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writing-and-wondering · 2 years

Text

You’re a Wonder

Part 4

Series Masterlist

Pairing: Rooster x Kazansky!Reader

Warnings: Swearing, Mentions of death, Character death, Flashbacks in italics

Request: Nahh

Word Count: 10.9k

Synopsis: Training continues for the Uranium Mission, but Y/n “Wonder” Kazansky still has to face the past before truly becoming apart of the team that is being built for this so called “Miracle Mission”.

A/n: Hello !! Wow, it's been a bit since the last one, sorry about that. But all your support and feedback has just been so awesome and so appreciated, thank you !!! You all are phenomenal <3

Your head slips off of your hand and just about slams into the table before you jerk back upright. Blinking a couple of times, you sniff as you stare at the table in front of you that is littered with the notebooks you were meant to be studying. Rubbing at your face, you groan as your fingers run across the indent your pencil had left from where it was clasped in the hand you were leaning on.

A chuckle from across the table brings your eyes over to Comet, who is trying, and failing, to hide his laugh behind his hand. You glare at him half heartedly before rubbing at your eyes.

“Enjoy your rest, sleeping beauty?” Comet asks once he recovers from his giggle fest.

“I didn’t mean to do that.” You mutter as you stifle a yawn.

Comet rolls his eyes before closing his textbook, “I think we should call it.”

“What? But-” You start but Comet is already shaking his head at you, “Dude, it’s like four in the morning. Plus, you just about gave yourself a concussion from almost slamming head first into the table because you fell asleep on your goddamn pencil.”

You lean back in your seat with a groan as he continues, “It’s bedtime, Wonder.”

“You sound like my dad.” You state, but you move to pack up your array of books and highlighters anyway. Comet shrugs as he does the same, “Someone here should.”

“You idolize him too much.”

Comet sighs, “Isn’t that the dream.”

“Shut up.” You laugh as you throw a crumpled up piece of paper at him. He just smiles and swats it off its path towards his face before adjusting his glasses.

The two of you are just about finished shoving your things into your bags when your stomach growls, at the same time as Comet’s. You look up and share a wide eyed look with your friend before the two of you burst out laughing.

“You think we should make a stop at the mess hall?” You ask as you sling your bag over your shoulder. Comet nods quickly, “Mhm, good idea.”

Neither of you waste anytime rushing down the hall in the direction of some late night snacks. There’s a moment of silence where you both are just grabbing whatever catches your eye.

As you settle down at a table by the window, Comet lets out a sigh, “Bless whoever’s idea it was to leave the hall open all the time.”

You nod, “Our savior, whoever it was.” Comet chuckles before digging into his selection, you doing the same.

After a moment, you look up and notice Comet fiddling with his class ring as he chews on the twizzler hanging from his mouth. He catches you staring and bites off on the candy, “You know, I’ve been thinking a lot recently...”

“That’s dangerous.” You comment, eyebrows raised. He flicks you a glare, to which you toss a fruit snack at him, “What about, Coms?”

Comet leans back in his seat, “About graduation, I guess.”

Nodding, you sip on the straw of your juice box, watching as he frowns and fidgets with his granola bar wrapper, “I just don’t want things to change, you know?”

You stare at him for a second, before sitting up straight and quickly saying, “They won’t.”

He smiles a little at you, “They will and you know it.”

“Well...” You start, pausing to think for a moment, “Not that much. We’ll all still be a team.”

Comet hums in agreement, “Do you think we’ll still be able to fly with Ace and Ghost?”

“Of course! We’re inseparable and everyone knows how well we work together.” You lean forward and place your hand over his to get it to stop tapping the table nervously, “Like I said, we’re a team.”

He shrugs, “Still worries me that we’ll drift apart.”

“Unlikely. This isn’t high school, Coms.” You scoff slightly, “I don’t even think we could, at this point. Not after everything we’ve done together, it’s just not possible.”

Looking up at you, Comet grins a little, “You sound so sure.”

“That’s because I am.” You squeeze his hand reassuringly, “But seriously, It’ll be fine.”

You lean back in your seat and pop another fruit snack into your mouth, “Besides, you’ll always have me.”

You watch as his eyebrows draw together as he blinks at you, “Promise?”

“Promise. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”

He laughs, “Yeah, and why would I want to get rid of the pilot who has made my heart fall to my ass more times than I can count because of her flying.”

You gasp at him, “Well by all means if you want a different pilot then I’m sure the admiral would happily make a switch-”

“No, no, I didn’t say that-” He starts but you’re still going, “I mean it would certainly save them a lot of trouble, considering what we put them through-”

“No! No, you’re mine.” Comet is waving his hand sporadically to get you to stop, “We fly together, it’s what we do. You and me.”

You grab his raised hand and squeeze it, “Damn right.”

Comet’s shoulder slump with relief as he squeezes your hand too before dropping it. Clearing his throat, he smiles, “I am excited, though. For what’s to come, that is.”

“Me too!” You agree, bouncing in your seat a little.

“Like shit, it’s crazy to think that graduation is right around the corner. I still feel like we’re a bunch of first year cadets.” Comet is staring at the ceiling, his hand waving around as he speaks.

“God, don’t I know it.” You say, shaking your head in disbelief.

He laughs, “We really walked in here having no clue what was going to happen.”

“Nope, just a bunch of babies.”

“And now we’re graduating! What the hell, where did the time go?” Comet asks, looking at you with wide eyes.

Chuckling, you let out a gasp as you point at his hand, “And you’re getting married!” Comet beams at the fact as he looks down at his ring.

You hold your hand out, “Lemme see the ring.”

“You’ve seen it like fifty times already.” He says to you, twisting the band on his finger. You groan, “I don’t care, it’s gorgeous. Let me see.”

Comet rolls his eyes but still dramatically holds his hand out towards you, to which you gladly take and stare at the ring, “Wow, it’s still so pretty every time.” You gush, “Toby did such a good job.”

“He did, didn’t he? It’s made of sea glass too, like dude, I didn’t even know rings could be made out of that.” Comet says excitedly, his face quite literally glowing from just talking about his fiancé.

You squeeze his hand before giving it back to him, “No kidding.”

Comet admires his ring for a second longer before smiling at you, “Oh my gosh, I can’t wait for you to be my best man at my wedding.”

Your eyes go wide, “Is Toby okay with that?”

“Are you serious? The man adores you.” He says it as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world, “If I weren’t marrying him, I’d be worried about which one of us he’d pick.” Then a smug grin grows on his face as he leans back in his seat, motioning to himself, “Good think he likes this di-”

“Dude, he’s not even my type.” You interrupt him, your voice flat.

Comet looks at you knowingly, “Oh yes, I’m quite aware of your type.”

You give him a confused look, “I haven’t dated since before I met you, how would you even know my type?”

“Because I’ve seen it with my own eyes.” Comet says, pointing two fingers at his face.

Leaning forward on your arms, you cock your head to the side, “Really? And what would it be then?”

Comet mirrors you, “Oh, you know... Tan skin, curly brown hair, whiskey eyes...” He fans his fingers across his upper lip, “A mustache...”

You choke on air, “Bradshaw?”

Nodding, Comet wags his finger at you, “Don’t act so surprised, you’re literally in love with the man!”

“I am not-”

“Oh, have pity on my poor heart.” Comet groans as he clasps his hands over his chest dramatically, “I know what love is, and baby you are deep in it.”

Your mouth falls open, “No. Not with Rooster, no way.”

“Denial is bad for your health.”

“It’s not denial! It’s the truth, I have no feelings for him.” You state, slamming your hand on the table.

Comet stares at your hand for a second before leaning forwards, “You sit on a throne of lies.”

“There are no lies!” You shout exasperatedly, crossing your arms. Leaning back, Comet shakes his head, “Boo, you whore.”

You point your finger at him, “Don’t you quote Mean Girls at me, I’m serious. There’s nothing going on- how could there be?”

“Uh, maybe because when you two are together it’s like you’re the only ones in the room?” Comet deadpans.

“Well, yeah! That’s bound to happen, I’ve known him since-” You pause to think, “Since forever!”

“And you’ve been in love with him for how long?” Comet asks, eyes wide.

“Never!”

Rolling his eyes, Comet waves you off, “Mhm, sure. Well, I’ll be sure to put in how much I had to endure before you two finally got together in my speech at your wedding.”

You just stare at him with your mouth hanging open in shock, “There won’t be a wedding.”

“Not yet.” He winks at you.

“Comet, I swear.-”

“Hey!” He stops you, “They didn’t name me the best matchmaker in high school and dedicate a whole page in the year book to show all the couples I got together for nothing!”

“I don’t- wait. You were named best matchmaker?” You ask, curiosity throwing off from your annoyed confusion at Comet’s proclamations.

Comet nods, “Yeah, they gave me a whole cupid’s bow and everything.”

“Oh, cool.”

“It was yeah, came with heart arrows even.” He agrees, mimicking the motion of firing off a bow and arrow.

“Aw, that’s really nice.” You hum, “Maybe they should’ve given you the callsign Cupid.”

Comet’s head bobs up and down excitedly, “That’s what I’ve been saying!”

“But, that doesn’t mean you’re right about me and Bradley.” You say sternly, arms crossed atop the table.

With a sigh, Comet holds his hands up in surrender, “Alright, but I know a love match when I see one.” He points at you, “And I am never wrong.”

“Well there’s a first for everything, my friend.” You say sweetly.

“I’m never wrong.” He repeats quickly.

You just shake your head, “Fine, keep your suspicions, but if you even think about mentioning this again I will throw up on you.”

Comet makes a face of disgust, “Ew, no. No, you know I can’t do vomit.”

“Neither can I, but that’s just how far I’ll go because of how revolting it is.” Your voice is quiet and firm as you speak, complete certainty drenching your words.

Blinking at you with almost a look of pity, Comet shakes his head, “You’re going to feel a whole hurting wave of shock when you realize how wrong you are.”

“Oh, I’m gonna-”

Comet shoots backwards, his hands out in front of him, “No, no! No, I was kidding- don’t do the thing!”

You just fall back in your chair laughing, your hands clutching your stomach. Comet’s mouth falls open, “Oh, you bitch.”

Still laughing, you lean forward and hold your hand out for him, “Okay, okay. Truce?”

He eyes it for a second before shaking it, “Truce.”

You smile before glancing out the window and gasping, the sound making Comet jump a little, “What?” There’s panic in his voice but once he follows your gaze he lets out an, “Ohhhh.”

Looking out the window, you stare at the changing colors of the sky as the sun rises. Snapping back to Comet, you tap your hands excitedly on the table, “Oh, you know what we should do?”

Looking at you with confusion, Comet shakes his head.

“We should go to the roof and watch the sunrise.” You say simply, pointing to the sky.

He gives you a look, “It’s freezing out!”

“Wear a coat!” You’re already standing and grabbing your bag, “C’mon, it’ll be fun!”

Comet looks out the window again before giving in, “Okay, okay- but we gotta bring the others too.”

You beam, “Yes! I’ll get Ace, you get the boys- oh, and bring your camera!”

“Already ahead of you, hurry before we miss it!” Comet yells as he takes off running towards the men’s dorms. You do the same towards the women’s.

Mere minutes later you’re shaking Ace’s shoulder, who grumbles at being woken up.

“Come on, come on!” You whisper-yell at her as you shrug on your coat and grab you hat. She groans, squinting at you, “Dude, it’s like 5am?”

You toss her coat to her, “I know, but you gotta come see the sunrise.”

At her look of “Seriously?” You sigh, “The boys are coming. It’ll be fun!”

Due to your very obvious excitement and how much Ace loves you, she eventually obliges. Now the two of you are hurrying up the stairs to the roof, clad in your coats and fuzzy hats.

You hear clattering behind you and bend over the railing to see the boys not too far below. Cupping your hand over your mouth, you yell down to them, “Hurry up or we’ll miss it!”

You can’t help but laugh as they begin running, tripping over each other in their haste. Ace grabs your arm and pulls you away from the railing and towards the doors.

The second you two bust through them you’re met with the icy chill of the air, the sudden coldness practically smacking you in the face.

“Oh, shit. That’ll wake you up.” Ace says with a chuckle, her breath coming out in a little cloud. You just grin and pull your hat down over your ears.

“We made it!” You turn towards the doors and hurry out of the way as Ghost just about falls onto the roof. Ace catches him and they both stumble off to the side a bit.

You laugh at them trying to regain their balance but then your smile grows even wider when Rooster appears behind Comet. His curls are pressed against his forehead because of his hat and his cheeks are already pink from the cold.

You hate how utterly adorable you find it, yet you can’t bring yourself to look away. Rooster flashes you a smile, and well... maybe now you don’t hate it so much.

You're waving at him and then Comet is in your ear with an, “I saw thaaat.” Before he’s skipping out of your reach towards Ace and Ghost. You right yourself from trying to hit Comet and turn to find Rooster much closer than he was a moment ago.

“Was this your idea?” He asks, a smile on his lips as he shoves his hands into his pockets. You nod, “We were already awake so we thought, why not?”

Rooster grins, “Good thinking. I mean, how many more mornings will we have like this?” He drapes his arm over your shoulders and turns you towards the sunrise.

You just stare at it with wide eyes, not being able to get enough of all of the oranges and pinks that are dancing across the sky. Faint purples blend into the deep blues on the horizon that are still hanging on from the night.

Leaning into Rooster, you find his warmth comforting.

“Question.” His breath tickles your ear.

“What’s up?” You ask, turning to look at him.

A smile tugs at his mouth, “Why were you already awake?”

You laugh a little, “Oooh. We were studying.”

His mouth falls open, “Why? You’re literally the smartest person I know.”

Brushing him off with a wave of your hand, you drop your gaze to your feet, “Psh, no I’m not.”

“You are! Don’t deny your genius, Wonder. It hurts my heart.” Rooster says, his hand slapping dramatically over his chest. You laugh at his expression, your closed eyes causing you to miss the way his smile grows at the sound.

You pat his hand over his heart, “Oh, I don’t wanna do that.”

He only smiles more, “Good. Besides, you’re already pretty much perfect at everything.”

“No, I’m not-” You’re saying put then Rooster stumbles back, doubling over with his hands clasped over his chest, “Ow, my heart!”

“Rooster!” You laugh as you shove at his shoulder, which only gets him to laugh as he points at you, “Admit it! You’re crazy smart.”

You just roll your eyes at him. Rooster puts his hands on his hips and shakes his head, not taking that for an answer. Instead, he rushes forward and wraps his arms around your waist.

You yell out in surprise as your back is pressed against his front, your feet skidding across the ground as he spins you. All you can do is laugh as he yells out an, “Admit it!”

Holding onto his arms, you give in, “Okay, okay! I’m smart!”

Rooster lets you go and in one swift movement has you turned towards him, “How smart?”

You smile up at him, a little breathless, “So smart.”

He laughs, “The smartest.” The way he’s looking at you has your heart going absolutely nuts. His curls are in his eyes and his cheeks are so red, along with his nose now, too.

You can’t help but admit how utterly handsome he looks right now. Looking away, you try to steady your rapidly beating heart. To keep your mouth from saying something you don’t want it to, you quickly grab Rooster’s hat and pull it down over his eyes.

He starts, his hands reaching up to push off yours, but you’re running away. You run towards Ace with a yell, who is already opening her arms to you. She catches you in a hug and the impact sends you two spinning a bit.

“What happened?” She laughs as you both regain your footing, her expression nothing but slightly confused.

You’re just out of breath and laughing too hard to answer. Ace looks over at Rooster with his hands on his hips and lets out a knowing, “Ah.”

You blink at her and are about to ask her what she means when Ghost lets out an excited, “Guys, it’s snowing!” He’s leaning over the edge of the building, his head tilted towards the sky.

You and Ace look up and find that there are snowflakes falling. Big, white, fluffy ones.

“Oh, wow.” Ace breathes out as she watches them fall, a couple landing on her face. You give Ace a squeeze before taking her hand and leading her over to the boys, who are all looking at the sky.

Upon walking towards Rooster, you grin a little at him as he looks at you expectantly, “Sorry for blinding you.”

He shrugs, “T’was only temporary, M’lady.”

“Tis a relief to hear, my good sir.” You laugh.

“Ooh, guys can we build a snowman later?” Comet’s voice pulls you away from Rooster, “Once the snow gets deeper?” As he finishes speaking he looks up and tries to catch a snowflake with his tongue.

“And go sledding! I’ve always thought that the hill by the pond would be perfect for sledding.” Ghost puts in, his hands clapping together like an excited child.

Ace gives him a questioning look, “And what would we sled on.”

Ghost pauses mid clap, his hands mere inches apart, “Uuh, the trays from the mess hall?”

The three of you hum in agreement.

“Yeah, that’ll work.” Ace says as she pats her WSO on his back.

You feel a hand wrap around yours and look over to Rooster, who begins pulling you away from the ledge, “Come here.”

“What are we doing?” You ask as he takes hold of your other hand as well.

He smiles, “I remember my mom and dad doing this whenever it snowed because the ground would get all slippery.”

You squeeze his hands tighter as a familiar warm feeling fills your heart. Whenever Rooster would mention something about his parents, he would get this certain glint in his eyes that were hard to look away from.

He squeezes your hands back, “Just do what I do.”

You're confused at first but then Rooster begins to run in a circle. You both lean back, each others hold being the only thing keeping you upright. The snow is in fact making the ground slippery, which you find only causes you to move faster.

You run faster but then feel one of your hands slip, sending both you and Rooster skidding in opposite directions. You fall onto your back laughing, tears in your eyes. Rooster hurries over, still wheezing as he holds his hand out to you, “You okay?” He asks.

Your stomach hurts from laughing as you spin, the world moving around you in a blur. Through the blur you still catch glances of Ace, Ghost, and Comet doing the same thing, though their circle seems to be a bit more hectic.

Or at least tries to ask. He’s laughing so hard it’s a bit difficult to understand if he actually spoke English or not. But you still just nod and take his hand.

Once back on your feet, you try to catch your breath as you lean your side against him, a laugh still rattling through you. You watch as the others meet a very similar fate that you did as they all break apart and fall.

Your knees feel weak as the laughing starts over again, leaving the five of you all just laughing hysterically on the roof at five in the morning. As everyone calms down and catches their breath, Ace suggests going inside for some hot cocoa.

“Yes, please. I can’t feel my toes.” Ghost says as he loops his arm through Ace’s, who rolls her eyes, “That’s your fault for wearing slippers.”

As you walk to the doors with Rooster, Comet comes up next to you and squeezes your arm, “This is the kind of stuff that I don’t want to change.” He says quietly, his face pink but glowing with nothing but joy.

You grab onto his hand and hold it tightly as you smile, “Me too.”

☆

Your fight with Fritz had been dealt with. Against what you had previously thought, you didn’t break his nose, and he was completely fine. A part of you was annoyed at the fact but the better part of you was relieved.

Nothing much came from it in the end, but you two were no longer paired together. There’s still a struggle amongst everyone and completing the training scenarios.

No one had completed them successfully yet, and the mission date was ever impending. It loomed over the team like a dark cloud filled with lightning, ready to strike at any given moment.

Today isn’t any different. Teams still go up in the air, and they still come back down unsuccessful. You offer Phoenix a reassuring smile as she, Bob, and Coyote are called to go up.

The rest of you sit sprawled across the ready room, listening intently to the radio on the bar counter. Maybe this will be the one.

You sit on the couch next to Rooster, completely exhausted. You had been paired with Payback and Fanboy, and while you all worked well together, the session still ended in an ultimate failure.

You glanced over at the pair of them on the couch across from you, noting how tired they both looked. Frowning, you drop your gaze to the string you were messing with on the cuff of your sleeve.

The radio crackles and it isn’t hard to miss when Coyote communicates that the missile didn't hit the target. It was almost expected at this point, as no one yet has had a direct hit.

There’s a collective groan throughout the room with the thought that this team too will return unsuccessful. Their voices come through the radio and Maverick’s “That’s a kill.” allows you to know that Phoenix and Bob are out, meaning the mission is a complete failure.

“Damn it.” Rooster mutters next to you, pinching the bridge of his nose. Maverick announces that it’s time to head back, they’ll try again.

But that’s when you all hear it. You sit up on the couch, your head turning towards the radio as Phoenix’s panicked, “He’s going to burn in!” filters through the speakers.

Coyote was in G-Lock.

Before you even register what's happening, you see Hangman rush towards the radio, turning up the volume nob. His hands grip the counter, his knuckles going white as uneasiness fills the room.

You’re on your feet as Maverick yells, “I’m going after him!”

“Come on, Coyote. Come on...” Hangman mutters as he stares at the radio, his jaw clenched tightly. You feel your stomach drop as you watch the man’s face pale. It wasn’t hard to guess how close him and Coyote were, as the two were always by each others sides.

Maverick’s voice is all that’s heard in the dead silence of the room, each panicked yell for Coyote sending a chill down your spine. You hold your breath as the line goes silent.

“Coyote? Coyote, you okay? You okay?” Maverick asks quickly.

“Yeah, yeah I’m good. I’m okay.” Coyote’s voice finally responds, sending a resounding amount of relief throughout the room. You watch Hangman’s head drop, his grip on the counter lessening as he lets out a breath.

“That was close.” Phoenix says, to which you can’t help yourself agreeing with.

“Too close.” Maverick says, “Let’s head in. That’s enough for today.”

You sigh deeply, glancing over to Rooster who shares your look of relief. The second of relief is gone as soon as it came however, as panic once again fills the line.

“Bird strike! Bird strike-” Maverick’s voice is clear and full of surprise. The sound of a jet being hit crackles through the speakers.

“We’re hit- left engine is out!” Bob yells, his tone unlike anything you’ve heard before. Your body goes rigid from where you stand next to Rooster, who is completely frozen as he stares wide eyed at the radio.

“We’re on fire! We’re on fire!” Bob shouts, to which Phoenix responds, “Climbing!”

“Oh my god.” Rooster’s voice is almost inaudible from next to you. So much so that you wouldn’t have heard it if the room wasn’t already stilled with silence.

All you can hear is the panic from Phoenix and Bob as they try to regain control, but from what you’re hearing, they aren’t. They’re on fire, and they’re falling.

“You can’t recover- eject! Eject!” Maverick yells to them, almost sounding as if he’s pleading.

There’s no response from the pilots as the line falls silent. Your head whips towards the window as a distant explosion rattles through the air. All you can see is a growing tower of smoke on the horizon, and nothing more.

Your hand covers your mouth in shock, your heart beating so fast that it feels like it’s in your throat, choking you.

“Did they make it?” Fanboy asks, his hands on the back of his head as he stares out the window, his eyes wide. From next to him, Payback just runs his hand down his face and lets out a quiet, “Shit..”

“What...” Hangman mutters from his spot next to the radio. His normal demeanor is dropped and all you can see is the genuine fear in his eyes. Your chest is so tight it feels as though you can’t breathe.

Looking to Rooster, you find that he’s just staring out the window, his expression blank, “They’ve got to be okay.” He says quietly, almost to himself.

You turn back towards the window and that’s when you see it, the sight making you jump slightly.

“Parachutes!” You shout, louder than you meant to but you can’t find it in yourself to care. They made it out, they didn’t crash.

“They ejected- oh thank god.” Fanboy sighs, running his hands down his face as he falls back onto the couch.

Hangman walks towards the window, his hands clenched tightly, “But are they okay?” He asks no one in particular.

“We won’t know until they're brought back in... but they’re alive.” Payback says, walking over to Hangman and placing his hand on the man’s shoulder.

“They’re alive.” You repeat softly, your voice barely a whisper.

All you can do now is wait.

☆

You’re pacing the halls as you await the word on Phoenix and Bob’s condition. Everyone pretty much dissipated after seeing the parachutes.

Rooster was kind of in a frozen state and had asked to be alone. You reluctantly obeyed his wishes, which is why you are now in the halls of the med wing with Hangman, Payback, and Fanboy.

You look up as the doors open, revealing a very tired looking Maverick. You rush over to him and everyone else turns towards him expectantly. He just simply nods without any of you saying anything, “Phoenix and Bob are okay. They’re just keeping them overnight for observation... It’s alright.”

“Oh, thank god.” Hangman sighs, leaning his head against the wall as he rubs his eyes with his palms. You drop your head as you let out a breath of relief, “That’s good.”

Looking back up at Maverick, you nudge his arm a little, “Are you okay?”

He waves you off, “Don’t worry about me.”

You shrug, “Old habit.”

He smiles a little at you before looking around, “Where’s Rooster?”

Scratching your neck, you nod down the hall, “He’s still back in the lounge.” Your voice lowers, “Hearing everything kind of freaked him out, I think.”

Maverick looks to you, his eyebrows drawn together, so you continue, “I’ve never seen him like that... all distant. It was like he wasn’t all there.”

Nodding, a sense of understanding crosses over Maverick’s face, “It’s not hard to guess what must’ve been going through his head.” You nod too, knowing exactly what he’s alluding to.

“What about you?” He asks softly.

You raise an eyebrow at him, “Hm?”

“Are you okay.. after hearing that?”

Grinning, you shake your head, “Don’t worry about me, Mav.”

He shrugs, “Old habit.”

You push at his arm slightly, to which he just shakes his head before pulling you into a hug. It’s tight and quick, and as he pulls back he says, “I’m going to go talk to him. You all should be good to see Phoenix and Bob if you want.”

“Alright. Thank you.” You tell him. What you’re thanking him for, you don’t have to tell him. He nods at you before heading towards the lounge to talk with Rooster.

You turn back to the others, who are already heading through the doors. Following Hangman, you thank him as he holds the door open behind him for you.

The group of you make it into Phoenix and Bob’s shared room, where you find them both sitting on their beds talking. They both look over as you all walk in.

Phoenix smiles at the sight of everyone, “Is there a party, or something?”

“Yeah, a glad you’re not dead party.” Hangman says as he moves forward and pulls her into a hug. Phoenix hugs him back tightly, her voice muffled a little by his shoulder as she speaks, “Sounds like a pretty good reason to party.”

“Did anyone bring cake?” Bob asks, his eyebrows raises expectantly as a smile tugs at his mouth. You laugh as you rush over and hug him, “Sorry, the mess hall isn’t open 24 hours, unfortunately.”

He hugs you back tightly before you part, “Ah, I’ll accept just the hugs then.” You give his shoulder a squeeze just as Fanboy comes over, “Good, because there will be plenty.” He says as he practically tackles Bob with a hug.

You and Payback laugh at the two. Turning, you see that Phoenix is already opening her arms to you and you don’t waste a second in hugging her.

“Scared the shit out of us, Phe.” You tell her. She chuckles, “Scared the shit out of myself.”

You rub her back before pulling away with a smile, “It’s good to see you.”

She grins, “Good to see you too.”

There’s a knock at the door and you turn to see Coyote leaning against the frame, “Is there a secret meeting I don’t know about?”

“Nah, we knew you’d show up fashionably late.” Hangman says as he hugs his friend. Coyote returns it and pats him on the back before pulling away. Hangman holds onto his arms, “How are you doing?”

“Good.” Coyote responds with a reassuring smile, “A little shaken, but nothing I can’t handle.”

“Atta boy.” Hangman says as he pats his arm before letting go.

You sit down on the edge of Phoenix’s bed, leaving room for Hangman to plop down next to you.

“Each day is something new, huh?” Payback asks as he sits down next to WSO, who hasn’t left Bob’s side.

“No kidding. Rooster was right to question if this mission is even possible.” Fanboy agrees, leaning back on his hands.

Bob nudges his arm, “We still have time... We’ve just hit a rough patch, that’s all.”

“We’ll get it together. I mean, we are the best of the best, right?” Hangman says, looking around to everyone with a grin and raised eyebrows.

You chuckle, “Take a shot every time someone says that to us.”

Laughter fills the room, the tension fading the longer all of you talk. There’s a feeling that despite all that has happened, it’s going to be okay. Simply because of the people here.

There’s a moment of silence before Bob looks up with a thinking expression, adjusting his glasses as he speaks, “You know... I’m pretty sure I peed myself a little up there.”

“Oh my god.” Fanboy just about chokes on a snort from next to him, his hand coming up to cover his mouth at an attempt to hide his laughter.

Bob laughs too, “No, I’m serious, that was so scary.”

“I mean, at this point in our careers, who hasn’t?” Coyote asks as he leans against the wall. Hangman raises his hand proudly, “I haven’t.”

“I’m not even going to try and hide the fact that I probably did too.” Phoenix says, backing up her WSO. That brings all of you to a point of laughter, the atmosphere in the room lightening.

“Bullshit.” You say, smacking his hand down. Payback is shaking his head, “There’s no way, man.”

Hangman holds his hands up, “Look, I don’t have to defend myself to you guys. I know what happens up there in my own jet.”

“Do you? Do you really?” Coyote asks, leaning forward with his hands on his knees as he squints as his friend. Hangman gives him a shocked look, “Man c’mon, you’re supposed to be on my side!”

“Says who?” Coyote laughs, reaching out to push at Hangman’s shoulder, “Just because I’m your friend does not mean I have to defend your lies.”

Hangman’s mouth drops, “They’re not lies.”

“They’re so obviously lies, dude.” You tell him blankly. Hangman lets out a groan and leans back on his hands, “Ya’ll are rude.”

His statement sends you all off again, laughter filling the room. Phoenix snaps her fingers, “You’ve at least thrown up in the air, that I know for certain.”

Sighing in defeat, Hangman holds up his hand in a one armed shrug, “That... that is true, yes.”

You’re laughing so hard now your stomach is starting to hurt. You lean forward, clutching it as Hangman shakes his head, “What a team we are... Just a bunch of idiots talking about who’s had an accident in the air.”

“We’re just that comfortable with each other, buddy.” Coyote says, resting his arm on Hangman’s shoulder as he places his hand over his heart dramatically. Hangman shrugs him off, “Don’t buddy me, you betrayed me.” But the laughter in his voice throws off any hint of malice he may had intended.

“Bunch of idiots, indeed.” Phoenix mutters in your ear. You nudge her arm with a laugh, the smile on your face wide.

A gentle knock on the door brings you all towards it. Your smile falters a little as you see Warlock standing in the doorway, his features weighed down with a forlorn expression.

He steps in, holding himself in a way that shows he’s struggling to find the words for whatever he came to say. It throws the room into an ominous feeling.

Looking over the room, he clears his throat, “Excuse me...” He starts slowly, his voice hesitant. Warlock’s eyes land on you and your heart skips as he speaks, “Lieutenant Kazansky, may I speak with you?”

You’ve had enough experiences in your life to have an idea of what the look in his eyes mean. It feels as though the air in your body has left as you slowly lift yourself to your feet. You feel a comforting hand squeeze at your shoulder before you walk towards the door.

Warlock takes you out into the hall, gently closing the door behind him. He offers you a sad smile.

“Sir?” You ask hesitantly, your voice filled with the dread you’re feeling on what he has to say. A part of you is praying and hoping with everything that you are that it isn’t what you think.

But the more rational side of you knows that it is. Warlock proves it to you when he softly says your name.

“He’s gone.” Your voice is hardly audible as you say it before he even gets the chance to. Warlock’s eyebrows draw together before be nods slowly, “I am terribly sorry, Lieutenant.”

You feel yourself nodding, hot tears filling your eyes as your throat closes. You look at him, your hands clasped tightly together in front of you, “When?” You whisper.

“We just received a call from your mother... he passed in his sleep.” Warlock tells you, his voice nothing but gentle.

You take in a shaking breath as you look towards the ceiling. All you can do is nod.

“I am truly sorry... he was a great man.” The admiral’s voice sounds so distant as he speaks. You can barely see through your tears that are pooling at your eyes.

Refusing to fall.

You look towards him, “Thank you... for coming to tell me.” You say quietly, your voice shaking.

Warlock nods his head and gently rubs your arm in a comforting manner. You place your hand over his and squeeze it in response, not being able to speak.

You know that Warlock as children, he’s a father. There’s not a doubt in your mind that he’s thinking of his own being in your place. You offer him a sad, watery smile before moving to go.

There’s a sound of running feet halting to a stop behind you as you turn. You look to see both Maverick and Rooster, eyes wide and chests heaving. Maverick’s eyes are filled with unshed tears. You barely even look at Rooster before you’re turning around and brushing past Warlock.

It almost feels as though you’re running the second you round the corner. You’re not sure where you’re going, but you need to be alone. You’re not even sure if you’re breathing as you rush down the hall, refusing to the let the tears fall.

Refusing to even allow yourself to process anything at all.

You come across a door to a random room and wrench it open. Slamming it behind you, you flinch a little as the impact rattles the frames on the wall. Breathing heavily, you look around and see nothing but a table and a couple of chairs.

There’s a radio on the table, but not much else.

With a shout, you grab onto the radio and rip the cord out of the wall before throwing it to the ground. It smashes against the floor, scattering across the hardwood.

You stare at all the broken pieces for a moment, the tears finally falling.

That’s when you break.

Wrapping your arms around yourself, you slowly drop to the ground with a silent sob, your head throbbing. The silence grows into an agonizing cry as you hold yourself, your fingers digging into your arms.

It hurts to breathe, knowing what you had been fearing has finally come true.

Tom Kazansky is dead.

Your father is gone, and you never truly said goodbye.

There was so much you wanted to say. Now you’ll never get to.

It feels as though you are completely alone, that your world is crashing down around you. The pain is burning in your chest, not allowing you to catch your breath.

You feel arms wrap around you and fall back into them, holding onto the arms and not even registering who it is quite yet. But they’re here.

They’re here, yet you feel so terribly empty.

They shift and lean against the wall, holding you to them. Your head falls against their shoulder.

“It’s okay... I’m so sorry...” A soft voice whispers in your ear. You close your eyes tightly, the tears falling down your face as you finally make out who it is.

Bradley.

Who else?

You just hold onto him tighter, your breath coming out in pained gasps. He rocks you a little, his hold on you never wavering, “It’s alright... I’ve got you, you’re okay..” His voice is so quiet and gentle, it seems to wrap you up in this cloud of comfort and warmth.

Bradley continues speaking softly to you, just sweet nothings of comforting words. You barely even hear half of them, but just having him there with you is enough to breathe the air back into your lungs.

You father is gone.

But you are not alone.

☆

That night, you dream of your father.

It’s the day of graduation, and you’re getting ready in the room you shared with Ace. She had left earlier to meet up with her family who had come for the ceremony.

You’re mind is unfocused as you button your collar, taking a moment to stare at yourself in the mirror. You don’t quite recognize the person staring back at you.

Unwelcome tears begin to pool at your eyes. You lean against your hands on your desk, your head falling back as you look up to the ceiling, just trying to breathe.

“Pull it together, Wonder.” You whisper to yourself, closing your eyes.

But it’s hard. Impossible, even. The one person who has been by your side since day one, who you thought would always be with you, isn’t here.

He’s buried six feet under, and it’s your fault.

Your hands ball into fists on the desk as you drop your head, your eyes remaining closed.

God you wish he was here.

Comet is supposed to be here.

But he isn’t, and you are.

Now you have to go walk across that damn stage and get your wings. Without him. All you can do is think about how excited he was.

You sniff and shake out your hands as you hear a knock. “Come in.” Your voice shakes more than you’d like. You turn as the door creaks open, revealing Rooster clad in his dress whites.

“Hey.” You say to him quietly.

“Hey.” He responds, offering you a smile.

It’s as if him just being here calms you slightly. Rooster notices your red rimmed eyes and steps closer, “You okay?”

Your eyebrows draw together and you almost laugh, “No.”

“What can I do to help?” He asks gently.

You shake your head but then feel yourself falter. “Just...” You’re cut off by the tightening of your throat and instead hold your arms out to him.

Rooster wastes no time in closing the distance between you two and enveloping you in a hug. He rubs his hand along your back in the way he knows you find comforting. You just bury your face in his shoulder.

“He’d be proud of you, you know.” Rooster tells you quietly. The softness to his voice surprises you almost as much as his words.

You turn your head until it’s just your cheek resting against his shoulder, “He should be here.” Your voice cracks.

Rooster just holds you tighter, “It isn’t your fault.”

“I wish people would stop saying that.”

He pulls back to look at you, “Why?”

You just shake your head.

“Wonder.” Rooster says firmly, though he keeps his voice quiet.

You look up at him. Into his eyes that are swimming with nothing but grief and understanding. He rubs his hands along your arms, “It isn’t your fault, and I’m going to keep saying it until you believe it.”

“You’ll probably be saying it for the rest of your life, then.” You tell him simply, sniffing as you look away.

“I don’t care. I’ll do whatever it takes.” There’s not an ounce of hesitation in his voice. It is filled with complete certainty.

Your eyes drift over the wall that is covered with photos. Most of which Comet took. You smile a little at all of them, “He was so excited to graduate.” Your voice comes out as a whisper.

Rooster tightens his hold on your arms, “I know...”

You look back to him, your chest tightening, “I don’t know if I can do this.”

“You can.” He reassures you.

You’re shaking your head as the tears fall, “No, I can’t. Not without Comet.”

“Wonder.” Rooster tries but you keep going, “He’s been by my side through all of this... I don’t know how to do this without him.”

“But you do.” He says softly.

“No, I don’t.”

“Yes, you do.” Rooster’s hands come up to cup either side of your face, thumbing away the tears, “He was with you, sure, but everything you’ve accomplished is all because of what you’ve done, not anyone else.” He pauses for a moment as his eyebrows draw together, his own eyes shining.

“You can do so much more than you think and though it hurts like hell right now, it will get better. You’ll learn how to move on, I promise.”

All you can do is look at him as he continues, “You’re not alone, Wonder. You never will be.”

You feel yourself crumple and fall into his embrace once more. He wraps his arms around you and holds on tightly, “You’re one of the strongest people I know... and if there’s anything you can do, it’s to come out of this.”

Rooster rubs his hand along your back, “So, you’re going to walk across that stage... get your wings... and wear them proudly.” He pulls you back, “For Comet.”

Him saying that brings some strength back to you. It calms you and allows you to breathe again. You nod and wipe at your tears.

Sniffing, you cup his cheek, “You’re doing it for someone too.”

Rooster gives you a questioning look, to which you smile softly, “For Goose. He’s proud of you, too. I know it.”

You see the tears fill his eyes as he nods, holding out his hand for you, “Ready?”

Taking his hand, you hold it tightly, "Let’s go.”

☆

You’re fidgeting in your seat as the names are called, each one bringing you closer and closer to the stage. Soon enough, yours is called and you hesitate for a moment before taking the steps.

Ice is waiting for you on the stage, a look of nothing but pride and love on his face. Seeing him tightens your chest.

As you walk up to him, you salute, to which he smiles so wide. Stepping forward, he pins your wings on your uniform and as he does he leans in close and says, “I am so proud of you, my wonder.”

He then pulls you into a tight hug.

“The sky is lucky to have you, Lieutenant.” Ice tells you softy.

You smile at him as you pull away. He smiles back and there’s a slight glisten to his eyes that catches the sunlight. Ice leads you off of the stage as everyone claps.

The rest of the names are called by in a blur, and soon enough everyone is gathered around, talking excitedly. You had finished top of your class, Rooster second to you.

Your parents are pushing you two together to take a picture, as well as ones with Ace and Ghost. Upon seeing your friends, you pull them both into the tightest hug.

The missing spot of your fourth held in each of your hearts. As you part, Ace whispers, “I’m so proud of you.”

“You too.” You say back, and then look over to Ghost, “And you. I’m so proud of you.” He smiles under the praise, his eyes watering, “I love you guys.”

You three hug once more before they’re both pulled away by their families. You watch them go, knowing you’ll see them again.

You return to your family and are met with a chorus of how proud they are of you. Glancing over, you notice Maverick standing off to the side. Excusing yourself, you hurry over into his already open arms.

“You made it!” You exclaim as you pull back. He laughs, “Of course I made it. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He looks down to your pin and smiles, “Wow, look at that.”

You grin. As Maverick looks at you, he notes the familiar distant look in your eyes and nods in understanding. He squeezes your arms, “I’m so proud of you, kid.”

“Thanks, Pops.”

“Ah, that nickname ages me.”

“You love it.”

“I do-” He laughs, “I really do.”

“Come on.” You take his hand and lead him over to your parents and the others. Upon seeing Maverick, Ice greets him with a hug.

“How’s my wingman?” Maverick asks as they part. Ice smiles, “About to burst with pride.”

You laugh as your mother pulls you into a side hug and squeezes you. As Maverick and Ice talk, you look over to Rooster, who is glancing at Maverick.

You nudge his arm, “Go talk to him.”

He seems unsure, “I don’t know.”

“Rooster, you just graduated practically top of your class, you’ve got to know how proud he is of you.” You tell him, treading lightly but also speaking with certainty as you are fully aware of how proud Maverick is.

Rooster looks to Maverick again, who looks back. The second their eyes meet, Maverick smiles but Rooster looks away.

“Practically at the top...” He chuckles, staring at you, “You could just say second.”

You scrunch your nose at him, “Eh, didn’t want to make you feel bad for having lost to me.”

He rolls his eyes, “I don’t feel bad.”

“Sure you don’t.”

“Okay... maybe a little.”

You snap your fingers, “There it is.”

“But you deserve to be first,” Rooster says quickly, “You’re insane.”

You do a little bow, “Why, thank you.”

He nudges your shoulder and you nudge back, “Now are you going to go talk to him or will I have to?”

“Please don’t, oh my god, I’m going.” Rooster groans, but there’s a slight shake of laughter to his voice. You chuckle as he rushes past you.

You watch as he stops a little ways away from Maverick. The two speak lowly to each other for a moment before Maverick pulls Rooster into a tight hug. Rooster hesitates for a second but then hugs back.

They still have their problems to work through, you know that, but today is a day where Bradley needs someone. His parents are not longer here, but Maverick is.

You’re pulled away from the two as Ice walks to you and says, “Come with me.”

He leads you away from the crowd before bringing you into a tight hug. As he pulls away, he just stares at you for a moment, “I am so proud of you.”

You smile at him, “I couldn’t have done it without you.” Ice waves you off, “No... this is your day, you deserve all the credit.”

“I’m serious though, I owe it all to you, dad.” You say firmly.

His eyes shine as he reaches over an straightens your pin, “I never got the chance to ask how you were doing.”

You swallow dryly, “I’m... trying. Doing my best.”

He nods, “Colin is proud of you. Beyond proud, I just know he is.”

Tears fall from your eyes as you smile at his words, your heart aching, “I was so proud of him too... I still remember how nervous he was starting out.”

Ice laughs, “He would always talk so fast... sometimes I truly had no idea what he was saying.” You laugh as well, wiping at your eyes.

“But you two grew together and created your own team. That’s something special.” He tells you, to which you nod.

Clearing his throat, Ice puts his hands on your shoulders, “Hang on to your team, Wonder... You were never meant to be alone.”

You give him a questioning look, confused as to where he’s coming from. He smiles sadly at your expression, “I can see it in you. How you’re pulling away from others... but remember, those who are by your side... they are your greatest strength.”

He squeezes your shoulders, “Having that experience, that bond you had with Comet will only help you to grow... Though I know how badly it hurts, it will get better. You’ll see.” You nod along as he speaks, your throat tight as the tears fall.

Ice hugs you once more, “I love you so much... and I know that you have so many great things left to do.”

“I love you too, dad.” You say, your cheek pressed against his chest. You can feel his heart beating under your touch. You pull back, “Thank you for being here.”

He smiles, “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” He wraps his arm around your shoulders as you walk back to the others, “You know what I realized?” He asks.

“Hm?” You tilt your head towards him.

“I’ve never flown with you.” Ice says with a smile, “I mean, I’ve flown you countless times, but you’ve never flown me.”

You laugh at his statement, “Do you want to change that?”

“I would love nothing more.” He says with the widest smile.

It takes you a while after that day, but eventually Ice is the first person you fly with after Comet.

He’s also the last.

☆

The day of your father’s funeral you find yourself not truly feeling anything. There’s a pain in your chest and tears in your eyes that refuse to fall, but you feel nothing.

Even while you stand beside your mother as the trumpets play, you feel as though you’re not really there. It’s as if you’re existing outside of your body, just watching everything unfold, but not actually taking part in any of it.

Yet, you stand tall, your eyes trained forward as your mother is handed a flag. She holds it close to her chest and you can see how her shoulders shake out of the corner of your eye.

You glance over towards Maverick, who is standing before the coffin, his eyes brimmed with tears. He looks at nothing but the casket before him, his hands shaking slightly as he places his pin on the wood. The slam of his fist pounding it in rattles through your chest.

While the trumpet crescendos before falling silent, you bring your hand up to a salute as jets fly over the ceremony, in honor of the late admiral.

None of this feels right to you.

After the funeral there are words of comfort and condolences said to you and your family. It all passes by in a blur, so much so that you can’t even remember who spoke to you once everyone has said their goodbyes.

How could it?

You don’t leave your mother’s side throughout it all, her hand clasped tightly in yours. At the end of it all, she turns to you with a watery smile, her chin trembling as she tries to hold herself together.

Sarah Kazansky is one of the strongest women you’ve ever met, and to see her on the brink of crumbling is enough to send you over the edge. All you can do is pull her into a tight hug, rubbing your hand along her back just like she always would for you.

As you hold onto your mother, you feel your siblings gather around, enveloping you in one big, much needed hug. You rest your cheek against your younger brother’s hair, his face hidden in Sarah’s shoulder.

With your family surrounding you, there is a part of you that knows all too well that your father will live on through each and every one of them. As you part, your mother cups the sides of your face, once again putting on a brave face as she smiles softly at you.

“I love you so much, my darling.” She says, her voice no stronger than a whisper. You nod, your tears falling as you hold onto her wrists, “I love you too.”

Wringing your hands together tightly, you slowly walk over to the newly placed headstone, the white marble perfectly pristine. As your feet slow, you find yourself reading the name engraved on it over and over again.

Your voice is so quiet you’re not sure she even heard you, but the way her smile grows just the smallest amount tells you that she did. Holding tightly to your mother’s hands, your eyes flick towards the grave site, “I think I’m going to hang back for a bit, if that’s alright.”

Sarah nods, thumbing away a stray tear on your cheek, “Take all the time you need, sweetheart. We’ll be at the house whenever you’re ready.” You send her a grateful smile before watching her and your siblings make their way down the hill.

Tom Kazansky. Loving Father. Devoted Husband. Respected Admiral.

You wipe your eyes and look towards the sky, your throat tight. Through the blur of your tears, you take a moment to watch the colors of the setting sun above you. Soft pinks and purples dance across the sky, bringing a slight smile to tug on your lips at its beauty.

Dropping your gaze back to the headstone, you let out a deep breath as you fidget with the wings pinned onto your chest. Right over your heart, placed there by Iceman himself.

Your mind clouds over and you have to think for a moment before you clear your throat, “I guess this is goodbye, then.” Your voice comes out scratchy, but you can’t find it in you to try and make it sound cleaner.

“I...” You start and then pause, your hands opening and closing at your sides as you try to stay composed, “I keep thinking of everything that I wanted to tell you... but then just hoping that you knew, because I never got the chance to.”

You let out a deep, pained breath before running your hands down your face. Your arms wrap around yourself as you stare at the headstone, “You told me that I’m strong but... but right now I feel like I could be blown over by the wind, Dad.”

You sniff and wipe angrily at your tears with the back of your hand, “You told me you did... that you always knew, but... I still wish I could’ve said it, you know? I wish I could’ve told you myself.” Your voice cuts off as you choke on a sob, your palms digging into your eyes as your shoulders tremble.

A dry chuckle rattles through your throat as you look to the sky once more, the colors more vibrant and louder than before. Still staring at the above, you try to keep going, “You were the stronger one, I think...” You trail off, struggling to find the right thing to say.

You drop your head in frustration. There is so much you have to tell him, but just like before, the words fail you. Hiding your eyes behind your hand, you shake your head, “God, why is it so hard to just talk.”

Your hand falls from your face as your chest tightens, knowing that what you want to say will not be spoken today. Wiping at your eyes once more, you take a deep breath, “I love you, Dad... and I miss you.”

That’s all your able to say before the grief takes away your voice. There is nothing in you left to keep yourself together enough to even utter another word. So instead, you reach down and pick up the bundle of flowers that you had brought with you.

Carefully walking towards the stone, you place them at the base of his name. The bouquet is decorated with all the blue and white flowers you could find, knowing that they were Ice’s favorite.

You kneel down and rest your forehead against the cool stone, feeling the tears slip down your cheeks as you close your eyes, “Bye, Dad.” You whisper to him.

With nothing left to say, you brush your hands off on your pants as you stand. You take one last look at the grave before turning and walking down the hill, making you the final one to leave.

As you walk down to the parking lot, you’re aware that close friends and family went back to your parents house, but you can’t find it in you to want to go there right now. A part of you is saying it’s selfish, but you choose to ignore it.

Stepping off the grass and onto the pavement, you look up and find a familiar face waiting for you. He’s leaning against his bronco, fidgeting with something in his hands.

Bradley lifts his head as your feet scuff against the concrete. At the sight of your crest fallen expression, he opens his arms to you. You gladly fall into them, thankful for the comfort of the person closest to you.

Your hat is hanging limply in your hand as you hang onto him, your head leaning against his shoulder. Bradley presses his cheek to the top of your hair, holding you in such a way that feels as though he’ll never let go.

You hope he doesn’t.

The two of you stay like that for a while, you’re not sure how long. Once you pull back, the tears that fell have dried against your skin. You run your hands down your face, your eyes irritated from all the crying.

Bradley looks at you for a moment, his hand reaching down to hold yours before his gaze drifts up towards what’s above, “The sky looks so beautiful.”

You follow his eyes and nod, “I thought so, too.”

He clears his throat and looks back to you, “My mom used to say that the sky was a way for those who have passed to talk with us.”

You stare at him as he speaks, your chest aching, “That those we knew could be seen in the sunrises, the sunsets, the moon... everything.” His hand waves up towards the colors painting the sky, “If she were here she would say that this is Ice’s sky... and that he is speaking so, so beautifully.”

Your eyes are pulled up towards the sky once more. All the colors blur together while your tears fall, but you don’t dare look away. Bradley’s hand squeezes yours as he brings you closer. You lean into him, still watching the sky.

After a while, you slowly drop your gaze and notice the small box clasped in Bradley’s free hand. You nudge his arm with yours, “What’s that?”

“Oh.” Bradley almost sounds surprised as he looks down at what he’s holding. A small smile tugs at his lips as he holds it towards you, “I got it for you.”

You accept the velvet box, giving him a questioning stare before carefully opening it. Your eyes widen as you stare at the small ring placed inside, so simple and delicate.

You gingerly take it out of the box and hold it close as you stare at it in wonder.

“I know you already have his tags but... I thought this could be a reminder of something else.” Bradley tells you softly. As he speaks, you turn the ring over and notice the engraving on the inside.

Never Alone it says etched into the silver.

You slip it onto your index finger, finding that it fits perfectly.

“I know how you feel about being on a team again... but it doesn’t make you any less to be scared or-” His words are cut off as you wrap your arms around him in a tight hug, your face buried into his neck. He’s hugging you back without a second of hesitation.

“Thank you.” You whisper to him. He holds you impossibly tighter, “Anytime, Wonder.”

The two of you remain like that for a while, neither one daring to move.

The ring on your finger serves its purpose as its mere existence proves to you that you are not alone. Especially now.

A/n: In writing this I realized that I started the chapter with a sunrise and ended it with a sunset... wasn’t intention but damn, that’s poetic. I hope you all enjoyed and if you cried, so did I, it’s okay. Thank you again for all of your support, I truly can’t express how much it means to me. Take care of yourselves, until next time <3

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#youre a wonder #milano writes a story #top gun: maverick #rooster x reader #bradley bradshaw x reader #bradley rooster bradshaw #pete maverick mitchell #tom iceman kazansky #jake hangman seresin #natasha phoenix trace #robert bob floyd #javy coyote machado #mickey fanboy garcia #reuben payback fitch #top gun fic #top gun

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elithe31st · 2 years

Text

occultist weirdo.

bakugo x goth!male!reader

req: me

desc: bakugo has a secret friend...thats the complete opposite of him!! (you're like 5'11-6'0, shy and really good at crane games. you go to shiketsu in this)

you knocked on baukgos window. you saw him turn his head and he ran to the window, unlocking and opening it. you jumped inside.

'(last name!) what the hell!?' bakugo was whisper shouting right in your face. you laughed and pat his head, ruffling his hair. you let go and sat on his bed.

'sorry, sorry. i just wanted to talk to you..and i couldn't find my phone...and...' you trailed off, your head looking away from the fierce katsuki.

'well good thing im here then. your dumbass would've been waiting outside all night, huh?' he sighed and sat down next to you. suddenly, you both heard a loud voice.

'KATSUKI! GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE, ITS ALREADY PAST 18:30! (6:30 if i was right)'

'SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU OLD HAG, IM GETTING MY HOMEWORK DONE!'

katsuki grumbled and you sighed. he turned to you.

'hey, ill be free to talk after dinner. also you're getting kicked out at 20:00. alright!?'

you nodded at him. you watched him leave the room.

and then, his phone rang. you jumped, wondering if you should get katsuki, but you decided against it. you looked at the contact name.

'shitty hair?' you read, 'mmh, must be an enemy or something...but why would he have a contact for his enemy?' you decided, if it rang a second time, you would answer.

then, his phone rung again. this time, the contact read 'dunce face'. you decided to answer anyways.

'yo bakugo! are you doing anything tomorrow? kirishima tried calling you, but you weren't answering! guess we know who's the favorite friend now, haha!'

you heard the voice on the other line and froze.

'hello? bakugo? is it past your bedtime or something?'

'o-oh, um, this- this isn't katsuki.'

the voice on the other line paused.

'wait, are you bakugo's mother or something!?... or are you his...girlfriend!?'

'g-girlfriend..!? absolutely not, i'm uh,' you heard footsteps coming up to katsuki's room. 'ihavetogobyesorry!' you quickly hung up the phone and placed it in the original spot and sat with your head down and eyes closed.

katsuki opened the door and locked it, looking at you. he went up to you and held your head up, to see if you were sleeping.

'oi, are you awake? if not, this is gonna be a real fuckin' pain.' bakugo waited for your response. you squirmed a bit and bakugo flicked your cheek, causing you to wince and look up.

'unless my mom knows your here, you can't sleep without me wakin' you up, ok?'

you nodded, but then were interrupted by katsuki's phone ringing. you sweat bullets.

'hah? dunce face? the fuck does he want?' he picked up the phone and you held your head in your hands, ready for the worst.

'YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND!?'

...

'WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!?'

'uhm...i may have answered the phone when you were...having...dinner...sorry..' you spoke shyly, looking at katsuki with your eyebrows furrowed.

he looked at you, teeth clenched as he hung up the phone after 'dunce face's various 'hello?'s.

'sorry, i should...leave...' you headed for the window, face flushed in embarrassment.

you heard katsuki mumble. 'fuckin' occultist weirdo, god you drive me insane sometimes.'

small tears filled your eyes and you escaped out from the window, falling down knees first onto the hard ground. you slowly got up and katsuki watched you run off. you thought he was mad at you, really. but hearing your voice so sad made his heart swell in agony.

the next day, katsuki had 4 people over at his house, all in his small, allmight filled room. and guess what? they were studying. katsuki heard his phone ring.

'oooh is that your girlfriend i was talking to last night?' the blonde one snickered.

'GIRLFRIEND!?' the red haired one and the pink haired one said in unison.

'people actually like bakugo?' the black haired one said.

'OI! SHUT UP EXTRAS!' katsuki answered the phone.

'what is it?'

'hi..um, sorry about last night, again. i was wondering if you would like to go to (arcade name) with me tomorrow..? it just opened up and i was wondering if you would like to go.'

as you awaited for a response, you heard many 'ooh's and aah's' in the background and katsuki yelled at them.

'yeah sure, im free tomorrow.' he walked to his desk, grabbing a piece of paper and a pen. 'what time?'

'o-oh, what works for you?'

'it doesn't matter.'

'alright, then um, how about 10? is that alright?'

'perfect.' he wrote down the time.

'i can swing by your window tomorrow, alright?'

'alright, bye.'

katsuki hung up and looked at his friends, who were all staring at him.

'WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU ALL LOOKING AT?!'

'BAKUGO'S GOING ON A DAAAAATE!!!!~' the pink one said.

'set your alarms guys! 10 am tomorrow we all haveta show up at (arcade name!)' the red one said.

'IF I SEE ANY OF YOU THERE, ILL TEAR YOU LIMB FROM LIMB!' katsuki yelled at them defensively.

'awwwh, alright.' the black haired one looked down, looking at the pink one, almost saying 'we're totally telling the whole class.'

sunday rolled around, and you rung the doorbell to the bakugo resident. you were dressed in all black, pockets covering your entire body. you had multiple heavy metal band patches on your jacket and pants. your (hair color)ed hair complementing the whole outfit perfectly. mitsuki opened the door.

'why hello there! is there anything you need?' she looked up at you. you saw bakugo come down the stairs behind her.

'oh, uh, im here for katsuki.' you smiled shyly at her.

'my my, are you one of those pro-heros that work at U.A.? has my brat done something?' her face turned ice cold.

'ah, no. i-i go to shiketsu, haha..!' you rubbed the back of your head.

'piss off outta the doorway, old hag.'

'that's no way to talk to your mother, brat!' mitsuki slapped the back of katsukis head as he walked out. she closed the door after waving you both off.

'your mom is....quite the character.' you put your hands in your pockets.

'tch, tell me about it.' he looked at you, and then back to what was in front of him.

'if you see anyone waving me over, or screaming my name out, don't talk to them.' he didn't think he was gonna have a problem with those 4, but it was a just incase.

'oh, alright.' you smiled at him. he looked back to you. god, in his eyes you looked terrifying. with that scary demeanor and that strong ass quirk of yours? hah! even you could beat him. katsuki would never admit those feelings for you though.

soon, you two reached the arcade and walked in. you two got in line for the play-cards.

'sorry, i should've told you its gonna be a bit crowded..! haha..i can pay for our cards, if you don't mind.' you pulled out 40 dollars (i know they use yen, i just cant figure out how much 40 would be in yen, so sorry!) from your wallet. katsuki pulled at his shirt collar, thanking you.

once you two got your cards, you guys went straight for the claw machines. or, you did at least. katsuki had other plans. he strolled over to whack-a-mole, and then that one punching game, and then he did the jump rope game. he pretty did all the games that dealt with your body, and afterwards he strolled over to where you were.

'so, how's this going?' he watched in amazement as you grabbed another cheap stuffed animal.

'hows it going!? hah, ive gotten 5 of these suckers!' you pointed to the bag at your feet. you were telling the truth. 5 plushies and other things, all from the claw machines.

'y-you can actually do these!?' he picked up the bag and stared.

and this is where the problem started.

'yeah, um, here. this just reminded me of you, so i got it.' you handed him a teddy bear that had grenades all over it. at the top it said 'you light up my whole world.' he smiled.

'hah! what, is this my "best boyfriend in the world" gift?' he laughed, obviously joking. you laughed too.

'so you ADMIT it!' a pink-skinned girl with glasses and a black suit on appeared behind you both. you jumped.

'WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING HERE RACCOON EYES!?' bakugo exploded (not literally...) and you put a hand on his shoulder, reminding him to use his inside voice.

'oh cmon, you think im not gonna "accidentally run into you" when you're on a date!? and by the looks of it, you two are complete opposites!' she took the glasses off, looking you up and down. she reached a hand out to you.

'what's your name!? im mina ashi—'

'it's none-a-ya business, so i think we'll be taking our leave now..!' he grabbed your wrist and dragged you away, scanning the crowd. mina was dragging behind, though.

'um..she seemed nice.'

'tch, yeah well she isn't. shes fuckin' annoying, gettin' into my business n shit.' he grumbled to himself. on the way out you felt yourself bump into someone else. you looked and saw that he had the same glasses and tuxedo mina had on.

's-sorry!' you quickly said before baukgo ran and you two exited the arcade.

'FUCKING SHIT!' katsuki kicked a nearby pole, and sighed. 'fuck, im sorry (first name), all those extras that follow me around are fucking annoying.' he looked up and saw those 4. all surrounding you.

'PISS OFF!' katsuki yelled at them and you jumped, turning around to face the 4.

'woah, she's more taller than i expected!' the red one said.

'heheh, damn bakugo, i didn't know you could pull such a hottie.' the yellow haired one said. you recognized his voice as the guy you talked to on the phone.

'shut up kaminari, let bakugo have something for once.' the black haired one said. so the yellow guy is kaminari..

'let us at least know her name!' mina was frustrated.

you backed away from them.

'uh...i-im a...boy.' you scratched the back of your head as all 4 of them looked at you in horror.

'YOU'RE A DUDE!?' the red haired guy looked up at you.

'heh, i swing both ways!' kaminari joked.

'daaamn, i never knew bakugo was into guys!' mina and the black haired guy laughed.

'tch! we're fucking leaving, cmon (first name).' he started walking away from the 4 and you followed. you snickered to yourself.

'what? do you not want them to see us kiss or what? let's give em what their asking for, huh?' you said painstakingly loud. katsuki turned bright red and turned away from you. you could see the 4 going bonkers behind you two.

'sh-shut up..' he put his hand on his face. you two walked to his house. he went through the door and you went to his window.

'hah, sorry if your friends bother you tomorrow.' you laughed a bit, climbing in and sitting at his desk. you turned the chair to face him and you sat in it, the back of the chair face first.

'it's fine. 's not your fault.' he layed down on his bed. you two sat there for a minute before katsuki grumbled and sat up, walking over to you. he grabbed the bottom of your face with his hand.

'hey, y'know what you we're saying earlier? about us kissing 'n shit?' he looked away, his face the same bright red.

'u-uh, yes..?' you looked at him worriedly.

'i just—' he couldn't think of the right words, so he paused. 'fuck. you make me crazy, (first name). god, everytime i see your dumbass in that jacket and those tight leather pants..' he looked away, trailing off. you stared at him, blushing. katsuki was trembling.

'k-katsuki..!' you covered your face with your hands.

'stop bein' so fuckin' shy and face me like a man, (first name).' katsuki uncovered your hands, putting one of them on his cheek.

'(first name). i don't know what i would do without you. god, fuck! you're so much stronger and intimidating, fuck. it makes me wonder how you even became friends with s—'

'shut up katsuki.' you kissed him. and he kissed back. katsuki was in pure shock and terror. what if someone walked in? oh right, he locked the door. he put a hand on your cheek, deepening the kiss. you two pulled back. you giggled and kissed katsuki's jawline.

'i love you, katsuki. don't forget it.'

the next day, the whole class looked at bakugo weirdly and midoriya congratulated him. katsuki almost ruined his hero career that day.

#bakugo x reader #mha #mha x reader #bnha x reader #mha x gn reader #mha x male reader #bakugo #katsuki #katsuki bakugo x reader #bakugou imagine #bakugo x gn reader #bnha bakugo katsuki

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writeforfandoms · 1 year

Text

Blister

Find my masterlist

Okay! Here we are with the ace alpha Din story I’ve been teasing the past couple weeks! Honestly I’m super happy with how this turned out. Could I talk more about this universe and the gender assumptions and norms? Yes. Could I talk more about the experience of being ace in this universe? Yes. But this also covers everything I wanted to cover here.

Maybe I’ll write more. Who knows...

Warnings: Talk of sex, feelings of inadequacy, feelings of confusion, brief derogatory language, non-explicit violence, A/B/O dynamics.

Word Count: 5k

Ace alpha Din x ace omega f!reader

You'd been with the Mandalorian and the child for weeks. Since he'd stepped in and saved you.

You'd always thought those stories of alphas protecting people were just bedtime stories. You certainly had never expected to be proven wrong so thoroughly and repeatedly.

After that first incident, you had apparently somehow become one of two people Mando protected. The other was the child, precious and precocious and adorable.

And it was good. Better than good, really. You got to see more of the galaxy than you ever would have on your own. You helped take care of the child, and Mando when he needed it. (Which was often. He didn't always remember to feed himself, and you were ruthless about shoving food at him and leaving before he could do anything like hand it back.) You never felt like you were in danger, and for all that your life was constantly on the go now, you also had more of a sense of belonging than you had in years.

Sure, you didn't need an alpha… but it was nice to have one around, anyway.

Speaking of the alpha…

He dropped lightly to the floor of the hold, child cradled in one arm, armor gleaming and in place as usual.

"I'll be back tomorrow," he promised you, handing over the child. "Be good."

You weren't sure if that last was aimed at the child… or at you. So you just smiled. "Good hunting."

He nodded once before he turned and left, apparently already supplied and ready to go. He did grab the pulse rifle before he left, though. You'd noticed he hardly ever left it behind.

Then the ship closed up behind him and you looked down at the child, wrinkling your nose playfully. "Well, kiddo, what shall we do for now?"

You had been raised with the standard omega being a house parent. Omegas on your home planet didn't really hold jobs, more focused on family and home. But you'd never been interested in that. You'd been far too curious, too interested in exploring the galaxy and seeing what all there was to see.

Despite that, you'd settled into the role of caretaker for the little one pretty easily. He was easy to entertain, most of the time, and easy to feed.

You'd just given him his dinner and sat next to him, absently frowning at the rear hatch. Mando's scent lingered on the ship and the child, but not on you. He only rarely scented you, and you had to wonder about it.

You were pretty sure he liked you. At least well enough to let you stay, and he trusted you with the kid. But he didn't scent you, didn't offer that you could scent him, didn't really do much of anything you associated with alpha behavior, except offer his silent protection whenever you went out.

But the lack of action on his part sometimes made you wonder how he actually viewed you.

Which brought its own set of problems.

Making a face at yourself, you reminded yourself to be grateful he wasn’t asking for more. Next to you, the child burped, interrupting your train of thought.

The child finally fell asleep for the night in his floating pram, leaving you to sit in the hold in the almost oppressive silence.

What were you doing, really?

Groaning softly, you rubbed your forehead, feeling a stress headache coming on. Standing and stretching, you absently checked your nest. It wasn't much of a nest, not really, but you'd brought a few pillows and a few blankets to make your hammock more comfortable, the familiar scent of home and omega soothing to you.

(And if you wanted a bit of alpha scent in there… well, that was just instincts, since you were traveling with him. Besides, you couldn't just ask him to scent one of your pillows, that was–no. Just no.)

You woke to the hiss of the carbonite unit, blinking blearily at the ceiling above you. Right. Mando must have gotten back. You yawned, debating trying to go back to sleep.

There was a clang as the slab of carbonite slotted into place, and then footsteps. He was probably going to check on the kid then head up to the cockpit.

But the footsteps stopped outside your nest, the scent of alpha growing stronger. There was something else in there too, a sort of sharpness to his scent that was definitely new. You blinked a couple times again to clear your vision before swinging your legs out of the hammock.

"Mando?" You bit your lip, looking him over as much as you could.

He was still fully clad, armor unscathed and only a little muddy, visor trained on you. He was breathing harder than he should be, holding himself almost completely still, but for the twitching of his fingers at his sides. Your gaze caught on a tear in his flight suit over his bicep, revealing a glimpse of skin and a trickle of blood.

"Mando?" You asked again, a little alarmed now. "Are you okay? Do you need help?" You slid out of your hammock, shivering briefly when your bare feet touched the cold metal.

He still didn't say anything, but he did move. He stepped in closer to you, very much into your personal space, yanking his gloves off with impatient motions. Both hands settled at your waist for a moment, and you could feel the tremble in his fingers. But, when you didn't object to the touch, he ran his hands up your sides to your shoulders.

He was checking you for injuries, you realized, heart squeezing in your chest. Making sure you were unharmed. Why, you had no idea, but he was.

"I'm okay," you murmured, low and soothing. "I'm not hurt. I'm fine."

His shoulders relaxed a little, easing down, and he nodded once.

And then he pulled you close, squished up against his armor, one big hand rubbing up and down your back. His hand paused at the nape of your neck and he growled, alpha-low and frustrated, before rubbing his wrist against your back.

Very confused, but also okay with this so far, you just relaxed into his hold. "Mando?" You tried again.

He huffed, the sound odd through the modulator, and lifted his hand to swipe his wrist over the top of your head. "Din."

"Hmm?" You blinked at him, breathing deeply as the protect-safe-ally scent sank into your skin. It was far too pleasing.

"Din." He dropped his head to your shoulder, cool metal just brushing your ear. This close, you could hear him breathing, long, deep inhales and slow, shuddering exhales.

"Din?"

He groaned softly, free hand clutching you closer and rubbing more of his scent onto your clothes.

Oh. Oh. His name. His name was Din. Your lips parted in surprise, something warm blooming in your chest.

"Din," you repeated, and got another soft groan in response. "Are you hurt?"

He grumbled something vaguely in the negative before he moved, picking you up and ignoring your startled yelp as he moved the two of you to a corner. He sat, arranging you in his lap so you were curled against him, as comfortable as you could be with beskar under your ass. His arms stayed around your waist, holding you there and keeping you warm.

This was… new. Honestly, you weren't entirely sure you were awake, this was so far from the norm of his past behavior. He had always been very hands off. Didn't touch you without permission, and barely ever did touch you. He wasn't ever that verbose, but this level of nonverbal was new. A gentle rumble started in his chest, a soothing sound meant to reassure pack.

Add that to the list of new things from him.

Almost against your will, you relaxed into him. You trusted him not to hurt you, and he hadn't made any moves on you. In fact, he didn't seem to be interested in anything beyond cuddling, which was amazing and perfect and soothed a part of you that had been fretting about what if he wanted more. And, despite whatever had caused this, the cuddling was… nice.

Not thinking too hard about it, you lifted one hand to rub your wrist against his cowl, scenting him in return. The rumbling increased in volume.

A coo caught both of your attention, and you both looked at the child waddling towards you. Big green ears twitched and he lifted one hand in a clear request.

Din huffed but lifted the kid, scooping him up and into your lap before securing his arm around the two of you. The kid nestled in against your front, keeping you thoroughly warm.

Between the kid's soft snores as he quickly fell back asleep and the soothing rumble from Din, you drifted off again.

You woke in your hammock, the child a warm weight sprawled over your chest. You blinked slowly, reluctant to wake all the way, and wiggled a bit to get comfortable.

And then choked when your wiggling caused something to fall over your face. Dark cloth. Saturated in alpha scent.

Din's cloak.

That woke you up real fast, and you clutched the child to you as you sat up and slid out of the hammock. But the alpha was nowhere to be seen.

You drew in a deep breath, sniffing yourself. Yup. He had very definitely scented you and the kid both.

So that really had happened.

But… what had caused it? Something must have.

Confused and a little wary, you left the cloak on your hammock and made your way up to the cockpit.

"Din?"

He startled, shoulders tensing as he turned to face you. His pauldrons were gone, as well as the thigh plates. Something about it felt almost illicit, even though he wasn't actually showing any skin and you two had been cuddled up just hours ago.

"Are you okay?" You stepped cautiously closer, sinking down into your normal seat, one hand absently smoothing across the child's back.

He was very still for a few long moments before he nodded once, slowly. "I… apologize for my actions earlier," he murmured, low and… embarrassed?

"You don't have to apologize to me," you said, slow and careful, testing his mood. "You didn't do anything I was uncomfortable with."

Hands landing on his thighs, he shook his head slowly. "I was not entirely in control of myself."

You blinked once, not trying too hard to hide your surprise. Everyone had heard of concoctions that could trigger heats, or ruts, or amplify instincts, or suppress them entirely. But you were surprised Din had been hit with something. "You were fine. You didn't do anything bad."

Din was quiet, still tense, holding himself very still. "If you wished to leave–"

"No!" You shook your head, something akin to panic rising at the thought of leaving him, of leaving these two. "No, Din. Definitely not."

His shoulders lowered, just a little, fingers relaxing against his thighs. "Okay." He was quiet for a few moments longer. "We're heading to drop off the bounties and collect more pucks."

"Okay." You leaned back in your seat, relaxing a little now that the worst of this seemed to be over. "You want some caf?"

Din nodded once, turning his chair back to the controls. And that was that. You hauled the child with you as you went to make caf for yourself and Din.

Hopefully he felt better after actually talking to you.

But you had no way of knowing, not really. He kept himself hidden behind his armor, kept quiet, and didn't reach out again. He accepted food gracefully from you, but didn't push.

He didn't scent you again, either. And a part of you was deeply disappointed at that.

But you continued on, doing what you could to take care of him and the child both. Life had fallen into a sort of comfortable rhythm with them, honestly.

And if you quietly watched Din and longed for his scent, for the opportunity to cuddle up to the fearsome warrior… well, you kept it to yourself.

He clearly wasn't interested in you.

Which wasn't an entirely bad thing, you reminded yourself on the next planet. You stuck close to Din after the first alpha had leered at you and started towards you, a familiar (and still horrifying) lust in their gaze.

Din had stepped between you and the threat without a word, hand on his blaster. The other alpha had backed off.

Din didn't say a word, just motioned you to keep close. And you did. Even if he wasn't interested in you, you trusted that he would protect you.

That was enough. That would be enough.

The child looked between you and Din and murmured a soft concern. You rubbed a hand over his back.

"It's okay, kiddo," you whispered back for those big ears only. "Your dad is very good at keeping us safe."

Din didn't stumble or even look your way, but his chest did puff out, just a bit.

The cantina Din led you to was like so many others across the galaxy: dimly lit, warm, and with a potent mixture of scents. You wrinkled your nose, and the child in your arms sneezed. Twice.

Din sidled up to the barkeep, and you more or less ignored his routine. You knew he was looking for information, you didn't need to listen in.

Instead you surveyed the locals. Many of them were looking at you and Din, which honestly wasn't that uncommon. Din drew a lot of attention wherever he went - something about being the shiniest man in any given room.

But one of them actually approached, an older man with a nasty scar bisecting the right side of his face. "Hey," he said sharply, frowning thunderously. "Their kind aren't allowed in here." He jerked a hand at you.

Your heart lurched and then sank hard. Omegas. He meant omegas.

Din turned to look at the man, slowly, assessing the situation. "She's with me."

"No omegas allowed," the other alpha snapped, not giving an inch. "Make her leave, or we will."

You swallowed hard, holding the child a little tighter as the tension in the room ratcheted higher.

Din was silent and still but for his helmet shifting just slightly. Taking count, at a guess. Debating his moves.

So you decided for him. "I'll be out front," you murmured to him. You took one step before leather-encased fingers closed around your wrist, gentle but immovable.

"You can wait here," Din murmured. "As soon as I get the information I need, we'll go."

"It's fine," you whispered, gaze darting from him to the locals, tension pulling your shoulders tight.

The barkeep interrupted before anything else could happen. "Guy you're lookin' for lives way out," he said, polishing a glass as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening. "You'll find him south of here."

Din inclined his head to the barkeep and then stepped in between you and the rest of the room. He didn't release your wrist. Just gently guided you out, keeping himself between you and danger.

"Are you alright?" He asked quietly once the two of you were walking away from the cantina.

"I'm fine," you assured him. "Not hurt or anything, I promise. Just… startled."

Din nodded once. But he still didn't release you yet, instead making sure you were with him as he walked. You didn't actually object, content to let him lead.

You didn't really like this planet anymore.

"Do you want to go back to the ship?"

You startled at the question, just a little, before you shook your head. "No. I mean, you said you don't really expect this one to be violent, right? I'd rather stay with you."

Din drew in a deep breath, just loud enough that you could hear it. And then he nodded once, swift and businesslike. "Okay," he rasped.

The two of you traveled in silence after that but for the child cooing or burbling. And Din didn't release you.

You tried very hard not to dwell on how nice it felt, how warm his hand was even through the leather, how easily he kept hold of your wrist. How much it made you feel wanted.

Din finally released you as you two left the town behind. But he didn't move away from you, the closeness appeasing something tight in your chest and letting you breathe easier.

Finally, Din paused. You could see a lone building up ahead, worn down and sagging.

"Wait here," Din murmured. "I don't expect a fight but I know you'll be safe here."

"Okay." You huffed but settled the kid more firmly against yourself. "We'll be here."

Din stood for a moment longer, visor trained on you, before he nodded, short and sharp. And then he turned and was gone, stalking towards the building.

You sighed and looked down at the kid, who had a handful of your top on hand. "Your dad, I swear," you muttered. "Alright. We might as well get comfy." You sat and settled the kid on your lap.

It wasn't hard to keep the kid entertained with quiet games, and it helped distract you from the waiting too, which was good.

Although, as it turned out, you didn't have to wait long after all.

Din returned with the bounty in binders and nodded once to you. You stood and followed him, kid once again held against your front.

The bounty took one look at you, sniffed the air, and grinned, showing off yellowed, sharp teeth. "Well, Mando, bet I know what you keep this one around for," he hissed, the insinuation clear in his tone.

You went hot, outraged and embarrassed and flustered. But you never had a chance to say a word. Because Din's fist shot out and caught the bounty hard in the head, dropping him like a stone.

"Let's go," Din grunted, hauling the bounty across his back and shoulders. You swallowed at the sight, at the very obvious show of strength, and followed him back to the ship.

It didn't take him any time to get the bounty in carbonite, and then he was up the ladder and doing his pre-flight routine. You followed him up, sitting in your normal seat. You liked to watch him work, liked the casual competence with which he handled his ship.

But it didn't ignite any kind of sparks in your belly. You'd heard (and read) so many accounts where omegas got hot under the collar from various things, usually describing how warm they felt, or how certain parts of them reacted.

And you just… didn't. You never had. Most of the time, you kind of thought you were broken. Even during heat, you didn't want a sexual partner, just someone to be with you and take care of you.

Sounded to you a lot like you were broken, or something.

And you never intended for Din to find out, because he'd probably leave you if he did. (He wouldn't even be the first, and you couldn't blame any of your previous partners, alpha or otherwise, because how could they be expected to stay when you didn't even experience heat like a normal omega–)

"We've got a few days until we get to the next stop," Din told you without turning around, piloting the ship easily up and through atmo, back into open space.

"Okay." You waited until he'd made the jump to hyperspace before you stood and stretched, putting the kid down in his lap. Din just grunted and moved one hand to help support the kid, and to keep him away from the controls. "I'm gonna take the 'fresher for a bit."

Din nodded, and you headed down into the hold to grab fresh clothes and then lock yourself in the 'fresher.

You didn't even notice all was not well for another standard day. The first hint was the heat, leaving you uncomfortable even in the cool hold, until you had kicked off your blankets. Then you sat up and looked around, instincts itching, chewing on your lip. You needed… something.

Sliding out of your hammock, you shoved a couple crates around to make sure more enclosed space for yourself, and then pulled your blankets over. It wasn't until you were half way through constructing a basic nest that you realized what was happening.

You were going into heat.

Your eyes closed for a moment, shoulders tensing. Oh this was bad. You were still at least a standard day away from the next stop, and by then you'd be well in heat.

And of course you didn't have the meds to delay this heat. (Not that you liked doing that - it always made the next one more intense.)

Fuck. Oh fuck.

The sound of a hatch opening made you startle, and you turned to see Din emerging from his sleeping cubby. He was dressed down, armor stored for now, but helmet firmly in place as always. He looked good, still rumpled from sleep, and you honestly wanted nothing more than to curl up in the safety of his arms and sleep.

A soft call of your name brought you back to attention from your mental wanderings. "Are you okay?" He stepped closer slowly, hands loose at his sides. Trying his best to be non-threatening.

Not that he could ever really threaten you. You doubted you would ever find him scary.

"I'm…" you paused, hands trembling, unable to look at him. "I'm going into heat."

The statement sat between the two of you, heavy and dead. You swallowed hard, shifting your weight. When he still hadn't responded after a few moments, you hurried to continue.

"I don't expect anything, of course. I mean, I know you're busy, you've got a lot of things you have to do, but maybe you can just… drop me somewhere for a few days? I don't want to–to–make you uncomfortable."

Din shook his head slowly, taking another step closer. "No," he murmured. "You won't. But I can't… I can't give you what you need." He shifted his weight, shoulders curled in, hands twitching at his side.

Your heart cracked, pain an immediate and undeniable reaction to the admittedly gentle let down. You sucked in a sharp breath, looking away.

But. Wait. Rational thought partially returned. He could cuddle you. He had before. Sure, it had kind of been under the influence, but he was clearly capable of it. You wouldn't even ask him to remove any clothing or anything, you could work with clothed cuddles.

"Din," you started slowly, lifting your gaze again, "what do you think I need?"

He shifted again, shoulders curling in, about as sheepish as ever you'd seen him. "Well, you're in heat, you need…" he trailed off, making an aborted hand gesture.

"Din." You licked your lips, hope curling delicate and tentative in your chest. "I don't want sex."

He stopped, holding so still you wondered if he was even breathing. "You… don't?"

"No. I'm, uh." You swallowed, nerves fluttering in your stomach along with the hope, making your fingers tingle and your heart pound. "I never want sex. I'm not… I've never been interested. I think I'm broken."

Your heart raced with mingled relief and dread. You'd never admitted it aloud, that you felt broken.

"You're not broken." Din stepped closer to you, hands reaching out to cup your elbows. "Don't say that."

You nodded, a little helplessly, swaying in closer to him. He just smelled so good and warm and safe.

"I can't give you sex," Din murmured. "But anything else is fine."

"Stay," you pleaded, unplanned but honest. "Please. I want you to."

Silence held for several moments before Din nodded. "One moment," he murmured, releasing you and stepping back. You really couldn't help the little whine at the loss of contact, and he twitched. "I'll be right back."

You nodded, teeth clamped together, and Din slipped away, back to his bunk. But he came right back, as promised, with a blanket. He held it out, a little awkward but still sweet.

"Thank you." You took the blanket, resisting the urge to bury your nose in it, and instead added it to your nest. Satisfied, you nodded once.

"Do you have supplies?" Din asked, still standing a respectful distance from your nest.

"Not yet," you admitted, a little shame-faced. "I was still… figuring out. Uh. What I was going to do."

Din nodded, shoulders more relaxed now. "I'll be right back."

You nodded and sat in your nest, starting to get comfortable. The warmth under your skin was more bearable now that you had alpha-scent on your nest, and you sprawled out to wait.

Gentle nudging woke you, and you blinked a few times, momentarily disoriented. Din stood over you, still outside your nest. A small pile of supplies sat next to the nest, and you blinked.

"You awake?" He asked quietly.

You grunted noncommittally, not entirely sure yourself.

"You need anything else?"

You huffed and forced yourself to sit up, looking over the supplies. Food and water, chem cold and hot packs, and another cloak. Also, the kid was awake and cooing at you, ears wiggling.

"Gimme." You held your hands out for the kid impatiently.

There was a soft huff of laughter before Din handed him over, and you cuddled the kid into your chest.

"Anything else?" Din asked again, crouched outside the nest.

"Get in here." You wiggled around a bit to make room for him.

Slowly, a little hesitantly, he moved into your nest. And then settled down, laying stiff as a board next to you.

You hesitated, child still held to your chest, the burning in your veins settling down to a simmer with the skin contact. "If you don't want to be here–"

You yipped as Din cut you off, striking fast and bringing you down next to him. One hand cushioned the back of your head, his other gripping your hip to tug you into his warmth.

You melted into the contact, nestling the kid safely between the two of you and tucking your head down against Din's chest. He hummed softly, and your eyes slipped closed. Stars, this was nearly perfect. You considered for a moment before you briefly moved the child, tucking him against his dad before you wiggled out of your top. Left in your chest binding, you cuddled back in against the two of them and sighed happily.

This was perfect.

None of you moved unless the kid had to use the 'fresher, since Din brought enough food for you both.

And then the navcomp beeped, and Din swore softly. "I have to get that," he murmured regretfully, slowly extricating himself.

You pouted. But settled into your nest with the kid tucked under your chin, reaching one hand out to rub your scent into his neck. His breath caught and he went stock still. You blinked slowly at him, languid and pleased. The navcomp beeped again, louder this time, and he was gone.

You grumbled under your breath, annoyed that he'd left. Even if you understood rationally that he needed to. But you didn't want him to go, you wanted him to stay here where he was safe and warm and content–

The child whined a little and patted your cheeks, ears back.

"It's okay," you soothed automatically, rubbing one hand over his back, and then your wrist to smother him more in your scent. He calmed again, though he didn't settle entirely. He kept looking over his shoulder towards the ladder.

Din hit the floor with a thud, walking swiftly back to the two of you and getting back in the nest. "Easy, omega," he murmured, low and soothing and raspy. "We're fine, you're okay."

You huffed and grabbed his arm, pulling him in closer. After a bit of creative rearranging (and one slightly pained groan when you accidentally elbowed him) you set the child on the pillow next to Din, and then flopped across the top of him. Din huffed out a breath but slung his arms around you, settling down to cuddle.

You hummed happily and tucked your head down under the helmet. Closing your eyes, you nosed closer until your cheek was pressed to his shoulder, your nose tucked against the bare skin of his throat. He made a little choking noise but didn't move you, so you stayed right there. His heartbeat slowly settled down and relaxed back into sleep, his arms lax around your waist, his breathing deep and steady. The child snored softly from his spot next to Din.

Warm and content, you smiled, but didn't move. You were perfectly happy here. Your heat was less intense than usual, less of the cramping and aching that you usually associated with these few days. You didn't feel like you were burning from the inside out, either.

But you also still felt no desire for more than this. Well. Okay. That was a slight lie - you would love more skin contact. That was even better for heat cuddles. But this closeness, being surrounded with his scent and with him shoving food and water at you, was more than enough to satisfy you.

Actually, the thought of having sex right now made you wrinkle your nose. Apparently some distress must have leaked into your scent, because Din woke up and rumbled at you, rubbing his hand up and down your back until you relaxed again. Then he huffed and tipped his head to press the helmet briefly to the top of your head. And promptly went back to sleep.

Yeah. This was pretty much perfect right here. You absolutely, selfishly hoped that you had a chance to spend many more heats just like this.

Later, you'd find out he set the ship to orbit until you were all ready to go. Later, you'd learn that he squirreled away one of the blankets from your nest to keep for himself. Later, there would be shy admissions and careful talks about what you both wanted and didn't want. Later, there would be an actual offer.

But that night, you slept soundly, pressed against your little family, and felt nothing more than warmth.

#Silent Voice #ace alpha din #f!reader #ace omega f!reader

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globalrebrand · 2 years

Text

Answering to Vil

You should have known better than to bring home bad press.

Warnings: fem afab!reader, domestic violence, rough sex, bad bdsm etiquette, electo stimulation, anal sex.

A/N: This is posted from my Ao3 Lakeffect. Please enjoy!

You had been so good lately, the perfect little wife for the past week. Coming home early from your night out, preparing healthy snacks for Vil while he completed the more clerical tasks his work required, giving him massages at the end of the day, waking him up with head first thing in the morning.

Even now, as you rested with your head on his lap, reading your book while he caught up on emails, nothing but admiration filled his heart as he gazed at your pretty profile. Reclining next to him on the couch in nothing but a thin tank top and cute panties, he felt a heat stir within him. Vil was battling an urge to put down his phone and push down your top, exposing your lovely breasts to his eyes. But you looked so at peace he didn't particularly want to disturb you.

After all, it was so seldom that you looked like you actually enjoyed the time you spent with him. He wouldn't tarnish this pure moment with his lust.

But it seems you would. Curious.

"Put your phone down," you murmured into his thigh, bringing a hand up to envelop his and drawing it away from his device and towards your lips to plant sweet kisses on his fingertips.

"Be here, in the moment, with me," you pleaded softly against his skin, causing his heart to try and flee his chest with its incessant beating.

"A book is as much of a distraction as a phone." Vil argued half-heartedly, he eyes trained on the affection you were bestowing on his hands.

"Well, I want to put it down." You replied, placing the novel in question face down on the coffee table in front of you. Its pages splayed to hold your place while you turned on your stomach and propped yourself up on your forearms to meet his violet gaze.

"This book is about the most wonderful romance." You cooed sappily as you swayed your head to put a moony emphasis behind your words.

"Oh, is it?" Vil questioned, not convinced of the book's quality by your dramatics. Emphasizing his skepticism by raising a playfully suspicious brow as he watched your pretty eyes as they focused on him. Your expression was full of warmth and mirth with a hint of teasing provocation Vil hadn't seen since before the two of you wed.

Oh, how he missed it. That expression of yours filled with unencumbered love and admiration.

"Mmhmm." You nodded in agreement to his question, never breaking eye contact as you occupied yourself with pressing increasingly tender and wet kisses on Vil's fingers. It was obviously your attempt to arouse him, and it was largely successful, but Vil could never let you know how easily you excited him, transformed him from a stoic paragon into a desperate lovesick beast.

Each brief gentle glide of your tongue against his fingers caused his mind to think about all the other places where he'd rather feel its press.

"Then why do you want to put it down?" He offered another question in a lazy attempt to distract you (and himself) from your increasingly forward advances.

"It's making me feel...inspired." you simpered sweetly, your voice full of implications as you dropped his hand after a teasing nibble and brought your palm to brush against Vil's inner thigh.

Vil felt his cock twitch to life. The traitorous thing.

Of course, he would be delighted to have you initiate lovemaking (he could count the times you'd done so priorly in your two-year marriage on one hand). However, he still had a hundred or so emails to work through. Even if he indulged you, tried to keep the encounter relatively short, made you shed that thin top that wasn't doing much anyway, and ride him here on the couch while he sucked at your pretty tits, it would likely be an hour later, and he'd still have to answer these emails before he went to bed, delaying his bedtime and upsetting his delicate routine.

"And since when is it my responsibility to indulge your "inspiration?"

"If not you, then who?" You replied without hesitation.

By the look on your face, he could tell your question was entirely innocent. He half expected you to say something bitter to counteract the sweetness of your words, but you didn't. And while it was likely a rhetorical question, Vil certainly had an answer immediately pop into his mind.

If not him, then not a single soul would ever be able to indulge you like he could, touch you like he does or fuck you half as well as he could. Only him.

It was about time you understood that. Vil had worked hard to keep you with him, sacrificed your affections even to tether you to him forever, and now he waited for the day when you would find your way back to him. Open up to him the way you once had and long for him desperately the way you once did.

"Absolutely no one." He remarked possessively, bending down to press a needy kiss to your lips. You kissed him back with as much passion, bringing up a hand to tangle in his silky tresses to deepen its intensity.

When Vil pulled away from the kiss, you whined in protest, a petulant pout forming on your lips.

"Give me ten minutes, little one. I need to clear out my inbox. Then we can go upstairs." He whispered against your plush lips.

"Kay," you replied, a smile on your face at his promise. And Vil just had to give you another kiss. You were simply too adorable for your own good.

If he could live in this moment with you forever, Vil would die a happy man, but, of course, reality had to set in sooner or later.

You returned to your previous position, reading your book, and he returned to his phone. Going through his emails with renewed focus as he tried to bat away intrusive thoughts of how you would look later in the night sprawled bare across his sheets.

But a few minutes later, at promptly 21:03, an email from his publicist titled with your name and followed by ' '!?!?!?!?!?! '' posed a threat to his evening's peace. His publicist, a most diligent woman, was proactive and quickly got on top of messes. However, she often sounded the alarm too frequently and over trivial matters. He was hoping that was all this was.

But he could never be so lucky when it came to you.

There was no opening greeting to the body of the email, just a large photo file that showed you at the nightclub that Vil reluctantly permitted you to attend on a night out with some of your peers from your agency. You'd been out of the public's eye for roughly a month, and he was well aware that your fans would be anxious to see you again, so he digressed.

He knew that paparazzi hounded your friend group consisting of mainly fellow well-known models expecting to get headlines about a raunchy night of partying. Still, you were never the focus of their photographic bombardment, just a shiny bystander in the background. To the public, you had the reputation of being the enigma of the group, demure and reserved. You seldom acted in a way to garner headlines, and Vil never really worried about you bringing home bad press. He trusted that you knew how to behave even if your friends did not.

After all, they did not have to answer to him, but you did, and that should have put enough fear in your heart to keep you on your best behavior.

But it seems this time it wasn't.

And now he knew the cruel truth.

Your behavior the past couple of weeks wasn't the result of the two of you turning a corner in your relationship. It was just you being a manipulative little whore.

You'd betrayed him, you knew you'd betrayed him, and you had just been biding your time, trying to create some cushion while you waited for the other heel to drop.

Vil eyed your reclined form again, but this time, everything felt so hollow. His heart could splinter to pieces just looking at you. You were just as you were, engrossed in your book and utterly ignorant of his suffering.

Well, Vil hopes you enjoyed your little fortnight of deceit. He certainly had, but he knew now what he needed to do.

He called your name softly, as he had done many times before, and you, without looking up from your novel, responded with a melodious little hum to let him know he'd successfully gotten your attention.

Good.

The delicate hand gingerly combing through your hair with unbidden affection abruptly arched into talons, scratching your scalp as Vil gripped your hair by the root and pulled . His beautiful face contorted into a sneer as you felt the tension of each strand stretched too taut, radiating into an acute generalized ache. With a gracefully violent flick of his wrist, he drew your face up to his phone so that you, too, could view what had offended him so gravely.

"Now tell me, my love. What. Is. This? "

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

He spat the words venomously. It wasn't a question but a demand. You would tell Vil the truth, and you would do it now .

Your lungs felt like they would seize in your chest as you looked at the debauched photo. In all truth, you would have paid the paparazzi whatever money they asked to keep the image buried, but Vil maintained your finances, and you doubted he would supply you with such a large sum without explanation.

The photo in question showed you, dead center of the image with the elegant lilac silk dress Vil had selected for you, being drawn up your thigh by the overly familiar fingers of one of his costars from his most recent film project. The actor's other hand teased at the thin satin strap at your clavicle, threatening to expose your breast as his warm eyes gazed down at you lustfully. His body was tightly pressed against your back, and the photo recalled uncomfortable memories of his erect member pressing into the cleft of your ass through thin silk satin. For your part, you tried unsuccessfully to obscure your face, but that only resulted in the massive, extremely rare purple diamond on your custom engagement ring catching the glint of the paparazzi's camera flash, further identifying you.

It didn't help matters that your face didn't look repulsed but pondering, as if you were weighing the risk of getting more familiar with the man in the photo. And in truth, that traitorous thought did pass your mind.

Maybe Vil would be so disgusted with you if you cheated that he'd finally divorce you, but it was a vain hope. Vil has always been clear that he has no desire to leave you under any circumstances, only that he would become more dedicated with his "corrections." You supposed that loyalty could be a double-edged sword when inlaid with possessiveness.

Perhaps the evidence of this photo coming to light is punishment for you even thinking of acting against Vil.

Still, you couldn't have anticipated that Vil's coworker would accost you when he offered to drive you home from the club. Sure, you'd exchanged polite conversation with him at the cast wrap party a few months ago when the film finished shooting, but that was it.

Of course, conveniently, the paparazzi didn't publish photos of you pushing him off and storming away, probably preferring to sell a narrative where you were cheating on your A-lister husband.

While you obviously knew about the photo, you wouldn't dare tell Vil. He never made it easy to open up to him, to come clean about your mistakes. There was no preempting the punishment with honesty. Every mistake you made was open to equal persecution, whether you felt remorse or not. Waiting for him to find out on his own at least offered you a few days of relative peace. And even though you tried to soften the blow, it seems your plan backfired. Vil was the angriest you'd seen him in months .

Gulping nervously, it only took but a second for you to burst into incessant apologies as you turned to him with pleading eyes.

"V-vil, I'm so so sorry. I-"

Too riled and too angry, Vil didn't wait for you to finish. He flung your head away from him, brusquely silencing your apologies and causing you to crash into the couch's downy velvet before tumbling on the floor, your head just barely missing the pointed corner of an elegant marble coffee table. Rising from where he sat so peacefully moments ago, he loomed over you. It didn't matter that you were already down, defenseless, and diminished . He was always trying to secure the higher position, if only as a physical reminder of how much power he had over you.

Vil watched you intensely. You could see a modicum of care in his visage, he was worried he might have injured you, and his eyes roved over you to check the damage, but once he saw you were fine, any consideration he had for your well being abandoned him.

His eyes, now narrowed and cruel, observed your fearful expression keenly before stepping away with a scoff.

Vil was seething . A hand tucked under his arm with the other pressed against his lips as he paced the narrow track of carpet between your living room furniture. You could see he was trying to calm himself, brace himself for whatever you were about to tell him so that he didn't lash out in a way he would regret.

All you could do was watch him as you waited for him to soothe himself enough to address you.

His beauty never ceased to compel you despite the revulsion you often felt at his actions. Vil was currently growing out his hair for a role as a medieval King in an upcoming film. His hair hung in soft waves just shy of his clavicles, giving him an even more imposing and alluring look.

"Explain yourself!" He barked at you after several tense moments of pacing.

You bit back to urge to snap back that ''you were going to,'' as you lifted yourself from the floor once he stopped moving , but you had a lingerie shoot coming up this week, and if the bruises resulting from your imminent punishment were too severe, you would have to cancel.

Taking a deep breath, you tried your best to explain the events that led up to the photo. You described how you thought you were just being cordial when you ran into his costar and how the man offered you a ride home, around 1 am, and you took it since your friends weren't ready to leave and you thought that you could trust him since he'd never given you any impression otherwise.

For good measure, you added a plaintive, "I just wanted to be home with you sooner," w hich was true. While you loved a good night out with your friends, you could sense the evening was starting it drag, and even if you resented him, being cuddled in Vil's arms sounded much better.

"I pushed him off of me moments later and called a cab," you finished, but it was clear from his expression that Vil was displeased by your explanation and that he wanted to scold you for hailing a cab but must have decided against it, as there were other things more pertinent to berate you for.

"I tried to dress you tastefully enough that you wouldn't garner too much attention but still shine." Vil finally spoke, mainly to himself, as if he couldn't believe someone you dare put their hands on his possession despite his 'preventative measures.' Ignoring how that logic was utterly nonsensical, you tried a different approach. Still, Vil wasn't buying it, hardly letting you get a word out before interjecting with all sorts of accusations.

"Are you fucking him?" He questioned, completely serious.

"What? Of course not!" You rebutted indignantly. Highly offended, he would even suggest such a thing.

"How long has this been going on? I saw you talking to him at the cast party."

"I told you. Nothing has been going on!"

"Besides, everyone and their mother knows that you're mine."

"Yes, darling, so there's nothing to worry about."

"Why were you even talking to him in the first place? You know my rules for going out without me."

"I was trying to be genial." You continued, despite your husband's interruptions. He's your costar. I didn't want to offend him by ignoring him and make things awkward and-"

"As if they won't be awkward now? Why didn't you just tell him no from the beginning?" You swear to god that if he cut you off one more time, you would lose it .

"I- there was no reason for me to believe-"

"No reason to believe he wanted to fuck you? Why would he speak to you otherwise?" Besides the fact that you were a living human with emotions, ideas, and your own allure and charm, you let it go, instead, you tried to regain his attention since he'd given in to the illusions of his fears of you leaving him. Such an irrational fear, Like you'd ever be able to leave him if you tried. If you genuinely wanted to.

"Vil-" You attempted to stop his ranting.

"I can't believe you nearly let him expose your chest. What the fuck were you thinking?!" You weren't trying to let that happen but insisted it wouldn't do anything.

"Vil-" You tried again.

"You should have shoved him off, told him no the minute he touched you." You did.

"Vil-"

"You never have a problem telling me no." He huffed, resentful. His eyes full of disdain, as if he was reliving all of your past rejections of his affections.

"What happened to that backbone of yours?" He bit tauntingly, with an arched brow and judgemental scowl that would have paralyzed most people, but you were well used to it, so your tolerance for effects was higher than the average person.

This cattiness, this cycle of fight and fuck was a routine part of Vil's particular brand of obsession.

Never mind that he had stripped you of most of your freedoms. Vil dressed you how he liked, styled you perfectly to compliment him. Booked your jobs. When your agency wanted to book you, they didn't call your manager. No , you didn't have one of those anymore. They called Vil for approval. Not even you. The nights out he allowed you were planned well in advance on your calendar, strategic in their spontaneity to make sure you popped into the spotlight independently so fans wouldn't start rumors- discover the truth about Vil's domineering, controlling nature.

And he still thought that you had too much agency despite nearly every aspect of your daily life being managed by him.

You'd learned to suck it up. And you'd been managing it fine, sure colors seemed less vivid, and waking up next to Vil was always but as a chore in a way it didn't use to be before you got married, but you were fine .

After all, all week , you had been doing everything you could to please Vil. Indulging him physically, spending quality time, and to your surprise, it wasn't miserable. You realized that you enjoyed it when you could pretend your relationship was like it was initially, warm and affectionate , but Vil always ruined it with his desperate, practically manic desire for control over you. Most of the time, you tried to stomach it out of sick truth that somewhere deep, deep, deep down, you did love him, but he never acknowledged your efforts as anything other than you finally giving him was he thought he was due. Never realizing that your returning of his affection meant that you had to murder your dignity and pride for the sake of order.

But tonight, he had crossed a line you thought you'd buried long, long ago.

"Well, I don't have much room for a spine with you stringing me up like a fucking marionette!"

The sentence flew from your lips before you could even think to stop them. The second you said the words, you knew a slap would be placed across your cheek. And indeed, it came, hard and fast, albeit a fraction of his true strength. Still, it threatened to rupture your eardrum for the dozenth time regardless of his restraint.

While in some relationships, a hit like this might be the gravest border crossing, in yours, it was a warning. It was a signal to stand down or risk greater discipline.

Maybe it had been too long since your last punishment, and you'd forgotten the pain because again, thoughtlessly, you growled:

"Fuck you"

"That is it ."

Grabbing you by your forearm Vil dragged you up the stairs to your shared bedroom before tossing you over his shoulder like captured quarry when you'd put up too much resistance.

"I've had enough!"

"You don't think I've had enough!" You shouted back, propping your hands on his lower back to lift your head to try to retain an ounce of dignity as you let him have it.

While Vil was prone to the occasional delusions, you knew that he knew what he was doing to you was morally unacceptable, the control and isolation he didn't need to hear it from you, but you thought he should. Even if it changes nothing.

"You're absolutely insane. You're so painfully jealous and possessive. You blame me for things I have no control over. You need help!"

You shouted in retaliation, the words somewhat muffled in the gray silk of his pajama shirt. While you couldn't see his expression, you doubted Vil was moved by your cries and critiques. He never had been in the past.

So you tried a different tactic.

"He told me he wanted to eat my pussy in the back of his car." You told him, no longer shouting, just tossing it out casually to see his reaction.

That stopped Vil in his tracks.

"He said I always looked so stressed and probably because you didn't go down on me enough." It was a surprisingly astute observation. Vil was rather stingy with giving despite his skill.

"Now you're just being openly antagonistic." You couldn't see anything other than Vil's toned ass ascending the carpeted stairs of your manor, but you could easily tell he was rolling his eyes at your attempts to further rile him.

"I should've let him. You wouldn't want me as a toy if someone else played with me, right Vil?" You mocked childishly.

"Tell me, would you want me if I came on another man's tongue?"

"Don't be so vulgar." Vil scolded before tossing you on the bed, with far more force than necessary, you landed on an embroidered silk coverlet with a small oof.

While he tried to hide it, it is evident that Vil was visibly further enraged by your recounting of what his costar said in an attempt to seduce you. He quickly grabbed handcuffs from his nightstand drawer. Flipping you on your stomach and yanking your arms behind your back. He cuffed each wrist to the opposite elbow, ensuring you had absolutely no use of your arms. Then dragged you to the edge of the bed by your forearms and gave you another careless shove leaving you to clatter to the carpet like a spoon flicked off a table.

The impact of your shoulder against the floor was dampened by the thick pile of your bedroom rug, but the radiating soreness left you sluggish and dazed.

Vaguely you could hear Vil rummaging around in the velvet tufted storage ottoman at the end of the bed that housed all of your intimate toys. You couldn't see what he had grabbed, but you heard carpet softened footfalls nearing your collapsed form.

With another ruthless tug, you were again brought to your knees. However, this time, your husband sat at the edge of the bed. His aubergine silk pajama top was unbuttoned to expose his elegantly muscled chest, and the matching pants pushed around his hips, exposing his pale drooling cock.

Gripping you by your hair once more, Vil drew your face to his. His eyes burned dully as if he had tempered his rage for max efficiency.

To see those pretty lavender eyes you loved so much, so distorted by rage, caused hurt to stir in your heart. Even if it had partially been your goal. It broke your heart to realize just how far away Vil was from the man you love.

"Save me your pity," he growled as if he could read your thoughts. And he likely could to some degree. When not overcome with this, this ugliness, he was the person who knew you best in the world.

Vil drew your face nearer, tilting your jaw so he could whisper into your ear. His breath was hot, but his words left frost on your brow.

"The only way I'll leave you alone is when you're dead." No emotion, just a cold statement you didn't accept as anything less than factual.

"Even if you stray from me, I' will always welcome you back in the fold," he continued.

"I just hope that you'll be able to sleep at night with all the ruined lives left in the wake of your infidelity."

Then he kissed you, and it was instinctual for you to part your lips and let him. His plush lips always felt so soft and tasted so sweet and floral against your own. His tongue moved in heavy strokes, probing the inside of your mouth, roughly and desperately, as if this kiss was supposed to remind you of the love he held for you.

"Now get to work." He instructed, the command leaving his lips effortlessly as if he were a haughty prince.

Vil drew back, reclining slightly with his arms extended, supporting his palms. He looked like a fallen angel with lengthed strands of hair framing his undone face. He was enchanting even in his darkest moments.

"This is the time for repentance." He reminded you, placing a hand on your jaw and urging you to take his already erect length down your throat.

But you resisted him gently, trying to pull your face from his grip. You had a difficult time feeling a need to repent more than you already had.

"Vil, please, I already apologized." You felt tears welling in your eyes, frustrated that you had to endure more punishment. Your voice came out in a pathetic whine which you hated, and even more, you hated that you weren't looking at him, that you couldn't look at him. The weight of his vitriol became too much to bear. Instead, you opted to look at the floor to lessen the weight of his bitter gaze.

"I-I don't like you when you're like thi-" you began when you were interrupted by your husband's irritated scoff. And then second later, an intense sharp pain that seared into the supple flesh of your ass cheek exposed by cheeky panties.

"Aaaahh!" Your scream snuck up on your like a thief in the night, erupting from your throat before you even registered the severity of the pain from Vil's assault.

A normal riding crop didn't hurt this bad. This pain was far too strong, too intense to be the result of just being hit by stiff leather.

"Vil-" You started, utterly stunned. He held up the instrument in question and then pressed a button on the side of its handle. And sure enough, a faint electric hum could be heard.

He shocked you?

"We've never had a chance to try this one out, have we?" Vil showed off the toy with his usual grace, manipulating it cautiously so that he would not be on the receiving end of a hearty zap.

It looked like a standard crop, but a long electrified handle and metal studs binding the leather loop at the end allowed electric pulses to hit your flesh.

You could see that the switch on the handle was pushed to its maximum setting, and you only prayed your skin wouldn't show evidence of its use the next day. You were worried that Vil forgot about your jobs for this week in his anger.

"Normally, you're much better behaved," Vil remarked almost wistfully. The sentiment is exaggerated by the dim orange glow of the antique lamps subtly illuminating your bedroom.

"I usually don't have to take such drastic measures, be good so I won't have to take anymore, alright darling?" He had the nerve to smile at you, the quirk of his lips sardonic and condescending.

"Open those pretty lips for me." He spoke firmly, and you obeyed without hesitation. The reminder of the blistering sting of the crop was enough to regress you into a domesticated animal who thought of little else than how to behave to avoid another instance of knee wavering pain.

"Were these what drew him to you? This whorish mouth." Vil hummed as he traced cockhead around your lips, and instinctively you licked them, catching the trail of precum his oozing tip left in its wake.

Vil chucked, pushing his cock between your lips. "So you are still somewhat trained."

You couldn't fight the urge to roll your eyes, and as expected, you were rewarded with another blistering shock.

Your husband only smiled on as you yelped like a kicked puppy at the torturous sensation.

Vil let out a heady moan as he pushed his way further down your throat. His fingers tangled in your hair to guide your movements.

You closed your lips around him, hoping to take him the way he taught you. The way you knew made him cum unbelievably fast, but he stopped you with another slap to the ass, causing you to hiss sharply.

" Watch your fucking teeth. " He growled, delivering yet another hit, this time on your upper back which was far more unpleasant as the shock didn't radiate through muscle and fat but against bone.

You steeled your jaw, trying to avoid the pain, but with nowhere else to bare the brunt of the hurt, you dug your fingertips into the flesh of your upper arms, surely leaving an ugly mark.

"Let me take what I want. Just sit there with your tongue out like the slut you aspire to be."

You obeyed, ignoring the insult. And Vil continued to take. Roughly and rhythmically thrusting his long cock in the delicate confines of your throat.

You felt yourself growing light-headed. His pace was so fast you could barely manage to breathe out of your nose, but Vil had absolutely no concern for your comfort. You peered up at him through bleary eyes only to see his head thrown back in bliss as he maneuvered your head along with his cock in time with his strokes.

He comes down your throat, removing his cock and then quickly covering your mouth and pinching your nose, forcing you to swallow his seed.

The tears that had welled in your eyes now flowed unbidden down your cheeks.

Strangled sobs sputtering out of you as you tried to regain your breath after your husband's ruthless onslaught.

You didn't dare look up at him, but you could feel him boring holes into you. A disgusted look likely on his face as he watched your poor attempt at composing yourself.

"Don't tell me you're seriously crying. We're nowhere near finished."

You held up a hand in a silent plea for mercy, but Vil ignored it. Leniency wasn't in his vocabulary tonight.

"On the bed." He commanded, his voice unrelentingly resolute.

You tried your best to follow his demands, but it was hard to maneuver yourself on the bed with your arms cuffed behind your back and your legs feeling so, so numb. After several long moments of clumsy struggling, Vil grew impatient.

"Can you move any more gracelessly?" Vil chided, sparking your ass one more time to motivate you to move faster.

Standing on already unstable legs, the sensation caused you to nearly leap out of your skin, but at least you finally managed to get both knees on the bed.

Vil came up behind you, running his slender fingertips up your sides and bringing your thin tank top with him, exposing your breasts.

He cupped them harshly, pulling and teasing the nipples as you whined in response to his ministrations. You still struggled for breath, and his toying touch didn't make it any easier.

But you nearly lost all capacity to breathe when Vil's hand slid down your torso to harshly cup your cunt through your slightly spread legs.

"You've utterly soaked through these panties." He pulls the gusset aside with a single elegant swipe of his finger as he admires your smooth mound. "Such a pretty cunt," he sighed, what a shame it belongs to a foul-mouthed wife."

Vil ground his cock against your back as he encouraged you to lift yourself as he pulled your panties from your form. Manipulating the fabric around your legs. Once had the material removed from your body, he returned to taunting you.

"Tell me, darling, was your pussy this wet when that man had his paws all over you, humping you like a rutting dog, spilling filth into your ears."

"It was wetter."

"Insolent brat." Vil seethed with clenched teeth.

"To think I was going to fuck your pussy when you clearly haven't learned your lesson." Your husband pushed you farther up on the bed, bending you over and climbing on the mattress behind your bowed form.

"The only place bad girls get fucked is in the ass."

"Ngh-" Any protests you were going to voice were silenced by Vil shoving three fingers down your throat, gagging you.

"You better get them nice and wet because this is all the lube you're getting." He growled against the side of your head.

He lifted your hips so that your knees could rest under you as he roughly slathered the mix of your saliva and viscous wetness from your pussy on your puckered hole, a small mercy.

Spreading your plush ass cheeks with his sizeable palms, he lined the rounded tip of his member with your tight unstretched hole and thrust into you without hesitation.

You inhaled sharply at the blunt intrusion forcing its way into your ass.

Whatever he applied definitely wasn't enough, and even with a few stabbing strokes, a raw, burning ache didn't subside.

"Calm yourself, my love, take it. I know you can take anything I give you."

"That's one of the reasons I love you so much."

You ignored him, disgusted he would even say such a thing to you. The press of his torso against your back, his soft lips teasing your neck, felt so foreign and invasive. You wanted nothing more than to leave your body entirely and return when your husband finally came to his senses.

Slowly, the ache eased. As Vil continues thrusting, deep shameless. Letting each pounding thrust drag as he drew his hips back, only for them to collide with your cheeks again.

His hand on your lower back keeps your body flush against the duvet while the other rest on your neck, rendering you unable to turn to look at him while he takes his pleasure from your debasement.

"What a pity such a pretty wet cunt has to go unattended." He remarked pitifully.

"Beg me, and I'll fill it for you. I know you want it. You never could truly resist me. You always give in sooner or later."

Your life would be much better if you could, you thought mournfully. You just wished he would shut up. He was always so withholding with his words and affections. Why was it now of all times that he was so willing to share his inner thoughts?

"Beg me, and I'll come inside." He told you through breathy panting.

"Mmm- fuck, get you pregnant with my child, so your mind has no time for such frivolous diversions like a 'girl's night out' No time to even think of betraying me."

"I know you're ovulating." He added. And fuck , now that you thought about it, you were. Curse Vil and his meticulous notes on your physical well-being.

"It probably wouldn't take very much." He murmured against your skin, his voice firm as if initially he threatened knocking up to anger you, and now the prospect of impregnating you sounded too alluring to resist.

"Go on, darling wife, beg your husband to cum in your pretty pussy"

"I'm not going to b-beg you. I-I'm not ready f-for a b-baby." You muttered petulantly into the covers.

"You will beg." He asserted, staunchly rejecting another denial from you and doubling down with his affections.

"I know how your poor cunt aches with nothing to fill it." Now Vil was bent over your arched back. His hips canting fervently, forcing his length into your tight hole with deep thrusts, filling you with a dull ache of building arousal.

Vil's fingers flew to your clit, relishing the previous untouched nub with firm circular rubs he knew would make you keen with pleasure.

You moaned at the familiar gratifying sensation. His slick fingertips caressed your nub with frightening precision, sending you hurtling towards your unwanted orgasm.

"And besides," Vil's silky voice hardly showed any signs of exertion, just a sultry breathiness that never failed to arouse you further. His lips brushed lightly over your ear as he began addressing the other part of your protests.

"What does it matter if you're ready when it's what I want?"

His hand then dipped down to your cunt, two fingers quickly finding purchase against your g-spot. Seamlessly entering your tight, quivering hole and brushing against the pulsing nerve in long, tedious strokes. Blurring your mind to anything besides his pleasure.

"I know you love it." He groaned against your ear, his voice no longer disguising that undeniable fact his orgasm was fast approaching.

"Tell me you love it." He was pleading with you now.

"Tell me you love me. " Vil intertwined his left hand with yours as his other hand stayed fastened to your clit, toying with it relentlessly so you would meet your completion at the same time he did.

"I-I love it. I l-love you." You gasped breathlessly.

"Don't lie to me." He all but begged, his voice belying true vulnerability for the first time all night.

"I'm not- I-I love you, Vil." And it wasn't a lie. You knew it was for no good reason, but your traitorous heart couldn't deny that even beneath his abuses, you loved your husband.

" Yes , good girl." He moaned.

"Now, take it, take what I give you." Vil pulled out of your ass and immediately plunged into a fluttering cunt.

The resulting pleasure was instantaneous.

The minute his perfectly proportioned length filled you, your walls clamped down on his member, drawing him in and holding him captive as your pussy delighted in the pleasurable stretch.

Embarrassingly, the moment his cock bottomed out in you, you came, clenching around him desperately and drawing out your husband's orgasm as well. You could feel the ropes of his cum splashing against your womb as his cockhead kissed your greedy cervix, and you tried not to think of the future implications. You wouldn't think of them until Vil had succeeded in his new mission to get you pregnant. The two of you were in no place to bring a child into such dysfunction.

"You're going to be a good wife now, yes, good behavior like you have been," Vil whispered the words reverently against your temple.

Without pulling out of you, he collapsed on top of you, urging your hips to flatten against the bed as he lay draped across your back.

He always became so soft after a session, proportional to his anger.

It was as if fucking you so viciously and violently was the ultimate catharsis for him. Once he came, he was prepared to move on from your transgression. Certainly not forgive them, no, Vil would file away this incident in his memory for future guilt-tripping, but he could return to a level of normalcy with ease. You wished you could move on so easily as well, but the reminders of his violence against your body would be hard to forget.

But the tender kisses he pressed to the nape of your neck would help to soothe your wearied mind.

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

Around an hour later, you found yourself in the bath, tucked against Vil's chest as he kissed you deeply, fingering you again, albeit much more pleasurably and gently.

You came on his fingers without much fanfare. Just a little buck of your hips and a heady groan against his lips as your walls clamped down on Vil's two fingers.

He pulled them from you slowly and pressed a final kiss against your temple as he pulled you close to him. His touch numbed the sting of the fresh cuts and aching bruises now decorating your flesh.

Relaxing music from a nearby speaker filled the silence, but you felt there was more to say.

"Vil," you began softly, earnestly. "I am sorry about the photo, but please, you have to understand I didn't mean to." You met his neutral gaze with wide, imploring eyes, urging him to see the truth to your words.

"He came on to me-" you tried to insist, but Vil hushed you with a finger to your lips.

"Don't worry, my love. He'll receive his punishment in due time. I know you were not the sole transgressor." You knew Vil exacting retribution against his costar would be difficult, the film was set to release in a month, and any seriously negative press would tank the film's sales.

"Besides, anyone who attempts to take what's mine without my permission must pay a high cost." Vil reminded you with another sweet kiss on your forehead.

"Of course," you sighed, tired of fighting. You practically were his possession. Your marriage legally assured it.

"Just know that for the time being, I will also be attending these nights out. Be grateful I'm still letting you go at all."

You opened your lips to thank him, not because you felt genuinely grateful, but because it was your obligation. However, Vil wasn't finished speaking quite yet.

"But hopefully," he began again after a few seconds, "we won't have to worry about it much longer," Vil whispered sweetly as he curled a possessive hand on your abdomen.

You wilted into his chest at the implication, but your anger had long left you. There was nothing left to give.

You should have resigned yourself to a life with Vil much sooner. It would have saved you many scars.

Epilogue

#vil schoenheit #yandere vil schoenheit #yandere vil schoenheit x reader #vil x reader #vil schoenheit x reader #yandere twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland #twst wonderland #twst x reader #yandere #vil smut #vil schoenheit smut

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littlerainyghoul · 5 months

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Aether trying to put a fussy little dew to bed...sounds like fun lol

Do you think you can write a fic about this?

yeah sure! of course!

I love writing regressed dew, and I think him being fussy fits his personality so well! Thank you for the request!

Without futher ado:

1am shenanigans

Summary: It’s 1am, and a tired Aether is trying to put the very energetic regressed fireghoul to bed.

words: 900

Pairings: Regressed Dewdrop, Caregiver Aether, also brief appearance of Cirrus

The fire ghoul spurled around the room, his body wriggling and gleaming with energy as he chased around the laser pointer Cirrus was playing with around the ghoul common room. He had the been chasing the laser for hours before, and the energy of the ghoul came to no end as he bounced around the room.

“Deww! Its time for some shut eye! It’s 1 am dear” Aether's voice rang out in the ghoul common room, laced with nothing but concern for the fire ghoul. He stepped in front of the energetic rascal, his body exuding a presence of gentle calmness.

"But....Aefey! I don't want to go to bed! I'm not tired" Dewdrop whine, disappointment lingering in his eyes, his nose scrunched in disgust at the idea of being put to bed.

“I know, little firefly, but don't you want to wake up and have the energy to play tomorrow?" Aether spoke, as he gestured to Cirrus to put away the laser pointer.

”Aether is right, you know, I think it's time for us to go to bed“ Cirrus spoke, her voice croaky from all the laughter she passed in the past couple of hours.

”Not tired! Cirrus! Please can we play some more?" Dewdrop shot his words, as he pounced in the air and crossed his arms.

“None can do, kid” Cirrus spoke as she yawned “I'm off to have my evening shower, see ya in the morning Aeth! Goodnight little one!“ she cooed the last part to Dewdrop.

”We need to calm you down, firefly" Aether whispered.

“Aeth, five more minutes? I really want to run around! It's so fun!"

"Nope, all the other ghouls went to bed. Now would you be a good boy for me? I'll tuck you in if you behave" Aether spoke, slight irritation lingering in his voice.

Dewdrop's lower lip jutted out ever so slightly, showcasing the classic sign of a pout. The smooth curve of his lips now held a hint of resistance, a silent protest against the unwelcome suggestion of sleep. Even his fiery aura seemed to flicker with a subdued intensity, mirroring the conflicted emotions etched across his expressive face.

“Please Dew?” Aether begged, his usual friendly and warm eyes tinted with exhaustion, and a hint of concern. "Why do you even want to stay up, anyway?"

"Not tired, Aethy" Dewdrop confessed.

Aether looked at Dewdrop, his eyes reflecting a mix of weariness and amusement. "Come on, firefly, bedtime is calling, and even the laser pointer needs its beauty sleep."

Dewdrop's eyes widened at the mention of the laser pointer, torn between the allure of play and the idea that Aether used his emotions like that.

Aether chuckled, "You know, if the laser pointer could talk, it would probably be saying, 'Enough, Dew, I need a break!'" He mimicked a high-pitched, imaginary voice, eliciting a giggle from Cirrus.

Dewdrop, caught off guard by the unexpected humour, let out a small laugh but still looked reluctant. Aether seized the opportunity to continue the banter. "Besides, if you stay up all night, you'll turn into a nocturnal ghoul, and I'm not sure the others are ready for that."

Cirrus, who turned back from entering her room, joined in, "Yeah, Dew, imagine waking up to find yourself surrounded by sleepy ghouls trying to get ready for the day while you're bouncing off the walls."

The thought seemed to amuse Dewdrop, and his resistance waned as he envisioned the comical scenario. "Okay, okay, I guess I don't want to be the only ghoul wide awake when everyone else is snoring," he conceded with a grin.

Aether seized the moment, "That's right, firebug" Now, let's make bedtime a grand adventure. I'll even tell you a story about a mischievous fire ghoul who learned the importance of a good night's sleep."

With a playful twinkle in his eye, Aether led Dewdrop towards his bedroom. It glowed with the warmth of red and gold hues, evoking the essence of dancing flames. Adorned with tapestries and artwork depicting swirling fire motifs, the room's focal point was a bed with crackling ember-patterned sheets and flame-carved headboard. In a cozy corner, a lava lamp added a mesmerizing touch, its molten wax mimicking the fluid movement of lava, casting a dynamic play of light.

Dewdrop climbed into the bed, as Aether threw some blankets on his body, as he tucked in the ghoul.

"Cosy, my love?" Aether cooed softly, as he tuned on the lavalamp.

“Bed time story, please?” Dewdrop asked

"Absolutely, my little Dewcifer" Aether replied with a tender smile, the warm glow of the lava lamp casting a soft radiance across the room.

As Dewdrop nestled into the crackling ember-patterned sheets, Aether began to weave a bedtime story, his voice a soothing melody that harmonized with the gentle flicker of the fiery-themed bedroom. The tale unfolded like the dance of flames, carrying Dewdrop into a world where fire ghouls embarked on enchanting adventures beneath the starlit canopy. The lavalamp's liquid glow echoed the story's rhythm, creating a tranquil ambiance that embraced them both in the comforting warmth of the fire-themed haven.

He softly carressed Dew's cheek, as Dew softly purred while the quintessential ghoul recounted his story. As Aether continued his tale, the bond between them deepened, and the room became a haven where the warmth of the story and the glow of the lava lamp melded into a soothing lullaby, cradling Dewdrop in the arms of sweet dreams.

#regressed ghouls #agere #eepy #ghost band agere #papa emeritus iv #agere fanfiction #littlerainyghoulwrites #safe for work #dewdrop ghoul #aether ghoul #cirrus ghoulette #regressed dewdrop #cg aether #dewther

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lumine-no-hikari · 10 days

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Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #118

I went to bed at roughly midnight last night!! Which is roughly an hour past 11pm, which is what's supposed to be my bedtime! But my alarm is set for 8am! Which means I should have gotten around 8 hours of sleep! 8 hours is sufficient!

…Unfortunately, I woke at around 7:30am of my own volition, and then I was not able to go back to sleep. But that's okay; I slept more than I have on recent nights, so I feel better than I did yesterday, for sure!

I made myself some tea. This morning, it was apricot-vanilla flavored black tea! I wonder if you would have liked this one; I'm more than a little sad about the fact that I'll likely never find out, ahahaha…

…But… well. There's not a damn thing I can do about that, other than take pictures and send them along, hoping that they'll reach you somehow… Here:

I had intended to go today to the post office to send the completed amethyst tree sphere to the other side of the planet, but as it turns out, shipping things that far is very expensive, goodness me! So I'm going to have to make more spheres and sell them first, so that I can save up! It shouldn't be too hard, except for the fact that I'm FAR more inclined to simply give them away. I'm no salesperson, and it feels nicer to just be able to hand someone some unexpectedly beautiful thing anyhow; you wouldn't BELIEVE how some people's faces light right up when hand them one of my weird little woven tree crafts! It's seriously the best thing, ahahaha~! 🥰

So, instead of going to the post office, J and I went on a pizza date. We went to our favorite spot! I got a tomato slice, a shrimp scampi slice, and a chicken and mushroom marsala slice, and these were ABSOLUTELY DELECTABLE, oh my goodness! J got a tomato slice and a slice of spinach pie. I took pictures:

Also, J specifically asked me to take a picture of his spinach pie slice from his perspective, just in case you might like it. Here:

…I am not the only one here who likes you and hopes to see you be safe and happy in the end. Even J would like to share a little bit of joy with you. There are lots of people who want to share a little bit of joy with you. You're not alone. Sephiroth, I promise you that you're not alone, no matter what your brain tries to tell you when it's being mean to you.

Speaking of sharing joy with you, I also went on a walk today, and I tried to make it a point to take some nice pictures for you. I hope you'll like them:

I also found a tiny salamander friend on my adventures! I found it trapped inside an abandoned cooler in the woods:

I really have no idea what a cooler is doing in the woods. But it looks REALLY REALLY OLD, good grief! It is NOT a good place for a salamander to live!

The little thing seemed to want to get under my sleeve for some reason, ahahaha~! But as adorable as it was, sadly, I had to disappoint the poor thing; I put it on the ground, underneath some fallen leaves. It'll be happier and safer there, for sure!

As I walked around, there was a pretty big hawk flitting from tree to tree. I followed it around for as long as I could, on a whim. But I wasn't able to get any pictures of it for you; its plumage made it blend too well with the surrounding trees. But, I've been seeing an unusually large number of birds-of-prey and crows ever since the eclipse; I wonder if it threw them all off somehow. In any case, hopefully I'll get you a nice picture of a hawk or something soon!

Anyway, as I imagine you can tell by looking, I ended up getting into weird positions on the ground to get some of these pictures, and I ended up with a deer tick on me as a result. I feel really silly about it; it wasn't the best idea for me to get careless like that, because ticks are a real problem in my world. Ticks are very tiny arachnids that burrow their heads into an animal's skin in order to feed on their blood. This wouldn't be a problem if ticks didn't carry all sorts of nasty diseases, but they do in my part of the world, and one of the scariest ones is Lyme Disease.

Lyme Disease is spread by a kind of bacteria that the ticks catch from feeding on small rodents. Left unchecked, these bacteria like to eat things such as nerves, joints, and myocardial tissue. Deer ticks are the only carrier of Lyme Disease where I live, so I guess I'm gonna hafta keep an eye on the bite and make sure it doesn't develop the bullseye rash that's characteristic of infection. I also put the tick in a little disposable plastic sandwich bag just in case I develop weird symptoms; it'll be good to have on hand just in case I need to get it tested for diseases.

It's all right though; the tick was on me for less than 24 hours, and it came out of my skin really easily - didn't even hurt! And I washed the bite as soon as the tick was removed. It didn't get an opportunity to feed on me yet, because it was removed too quickly. Chances of infection are very low, if not practically nonexistent. And even if I did get infected, we've got fancy medicines to clear it right up, no problem; everything will be okay! Don't worry your pretty little head about me, alright? I'll be fine! 😁💖

Oh! I also cooked some ground pork and beef, in preparation for making a recipe that some awesome person on the internet sent to me… gosh… a while ago now. I've been meaning to cook it up for a number of weeks, because it sounds ABSOLUTELY FREAKING DELECTABLE, but lately, I've been either too busy, too exhausted, or some weird combination of both. But I have all the ingredients on hand; it's just a matter of putting them together! I'm looking forward to it!! I can't wait to show it to you, because the person who shared it with me cares about you, too!

Anyhoot, it's getting late, and it's probably about time I went to bed. I've got a lot to do tomorrow, goodness me; therapy, and hangouts with my best friend B, and maybe cooking the thing if I still have energy leftover (I hope!). We'll see what happens!

Hey Sephiroth! Please remember to rest and to take delight in wholesome things and to treat yourself nice, okay? I dunno exactly what you're trying to do over at the Edge of Creation, but if you're gonna make it through all this okay in the end, you're gonna hafta make kind and loving choices, and to be able to do that reliably, you're gonna need all your strength. As far as I know, I can't zoop over there and give you a nutritious, wholesome meal and a nice cup of tea, because I am just a derpy autistic nerd who is totally devoid of reality-bending powers (much to my chagrin). So you gotta do it for yourself instead, okay? Promise me that you will, won't you?

And if you're having trouble, just pretend you're me for long enough to treat yourself in the same way that I would treat you. Or you can just make pretend like your self-destructive tendencies are dragons that need to be slain. That's how I've been dealing with mine, anyway, and it's objectively true that you're FAR better at slaying dragons than I could ever hope to be - I mean, c'mon, have you taken a look at me? I'm basically just a weird squiggly noodle. You can do better than I can at most anything - I promise.

I'll write again tomorrow. I love you. Stay safe out there.

Your friend, Lumine

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c0smiccom3t · 7 months

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Dimension Dyfenders Update!! (9/20/23)

HEY, HEY, it's September! You know what that means! (read the above)

Hello D.D fandom, hello followers, mutuals, friends and hello people who curiously stumbled upon this post. You all know who i am, but for those who don't, let me introduce myself. My name's Comet. I'm the co-creator and main artist in the indie webcomic series Dimension Dyfenders! As of right now, i'm attending art school and trying my best to work more on the webcomic while also attending on my studies and get better grades. Now, you might ask, "Comet, what's going on with this series now?", "Why haven't been there more pocket adventures minisode 1 parts lately?" Well, i got the answers right here! First of all, let's start with the most obvious one... The Pocket Adventures situation.

Now, Pocket Adventures hasnt been online as of late, no next parts were being published, and im very sorry for that. The cause for it is the loss of motivation i had, which made me not work on it for a long while. Even when making new panels i feel extremely tired. Feeling like i should do something else (heck, i feel insecure about its panels when i draw them!) But fret not, that doesn't mean Pocket Adventures is getting cancelled. We still have loads of plans on the table and we can't wait to roll them out. But for now, we're taking a break due to IRL situations for example, art school. We, the team, have lives outside of making d.d content. We need to get our degrees and, well, try to survive life. But no worries, because I got plans to get back on D.D P.A Minisode 1 and finish it completely once winter break hits. As long as my motivation gets out of its hibernation phase. But still, i can't wait for you all to see the conclusion to minisode 1. (I just hope you dont mind if i jump right into the 'new designs' in the next pages)

Speaking of minisodes, I've been thinking of releasing minisodes only once a year than every saturday. Though this decision is not final yet. I don't want clout, in fact, i just wanna do what I love. Create stories and comics for everybody to enjoy. But if you guys would love for a minisode to release once a year or once in 3 months, let me know your opinions! Your criticism helps this series, especially its production, grow better!

Now, for the second and final question you may have asked… Thing is, Nothing has changed! But well, if you know me on my social media for my recent Crash Bandicoot fanart, then you might notice that Crash 4: It's About Time, especially it's artbook (and concept art by Nicola Saviori)... Has affected my artstyle, DRASTICALLY. So. The characters, of course, have went through some changes. I'd like to call this new artstyle... "The TFB Effect". As a matter of fact, Dimension Dyfenders (both its miniseries and full series) is going to have a brand new, more cartoony, zanier than ever artstyle! Don't believe me? See for yourselves. Starting with the main ones!

I decided to add a little bit of the good ol' Squash and Stretch to the characters to make them stand out more in the next comics. So of course, some of the colors have changed, especially designs and bodytypes. Oh, and not just that, our heroes have some new stuff, too! For example: Knockout's Dyfender Element is now refered as "Quantum Strenght", Paintdrop's is called "Cosmic Creativity" and Speedrunner's is called "Light Speed". Neat upgrades, eh? (Still, criticism is accepted.) Anyway, notice that in the first picture above there's something that says: "Dyfender Mode", right? Well, if you see that, that's because we are introducing something brand new to our heroes. Called: Omni-modes.

Now, "what are Omni-modes?", you may ask? Well, Omni-modes are modes that are set on the Dyfenders' Dy-watches, you may see that the Omni-Modes are, of course, the Dyfenders' alternate hero forms, to help them take on a mission in a different, more suitable form. When the day needs to be saved during night time (and rarely past bedtime), they activate Night Mode. For sunny beach days but still wanting to make sure nobody figures out their secret identities, Acqua Mode will be at their service. There are tons of different Omni-Modes to be shown (Especially, Pride mode, which was shown on this year's pride post.) So, yeah. Omni-modes will be shown in both the miniseries AND the full series!

Oh! And refering to characters, we can't forget about our main bad guys! Oh, you know, the Dajo-Crew? They got a bit of a make over to fit to the current artstyle! (ft. the updated height chart):

Now that we got that out of the way. let's just head over what will the future of the series look like as of right now. Starting off with the full series and pocket adventures. As said before, Dimension Dyfenders' artstyle changed. But that doesn't mean everything changed, things may be different (the more cartoony artstyle and the sillier tone), but nothing about the series has changed! And that means..

MORE POCKET ADVENTURES IS HAPPENING, THAT'S RIGHT! MORE D.D CONTENT COMING THIS WAY!

As for right now, D.D Minisode 1 may still be in development as we speak, but one thing that's completed right now is the script! Now that its finally finished, all thats left, is the panel and comic page-making (hopefully you wont mind the sudden character design changes, though.)! But in the meantime! We got some sneak peaks for not just one of the panels from the next minisode 1 pages, but also a never-seen before panel from the next minisodes of pocket adventures! (notice: some of these are not final and may change in the final product.)

That's not all! this franchise has got some new stuff coming in during it's run. We got so many plans, but this is the only thing we can show about said plans:

As you can see, you're gonna see some new characters in pocket adventures. While in the full series, you'll get some new characters too. Except... New baddies will be only in the full series, while in the miniseries then later in the animated series... You'll get to meet some new allies! So, keep your eyes peeled for them! And we hope you like them as much as we do.

Now, D.D has never shown a sign of stopping, even during hiatuses, so im happy to announce that more Pocket Adventures will be on their way after Minisode 1 has completed production! We're thinking of putting the upload dates on hold (which means, minisode 2 is delayed until further notice, sorry guys.). So please be patient when waiting for new minisodes.

And speaking of patience... I think I got a little something to keep you guys busy with while you wait... Introducing…

DIMENSION DYFENDERS TOONIES!

Now, you may be wondering: "What is THIS?" D.D.T (Dimension Dyfenders Toonies for long), is a brand new miniseries of comic strips that comes out during the weekends. (Starting in October, the end of september, or during the holiday season! No promises, though.) It's a little something i can make up while you guys wait for the next Pocket Adventures Minisodes. Oh yeah, here's one of the cover for it, too! It's not much, but i know you guys would go NUTS for it:

This will be about how the Dyfenders handle their superhero and school lives in everyday situations. (No worries, the action isn't gone. There might be some strips about school, but there will be more strips about their superhero lives, guarantee!). It's also about what The Dajo-Crew does when they aren't invading dimensions, get into some shenanigans at the castle and also when they plot evil schemes. some strips will be either original with a new short story or a recreation of old strips from phase 1 (not a final decision of course, but you can tell us if you like this idea)! One thing to point out is that some of the strips might take place before some minisodes, now thats another thing to notice, right? And that's the only "spoiler" I can give. So, sorry, no more! OH! And for any of you voice actors reading this who are like: "Wow, i wonder when this series will get a comic dub / animated series. If i'm lucky enough i might be able to voice act for it!" … Boy, do we have a treat for you all. Which will be posted in a few hours. both on bird app, bluesky, insta and on here! The only thing I have to announce is that during the d.d stuff's production and during art school, i'm not gonna be online on social media. (until during normal/long weekends and festive days.), but no worries, the series is still alive and kicking, even when there aren't posts about it for a few months! Though, in some days, i'll be able to make and share some art for it! You're all in for a wild ride for these months and for 2024! Oh, and about Dajo's account. I'm planning to bring it back. But, Dajo is currently busy conquering Dimensions, but I can assure he hasn't abandoned Sinstagram completely. You'll see more of his influencer side, too. Both in his Sinstagram and in the upcoming strips! (And perhaps in some mini– OOPS! TOO MUCH!) That's all for now! Thank you all for your support on the series, don't forget to share your fan creations of the series in DMs or tag me and the team in your masterpieces, share it with your family and friends, subscribe to the series on Comicfury, and follow me on Tumblr, bluesky, bird app and Instagram if you wish to support the project even outside of comicfury! Once again, thank you all in this slowly-growing small fandom for all of your support, and i hope you're all excited for what's to come! If you have any questions, please drop them on my tumblr askbox, Which i'll be able to answer during the weekends. That's all, back to the offline study and sleep abyss for me. GOODBYE!

#dimension dyfenders #webcomic #indie project #comics #announcement #dimension dyfenders updates #dajo stuns in new selfie /j #art #artists on tumblr #webcomics #ocs #original characters #webtoons #superheroes #cartoons #comic strips #official update #demon ocs #this is a new tag for artists

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erin-bo-berin · 2 years

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Im sooo happy that the kids have names now , and they are just the cutestttt! Love the way you write abbie , she reminds me of a mix of dustin and max - so from that could we have the party / max or dustin babysitting abbie and steve and single mom walk in and its just chaos- like the party/ the others are dressed up in like butterfly wings and tutus or something? Like abbie has completely run riot over them ? And its like waaay past her bed time so shes hyped up and overtired.

Aww I’m glad! I was nervous to do it at first because I try to make it as personalized at possible but I knew it would get confusing when baby girl number 2 came along lol

Fun fact: I also have another set of girl names to possibly use in a fic if possible. Those and Abrielle and Arabella are actual real names I like and hope to use if I’m ever blessed to have my own kids.

ANYWAYS yes I can so imagine they’d be awful influences when it comes to bed time 🤣

You and Steve glanced at each other worriedly as you pulled into your driveway. It was after eleven p.m. and all the lights were on.

Max and Dustin had offered to babysit Abbie while you and Steve had a well deserved date night. Joyce and Hopper had thankfully taken Arabella for the night, Joyce claiming that she hadn’t had a baby around in much too long and it didn’t look like she was getting any grandkids any time soon—sending a pointed look into both her sons’ direction.

“I hope everything is okay,” you said, worried.

It was when you walked in the door, Steve behind you, that you both froze at the sight before you.

“Did we come home to the wrong house?” Steve asked, peeking back outside the still open door at the number on the outside.

Music was blasting, toys, books and dress up clothes were scattered everywhere and in the living room stood three guilty looking parties.

One, who should have been in bed hours ago.

“Hit the music,” Dustin told Max.

She rushed across the room, stopping the tape.

Abbie was in a crown and a princess dress, Max had on a long, cotton candy blue wig, fairy wings and held a wand and Dustin was in a tutu.

“Nice tutu, Henderson,” Steve snarked.

“Not a word. Your daughter begged me to wear it,” Dustin said, “Although I do look good in it don’t I?”

“Abrielle Jade Harrington. Why are you still awake?” you asked, hand planted on your hips.

Her lip quivered. You knew a meltdown was soon coming as it was way past her bedtime and she would crash soon.

“Sorry, she kinda convinced us with five more minutes of playing,” Max said sheepishly.

“Five minutes ago came and went hours ago,” Steve said.

“We know, we know. We ended up playing and having so much fun that…time kinda slipped away from us,” Dustin winced.

You sighed, looking around at the mess. Abbie’s tiara fell off her head as she rubbed her eyes and started to whine.

“She’s overtired,” you sighed, bending to pick her up.

“We’re sorry. We really did lose track of time. We had a blast with her,” Dustin said.

“We’ll totally clean this up too, by the way,” Max jumped in.

“You better,” Steve pointed a finger to both of them, “Don’t leave anything for Y/N to have to pick up since she’s gotta get Abbie to bed.”

As you walked your sleepy daughter to her bedroom, you laughed at Dustin’s comeback.

“Got it, dad.”

#steve harrington #steve harrington fic #steve harrington fluff #steve harrington blurb #steve harrington x you #steve harrington x fem!reader #steve harrington x reader #stranger things #stranger things blurb #stranger things fic #stranger things fluff

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romanarose · 1 year

Text

Leather and Lace chapter 6:

Santiago "Pope" Garcia X Fem!OC

Fic Masterlist

Previous Part : Next part

Chapter summary: Benny and Laci spend the day together to get a surprise for Santi. Santi is jealous. Laci and Santi spend a special moment together.

A/N: I hope y'all know I stayed up waaaaaaaayyy past my bedtime writing this for you. Stay tuned, cuz the next chapter is angsty and then we can start getting into smut. Just a lil smut. As a treat.

Anyway I need y'all to read My Brother's Keeper by @frankiesbadlanding bc it might be the best goddamn piece of frankie fanfiction I've ever read in my LIFE and I'm OBSESSED!!

Also please read Sunshine State By @brewsterispunkk bc its gotta be the goddamn cutest benny miller fic i've ever read its got my fucking heart bro <3

WARNINGS!!!: This whole fic has mentions of rape and abuse, but this chapter has more of that in the beginning, negative self-talk, brief references to smut, and santi kiiinnnnnnddaaaaa being a bit of an ass, showing some bad behaviors.

This chapter will alternate POV's, mostly between Laci and Benny bc I wanted to give Laci a voice and I wanted Benny's outside perspective, but it will have some Santi closer to the end for narrative reasons.

Okay I'm done talking.

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

They played friends with the boys, roommates at home, lovers at night.

With the guys, they pretended to just be friends. No one bought it for a second, but they pretended. During the day, they played roommates, taking turns cooking for each other and cleaning, going to appointments. At night? At night, they kissed. Laci often wondered why it remained just kissing. It was odd, she had never met a man who didn’t jump at the oppretunity to fuck her, not one that was interested in her anyway. If they weren’t interested, a different story. If they were? Well, they expected sex. Sometimes, whether she wanted it or not.

Her time before Pope found her wasn’t the first time she had been raped, and she always figured it wouldn’t be her last. She had practically resigned herself to that fact.

But Santi didn’t need to know that. He didn’t need to know any of that. Santiago Garcia deserved a version of her without all of that. It was one thing that he had to deal with her non-verbal episodes. Oh Santi, sweet, sweet, Santiago… So patient, so kind, so gentle. When she first saw him that day in the basement, him and Frankie, she had been scared shitless, avoiding eye contact with them, and Benny when he came down. Laci had assumed they were just the next round of men to either hurt her or take her to more men who would. Or both. Santi had insisted he was there to help her, but she couldn’t trust his word, she knew nothing about him. But when she had stood up, when he had caught her and she got a good look in his beautiful brown eyes… She couldn’t help but trust him, just a little.

It was Ben she had first spoken to. She didn’t know why, particularly, but he put her at ease. That was his nature. From the beginning he had treated her with a sense of normalcy he wasn’t used to. He was careful, for sure, but she supposed he didn’t have the intensity Santiago did. Laci felt more at ease with him. Even as she grew to trust Santi, her nervousness had a different source. The way she felt about him was insurmountable, incapable of description. And yet, she couldn’t get a read on him… Why, when they kissed, would he keep his hands so innocently on her back or her hair? Why, when she tentatively slipped tongue in his mouth, did he not open up, why did he not return the action? He had never wanted her to feel obligated to do anything, she knew that. He easily could’ve taken advantage of her situation from the very beginning, but the whole first few days he hadn’t so much stared at her breasts. It was clear he was attracted to her. Sometimes, while they kissed, he’d adjust their placement when she felt him hardening with her on top of him. Had wanted her, that much was obvious. So why had they only kissed? She wasn’t entirely sure she wanted him. Well, she wanted him, that was for sure. He was beautiful and he was kind… but the though of sex made her chest tense, the thought of everything done to her made her sick. Santi didn’t deserve that version of her. He deserved someone that would fuck him.

No matter Santi’s patience, no matter how much he insisted he just wanted to help, a part of her brain told her no, no men don’t do that, people don’t do that, people don’t just help. He wanted something, he had to want her and it was just his decency that he was taking his time. Santi would get tired of this, he’d get tired of playing house with no sex, and he’d either kick her out or force her. Laci couldn’t see Santi being like that, but she’d been wrong before. That’s how she got here.

And that’s why things were easier with Benny. Benny and her had no sexual tension, no questions about what the future was, what they were. They were friends. When her and Santi had made back to the motel, Benny had clearly been crying when he saw Santiago safe, and had been shot. And yet, once he saw her, all that was out of his mind, he was back to himself, getting her clothes and setting her up with a shower that she desperately needed. And right now, she could sit on the couch watching Always Sunny in Philadelphia with him while Santi worked on the kitchen sink that had decided not to drain anymore.

“I swear, I usually win!” Benny was defending the reminisce of a black eye he had from the last bar fight he had gotten in.

“I’m sure you do, Ben” Laci assured him, lying.

Ben winced “I’m just better at fighting when… I’m sober, that’s all”

“And yet…” she started.

“And yet what, Laci?” Benny gestured for her to continue. Santi crawled out from under the kitchen sink “And yet, most of your fights are when you’re drunk, not in the ring.”

Laci grinned at Santi, looking particularly attractive in a white tank top covered in dirt and the gross mess of kitchen plumbing, then turned to a mock offended Ben.

“Wow, is that what you were going to say?”

Laci sheepishly tried to hide a smile and shrugged, giving away that yes, this was exactly what she was thinking.

“Wooooooooooooooooow” Benny drawled out. “Guess you’ll just have to come the fight tomorrow and see me in action!”

Laci’s face lit up. She hopped up on the couch, leaning over the back. “Can I?” She called excited to the man who had re-tangled himself in the sink pipes.

Ben scoffed. “You don’t have to ask his permission.”

She turned to him briefly. “If he’s driving me, I probably should.”

“I’ll drive you!”

Laci gave him a look, then turned back to Santi, taking a moment to admire the bit of skin that showed from his shirt riding up. “Hey Santi?” She called for him, hesitantly. She never wanted to put him out, but he hadn’t gone to a fight since she came into his life, maybe he’d like to go.

Santi crawled out from under the cabinet. That was the thing about Santiago, she always had his full attention. “Yes?” He sounded eager. That was another thing about Santi, he was always so ready to do whatever she asked. Another reason he deserved more than her, she asked for so much.

“Benny asked if we could go to his fight tomorrow?”

Brow furrowed, Santi whipped sweat from his forehead as he sat up. “You wanna go to that? Why?”

She shrugged. “I wanna see Benny get beat up.”

“Hey!”

Santi seemed to almost glare as he glanced at Ben, then softening when he turned to Laci. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, a lot of not good people there.” Back to Ben. “What are you trying to bring her to a place like that for?”

Ben raised his hands defensively “She’s my friend! I want you both there, you haven't been in ages” Since I came around, keeping you from your life Laci thought.

Santi shook his head.

“Fine. Ben said definitely. “I’ll take her then.”

Santiago stood up, giving him the irritated look she only saw him use on the guys, never her. He put a hand on his hip. “And you’re going to keep an eye on her while you fight?” The question was rhetorical.

“Keep an eye- Pope, I think she’ll be fine.”

“And that is why you’re not taking her, thinking you can leave a girl alone with that group of people!”

“Will and Frankie will be there, and you could be too if you weren’t being such an old man.”

Sant shook his head. “She’s not going.”

“It’s her choice, not yours.”

Laci suddenly felt their eyes on her, waiting for an answer. She didn’t want to disappoint Benny, she wanted to see him fight, she wanted to do something different. But Santi was everything to her, her whole world. She looked at Santi, suddenly closing up. Great. Her words were lost on her again. Laci shook her head at him, making a little wave and squinted face. ‘Nah, nevermind’ She knew Santi would understand what she was saying.

Santi looked at Ben “See? She doesn’t really want to go”

Ben groaned loudly, looking at Laci. She just shrugged.

“Fine. Whatever. Come on, she should get going.” Ben stood up motioning to Laci, who followed him to put her shoes on. Converse. Actual converse, not the knock off’s Laci tried to get. Actual converse Santi had insisted on when he saw her eyeing them.

Santi suddenly looked nervous, quickly washing his hands. “Are you sure you don’t want me to drive? I can put this off until evening?” He nodded at the plumbing he was not doing well on, then looked at Laci, almost pleading. Laci and Ben were going to the mall by themselves for a particular reason , a reason that banked on Santi not being there. He kept trying to invite himself along. This was the first time Laci had gone anywhere without Santi. At most, she occasionally watched Rosie alone, but that was always under the watchful eye of Frankies in-home security cameras.

Laci tapped Benny, signaling him to take over.

“We’re good Santi, we don’t want to be here when you explode sewage all over the house.”

“I’m not gonna-”

“She’ll be fine, Santi” Ben insisted.

Santi sighed. “Fine, have fun on whatever mysterious mission you refuse to tell me about.” He grumbled more to himself than anything.

Laci gave a little wave and a smile, and Santi waved back before they headed out the door.

When they got to the mall, Benny noticed how much Laci tensed up. Maybe the reason she was always attached at Pope’s hip wasn’t entirely his possessive nature. He reached a hand out, open palmed. Laci looked at him questioningly, but when he smiled, she took his hand.

That was the thing about Benny. It was so much easier. Nothing was loaded, nothing had to be read into.

It’s just them.

Ben guided her to the antique store. Last week, Laci had texted Benny asking if he could help her get something to surprise Santi. It took some convincing for Santi to let them go alone. Benny and her couldn’t come up with a good reason as to why Santi couldn’t come; Laci didn’t really want to lie anyway. So they told him it was a secret. Laci wandered through the busy store, hand tightly gasped to Benny’s as she searched. It had to be perfect. It had to be perfect because he was perfect. He did everything for her without complaint. It had to be perfect.

“There it is”

After Laci made the purchase, Benny bought them Panda Express at the food court.

“Fuck, I gotta piss” Benny complained as finished Laci’s left overs and threw away their trash. Laci scampered after him as he headed to the bathroom, grabbing his arm before he went in. “I don’t think you wanna come in here, honey” he laughed, but Lace looked at him wide-eyed, gripping his arm. “Oh come on Lace, you’ll be okay for one minute, I swear”

She continued silently pleading with him, eyes glancing to the busy mall and back to him. ‘Don’t leave me’ her eyes begged.

Benny softened. “Look, I know Santi treats you like a child, but I promise you are not as delicate as he seems to think. If you really, truely, do not want to be out here alone, I won’t go. But…” He looked at her pale blue eyes, nervous, but thinking. “But I think you can do it, and I think it’ll be a big step towards things being normal.”

Benny watched her think for a moment, smiling softly at her so she knew it was up to her. He had to piss so fucking badly, but if she really couldn’t be alone, he’d wait. Slowly, he felt her let go of him, step back, and nod.

Laci waited outside. Eyes watching all the feet that passed by. Back to normal… how was she supposed to go back to normal after everything that had happened? How was she supposed to go about her normal life again? Would that mean leaving Santi? Did getting better mean he’d leave her? Would she even see Will, Ben, and Frankie again? Rosie? Or was she just their charity case?

Ben emerged from the bathroom, immediately being tackled by Laci despite her being a foot shorter than him.

“Oh god, are you okay?” He wrapped his arms around her, assuring her he was there, she was okay. “Everything alright?”

She peeped her head up from his chest, grinning. “I did it!” She half laughed.

“You sure did!” Benny lifted her up, swinging her around as she laughed. “Great job!”

“Benny?” Laci asked as he set her down.

“Yeah?”

“Did you wash your hands?”

As they walked out to the car, Ben didn’t want today to end, not when Laci had been making such big steps. When Ben had mentioned to Will he was taking her to the mall without Santi, Will had started in on him about how now is not the time for this and Laci isn’t someone he should be getting involved with like that, and how Ben knows Santi and her have something going on. It took some convincing for Will to realize they were just friends, and jesus, Ben doesn’t only think with his dick, he thinks with his head too. Laci needed a friend, especially with how Pope is. Ben loved Santi with his whole heart, he respected him, even had crush on him back in the day.

But Santi was intense. He was a lot. First and foremost, Santi was a protector. And right now, his focus was solely on Laci, and that focus was single minded. Laci would do anything she thought Santi wanted. Santiago Garcia was the kind of person to make you want to be your best self for him. Ben knew better than most how, when that intense gaze was focused on you, you were practically powerless. You wanted his approval, you wanted to make him smile, you wanted him to love you, whichever version you could put forth.

“We can go anywhere, do whatever you want, or just go home and see if Santi flooded the house yet.”

Sam smiled nervously, but replied. “Could we maybe… theres this park near home with a patch of woods, maybe we could go there?”

He laughed “What, Santi not taking you to parks?”

“He does! Well…” she shuffled her feet. “We walk around on the path, he doesn’t like me going off it, climbing around… I thought maybe we could explore a bit?”

Ben wanted to lecture her, tell her that she didn’t need Santi’s permission, didn’t need his okay to do anything. But he lectured her enough for the day. He wanted her to have fun.

When Laci and Ben finally walked into the house that evening, it had started to get dark. Ben was holding a decorated paper bag, both of them sopping wet and covered in scratches.

“Oh my god, Laci” Santi hung up the phone, speed walking around the count and took her into a strangling hug. “Jesus, where have you been? Why are you soaked?”

Laci tried to speak, but words failed her, as they usually did in these moments.

Words did not fail Benjamin Miller.

“Relax, Pope, she’s fine.” He insisted.

Santi’s soft, worried face turned to Ben, hardening. Ben knew what was coming.

“What the fuck did you do to her?” He continued to hold Laci’s arms, pulling himself back to skan her. Scraps covered her arms and legs, nothing bad but Ben knew damn well this would send Santi into a fit. When Santi zero’d in on someone, he really zero’d in.

“I didn’t do anything, we went to the park and explored, and we fell in the water… and fell down a few other things.”

“What?” Sant’s confused, annoyed glance went back and forth between Laci and Ben. “Why?”

Benny leaned in for emphasis. “Because she wanted to, Santi. And you don’t let her”

With that, Santi let go of Lace, walking over to Ben. “I don’t let her? I have been worried about her the last 3 goddamn hours, you were going to the mall and back, you couldn’t tell me you were going somewhere? I was just on the phone with your goddamn brother asking if he heard from you because I didn’t know where you two were!”

“Jesus Christ, Pope! You’re acting like she’s your daughter who broke curfew, she is a 29 year old woman!” Ben gestured towards Laci, glancing at her, checking in. She was standing there nervously, mouth closed tight. Benny hoped she’d speak up, call Santi out, but he also knew it took years before Ben stood up to him.

“Excuse me?” Despite the hight difference, Santi sized up to Ben.

“Fuck, Santiago, you treat her like one of Fatimas’s porcelain dolls, I know you have a bunch of unprocessed feelings about-”

“Don’t talk about her.” Santiago’s voice was deadly calm. Ben knew better.

He raised his hands defensively “You’re right, you’re right. I’m just saying, she’s not as fragile as you think she is” Ben continued to glance at Laci whenever he mentioned her, trying to coax her into the conversation. Santi was single mindedly on Ben.

“Why does everyone say that? I don’t think she’s fragile, I’m just trying to help her.”

“You’re not helping her if you’re keeping her dependent on you.”

Santi blinked back at that “I’m not-”

“She about near had a panic attack when I went to the bathroom, man.”

Santi’s eyes widened. “You left her alone at the mall?”

Ben groaned “Santi, it’s fine, I was gone for one minute…. And then another minute when I went back to wash my hands.” Ben’s eyes met Laci’s, catching a small smile on her face.

Santi scrubbed his face. “Jesus Ben, that’s how people get sex trafficked!”

“That’s not-”

“I think I know how people get sex trafficked, Santiago.” Laci’s voice broke through the boys argument, louder and more irritated than either man had heard her.

Santi turned around, mouth slightly agape. He moved to talk, but Laci put a hand up. She was shaking, but fought to keep her words.

“Can you” She made sure to point at Santi, not Ben. “Stop talking about me like I’m not here?”

She watched a mix of emotions flit through her face. “I’m sorry, Laci.”

Ben watched her, hoping she’d say more.

“It’s okay, Santi. I’m sorry we didn’t text you, when I fell in the creek, Ben tried to help and fell in, both our phones got waterlogged.” She suddenly looked really guilty. “I’m sorry, Ben says it’ll be okay but if it’s broke I’ll pay you back-”

“I’ll pay for it if it’s broken, Pope.” Ben interjected.

Santi shook his head. “No, it’s fine. I’m sorry for overreacting” Santi looked over to Benny as well, as good an apology as Ben ever got.

“Alright, I think ima head out.” Ben looked at Laci to make sure she was okay, then started to leave. “Oh, almost left with this.” He handed the bag to Laci, then walked out with a wave.

When the door closed, Santi and Laci’s eyes met, Laci with crossed arms.

Santi’s eyes glanced at the bag. “That what you’re mysterious trip about?”

Laci softened. “Feels kinda silly to give it to you now, after Benny’s doll comment.”

Laci saw Santi look at her with… wonder? He seemed mesmerized. “You got me something? H-how?”

She smiled, as the tension in her leaving. “Here” she handed the bag to him.

Carefully, Santiago took the bag, hands shaking. When was the last time someone bought him a gift? He pulled out a porcelain dolls, dressed up in beautiful Victorian dress, complete with a hat and umbrella. “Lace… how did… how did you get this?”

Laci was rocking on her feet, wringing her hands, taking in his reaction. “Frankie always paid me when I baby sat, I told him not to but he insisted, so I saved up and got you this, to go with the others!”

Santi, for once, was speechless. He stared at the doll, feeling his eyes watering.

Laci watched him, his face almost blank. She couldn’t read it, she couldn’t figure out what he was thinking. For all his ability to read her, she could not read him. Did she cross a boundary? Should she have been saving the money to move out and stop bothering Santiago? Was it wrong to buy him something to put with his dead sisters items?

“Sorry, I probably should’ve asked about it, is this wrong-” anything else Laci was about to ramble on was cut off but Santiago settling the doll on the counter and wrapping her up in a hug. It wasn’t like the hug when she came through the door, it wasn’t possessive. She didn’t know what it was, but she never wanted him to stop.

Santiago woke up his house alarm system going off, every nerve in his body suddenly alight. Laci. Laci. Protect Laci. Grabbing the gun in his bedside drawer, Santi burst through the door, first scanning the front door. Nothing. He turned to his left to see the sliding glass door leading to the patio, and a figure in the door. “HANDS UP” He pointed the gun at the person in the door.

She screamed.

Laci screamed.

Keeping the gun out until he was sure they were safe. “Laci? What’s going on?”

But Laci was standing there, hands up, eyes clenched shut.

Laci, despite the loud alarm, heard Santi run over to her. She flinched when he touched her. What was he saying? Was he talking to her? Logically, he knew he wouldn’t hurt her, he’d never hurt her, but her body didn’t know that. She was frozen. As Santi checked the surrounding area, making sure there was no impending danger, Laci tried to focus on her breathing. It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay. You’re okay, it’s just Santi, Santi wouldn’t hurt you, you’re safe with him, safe, safe, safe…

The alarms turned off, and Laci felt his strong arms wrap around her shaking body. She clung to him, clung to him with everything in her. Was he talking to her? She didn’t bother listening until she calmed down. Finally, she heard him.

“Lace? What’s going on? You alright, Muñecita?” He stroked her hair gently, an extra bit of comfort, calming her.

She nodded.

He sighed, ever so slightly, knowing this meant he wasn’t going to be able to get a word out of her.

“Did you need something outside?”

She shook her head.

“Did you just want to go outside?”

She nodded. She needed air. The fight, even though it didn’t concern her as much as it did Benny, as well as the big steps of leaving Santi and being left alone had left her shaken. When Santi didn’t come out to watch tv with her, the room had become stifling and lonely, so big and so small at the same time. She was happier outside, in nature. That’s why she explored with Ben, much to Santi’s chagrin.

“Here, honey, let’s step outside then, get some air?”

She nodded against his chest where he held her close. He knew her so well.

Laci slowly opened her eyes to be greeted with a softly smiling Santiago, his beautiful face so close to her like so many times before. His eyes alone comforted her.

“Hey pretty girl” He spoke gently, letting go briefly to grab a throw blanket he wrapped around her, taking her outside to the bare deck. “Sorry, I promise I’ll order some furniture tomorrow. You can pick it out, whatever you want” That’s another thing about him. It was his house, his home she was intruding on, and yet he apologized to her for not having patio furniture. “Can we sit on the floor?”

Laci nodded. Santi helped her sit, laying her down so her head laid on his lap. She felt his hands in her hair, fingers gently stroking her cheek. For a man who had seen and done so much, he had never been anything but gentle with her. For most of her teen and adult life, Laci had chosen men who were loud, exciting, boisterous, much like her brother. They weren’t always bad, loud men weren’t always the ones to hurt her. Her brother was as extraverted as they came and he was everything to her. Benny was her best friend. But Santi? Santi had a calming quality, something she needed. Something she cherished. Something she never wanted to be without. She’d do whatever it took to keep him.

Santiago watched her, watched her carefully. He had scared her really bad, he knew that. He knew he was a dick today. Benny had been getting him more and more riled up lately, and although Santi would like to blame it on Ben just being more annoying, he knew that was just rationalizing it. He was jealous. Plain old jealous. Jealous of the time Laci and Benny spent together, jealous at how relaxed Laci seemed to be around him, jealous over how much Laci talked to him. She seemed to freeze up less with him around. Did she like him? He was almost certain Benny wanted her, well, who wouldn’t. Look at her. Ben was a good guy. Santi knew Ben wouldn’t just want to have sex with her; he could get that anywhere. If Laci wanted to be with him… so be it.

But damn if Santiago didn’t want her to stay. Stay with him forever, really. Right now, under the moon, she was damn near ethereal. He thought of their song, oh how fitting it had become.

You in the moonlight, with your sleepy eyes

Could you ever love a man like me?

Could she ever love a man like him? He was broken, he was a disaster, he was rough around the edges in a way Benny was not. He’d change. He’d do better, he’d be better, whatever she needed him to be.

Laci looked up at him. She needed something. He brushed a wisp of hair from her face. “What is it Muñecita?”

Laci held one hand out, palm out, and waved another hand over it. Sign language for music.

“You wanna listen to something? Yeah, let me grab my phone-” He standed to get up, but felt Laci’s grip on his thigh as she shook her head.

Stay

“What… what you want? I’m sorry, I don’t have my phone on me…”

Laci fully rolled over, back of her head on Pope’s thick thigh. She reached a hand up and tapped his lips.

Sing

Santo let out a nervous puff of hair. “You want me to sing? I’m not really… I’m not a good singer…”

But she looked at him pleadingly, begging him… how could he say no.

“Okay, okay Lace, but I warned you.” Santi winked, kissing her nose. ‘What do you want to hear? Leather and Lace?”

She shook her head.

“Uhhh, Songbird?” Her favorite Fleetwood Mac song.

Another no, she frowned.

“A Bob Dylan song?”

Another no, she was growing frustrated, her legs fidgeting. She was trying so hard to talk, she wanted so badly to just tell him…

“Hey, hey Lace it’s okay, don’t worry, we’ll figure it out… is there a clue you can give me?”

Laci though for a moment. Then, she reached for his wrist, pointing at his watched.

“Oh. Tanto?”

Laci nodded, smiling. It was a song that was obviously so important to him, but she hadn’t heard it yet.

“I can sing that… I only know the Spanish, is that okay?”

She nodded. Santi stroked her face, playing with her hair.

Tú dices que: soy imposible de descifrar

Callada, reservada y temperamental

Que te encantaría que me expresa un poco más

Y hablar de sentimientos a mí no se me da

Pero lo voy a intentar

Santiago combed back her hair away from her face, scanning over her features. His eyes fell over the scar on her forehead. He thought of when he first found her, her forehead bleeding and dried blood on her face. It always upset him to think of everything she endured, and he had to bite back the anger that sss inside him.

Te amo tanto

Tanto que me siento tonta

Tonta que me duela tanto cuando tú no estás

Te amo tanto

Y para que imagines cuanto

Cuenta todas las estrellas y súmale una más

He was everything to her, her whole word. She knew that even when she no longer needed him for a place to stay and for the things he provided, she’d need him for him. Santiago Garcia was her center of gravity, the only thing keeping her grounded and sane. She wanted this forever. The days with Benny, Will, Frankie and him. The nights alone in his arms.

Soy reservado no lo tomes personal

Tanta cursilería, me suele incomodar

Si me quedó sin palabras no es intencional, ja

¿Cómo expresar algo que yo no sé explicar?

Pero lo voy a intentar

His eyes were drawn back to hers, finding them glued to him. He was damn near transfixed. Pope could not imagine a more perfect moment, he wanted nothing more than for this night to last forever, just them. He’s doing her every song he knew. Laci and her sleepy eyes, only open to look at him. Santiago had neer been in love before, but he was starting to think this was it. She was everything he could ever want, and she was laying with him, of all people

Te amo tanto

Tanto que me siento tonto

Tonto que me duela tanto cuando tú no estás

Te amo tanto

Y para que imagines cuanto

Cuenta todas las estrellas

Y súmale una más, ja, y súmale una más

Laci was engrossed in his eyes. Beautiful and brown, she felt she could be content looking at them for the rest of her life, nothing else. Still, she scanned over his features on his beautiful face. Strong jaw, large nose, thick curly hair with a hint of gray from all the stress he had seen. His face with lines that carried every horrific thing he had witnessed. Perfect. He was perfect. And he was singing to her, his beautiful voice in his native tongue. Perfect.

Te amo tanto

Tanto que no sé explicarlo

Tanto que hasta yo me espanto

Solo de pensar

Santiago wasn’t a religious man, but tonight, he looked up at the sky, all the stars sparkling at him. He thanked God for bringing him to her, thanked God that it was in time, thanked him that she was alive. He thanked Him that the scar is the worst of her physical scars, and that she was coming along so well, adjusting as well as one could expect. He thanked God for her.

Te amo tanto

Tanto que me siento tonto

Tonto que me duela tanto cuando tú no estás

Te amo tanto

Y para que imagines cuanto

Cuenta todas las estrellas

Y súmale una más, ja, y súmale una más

Laci wanted to kiss him, she wanted to hold him, to kiss him, to feel him move inside her. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him, like this, with him, with him… Only Santiago. She wanted to tell him she loved him. Laci wanted to scream at the top her lungs that she loved him and god, did he love her? She opened her mouth.

Santi looked at her patiently. “Yes, Muncecita.”

She tried. She tried to get it out. I love you! I love you! I love you! But nothing happened. Words couldn’t find their way to her lips. Her eyes were fighting to stay open.

Santiago kissed her forehead, prompting her eyes closed, and they didn’t open.

“It’s okay Lace, go to sleep. I’ll be right here.”

When Santiago felt her breathing slow and her snoring start, he carefully scooped her up, carrying her inside the house and to her bed, her legs instinctively wrapping around his waist and arms around his neck. Cradling her head, he laid her down on the pillow. With one more kiss on her cheek, he whispered.

“Goodnight, Lacina, I love you”

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

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