then you’re urging his face up away from your neck, but only so you can press your forehead to his, and you say, “I need you, Bucky.”

He nods, and then you kiss him. In a movement familiar to you both, his hand moves down, curving over your ass and to the back of your thigh, and he picks you up. Your legs wrap around him as you deepen the kiss, nipping at his lips. He carries you across the big open space to where there’s a bed in the far corner.

He sets you down gently on your feet, and his hands are already reaching for the hem of your shirt, and you readily lift your arms so he can pull it cleanly off your body. You’re reaching for his belt, and he’s pulling his own shirt over his head. Your lips eagerly seek each other as much as they can. You push his dark jeans down, and he huffs and sits down at the foot of the bed so he can hastily unlace and yank his boots off, so he can shuck his pants off all the way. When he raises his head, you stand before him in nothing but your simple underwear, one hand pressed against your torso, biting your lip.

You’re so damn beautiful to him, his heart aches again at the sight of you nearly naked before him again after so long torn apart.

He reaches for you, and though you don’t hesitate to take his hand, as he tugs you into his lap, your thighs straddling either side of his hips, he doesn’t miss the slight tremble of your body, and it kills him but there’s a deep part of him that resonates, recognizes the feeling. The separation had been hell on an alpha and omega level, and this is still too much, overwhelming, and altogether not nearly enough to soothe the deep loneliness he had pushed beneath the surface. His arms wrap around you again. While your left arm wraps around his neck, your right hand roams over his bare skin – shoulder, arms, chest, neck, face – questing to rememorize him.

He wants to be inside you, but having your chest pressed into to his chest, it’s like your heartbeats are syncing back together, and he almost needs this more. The side of your face rests against his, and the way he can hear you breathe in and out right next to his ear, can feel the warmth of every exhale, it’s yet another inimitable balm he didn’t know he longed for.

He murmurs your name softly against your shoulder.

“Mmm?”

He knows you can tell he’s working out something to say. Every season you two had been together had been time you had worked to only continually knit your souls more tightly to each other, not only to love each other more, but to understand each other, to work together, to support and lean into each other as true partners.

It had made the separation all the more painful.

He squeezes you more tightly for a moment, then inhales to speak. “I need to tell you why I put up the walls I did.”

He feels you tense slightly in his arms – of course he does, there’s no way for him to miss it any more than there was any chance for you to try and hide it when this intimately entwined. He bestows a soft, light kiss to your bonding mark, and you whimper, but turn your head to brush your lips over his cheek, and then both of you draw back just enough to look at each other.

“I’ll never know if it was the right or wrong thing to do to you, but it felt like the only way I could hope to survive navigating back to you. Immediately I knew I couldn’t allow the anguish of pain and anger I was feeling to flood to you when I knew you were living your own nightmare. When I held that back, the way Hydra had conditioned me to repress all feelings when I was their fist resurfaced, and I knew shelving the emotions would leave me to focus and be more effective in everything I was doing to track you and find you.”

“Bucky,” you start, but he shakes his head slightly, his eyes pleading for you to let him continue. You give a little huff. “Okay.”

The corner of his mouth lifts, and he pecks your lips before going on. “When I was closing in on where they were keeping you, I didn’t want to alert you and have you have to worry about how to hide that.”

“That’s a fair strategic tactic,” you grudgingly admit.

He grins at your tone, but it abates quickly. “I also…”

He pauses for half a beat and takes a breath to steel his resolve because you deserve his raw honesty as it’s still a concern in play.

“Also what?”

“I didn’t know how much of our bond he would feel. I didn’t want to tip him off, but I – I didn’t want to feel what might go the other way and bleed from him through you either.”

“Oh, Buck,” you bury your head into the crook of his neck now, nuzzling against the bonding mark you’d given him. “Our bond is ours, not his.”

“It’s not?”

“No, no,” you press quick successive kisses against your bonding mark on the juncture of his neck and shoulder. “You might feel the wake of what I feel from his bond to me, but the ties to each of you are very distinct within me. I’m especially sure of it now that ours isn’t dormant anymore.”

He holds you close while he sorts through this revelation from you. “I didn’t know – and I was worried if I felt him it would either devastate or enrage me and either way make me overrule logic and slip up, do something rash.”

“Now I understand,” you speak right into his ear. “Concentrate though, what do you feel right now?”

He breathes in. Breathes out. Another breath in. Out.

“Only you,” he says, no question.

Your lips drift back down his neck, and you press an insistent kiss to your claim on him this time, then you open your lips and suck over the spot.

Bucky shivers and groans, and you wince and laugh when his arms flex around you so tightly it actually hurts. Because he reacts so strongly, it doesn’t shock him in the slightest that you’re spurred on to seek more, but now he’s ready, so when you’ve satisfied with your initial torment and he feels you slot your teeth over the mark, he bares his neck, ready when you bite down to renew your claim on him, and he shouts – euphoric, flooded and overwhelmed with the way everything opens in such a raw way when a bonding mark is refreshed.

It drives you to rock your hips against him. You’re both still in those last pieces of underwear, but the friction of your cunt against his cock is glorious, and he can’t help the satisfied rumble in his chest in answer to the simple action.

His hand clamps on your plump, round ass, and he pushes you hard against him and holds you there – he doesn’t want the rocking, for a moment he just wants the intense pressure, the reality that you’re here with him.

You crash your lips to his desperately. He slants his head and works his tongue along the seam of your mouth, which willingly parts for him, an open moan passing between you both, your tongue inviting him into your mouth, stroking against his. Both of you fiercely hold onto each other, keeping that close chest to chest contact while you kiss more than you breathe. When you ultimately have to break off from each other to get air back in your lungs, the heaving expansion of your ribcages against each other is such a simple but intense intimacy, breaths mingling – another moment that adds to the replenishment for how much his soul had been depleted without you.

“Need you inside me,” you plead.

He nods while turning and tossing you onto the bed.

As he climbs up to join you, you quip, “No more clothes, Alpha.”

“Bossy Omega,” he chuckles, but complies in pushing his boxer briefs down and tossing them away.

You quirk your lips. “Give me what I need, and I won’t need to be so demanding.”

He growls, but it’s teasing, the feeling in his heart is a light one, a feeling he feels echoed in you, lines of it running through the overwhelming need.

Bucky moves up the bed, hooks his fingers beneath the band of your underwear, and you lift your hips so he can remove them immediately. He leans down and presses a broad flat lick of his tongue over your hip bone, causing you to squirm – desire and a sensitive spot of skin he discovered on your years ago. “I know what you need, Omega.”

“Yes, Alpha,” you nod eagerly, and he flips you over onto your stomach

He hears your breath hitch. He knows you love roughness and to be handled as often as you love softness, but the latter isn’t what you need right now. He crawls up over you and plants his left arm up by your shoulder while he slots himself between your legs. Your left hand finds his, twining your fingers together while he lines up his cock with your slick entrance, and the sigh of ecstasy that escapes you as he pushes his length in sings in his ears. The feeling of your warm channel gripping him is better than he remembered – or at least it feels that way – and he tries to push in as slowly as he can to savor coming home to where he belongs inside you, but it’s not nearly as slow as he wants it to be.

Once he’s fully sheathed in you, he kisses your shoulder, then nips along until he’s at the juncture of your neck, and you keen and bare your neck to him. He licks over his bonding mark, then bites down, reclaiming you, and you cry out, body thrumming beneath him. He starts to move behind you, pulling his hips back before thrusting back in. Your right leg hitches back to tangle up and over his, urging him on. He grips your hip, and then he fucks you. It’s the most primal it’s ever felt with you, the force of it rocking the bed to knock against the wall, and he almost worries about whether or not it’s too much, but you rock back against him, meeting his thrusts as much as you can in your prone position, eagerly taking all of him.

“That’s it, darling, take my hard cock inside you,” he urges you both on.

You sob out a breathless, “Yes,” that makes his chest rumble in satisfaction.

He can feel your cunt fluttering around him, can feel you on the edge of ecstasy, but it also feels like you’re refusing to fall over the edge.

“Come on, darling, let go.”

“No.”

That shocks him but doesn’t slow him down.

He maintains his pace and slips his hand down between you and the mattress, cupping your pussy and finding your clit. “Yes.” He starts to rub quick, concentrated circles over your tight bundle of nerves.

You shake your head desperately. “No, I don’t want it to end,” the words tumble out, and he hears the sound of you crying again.

“Omega, I will give you more. I’ll give you as much as you need, but I need you to give in to this, surrender and fall over the edge with me again.”

“Bucky!” you cry out as you’re unreservedly flung over the edge. Your cunt clamping down on him was the last of what he needed to reach his own climax, and so his shout echoes your own, and he exerts those final thrusts to pump his seed deep within you.

He stays sheathed within you but rolls both of you to your sides, brackets his arm around your waist, and keeps you close, nuzzling into your neck. You sink back against him, resting your arm over his and threading your fingers together.

“That was…”

He nudges your chin for you to turn your head back so he can kiss away the tears that escaped during the emotions that came through there at that end.

“Intense?”

“Yes.”

“We both needed it, Omega. I need you as much as you need me. Do not doubt it.” You shiver in his arms, and he swears, “I’ll make sure you never question it again.”

“Never let me go.”

“Never again.”

You shift and turn over to face him. He’s just as content to wrap you in his arms this way. You tangle your legs with his as you have so many times before. This is so familiar.

You brush your fingers over his face, retracing the lines and angles that define him, and he watches your face as your eyes drink in his features.

“I’m yours, Omega,” he says in a quiet, low tone.

A soft smile lifts the curve of your mouth. Your hand cradles his jaw and beckons him in to kiss you, and he is happy to acquiesce. The kisses he shares with you now are slow, solemn promises of lips and tongues, heated but not demanding.

When you eventually come up for air, you tuck yourself more closely into his chest, humming with contentment. He’s half hard again, and the frantic last moments of the sex he shared with you flashes back to the forefront of his mind. “I promised to give you more. What do you need from me? Tell me how I can please you, how I can love you.”

You reach up and press your fingers delicately against his bonding mark. “Just this. Hold me. I only need to be with you.”

He can feel how true it is as your fingers stroke lightly over the place where you claimed him all those years ago, reclaimed him here in this bed, flooding him with more peace. His brushes his lips over your forehead. “Whatever you want, sweetheart.”

There’s a little chirp that bubbles up out of you when he calls you sweetheart again, and it makes him just as happy as it does you. He slowly caresses your back, hand moving up and down, up and down, in a soothing motion, soothing himself as much as you.

There is still so much ahead for you both, but this – your connection to each other – he can feel that again so strongly. He never doubted it, but after being deprived, the return of how powerful it is engulfs him. This will anchor him through what’s coming.

“Buck?” you murmur against his neck.

“Mmm?”

“I can tell your brain is beginning to work away from here.”

He sighs. “Can you blame me?”

“No, but talk to me, take me with you if you’re going to think.”

“There’s so much to think through.”

“Start with one thing.”

You’ve done this with him before – late nights, afternoons, mornings, on a drive, on a walk, sharing a meal – you could always feel when he started to get tied up in his brain with his thoughts, and you’d listen, ask questions, sift through with him. He was perfectly capable of sorting through things on his own, but sharing with you made it altogether different. It was one of the best parts of having you as his mate.

“Why…?” He frowns and trails off. “No, nevermind.”

“No, Buck. I worked hard to soothe and relax my alpha. I want this gift of respite with you, however brief it is, and whatever string you don’t want to tug on first clearly is one that’s important.”

He nips your shoulder. “My gutsy omega.”

“Alpha,” you press, also literally pressing a finger insistently against his chest.

“Alright…” His tone turns serious. “Why didn’t you try to escape – especially here where he leaves you alone sometimes?” From the way he’d found you, it was clear this wasn’t an anomaly.

You cluck your tongue impatiently and roll your eyes. “First, how was I reasonably supposed to outrun him, hide from him, and try to find you? I don’t have any of the tactical skills or training you two do.”

“Fair enough. And second?” The first point is obvious now that he’s asked it and heard you answer, but he wants to hear the rest of what you have to say.

“Second,” you continue, your tone altering to something more somber, “he took me to lure you to him, so the most logical thing was to stay and wait for you.”

“Ah,” Bucky nods, the smallest of smiles taking over his mouth. “My smart omega.”

“And third,” you continue, though your words tone is cautious now, and you drop your eyes to his chest.

“Yes?” he urges you to finish the thought.

“He’s my alpha, too.”

This isn’t news – he’s known it from the second he witnessed that bite to claim you, he thought of it frequently while he was hunting for you both, he knew it would be the new reality, you’d even discussed the two bonds together in this bed – and yet having to think about it yet again in this light is still straining on him.

Clearly you feel his unrest, because your hands come up to cup his face and basically attempt to soothe him with gentle but insistent strokes along his jaw. “Bucky, I’m always going to be yours.”

He sighs and angles his head down to touch his forehead to yours. “I know.”

And it’s not jealousy that drives his unrest – it’s the not knowing what this means, not right now and not for the future. He’s started thinking about possibilities, but he’s limited until he can confront the other alpha. So, he decides to concentrate on what it has meant so far.

He makes sure his tone is soft but serious when he asks, “Did he hurt you?”

You’re quiet for a beat, then say, “I don’t know how to answer that.”

Bucky starts to sit up, but you pull him back down to the mattress, trying earnestly to soothe him. “What he did hurt us both, and it was meant to hurt. It was absolutely calculated. But they broke him, Bucky. They tortured him and tried to make him comply for weeks. They were experimenting on Sam, trying to pull the science they could from old records on you and what they could pull from analyzing Steve’s blood, but they weren’t having success, and so they enacted their last use for Sam – and they killed him in front of Steve. It destroyed him.”

Bucky’s own chest aches as he listens, throbbing painfully at this reveal, and his vibranium hand fists the sheet.

“And when he was at his most devastated and spent emotionally, what I have been able to piece together is that that’s when he couldn’t stand to feel anymore, shut off his emotions – or his humanity more like, and it’s his humanity that made him Steve. That’s when they were able to take over and mold him into the fist they wanted in Captain Hydra.”

Hurt, anger, the horror of his own past life as the Winter Soldier, it’s surging through his veins, but you continue.

“So that night in Wakanda? That was Captain Hydra at his height of cruelty. I haven’t seen that iteration of him since that night. It’s been slow, but he’s different now. He’s not our Steve, but he’s not Captain Hydra.”

It’s a few moments before he registers that you’re done – at least with that piece of sharing.

He cups your jaw and looks into your eyes. “Do you trust him?”

He sees you clearly put thought into your words before answering, worrying your bottom lip. “The heat he and I shared was intense in every way. It changed things fundamentally between us, but since the heat our connection has still been very tenuous. We’ve both been very guarded with each other. I know he’ll keep me safe, but I’m still wary of him.”

He nods.

“Where is he right now?”

A wry laugh tumbles out of your chest. “I don’t even know where we are right now, Bucky. I know we got off a train in Bordeaux, but then he moved us here while I was in one of my heavy end of heat sleeps. From the food, books, and supplies he’s brought for us, I know we’re in France, but that’s it. There’s not a lick of technology kept in here while I’m alone. We don’t even a radio.”

Bucky grunts at this news. He doesn’t like this, but other than being kept here cut off from the rest of the world and having claimed you and separated you in the first place, it seems you’ve been appropriately cared for.

“Wait, no radio?” He growls. Bucky had looked away to consider the new information, but his eyes snap to you again. “Have you had any music?”

“No,” you groan, and he can feel the pained irritation.

“That won’t do.”

He quickly rolls off the bed to a small whine of protest from you, but it was so rare that he’d ever been in a space with you and there hadn’t been music playing – loud for you to sing, or low in the background keeping you company – and this is something he can fix easily.

He fishes the small communications device he had put together out of the pocket of his discarded pants, then comes back to sit on the foot of the bed and begins typing away. You’re quick to crawl up behind him, and you wrap your arms around his chest and settle your chin on his shoulder while he works. You don’t see the smile that breaks across his face as he feels your excited impatience radiate off you, having figured out what he’s doing. It’s so palpable he wouldn’t have needed your emotional bond as alpha and omega to sense it.

Once he’s modified his device to play music, it doesn’t take him much longer to hack into your music account. He pulls up the list of your most-played songs, picks one that he thinks will be perfect for this moment, and hits play.

You croon with joy and then fall back on the bed, arms spread out in pure rapture. He beams and then crawls up next to you, handing you the device. You hold it close to your chest with one hand and pull him in for a kiss with the other.

You break off the kiss so you can sing along to the chorus, and he laughs. He knows exactly the last time he felt this happy: the last day by the river with you in Wakanda. When the chorus is over, you actually kick your feet in delight, grinning at him. You kiss his nose, scoot your body as close to him as possible, then settle back into the mattress and pull his arm to rest over your stomach.

The two of you talk, sing, and continue to hold each other for a while. A string of two or three softer songs play, and you and up drifting into sleep, late afternoon sun pouring over both of you, its warmth too much for you to ignore after the physically and emotionally exhausting afternoon. He watches the rise and fall of your chest, his hand over your heart, no thought for time. He doesn’t want to move, doesn’t want to take his eyes off you. How did he survive without you for all those weeks?

A flare of light across the room pulls his focus though. It’s a repetitive flashing coming through the window to the wall.

Morse code. His blissful mood evaporates.

C-O-M-E O-U-T-S-I-D-E

The other alpha is out there, summoning him.

He identifies which window the light is being directed into, then pads over, and releases the drape to cover the window, pulls it back, covers it again, and then secures it back in its open state. The other alpha will know he’s received the message.

Bucky has referred to him as the other alpha for so long now, but he’s ultimately about to discover who this man is. You say he’s no longer The Captain Hydra that he was, but not yet his Steve either.

He doesn’t hurry getting dressed. The other alpha isn’t going anywhere. He’s waited this long. He can continue to wait.

Bucky takes a long look at you from across the room before he leaves.

He’s relatively sure he will come back to you. There’s only one outcome that will keep him away, and now that he knows the potential danger, he won’t let this man ambush him ever again.

Bucky stalks as carefully to the tree line where the signal had come from as he had when he’d first approached the little house. He can smell the other alpha on the breeze that rustles through the trees. He tracks him in a kilometer or so – not in the direction Bucky had left his vehicle, but that works fine for him because if he needs to cut and run, he’ll be able to get to you in the house and then continue on to get to the getaway without having to double back and without the other alpha being able to cut off the route.

Bucky will think through every possible scenario as each moment of this unfolds.

His brain got him here.

His brain can get him out.

He will keep you safe.

The scent he’s known nearly his whole life grows stronger, and when he reaches a small pocket of the forest devoid of trees – not quite large enough to be called a clearing – instead of slipping silently out of the shadows, the other alpha steps out unabashedly to meet him.

“What took you so long, Buck?” he has the gall to ask, his voice barely covering notes of anger.

Bucky roars and hurls himself at the man standing before him, taking him to the ground easily, and they scramble against each other. They’re so closely matched in skill, prowess, and power, and the energy they’re both exuding is raw, primal, and angry. Bucky is incredulous that the other man is angry with him.

His own rage lands him a punch. He takes a blow to the ribs, and the other alpha gets a hand on the collar of his shirt, resulting in a tear, but it allows Bucky to grab his wrist, twist him around harshly, and pin the arm behind his back as he decisively thumps him into the ground, pinning him there.

The man beneath him only makes two attempts to struggle and shift out from under his hold, but then he sighs and sags into the tall grass they’ve been tussling in.

Is he feinting?

Bucky honestly doesn’t know.

“Who am I talking to?” he asks – the same line of inquiry Steve used on him in an abandoned warehouse outside of Berlin.

He knows it, letting out a guffaw beneath him. “I’m not him anymore.”

“Not who?”

“I’m no longer their Captain Hydra,” he pauses before adding, “but I’m not the kid from Brooklyn either.”

Bucky knows they’re not going to stay like this forever, and he needs to see this man’s face and look into his eyes if he’s going to be able to sort out any of this, so as swiftly as he can, he releases the alpha, pushes himself up, and takes a wary stance a few meters away.

Steve remains on the ground, but rolls over and sits up, planting his feet on the ground, and leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. It’s almost a casual.

Bucky will have the advantage of already being up on his feet if the man before him tries anything.

Bucky needs to know how to read whoever this is, so he decides to go with a different line of questioning – things that are more cut and dry.

“When you left the base in Geneva, there were two Hydra security with you. You stopped over a bridge two hours into your journey, and they weren’t with you when you switched vehicles in Albstadt. Who were they, and why the elaborate ruse only to drop them in a river so quickly?”

Rather than being surprised, it seemed he was satisfied that Bucky knew this much about what had played out. “Alright, we can start there. Leaving under the initial guise of a mission on security footage was supposed to be helpful when they started looking for me.”

“And why move the records of their transfer files to other facilities with two others?”

“I’m glad you picked up on that, too. Buying more time for some missing personnel before it was suspect and they figured out they really didn’t know where they were.”

“And why them?”

“Arbitrary.”

“Bullshit. You’ve gone on solo missions as Captain Hydra and you didn’t buy enough extra time by leaving with a two-man team to make it worth the set up only to drop them in the river without a reason.”

Steve’s brows knit together, and he chewed on the inside of his cheek for a moment before answering. “One was arbitrary. He just happened to be the roommate of my target. The one I was after? He was part of the extraction team who took our omega out of Turin. Specifically, he’s the one who handled her so roughly she had bruises from his casual brute strength. I watched the footage to figure out who hurt her.”

Bucky cocked his head and studied the man before him.

“I had only been an alpha to her for a month and I was willing to kill someone who harmed her. What are you going to do to me, Buck?”

Bucky turned and paced way, running his hands through his hair. He didn’t want to show this much unrest in front of the other alpha, but he was thinking and feeling so much, trying to read and decipher too many pieces.

He lets out a long exhale and just speaks the truth. He can’t try and take any other angle. “I haven’t decided yet.”

Before all of this, if there had ever been a situation in which Bucky would have needed to trust someone else to keep you safe, Steve would have been his immediate answer.

Steve waits silently.

There are so many questions he wants answers to, and so he starts asking them. The answers don’t shock him, and he can see that even when Steve doesn’t tell him the full truth, it’s a cautious guarding of information, but he detects no lies in any of it. That Steve has some guards up also seems tenuous, possibly temporary, like if he can only ask the right question, the tide will turn.

But it couldn’t be that simple with Steve, could it?

And when did he start to think of him as Steve again?

Bucky deals out one of the questions he’s had the longest, since the very beginning of this. “What you said that night in Wakanda – you did all of this to draw me out. Why?”

Steve lets it hang in the air for a moment, but Bucky can see this is a crux for this conversation with him, too.

“I can’t explain everything that went into that plan – I don’t know if the machine of Captain Hydra was fully in control or if part of the old me was trying to grasp at you as a lifeline, but as the weeks wore on, the strategist in me knew he needed either the Soldat to join him or his best friend to save him.”

Those words sink into Bucky, and he can understand that explanation as no one else in this world can.

“What took you so long?” Steve asks again, but this time it’s tinged only with angst, not anger.

The accusation in it unsettles Bucky.

He’s still not sure how to address the question, but he starts with, “The Soldat is gone. The Winter Soldier? Not who I needed to be to get here either.”

Steve pushes up from the ground but maintains the distance Bucky put between them. “Who are you now then?”

Bucky narrows his eyes. “Depends on who’s standing in front of me.”

Steve looks off into the trees for a moment – in the direction of the cottage.

Bucky’s instincts have failed him less than a handful of times.

They’re telling him now that’s where to start, even though he’s not sure exactly where it will end. “I’ve seen a lot of versions of you – my childhood best friend, the punk who couldn’t stay out of trouble, the stars and stripes symbol, Captain America, the target who wouldn’t let me assassinate him and then refused to finish me off in the hellicarrier, the Cap who went against the Accords, Nomad in exile – but always Steve. You’ll never be who you were before – I never was. Doesn’t mean you’re irredeemable.”

Steve scoffs. “It’s not that easy.”

Bucky gives a wry laugh and shakes his head. “I more than know that. But you’re shades of all those men right now in front of me. She sees it, too.”

“God, she…” Steve shakes his head, puts one hand on his hip, and scrubs over his face with the other.

“If you can be you, if you can be Steve, she will have you.” He’s not sure where the words came from, but he himself believes them as he says them.

“I don’t know if I can be.”

“Do you want to be?”

Steve doesn’t answer immediately. Bucky can see him sincerely work over the question in his mind. It’s a simple inquiry, but one that will define everything, and Bucky knows he will be completely behind whatever answer he gives because that is the core of who this man is and always has been – fully committed to his convictions.

When Steve says, “Yes,” Bucky can hear the heaviness in his voice. Bucky nods.

“What about you?” Steve asks.

Bucky shifts his weight from one foot to the other as he digs back into himself and where his head, his heart, and his gut now sit with all of this. But the answer is clear enough. “Till the end of the line,” he answers.

“Even after I–“

“Stop,” Bucky cuts him off. “I’ve had little more to think about over the last six weeks than us – all of us. And it felt like my heart started beating again when I found her, but you… Before this I never fully understood why you fought so hard to get through to me when I was trying to kill you in DC all those years ago, why you searched for me for years, why you were a goddamn pain in the ass who wouldn’t abandon me in Berlin and believed in me without question, but now I get it. We are in each other’s bones.”

He doesn’t move, but Bucky sees the look change in Steve’s eyes, and he can practically feel the air alter between them. They’ve always had an acute awareness of each other, and Bucky can feel the tentative return of it, like déjà vu even though he’s still figuring out who this Steve is or who he will be.

“When did you start giving Captain America speeches?” Steve finally asks.

Bucky shrugs. “One of us had to do it.”

“What now then?”

Bucky has sketched out many scenarios for how things play out from here, but every stage of this, every new revelation shifts the direction they’re heading. Even in the last two minutes things have significantly shifted again.

Bucky licks his lips and stares at Steve for another beat before he decides to head down a path he hopes is the right one. “You’re always a man with a plan, so you tell me. Tell me where this started, when it changed, where you think it ends. I figured out a lot, I have theories, and I still have questions.”

“We went to Italy to investigate a lead that came up on our radar. We thought it was an innocuous enough whisper about a couple of Hydra scientists. And don’t,“ Steve pauses to pointedly look at him because Bucky was already opening his mouth to argue. “I already know you’re going to say we should have involved you, I thought of it every day they were holding us captive. I thought it the second I heard their boots. It was a week after you left for Wakanda, and Sam–“

He pauses again, and his shoulders fall just a fraction.

“Sam and I weren’t gonna bother you.”

“She told me about Sam,” Bucky says.

Steve closes his eyes for a moment, pressing his lips together. “I told her enough about what happened, but I didn’t tell her everything.” He opens his eyes and meets Bucky’s again. His face is truly haunted, and Bucky nods, his own chest tight. He knows more than enough about that. He had still had to face the demons of his past, but when he was ready, and he had fought to find his way to do that. Steve would find a way, but it would take time, and not likely be the same journey.

“After they killed Sam, they got a raw version of me, shut down, and they went to work conditioning me, shaping me into Captain Hydra. I was too lost to fight anything. I couldn’t save him. I failed us. I didn’t want to be me. It was easy too easy for them to get the version of me they wanted when I was like that.”

There’s a full shift in how Steve lays everything out – and as he shares, Bucky knows it’s still not everything, but he can feel that it’s everything Steve can bear to tell him.

“It wasn’t your fault.”

Steve tilts his head and looks off into the forest. “It was and it wasn’t. It will always haunt me.”

“It will, but less and less.”

Bucky walks to the edge of the small clearing and sits on a fallen log. Steve follows him.

“When I was trying to find you after DC and taking down S.H.I.E.L.D. I read everything they had on record about you, how they conditioned you. They used some but not all the same methods on me.”

“I couldn’t find anything on you, and I found more than enough other hidden monstrosities in their networks these past weeks.”

“I think they got smarter after we were hunting them after exposing them – they couldn’t keep everything off the databases, but they have projects now that they keep paper-only, small teams. There was the team that captured us, but after they put us in a holding cell, we were transferred. From that point through the torture, the breaking point, and the conditioning I only saw four faces – three scientists and one officer who became my liaison. When they sent or let me out into the field, I never went with a team of more than four of their men, always the same four. Two of them I ended at that bridge.”

Bucky nods.

Already his mind is calculating – this means they could potentially contain and eliminate all of the people who knew any specifics about Captain Hydra.

“One of the scientists was killed when you stormed the facility in Turin.”

Bucky raises his brows. Even better.

Steve goes on to tell him about how he was sent on a few missions to test his loyalty before he was given the task to bring back the Soldat.

“I didn’t have a chair, and they were very adamant that my point person was my liaison and not a handler, they gave me a fair amount of autonomy. They didn’t want me to drag you in. They wanted you to join me. I think they felt like an asset who had to be controlled could break free as they saw with you the first time around, and this time they wanted operatives who weren’t giving controlled compliance, but allegiance instead.”

Bucky grunted. “A tether rather than a leash.”

“Yeah.”

“But you knew who I was tethered to.”

Steve’s head drops. “Yeah.”

“And you knew I’d be the most vulnerable and off my guard in Wakanda.”

“I did.”

Bucky lets him sit with that discomfort.

Bucky has replayed that night in his mind so many times.

“But your plan changed that night. I didn’t register it in the moment, but everything about you changed the moment you bit into her neck to claim her.”

Steve doesn’t deny it.

“Before you sunk your teeth into her, you were taunting me, dangling her like something to be smashed and discarded, you didn’t even know if it would work, and I think part of you thought it might even kill her.”

Bucky sees Steve’s jaw tick.

“You were in no way prepared for how a bond would change you fundamentally as an alpha.”

“Obviously it didn’t flip a switch immediately, but yes, it altered what I intended to do,” Steve admits.

He goes on to explain some of the things that happened in Turin – missions he went on, how things had developed with you, the clothes, and the books.

“The books were for her?” Bucky breathes. “I saw security footage of you in the bookshop.”

“I wasn’t worried about exposing myself because you were already taking longer than I wanted you to take, but when you didn’t access any of the Avenger networks, bases, or safehouses, I expected you were underground and untraceably hunting for us.”

“What else did you expect?”

“I wanted you to get foolish in your desperation and tip your hand.”

“Not with her on the line.”

“No.” Steve narrows his eyes. “You never left Turin once you showed up on our radar, did you?”

Bucky scoffs. “Course I didn’t.”

Steve nods. “A ploy to see all the defenses of the base.”

“But you left dangerously close to her heat,” Bucky shoots, the disapproving accusation blatant in his tone.

“And that’s when you made your unsuccessful move to get her back. If you’d killed everyone you’d encountered from the beginning, you probably would have made it to her in time.”

“You think I don’t know that?”

“No, I know you do.” Steve sighs. “You know, back in 1945, I thought you were dead when you fell off that train.”

Bucky doesn’t interrupt. He knew Steve knew he knew this. They’d touched on it before. But clearly there was more and a reason for Steve to bring it up again now.

“The thing is, when they found you, I know Zola did what he did to you because of me, your tie to me. When they took me and Sam, they tortured him and killed him because of me, again. You were both people I cared about, and you were hurt for it. I was not going to let it happen to her. The sense of responsibility I felt for her had already been growing and evolving, but when I felt that surge of adrenaline and fear through the bond when you attacked the base and they moved her? It had been a slow melting of ice, what was developing there, but that shattered the ice. When I found out they had moved her, I kept my personal weakness guarded, and I knew I would do everything I could to get her out of their web and keep her safe.”

At this admission, Bucky is quiet. So is Steve. Bucky knows Steve is letting him think. There’s so much to consider there – the guilt Steve has still carried for him for years, the fresh hell of Sam, and the fervent determination to keep you from being another victim by association.

He could think over this for much longer, but there are more pieces he still needs context for, so next Bucky asks, “Why did you leave the Geneva facility during her heat?”

“Best cover for time – alphas are given room to take care of their needs during rut or care for omegas if they’re bonded during their omega’s heat.”

It verifies what Bucky had theorized himself.

“But it’s been eight days since you came here.”

“Yeah,” Steve nods.

“And you’ve just…been here.”

“Yeah.”

This is the piece Bucky has been suspicious of now.

“Explain.”

“When I took her to Turin, yes, it was a trap to lure you. When I brought her here, it was to wait for you to find us. I couldn’t find you when you went underground before, and I couldn’t find you this time, and if I tried too hard, I didn’t want to risk Hydra finding us, but I knew if we stayd in one place and I focused on keeping us hidden from Hydra, you could find us.”

Bucky furrows his brow, frowning.

“Simple as that?”

“Simple as that,” Steve confirms.

Bucky studies him for another quiet few seconds, then says, “Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Okay.”

“So, what now?”

“Her,” Bucky replies simply. “We’ve still got a lot of shit to figure out, but we’ve got to do it with her.”

↠ Masterlist | Aspen's Ask Box | Field Guide to the Forest

Still with me? This was a lot. I hope I've answered some of your questions, and there are some more that have been brought up, but... we're here. We're this far.

This is the single longest story/chapter I've ever published. You can see where I've left off, and there's clearly more story, but Bucky reuniting with his omega and with Steve were the primary objectives, and both of those elements I didn't want to cheat or shorten as they began to unfold. I hope they've truly done justice to these characters and relationships, and we'll see how they can possibly move forward together in the conclusion. These three still have big things ahead.

read more from the Dark Forest Fest

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes smut #steve rogers #bucky barnes fan fiction #captain hydra #aspen wrote something #bucky barnes x female reader #steve rogers x reader #omegaverse #marvel omegaverse #warm shadows au #aspen's dark forest fest

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ellaa-writes · 3 months

Text

Good Dog

author note: Part 3 yay!! Series list found here. I actually edited this one, I know! Probably still mistakes lol, I love writing this type of Simon but mean Simon is still my favourite. Reader and Simon parts are going on at different times, weeks apart, just in case of any confusion of time line. Enjoy!

summary: His favourite words include; down boy, good dog, heel, fetch and his most favourite, get 'em. Well trained, and listens good. Loyal through and through. Always striving to be the absolute best. Ready to attack at all times, always on guard. Loves discipline, either giving or receiving. Working for a criminal mastermind, lurking in the shadows. You both trying not to be seen or noticed but after one unlucky night, all you both can see are the ghosts. He invades your life, if you both like it or not.

tags: Alternative Universe. Female reader. A/B/O dynamics. Alpha Simon, Beta Reader, Bad Scottish lingo (I tried). Very tame and a chapter filler.

You hadn't seen Simon in a few weeks, must have gotten bored you thought, eventually everyone leaves so why wouldn't he. Things felt different with him, like timed slowed down and life finally had a meaning.

You stopped in front of a news stand, big bold letters. OMEGA POPLUATION HITS AN ALL TIME LOW; leading scientists may have found a solution. You snatched the paper and handed the worker $5 telling him to keep the rest as you rushed back home paper in hand. The title wasn't what caught your attention, it was a few paragraphs down the words doctor and experimental procedure. Tossing your belongings on the dining table soon as you entered your grungy apartment.

Reading the article fully, then once more. Doctors have developed a experimental drug that could alter a Beta women's chemistry. Tricking the body into thinking its an Omega, a few experiments have been conducted and results have so far been proven successful. But they are searching for more Beta women to submit themselves into the program.

Those words playing over and over in your head, becoming an Omega, and having a loyal and supportive Alpha. Not having to worry about all the small things, not having to work and struggle to make ends meet. You could leave your pathetic life behind.

All Simon did was follow orders, being the good dog, he is. A successful mission out of the way, the Boss left before he did. Having to hurry back cause of his Omega. Simon used to have dreams about settling down, but that was before he became ghost. Stupid child aspirations, but mostly because he felt like he didn't deserve one. And who would want him as an Alpha, all teeth, and hard edges. It would be a punishment to be stuck with him until death, and death would be the reward.

You jotted the number down on a piece of paper and stuck it to your fridge. You didn't have to decide now, but you were tempted to.

Dealing with Makarov was easier than expected most of these men act tough on the outside but soon as you start pulling out their insides, they change their tune. He wasn't in too much of a hurry to get home, it's been two weeks since he last saw her, he's been keeping his distance, not wanting to poison her cause that's what he was poison.

It was very late into the night when he finally arrived in the city, driving down the desolate neighborhoods till he found himself parked in front of his apartment. Not the one across from hers but the one he bought himself soon as he had enough money too. The only thing that remained from his previous life. Cutting the engine and walking inside.

He still had a landline, hard wired into the wall next to the thermostat. He's never used it and has never had anyone call it. Not like many people have the number anyways, emergency he told himself when he bought and installed it all those years ago. Having the number updated in his file, but now it hangs there mockingly. Much to his surprise when he walked into his quiet home, a little red dot glowing from the device.

He ignored it at first, taking his clothes off to take a quick shower. To wash away the memories that still plague him, the water never being hot enough. He stood there in nothing but a towel around his waist. Staring at that glowing red light, missed call.

He should just delete it, but he decided to play the message. A voice came through the small speaker, one that he thought he'd never hear again. John Price.

"Oi Simon, it's John. Ain't sure if this dog and bone's still on the go. Tried your mobile, but it's saying it's disconnected. Anyways, thought I'd drop you a bell 'cause we're gonna be in the city for a bit. Fancy a chinwag, like the old days, yeah? So, give me a call, same digits as ever. It'd be proper nice to catch up, Simon."

It was silent for a while afterwards, only Simon's heaving breathing filling up the space. Not once did they call him while he was locked up doing time, not once did they reach out and say they cared. They were family once, at least he thought they were. Stupid.

All the rage simmering up inside of him finally boiled over the edge. Simon grabbed the stupid phone and slammed it into the wall as hard as he could, again and again until there was nothing left but broken pieces of plastic, wiring and now a hole in his wall.

It only took you three hours of pacing back and forth in your tiny apartment, the small piece of paper stuck to your fridge door taunting you. As the line rang you debated on hang up, forgetting any of this happened but it was to late. The reception answered your call, redirecting you to the head of the project. Giving a little info over the phone they scheduled you in for the same day if you could make it. It was on the other side of town, the side you hardly went to cause there was no need. Unless you wanted to make yourself feel even more shitty about your life.

He debated if he should call, be the bigger person the little voice in his head called out. They had their reasoning for abandoning him, for treating him like the plague, they had to, right?

You were on the bus, watching as the fading sun descended and the moon turned brighter. The glow of city coming to life, some many people out and about. You barely had enough money to and back, getting off at the stop further away. Walking the rest to save a bit of cash and take in the scenery. The air was crisp, it never got too cold during the winter season. Also, long as the wind stayed away it was a mild year so far.

To say this was awkward was an understatement. Simon sat across from the beta Scottsman, not much has changed he thought. The group of men still joking around like nothing happened like good ol' times, they kept trying to get him in on it. Simon soon realised that this was a mistake, all of it. Calling Price and picking out this bar. They weren't his pack anymore, they ditched him soon as things went south.

Simon's grip on his glass of bourbon tightened when Johnny yelled "Right Lt." the group getting quiet afterwards, Johnny knew he fucked up. Simon got up abruptly, taking a big gulp of the burning liquid amber, polishing off his drink before slamming it back down.

"Goin’ for a smoke." as he grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair. Marching towards the front door. He could hear Kyle's faint call of his name, the beta man always playing mediator, Price holding Johnny back like an Alpha would a misbehaving puppy as Simon made his way outside.

"Bunch of fuckin' pricks." it was a whisper to himself, digging out his pack of smokes and shoving one into his mouth. Lighting it with ease as he sucked in a big lung full. The door to the bar opened and closed, fully expecting to smell the cigar-soaked Alpha but instead it was Johnny tail between his legs.

"I ken ye dinnae wanna gab about it." he tried but Simon cut him right off. "I don't." blowing a huge cloud in the betas face. "Weel, someone's gotta." he just wanted some fucking peace and quiet. "The start talkin’ or shut the fuck up." dropping his finished cigarette to the ground, giving it a good stomp before putting another to his lips.

"Things have changed, ye've changed. Ah ken everything's aw fucked up right now. We tried-" Simon huffed out a stiff laugh, not believing a thing the Scott was saying. He could see his lips still moving but he couldn’t hear what he was saying as a familiar scent caught his nose.

Before Simon could think a small body collided with Soaps as he stepped out towards the curb with a hand to the back of his neck. "Ah, fuck, sorry ‘bout that, lass." Simon watched in slow motion as you got knocked off balance. Johnny reaching out to help the poor thing but before, he could feel the growl coming from his chest and throat. Pushing the Beta to the side as he took a hold of you, bring you to his chest.

He could hear your lower whimper, there was something different about you. Your scent was sweeter, it was pulling him in like a bee to a flower. "Simon?" letting out in a shaky breath. "What are you doing here?" you looked up into his eyes. Your hands resting against his chest, the hard muscle underneath flexing, a low rumble coming from within. You’ve never seen him like this, so casual but also feral, eyes blown and panting.

"Am I interrupting ye in the midst of somethin'?" Johnny didn't know what the hell was going on. Looking at the Omega flushed against the old Alpha, he was just happy that after everything that happened it was nice to see his old lieutenant finally settling down with such a sweet thing. Simon finally broke his gaze from you, settling it on the Beta. “It was a nice chat, gotta go.”

"Come, I'll drive you home." he stated, gripping your upper arm as he moved you towards his car. The more you stood outside surround by people the more Simon got irritated. He couldn't put his finger on it, the changes within you. He'd been away from a couple of weeks; it was hard staying away but he had a responsibility and a job to do. "I can take the bus." you tried moving around Simon, spotting the other man who was now gawking. "Like hell." Simon held onto you firm, walking you to his car.

"See you around." the Scott yelled from somewhere behind. He couldn't wait to tell the other two men of what he witnessed. The grumpy old Alpha had found himself a sweet Omega.

The drive home was in silence, not even the radio to help ease the awkward tension building up in the car. When Simon pulled onto your street you gathered your belongings. "Wait." you snapped your head to the driver's side.

"What were you doing out so late?" he was trying to interrogate you "I had an appointment." you held your hands in your lap, fidgeting with your fingers. "Hmm" Simon grunted out, the whole way back to your apartment he had to stop himself from pulling the car over and pouncing on you.

Something wasn't right and he didn't like it or maybe he did. It confused him nonetheless and he wanted answers.

"You want to come up?" you don't know why you asked, why those words spilled out of your mouth. Simon was surprised too, cocking his head to side. "Sure." he cut the engine.

Once inside your apartment you didn't bother asking him if he wanted anything to drink. Unless he's into expired milk or tap water. The hulking man walked around your small place, picking things up and putting them down. Take in his surroundings, he already didn’t like you living in this area. He’s scoped out your apartment, the front door was a piece of shit, with a little bit of a jiggle and it popped open.

Walking towards your dingy couch he noticed the paper on the table, picking it up he scanned the words. You didn't.... His eyes found your form, busying yourself around your small kitchen. Shoving dirty dished into the sink to be forgotten about till later. Simon sniffed the air again, there was that familiar scent again. The smell of an Omega, the similar one that clung to his Boss, that filled every space of his home.

Omega.

He felt is heart quicken, his blood run thin. He's only had this feeling a few times, he was going to throw up and pass out at the same time. You noticed his completion pale, worrying you, grabbing a glass and filling it with your last bottle of water. Rushing to his side and calling his name.

Simon was so far away; he was in the middle of the raging ocean. The waves crashing over him, pulling him deeper under every unforgiving wave. Lungs full of burning salt water, gasping with arms stretched to the sky.

You could do the only thing you could think of you climbed into his lap. Curling yourself around him, rubbing your scent glad over his nose and mouth.

#cod ghost #ghost cod #simon ghost riley #simon riley #simon ghost riley x reader #simon riley x reader #simon riley cod #ghost x reader #ghost mw2 #cod mw2 #cod mwii #simon riley x you #simon ghost riley x you #simon ghost x you #simon ghost x reader #alpha simon riley #alpha ghost

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boxofbonesfic · 2 years

Photo

Title: New Hire [4]

previous chapter

Pairing: Alpha!Mob!Ari Levinson x Naive!Omega!Reader

Summary: After escaping your demanding, violent father, you get your first job nannying for Ari Levinson.

Warnings: Manipulation, Obsessive behavior, A/B/O Dynamics, Alpha!Ari, Dubcon, Darkfic, Breeding, Smut, MINORS DNI, Dead dove: Do not eat

A/N: so, as promised, the follow up chapter. it’s not often that this happens, but since it was already sitting there, finished, i decided why not 😂. floral divider by @firefly-graphics

This work is entirely unbeta’d, and unedited. Though I don’t own any of Marvel’s characters, this work and the plot contained inside are entirely mine. I do not consent for this work to be posted anywhere else by anyone but me. Enjoy 😘

You tremble with relief as Ari nuzzles the mark on your neck, running his lips over the taut, scarred skin there. He does it a few times, like he’s trying to reassure himself of your safety. When he finally releases you, you realize it’s not just the other mall-goers watching you. The police have finally arrived, and you watch Ari’s jaw tic as he watches them bundle the man out in handcuffs.

The man stiffens at the sight of your Alpha, and you can scent the tang of his fear as he takes him in. Ari’s entire body is tight, tensed like he’s waiting to spring—

“Sir is this your son?” One of the officers, an older man with a graying beard steps in front of the two of you, blocking your line of sight. “We have some questions—”

You’re still numb, barely present as the officer reads you the laundry list of your rights, how to press further charges, what next steps the city will take in his arrest. You can barely concentrate on it, though. You’re still trembling, holding Liam tightly as the officer dismisses you, his words tumbling about in the space between your ears.

Attempted kidnapping of a minor is going to be our best bet at holding him. No, no record of him in the system. You’re still jumpy and nervous as Ari walks you stiffly back to the Jeep, his own Bentley parked directly next to it. He says nothing as he pries Liam loose from your hold, and buckles him into the back seat. It’s habit to try and shrink yourself, make yourself small in the face of a displeased male, and you fall back on it without meaning to, looking down at your trembling hands as Ari rounds on you.

“What were you thinking, Kitten?” He snaps, and you cower both in the face of his anger and the feel of it in your bond, grating against your senses. “Just yesterday we had that bastard show up at the house, and you thought it would be a good time to take Liam out? Alone?”

“I, I didn’t think—”

“No! No you didn’t think.” His hand is curled into a fist on the hood of the car, and you flinch when he slams it down. Ari blows out a frustrated breath.

“Ari…” You pick nervously at the hem of your shirt. “I… I’m sorry. I tried to protect him—” You’re barely managing to hold back tears. “I—”

“I know you did, Kitten.” Ari deflates a little, some of the tension leaving his body as his shoulders drop, just a little. “I have… there are people who don’t like me, Kitten. Who don’t like the name Levinson.” He looks back towards the mall. “People who would do anything to hurt me, any way they could.”

“More business partners?” You can’t help the way the question pops innocently out of you, and you watch the corners of Ari’s mouth turn up. It isn’t a smile—there’s no happiness bleeding through the bond—it’s aloof, cold.

“Something like that.” He drops his hands to your shoulders, gripping them tightly. “You can’t do this again, Kitten.”

“Are we safe?” Your head is spinning—Ari’s answers only raise more questions. You had no idea who could hate Ari so much that they would try to take his son. “Will they… will they try again?” This fear is familiar, and it dredges up old memories; of times before everything went sour like food left out to spoil. Memories of seeing men with guns, hearing loud, angry voices, your mother telling you not to look, not to listen.

It’s better if you don’t know, sweetheart, better if you don’t know anything at all.

It’s almost infuriating, the way everyone in your life seems to make these choices for you. Deciding what you can and can’t handle while holding the information above your head and expecting you to just be a good girl and do as you’re told.

“They won’t try that again.” Ari’s voice holds an air of cold finality that makes you shiver again. “That, I can promise. But I need you to promise me you won’t do this. You don’t go anywhere without me, without someone to protect you. You’re not just anybody off the goddamn street.”

“I’m… I’m not?”

“No, Kitten.” Ari tucks a finger under your chin. “Because you’re mine.”

—

It’s only late afternoon, but you’re exhausted when you make it back to the house, half carrying Liam upstairs to the bedroom. He refuses to sleep in his own bed, which you can’t fault him for. You get his favorite movie, and start it in the big bedroom, all while Ari talks loudly on the phone in the hallway.

“I don’t care. Get him here. Tonight. You think I give a fuck what Cardinas has to say? I pay him good fucking money—”

You want to know who Ari’s talking to—what he’s talking about. He sounds angry—no, more than angry, he sounds furious. You’ve never seen him like this before.

“Do you know how fucking close he came?” You can’t deny that part of you is almost pleased at Ari’s fierce possessiveness. You’ve never felt wanted before, needed. Like his world revolves around you, of all things. “Good. One fucking hour, you hear me?”

An hour for what? Liam snuggles in next to you as the movie starts, his thumb planted firmly in his mouth. Ari comes in from the hallway, carding a hand through his thick hair. He heaves a heavy sigh as he tosses himself down onto the bed. Liam is already deeply engrossed in the movie, so much so that he doesn’t really notice when Ari leans over him to kiss your cheek.

You’re exhausted too, your eyes drooping as you sag against Ari’s shoulder. The adrenaline rush has left you wrung out like a limp cloth, barely able to stay awake as Liam giggles at the antics of the characters onscreen. It doesn’t help that you’d gotten practically no sleep the night before, either, and you drift off as Ari rubs soothing circles into your back.

You wake suddenly as Ari is moving Liam, his soft snores stopping for a moment as his father picks him up. The sky outside the windows is dark, and you mumble sleepily, trying to sit up.

“No, Kitten. You sleep.” He taps the tip of your nose with one calloused finger. “Sleep.”

When you claw your way out of the darkness again, the bed is empty and long cold. The television in front of the bed is bright blue, the DVD player having shut itself off hours before. Groggily, you roll over and grab your phone, squinting at the brightness of your screen as the digits swim into focus.

10:30

You’d slept for hours, and probably even missed dinner—though knowing Ari, “dinner” was more than likely pizza. You stretch before swinging your legs over the side of the mattress.

“Ari?”

There’s no answer from the darkened doorway of the bathroom, or the closet. You tug open the door to find the hallway dark and empty too, save for the sliver of light leaking through Liam’s cracked bedroom door. You peek in on him, satisfied to see him asleep, his stuffed duck held tightly to his chest. Careful, so as not to make a sound, you close the door, and make for the kitchen. There are no lights on downstairs, either, and the living room feels cavernous as you pad across it and over to the fridge.

“I thought I told you to sleep,” comes the amused voice of your Alpha. The thought gives you pause—when had you started thinking of Ari as your Alpha? Alpha protects us, marked us, keeps us safe. The thought travels up from the primitive mess of your hindbrain, echoing just underneath the noise of your conscious thoughts.

“I did sleep,” you point out in a small voice, and a spark of warmth explodes inside your chest at his laughter. It feels nice to be wanted. “I missed dinner.”

“We had pizza,” Ari replies, and you giggle.

“Of course you did.” The entire box sits on the widest shelf in the fridge, and you slide it out, and pull out a lukewarm slice. Ari regards you silently for a moment, and just when you’re beginning to feel self conscious about being the only person eating, Ari speaks.

“Kitten, I wanted to apologize. For earlier. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that. I was angry, and scared…You just… you have no idea what the stakes are.”

“Then tell me! If…” You pause, swallowing. “If I’m good enough to-to fuck—” The curse feels clumsy in your mouth—“t-then I’m good enough for you to treat me like the adult that I am, Ari.” Your words sound braver than you feel, and Ari’s resounding laughter makes you shift nervously. You’re all too aware of his closeness as Ari leans back against the counter. Even relaxed like this, he exudes raw, potent power; and the feral part of you both wants to flee and prostrate yourself before him at the same time.

“Trust me, Kitten,” he says with a chuckle, his eyes dragging heavily down your form. “I don’t need reminding.” You swallow thickly, licking your lips. Ari’s eyes follow the movement. “Come, Omega. Let’s talk.” You take two stiff steps towards him before Ari’s arms envelop you, the warm spiciness of his scent making your head go just a little fuzzy. Ari runs his hand over the curve of your ass, squeezing lewdly before lifting you onto the counter.

You squeak, your hands fisting in his shirt as your bare thighs meet the cool granite countertop. Ari’s slate blue eyes are twinkling with amusement, his lips parted in a cheeky grin. His fingers trail across your skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake as he plays with the loose threads hanging from the unfinished hem of your shorts.

“Well?”

You want to keep talking about earlier, about the men with guns, the man who’d tried to take Liam, but the thoughts seem to wither away as you try to form them into words.

“I-I, um—” It’s hard to think with Ari’s hands on you, his voice purring in your ear. “I need to know m-more about you, your l-life—Ari, oh—” He cups your breasts through your shirt, testing their weight. You’re suddenly acutely aware of the way your thighs are spread open around his hips, his breath ghosting across your face.

“You smell so good, Kitten,” he growls, his beard rasping against your cheek as he drags his lips to yours. “Good enough to eat.” When Ari’s soft, full lips press insistently against your own, you’re already lost, sighing sweetly into his mouth. He groans, tangling his hand in your hair as he tips your head back, plundering your mouth with abandon.

“I thought you wanted to have a chat, Kitten,” you feel his mouth curve against your throat, and you’re only a little incensed at his mockery. It isn’t fair, how your body responds to Ari like it’s his, like he owns it—though according to the bite mark on your throat, you suppose he does. You don’t know how his hands seem to be everywhere at once, tugging on your hair, sliding between you to stroke at your cunt through the seam of your shorts.

You let out a shameful moan as his teeth scrape against your mark, Ari’s cock presses hard against you through your pants, and he hums with pleasure.

“Know you’re wet, I can smell it,” he growls against your skin and your hips roll into his. Fleetingly, you recall your father’s warnings, his fire and brimstone shame-filled rants about whores and judgement, but you feel so good. Your name is falling from Ari’s mouth reverently as he squeezes your hips, and you don’t know how this could be wrong, because it feels holy and right and—

“Ari!” He chuckles at your breathy sigh.

“That’s it, Kitten. Tell me what you want.” You try to bury your face against his throat, but Ari won’t let you, cupping your chin as he strokes your kiss swollen lips with the pad of his thumb. “Tell me.” This time it’s an order, an Alpha command that makes your throat tight.

“I-I want you to touch me.” It’s vague but true. Ari hums.

“You can do better than that, sweetheart.” Your breath catches a little as his fingers play at the button on your shorts. He pops them open while you squirm. “You’re an adult after all.” You wonder if he can sense the embarrassment setting your cheeks aflame, and you huff.

You’re certainly not a child anymore, you’re well into your twenties. In fact, you’ll be kissing them goodbye soon enough—but the nervous, excited feeling tickling your stomach won’t go away, even as you fix your lips to say—

“I want you to f-fuck me.” It feels clumsy in your mouth. You wish you could look anywhere but at Ari, his eyes hungry and dark. “Ari—” His mouth against yours silences you, and you whimper against his lips. One of his large hands finds yours, uncurling your fingers from his shirt.

He slides it down between your bodies, and you shudder as you unwittingly skim your fingers over his taut, muscular stomach. Ari wraps your fingers around his cock, pumping it a few times with you before letting go. He’s so thick it’s hard to reach your fingers all the way around, and your cunt clenches embarrassingly at the memory of how he feels inside you. Warm, slick precum beads at his tip, and you swipe your thumb across it, spreading it across his silky, throbbing head.

Ari grits his teeth, growling as he ruts into your hand. He forces his thumb between your lips, pressing it down against your tongue. You’re dizzy, the heel of his palm grinding against your clit through your open shorts, saliva leaking out of the corners of your mouth as you stare up at him.

“Love making a mess out of you, Kitten.” He tugs aside your panties with nimble fingers, a reverent noise leaving his throat as he strokes your slick folds. You whimper loudly as Ari circles your entrance with a careful finger. He clucks his tongue at you as he dips into the tightness of your cunt. “Shh, sweetheart. You want to wake up the whole neighborhood?”

You bite your lip, breath hissing between your teeth as you sag against him.

“Sometimes I forget how tight you are, Kitten,” he rasps, and you unsuccessfully try to hold back another ragged moan as he adds a second finger to the first. Your fingers twitch around his leaking cock and he bucks against you with a quiet groan. “Open for me, baby. Spread it nice and wide—that’s it.” Self consciously you grip your own thighs, holding them open while Ari takes a step back to admire you.

He reaches into his pocket, and you feel your heart speed up at the sound of his knife clicking open.

“Stay just like that, Kitten,” he instructs you lowly. “Don’t move.” Your heart abruptly slows from a gallop to stand stock still in your chest as he runs the flat of the blade along your thigh. “Like these shorts,” he says, and you hear the sound of popping threads as he traces the seams with it. “I’d like ‘em better off, though.” You release a shuddering breath as cool air ghosts across the folds of your cunt.

Ari peels you out of your clothing, dropping the knife on the counter where it glints in the low light filtering in through the windows. The cooling evidence of his lust is still sticky on your fingers as he drags your hips forward on the counter until you’re almost hanging off of the edge. He hikes your legs up around his waist, before yanking down the elastic of his boxers. Ari hisses as the head of his cock bumps against you.

You feel drunk but you aren’t, and you know you can’t be in heat again, not this soon. The only explanation is Ari, that he’s making you feel this raw, this alive—

“A-Ari!”

He drags his cock through your folds, growling through clenched teeth. “Yes, Kitten? Tell me.” He pokes at your entrance with his thick, throbbing tip, and you mewl in response.

“Feels g-good,” you mumble, unable to break the intensity of his gaze. “I w-want more—” The words dissolve into a strangled moan as Ari presses inside, the stretch a delicious and intoxicating burn that you know you’re going to crave when this is all said and done.

“You’re in luck Kitten.” His eyes drop to half mast as he sinks another inch into your tight, willing cunt. “Because I have more to give you.” His thick length pushes the air up out of your lungs in a harsh, needy whine, and Ari’s head falls back as he ruts into you with short, shallow, thrusts. “God, s’like you’re milking my fucking cock—”

When Ari sinks in to the hilt, you cry out, and he claps a hand over your mouth, chuckling as he presses hard against your cervix. Air wheezes out through your lips and between his fingers as he presses his forehead to yours.

“Quiet, Omega,” he rocks his hips into you and your mouth falls open behind his palm. Your muffled moans seem to be all the encouragement he needs, setting a deep, steady rhythm. You’re full, so full you could burst, and your every thought centers on the pleasure overflowing from your core. You’re drowning in it, dragged under by the tide, and you can’t even fight it—you don’t want to.

His hand drops to your throat, where he squeezes, putting just enough pressure to restrict your air but not enough to hurt. Your lips part, and only a wet rattle escapes. There are words, somewhere, for the unyielding pleasure Ari wrings from your limp body with every jarring thrust, but you can’t seem to find them. The only words your swollen lips seem to be able to pronounce are his name and your pathetic pleas for more, more, Alpha, please—

You don’t register the sound of popping buttons, the plastic projectiles pinging off of the surrounding walls as Ari tears at your shirt with one hand like an animal, squeezing your breasts with a pleased grunt. You aren’t sure when you were lost, when you’d become a complete and utter slave to the depraved wishes of the knot-drunk Omega piloting your brain.

You’re so close, your pussy squeezing down on Ari with wet velvet walls. His cock is already beginning to thicken, widening at the base as his knot begins to form. He already barely fits inside you, and you loose a pleased, needy whine at the fresh stretch of it. It’s like there’s fire under your skin, and Ari is happy to keep stoking it, ready to watch you burn bright—

“M’gonna put a baby in you, Kitten,” He growls the words out against your lips, sucking and biting at the tender flesh until you cry out. “Make it so everybody knows just who you belong to.” Ari bottoms out inside you, his thrusts shortened by the thick weight of his knot. Ari runs his nose down your throat, pressing it into the gland just below his mark as he drives into you.

It doesn’t hurt when he bites down, clamping sharp teeth around the already puffy, scarred flesh. Your eyes roll to half mast as your cunt tightens down around him so fast that a choked groan tears loose from his throat. The slick, slick, slick of his cock sliding through your dripping pussy is punctuated by Ari’s muffled cursing, his fingers digging into your hips as he drags you over the edge.

You slump against him, crying out as you drown under wave after wave of bliss, Ari’s cock pummeling against your twitching cervix. Your thighs tremble around his hips, and Ari growls against your throat, his teeth still locked tightly in your flesh as you keen and writhe.

“That’s it, Kitten,” he praises you as you come apart into a thousand pieces in his arms. “Give it all to me.” You have no choice—Ari drinks in your pleasure like a sponge, his thick cock dragging along your spasming walls as he chases his own end. You’re sobbing, undone as he wrings another orgasm from your trembling body. Your pussy sucks lewdly at him as he ruts into you, and when Ari’s hips finally still, he shudders as he empties himself into your cunt, thick jets of his spend beating against your abused walls.

He captures your lips with his own, and you taste the copper of your own blood on his tongue.

“Think you can sleep now, Kitten?” He rasps, and you hide against his chest. Though you’re still locked together, Ari loops his hands under your ass, carrying you over to the couch, where he sits with a heavy sigh. You’re already fighting sleep—and losing, dark tendrils creeping across your vision as you listen to the steady beat of Ari’s heart against your cheek.

—

“—should take her upstairs.”

“She’ll wake up if you move her. Don’t touch her.”

“—outside.—“

You wake up with a frown creasing your features—why are you downstairs? You sit up from the cushions blearily, rubbing at your eyes with the back of your hand. As if in answer, your cunt throbs, and your face heats.

Oh yeah.

You’d been expecting to wake up in bed with Ari—not alone on the couch. The television is off, and so are all the other lights, and for a moment you just sit there, trying to parse out what had woken in the first place. Voices, muffled conversation carried on just out of ear-shot. You stand with a groan, your thighs protesting the movement as the blanket that had been draped across you falls to the floor. A peek up the stairs confirms Liam is still in bed, his door firmly shut, and the warm yellow glow of his nightlight leaking out from the cracks.

Your face heats as you drape the blanket around your shoulders, disguising Ari’s handiwork. You don’t have to look in the mirror to know your throat is probably bruised like a mishandled peach, and the area between your thighs aches with a sort of pleasurable soreness you aren’t used to. You sniff at yourself as you head for the staircase, your nose wrinkling at the musky scent of sex that seems to drip from your pores.

Wait.

You pause with your hand on the bannister, your foot frozen in midair. There’s something underneath the heavy scent of Ari’s pheromones, the woodsy scent of his cologne—

Gunsmoke.

You whip your head around, suddenly alarmed and unnerved by the quiet house. Nothing is out of place, not a single thing—so why does something feel so…wrong? You turn away from the stairs, padding back across the living room.

“Ari?” There’s no answer to your tentative call. “Are you still here?”

The kitchen is empty, and your face heats as you pass the island, the scent of your pleasure muted, but still present on the stone countertop. The pool light is on. It’s so dim it almost doesn’t register, the soft blue light flooding over the tiles to wash your feet in cool aqua. You reach for the metal handle, and the door slides open silently. It’s still dark out, though the very edges of the horizon are tinged pink, hinting at the rising of the sun.

The terra-cotta tiling is cool and slick under your feet, the pool placid and quiet beyond it. The scent of burning metal is stronger out here, mixed with the scent of cut grass and morning dew, but it’s there, and it’s unmistakable. There’s something else too, something that helps new fear curdle the remnants of the afterglow still lingering in your system. The scent of heavy, coppery blood. You round the pool into the patio-area and freeze, your body stalling like a stubborn mule.

The man who’d tried to take Liam is on his knees, his face swollen and bruised. In fact, you’re not even sure how you recognize him. He’s taken a beating, that much is clear—blood bubbles from his crooked nose and split lip, dripping down to soak into the already stained t-shirt he’s wearing. You can hear the wet rattle of his breath from where you’re standing. His hands are zip-tied behind his back, hanging at such an awkward angle you know they must be broken too.

You try to turn, to look away from the scene searing itself into your retinas, but you can’t, can’t close your eyes, can’t move. The two police officers standing by don’t look particularly concerned as the man coughs up more blood and sags, falling over onto his side.

“I’m going to ask you one more time, Jim, and I really hope you’re honest with me.” The familiarity of Ari’s voice cut with the cold, aloofness in his tone sends a massive shiver down your spine, and you clutch your arms to your chest. Ari approaches slowly, his shoes clicking against the tile. A cigarette hangs from the corner of his mouth, and he grasps it with two fingers, tapping off the growing ash before replacing it.

“Why my son?” He asks. The cool calm dripping from his words isn’t reflected in his actions as he presses his thumb into a sluggishly bleeding wound on the man’s shoulder. He cries out in pain, his voice echoing loudly in the quiet of your suburban neighborhood. “Why Liam?” The man begins to sob, though Ari pays it no mind, taking another deep drag off his cigarette.

“Come on, Clarence. You think I like having the boys work you over? It’s messy.” Ari wipes his bloody knuckles off on his own slacks.

“H-he said w-we need to d-destroy your l-legacy.” His voice is so low, you almost don’t hear it. “P-please…” He’s speaking around broken teeth, blood and spit leaking out from the corners of his mouth as he stares pleadingly up at Ari. “I w-wasn’t going to hurt him, I swear to fucking God, I wasn’t—”

“Cardinas, call in a 444.” Ari cuts him off, snapping his fingers.

“Boss.” You aren’t close enough to read the bronze tag on his uniform, but you’re willing to bet it says Cardinas on it. “That’s an officer involved shooting.”

“I know.” Ari replies, disgust lining his handsome features as he takes the cigarette and stubs it out on the other man’s arm. “Because bright eyes here got loose during transport. Grabbed a gun,” he says, holding out his hand. Cardinas undoes the clip on his holster, before handing Ari the gun. “You had no choice.” He raises it, pulling back the hammer.

“You know if you do this, it’s war.” The slow drawl seems to cut through the moment, and you squint, trying to see through the early morning haze. “Actual, factual war.”

“Shut up, Drysdale.” Ari growls through clenched teeth, cutting his eyes over his shoulder. The other man smirks, shrugging. He dusts imaginary dirt from his cable-knit sweater, before tucking his hands into his pockets.

“I’m just pointing out the risks, such as they are.”

“I know the fucking risks.” Ari raises the gun. “I think it’s time Quill did a little risk assessment of his own.”

The gunshot is quiet, quieter than you anticipated. It’s quieter than the horrible, wet noise of thick blood painting the tile, quieter still than the low noise of disgust Ari makes in his throat.

Quieter than the shocked gasp that tears loose from your lips, even as you raise your hands to your own mouth to try and quiet it.

“Oh look, an audience,” the man in the sweater winks at you from across the lawn. “Cute little thing—wait. That’s not Randy’s brat, is it?” You fall to your knees in the wet grass, your trembling hands clapped tight over your open mouth as Ari turns toward you with a sigh, carding his hand through his hair.

“Oh Kitten.” He crosses the lawn in a few easy strides, before dropping down to a squat in front of you. You flinch as he reaches for you with sticky, copper fingers and cups your cheek.

“I really wish you hadn’t seen that.”

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my-hot-awkward-turian-boyfriend · 2 months

Text

Official Shakarian & Mass Effect Fanfics Master Post

all of my shakarian and mass effects fics in one post, divided into categories: one shots, chapter fics, series, gifts/giveaways

ONE SHOTS:

some things you just can't speak about

2.9k words, rated T, "two short shakarian scenes, before the suicide mission and six months later, after they've been reunited" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/33066811

First Choice

6.8k words, rated T, "a series of moments from the first, second, and third games showcasing the growth of Garrus and Shepard's friendship and relationship" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/33245413

and for the first time i had something to lose

2.2k words, rated T, "Garrus moving through the motions of life after the war, always imagining Shepard is still there with him" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/37477735

prove that i'm me, prove that i'm yours

2k words, rated T, "Garrus questions Shepard's identity after being dead for two years, but after the events of his rescue on Omega, she promises to prove herself to him (and maybe realises she has deeper feelings)" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/38504269

we always find our way back to each other

6k words, rated T, "Shep doesn't recruit Garrus for the Saren mission, but every time she returns to the Citadel, they just so happen to bump into each other, and he's always there when she needs someone" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/38989122

tell me it's okay not to be all right

7.4k words, rated T, "Garrus dealing with losing Shep multiple times in multiple ways but never giving up on her and always being willing to follow her lead" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/40121526

the first rule of f*** club is: you do not talk about f*** club

1.2k words, rated M, the title honestly says it all; there's just no good way to summarize this fic ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/41340453

Needs Satisfied

2.5k words, rated E, "Shep takes Garrus' offer of *needing* him quite literally and they hook up in the main battery because waiting until the end of me2 is just silly when there's already so much sexual tension in the air" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/47238556

In Good Company

3.6k words, rated E, "Aria tells Shep to find someone to hookup with, and Shep decides that that probably wouldn't be such a bad idea. She wants Garrus but is under the impression Garrus doesn't want her. Until, that is, he comes across her flirting with another turian in the club. It's all uphill from there." ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/49033144

caught between a rock and a hard turian

6k words, rated E, "Garrus gets hit by cloud of sex pollen and Shep is the one who needs to help with his release to get the reaction out of his system. They both think the sex is strictly situational until Shep approaches Garrus to talk with him about it after the fact. That's when they finally realise they've both been harbouring feelings for each other." ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/49741477

CHAPTER FICS:

torment me, challenge me, make me bleed

68.7k words, 10 chapters, rated E, "If Garrus had followed through with actually reapplying for spectre status. Still follows the events of me2 and me3 rather closely but with some variations. Additional/missing scenes. Altered scenes. Rearranged dialogue." ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/36648406/chapters/91415290

When Planets Align

63.2k words, 11 chapters, rated E, "Shepard is brought back by Cerberus and her first mission is to track down Omega's infamous Archangel. Of course, nothing ever goes as planned. Nor can anything ever be simple." ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/36485758/chapters/90981499

a memory is nothing more than a stepping stone

39.3k words, 6 chapters, rated E, "Post-me3 Shep has just woken up in a hospital to the sound of gunfire. She doesn't remember how she got there--or the turian who shows up to help her escape the men trying to track her down. Turns out she doesn't remember anything from the last nearly four years of her life..." ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/41401683/chapters/103823640

A Rose By Any Other Name

40.5k words, 3 chapters, rated E, Beauty & the Beast AU, "A universe where Shep works for the Shadow Broker and is assigned a mission to look into who Archangel is and discovers far more than she ever could've imagined (or dreamed of) both about Archangel and herself" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/40879761/chapters/102442695

the path reveals itself with each step taken forward

15.8k words, 3 chapters, rated E, "A timeline of the events from a memory is nothing more than a stepping stone but from Garrus' POV instead... Experience Garrus' side and feelings from dealing with Shep having no memory of him or their relationship." ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/42647103/chapters/107126943

Doubled Edged Lockdown

15.5k words, 8 chapters, rated E, "AU where Shep is sent to assassinate Archangel but everything about her plan backfires when the station goes into a lockdown and they end up being stuck together for an undisclosed amount of time" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/43114659/chapters/108350778

magnificently cursed (the fatal flaw)

40.5k words, 8 chapters, rated E, "The first contact war has just ended, and the humans and turians have agreed upon an alliance through marriage. Novella Shepard is the human volunteer, which she has no qualms about...until she meets Garrus Vakarian, whom she has a brief yet passionate affair with. Except he is not the turian volunteer.... In the end, will the alliance come to fruition, or will it turn into another disaster?" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/47581291/chapters/119918797

Mixing Work With Pleasure

17.1k words, 4 chapters, rated E, "AU where Garrus and Shep are set up on a blind date and end up really hitting it off. Turns out they're also working in the same profession, although that's not discussed until the day they realise they work for the same company. How they find out is not necessarily planned, but they're not complaining about the new experience" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/49205854/chapters/124157668

the fate of the stars

4.7k words, 22 chapters, rated T, "A collection of drabbles using tarot and appointing each major arcana to certain moments/sequences from throughout the trilogy..." ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/50110447/chapters/126546565

once upon a time, the planets and the fates and all the stars aligned (checkmate)

73.1k words, 6 chapters, rated E, "A minor retelling of the series based on if Shepard and Garrus had met years before the Saren mission and how their relationship progresses over time" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/54178876/chapters/137183806

SERIES:

it'd be an awfully empty galaxy without you

22.6k words, rated E, complete, "shakarian smut after significant moments throughout the trilogy" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/series/2550892

love in the dark

10.3k words, rated E, complete, "AU canon divergence of moments Shep and Garrus get together without realising they're about to be with each other again" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/series/3031101

roleplay

6.2k words, rated E, ongoing, "Shep and Garrus in different roleplay scenarios" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/series/3548890

and then there were three...

23.1k words, rated E, complete, "Shep and Garrus inviting Adrien Victus into their sex life (and eventually relationship)" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/series/3574465

Tantalising Turians

44.2k words, rated E, complete, "Novella Shepard hooking up with just about every named turian throughout the trilogy (porn with plot)" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/series/3823585

GIFTS/GIVEAWAYS:

fake it till we make it

13.3k words, rated T, "Shep and Garrus never got together during the actual trilogy timeline and after the war they start pretending to date for Garrus' sake but Shep quickly realises that she may not be able to pretend for long" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/40845417

Ruthless Calculus of the Heart

19.2k words, rated T, "Garrus figuring out how to become reacquainted with this new Shep, who used to be so hardcore before she died, and is now the complete opposite.... Meanwhile, Shep is trying to un-teach everything she had taught Garrus during their first mission together. Easier said than done...." ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/42488880

The Ballad of a Turian

4.9k words, rated G, an origin story for a friend's turian OC ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/43900503

my one and only (i don't want you like a best friend)

14.2k words, rated M, "Shepard and Garrus start hooking up long before the aftermath of Garrus' loyalty mission (or the suicide mission, for that matter), but they still try to be discreet and keep their newfound relationship a secret from the rest of the crew" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/44735905

Cover It Up With A Kiss

3.5k words, part 1/2 of the Never Better series, rated E, "Garrus and Shep hook up during an undercover mission, which ends up leading to more than either of them ever could've anticipated (or hoped for)" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/45003325

Uncover It With A Look

3.1k words, part 2/2 of the Never Better series, rated E, "Shep and Garrus have reunion sex in the main battery after Garrus reboards the Normandy after the Menae mission in me3 (six months is a lot of time to make up for)" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/45204919

Legacy

3.1k words, rated T, "Shep and Garrus simply living a normal life and enjoying retirement after the reaper invasion" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/45427156

The Dark Side of the Moon

8.6k words, rated M, "Garrus dealing with the grief of losing Shepard (again) and not knowing how to handle it properly until getting the idea to return to the colony she's from to help them rebuild and help him feel connected to her, but never does he expect the people he'll run into there" ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/45744922

#mass effect #shakarian #shepard x garrus #fanfics #ao3

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just-my-latest-hyperfixation · 2 months

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WIP Weekend

Weekly update:

Chapter XIII of Possession will drop later this weekend. Only two more chapters and the epilogue left to write now, and that separation anxiety is starting to hit! What's going on? I only started that fic yesterday, didn't I???

My RBB fics will post on 25 and 29 March, respectively. I'm just in the process of finishing up the second one and so excited to share them!!!

Meanwhile, in omegaverse, things are finally getting smutty.

Send me an emoji, and I'll write and share three sentences from that fic!

The two RBB fics are a bit of an exception, as I may only share spoiler-free bits, so you'll get a snippet of my choosing from any place within the fic.

🦇Possession

🔥Omega!Eddie

🐠 I'm just gonna swim (until you love me) [RBB fic 1]

☀️ RBB fic 2 [which I really ought to title soon] Snippet from 🔥 CW: omegaverse, nsfw

He just fucking chirped at Steve fucking Harrington. Steve fucking Harrington, who just ate him out like a starving man would devour a delicious feast and who told him he tastes incredible.

Somebody shoot him now.

Steve's eyes go dark again.

“Don't do that,” he murmurs, voice strained and reluctant, but he has started crawling his way up and towards Eddie’s face, as if pulled by an invisible thread. Like he couldn’t stop himself if he tried. His scent crests over Eddie, earthy and warm and intense. Every morsel of self-restraint, every ounce of shame, shatters in its wake. Eddie doesn’t think he minds anymore. “Don’t make that noise at me.”

His hands cup Eddie’s face and he’s close now, so very close. Close enough for their noses to brush, close enough for Eddie to feel his breath on his lips. Close enough for Steve’s clothed cock to slot itself between his legs, big and hard and right, right, right where it belongs.

Eddie can’t think anymore, can’t talk, can just lie there and look up at that face, those eyes.

Taglist: @somegirlsomewhere

#steddie #steve x eddie #steve harrington x eddie munson #steddie brainrot #steddie fanfic #fanfiction writer #fanfiction #fanfic #my writing #wip ask game #wip weekend

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cat-dragron-arts · 3 months

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Never knew I could become fixated on my own silly Sonic Frontiers AU but it's finally at a point where I feel comfortable enough to share it with the wider world! I also wrote all this up at like midnight so sorry if stuff doesn't make sense.

Whole premise is "what if Shadow was in Frontiers" which isn't a unique thought but I wanted to try my own spin on it! Calling it the Mnemonic AU for now since that's just have I've been titling files I save for this as.

Mnemosyne Island replaces Rhea Island in terms of story progression, combining all of the towers into one. Still working on some of the finer details but the chaos emeralds are involved so that Sonic, Shadow and their koco companion can have some quality time together.

Also! Have some rough environmental drawings because I cannot get certain scenes out of my head!!

My whole goal of this was to explore a bit of the harder to obtain voice lines on Rhea Island and how that would play in to someone besides Sage being there to witness Sonic at his lowest before the corruption fully takes over.

Oh and also to have more qpr sonadow content that scratches my particular itch of them having an incredibly deep bond and how that gets put to its limit.

More doodles and ramblings under the cut!

I have most of the main story beats planned out especially with how the ending plays out. It would follow the Final Horizon update in terms of how Ouranos Island plays out plus! Then there's also more potential for character interactions which I adore exploring.

Got no idea for how Shadow ends up at the Starfall Islands. Maybe he's out with Rouge and Omega and he's the only one that finds the portal that ends up transporting him to the islands. Anyways, at least he and Knuckles have that in common.

Shadow's memory token is lavender which I used primarily because it's more neutral than some of the other symbols I see with Shadow a lot. His koco's design was... a pain but I'm ultimately happy with it since they are fun to draw hehe.

The fic itself is gonna be a long one!! Not sure how long yet as I'm still writing it but I've gotten rough drafts for the first three chapters with chapter four on the way. I'm guessing somewhere around 40-60 k words?? Based purely on the chapters I have written right now and how many words they are.

I'd love to post the fic at some point but I want to wait until I have a little more of a back log/more polished since it's my first fan fic and I am a little nervous about it haha.

If you read this far thank you??? It means a lot and I just hope people enjoy this silly au hehe.

#digital art #my art #image description in alt #fanart #sth mnemonic au #<- tag I'll be using for this since I will post more about it on this blog #sonic the hedgehog #shadow the hedgehog #sonic frontiers #sth fanart #qpr sonadow #Realizing that's a better one to use lmao though there's only like one sketch in this bunch that has even a hint of sonadow in it #I just want more content that explores them having this deep bond is that so much to ask!!!#on god a lil nervous about posting this but I'm having fun and I wanna share that with others who might also enjoy this

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saiyanprincessswanie · 1 year

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SaiyanPrincessSwanie - Reading List Week 139 & 140

Welcome to Week 139 & 140

As always these will be listed in no particular order. None of these stories are mine. I’m just signal boosting them. Author is listed next to title. My goal is to signal boost writers and spread positivity in the community. 💜💜

Click HERE to see what I will or won’t read. This is very important.

Click HERE for past reading lists.

My Masterlist click HERE

Please make sure you’re reading the warnings on every story. They range from dark to fluff. Do Not Read if you are under 18 years old. These stories are meant for adults only. You’re responsible for your own media consumption.

Page-break by @whimsicalrogers & header by me

If you can, please reblog these lists so they can reach more people on Tumblr.

I love you 3000 💜 Missy

Made for Me - Part 4 - (Bucky x Reader) - @saiyanprincessswanie

Steve Drabble - @sweater-daddiesdumbdork

Fitness - (Ari x Reader) - @our-marvel-universe

Shortcake - (Stucky x Reader) - @sidepartskinnyjeans

brooklyn baby - (Steve x OFC) - @marxeluni

A Real Prince Charming - (Bucky x Reader) - @navybrat817

Secrets chapter 4 - (Steve x Reader) - @nekoannie-chan

Bedazzled- Chp 11 - (James x OFC) - @caffiend-queen

If I Could Touch You - (Steve x Reader) - @targaryenvampireslayer

Biker Bucky & Biker Ari Drabble - @angrythingstarlight

Nobody can take your place - (Steve x Reader) - @nekoannie-chan

At Home Drill - (Bucky x Reader) - @jobean12-blog

Two kings (1) - (Steve x Reader) - @holylulusworld

Words - (Steve x Reader) - @nekoannie-chan

A omega's taste - (Tony x Reader x Steve) - @ironlady1993

From Blue to Green - (Lee x Reader) - @springdandelixn

Bedazzled Chp 12 - (James x Reader) - @caffiend-queen

His Inheritance - Part 12 - (Steve x Reader) - @jtargaryen18

Highways & Heatstrokes Part 1 - (Ari x Reader) - @oh-my-damn

Lightning in a Bottle - (Thor x Reader) - @wizardofrozz

New Rules - Part 11 - (Steve x Reader) - @syntheticavenger

Secrets Chp 5 - (Steve x Reader, Brock x Reader) - @nekoannie-chan

Riding On - Chp 31 - (Frank x OFC) - @wiypt-writes

Real Life Tasks With Ransom Day 1 - @wiypt-writes @sweater-daddiesdumbdork

Saved - Part 3 - (Steve x Reader) - @kellyn1604

Secret Sierra - Chp 3 - @lloydsbitch

Aurora - Part 3 - (Andy x OFC, Lloyd) - @andydrysdalerogers

Best Friends Forever - Chp 3 - (Bucky x Reader) - @talia-rumlow

Collared part 6 - @spnexploration

Bedazzled - Chp 13 - (James x Reader) - @caffiend-queen

Follow you home - (Bucky x Reader) - @navybrat817

Confessions - (Steve x Reader) - @our-marvel-universe

Bedazzled - The Final Chapter! - (James x Reader) - @caffiend-queen

Marks - (Steve x Reader) - @nekoannie-chan

In the middle of the night - (Stucky x Reader) - @late-to-the-party-81

The Dinner Guest - (Steve x Reader, Lloyd x Reader) - @labella420

Two Kings (2) - (Steve x Reader) - @holylulusworld

In His Hands - (Bucky x Reader) - @navybrat817

Design - (Steve x Reader) - @nekoannie-chan

Pursuit - (Brock x Reader) - @fluffyprettykitty

Make You Feel My Love - (Bucky x Reader) - @darkficsyouneveraskedfor

#saiyanprincessswanie #recommended reading #missy reads #missy reblogs #bucky barnes x reader #steve rogers x reader #ari levinson x reader #stucky x reader #lee bodecker x reader #tony stark x reader #thor x reader #brock rumlow x reader #frank adler x ofc #lloyd hansen x reader

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pinkykats-place · 1 year

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BakuDeku supernatural au

AO3 Fanfic Recommendations

Disclaimers!

None of the stories linked on titles are mine.

Some contain mature content. Read tags.

Art work by @veve {twitter}.

Note: If you read any of these stories and like them please let the author know with a kudos and/or comment!

Under the Full Moon

by shalia_earante

Summary: Katsuki is finally ready to propose courtship to his nerdy ghost Deku, but the boy is nowhere to be found!

One Shot | SFW

Werewolf Baku x Ghost Deku

A Cat Named Deku by silentsongbird

Summary: Bakugou begrudgingly takes in a stray cat that has been hanging around his home. He says he's motivated by the weather turning colder, but he just can't resist the little fur ball. One night, Deku decides to let him in on a little secret.

One Shot | No Quirks AU

Rated - Mature

Cursed Shifter Deku x Human Baku

Blood Oath by Kolista

Summary: “Being alive ain’t worth shit if you don’t got something to live for,” I tell her with a sneer.

“Yes,” she pauses with a knowing tilt to her head. “To bad I am not alive.”

I laugh at her then. A deep one that has my chest shaking and when I settle down a little I start to feel a bit woozy. Whatever the fuck that old man puts in that brown water he calls ale has finally caught up with me. Or so I think.

The vampire bitch leans in close to me. Those disgusting red tipped finger nails graze my inner thigh as she whisper in my ear, “you’re going to make such a fine pet once we’re done with you. I bet you look splendid with a collar wrapped tight around that pretty neck of yours.”

— — —

Or Baku is kicked out of his pack and forced to make it on his own. He doesn't get far before he's scooped up and held prisoner at The Shelter, a supernatural black market where you can purchase anyone for any price. Bakugou is purchased by Izuku, a vampire prince whose in need of a bodyguard and the enemy to Kat's people. Now he must choose between his people or the one person he's supposed to hate.

Complete | 40 Chapters

Rated - Explicit

Vampire Deku x Werewolf Baku

The Morning-After Pill Doesn't Work On Werewolves, You Damn Deku!

by greatcloudninja

Summary: “All Supes have a secondary gender separate from the regular gender spectrum: alpha, beta, and omega. Alpha Supes—even non-werewolves—develop knots. And omega Supes, even those who have male genitalia, develop certain characteristics as well… like the fact that all omega werewolves can get pregnant if they have sex with an alpha during the full moon.”

Recently-turned vampire Midoriya Izuku wakes up in a hotel room, naked and vulnerable to encroaching morning sunlight, with a stranger on the other side of the bed. Except the stranger isn't a stranger at all—Bakugou Katsuki was his babysitter growing up, the older boy Izuku idolized and crushed on. Now he's getting a very... hands-on lesson in what separates the supernatural community from 'normal' humanity, as he realizes he's become very intimately connected with Bakugou in a way he never imagined.

One Shot | OmegaVerse

Rated - Explicit

Vampire Deku x Werewolf Baku

my love is always bitter/yearning

by lovemepidge

Summary: Two vampires get drunk and describe each other looks as they cannot use mirrors

{One Shot}

Rated - Teen & Up

Vampire Baku x Vampire Deku

Not Enough Time With You

by schrammashley1

Summary: Bakugou and Midoriya have already spent more than two lifetimes together yet, Christmas remains Izuku's favorite holiday and Katsuki realizes the nerd always gets what he wants.

{One Shot}

Rated - Teen & Up

Vampire Baku x Vampire Deku

An Aching Desire to Find

by psycovibes

Summary: It's been years since he last saw that freckled face, those viridian eyes that looked at him as if he was the most beautiful poem ever written.

The pull on his heart had only grown stronger with his will to find him. He would do anything to hear that voice say his name again.

He would give anything to find him.

One Shot | Victorian AU

Not Rated

Vampire Baku x Vampire Deku

Vampires Versus Wild by skyfallgar

Summary: Izuku barged into their shared home, panic written across his face. “Kacchan! we have a problem.”

“No,” Katsuki said. “YOU have a problem.”

He then pointed a finger at the intruder. “I have an idiot who keeps getting into one.”

“Mean, Kacchan,” Izuku pouted.

“So, what is it this time?” Katsuki asked.

“I told vampire hunters we were vampires,” he blurted.

“You did WHAT??”

— — —

OR Vampires bkdk keep pranking each other every 50 years or so.

One Shot | SFW

Vampire Baku x Vampire Deku

Lovebites by mynameis152

Summary: Katsuki Bakugou was going to hate this summer.

He thought he'd hate it because he was being forced to leave home and work for his mother's friend in a small, seaside town. He thought he'd hate it cause he was being punished for burning his room to a crisp. He thought he'd hate it because he hated change.

But it turns out, he hated the Supernatural Turfwar between four species that shouldn't exist but do a whole lot more....

— — —

Or The one where Katsuki is forced to move in with Inko for the summer and finds himself falling for a particular bloodsucker....

Complete | 57 Chapters

Rated - Explicit

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leviackermanscleaningbuddy · 2 years

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SKZ DRABBLE-OT8

The one where if there's smoke, there's fire.

Or the 5th installment of the SKZ!pack Prequel Series.

A/N: Okay look. This was supposed to be the Minho chapter. But. Things got out of hand. So. Have this. And then have Minho next.

Tags: SKZ, Stray Kids, SKZ!pack, SKZ!abo, a/b/o, alpha beta omega, ot8, ot8 x you, ot8 x reader, skz x you, skz x reader, fluff, non-explicit smut, rut, alpha changbin, omega hyunjin, alpha y/n, beta jisung, bang chan, lee minho, seo changbin, hwang hyunjin, han jisung, lee felix, kim seungmin, yang jeongin, y/n

Genre: Fluff, Light Angst, Non-explicit Smut

Title: Summer Camp

Jisung’s eyes are so wide you’re suddenly afraid they’re going to pop out of his head.

“Jisung. Final warning. I’m coming in.”

You can feel the way Jisung tenses from across the room, and suddenly, Hyunjin is making a mad scrabble to get off the beta’s lap, even as the sound of the front door clicks open ominously.

You scoot farther away from the duo in a panic, until your back hits the couch a little bit harder than necessary, wanting to put as much distance between yourself and the beta as possible, but you know.

You all know.

The scent is going to give you away.

Warm smoke, intertwined with tart lemons and blooming wisteria, and above it all, the stark, fresh scent of clean laundry.

You might as well have written a giant, flashing neon sign in preparation for Lee Minho, one that plainly and clearly screams-look, we’re totally making moves on your boyfriend when you’re not here, and he’s actually really into it LOL!

A booted foot breaches the threshold of the living room, and you hold your breath as a fresh, stronger wave of heady bergamot proceeds the alpha’s entrance.

Jisung looks like he wants to throw up.

Beside you, a low growl rumbles from the back of Changbin’s throat.

You all glance at him in open shock, and he stares back at you with wide eyes, as if just as surprised, or more so, as all of you to hear the sound coming from himself.

The smell of smoke intensifies, and there’s something sharply acidic now beneath it all, putting you instantly on edge.

Lee Minho appears then, holding some sort of grocery bag that you assume contains the before mentioned offering of elusive cheesecake, and stops dead in his tracks at the sight of all of you, circled on Jisung’s living room floor, surrounded by empty pizza boxes and even emptier bottles of cheap wine.

“Hey-” Jisung stutters out, giving an awkward little wave, a wave that you know is fooling no one, especially Lee Minho. “Minho-hyung. I didn’t know you were coming over.”

The alpha in question’s face remains absolutely blank, expressionless, dark eyes sweeping over his boyfriend, and then your trio.

“I wasn’t aware you were having a party.”

“I’m not!” Jisung scrambles to his feet, clearly trying to placate the alpha, though you clearly can’t see any outward signs of upheaval, his face just as unreadable as before. “We were just hanging out. These are my friends from class.”

You see it then, the way Minho’s nostrils flare, taking in his beta boyfriend’s scent, slightly soured, mixed with the rest of you, and you know that he knows, can tell by the way his eyes darken minutely, quick enough to miss.

Jisung puts a tentative hand on Minho’s forearm, the one clutching the cheesecake bag, and beside you, Changbin growls again, low and dangerous in his throat, metaphorical hackles rising.

There it is again-the smell of smoke tinged with an unfamiliar acid that has your wolf instantly on high alert.

“Well. This is awkward.” You clear your throat, speaking into the tense silence, reaching out blindly to lay a hand on Changbin’s arm, just in case he decides to do something stupid, mirroring Jisung. You shoot him a warning glare, fingers curling around his wrist, and then stare pointedly at Hyunjin, silent across the space of the living room. “We were just going anyway. So-”

“No.”

You glance up from pulling Changbin to his feet, fingers still securely around his wrist, at Minho’s sharp, commanding tone.

Jisung’s eyes are huge-dark, unsure voids-and Hyunjin looks sufficiently cowed, biting his lower lip between his teeth and avoiding Minho’s sweeping gaze.

Minho’s expression smooths out again-the flicker of anger, of something, you had seen earlier, entirely gone now-and an icy mask flickers across his eyes, the corner of his mouth pulling upward into something akin to a snarl, but more of a self-deprecating, humorless smirk.

He shakes Jisung’s hand off his arm as easily as pushing aside a fly.

“I was just going. Stay. Enjoy your party.”

The words should come out as a sneer, as a furious hiss, but Minho’s tone is nothing but cool, steady, calculating, as he drops the bag that holds the cheesecake on the floor and turns on his heel, leaving the apartment without another word.

Jisung stands there, mouth slightly open, the silence swirling, staring at the empty doorway where Minho had disappeared, and then, just as you see tears start to sheen across his vision, he makes a mad dash for the open door, disappearing from sight without a second glance as he calls out frantically, “Hyung! Wait! Minho-hyung, please-!”

You swallow, hard, knowing you’re going to need to apologize for all of this later-whether that be to Jisung or Minho or both of them-but right now, all you can focus on is the alpha standing next to you, and how his scent is entirely, utterly off.

“Bin.” You turn to him, disapproval written clearly across your face. “What the hell was that?”

“I dunno-” He offers helplessly, and there is a sheen of sweat on his forehead, his cheeks high with color. “-my alpha didn’t like Minho’s alpha I guess?”

“Uh oh.” Hyunjin, having seemed to regain some of his former confidence now that Minho is gone, steps toward the two of you, eying the other alpha seriously. “Bin. Are you tracking?”

Changbin looks slightly confused for a moment, and then something clicks in his eyes, reaching into his pocket for his phone before pulling up his calendar app, waving it for Hyunjin to see.

Marked in red with three exclamation points for importance, the words “RUT!!!” are typed across a couple of days of Changbin’s calendar, but not for a good two to three weeks yet.

“I’m not stupid, Jinnie. I know when my rut is.”

Hyunjin throws up his hands. “Whoa. I didn’t say you were stupid.”

“Okay, let’s just-” You pinch your nose tiredly and take a deep breath, instantly regretting the decision when the acrid smell of burnt umber scorches the back of your throat. “-get out of here first? And then we can figure shit out?”

Hyunjin nods, glancing toward the still open door where Minho, and then Jisung, had disappeared.

“I feel really bad. Should we like, find them and apologize or something?”

You instantly shake your head. “Not now. Let’s give Minho some time to cool off. You know how alphas are.” Your fingers tighten minisculely around Changbin’s wrist at the words. “Plus I think we need to get Bin back to his dorm.”

“Well, we should at least clean up.” Hyunjin points out, already starting to pick up discarded pizza boxes in his arms. “Binnie, get the bottles.”

You all clean up the living room fairly quickly, working together, and locating Jisung’s trash, you toss all the party materials inside, before you turn off the lights and shut the door.

You don’t lock it. Because you’re not sure if the beta had enough forethought before he ran after Minho to take a key, and honestly, that’s the last thing you need to do to the poor kid tonight after everything you’ve already put him through.

The trek back to the alpha dorms is uneventful, and when you all tumble inside of Changbin’s dark apartment, tripping over each other in search of a light switch, things seem a little more normal.

As long as you don’t think too hard about how you’ve probably irrefutably damaged your relationship with Han Jisung forever.

Or how Lee Minho most definitely hates your guts and would probably rather kill you on the spot than ever have you near him, or his boyfriend, ever again.

Yeah, everything’s great, as long as you don’t think about any of that.

Luckily, Seo Changbin makes sure that none of you can think about anything for the next couple of days except for somehow surviving his early-and very ill timed-surprise rut.

The fact that a certain Han Jisung hasn’t called, not once, doesn’t even cross your mind.

**********

“Binnie, you’re hurting me.” Hyunjin whimpers some time around the 48 hour mark, the smell of lemons in the air souring slightly beneath the ever choking scent of smoke.

Changbin may be an alpha, and he may be in rut, but you’ve never known him to lose complete control, and he pulls back as soon as the words leave the omega’s lips.

They’re both panting, Changbin leaning over Hyunjin, positioned on the edge of the bed, and the omega takes the brief opportunity of respite to flop back onto the mattress, letting out a long breath, eyes closing as he whines out, “I need a break.”

You grin, watching the two of them from where you’re curled up on the opposite end of the bed, your wolf pricking its ears in interest now.

“I’ll tag team you if you want, Jinnie.” You wait until the omega cracks open an eye to look at you, grin turning into something more akin to a smirk. “I like it rough.”

“Please.” Hyunjin pleads, flopping out his arm like dead weight toward you, palm up, still pinned beneath the weight of Changbin’s overly hot body. “I’m a pillow princess at heart. I can’t take this kind of manhandling, noona.”

You slap his palm, as if you are actually tag teaming some sort of relay, and Changbin releases Hyunjin from his hold, the omega gratefully rolling away to sit up at the edge of the bed, fingers going up to run through his sweat slicked hair.

“God, I feel disgusting.” He hops down from the bed, grimacing as the dried fluids on his legs crack with the movement. “Have fun. I’m going to go take a shower.”

“You don’t wanna watch?” You ask teasingly, already sliding across the bed to take Hyunjin’s place between Changbin’s beefy arms.

The other alpha hasn’t said a word since you started the conversation, but from what Hyunjin’s told you, that’s normal for Changbin in rut.

He gets a lot less human and a lot more predator.

He’s watching you now with dark, hooded eyes, stalking your every move, like he’s hunting you down, getting ready to pounce.

You find you don’t mind.

Hyunjin shrugs, one hand on the door knob.

“Of course I wanna watch. But knowing hyung, I’ll have time to shower and still make it to the show.” Hyunjin smirks, giving you a little wave of his fingers as he slips out the door. “He’s got stamina for days.”

The door clicks shut behind the omega, and you glance to Changbin now, still watching you silently like a wolf closing in on an unsuspecting deer from the underbrush.

“Binnie.” You purr out, tasting the smoke on your tongue now. “C’mere.”

He leans into your space, and you ignore the heat coiling pleasantly in your stomach, as you reach up and run fingers through his sweat-dampened hair, dark and soft, watching the way the gold of his irises swirls prettily around the ebony of his pupils.

“You don’t have to be careful with me. I can take it.” You murmur beneath your breath, letting your hand slip from his hair, down to trace the sharp lines of his jaw, eyes flicking up to his own. “But I do need you to tell me our one rule.”

You see it flicker across the darkness of his gaze then-the struggle to return to conscious human thought, to form words, his lips parted, chest heaving, as if trying to communicate is a heroic, physically strenuous task.

It probably is, the wolf hasn’t receded from his gaze in the slightest, even in the face of your serious request.

He snaps his teeth together in obvious agitation, sharp canines clicking, slick with saliva, and your wolf is pinning its ears, ready to submit.

Not yet, you remind it gently, waiting patiently, holding Changbin’s irritated gaze.

You reach up and tap a forefinger against one of said canines, his breath hot as it washes across the pad of your thumb.

“The rule, Binnie.”

He shakes his head hard, as if trying to clear a cobweb from his brain, like an animal trying to work off the effects of a sedative, and finally, there is something almost human in his eyes, as he growls out beneath his breath impatiently, “No marking.”

You nod in response, a satisfied smirk slipping into place on your lips.

“Good boy.”

Changbin clenches his jaw, muscles popping, and grinds his teeth in impatient agitation as a wave of wisteria creeps in to fill in the gaps between the smoke.

“Now.” You hum beneath your breath, trying to breathe through your mouth, to filter the rut-strengthened alpha pheromones before they can reach your brain and make you lose all train of thought altogether.

You let your hands slide up the strong, wide planes of the other alpha’s chest, your tongue darting out to wet your lips, Changbin’s golden eyes following the movement hungrily.

There is the rumble of a restless growl in the back of his throat.

“Do you-” You let your fingers splay out across the base of his neck, admiring the way they compliment the dark tan of his skin, and have the brief thought that Changbin would look pretty in a collar.

Collars are an out-dated, archaic idea of claiming nowadays, but you’d still pay endless amounts of money to see Changbin in one, just for your eyes alone. Maybe something velvet, or dark studded leather.

You’ll have to revisit that idea later.

“Binnie.” You start again, letting your fingers curl around his throat just enough to track red nail marks across his skin, his eyes flicking to your own at the sound of his name. You tilt your head and raise a brow, watching him curiously. “Do you want to be a good boy for alpha?”

His pupils expand-dark and instant-and there’s a new depth of hunger to his gaze now, his body tense and anticipatory beneath your fingers.

You hum, a smirk coming to your lips now, as you walk your fingers slowly up the column of his throat, letting the pad of your thumb slide across the supple, plush skin of his bottom lip.

His lips part, and his exhales are heated, fiery, on your skin.

“Or-” You continue, watching the way your finger slides easily into his mouth, playing with his tongue, returning slick with hot saliva. You meet his gaze, and something inside of you clenches in want. “-do you want alpha to be a good girl for you?”

A muscle twitches in his jaw, and the wolf inside of the golden swirl of his irises is snapping its teeth desperately now, as you reach up and trail the tip of your still slick finger across the bow of his mouth.

The low start of a possessive growl is a rumble in his chest.

You let your thumb dip back into the moist warmth of his mouth, ticking across the sharp points of his canines, before you loosely hook said finger behind his bottom teeth and tug him down toward you, lips almost brushing his own.

“I don’t think it matters, hm?” You hum out beneath your breath, soft and silky, admiring the way the warmth of your breath washes across his skin. “You just want.”

Changbin bites down on your thumb in response with a low growl, hard enough to hurt, but not nearly close to enough [pressure to break skin, and you smirk, tugging your finger from between his teeth, before you motion with your head to the bed you currently recline on.

“Get on the bed.”

He does as he’s told, and as you straddle him, you can see it-deep in the dark depths of his eyes-that the predator inside of him is reveling in the attention of being told what to do.

No thoughts, just actions.

“Binnie, Binnie, Binnie.” You purr out, letting your fingers trail down the muscles of his chest, meaty pecs flexing unconsciously beneath your touch. You trace over the red lines of nail marks-left by Hyunjin earlier-crisscrossing his tan skin and lean into his space fully, letting your nose brush slowly over his scent gland.

The strength of smoke is enough to make you want to cough, but at the same time, it sends pleasant, warm zips of almost manic energy down your spine.

You glance sidelong at the other alpha, and his pupils are so large and dark that they’ve almost completely swept away any trace of heated gold from his irises.

You let your nose drag across his scent gland once more, and the scent of campfire almost instantly makes you dizzy.

Beneath you, Changbin groans low in his throat, fingers finding your hips, and his body arches up into yours.

“Pretty, pretty.” You muse quietly, letting your breath tickle his ear, even as your hands slip lower down the line of his body, fingers teasing across hot, fevered skin. “You’re being such a good boy for alpha, baby. So patient.”

He sucks in a harsh breath through parted lips as your fingers find their mark, trailing across his arousal, palming him, and you lean forward once more, and this time, you let your tongue dart out to trace the now weeping scent gland.

Maybe letting yourself taste him was a mistake, because, god, if he doesn’t taste incredible-

With a growl of impatience, Changbin forces your hand aside and surges into you, and you bite back a gasp, fingers tangling into his hair to ground yourself, even as you have to clamp down on your tongue to stop yourself from doing something incredibly stupid.

His panting gasps are heavy in your ear, breath hot on your skin, and you're burning, burning in the smell of fire and smoke and red hot embers.

His teeth graze across your own scent gland in the flurry of mad activity, and you have to stop yourself from physically clamping down on him in return, breathing hard through your mouth to try and filter out some of the heavy rut pheromones that seem to weigh down the air all around you.

He’s close, and you know it’s awful of you, but when his sharp canines once again make contact with your throat, and subsequently the scent gland there, you let out a low whimper from between clenched teeth, and place a palm on his heaving chest, flush between the two of you.

His gaze is dark, animalistic, as you make eye contact, and there is a low grumble already starting in the back of his throat-threatening, annoyed, primal.

“I know, Binnie, just-” You breathe through your mouth a couple of times, trying to ignore the way your teeth feel sore in your gums, the way the smoke still curls around you. “-I need to get back control before I do something incredibly stupid.”

You see the wolf cock its head in interest behind the heat of his gaze, and breathe a little easier as he stops moving beneath you, perfectly still now, though still connected.

Your jaw clicks as you force yourself to release the breath you’re holding, slumping forward and letting your forehead hit his, glancing sidelong at him as you watch the way the muscle in his jaw twitches almost imperceptibly.

You know what he’s feeling-your teeth are aching, jaw tight-and everything inside of you is screaming to bite, to mark, to claim.

But there’s one rule, and you’re going to respect it.

“No marking.” You say weakly into the fragile silence between the two of you, more for yourself than anything else, giving your teeth a few experimental clicks.

The itch is still there, but it’s lessened now, listening to Changbin’s ragged breathing, his heart pounding beneath your hands.

“No marking.” He agrees beneath his breath, catching you off guard, and when you look up at him, the golden swirl is back, edging in around the dark holes of his pupils.

You offer him a half smile. “Good boy.”

He tilts his head, as if asking you a silent question, and you laugh weakly, before readjusting your hold in his hair, brushing your nose against his own.

“Okay. Yes. Go on. Thank you for waiting.”

Changbin huffs in his throat in return, as if still slightly annoyed, but more than willing to do what you ask.

He finishes easily, quickly, and yet, you still feel hot and sticky and utterly exhausted when he collapses back beneath you, slumping down to rest with eyes closed against his chest.

“We’re kinda stuck here for awhile-” You mumble out tiredly, not opening your eyes, as you clumsily reach up and off of feeling alone, stroke fingers through Changbin’s sweaty hair, fingers blindly stroking the arch of his cheekbones. “-wanna take a nap?”

Changbin hums beneath his breath, the sound content, and settles down deeper into the mattress, pulling your limp and unresisting body with him.

You have barely closed your eyes, your breath evening out, when the door to the bedroom bangs open, startling you into a yelp.

Changbin’s arms tighten around you to stop you from knocking the two of you off the bed in surprise, as Hyunjin appears in the doorway-freshly showered, hair still wet-wildly waving around his phone.

“Hey, guess who-” He stops in the doorway, nostrils flaring at the very obvious scents mixing and lingering in the room, and then his gaze drifts to the two of you, snuggled up in Changbin’s bed. A smirk crosses his full lips, eyebrow raised, as he takes the scene in. “Okay, that’s really hot, and while I would love to join the post-sex snuggle party until hyung is ready to shower or go again, this is more important.”

You sigh tiredly, rubbing the bridge of your nose, and Changbin grumbles in his throat over the slight disturbance.

“What?”

Hyunjin lifts his phone for you to see, though you can’t read shit from across the room, and motions to the brightly lit messaging app.

“Sungie texted.”

Your ears immediately perk, and even through his post-knot haze, you feel Changbin shift slightly in interest beneath you.

“He said something happened. With Minho.”

A low, possessive, threatening growl emanates from Changbin’s chest, rumbling beneath your ear, and he makes a move to sit up, jostling the two of you in the process.

You wince, the movement too much with all the hypersensitivity, and immediately pin the other alpha back down to the bed by his wrists. Luckily, he doesn’t put up much of a fight.

“Jinnie! Can you not say that name right now?”

Hyunjin looks acceptably apologetic. “Sorry.”

You blow out your breath, eyeing the now reclining Changbin warily, and then glance back to the still waiting omega.

“Did he say what happened? Does he need anything?”

You feel guilt start to pool low in your gut, and Changbin whines beneath you, arms tightening around your waist, sensing the souring of your scent in the air.

“He didn’t say.” Hyunjin shakes his head seriously. “Just said that-” He glances over at Changbin, lowering his voice as if that will stop the other alpha from hearing. “-something happened, with him, and Sungie wants-no needs-to see us.”

“Okay well-” You glance back down to Changbin, to the gold starting to swirl back into his heated gaze, and sigh, mouth filling with the acrid taste of smoke. “-tell him we’re a little preoccupied right now. But that we’ll meet him as soon as Changbin’s in the clear.”

*******

After Changbin’s rut is over, you find yourselves once again in your frequent haunt-the on campus coffee shop-bundled up at your usual corner table against the cold, huddled together for warmth against the frost outside.

Changbin leans over to steal a sip of Hyunjin’s iced americano, and the omega shoots him a fleeting glare, before glancing toward the door once more.

“Jinnie.” You laugh, taking a sip of your own coffee, the mug steaming warmth between your fingers. “You just checked like two minutes ago.”

“I know that.” The omega replies defensively, sniffing haughtily, as he slides his coffee out of Changbin’s reach. He sighs, long fingers-fingernails painted a bright blue-tapping along the edge of his glass. “I’m just-” He looks up at you, eyes large and dark and worried. “-what if he doesn’t come?”

“He’s the one who set up the meeting right?” Changbin offers gruffly, burying his nose in his scarf, as he folds his arms across his chest.

“Well, yeah, but-” Hyunjin starts to snap back, but just then, the door to the coffee shop jingles open, letting in a sweep of icy snow and wind, and Jisung appears, bundled head to toe in one too many jackets, beanie pulled down low over his forehead, rubbing his gloved hands together with enough force to start a fire.

He catches sight of your trio and makes a beeline toward you, the tip of his nose red in a way that’s utterly too adorable and can’t be good for your heart.

When he reaches the table, he stands there awkwardly, hands in his pockets, and Changbin is the first one to clear his throat.

“Hey.”

Jisung doesn’t quite meet the alpha’s gaze as he returns the greeting.

“Hey.”

You swallow, glancing at Hyunjin, who looks torn between wanting to leap up and comfort the clearly uncomfortable beta and sinking into the floor beneath his seat, and decide to bite the bullet.

“Jisung-” You start, hands nervously fidgeting with the handle on your mug. “-is everything okay?”

Jisung tilts his head, finally meeting your gaze, dark eyes wide and serious.

“Did-” You swallow again, reaching out for Hyunjin’s hand, if only to stop him from nervously picking at his cuticles. “-Hyunjin said something happened with Minho.”

You don’t miss the way Changbin tenses at the other alpha’s name.

“Did you guys break up?”

Jisung looks a myriad of emotions all at once, fluttering in quick succession over his face fast enough to give you whiplash.

Curiosity, then confusion, then straight up shock.

“What? No!” He blurts out, a little too loudly, and you let out the breath you’ve been holding, Changbin’s and Hyunjin’s shoulders slumping in sync.

Jisung shakes his head, and manages to maneuver himself into the empty chair at the table, despite the many layers.

“No, it’s way worse than that.”

Beside you, Hyunjin freezes.

Jisung nods sagely, looking like he’s about to tell a scary ghost story around a campfire at summer camp, flashlight held menacingly beneath his face, as the other kids cry and run for their tents.

Inside of you, something clenches with terror.

“No, he wants to meet you.”

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

Taglist: @patat-boi @dearalice @thatgirlangelb @shimmeringmoons22 @coureurs-de-bois9 @spideyweirdo @aroseharder @cutecucumberkimberly @sai-kida134 @meivida @rosegaming117 @ley-lani59 @xwinchesterprincessx @maddmartian @illicee @studyingthemind @hyuneyeon @5sos-wdw @faericals @sunabokuto @blithevix @carolinexkpop @hosh1kwon @wildflower-at-heart @binnie--baby

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theschizotypalsolilquy · 1 month

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If you have more Friends to Lovers Jikook fanfics please share it’s my favorite trope 🥺🥺🥺

I shall try my best 😭😭😭😭

Alright, since I'm gonna do a list, I'll post the title and the author.

Embrasse-Moi by Potatogirrrl

Jimin is an Omega escort. JK is an alpha chaebol who is lonely and has hired Jimin to have weekly dinners with him. It starts out platonic only, as JK really is simply seeking company. But things lead elsewhere. Now, this is probably the only DDLB kink fic I will recommend. So if the Daddy/Little relationship is not your thing, go ahead and skip. Jimin is written with other customers a few times, but it's not too explicit. Mind the tags.

Just Wanna Be Yours by annalouise09

Best friends for years, Omega Jimin and Alpha Jungkook have never crossed the platonic lines. But alphas who can't take a hint and a blackout cause them to reevaluate their feelings. For the longest, this sat unfinished and it had ended on a cliffhanger. Finally, the author posted the last chapter in June and I was so excited.

I Thought He Remembered Me; He Took Me Back So Tenderly by fatal (cumrich)

Think Star Trek. Jimin, Yoongi, Jin and JK follow a distress beacon and end up on a hostile planet. They get captured and poisoned, but they all escape and seem fine. Except for JK...who is not human. He is a wolf/human hybrid whom they rescued from a testing lab years ago. The poison has caused him to go feral, and the only person who can calm him down is Jimin. Cue extremely obsessed and protective JK.

Lillium lancifolium (please love me) by Peach (Deniera)

Omega JK is tired of trying to find someone to love him. Because he looks more like an alpha than most alphas, he gets belittled and let down a lot. So imagine his surprise when he starts to receive mysterious courting gifts. Who could they be from?? When it turns out to be one of his closest friends, Jimin, he's in for an even bigger surprise. I absolutely cherish this fic. They are both precious and adorable.

Lights Up by serendiplini

Both Jimin and JK have been besties for years, and have both recently broken up with their girlfriends. JK decides a trip to Vegas is what they need. And Jimin is starting to realize that he may not be as straight as he thought...and neither is JK.

#jimin #jungkook #jikook #kookmin #park jimin #jeon jungkook

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not-poignant · 24 hours

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Underline the Gold (omegaverse) - 08/?

Title: Underline the Gold

Pairing: Anton Valenosk (the Brave)/Alois Flitmouse

Notes: An Underline the Black side-story

Summary: Alpha Anton is assigned a new omega, Alois Flitmouse, who is Hillview Rehabilitation Facility’s very first voluntary admission and an older, independent omega who is escaping unfortunate circumstances and seeking protection, and is too jaded and tired to consider bonding with anyone. To Anton’s dismay, Flitmouse just wants a place where he can starve to death, something Hillview is determined not to let happen.

Its rating is currently Explicit with some disturbing themes (mention of suicidal ideation, eating disorder, and historic domestic violence). This is a no mpreg universe.

Underline the Gold - 08 - The Unconventional Cure - on AO3!

In which Flitmouse's corrupt heat worsens precipitously, to the point that Temsen begins making suggestions that might serve as a stopgap before potential hospitalisation. Flitmouse seems surprisingly amenable, but he is an omega after all.

Underline the Blue (early access) - Chapter 09 @ Patreon || Ream

In which Flitmouse is put into a controlled coma / under sedation when their solution stops working. After a frightening three days, Flitmouse realises just how close he came to dying, and just how much he might want to live, if Anton is there with him.

—

-Thanks to all the Patreon supporters for making this story possible!

The following early access extras are also currently available on the Augus & Gwyn, and Efnisien & Gary tiers at Patreon and Ream:

Underline the Red - 05 - Caleb/Faber Underline the Red - 06 - Caleb/Faber Underline the Gold - 09 - Flitmouse/Anton The Nascent Diplomat - 44 - Augus/Gwyn - Final Constellations - 06 - Efnisien + Gwyn (post Falling Falling Stars) Constellations - 07 - Efnisien + Gwyn (post Falling Falling Stars) Constellations - 08 - Efnisien + Gwyn (post Falling Falling Stars) Underline the Blue - 14 - Nate/Janusz Underline the Blue - 15 - Nate/Janusz

Want another way to support my writing? // I have a Patreon account! // Come check out REAM! (Patreon mirror) // Buy a Ko-Fi!

#chapter update #omegaverse #anton valenosk #alois flitmouse #hurt/comfort #mm romance #queer romance #angst with a happy ending #original writing #original work #underline the rainbow #i reread all the chapters i'd written while falling asleep #and i was like 'where's the rest' so like #that's the vibe with this story right now

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photogirl894 · 4 months

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"Sun and Rain Part 2: Age of the Empire"

Chapter 26

"One Last Day"

A "Bad Batch" fanfic!

Pairing: Hunter x fem OC, Echo (more best friend pairing)

A/N: Well, back again! Ending the new year on...well, not the happiest of notes, I'm sad to say 😅 But you all knew this was coming, as much as it pained me to write all this. Hang in there, lovelies! Love you all and a Happy New Year to each of you 💜

Also, this chapter/title of this chapter was inspired by the song "One Last Day" by Two Steps From Hell, which also is a great song embodying Jesse and Kimber's relationship, even more so at this point in time. Give it a listen 😊

Taglist: @the-sad-batch , @nimata-beroya , @intrepidmare , @cole-kenxbi , @tech-aficionado , @ladykatakuri , @d1n0-dan , @sammi9498 , @darthzero22 , @scarlettrose9901 , @thebadbatchscyare , @chxpsi , @ilikemymendarkandfictional , @4pplecider , @locitapurplepink , @l-lend , @nekotaetae , @eternalwaffle , @merkitty49 , @avathebestx , @idoubleswearimawriter , @techs-stitches , @fantasyproductions

《 Chapter 25

》 Chapter 27

All chapters (Part 2) (Part 1)

Explanation: Rex and Kimber travel to the moon where Jesse is buried so Kimber can say her final goodbye.

Kimber was a little surprised the next morning to find she was still alone in the Marauder. Though, there was a blanket on top of her, so someone definitely had come while she'd been asleep. She had a strong suspicion that it had been Hunter. He'd probably gotten concerned when she hadn't come back to the Aurora. She felt a bit guilty for having cried herself to sleep, but she also knew Hunter most likely understood, hence why he'd left her alone.

The holopad with Jesse's message laid still in her palm and she clutched it tightly. Her emotions were beginning to swell again, but she inhaled deep through her clenched teeth and then released her breath slowly. She had to stay calm. She had to talk to Rex and she didn't want to get overly emotional again.

She stowed the holopad safely away in one of her packs in the room and then made her way back to the Aurora. She found everyone lounging around in the main area of the ship except for Tech and Irys. Omega was sitting on the floor making silly faces and noises at Kori, who was lying on his back in front of her while giggling and kicking his feet. They all heard her walk in and all eyes were on her right away. Hunter said her name as he saw her and went over to her quickly.

Placing his hands gently on her biceps, he looked into her eyes and asked, “How are you feeling? Are you okay?”

Kimber nodded. “I'm all right,” she said, her voice still a bit hoarse from crying the night before.

Hunter searched her face for any signs of deception. He could still sense a hint of heartbreak from her, but it wasn't as strong as it had been before. She didn't seem to be lying to him, which was good, at least. She genuinely seemed to be okay for now.

He cupped the nape of her neck and guided her head forward, touching her forehead to his. “I really am sorry, sweetheart,” he whispered.

“I know,” she said back.

As Hunter stepped back, Kimber was suddenly engulfed in a big hug from Kida, who said in her ear, “Rex told us what happened. I'm so sorry, Kimber.”

She hugged her friend back and replied, “Thank you, Kida.”

Then Rina came up and said, her voice low, “I remembered Jesse from Jakku. He was one heck of a soldier and a good guy. I know he was your friend and meant a lot to you. I'm sorry he's gone, boss lady. You gonna be okay?”

“I think I will be,” Kimber said back.

It was then Tech and Irys came in from the direction of the cockpit, debating with each other once again.

“No, Irys, our ship's hyperdrive does not require upgrading,” said Tech.

“It's an out of date model and, after the last debacle you informed me of with retrieving the lizard, it'll come to a point where even Echo can't fix it anymore,” Irys replied.

With an adjustment of his goggles, he stated, “Despite that instance, it is still fully functional and therefore, I see no reason to--” He heard a light chuckle and spotted Kimber as well as everyone else watching him and Irys and he ceased his arguing. Clearing his throat, he then said, “Kimber, it's good to see you back and my sincerest apologies for your loss. Are you well?”

“As well as I can be, yes,” Kimber replied, mustering up a small, reassuring smile.

“Do you need anything?” then asked Echo, a look of sympathy on his face.

She shook her head. “Not right now, but thank you.”

“Well, we're all here for you if you do,” said Wrecker. However, a few seconds later, he started groaning in pain and clutching at his head.

Kimber noticed this and forgot about her own troubles for a moment. “Is your head bothering you again, Wrecker?” she inquired.

“Yeah,” he said through a groan.

Rina immediately grew concerned. Something didn't feel right. Normally, a headache was nothing to be concerned about, but her senses were telling her otherwise that something was wrong with Wrecker.

He turned to Tech and said, “Tech, I need one of those med patches.”

“You used the last one,” Tech pointed out.

Rex, too, immediately picked up on the fact that something was wrong. Something he was all too familiar with. “What's wrong?” he asked suspiciously.

“Nothing. It's just a headache,” Wrecker answered through another groan.

“Which are becoming more frequent,” Echo added.

“Is that so?” Rex questioned, his eyes narrowing.

Then Rina spoke up in a more serious tone than anyone had ever heard from her, “Guys, I don't think it's just a headache. I can sense something abnormal about all of this. Something is very wrong.”

As Kimber looked down at her worried friend, Tech stated, mainly to Rex, “If you're concerned about the so-called inhibitor chips, don't be. Our deviant nature appears to have impeded their functionality. Except in Crosshair.”

Kimber inhaled sharply, both at the mention of Crosshair and the inhibitor chips. After what she'd heard in Jesse's message, she had a greater hunch that they were real and there was more to them than they all realized.

Then Rex asked with an anticipatory tone, “You're telling me you haven't removed your chips?”

“No, not yet,” answered Tech.

To everyone's surprise, Rex moved himself in front of the two kids, pushed aside his poncho and held his hand defensively over his holstered blaster, protective determination in his eyes.

Hunter saw this and put himself in front of the rest of his squad. “Rex?” he asked, a hint of warning and confusion in his voice.

“Rex, what are you doing?” then inquired Lex.

“Those chips make you a threat to everyone around you. Even her,” Rex told them, gesturing to Omega behind him. “You're all ticking time bombs.”

“Take it easy, Captain,” Hunter said, holding up a hand in defense.

Sounding more serious, Rex informed them all, “What's in your head is more dangerous than you can imagine. I've seen what happens when the chip activates, and I don't want to bury any more of our brothers.” His gaze found Kimber as he said that, remembering Jesse. Then his expression turned sad. “Trust me. It is not something you can control. I couldn't. It's a risk you do not want to take.”

Hunter looked at Omega, who looked both concerned and afraid. If what Rex said was true and they were a danger to even Omega with their chips still in their heads, then that meant they'd be a danger to Kimber, too. And Rina and Lex; everyone they cared about. He hadn't given much thought to the chips before, but after hearing Rex, he had a strong feeling in his gut that he couldn't ignore. He couldn't put his squad or his friends at risk.

“How do you suggest we get them out?” he asked Rex.

Seeing the Sergeant was willing to cooperate, Rex moved his hand away from his blaster and replied, “Good question. I'll be in touch.” Then he looked at Kimber again. “For now, you and I have somewhere we need to be.”

“What do you mean?” she asked back.

“I'm taking you to the crash site. You deserve to say goodbye to Jesse,” he replied.

She gasped. How did he know that's what she wanted? “But Rex, we can't. We have the chips to worry about. We have to find a way to get them out of the boys’ heads.”

“I know and we will,” said Rex. “Lucky for us, the moon the cruiser crashed on is in a nearby system. We can spare a few hours to a day to go there and then I'll bring you back. After that, I'll figure out a way to deal with the chips.”

Kimber wanted to continue debating with him about going, now that the threat of the inhibitor chips was looming over them, but then she felt someone take her hand. She looked to see Omega holding her hand and smiling comfortingly up at her.

“Go with him, Kimber. You need to so you can be happy again,” she reassured her. “We'll watch Wrecker while you're gone and make sure nothing happens. Everything will be okay, I promise.”

“She's right, princess,” added Lex, who gave a flourish of her vibroblade. “If anything goes down, we'll take care of it.”

Rina saw that and shot back, “Come anywhere near the big guy with that knife and you'll find it in one of your kneecaps.”

“Relax, Rina. It's just a precaution. One I'm certain we won't need,” Lex told her, sheathing her blade.

There was a hand on Kimber's shoulder and she found Hunter's loving gaze upon her. “Go, my love. We'll be fine.”

Having reassurances from her friends made Kimber feel a bit better about going with Rex. While she still felt uneasy about leaving her boys right now, she now felt sure that if things were to happen while she was gone, they would still be okay.

“All right,” she accepted.

“Then we'll leave right away. I'll take you to my ship,” said Rex, already making his way to the Aurora's exit.

“Wait, Rex!” called Kida, running after him. When she caught up to him, she said quietly, “I…I don't know when I'll see you next, but…I'll be thinking of you while you're gone.”

He softly caressed her cheek and replied, “And I'll be thinking of you...like I always do. I'm sure I'll see you again soon.” Then he walked away.

Kimber faced Hunter and took his hands. “Promise me you'll all be safe,” she said.

“I promise,” he responded. “Wrecker will be fine and should anything go wrong, we'll handle it. Don't worry about us.” He kissed her brow and then said, “Let us know when you're coming back. I hope this brings you the peace you need.”

“Thank you again for your support,” she said gratefully. “I'll see you soon.” Then she gave him a kiss on the lips and afterwards, ran off to follow Rex.

Both Kimber and Rex ejected out of hyperspace in Rex's stolen BTL-B Y-wing fighter-bomber that he'd used to escape the cruiser crash. He was flying the ship while Kimber was seated in the gunner's bubble turret, where she could admire the wonders of traveling at lightspeed through the clear dome that covered her. They entered the atmosphere of the moon the crash site was on. As they passed through the clouds, they beheld a barren, desolate landscape and up ahead, they could see the wreckage of a Venator cruiser.

“There it is. The Tribunal,” said Rex over the ship's comms as they spotted the wreckage.

Kimber could feel a pit forming in her stomach. She dreaded what they would see when they landed. That and she'd also had time to think and wonder as they'd flown to the planet and now, she had a question she needed to know the answer to.

“Jesse told me in his message that something happened to the Clones that made them lose control; that he felt his body and mind were taken over by something he couldn't see,” she said. “He said he'd even turned his blasters on you and your Commander, labeling you both traitors. On top of that, I remember seeing the Imperial file with Tech on when this crash was reported…and it was around when Order 66 happened.” She took a deep breath and leaned a bit forward to get a better look at the back of Rex's head below her. “Rex…I need to know…was everything that happened here because of Order 66?”

She saw him lower his head and then heard him answer, “Yes.”

Even though it still hurt to hear the truth, she at least was glad to know the truth. “There was more to the story of this crash than just that Sith prisoner getting loose and destroying the hyperdrive. Please Rex…tell me what really happened,” she pleaded.

As they continued on towards the crash site, he explained to her, “What I did tell you was true…but yes, there was more to it. The order came through from the Emperor and I could suddenly feel my will slipping away from me. I managed to fight it for but a few seconds; enough time to warn my Commander, Ahsoka Tano, before my troops and I fired on her. She's a very skilled Jedi and was able to evade us. The next thing I knew, I was hunting her through the ship and I couldn't stop myself. I was conscious of everything I was doing and there was nothing I could do to stop it. I'm sure Jesse said about the same in his message, didn't he?”

“He did, yes,” she answered sadly.

“I thought as much,” he said back.

It was then Kimber realized that the ship was moving closer to the ground and that they had reached the crashed Venator cruiser. As it landed, the nervous feeling inside her grew even more. She wasn't sure if she had the strength to leave the Y-wing and face the reality of Jesse's death. At least, Rex was with her and would be there to help her through this.

The dome hatch opened above her and she climbed carefully out of the ship. As her feet met the ground and her eyes lifted to the sight before her, she felt her heart twist painfully and her balance faltered. Her legs buckled, but lucky for her, she was caught in Rex's arms.

“Whoa, easy there, soldier. I've got you,” he consoled her, holding her around the shoulders.

“Rex…I don't think I can do this,” she admitted anxiously.

“Hey, it's like what you told me with Kida: the longer you wait, the harder it'll be for you to face this,” he said. “Don't worry, I'll be with you as much as you need me.”

“Could you…could you at least walk over there with me?” she requested timidly.

Rex squeezed her shoulders comfortingly and said, “Let's go.”

A couple yards away, Kimber saw the burial site of the Clones: dozens of grave marker sticks spread across the ground in front of the demolished cruiser with helmets placed on top of them. Some of the helmets were white while others were painted orange with a white symbol she'd never seen before. The sight of all the Clone graves tore at her heart.

Solemnly, she said aloud as she scanned the line of grave markers, “The Clones didn’t die for the Republic…they died with it.”

Though, what broke her heart immediately was the blue Clone helmet with the Republic symbol drawn on that was front and center from the rest.

Jesse’s helmet.

With every step closer, she could feel her heart sinking lower and lower and the feeling in her body fading away to numbness. This couldn't be real, but she knew it was. She and Rex both stopped in front of Jesse's grave marker and finally, she couldn't hold herself up anymore. Rex carefully guided her down to the ground, keeping a strong hold on her arms, and knelt beside her. Tears sprang to her eyes and her quiet crying began.

“Do you want me to stay?” she heard Rex ask her in her sorrowful haze.

Her eyes closed and a few more tears fell down her cheeks. “No…I need to do this alone now,” she told him, a break in her voice. “Thank you for getting me this far, Rex.”

The Captain laid a hand on her shoulder and simply responded, “Take your time, however long you need. I'll wait for you at the Y-wing.” With that, he stood up and walked away, letting his hand linger on her shoulder until he could no longer reach.

There on the cold, dirt-covered ground with the wind gently caressing her face and hair, Kimber knelt in front of the grave of her dear friend, Lieutenant Jesse, her hands over her heart and her eyes gazing up at his helmet. She recalled the moment she met him at 79’s over a year ago.

His eyes found Kimber and they widened ever so slightly. “Well, I haven’t seen you around here before.”

Kimber realized when he turned his head to look at her that Jesse had the Republic symbol tattooed over most of his head, originating on the right side of his face…and her heart ached for a brief second as it reminded her of Hunter.

She introduced herself by name to him and he replied, “Oh, the Bad Batch girl!”

“Oh stars…!” Kimber groaned, through she still grinned. “Is that really what you guys know me as?”

“I mean, yeah, kinda,” he said with a shrug.

Then Kix told him, “Apparently, she’s here by herself and she’s looking for Rex.”

Removing his arm from Kix, Jesse then explained, “Oh, well we got back from a mission earlier today and so Rex is currently at a briefing, but he said he’ll meet up with us here later.” Then he flashed her a smile. “You’re welcome to stay with us until he gets here.”

Kimber smiled back a little shyly and simply said, “Sure, yeah.”

“Great! My name is Jesse, by the way, in case you missed Kix saying it,” he said.

She chuckled. “I didn’t, but it’s a pleasure to meet you all the same. I wouldn’t mind your guys’ company for a while.”

“Sounds good to me,” said Kix.

Jesse took the seat on her opposite side and declared gladly, “Well then, Kimber…how about we buy you a drink?”

It felt like so long ago now that she’d met him. That night, he’d told her “any friend of Rex’s is a friend of ours” and he further proved that by offering to train her for a few months because Rex couldn’t. At that time, she had no idea of the journey she was about to undertake. Not only just the intense training akin to ARC Trooper training, but the relationship and friendship she would build with Jesse over the three months she spent on Coruscant with him. Memories of their time together flashed across her mind.

Training in combat together.

Getting drinks at 79’s with him and Kix.

The nights they’d spend watching holoshows.

The one night he told her about Umbara and Fives.

The mission on Rhen Var when she, Rex and Kix rescued him after being injured…the same night he confessed his feelings and kissed her for the first time, but she had to reject him.

Their final mission on Zeffo when she returned to the Bad Batch and said goodbye to him…for what would be the very last time. She remembered their final words to each other:

Jesse then stepped back and pointed a finger at her, smirking as he then stated, “When this war is over, our holoshow nights need to be a thing again. You can bring the boys, it will be fun!”

She chuckled. “Oh, the thought of the Bad Batch having a holoshow night with a reg…,” she voiced aloud. “I think that would be marvelous. Though, you have to promise me that you’ll get out of this war alive first.”

“I will only if you do, too,” he countered. He extended a hand out for her to shake.

Kimber took Jesse’s hand and grasped it tightly, sealing their promise to one another that they would do everything they could to stay alive through to the end of the Clone Wars.

“I’m sure our paths will cross again someday, but until that time: take good care of yourself, Lieutenant Jesse,” she said with a grin.

Grinning at her in return, he replied, “Until we meet again, Kimber Sallaros. I’ve had many missions in my time…but training you has been the best one by far.”

Kimber finally broke out into sobs of heartbreaking pain, her hands coming up to her face. “Oh Jesse…why did it have to end like this?” she asked aloud. “We promised each other we would survive the war and we would see each other again. Why did it have to be like this?” After letting herself cry for a few more short moments, she calmed down just a little and then looked back up at his helmet through blurred, tear-filled vision. “I can’t fathom how terrified you must’ve been in your final moments on this cruiser…and yet you remained steadfast and brave so you could send a farewell message to me. You always were one of the bravest soldiers I’ve ever known. I wish I had your courage, especially now. Facing this…the cold reality of war and loss…is maybe the greatest challenge I’ve had to face so far in my new life. After my parents, I haven’t lost anyone else to death until you…and the pain I feel is so great, I don’t know how I’m able to bear it. I know you would tell me that I’m strong enough to handle anything, but I don’t feel strong.”

She was silent for a moment, trying to figure out what to say and how to say it. There was so much she wished she could say, but she would be there for eternity if she said it all. Would it even matter, though? Could Jesse even hear her, wherever he was? For now, she had to believe he could. It was the only way she would get through this.

Then she spoke, “You’re part of why I am who I am today, Jesse. I left my squad in an uncertain time so I could become better for them and you helped me achieve that. You shaped me into the better soldier I am now. You were a friend and confidant when I needed one. You truly were one of the greatest friends I have and ever will have. I just...can’t believe you’re really gone. We were both supposed to survive the war…but as Hunter told me, such promises like that never have any guarantees in times of war. I suppose we both should’ve known better.” Her eyes drifted down the ground in front of her; to the mound under which she knew Jesse’s body laid and she pressed her hand down on the earth, her tears sinking into it. “I can’t thank you enough for all you did for me. For your friendship and your love. I know I told you I loved you in a different way…but that was a lie. The truth is…I did love you, Jesse.” Her tears started falling faster as she wept once more. “I loved you…I loved you more than I ever should have. I still wanted to be with Hunter and yet, I fell in love with you anyway. I’m sorry…I’m sorry I lied, but I knew it wouldn’t have benefited either of us if I admitted the truth. I couldn’t give you false hope and I couldn’t betray Hunter like that. I know you hoped things between him and I would eventually work out and well…I’m pleased to say that they have. We’re back together and we hope to get married one day. I’m happy, just like you wanted me to be.” Then her eyes lifted back to his helmet and she reached up, softly laying her hand upon the cold, plastoid surface. “Even so, you will always hold a special place in my heart and in my memories for the rest of my life. In the months I spent with you, you and I lived in a world that was all our own. That’s something I’ll never forget. You gave it your all and in the end, it still cost you your life. I thought it was hard enough to let you go on Zeffo, thinking I’d still see you again one day. Now…I have to let you go for good. I won’t forget everything you taught me. I’ll keep you close in my heart…and you’ll never be far from me, just like you said.”

Kimber’s hand left his helmet and came to her chest just above her heart as she closed her eyes, pushing out a couple more stray tears. The wind seemingly died down in the moment and she focused on the silence, hoping to quell her sorrow enough to move on. However, there was something in the wind she could hear…it sounded almost like a voice.

A voice whispering…her name.

Her head shook, brushing that off as just her imagining things in her grief. The only other person on this moon was Rex and he was back at his Y-wing. They were alone. There was no one else on this moon alive.

Then she felt a warm sensation on her face…like a hand softly caressing her cheek. It was a touch she recognized.

She gasped and her eyes flew open.

There was no one in front of her, but the feeling was unmistakable. For but a second, she almost swore she could see his face as if through a veil, but when she blinked, there was nothing there. Yet the warmth she felt on her cheek remained.

“Jesse?” she whispered, reaching up to her cheek and lightly touching her skin.

She didn’t know how it was possible, but she was certain Jesse was there with her. She could feel his presence near her. More than that, she could feel his love, his sorrow and his comfort. There was no longer a voice in the wind, yet she knew in her mind and in her heart what he was wanting to convey to her.

He was at peace…and she would be all right.

Another tear fell from her eye, but this was time, it wasn’t a tear of grief. It was a tear of joy and gratitude.

“I’ll miss you so much,” she then said, “but at least now, I know you’re at peace. I can set you free now so I can strive to find my own peace, as well. I’ll continue to make you proud.”

Right then, she could feel a reassuring hand on her shoulder…but she knew immediately it wasn’t Rex’s. It felt similar to the hand she’d felt on her cheek yet it wasn’t from Jesse’s spirit. It was someone else’s; another familiar friendly presence she’d only encountered once before in a dream.

“Fives?”

Even though there was no audible reply, she could feel deep down that she had supposed right. Not only was Jesse there with her, but so was Fives. In her heart, she could feel the message that he also was trying to give her from the other side: that he would take care of Jesse for her and they both would continue to watch over her.

It didn’t make sense how she was experiencing any of this, but Kimber wasn’t going to push any of it aside. She could palpably feel the presence of two deceased Clones with her, even though she couldn’t see them. They were there to comfort her in her time of grief to let her know they were all right and she would be, too. Perhaps this was the work of the Force, she wondered, even though she didn’t believe much in the Force. It was the only possible explanation that she could think of.

Feeling the omnipresence of her Clone friends, Kimber inhaled deeply, letting their comfort and strength empower her. Everything was going to be okay. She was going to be okay. Their reassurance was enough to give her the bravery to move on; to face everything else that awaited her future with courage unparalleled.

With newfound conviction, she stated out loud, “I promise you, Jesse and Fives: I will finish what you both started. I will do whatever it takes to bring the Empire down so I can avenge both your deaths. I won’t let your sacrifices be in vain. The Empire will pay for what they’ve done to the Clones. I will continue fighting. For my squad, for Hunter, for all the Clones and for you two, even if I have to give my own life.” She looked up to the blue sky above her and a small smile curled up on her lips. “I won’t let you down. I’ll keep going and do whatever it takes. I swear it.”

Then she stood up and took one last look at Jesse’s helmet, placing both hands on either side of it as if she were cupping his face and lifting it from the wood it sat upon. She looked over the helmet carefully, taking in all the details she could before leaving it here forever, for she had a feeling she wouldn’t see it again. At least, not for a long time, if anything.

“Thank you, Jesse…for everything,” she said softly. “At least we got to share this one last day, my friend, even if I couldn’t see you.” She leaned down, placed a kiss upon the brow of the helmet and then brought it up to her forehead in reverence as she whispered, almost like a prayer, “I love you…and I’ll miss you. Goodbye, Jesse.”

Having felt as though she said all that needed to be said, Kimber returned Jesse’s helmet to its place and turned away. Even though her heart still felt heavy, it did feel as though a large part of her burden had been lifted. It was enough for her to feel as though she could take the next step forward in healing from this loss. It still would take time, but this was just the beginning.

As she took a step forward, her foot nudged something she hadn’t noticed before. When she looked down, she found there was a lightsaber on the ground. She thought it was curious for a second that there was a lightsaber there, but then she remembered Rex had said both he and his Jedi Commander, Ahsoka Tano, had buried all the Clones. Had she dropped it on accident…or had it been left here on purpose? After Order 66, the Jedi were all being hunted across the galaxy. Maybe she’d left it on this moon to keep herself safe. There were probably various reasons as to why it had been left that Kimber knew she’d most likely never learn the answer to. For a brief moment, she considered picking it up and taking it with her, but right away, she realized that would be a mistake. If anyone were to spot her with a lightsaber, she would automatically be labeled a Jedi and hunted down. As if being labeled a deserter to the Empire and already being hunted wasn’t bad enough. No, it was best to leave the Jedi relic there and she decided to meet back with Rex.

Rex saw her coming and climbed out of the cockpit to greet her. “You okay?” he asked her.

She nodded. “I am now,” she said. “I don’t know how, but somehow...I just know everything’s going to be all right. Thank you again for bringing me here.”

He bowed his head in respect.

It was then she noticed that there was a scar on his head that she somehow hadn’t noticed before. It was on his right side; the same side she recalled Wrecker saying would hurt when his headaches would hit.

“Rex…did you get your chip removed?” she inquired, pointing to the scar.

His hand came up to trace over the scar for a second and he answered, “I did.”

“How?” she asked.

He gestured to the wreckage behind her. “It was on that cruiser, not long before it was kicked out of hyperspace.”

“Tell me the rest of what happened before the ship crashed,” she said.

Then he explained, “Before I lost all control, I gave Commander Tano a message that I knew she’d understand. I told her to find Fives; to find the files on him and everything that had happened with him before he was killed.”

Hearing Fives being mentioned suddenly made his presence from earlier make sense. Then she remembered the vague things he had told her in her dream from a long time ago, how he’d warned her that something was coming that she’d need to be prepared for. Something he couldn’t stop.

Then it all pieced together in her mind. “Fives had discovered the existence of the chips, hadn’t he?”

Rex nodded. “He did. I didn’t believe him at the time, but I still made a report about it just in case. Turns out, I had been right to do so. As I felt my mind slipping away after Order 66 had been given, I knew immediately Fives had been right and knew I could count on Ahsoka to figure out what to do. She found my report and learned about the chips.”

He then went on to tell Kimber how Ahsoka had actually set their Sith prisoner free herself to distract the Clone soldiers hunting her while she subdued Rex and had taken him to the med bay on the cruiser, where she found the chip and surgically removed it. Shortly after that was when they tried to escape, and had been cornered in the hangar by Jesse and his troops before the hyperdrive got destroyed and the ship crashed.

“That’s the whole story,” he then said to finish it off.

“I see,” she said, taking it all in as she looked back at the destroyed Venator behind her.

“In order to remove your squad’s chips, we’d need some higher-grade medical equipment. Only bigger medical facilities would have those and most of those, I’m sure are under Imperial command now. And Kamino is definitely not an option either,” he told her.

Then she commented, “It’s too bad we can’t get onto just another Venator like this one. If you were able to get yours out on one, then I’m sure others would have the same medical equipment, too. Unfortunately for us, I’m sure all of the other Venators left are also under Imperial control.”

As she looked back, she saw his eyes gradually grow larger, like he’d just thought of something. “Maybe not all of them,” he said. Then he took her by the shoulders and declared, “Kimber, you’re a genius!”

“Uh…thank you?” she said, confused. “What are you thinking, Rex?”

As he got ready to climb back into the Y-wing fighter, he responded to her, “We can't use a Venator cruiser that's still in commission…but we can use a decommissioned one that isn't being used by the Empire. Call your boys. I know exactly where we need to go to get their chips removed.”

#star wars the bad batch #the bad batch #bad batch hunter #bad batch fanfic #hunter x oc fic #sun and rain fanfic

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