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brivetaroundtown · 3 years

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Is it almost 3am on the day the collab is due? Yes. But you know better here then never right? THANK YOU SO MUCH @seita for letting me join your Corrupt A Virgin collab. Go check out the other awesome contributors! It’s very yummy if I do say so myself and I do say so

Link Here

Also I did look up if ducks could drown so that’s now a thing in my search history.

Aged Up Tsukishima Kei x Fem Reader

TW: LEMON ALL THE LEMONS. NSFW SMUT. Dub Con, Tsukki being an asshole, Corruption kink, yan vibes, my writing, virginity loss. use of lamb asa pet name. If you see anything else PLEASE let me know so I can tag it.

2,342 words

Tsukishima wondered if you had grown up in a bubble. That could be the only way someone could have been kept so pure, so innocent. So utterly unequipped to handle even the most mild of flirtations. Surely, you had to know that everyone on the Sendai Frogs has been flirting with you at some point or another. More importantly, he has been flirting with you. Sure, he isn’t the most generous when it comes to niceties, but my god woman you had to have had some sort of clue by now.

But as Tsukishima stares down at your innocent face, he realizes that you have absolutely no idea the effect you have on him. That only makes him want you more.

“Y/N” the smirk couldn’t leave his face even if he wanted it too “you want me to walk you home.”

“I don’t want you to go out of your way or anything! I-its just getting dark and I am not used to this side of town…”

“Of course not, wouldn’t want our little manager to get lost.”

Such a sweet thing you were, thinking of others. Let’s see how far he can push that… accommodating… spirit.

30 minutes later they had finally arrived at your place. Kei could have cut that time in half by taking a short cut you knew nothing about, but where would the fun be in that? Besides, as you got to your apartment door, he knew that you would feel obligated to let him in. Kei did go out of his way to help you home after all, it was the least you could do.

“Thank you for walking me home Tsukishima-san! Ah w-would you like to come in for a drink or anything? I feel bad for making you walk all this way.” Blush staining your cheeks, you unconsciously bit the corner of your lip, a nervous habit of yours. Kei doesn’t even think you know that you do it. “Of course, a water would be nice.”

Kei’s first look at your little studio apartment confirms his earlier assessment of you. Innocent. Still classy, what with the greys and blues in the modern style but the stuffed narwhals and other cutesy sea creature decorations offset the steel bookcases and matching steel appliances. What also doesn’t surprise him is how organized the place is, having seen some of your spreadsheets for the team and your current struggles to organize the equipment closet.

Kei watched you move around your little kitchen. The way you stood on your toes to grab a glass, shirt lifting enough to give him a teasing glance of your smooth skin underneath. It was enough to make a lesser man beg. Thankfully, Kei considered himself not to be a lesser man. He wouldn’t be the one begging tonight.

You felt nervous with Tsukishima’s eyes on you. It’s always hard to normal tasks when someone is watching. But it’s especially more intimidating when that someone is Tsukishima Kei. He was so smart and quick. He made you nervous, you felt clunky around him being so much shorter than he was. Rounder too.

But whenever he included you in on a joke or smirked at you, you felt the butterflies in your pulse, heat rising to your cheeks. Special. It was a little crush, one you were pretty sure was one sided. And now that crush was seated at the island bar in your kitchen. Looking ridiculously tall in such a little space.

You slide him the glass of water while rapidly trying to think of something to say, feeling like an awkward duck drowning in a pond. That’s how dumb you felt, you’re not even sure ducks can drown.

“Can ducks drown?” Wincing at the realization that you said something that stupid out loud. You go to save yourself trying to ramble about your weird thought process but were thankfully stopped short.

“I guess if they weren’t able to produce the oils to stay a-float they would. Why do you ask? Save a drowning duck recently?” The warm chuckle and smirk were comforting. In its own weird way.

‘Look at you,’ the thought comes, ‘breaking the ice and being able to maintain your awkward status. You should win a medal.’ Thankfully, this is not a thought that comes out loud.

“N-no, that would be silly, not even sure what I would do in that situation.” The giggles come unabated, a pleasant combination of flustered joy.

“It’s one of the many things I like about you,” Tsukishima continues “you always have the most interesting thoughts.”

“You have things you like about me?” Your face is hot. Butterflies turning into waves as you try to assess. The whole moment is overwhelming.

“Do you think I would have walked you home if I didn’t?”

Tsukishima doesn’t expect an answer. Enough is enough, if not now when? Taking advantage of your flustered state, Kei had rounded the little island, cornering you to a counter. Hands placed on either side you.

“You asked me to walk you home because you liked me too, didn’t you?” his voice was low in your ear, breath hot on your neck. All the sensations, the heat coming from his tall body, the smell of his cologne and him was becoming too much. Everything was just so new for you.

“I..i..i”

“Well now you have me here. Wanting you like you want me.” He quirks a brow “you do want me don’t you? Or are you just a slutty tease? How cruel of you.”

“N-no!” You weren’t a tease, you did like him, you did want to get to know him more. This was just all.. s-so so much. Too much. “I like you, I..i do! I-“

With his soft lips against yours Kei cuts you off. Its unexpectedly soft for someone re-known for their vicious tongue. Who knew that that the words of a devil hid behind the soft lips of a saint?

Easily lifting you to sit on top of your counter, Kei slips his body between your thighs as he continues to taste you, drinking your soul that comes out in whimpers. “So sweet Y/N-chan.” His lips keep softly pressing along your jaw, softly nibbling on your ear.

“Do you know what I think? I think you have been wanting me for a while. Tell me, do you think of me when you touch yourself here” long fingers teased along your inner thighs, under your skirt, to trace along your quickly dampening panties. Your head shaking no, body feeling thick with the unknown powers of lust, words not able to make it past your lips. Then he rubs your clothed clit, and it is nothing like the brief moments you have touched yourself. It’s a test that Kei has definitely studied for, your body instantly reacting, the lust building, knotting in your stomach.

Moans singing from your throat, you didn’t even realize that you had gripped onto his arms. As if they could anchor you to reality when all of your nerves were shooting off to space. Kei watched as you climbed higher, and once you were close to the precipice, so close to shattering he pulled back, kissing you soundly. “Now now, don’t want to be selfish. Don’t you want us to come together?” His grin is sharp but he still kisses you so softly. The difference makes your head spin.

“I..i have never done anything before… s’much too so-“ your whimpers are silenced by the soft lips of the devil. “I haven’t done much before either” he lies “but don’t you want me like I want you?” Of course you couldn’t, Kei thought, he wanted to own you.

“I never thought you would be so selfish Y/N” your head began to shake on your own. You weren’t selfish, you did like him. You did! Your frantically whispered “please” had the sharp grin in place.

Kei lifts you towards your bed in the corner of the room, thankful for your studio layout. Sinful tongue tracing down your neck as you are laid upon the bed. He slips skillful fingers beneath your clothes, taking his time exposing your skin. The slow burn of your innocence rising like smoke. In this moment you experience the clarity that, whatever happens tonight will change you forever. And you are powerless to stop it.

Too much too soon too much too soon too much too soon “ahhh” the shocked scream leaves your throat as Kei suckles a nipple into his mouth. The knot tightening in your stomach, winding you higher, overwhelmed by all the new textures and sensations. Nothing was as you imagined, you could have never prepared for this. “K-kei” his name spilling from your lips did something to him, grazing teeth against the sensitive nub.

As he continued to show attention to your sensitive nipples, his fingers had been tracing your bare pussy lips, gathering the wetness from between your folds. The long digits searched lower, gaining entrance into your wet heat. Stretching you open, exploring to depths that you have never dared go before. Pleasure rising within you, you begin to pant as you reach a higher peak than before, knot tightening and yet you still could not break.

“We should come together.” Kei mummers against your skin as he slowly rises up your body. You are just so small compared to him. Kissing you deeply, he moves your legs to be around his waist, letting you feel the warm hardness of his length. Looking down, nervousness began to coincide with the rising of your impending crash, he was thicker and longer than you would have ever imagined. Similar to the rest of him, the red tip angry and leaking precum as Kei rubbed it along the wetness leaking down your thighs.

“Its not going to fit” you whimper out, head tossing at the pleasure of his tip hitting your clit. “Shh shh my little lamb, don’t get selfish, you can take this like a good girl. Watch, I will show you how good you can be.” With a groan Kei grabs his length aiming at your entrance. “We will go slow, let you feel all of me”. With that he began to rock in, tip breaking through the first ring.

Head thrown back with a groan he continued to slowly rock his dick inside of you, inch by slow inch. Thumb constantly playing with your clit, rubbing against the side of the hood as he paused to let you stretch. You were so unbelievably tight, even beyond virgin expectations. Your breathing was labored, your whole world focused on the stretch between your thighs, unknowingly clenching against the intrusion. Too much too soon too much too soon.

“Easy lamb, breathe for me” Kei spoke through gritted teeth. He was capable of kindness, you were his after all. There would be plenty of time to slam into you later. You began to loosen as he cooed at you, Kei never stopping the slow rocking of his hips. After what felt like eons, he had finally broken through, balls deep inside of you, letting you adjust to his length while he caught his breath, gloating at being the one to experience your tight heat enveloping him, of being your first. And your last, if he had any say about it.

“My sweet little lamb, being such a good slut for me” Kei cooed kissing away your tears that you hadn’t even realized were on your face. “Lets cum together yea? Would you like that?” you nodded your head, ready for the fall, for the anything you just needed him to move. “Use your big girl words” Kei admonished still holding still, even his thumb had stopped moving.

“P-please Kei please move, I w-want us-s to cu-m together-r” you moaned, not even finished with your desperate pleading before Kei pulled his hips back to begin ricking his cock in. A steady yet faster pace than he had originally intended, but he was only human after all, and he needed you to cum with him. He needed you to need him.

You were overwhelmed, only capable of strangled moans of Kei, and too much, and don’t stops. His thumb continuing its assault on your clit, the pace of his hips steady and fast and deep. You could swear you could taste him, he was hitting so deep inside of you, his thick length dragging along your walls. Driving you higher and higher, to where pain was pleasure and pleasure was pain.

Kei was close. He knew you were close, could feel it as you fluttered around him. Lifting your legs to his shoulders he changed the angle, searching for the spot inside of you that would completely push you over the edge, would ruin you. With a keen cry tearing from your lips he knew that he found it. Angling his thrusts he kept up his pace knowing that it was only a matter of time.

“S’too much stop. cant cant cant” your head knocked back and forth, your body on fire, electric almost nuclear reactive. “Yes, you can. Cum for me lamb” Kei demanded. His voice hard, determined. As if his words could control sin, you shattered, body spasming as you fell back to earth, hitting every rock along the way. It was a relief filled with sharp edges, causing tears to fall and shakey breaths. Kei cooed at you, telling you what a good little slut you were for him as he fucked you through your orgasm, quickly cumming himself as you milked him dry, painting your inner walls white.

Kei pulled out, a stretched out beside you, gathering you on top of his chest. “What a sinful little lamb you are, letting me do all of that to you.” Exhaustion was overtaking your body, as you gathered your wits about you, shame starting to replace pleasure.

You tried to defend yourself, but Kei interrupted you “its ok to be a slut for me lamb. Because you want me, and now I have you.”

#seita collab #Corrupt A Virgin Collab #tsukishima x reader #Lemon #no minors allowed #minors begone #dreaming of Kei's fingers #yandere #Brivet Writings #Brivet Filth #Brivet Dark Filth

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theepisceswriter · 3 years

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Jealous!Reader with AOT characters pt.2 (Porco, Bertholdt, Pieck, Zeke)

A/N: y’all really liked the first one I made here, so here’s a pt.2 with different characters

TW: none really apply, sort of suggestive for Zeke, Modern AU, GN!reader

PORCO GALLIARD

I am a firm believer that in a modern AU, Porco and Reiner would be the type of people to go to sport restaurants like Hooters, Buffalo Wild Wings, or Twin Peaks. They give me that macho man type of vibe. Of course though, Porco would make you tag along with him almost every time he went. He feels that it’s a very nice way for the two of you to bond. Which honestly it is.

You have a deep sense of security within yourself and enough trust in Porco to not be bothered by the waitresses there, as you should, knowing that it’s only their job to be enticing like that. Hell, you even enjoy it when the waitresses would flirt with you sometimes or you’d get the really pretty ones who look like they’re straight off of a magazine. Not to mention that you visit places like this often, so most of them know you and know that you and Porco are in a relationship together.

They all respect your boundaries and don’t try to push at them at all.....until this one waitress comes around. You can quite obviously tell that her flirting is different from the “trained” flirting that the other girls often do. She lingers at your table a little longer than she should be trying to talk to Porco to the point where other waitresses have to tell her to go check on other tables and she’s disregarding you completely, asking Porco questions that should be aimed at you and being very rude in general.

Porco is hardly paying her any mind, too focused on the game to really pay attention to what’s going on, but any piece of attention he gives to her she latches on too it. But still, you remain cordial and calm on the inside. Not wanting to come off as one of those significant others and cause a scene that doesn’t need to be caused. If someone looked at you for too long they might notice an eye twitch or two coming from you.

Really it’s Porco’s hand holding underneath the table that’s keeping you sane and reminding you of how secure your position in your relationship is. You almost calm down entirely, but of course the waitress has to come back and try desperately to get his attention again. At one point he zones out into the game and to try and get his attention she attempts to tap him on his shoulder.

Strong on the attempt because you grabbed her wrist before she could even brush her fingers against his shirt and gave her a stern “Aht! Aht! That is not going to be happening tonight and definitely not in front of me.”

And Porco, this menace to society, finally speaks up like, “I was wondering when you were finally going to say something. I was getting afraid that I didn’t mean anything to you anymore.” He would’ve eventually intervened himself though if she was actually successful in touching him.

The waitress gets the hint for the rest of the night, but just incase she doesn’t he holds you close to his side with his arm draped over your shoulders.

BERTHOLDT HOOVER

Despite his soft spoken nature and personality that sometimes falls on the shy part of the spectrum, Bertholdt is actually an easy person to come up to and start a conversation with. Of course, you have to be the one to start the conversation, but after that it’s like he can’t shut up, likes he’s compelled to answer back to everything and keep a conversation going.

It’s a trait of his that you’ve come to love, but also come to hate on days when you’re out in public with him and can just see the twinkle in a girl’s eyes when she’s getting ready to come over to him to flirt. It’s usually in awkward situations too like when you’re out shopping and he’s standing off to the side because he has no business looking at what you’re shopping for, so the fact that he’s kind of alienated from you and doesn’t know how to respond to flirting all that well in the first place really has him in an awkward chokehold.

He’ll get asked for his number and instead of saying flat out no, because he doesn’t want to be harsh, he struggles to let words out at all as he tries to think of what to say. And people really prey on his shyness and don’t even give him the chance to respond before they’re forcing themselves on him more, handing their phone out to him just waiting to input a number.

Imagine the shock and anger on your face when you turn around from your shopping happy ready to show Bertholdt what you got and instead you see a girl trying to get his number! You’re over there in an instant, legs carrying you as fast as they can and a scold on your face as you go over there and the first thing you do is push that phone as far away from him as you can.

“I know my BOYFRIEND and something tells me that he is not interested in the direction this conversation is going with you whatsoever, so I suggest you leave him alone before I make you 😤” The girl leaves like immediately after that.

Bert is just behind you the whole time with a ☺️ look on his face like “Yes, that is indeed my significant other!” Which is so funny because he’s like 6’3 and towering over you, but you’re the feisty one!

He does feel kinda guilty for not cutting off the interaction before it got that far, so he wraps his arms around you and nuzzle his face into your neck all like, “I’m sorry baby 🥺🥺 you know I don’t like anyone else but you 🥺🥺 I was trying to tell them no thank you but it wouldn’t come out 🥺🥺”

You couldn’t stay mad at him even if you wanted to, that’s all it takes for you to forget about it altogether.

PIECK FINGER

It’s almost impossible to see someone as fine looking as Pieck and not shoot your shot. If I saw Pieck out in public the first thing I would do is shoot my shot.

It happens allll the time whenever you two go out. Out at the mall shopping for clothes? Someone’s going to come up to you two and try to hit on Pieck. At the club minding each other’s business and trying to have a good time? Some guy is going to come over and try to ruin that for you too.

At first it was like a bragging rights thing for you. Everyone noticed your hot girlfriend was hot but you were the one who went home to her everyday and not them, but at some point it switched from a bragging right to down right annoying. It’s like you can’t leave her alone for more than a couple of seconds because here comes someone breathing down her neck being a weirdo!

Poor Pieck doesn’t even know what’s going on half of the time because she be baked out of her mind, thinking about nothing but how some ruffles and ice cream can really hit right now. So she’s just going along with the conversation like “mhm, yeah ☺️” every ten seconds hoping that they’d get the hint that she’s not thinking about them at all and to leave her alone. But, of course, they don’t.

Her body language becomes stressed out and agitated, not knowing what to do because you’re in the gas station buying snacks for the two of you while she’s far away at the gas pumps doing her best to get an ending with this weirdo where they don’t kidnap her.

Luckily, just on time you exit out the gas station and even before you get any closer to Pieck you’re already pissed off at the fact that someone is probably hitting on her, but after you see her do that awkward little shuffle with her feet signifying that she’s uncomfortable? You’re over there in a heartbeat.

See, maybe you would’ve been a bit nicer if her body language didn’t tell you that they had been pestering her for a while despite how everything about her screamed ‘not interested.’

So what do you do? You take the bottle of sprite you bought and bop them on the head with it. Head empty no thoughts just ‘protect my stoner girlfriend.’

Pieck is so messy too, she’s in the background like “Ohhhhh shit *giggle* fight! Fight! Fight!” You were ready to rumble too, but if you were so ready to hit them in the head with a sprite bottle the other person definitely didn’t want to know what else you were confident with doing. So they recuperated from their sprite bottle hit and went running to their car.

This was a proud girlfriend moment for Pieck the whole drive home. She could not stop talking about how much of a badass you were and how she loved that you would do anything for her.

ZEKE JAEGER

I wrote soft Zeke already, so now it’s time for me to give y’all the menace Zeke y’all have been waiting for.

Zeke is the type of significant other who’s big on teasing and messing with his partner is general. There’s something about seeing them all flustered after he does something to embarrass them, like fake propose to them in public or something, that really cracks him up. That being said, he’s not opposed to flirting with someone in front of you to get you riled up and see your reaction.

Let’s set the scene; He drags you to Sam Ash with him, because we’ve all just collectively decided that modern day Zeke is a music pretentious asshole, to go get something for his guitar or at least that’s what you assume he was complaining about. You weren’t even listening, just excited to go and mess with the drums and guitars there. It’s the first thing you do once you get there and Zeke sees this as his opportunity to finally mess with you.

He goes over to the drum set display you’re playing on and calls over and employee with “inquiries” about the set you’re playing on. He pretends to ask a few genuine questions at first but eventually he’s able to get the conversation to shift to something a little more personal. Which isn’t terrible, but once he starts throwing out lines like “Oh you like (said band)? I’ve always found myself gravitating towards people who like them. They’re always the most attractive people, I’ve found 😏.” Is when you start getting agitated.

You’re just trying to play We Will Rock You on the drums and here he goes killing your vibe immensely. And it’s hard to ignore when they’re standing right on the side of you. Not to mention how the employee is eating all of this up, blushing and all. It’s at the first mention of numbers being exchanged that you’ve decided you’ve had enough. Without a word to Zeke you get up and storm out of the store.

Was this a dick move on his end? Absolutely, but you’re a couple who’s relationship is filled with debating and bickering, bickering especially, so part of him thought you would play along with his little game and be like “Whatever. I don’t care.” But instead, you were genuinely upset. You didn’t even know where you were going but you were going somewhere. And that somewhere was the outside of the Sam Ash store because you realized you really didn’t have a choice.

Sorry guys, but I have to switch over to soft Zeke now.

He comes running after you, “y/n! Y/n it was a joke!” But that just makes you even more mad and oops, a year drops down your face and he feels terrible.

Kisses all over your face, words of assurance spilling out his lips, and a tight ass beat hug.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’m such a dick I know. I didn’t mean to make you this upset though.” He would get down on his knees if he had to!

I guess you can forgive him just this once, but only on the terms that you get Sub!Zeke tonight and get to act as a pillow princess/prince cause he has a lot of making up to do.

#sorry if there are any typos i was kinda rushing #aot x reader #attack on titan x reader #porco galliard x reader #bertholdt hoover x reader #pieck finger x reader #zeke yeager x reader #zeke jaeger x reader #aot imagines

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mvnvgedmischief · 3 years

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unremarkable days.

summary: sirius black is trying to be a good man, a good brother, a good person. Sirius has a steady job designing book covers for a publishing house, a flat he never leaves, and a traumatized brother who was just removed from the custody of his parents. All in all, it's wildly unremarkable.

chapter: 4/?

characters: sirius black, regulus black, wolfstar, background marauders

tags: tw: canon compliant abuse, child abuse, social services, abuse

words: 3. 8 k

read it on ao3 here

read the last chapter here

Sirius knew that work was going to be high stress all day. He felt sick to his stomach, thinking about the way he would continuously have to talk to people, when all he wanted was some peace. He wanted downtime. Time when he didn’t have to think about how he needed his paycheck to put food on the table, clothes on his brother’s back, pay bills to keep his lights on, wifi for homework. Regulus occupied his thoughts at all times, protecting him was Sirius’s only priority these days. He didn’t have time for anything else. Not his friends, not his interests, not music. Nothing could come between his focus and his brother’s wellbeing, because if it did, Sirius would never forgive himself. The consequences were too dire. So instead, he just wished for downtime that wouldn’t come, and prayed for the weekend to approach even faster.

The weekend, when he could finally sleep again, albeit not well. The weekend, when he had the time to take a breath, even if it was only brief. Because his weekends were also spent finding ways to better equip his apartment for his younger brother, going to long grocery runs so Regulus had lunch to take to school, meal prepping all of the things he couldn’t bring himself to eat for dinner. He was definitely tired of all of the ways his mind was spiraling out, he didn’t have the time. He didn’t fault Regulus for it, it wasn’t the teen's presence in his life that was causing all this stress. It really was his own fault. A bit of crying at that first hearing had given Walburga and Orion the satisfaction of a victory over him at that first hearing, and they seemed to crave more of that chaos. They wanted to watch their children suffer, and this was how they chose to do that. So instead he spiraled in the privacy of his own home, because he could practically hear the words they burned into his mind whenever he saw them, and feel the ache of old beatings.

But it was only Thursday, and that meant he still had to do this all day, and then get berated by the rest of the team for not attending their weekly bonding happy hour. If he was lucky, no one would ask him to go. He knew he should be less terrified of them asking, most of the people on his team were his friends. There was simply the question of Remus, and Sirius didn’t have the time to be thinking about him in the first place.

He didn’t have time to think about the way his hair curled just the right way to fall into his eyes when he slept, or the way his caramel freckles made him look sunkist. He didn’t have time to think about the pink scars that ran down Remus’s face or how they got there. He definitely didn;’t have time to think of the comfort of his hand combing through Sirius’s own mop of unruly curls. So instead, he needs to put all of that out of his mind. It wasn’t going to help him do well at work. It wasn’t going to solve his problems. He didn’t have the time for this, nor did he have the emotional bandwidth. Perhaps that was why Sirius was conveniently avoiding the idea that he had asked Remus on a date. With some luck, Remus would think he was just an asshole who ghosted him. That was definitely complicated by the fact that they worked together, that he couldn’t just disappear. He wanted to, he really did, because there was simply no time.

He set up his deliverables as though he had made tons of them, because his employment in this company rode on it. Just two months ago, he was pegged to be promoted within the next two cycles, and now he could barely hold on to his sanity enough to handle his workload. He was so fucking tired, and he had so much on his plate. He needed to mentally prepare himself for the long day of meetings ahead of him. He had no true motivation to do his job right now, all he knew was that his exhaustion was no excuse. He knew that his boss, Alice, was giving him a whole lot of leeway right now. She was probably doing more than she should to help him. Being a mentor on the senior design team didn’t mean she needed to keep tabs on his personal life and pick up his slack.

“Sirius–”

When Sirius focused back into the meeting he was calling into, it occurred to him that they’re talking to him. So he did what he always did, blamed it on a shoddy connection.

“Oh, sorry, can you repeat that? My audio cut out.”

“Remus was saying that some of the poems could probably use illustrations, and he was wondering if you had any ideas on which ones needed it.”

“Thanks, Peter.” Sirius was glad that he knew the people on this team, that Peter and James were as close to him as anyone could be. Because otherwise, he’d probably be fucked.

“So I was looking through them, and I was thinking Bite, Magick, and Love I could probably use larger scale illustrations. But at the same time, we don’t want to crowd the book. How attached are you to the current order or page arrangement?”

It felt too close, but he was lucky that he had at least read the titles of some of the poems in the first half of the book. Sirius knew Remus didn’t actually know what his level of involvement was. He thought it was just doodles, but Sirius would be responsible for presenting everything from kearning and font choice within the pages, to illustration and cover art to the design team. He was integral to the success of this book as a product, and he needed to start acting like it.

“I’m pretty attached.” Remus sounded cold to Sirius, and he wondered what exactly he had done wrong in this meeting. And yet, he didn’t have time to think on it. He needed to keep things moving, keep getting valuable information out of the author. Hook up be damned, Sirius needed this book to actually get off the ground.

“Okay, well we should get a meeting on the calender to discuss. What poems and what scale of illustrations you want–”

“Shouldn’t you be deciding what the illustrations look like and the logistics of those. Isn’t that what you get paid for?” Remus really wasn’t making this easy on Sirius. But he had dealt with bigger demons and divas then whatever this attitude was. So he put on a light and airy smile, one they’d never know didn’t reach his eyes over the low quality webcam and nodded.

“If you’d like to take a hands off approach with the design work, that can absolutely be arranged. But in the case of a fledgling project with a new author, the design team, myself included, really hope to prioritize your artistic license so that we can get a better sense of your vision for your literature, should Quill move forward with other publications in the future. We can provide a completely in-house service, with as much input as you feel necessary during the design process, and deliver collateral towards the end of the project when final edits are done, if you would prefer, Mister Lupin.”

Sirius practically wanted to scream. He needed Remus to stop fucking with his job, with his livelihood. He couldn’t lose this project. He needed all of the billable hours he could get if he was going to justify the overtime he needed in order to provide for his brother. This was ridiculous. But his clinical and polite answer must have thrown Remus, because he didn’t get much more attitude out of him. The back and forth had ended. So instead, Sirius pulled up his deliverables for the week, which included new iterations for the covers, and twelve illustrations for the three poems he had mentioned.

He noticed the way Remus looked at his drawings, like he was pained by whatever his thoughts were, and Sirius wants to scream that he’s under no obligation to think that they’re good. But then he remembers that Remus seemed to be nitpicking on purpose, based on his critique of the design system itself. Sirius didn’t have the time to deal with that level of petty, just because he hadn’t been answering. He was too busy. He had too much on his plate. So instead he continues his presentation.

“I don’t like any of these. Maybe you should start over.” Remus sounded vindictive, even mean. Like he was doing this out of spite. Sirius could feel his heart drop in that moment. He didn’t want to start over. He didn’t have the time.

“What do you not like about them?” Sirius is trying to salvage his work while he can.

“The vibe is off.”

“Oh, is there something specific that throws it off or...” Sirius trailed off, wondering what exactly he needed to change.

“No, it’s the whole thing. All of them are just off.”

Sirius needed to think quick on his feet. He didn’t have the time to start from scratch, so he pulled up his original thumbnails that he had discussed with Remus.

“These are the original sketches we discussed. I moved forward with the ones we talked about. I’m happy to rework those sketches,” no, he wasn’t. “But if there’s another sketch that you think would fit your vision better, please let me know.” He felt like he was pleading with Remus not to hate his artwork. He’d be a liar if he said it wasn’t a blow to his self esteem to hear that everything that he did was bad.

“No, I would suggest you start over.”

Sirius nodded, his mind immediately whirring with ways he could start over and re-design this project. He really didn’t want to do it. He didn’t want to do hundreds of thumbnails to get set on thirty, only to be destroyed in a meeting again. Especially when Remus seemed so excited about all of his illustrations before the meetings. It felt like too much. He didn’t have the energy for this kind of behavior.

Luckily, Marlene directed the conversation away from Sirius’s work. The rest of the call went on without a hitch, like the only person who’s work Remus had a problem with was Sirius’s. He knew that it was more likely for Remus to have a problem with him, because design work was usually something an artist thought of as easy; however, this felt calculated and cold. If Sirius had been avoiding Remus before, it definitely wasn’t about to get better. So instead, he listened to the end of the meeting, and started the project all over again. He could do this. It was an unremarkable critique. It didn’t matter.

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reallybadfeeling · 3 years

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FanFic Reclist June 2021

Let’s just jump into this list as fast as possible, because my focus is just all over the place at the moment. I don’t want to start to ramble about my personal shit in here. (ALSO, I know I was supposed to make a NSFW reclist this month, but I read so little pwp fics recently that whatever I fancied has already made one of my reclists.)

Star Wars Prequels

-In the darkest of nights, you can still find shining stars by Tomicaleto (@tomicaleto) Obi-Wan/Anakin - 15.992 words - Rating E - Raised as a sith Anakin, Shmi was Anakin’s Master (?), Strangers to Enemies to Friends to Lovers

It’s not a secret by now that I very much enjoy the idea of my favorite character being evil. Despite the “sith anakin” tag being the reason I opened this fic, I stayed for the wonderful relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan. Somehow they still manage to keep their usual dynamics despite being basically strangers at the start of the fic.

-a comedy in four acts by jesuixdeux (@je-suis-deux) Obi-Wan & Dooku & Master Yoda - 17.263 words - Rating T - Time travel, Fix-it, H/C, Crack treated seriously

If I had to pinpoint something specific that made me love this fic, I wouldn’t have a clue about what to mention. Basically, I very much enjoyed both the idea and the execution. The entire vibe of the fic just made me happy, despite the moment of introspection and sadness. OH, but I have to mention the bickering between Obi-Wan and Dooku. That was *chef kiss*

Star Wars Sequels

-Body of Work by amybeegood Rey/Ben Solo - 58.223 words - Rating E - Modern AU, TW: Serial Killers AU, Kidnapping, Violence, Murder, Murder as a kink

The list of tags/TW should give HUGE hints about this fics content, but just to be sure DEAD DOVE: DO NOT EAT! So, back to my comment. I was having a “true crime” deep dive at that point in the months and when I stumble on this fic I had a fucking blast! The twisted relationship between these two is just lovely in the sickest way. I enjoyed the chance for a happy ending, but if I gotta be honest I would fucking loved it better if it all went up in flames. Oh well, beggars can’t be choosers and this is still VERY MUCH worth the read. (Also, this fic made me have a kink for illiterate asshole Ben. Also again, if you loved this fic you should check out the series Big Sky.)

Star Wars Rebels

-at me too someone is looking by greatunironic (@greatunironic) Kallus/Zeb - 62.944 words - Rating T - Canon Divergence, Father/Daughter relationship, Found family, TW: PTSD, Mentions of torture, Violence against children

You know, i fucking LOVE plot heavy fic and this one is such a lovely balance between the introspection of the characters and lots of plot that I couldn’t help but falling in love with it. The OC that Kallus “adopts” at the start of this fic is absolutely lovely, and I fell in love with her immediately. The relationship between Kallus and Zeb is pretty much in the background till later on, so I do suggest reading this one even if you don’t really ship them. It’s pretty much a deep dive on Kallus’ psychology, so if you love him as much as I do, you’ll enjoy this fic for sure. (In case it wasn’t obvious, this is my favorite fic of the month.)

Game of Thrones

-The Art of Warcraft by Vermillion_Sunrise Sansa/Sandor - 13.605 words - Rating E - Sandor as a Lord, Arranged Marriage, Strangers to Lovers, PWP

I think the reason I like this fic is because the relationship between Sandor and Sansa made me think about how the relationship between Daenerys and Drogo started. I enjoyed so much the porn and the slight hints of a plot at the beginning and end, that it made me crave for more. (I do suggest you check out other stuff in the “Lord of the West” series by the same author, I just enjoyed this fic the most, maybe exactly because it was cut so short it made me wonder “what happens next, tho?”)

#fanfic recommendation #fanfic rec list #rec list #star wars #star wars prequels #star wars sequels #star wars rebels #game of thrones #obikin #reylo #kalluzeb #sansan #ALWAYS READ ALL THE FIC TAGS #i picked some especially dark this time #if you are the author of one of the fics and didn't tag you send me a private message and I'll tag you #sorry for missing the smut fic reclist appointment this month #maybe the next trimester

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moonlit-mizukage · 3 years

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Chapter sixteen: Hey Kiyo!

Summary: Y/n and Tendou are deeply in love. Living on the other side of Tokyo now, the Monsters are still up to their old shit. They even opened a few businesses for Tax reasons. Even though it’s been almost three years later, Y/n still has never been able to understand how they have avoided the law several times. When Tendou’s Mother reappears in his life, Y/n is confused as Tendou claimed she is dead. Finding out Tendou is being forced to take over the family business by his Mother, she soon learns the truth behind Tendou’s reason he never gets in legal trouble is his family business. His mother is quick to decline Y/n as his future wife and tries to set up Tendou with someone she sees more fit. What will happen to Y/n and Tendou? What will happen to Tendou’s “family business”? What does this mean for the future of the Monsters?

Tw: Swearing, mole (traitor) Mentions, past death mention

AN: Hey everyone! I am back!! I made a personal planner for my smau’s and I may double up on the week days and post two chapters a day, one from each smau. Other wise it will be 6 weeks and I just was hoping to get a few more smaus started before my summer ends. I will be posting two bnha smau’s next so stay tuned :) One will be more angst vibes like I have now and one is just enemies to lovers bascially. I am also deciding to do an AU in an AU with my horror smau band. The way it works will be explained in due time if you are interested for that tag list as well!!

Third person pov

Y/n walked into work as she was greeted by the head chef.

“Looks like we are stuck working the night shift tonight huh?” He joked with her as she laughed.

“Do you know if Kiyoko is working tonight?”

“Yeah she started an hour ago in the bar tonight I think.” He said as the two of you shoved your bags into the lockers.

“Do I have time to run over and see her real quick?” You asked him.

“Well you start in 2 minutes, but for you, take all the time you need.” He smiled at you.

“Thanks Chef.” She said as she began to walk away. She walked out into the open and up to the bar as she walked up to the bar.

“Hey Kiyo!”

“Oh hey Y/n. What can I do for you?”

“How would you like to make some extra money.” Kiyoko was shining glasses as she looked up at you.

“What kind of job are you talking about?”

“Just a casual flirt with a guy and then possibly get him to admit who he works for.”

“Yeah, I can do that.”

“I will text you the details later.” Y/n said as she walked out and headed back to the kitchen.

Meanwhile in North side headquarters…..

Sugawara looked between Asahi and Hinata.

“It’s way too soon to go in don’t you think?”

“No, since it was so easy for our intel guy to slip up and let a few of our men get killed AND our guns stolen, now is a good time.” Hinata said.

“He was the easiest one to trick to come to our side.”

“Asahi and I got this. We both are great actors you know?” Kageyama laughed as Hinata said that.

“So what is the plan again boss?” Asahi spoke up.

“Today is just a scout mission to see what she’s like. I may ask a waitress about her or maybe you will then we can seem interested in her, she will probably befriend us instead.”

“How do you figure?” Sugawara asked.

“Well she’s a nice person, right?”

“Debatable. My spy said she can be a bit… crazy”

“How so?” Hinata was interested.

“Well, Hanamaki sent me screenshots from their group chat about her driving away from a bust where they sold organs.”

“They sold organs?” Asahi asked with nerves in his voice.

“Yeah I guess so. She is a wild card so just, be careful.”

“I am the boss. Never doubt me.” HInata snapped.

“Sorry boss.” Sugawara said as he looked down ashamed.

Back in the South side…..

Kyotani walked to the door of their new house, ripping it back at the visitor. Kohaku stood in front of him now.

“Is Satori here?” Kyotani just let out a low growl as he walked away from the door. He stomped into the kitchen looking at Tendou. Tendou knew based on the look who was at the door. He sighed as he walked over to the door.

“Why are you here?”

“Well hello to you too son. I need you back at the base as the new leader. It's up to you to make the decisions now.”

“FIne.” He said as he pushed past her.

Terushima entered the kitchen as Matsukawa took something from the oven. At the island Kyotani was already seated angrily tapping his fingers against the marble. Matsukawa made three plates up and placed them in front of the guys.

It was quiet for a bit. Terushima couldn't help but to keep looking around wondering where Hanamaki could have gone off too.

“What would you guys do if you knew something that you should share but sounds unbelievable?”

“Are we talking like you only banging one girl a night or like Hanamaki getting more then 2 girls a week?” Matsukawa asked.

“No, I mean if I said I am a virgin level of unbelievable.”

“Fuck dude what’s the big news?”

“I know who the mole is.” Kyotani slammed his fist on the table.

“WHO THE FUCK IS IT? I'LL KILL EM!” He screamed.

Third person Pov … Back at the restaurant

Y/n was heading out for her break distracted more than usual with the thought of Hanamaki on her mind. She didn’t even notice till it was too late when her ass power slammed on the floor.

“What the fuck.” She said barely audible.

“I am so sorry, miss!” The large man started to panic and flail his arms around.

“It’s fine I guess.” She said as she stood up. She went to walk by him as he stopped her.

“Are you on break? Let me buy you something to make it up to you! I’m Asahi.”

“Yes I am on break and no thanks. I work here obviously.” She motioned towards the chef’s uniform she had on. “ You should just get better vision.” She heard someone clear their throats behind her as she turned to see the chef.

“Why don’t you get a special drink from Kiyoko, Y/n.” He suggested. She walked away as the chef apologized for her behaviour.

You walked up to the bar and slammed your hand down. “Give something strong Kyo.” She said.

“Something happen to put you in such a sour mood?” Kiyoko asked.

“Some ass just ran me over.” She snapped annoyed.

“I said I was sorry!” A voice from behind you said.

“Are you following me, asshole!” Y/n said quite loud.

“N-no I swear that guy is my friend.” He gestured to the orange haired man at the bar.

“H-hinata.” Asahi called out to him. Hinata turned around and bounced over to where he stood.

“Hi I’m Hinata! It’s nice to meet you!” He cheerily yelled in her face.

“Yeah sure.” Y/n said as she turned back to the bar where Kiyoko placed another drink.

Previous | Masterlist | Next

Taglist: @satan-ruler-of-hells @atria-avior @freakydeaky226 @ems1des @idontknow-whatto-callthis @maer-333 @bruh-kill-me @elianetsantana @tanakasimpcorner @babyshoyo @ash-levi @ifilosemyselfagain @wisteria-wooseok @ashytoes101 @fantasycantasy @angstyclowns @johnnysactualgf @putmeinyourdeathnote @sunflow3rbab3 @black-rose-29 @sageinlove @mykuronekome @mus1caln0tes @stormcastello

#haikyuu mafia smau #haikyuu mafia #haikyuu mafia au #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu x y/n #haikyuu x you #tendou x reader #tendou smau #tendou x you #tendou x y/n

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emeraldbabygirl · 3 years

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Hanbin was accused, Hanbin was cleared

Wonho was accused, Wonho was cleared

Woojin was accused. Woojin is cleared

Illhoon was accused. I believe Illhoon too will be cleared.

I can finally speak out on of the things that has been bothering me since the news broke out. At the time it was very scary and stressful as we were dealing with the wildfires in our state at the same time so I was already having a hard time. Woojin was my bias and I never believed he would do something like that. I know everyone says to believe the victim but innocent until proven guilty is still valid and victims lie, it happens often and we all know how fans and antis get sometimes, just like Wonho and Hanbin people will do anything to throw idols under the bus.

The scariest thing for me to see was how quick everyone was in defending Hanbin and Wonho and how quick the same people threw Woojin away, immediately spreading hate and sending death threat and calling him fake and all these names and just obnoxious behaiver. I understand we were all upset but you can’t just believe someone right away with no evidence and so many holes in their story. And sometimes it’s best to wait it out and then make a decision.

It wasn’t just Woojin that was caught up in the whirlwind, Jungwoo, Chanwoo, Hongjoong, Seonghwa and a few more that I can’t remember were also names thrown out from so many people. Their biggest thing was when they claimed he was a member from the big three, had a w and two o’s in his name. This is not a good statement because for one thing Woojin left Stray Kids and JYP so not only was he out of the big 3 but he’s not the only one with those letters in his name. Jungwoo and Chanwoo are also under the big three and have a w and two o’s in their names.

Back when it was so big on Twitter the Jungwoo tags were all stating that Woojin was innocent but the Stray Kids tags were saying he was guilty. Even the supposed person themselves posted one last tweet before delete the account stating it was all fake but no one took that screenshot so people were led to believe it was all fake

And then on the bullying, I’ve seen a lot of videos saying ‘this idol bullying this group’ or ‘this group bullying this member for 8 minutes’ and multiple videos being taken out of context and people claiming that since Woojin doesn’t speak a lot in some videos it’s proof he doesn’t get along and the member don’t like him. Y’all that’s not how things work. Just because you aren’t fully engaged in an activity or if you aren’t getting along doesn’t make you a bully or a bad person, Woojin was going through his own shit and idols lives are hard enough, if they feel out of it sometimes it’s not okay for us to immediately accuse them of such things like ‘they don’t like their members, they don’t get along, they are bullies.’

Idols live together and are around each other often so what you might see as “bullying” might just be them goofing off I mean ffs there is a video titled ‘ATEEZ bullying Seonghwa’ and y’all fine with that because they are only goofing around and teasing each other but you automatically assume from any footage or out of context video of Woojin playing with and teasing the members that he’s a bully. Why are you putting double standards on this? Bullying is a very serious accusation and rumors and spreading false information or any information with no evidence can ruin an idols careers. Tara and Co-Ed School unfortunately we’re big examples of this. The Tara bullying scandal ruined those girls and all the rumors and accusations caused Co-Ed School to disband before anyone could say everything was false. You have to be careful with what you say and what you hear and see cause if it’s not true and everyone believes it is you ruined a whole idols career before it can even be fixed.

Ok so, yes I know everyone says “the victim is always right” and it’s okay if you want to believe that but remember there are two sides to every story and both parties are valid until further evidence or actual evidence and you are able to prove whether or not something actually happened. I had some other things to say but I’ll let those slide and it doesn’t matter not because Woojin is innocent and it’s great news. I’m so relieved because he was my bias and I was so heartbroken when he left and when I heard about the trouble he was going through. I was so afraid to even say Woojin because everyone was censering it, acting like it was a bad name and that’s not fair on Woojin himself and it’s also not fair on the other idols named Woojin because there are at least 5 Woojins so for people to be doing that is like, you’re invalidating the other Woojin’s just because you think one Woojin is bad. Seeing people tag Woojin like w***** or w**jin and woojail and tw woojin is really upsetting and that’s not okay, that’s like bullying, calling him woojail is not okay at all. Pretending his name is a trigger when it’s not and if his name was a trigger than all the idols named Woojin would have that and censoring his name, again you’re invalidating all the other woojins. And everyone that says “ot8 or get the fuck out” or “if you still support Woojin fuck off” like..he’s literally fucking innocent. It was a bunch of Brazilian antis that started all the lies and rumors and after all the stories that don’t make sense and people still think he’s guilty and they are still sending him hate and being absolute assholes towards him. If you don’t want to believe that he’s innocent, if you don’t want to like him fine. Don’t talk about him don’t make a bunch of woojail posts, don’t send him hate or death threats because you’re 1. Making things worse and 2. Care enough about him to make his life miserable which is exactly what antis do and what those antis did. It pisses me off and upsets me how fast everyone just turned on him and they continue to bully him and send him unnecessary hate. Also it’s ok to tag Stray kids and Woojin because he was a member of Stray Kids so don’t give people shit for tagging Stray Kids.

So I’m gonna end this posts educating y’all about the multiple Woojins and it’s okay to say and spell Woojin you guys. It’s alright, you won’t get in trouble. So Woojin, my boy who I miss so so much Kim Woojin who was in Stray Kids, there’s my Thot Woojin from Target, an amazing rapper btw, I do believe there is a Woojin in AB6IX and of course there is the hot Woojin from My.st who just has this whole vibe to him that is dead sexy. Also the Woojin from Teenteen/Ghost9 and also also your gurl found a sexy man, despite me not being into body builders, I found a man on Insta named Kim Woojin and he is definitely a fucking snaCC. So thanks and enjoy the Woojins. I can get back to making my memes again. I’m just sad that I believed and jumped to conclusions and deleted some Woojin posts. But I stopped myself before I deleted all of them

ALSO ALSO recently it’s been pointed out how did Woojin has been and someone described it as what Jonghyun looked like before he left us. Woojin is my boy and I’ve been worrying about him ever since he left Stray Kids and I swear on god Hui and my camera roll if he hurts himself in any way or we lose another wonderful person I will blame Bangchan. I will blame Felix, I will blame JYP and I will blame everyone that started the rumors, the lies, the people that sent Woojin mean messages, death threats, bullying him because you don’t need to like an idol no matter what they do but bullying them and sending unnecessary hate to them is not ok no matter what they did. Even if it’s bad just ignore it because you sending them mean comments doesn’t make you any better. I was already pissed off at fans and everyone else and Bangchan and Felix for all the mean comments and everything else they were doing and I’ll be even more pissed off if this whole situation was too much for him on top of his depression and he ended his life.

Ok you know what, I’m so fucking pissed off over these posts I’m seeing on tumblr and I’m upset and I’m still having thoughts on whether or not I should post this but you know what. I don’t care. It’s my blog, it’s my opinion and it’s my feelings that I need to get off my chest. Kim Woojin is innocent and if I get any hate of any kind my stomach will do flips but y’all should know better especially if you don’t agree with me so have fun I guess I’ll probably delete or block you so I don’t have to hear your meany-ness. It’s my opinion, my post and my blog and if you don’t like it then I have nothing to say to you.

#in the great words of brian may ‘fack off’#stray kids #woojin #kim woojin #uwujin #baby bear #the kpop community is so toxic with their cancel culture its disgusting #personal #a rant #i want to be all fuck off but im losing mutuals over this i know it #and that makes me sad #i know i have mutuals that dont like woojin so i feel like this will just end the friendship #oh well i guess

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asterekmess · 3 years

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S3A - E8

I’m realizing just how damn far behind I am on working on season 3, but I don’t wanna skip any episodes of the rewatch, so let’s get to it! Double time, double time!

Content warnings for discussion of cannibalism.

Forewarning, this one is a doozy, so be prepared to Read More:

Lesgo!:

First thing’s first, Derek has experience with those awful sound thingies? Can you imagine how freaked he must’ve been seeing Chris bring those out when they were tracking Boyd and Erica?

Also, Chris Argent has been hunting Derek one way or another since he was a child. Even BEFORE Kate. Why the hell do we have a Derek & Chris broness in the later seasons? This kind of shit doesn’t just go away. I can’t believe I forgot about it.

I love how awkward sweet bby Derek is trying to run through the trees and tripping on branches everywhere. It’s honestly so much more realistic for a teenager than just the crazy cgi stuff. Also, since we know Derek is comfortable in the woods, it really gives you a hint as to how truly messed up he is from fear right now. He’s off balance in a dozen ways.

DEREK HAS BEEN WATCHING PEOPLE DIE IN FRONT OF HIM SINCE HE WAS 15. I’m gonna CRY. If I wanna hurt myself even More, you could argue that the Random Beta (RB) got shot bc he stopped to talk to Derek. So...guilty minds would assume Derek has been watching people die because of him since 15. I hate everything.

PETER comin’ in clutch. Also, hilarious that they use that arrow catching move so much.

I almost like how they tried to make Gerard look younger by just having him wear a douchey leather jacket instead of the serious grandpa one he wears in S2. He swaggers over to the body of RB, and it’s hilarious.

Okay, what is this bullshit about “Bring them back alive, we go by the code?” If you were going by the code then you wouldn’t be fucking hunting them AT ALL. They’re innocent! Why the fuck are you ‘bringing them back’ in the first place? Chris, you piece of shit. This is supposed to demonstrate that you’ve always been a stickler for the code, but all it does is emphasize how little that code actually means. “We hunt those who hunt us.” Fuck off, you hunt anything you deem ‘dangerous’ and find excuses to kill them so you can feel righteous.

Gonna casually note that RB was shot in the Throat with an arrow, but bc of makeup necessities they moved the arrow down to his chest when he’s shown on the ground. It’s funny. :)

It’s seriously so hard to hate Peter, do the writers realize that? Like, yes, he did horrible shit and I’m not denying that, but when you show him running into the hunter-filled woods to save his nephew’s life at 24 years old, then hiding with him in a cellar for two fucking days when he could probably have escaped on his own, it’s hard to see him as a heartless bastard.

I’m almost afraid to find out why Cora knows the details. Can you imagine? She would’ve been, what, 9-10? Her big brother and uncle both go missing for two days after a hunt and she had to stay at home waiting for someone to say they’d found their bodies. God, the lives of the Hales are so fucked up.

The rain is really making the mood here.

I gotta say, I’m confused about this initial Cora-Stiles interaction. He goes on about everyone who’s died or nearly died, but then Cora assumes he wants Derek to do something about the deaths, and Stiles agrees? Except that Derek currently fits the COD that all the other sacrifices have hit. Missing for about two days. Everything Stiles has said implies that he’s worried Derek is also dead. I don’t get why they go with ‘I’m worried about the missing man that I’ve been helping for the last four months because I blame him for the Alphas even coming to town”?

One thing they got on point here is just how disgusting they made Gerard. The slime and the spitting and ugh *shudders* it’s just so gross.

I’m also...I think intrigued is the right word--that they shoved this whole story into the episode without ever addressing the fact that Derek IS missing and they should go looking for him or something. It starts with Stiles asking where the hell he is, but then everything else is about this past moment. Talk about going off on a tangent. I mean, I don’t blame them, but if I shoved this much character background into one chapter people would call me out for the infodump that it is.

Which is all this episode is. Info-dumped exposition. Here’s how werewolves were made. Here’s why Derek’s cranky. Here’s why Duke’s an asshole. Here’s why the Hales are ‘special’

Again, I don’t blame them. It’s just...a lot.

Just a tiny thing: Why do they both roll up their sleeves when Scott only has to touch Gerard’s hand?

It is also very hard to believe that either Allison or Scott are remotely good people when they’re both lying to everyone about Gerard’s existence.

*finger guns, bc now i have to use the tag* I think this is the longest I’ve ever gotten before using it.

Another thing: Why does Gerard make the gross noises like he’s in pain, when we know it doesn’t hurt to get the pain taken away from him? It certainly didn’t hurt that lady in the ER.

I know this is a weird thing to notice, but I find it interesting that Paige is wearing actual makeup. Not just the ‘natural’ look, but eyeshadow that’s visibly dark. *shrug*

Is she Actually playing the cello? The notes Don’t look like they match up with her bowing and fingerings.

HA that music cut in is fucking Hilarious. Derek turns around like he’s in a teen rom-com, with that casual “I never stop smiling all the way bc I’m the coolest guy around” grin and the music just WHAM. That’s right, Derek Hale used to be a JOCK. He didn’t used to be ‘a lot like Scott.’ He was a lot like JACKSON.

So, this group of cronies Derek has. What is that about? He’s gotta have that posse just like Jackson did in S1? Unnamed people to cackle at his jokes.

Paige’s face, right there? That is the SHIT for me. That’s not hidden attraction, that’s genuinely “What the fuck is my life, why are you so lame?” and I am LIVING for it.

Derek peacocking is also hilarious. Peacocking so hard he (THE WEREWOLF) didn’t notice that she’d left the hall, is even more so.

I hate to tell you this Paige, but THAT is where I could tell you liked him. Giving in to his bullshit offer was the first step, that look on your face when he said, “Hold on” was Blatant “Holy shit, my crush wants to talk to me” but then all you idiots did was make eye contact. Paige, if you’re trying to get the ball, try looking away from those pretty eyes, okay?

Derek, you always go too far. You can see Paige lose interest when she realizes that he’s not actually into Her, he’s into showing off.

OOOF, i guess they weren’t such good friends after all, cus’ they left when Paige did.

I also feel the need to point out Derek is WEARING A CHECKERED SHIRT. *inarticulate screaming* Everyone who makes jokes about him thinking plaid is disgusting owes me five bucks bc he CLEARLY didn’t think checkers/plaid were that bad when he was in high school.

I’ll admit...the instant sorry is like...really good. If they’d had him come in and be More of a dick and then end up together, I’d be a lot more bugged. But his First real introduction to her is an apology.

THEN he goes back to being a dick. But at least this time it’s not about him, he wants to know about Her.

And I LOVE the turnaround! THIS is flirting. THIS is cute teasing. She plays his game Back at him, shows her own skill and forces him to get on her level. Then he weasels out of it, but in a Cute Way.

If there’s one thing that I’m routinely impressed by in TW it’s the scoring. They’re Really good with music to fit the moods and the vibes of the whole episode. For instance, all the transition music in this episode is Cello, bc it’s about Paige.

I hate agreeing with Gerard on Anything, but he makes a good point about the Dark Druid taking and killing someone else right alongside Deaton. Why would she take 4 people when she only needed three? She wouldn’t know that Deaton got a message out or that Scott would save Deaton. Plus the addition of the mountain ash circle is kind of weird, don’t you think?

Yah, I have no clue why your body is producing anything Either. You literally make no sense and you shouldn’t be alive. Period. Bringing you back was a lazy way to have someone who could be a sub-sub plot and hand out exposition and red herrings that are totally useless.

HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT GERARD? You weren’t There when Deucalion found out he could still see with his Alpha Eyes (Which makes no sense btw, he doesn’t have TWO sets of eyes???) and if you’d interacted with Deuc since then he’d have ripped you to shreds.

SERIOUSLY people, why the FUCK are we getting this information from Gerard when it makes WAY more sense for Deaton to tell them this? He was THERE for the whole thing!

I get that the point of the episode is supposed to be “Unreliable Narrators” (The whole show has an unreliable narrator.) but you had that covered with Peter’s story. You could’ve Instilled TRUST in Deaton by making a contrast and having Deaton TELL THEM THE TRUTH. Show the difference between reliable and unreliable. Gerard doesn’t need to be here!

Stiles, asking the real questions.

AND GETTING THE MOST BULLSHIT ANSWER IN THE UNIVERSE.

Could these writers GET any lazier? Put some fucking effort in and give us some information about Werewolves IN YOUR WEREWOLF TV SHOW.

What the fuck were Paige and Derek into that they knew where an abandoned distillery was when it wasn’t even in TOWN? And you’re telling me they left town every time they wanted to make out? Even worse, are you implying they had SEX in that distillery? And then trying to tell me that none of the fucking Alphas and their packs noticed the smell of Derek and his girlfriend all over the building?

...what...do people seriously not remember being teenagers? What the fuck Peter? In what fucking universe is “one minute it’s ‘i hate you, don’t talk to me’ the next it’s frantic groping in any dark corner’ remotely accurate to real life?

Teenagers in the majority don’t DO that. I really fucking hate that all teenagers are made out to be like this. Like they’re “run by their hormones” and “everything is sex to you” STOP. Seriously, STOP. Saying shit like that completely negates the fact that Teenagers are Real fucking People. They’re not just buckets of hormones and sweat that need to be shaped into an adult. They’re fucking PEOPLE and reducing them to sex-crazed idiots is lazy and stupid.

Are you ALSO telling me that the hunters dragged RB’s DEad Body to an abandoned building, then strung the corpse up and cut it in half? AND that someone happened to go the abandoned building and found the body and called the cops, or that they MOVEd the two halves somewhere they would be found, Or that They were the ones to call and report the body?

Has teen wolf got even a Single brain cell?

ALSO, what the fuck is this timeline? Derek and Peter went missing for two days after RB was killed, but the packs don’t get together to discuss RB’s death until After Derek has run out of the building with Paige because he could smell blood from RB being hemisected. So, they waited at Least two days before talking to each other about RB’s death? And Derek apparently recovered Instantaneously from his two day nightmare and went right back to macking on his girlfriend and laughing freely the Day he was found? Or did they wait even longer? I’m so fucking confused!

Okay, you tell me that this place is their favorite makeout/groping spot, but they seriously just walk in the door and start kissing in the middle of the room? You guys didn’t bring some blankets and pillows here? You’re gonna stand there the whole time?

WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU MAKING PETER A PERVERT? He was fucking watching his nephew make out with his girlfriend through the wall??? WHat is WRONG with you?

ALSO, Cora was alive and active in Derek’s life at that point. She wasn’t That young. She could easily point out that Peter being Derek’s best friend is total bullshit if it weren’t actually true. Which means Peter is telling the TRUTH here. Hell, she doesn’t call out his heartbeat for lies the entire time, and while they imply at the end of the episode that Really Good Liars can just force their heart to be steady while lying so they don’t get caught, that isn’t a thing for the entire rest of the show. Derek trusts KATE when she says she’s not lying. So the evidence actually points toward Peter telling the TRUTH in this entire episode.

THAT is accurate to teenagers. Using the word “like” and “liking” so many times in a conversation that it doesn’t even sound like a word anymore.

Paige...dude, I’m so torn. Like I’m glad you’re being honest with Derek about your worries, but also it’s a complete dick move to just Assume that he’s gonna bail? To say to his face that you Know he’s leaving you and you’re just waiting for it? Fucking rude.

Ennis...bro...how exactly did your Beta “Accidentally” kill a hunter? How would that happen?

AGAIN WITH THE TIMELINE. If the packs only CAME to beacon hills because of Ennis issue with the hunters, why was RB running through beacon hills when he was killed?

Also, side note: Where are all of these werewolves staying? Are they territorial so they like, all claimed different hotels to take over? Or do they not mind, and THAT’S why the Hale house is so big for such a small family? Because they had a ton of guest rooms for packs that visited to get that sweet, sweet Hale Wisdom?

I firmly believe that werewolves are clothing-optional people. Talia straight shifts into a naked human form in front of over a dozen other wolves.

Also, where the hell is the Hale pack here? Some random chick comes up and gives Talia a robe, but that person is standing with Deuc’s pack. So....what?

I’m so curious about the formation the wolves make when they hear Talia coming. Everybody backs away, except Deucalion. And they do this weird focus on his face as he watches her come in. And her eye contact is JUST with him.

OH GROSS. DID DEUC HAVE A THING FOR DEREK’S MOM????

I will admit that watching things with subtitles sometimes ruins the surprise. There’s that little pause before “I’m just a deputy” like it was supposed to be shocking to the audience, but the subtitle on Amazon Prime just Pops up right away and it kind of ruins the effect.

Here we go! The one piece of concrete information on “Packs” and “pack members” that we’re given in the whole fucking show. Word for Word. “Losing a member of your pack isn’t like losing family, it’s like you lose a limb.”

That is....severe. Now imagine that your entire family IS your pack. And losing almost every one of them. Is it any wonder that Cora, Peter, and Derek are so messed up? That they’re so dark and wounded looking?

I s2g sometimes Peter literally just sounds like he’s a self-insert for the writers. He explains shit that the writer’s are showing Really Badly as if to wave away the fact that the Ennis flashback is pretty much Completely unnecessary. “You just don’t understand my artistic genius, it’s never just a single moment, it’s a confluence of events. I have to show you all these random flashbacks because you need to understand why Derek is soaked in MANPAIN all the time. Which is totally relevant to the current plot bc....bc....bc ART (and also Tyler Hoechlin was busy so we could only get one shot of him for the entire episode)”

That is just the cutest shit oh my god. Derek listens to Paige’s music while he’s in class and doing homework. THAT is love, you realize? He doesn’t just deal with her dedication to her music, he loves it.

THat little wince when he says “Are you sure about that?” Paige knows he’s gonna screw with her.

THAT IS A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP. He gives her space! She likes studying during lunch so he Leaves her Alone. I LIKE IT.

What do you mean “Laura told you about the packs being here.” Derek KNOWS they’re here because he watched RB DIE IN THE WOODS. Seriously, I”M SO CONFUSED.

FUN FACT (that I might’ve already shared) Oak wood was liked by the Celts because it was really sturdy and hardy and bore food, but it wasn’t their favorite type of wood! Rowan was the favorite, and Irish pagan practitioners used to sleep in rowan trees so they could have prophetic dreams. After that, it was Hazelwood. :P

I...do not enjoy when they bring up the Celtic Druids. *Scuttles to get my textbook bc this is my nerd shit*

“We’re in a Nemeton” This is the correct wording, actually! A “Nemeton” isn’t a thing, it’s a “sacred meeting place” as Chris calls it. Go chris! Nemeton refers to the entire grove/area around the main tree.

I can’t speak to whether they chose a ‘Large, older tree in a grove” but it does make sense bc if we’re talking about Oaks they were a symbol of food and safety (acorns were a staple to Celtic diets) so choosing an older tree would not only look more impressive, but it would probably bear more acorns for the clan.

“It would represent the center of the world” *Puts on vine voice* THat is NOt Correct! The tree at the center of the Nemeton was called a “crann bethadh” or “Tree of Life” and it was essentially a Totem that marked the center of the tribe’s territory. It was not ‘the center of the world’ it was the center of THEIR world. Their land.

“There was a belief that cutting or harming the tree would cause serious problems for the surrounding villages” Not sure if ‘villages’ is the correct term for the era, but the rest of it sounds like a close mistranslation. See, in Ireland there were raids people would do against other clans where the SOLE PURPOSE was to destroy their crann bethadh, because it was demoralizing. It’s like graffiti-ing the front of a church. But technically, it WAS severely frowned upon to harm the tree in any way.

This is mostly because in most Celtic areas, Oak trees were considered symbols of the “Father of the Sky” or the “God of Thunder.” Of course you don’t wanna piss off Thunder man.

Also, you notice how I’m saying CELTS and not DRUIDS. It’s because DRUID isn’t a cultural label, it’s a SOCIAL CLASS. It’s like saying “The Educated”

Okay, back to the--OH WAIT. Before anyone gets any ideas, the blood on the crann bethadh isn’t human. Estonian Celts smeared animal blood on the tree roots as an assurance for rain and good harvests. This is the same concept as TONS of other religions, including Christianity. (Abraham was supposed to sacrifice his son, Isaac, to God, but God stopped him and had him sacrifice a Ram instead. So, Yes. Christians used to perform animal sacrifices.)

NOW back to the show.

THe fact that gerard doesn’t know this stuff implies that Chris is the nerd of the family.

I LIKE THIS. I hate that I like it bc it’s Gerard, but I LIKE IT. Gerard gets up from his wheelchair. He doesn’t need it All the Time.

I’ve never seen another show that bothered to have a wheelchair user who wasn’t wheelchair-bound, which is stupid because it’s Very Common for people using wheelchairs to not need them all the time.

though it does beg the question of why he’s sitting in a wheelchair when he’s in his own bedroom? Was he going somewhere? Or did he know he wouldn’t have enough chairs and didn’t want Allison or Scott to sit in his chair?

The story of Lycaon, who was considered a savage ruler of Arcadia and Zeus went to his house disguised as a human (this is v common in myth) to find out if he was batshit. Lycaon and his FIFTY SONS (he also had one daughter) wanted to know if the stranger was a human or a mortal, so they fed him human flesh in stew. Zeus flipped shit and blasted the room with thunderbolts, murdering all but one of Lycaon’s sons, and then turned Lycaon into a wolf.

So...this whole ‘myth of lycaon’ is totally fucked up when it didn’t need to be? Like, they didn’t NEED to change it to make it a messed up origin story of wolves. It already was.

There’s three major versions to choose from

Lycaon was a pius man who founded the city of Lycosura on Mount Lycaeus and used a child as a sacrifice to Zeus, thinking it would please him. Zeus flips shit and turns Lycaon into a wolf. FROM THEN ON; at every sacrifice made to zeus a man was transformed into a wolf and if he managed to restrain himself from eating human flesh for 8-9 years, he would be turned human again.

The same story as the first, except Lycaon Knew Zeus was in disguise and the child he fed him was Zeus’ own son, and it was revenge for seducing his only daughter Callisto.

If you want to make it match what you’ve already said about wolves in the show, they could’ve used the last one and it would’ve demonstrated how Ingrained the concept of vendetta/revenge is for wolves.

If you wanted to focus on the Turning Human part and working with Celtic Druids to learn to become werewolves, you could’ve used the second one.

there was no reason to add in the bullshit about Prometheus except as an excuse to make Deucalion look like he picked his name to be an asshole, which he fucking didn’t.

I’m so sorry about all the classical shit (i’m really not) but I studied it in college and I can’t just let this bullshit stand.

I’ll give them a pass on the ‘the lesser known part’ bc it’s technically plausible for the wolves to have run north to the Celts and beg for help, And the Druids (those who’s education was specifically in magic, not all of them) were known for shapeshifting (though not usually into animals. They did that to Other people, not themselves)

I cannot believe this is so long, i’m so sorry.

But WHY tho, Cora? How is an Emissary supposed to keep you connected to humanity if No ONe KNows Who They Are?? How are they supposed to do their job??

Yeah, well now Deaton is a sour bitch who has a chip on his shoulder against the Hale pack so like...fuck his advice.

I will say though! Pre-fire Deaton doesn’t give me the heebies like post-fire Deaton. He’s much more clear about the advice he’s giving, and it’s actually helpful! He still has a dumb little anecdote/parable about the scorpion and the frog (which...in most circumstances I hate. It doesn’t even match what happens) but he gives Real Advice instead of vague asshole nonsense.

“I’m an Alpha, I never walk alone.” I have an inordinate affection for this line.

Paige is clearly some kinda bad bitch if she thought nothing of going to hang out in the school in the middle of the night with Derek.

Okay, but like...why would he attack Ennis like that if he was the one who asked him to bite Paige? And why is the moment played up “A fifteen-year-old boy against a giant” Derek was literally swatted to the side while Ennis walked out of the building. this wasn’t some big showdown.

If she’d already been bitten, why was Ennis still grabbing at her??

....seriously? Peter is literally right there? And no one noticed?

Again with the “Scott is a genius now” LIsten, bro, why the fuck would Scott know a sanskrit fable? If he Did know a story like that, it would be bc Deaton taught him. In which case he would know the FROG and the scorpion. Come on, guys.

OH MY GOD GERARD DOES IT TOO. GERARD, PETER, AND DEUC all have a CHRONIC case of verbal diarrhea when they’re trying to be intimidating.

I do NOT understand this warehouse scene. It’s a GAS gerard, if you stabbed yourself with some sort of...antidote or whatever it wouldn’t save you from the GAS you’re inhaling. At the very least you would be shouting like everyone else because it HURTS going in.

why did it take so long for Talia to come? It’s implied that Peter left to get her, so why did it take so long? Even PAST peter looks fucked up at seeing that Paige is dying, it’s not like he would wait.

I’ll be real, i get weepy so i’m skipping the actual death. Just know that it hurts me. Severely.

Y’all know how much I hate this ‘innocent life’ bullshit for blue eyes. It’s very True Alpha-y in that it’s impossible to pin down the specifics. What constitutes an ‘innocent life’? What constitutes taking it? With wolf claws? With a gun? What counts and what doesn’t count? Ugh.

Eyyy, so I’m exhausted and this is so long that my computer is fritzing. There are five minutes left and nothing happens in them at all. Just Scott pointing out the heartbeat thing and threatening to kill Gerard (so he’s still fine with murder at this point in time. Good to know). Stiles telling Cora that he doesn’t think Peter was telling the truth (which she would Know if he wasn’t) and that he’s gonna ask Derek about it (which we never got to see). And Deucalion murdering his own Beta (who, tbf, tried to kill him first. Which, again, what the fuck is up with Deaton’s office that wolves are able to rip each other apart in it, but it’s still ‘hard for someone like Scott to cause me any trouble.’ I’m just so confused

Final Thoughts: This episode actually had some interesting stuff in it, which is kind of sad considering there was no PLOT, just Exposition. I look forward to tweezing the bits out that I want and dumping the rest in the garbage where it belongs. Oh, and like I said, the music was on Point.

#personal #anti-Scott McCall #TeenWolf-Rewatch #long post

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jaggededges · 3 years

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⚙️ —— RULES && GUIDELINES —— ⚙️

G E N E R A L ;;; ⚙️ SELECTIVE. Don’t take offence if I don’t follow you back. If I do follow you, it’s because I’m interested in interacting. ⚙️ RP WITH MUTUALS ONLY. I will only RP threads with mutuals. Non-mutuals feel free to send in asks/memes and things like that though. ⚙️ CANON AND OCS WELCOME. If your muse is an OC I just ask that you have an about page somewhere on your blog so I can know exactly who I’m RPing with. ⚙️ MULTIVERSE FRIENDLY. This is pretty self-explanatory, I think. ⚙️ I DON’T BITE! Interested in connecting with me? My DMs and askbox are always open. ⚙️ OPEN TO ANY TYPE OF INTERACTIONS. Crack threads, memes, plot. You name it, I’ll do it. ⚙️ DON’T BE AN ASSHOLE! Rude and snarky interactions in RP are completely fine—and should be expected considering this is Kid—but when we’re just chatting, don’t be a dick. ⚙️ HATE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. That’s an instant block, no questions asked. ⚙️ REPLYING MAY TAKE A WHILE. I really like to think my responses through before sending them off. Of course, I have a life outside of this as well that may result in delays. This is just a hobby, after all. ⚙️ I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DROP A THREAD AT ANY TIME. Technically, I don’t need to give an explanation. Sometimes things just don’t vibe, or I lose interest. It happens. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me to start something else though! ⚙️ DON’T FEEL LIKE YOU NEED TO MATCH MY LENGTH. Sometimes I’ll write longer responses, sometimes I won’t. Please don’t feel like you need to match me. Write whatever you’re comfortable with. ⚙️ MY MUSE IS NOT ME. What they do and say is not a reflection of myself in any way, and I don’t condone some of the actions they may take. N S F W ;;; ⚙️ THIS BLOG WILL CONTAIN NSFW AND VERY TRIGGERING MATERIAL. This includes but is not limited to; smut, graphic depictions of violence and gore, swearing, other triggering topics, etc. ⚙️ HEAVIER SUBJECTS will be under a “read more” tag when applicable (or when I can remember to do it) ⚙️️ TRIGGERS will be tagged under the following format; tw: [insert trigger]. Sometimes I’ll forget to put these in, so fair warning now, but feel free to message me if you need something tagged that I missed. I’ll do my best to do so in the future. ⚙️ I HAVE ZERO TRIGGERS. Nothing really bothers me to that point, so go nuts. ⚙️ I WILL ONLY RP NSFW/SMUT WITH OTHERS 18+. I WILL check. If I can’t find an age anywhere on your blog, I will have to refuse any nsfw interactions. ⚙️ COMMUNICATION IS KEY. If anything I’ve responded with makes you uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to tell me. S H I P P I N G ;;; ⚙️ I HEADCANON KID AS PANSEXUAL/DEMIROMANTIC. Excluding minors, I’ll ship him with just about anyone, canon or OC. With that being said, however, Kid is a pretty difficult character to ship with, so don’t come to me expecting romance to happen because it more than likely won’t. ⚙️ MULTISHIPPING FRIENDLY. Also, friendships, rivals, partners, friends with benefits etc., are all possibilities. ⚙️ CHEMISTRY IS NEEDED FOR SHIPPING. I refuse to ship with anyone right off the bat. Ships will need to happen naturally, with a good amount of interactions and chemistry, just like how a real relationship would work. ⚙️ JEALOUS/POSSESSIVE BEHAVIOUR WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. The minute I start noticing this, the ship will be dropped, and there is a high possibility of being blocked. I’m not here for drama, especially when it comes to shipping. ⚙️ I HAVE THE RIGHT TO DROP A SHIP AT ANY TIME. If I’m no longer vibing with the ship, or drama ends up happening, I will drop it, no questions. This is supposed to be fun, so lets keep it that way. ⚙️ ANY AND ALL ROMANTIC SHIPS WILL HAPPEN IN A SEPARATE VERSE. For each verse Kid will only be shipped with ONE other muse. Poly relationships COULD happen, but would need to be heavily discussed beforehand.

#… — ⚙️ // *ooc.#|| obligatory mobile-friendly rules post :)#don't mind me ||

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pra370r1an · 3 years

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Lost Santos Dreams - TOH/Fake AH Crossover

https://archiveofourown.org/works/29233251 TW: Blood, Violence, Death

New to Los Santos, the Beta crew dream to make it big. However, they're about to learn the hard way why the top gang has an almost mythical status in the criminal underworld...

“I’m not wearing that!”

“Oh, calm down. It’s cute!”

“I said I wanted a lion, Noceda!” Amity snarled.

“It is a lion!” Luz held up the lion mask, complete with a bright cheerful smile and rosy cheeks.

“I wanted a fierce one, not a children’s mask! There was a bloody lion mask there last week, why didn’t you get that one!?”

“Then you should have bought them! Besides this way we match!” Luz held up her own mask, a winking otter with a wide smile. “Back me up here Willow!”

Willow sat driving next to Luz, sunny sunflower mask already on her face. She turned and briefly glanced at Luz, who was half turned around to see Amity in the back of the van.

“This seems like a lot of arguing for something we are going to destroy later, since its EVIDENCE.”

“Oh, you’re both no fun,” Luz sat back and pouted. She tossed the lion mask into the back, “Just wear the damn thing, Blight.”

A voice crackled in her earpiece, “Are you guys done fighting each other? Cuz there’s still a job to do.”

Willow raised a finger to her ear to respond, “They’re fine Gus. Just how they are. Now we’re almost there so codenames people. Illusionist run us through one last time.”

“You got it Venus. The three of you go in. Princess kills security and controls the crowd while Luzura beelines to the tellers and stops the panic buttons.”

“Don’t fuck it up Luzura,” Amity teased from the backseat.

“SHHH, I’m trying to listen,” Luz whispered overly dramatically while pointing towards her earpiece.

“Quiet in the peanut gallery,” Gus deadpanned. “Meanwhile, Venus grabs the manager and grabs whatever she can from the vault.” Willow grunted from the front seat, too focused on driving in a mask to contribute. “All the while, I’ll work my magic and keep the alarms off and the cops off your backs. Simple.”

“It’s never that simple Twerp,” Amity grumbled as she put the mask on, and fixed her hair over it. The dyed green hair forming the lion’s mane around her mask.

“Why do you keep calling me that, Princess?” Gus groaned. “Alright I’m all set up here, ready to go when you are.”

“We’re here,” Willow pulled over outside of Grand National Bank.

“What’s that tag?” Luz looked at some graffiti on the bank by an alley, a green rubber duckie encircled in a green crosshair.

“It’s how gangs claim territory in Los Santos,” Amity double checked her rifle before cocking it. “It’s nothing to worry about. No self-respecting gang would use a rubber duckie,” She scoffed.

“You did check this place with Ed- er… the Owl Lady, right?” Luz asked Willow. “I don’t want our first official act in this city to be piss off a major gang.”

“It’s fine Luzura,” Willow double checked her body armor.

“Would you stop worrying?” Amity snapped. “We’ll be in and out before anyone is the wiser.”

Luz glared back at Amity, “Fine.” She grabbed her bat and opened the door.

The girls exited the van, and Luz took the three in. Willow had her usual trenchcoat on, hair cut short and combat boots, the sunflower mask a sharp difference from her outfit. Amity for some reason wore a bright pink outfit, skirt and all; which with the smiling lion mask gave a vibe of cheerleader at Halloween. Only the spiked bracelets and collar contributed to the danger of the AK she wielded. Luz had stuck with the classic, a striped shirt and green army jacket with a beanie. Of course, the winking otter mask sealed the deal.

With a quick nod, the three hurried up the stairs. Luz was the first to the door bodychecking it open and sprinting inside. Willow hurried in next and Amity strolled casually after, her assault rifle already leveling at the security guards.

Willow raised her pistol and let out a burst into the air, Civilians screamed and cowered away from them.

“HANDS UP AND GET DOWN NOW!” Amity threatened the under armed security guards with her ‘Blight’ voice. A tone which commanded respect.

Luz, running a fair distance ahead, raised her bat and slammed it into a lone guard on the other side as she passed. The man crumpled and Luz kicked open the door to the tellers.

“ALRIGHT HANDS UP! THIS IS A STICK UP!” She shouted as she threatened the tellers with her pistol. The tellers threw their hands away from the panic buttons and towards the ceiling.

“Oh my god, can you be more cliche?” Amity grumbled.

“No fighting,” Willow commanded as she hauled some well-dressed man up off the floor. “Ok, Mister Manager. Time to see the safe.”

“I-I don’t understand! We paid for this month, why are you here!?”

“Shut up and move!” Willow shoved him towards the back.

Luz meanwhile led all the tellers out of their room and had them lay with the rest of the hostages. Amity patrolled the room, her rifle just itching and a growl in her throat.

“Tellers secured,” Luz announced as the last person exited the room.

“Good work Luzura. How’s it going in the vault Venus?” Gus asked.

“This asshole won’t stop blabbing about the Fakes? Ever heard of them?”

“Sounds familiar, but I’m not too up on West Coast criminals.”

“The Owl Lady would know probably,” Luz said into her ear piece.

“Who cares? Let’s just get the money and get out,” Amity shook her head.

“Alright we’re good. Heading back upfront,” Willow gave the call after a few minutes. “How’s the street look Illusionist?”

“Looks good on my end. Wait…” Sounds of rapid typing filled their earpieces. “There’s someone else in the system. Fuck they’re good.”

“What? Who? Cops? Bank IT?” Willow sounded incredulous, as she tossed some bags to the others. Luz slung hers over her shoulder before turning towards the doors.

“Too good for them. Fuck, I don’t know what they want but you might not have too much time.”

“It’s fine we’re done here,” Luz shoved the door open with her shoulder.

“LUZURA GET DOWN!”

The van at the bottom of the steps exploded, knocking Luz on her ass in the open door. Looking around she saw a sports car parked a bit further down, the driver dropping an empty rpg tube into the backseat. He idly fixed his purple suit jacket (over an orange shirt? Who wears that?) and ran a finger along his white Stetson towards Luz with a smirk.

A lanky well-dressed blonde in gold sunglasses grinned next to the passenger seat, but it was when the trunk closed and two more people stepped around to the front that Luz moved.

She scrambled backwards, slamming the door closed and started shouting at everyone, “GET BACK! AWAY FROM THE DOOR! MOVE QUICK!”

She dove over the central desk as bullets started flying through the door, peppering it with holes. Outside the noise was unrelenting as the thick wooden doors were slowly turned to scraps. Luz thought she heard screams but couldn’t tell if it was civilians or her friends as she huddled behind her cover.

After what seemed an eternity, first one then another door fell off the hinges absolutely wrecked. The hail of gunfire stopped, though the ringing in Luz’s ears continued.

Gus’s voice was the first thing to pierce the ringing, “Guys!? What’s going on!? I lost visual feed!”

“I-I’m ok!” Willow sounded unsure for the first time since Luz met her. “Princess? Luzura? What was that?”

“That would be company toasting our ride!” Luz responded, using the lull to check her gun. “No way that was cops! What kind of bank did you bring me to!?”

“Isn’t it obvious? It’s a mob bank. A well-armed one. Ah Fuck!” Amity grunted in pain.

“You going soft on us Princess?” Luz asked with no small amount of concern.

“In your dreams, Luzura,” Amity snarled.

Luz went to say something else but a high British voice called out, “Now that is how you make an entrance Boi!” Gripping her pistol and bat, Luz slowly looked over the counter seeing the four enter the door. The lanky well-dressed man with golden shades was gesturing around with a golden deagle and a grin.

Next to him, a man in a leather jacket scowled at the Brit, “Yeah, that’s why I did it, idiot!” The man’s minigun still smoked from pulverizing the door.

“Aww, Mogar. Let him have his fun,” A redhead woman laughed as she draped herself over sunglasses.

“Can you guys focus?” The color clashing cowboy cocked his AK, “Hey Fuckers! You and your friends are dead!”

“Whelp. We’re screwed,” Luz whispered into her earpiece.

“Giving up already Luzura?” Amity’s laugh turned to a hiss.

“That’s it! I’m heading over! Where the fuck’s my gun!?”

“Chill Illusionist! There’s only four, and if it’s their bank they won’t use that minigun inside. They’re all bluster,” Luz could almost hear the gears turning in Willow’s head.

“They already used it on the door and Princess is hurt, we’re still at a disadvantage,” Luz shot back, trying to keep sight on the four without being seen. The three had started moving further into the bank, while leather jacket (Mogar?) stood guard at the door.

“It’s just a scratch,” Amity hissed.

“Ok, an AK and two pistols. AK is heading left of the doors and pistols are going right,” Willow must have a better vantage than Luz. “Princess move towards the AK and try to get a drop on them. I’ll go the other way and try to draw the pistols away. Luzura stay down and wait for an opportunity.”

“Copy,” Amity responded.

“What about the mini?” Luz asked.

“It’s intimidation Luzura!” Amity snapped.

Luz only grumbled as she checked her pistol for the twentieth time. She could hear someone just on the other side of her cover.

“Come out, come out where ever you are…,” The redhead sang softly. Luz tensed with her pistol, watching the lip of the counter.

Suddenly, Willow’s automatic pistol barked to Luz’s right. “Ahh! Shite!” The Brit’s gun fired twice, “Phoenix, a little help!?”

The redhead groaned, “C’mon Golden Boy. You can’t take one pistol?” Luz saw her moving forward to take cover by the teller windows, not noticing the girl behind her.

“HEY FUCKER!” Amity’s AK barked on the other side of the bank, “ARE YOU COLORBLIND OR SOME SHIT!? I MEAN PURPLE AND ORANGE!?”

“SAYS THE GIRL WHO CAN’T DECIDED BETWEEN PUNK OR PREP!” More automatic fire rang out. “THOUGHT YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND!”

“Ok, OK! I’M IN! …and I’m out…” Gus called out, “Shit. This fucker is good.”

Willow’s pistol let out another burst, and Golden Boy’s gun shot back. The redhead leaned forward to peek over the teller window, and Luz lined up her pistol. As she was about to pull the trigger, Willow’s gun fired and bullets bounced off the bullet proof glass above Phoenix’s head.

The redhead ducked from the fire; her head turned to press against the counter. The girl’s eyes went wide as she met Luz’s stare.

“FUCK!” The redhead spun pulling her gun up. But Luz’s gun barked in panic unloading the gun into center mass.

Behind Luz a wail was heard, before the whirling sound of a minigun coming to speed was heard. Luz hated being right.

She shot up and ran to the left, as bullets started flying shredding her hiding spot. Running as fast as she could, hyper aware of the hot lead that seemed one step behind her.

“SHIT, SHIT, SHIT!”

Luz dove into an empty office just as the gunshots turned to clicking of an empty chamber. Mogar screamed again, and a large metal thud sounded as the empty minigun landed close to the office door.

“LUZ!?” Amity shouted in concern.

“Fuck that was close,” Luz kicked the wood door shut then scrambled behind the desk. Gunshots rang out outside the office, and Luz patted herself down looking for another mag. Finding one last mag she reloaded, “Bad news guys, I lost my mask. How are you?”

“Only you Luz…” Willow sighed.

“Dumbass,” Amity’s AK barked again.

“Love ya too,” Luz chanced a peek through the window. Mogar was kneeling by Phoenix, holding her hand. He leaned down and cupped her face for a moment before standing up and firing a bullet into her head. He turned snarling towards Luz.

“Shit!” Luz ducked back down, holding her bat and gun tightly. “These guys are fucking hardcore. He just executed his teammate!”

“Fuck!” Amity growled, “How are we going to get out of here Venus?”

…

“Venus?”

“Oh, sorry. Was that this lovely bird with the trenchcoat?” Golden boy’s accented voice came through the earpiece. “She can’t come to the phone right now. May I take a message?” He asked in good humor.

“YOU SON OF A BITCH! WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER!?” Gus roared over the coms.

“Nothing she didn’t try to do to me, I assure you mate. Besides, if you didn’t try to rob from the FAKES then this wouldn’t have happened.”

Gus continued to yell and rage but Luz was distracted by the gunfire shattering the windows in the office she was hiding at. Luz yelled in surprise covering her head from the glass.

“LUZ,” Amity screamed over the comms, her gun going off again. “JUST DIE YOU FUCKER!”

“Hey! Ottergirl!” Mogar yelled, “You killed my wife you Bitch!” He fired off a few more times with his pistol, “Come out coward!” His gun clicked empty.

“I’m no coward! Now eat this Sucker!” Luz shot up and unloaded her pistol at the man. He stood there calmly reloading as the shots flew by him, the entire time glaring at Luz. Luz slowly lowered her empty pistol, “So…Would you accept a heartfelt apology?”

Mogar growled, stuffing his pistol back into its holster. He cracked his knuckles and neck as he strode confidently into the office. Luz tossed the empty gun at him, then raised her bat.

Luz swung, keeping Mogar on the other side of the desk. He snarled at each swing, before grabbing a chair and chucking it at Luz. Luz yelped and swung her bat, smacking it away. This was the opening Mogar was waiting for, and he went low driving a fist into her stomach. Quick as a flash, his other fist connected with her face.

Luz’s head rung and she tried to get away, swinging her bat rather weakly in a vain attempt. Mogar easily blocked it and grabbed Luz, throwing her over the desk and back into the bank proper.

Luz rolled to a stop, using her bat to attempt to get up. She wiped some blood from her lip and glared at Mogar.

“HEY!” Amity yelled from the side. She stood there sans mask with a pistol under the cowboy’s neck, holding him hostage. “Let her go or this colorblind idiot gets it.”

“Again, it’s very insulting when you say that. I am not an idiot,” The man slowly reached up and took his hat off.

Mogar huffed and pulled his gun out.

“Hey! I mean it!” Amity shouted, forcing the gun into his neck even harder.

“I’ll see you back at base Rimmy Tim,” Mogar leveled his gun at the pair. Luz tried to stand but fell back to her knees.

“Just make sure you bring my hat this time. Don’t feel like another raid on the evidence locker this week,” Rimmy Tim smiled completely at ease as Mogar pulled the trigger.

Amity looked shocked as Rimmy Tim went limp, dropping his body and looking at the blood that smeared onto her hand. “What the fuck?” Several gunshots rang out and Amity dropped.

“NO!”

Luz drove her bat towards Mogar’s legs, knocking him onto his back. She jumped on top swinging. They devolved into an absolutely feral fistfight. Both giving as much as they got, as they rolled round trying to gain the upper hand.

Climbing on top once again, Luz slammed a fist into his face. In the daze she managed to get her hands around the man’s neck. Mogar snarled up at the girl, his hands trying to break her grip or punch her off. But in her rage, Luz was beyond caring of a few punches.

Pistol-whipping, however?

A shiny gold handle slammed into Luz’s head, knocking her off Mogar who gasped for breath. Luz’s vision swam for a second before clearing back up. Faintly she was aware of Gus yelling, seeing as her earpiece was knocked out of her ear.

“Now, now. None of that Love,” The Golden Boy’s voice casually said. “Too much killing already so I can’t have you offing my boi.” He shrugged as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Fuck you and your Boy!” Luz spat out some blood. “He killed my Girl!”

“You killed my wife…” Mogar choked out between coughs. The Golden Boy rolled his eyes.

“So dramatic. Sorry Love, all’s fair and all that,” The Golden Boy leveled his golden deagle at Luz’s face. “That’s just how the milk crumbles the biscuit sometimes.”

“What the fuck does that even mean?” Mogar snarled at the Golden Boy.

“Oi! Don’t be rude, Micoo!” Was the second to last thing Luz heard.

BLAM

Luz shot up, looking around wildly before realizing she was in the bedroom of her new apartment. She winced at the horrible headache splitting her skull. Her sheets were covered in sweat and she panted from the scarily clear nightmare she had just awoken from. With a sigh of relief, she fell back onto her pillow to stare at the ceiling, cursing the throbbing headache that clearly influenced her dreams.

Unfortunately, her tentative plans to just go back to sleep to avoid dealing with said headache was cut short with a ringing phone. With a groan, she patted her pockets for her cell. Idly she realized she must have fell asleep without changing into her pajamas, as she pulled her work cell out and answered.

“What!?” Normally, she was more chipper but the headache felt as if it sucked all the life from her.

“Christ, Luz! Finally!” Amity snarled with a bit of relief. “Willow! I got Noceda!” Amity called into the background before asking the one question she never asked Luz, “Are you ok?”

“What? Yeah, just got a throbbing headache. And apparently, I slept in my body armor,” Luz’s free hand started unstrapping the Velcro on her armor. “That’d explain that freaky dream I had.”

“That we tried to rob Grand National Bank then were killed by a rival gang?”

Luz stopped, concern forcing its way into her thoughts, “How did you know that Amity…?”

“You should turn the news on Luz…”

Luz sat still for a second, before shooting off the bed. Scrambling into the next room, she grabbed the remote and flicked the tv on.

“-orning gang violence erupted down at Grand National Bank, as two rival criminal factions had a shootout in the front lobby. There are reports of numerous casualties as well as the criminals getting away with thousands of dollars. Eyewitness accounts claim several of the assailants fell during the shootout, but LSPD has refused to comment.”

The blood rushed to Luz’s ears and the news reporters’ words seemed to become distant as they showed pictures and grainy video of the shootout. There her and her friends reenacted the dreams events as they faced off against the FAKES. She slumped onto her couch and just watched.

Slowly she became aware of someone calling her name from far away. Looking down she realized that her cell was still connected.

She put it against her ear again, “What the FUCK happened!?”

#The Owl House #achievement hunter #Fake AH Crew #Luz Noceda #Amity Blight #Willow Park #Gus Porter #Betas #Michael Jones #Lindsay Jones #Gavin Free #Jeremy Dooley #Immortal AU #GTA AU #pra370r1an

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erintoknow · 4 years

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murder lives forever

Spiraling - A Fallen Hero: Rebirth Fan-fiction

[Read on AO3]

This is who you are now. Better get to work. Tw: death, self-harm [Savages]

“Rosie – position?”

Her voice crackles over the helmet radio, “Yeah, I’ve got clear sights.” Can hear the little hesitation of held breath.

Wait for it.

“You sure about this, Ghost?” She’s already switched to your new moniker, you note. Say what you will about Rosie; the woman is a professional. After tonight the rest of the city will know to mark ‘Puppetmaster’ as out of date.

“It’s – it’s not like you’re going to kill him. Just… flush the game if I give the signal.”

“...right. Okay, you’re the boss, boss.”

“Don’t forget it.”

Tucking your chin down you drop over the edge of the roof you’ve been hiding on. Jet boosters cushion your fall to a light landing. Fastening your cape close around you, you make a difficult figure to spot in the gloom. An impossibly dark shape blending into the larger shadow. Lou Marconi is a career bureaucrat who’s had a job working for the city for almost as long as it’s been called ‘Los Diablos.’ Long-lived and well-paid to be able to afford living in his own private mansion up on celebrity row.

This part of town, houses are further apart and street lighting is reduced. There’s a cool satisfaction to be had in how Marconi’s eagerness to flaunt his wealth only makes it easier for you to infiltrate. A brick wall delineates the edge of the lot. About as tall as you are.

It’s like he’s not even trying to keep you out.

A scramble over the top and you drop into a row of bushes. Tap the side of your helmet to switch into low-light vision. One of Mortum’s handy little programs starts tagging likely laser detectors. Under everything the pulsing thrum of a telepathic dampener blankets the minds in the building.

That’s your first target. With the Rat-King buffering you against the worst of it, you pull a song tight against your head – keep focused. Push forward to where the psychic chaff is the loudest. If you’re lucky, it’ll be a security station for the whole complex. Make your job easier.

So many shadows, so many nooks and crannies for you to stick to as you move along the perimeter of the building. It’s an open secret that Marconi makes his living as one of Los Diablos’s most bribable officials. If you’re going to reshape the city’s politics then the knowledge in his balding, wrinkled head is going to be invaluable.

Breaking into locked city hall safes, or cracking encrypted files is risky and time consuming. So you’ll break into his mind instead. He’s been avoiding public functions for a while now – paranoid little sleazeball. It’s like he thinks someone’s after him or something.

As you get closer to the dampener the pounding in your head intensifies. Can feel it in your teeth. A pressure pushing down, or something like the hiss of a CRT screen, a hissing pain that pierces through your skull with all the precision of a mortar round. Stripping away everything.

The Rat-King chitters in irritation. Sorry guys, we’re almost through this part, you promise. A small security station, wooden walls, windows. Hah. You were worried it would be inside the main building. But this? Marconi may have been around a few blocks but it’s clearly made him arrogant more than it has anything else.

Quick check up and down the walkway, no incoming patrols. Gritting your teeth you slide inside, stepping over the laser detect across the threshold. Inside, a bank of monitor screens takes up one wall while a bored looking man in a blue guard outfit reclines in a chair with his back to the door, feet up on the desk. There in the corner, the stainless steel tube about as thick as your torso rises from floor to ceiling. Take that out and you can finally breathe.

But first the guard.

He doesn’t even register you behind him until you’ve got your arm around his neck, crushing his windpipe. Your other hand claps over his mouth. He tries to pull free, slip out, fight back. But you’re the one in control here.

Finally the man goes limp and you let go. Immediately you get to work examining the control board. Dampeners consume a lot of electricity. You doubt they keep it live all the time, so…. There, the dail. Turn it down and the oppressive weight on your head easies up and fades away. It’s like standing up in the open desert after a week in confinement. Laughing you stretch out your awareness, casting wide and mentally tagging the notes of the guards patrolling the building. And… there’s Marconi in the dining hall, with some guests and… is that?

You sigh. So much for joy. Well, he’s the sole Ranger you haven’t fought yet. Suppose it was time.

Before you leave, you press your left hand to the dampener. The nanovores don’t need much coaxing to reduce the damn thing to dust. You’ll take no chances tonight.

As for the guard… He’ll wake up soon on his own. Raise the alarm. Grabbing his mind, currently placid in unconsciousness, you drag it down deeper, wrap it in a dream. On a whim you coax it to be something nice. Ice cream with his daughters.

There.

That should at least buy you time until the next check in.

Dining Hall is towards the back. You’ll swing around, wait for the bastard to go to the bathroom and snag him on the way back. If it goes well, you won’t even be noticed.

It’s not going to happen like that, but you can hope.

Sure enough, Rosie cuts in on the radio. “Uh, hey, Boss?”

“What?”

“I’m seeing some weird movement.”

“Police?” Was there a tip-off? Who? How? You didn’t even tell Rosie the actual mission until this evening.

“No, I don’t know what. It’s just… bad vibes, man.”

You grit your teeth. ‘Bad vibes’ huh. Well, you only have yourself to blame for encouraging Rosie to be candid. “I’ll take it under advisement. Keep your eyes on the roof.”

“Roger.”

The voice in your ear goes silent again. You hang at the corner. So far, you’ve stuck between the pair of patrols circling the grounds. Not much time left until someone discovers your work at the security station. Marconi is on the other side of those windows. Just his bodyguard with him still…

Fuck it.

Ducking your head down you break into a run, jumping over the hedge and crashing through the window. Alarms immediately start blaring as people start screaming. The Rat-King pulls your attention and you throw yourself down to the ground. Something flies over your head and explodes in a burst of light and sound outside.

As you get to your feet, you find yourself face-to-face with the bodyguard. “Marshal Steel.” You grit your teeth. “Playing private bodyguard?” Not even the inflexible Wei Chen is above making money on the side you guess. Disappointing.

Chen watches you, hands at the ready, a shoulder-mounted mini-missile system attached to his power armor. Great. “I can’t say I care what you think of me, Puppetmaster.”

“It’s Ghost.” You do your best sneer with a mirrored helmet. “Try to keep up, Marshal.” This is your only second time out, and first time using the name, but he doesn’t need to know that. Let them sweat a little.

“I’d heard the rumors, but you disappoint me, Puppetmaster.”

Rumors? So there was a tip-off. Who squealed?

You shake your head. Stay focused. Stay in control. “Just going to ask our friend here some questions. That’s all.”

Marconi bristles at that, presses himself back against the dining table, a half-eaten roll of bread in one hand. His face is bright red as he raises his voice “What are you doing!? Protect me!”

Chen frowns, a note of irritation spiking across his mind. What’s the matter Chen? Don’t like taking orders? He plants his feet, and you tense up, waiting for the missile you’ll have to dodge.

“No!” Marconi shouts, “Don’t blow up my house you idiot!”

“My orders are only to keep you safe.” Catch the briefest glimpse of a smile on Chens face as another rocket goes flying your way. You throw yourself sideways, crashing through the dinner table, the wood snapping in half under the sudden weight of your suit. Your helmet flashes black in response to the burst of light, ears ringing. Stun bombs? What is with these assholes and treating you with kids gloves? You’d think at least Chen would be willing to go for the kill.

Noise – people talking you can’t make out while your ears keep ringing. But, fuck. Marconi’s running. The roof. He’s going to the roof.

You grin.

Great.

You’d give Rosie a head’s up, but the fist coming down on your torso takes priority. You roll out of the way, scramble to your feet. Shake your head, think the ringing is calming down. “Alright. Fine.” You raise your fists. “Only fair I treat the Marshal too.”

“Hrm.” Chen frowns, staring at you. What’s he looking at? Seeing something – fuck – You push off, taking a swing at him. Force him to focus on the fight. He staggers backward. Gets his bearings and then swings his arm around at an unnatural angle. A plated fist catches you in the throat, knocking you to the floor.

Coughing, you sputter, pushing yourself backwards to put space between the two of you as you catch your breath. Damn, when could he extend his arm like that? The Marshal has some new tricks.

“So you’re just another contract killer after all.”

You dodge his fist as you get up, duck under his arm as you get behind him. “What are–” You cut yourself off, hiss, “Don’t think y–you can distract me. I know your tricks, Chen.”

He twists around as you dodge around him, “Do you?.”

Oh fucking goddamnit.

You grit your teeth. This. This is why you should just keep fucking quiet on operations. Don’t get mouthy, you idiot. The two of you trade blows as you dance around each other. This is not good. Not a good match up at all. You’re fast enough that Chen can’t really touch you save for the occasional lucky hit. But are any of your blows getting through that armor? He’s showing no signs of slowing down. You need to disengage. Grab Marconi before he gets away.

The Nanovores? Could they crack the armor? But what if they…? Steel is your enemy. Killing him is part of the end-game. Taking him out shouldn’t be sending your stomach into knots. Why did you even get these damn things if you weren’t going to use them?

Fuck it.

Gritting your teeth you catch his arm with your left hand. Start to coax the Nanovores to life and –

An explosion shakes the building, the chandelier above you both jostling in a chime of clattering glass.

You let go, jumping back. Heart in your throat.

Chen doesn’t press the advantage, glaring at you. “What did you do.”

“I didn’t do anything!” You raise your hands. Under your breath you activate the radio, “Rosie?”

“Boss! Something on the roof just went–”

“I know!” You hiss.

Chen narrows his eyes. “Who are you talking to–”

“Shut up!” You hold up a hand, tuck in your chin, not taking your eyes off Chen. “Keep an eye on the fucking roof. Don’t let him leave.” You jump backwards out of the way of Chen’s fist. “Goddamnit Chen, I’m not here to f–f–fucking kill anybody!”

“Then who set off that bomb, Ghost?”

“I don’t fucking know!” You grit your teeth. Fire is spreading through the building. Was it a bomb or a missile? Which would be better? And then there’s… “Shit.” You look away from Chen, run through the map in your head. “There’s people trapped.”

“What?” Chen tenses up, staring you down. “How do you know?”

“Don’t act stupid.” You snap back. “I know you know I’m a telepath.” You move towards the far end of the hall. “We need to get them out of here.” You put your hand against the wall, frown, glance back at Chen. “Don’t just f–fucking stand there, you idiot. Use your plasma cutter. Help me get through this wall.”

Chen frowns. Some sort of internal debate. Then he nods and follows you. “Roger.”

Fuck, this isn’t going to help you at all. It’s too like the days you and Chen worked emergency relief. But– “Why are you doing this?” Chen cuts through the wall, kicking it down.

“W–what?” You take stock of the other side. Looks like some kind of guestroom? Still not far enough.

“You could have left this to me. It’s not your problem.” Chen follows your direction to the next wall you indicate with a tap of your hand.

“Don’t be stupid. I’m – I’m not a killer.”

Things would be so much easier if you were.

“Still.” Chen grunts, knocking down the weakened square of wall. “Not killing and actively saving are two different things.”

“S–shut up.” You hiss.

Now here’s a room with some damage. One wall is gone, open to the outside air as flames lick the edges, spreading across the ground and burning the furniture. There’s a hole in the floor where part of the basement roof caved in. With a hand gesture you take the lead, hopping down first into the cellar.

Some kind of storage room. More collapsed ceiling blocks the way out. Two panicking employees freeze in their efforts to dig their way out, looking up at you with dread. Ah shit.

Catch sight of a woman trapped under a toppled shelving unit at the far end. Ignoring the two men you push through the rubble towards her. Can hear the ‘thud’ of Chen following you down. Clearing out the rubble.

A broken gas pipe catches your attention and you divert to twist it closed at the nearest valve. Would be just your luck if there’s still enough gas to blow the room up when the flames get here.

Back to the woman. Grit your teeth as you strain to lift the shelf. Chen catches up with you and you jerk your head towards the woman, unconscious against the ground. “Get – get her out of here.”

Chen bends down, cradles her between his arms. As soon as he’s clear you let the shelf drop with a gasp of relief. Jesus. Those exercises are paying off. You shoo him away, as you catch your breath. “Go, idiot!”

He hesitates. Face unreadable. “Be careful.”

“Y–yeah whatever, just go!” You sag backwards as Chen finally turns, shielding his charge under his body as he shoulders through the collapsing rubble.

If you were smart you’d make your own exit now.

You aren’t smart.

Race to the hole up. Boost-jet jump back to the ground floor. The room is fully ablaze now. A second explosion rocks the building, sending you scrambling to keep your balance as you race through the hallway. Rosie’s voice crackles back over the static. “Holy shit, you alive down there?”

“I’m fine. Report.”

Rosie’s voice is frantic, speech rushed. “Guy was gonna fly out. I scared him into cover, then his damn chopper blew up.”

“Shit. Is he still alive?” You stretch out your awareness, canvas the dozen panicking minds fleeing the building.

“I don’t know! I can’t see anything in the smoke.”

“You did your job.” You job up the stairwell, run down the hallway to the roof access. “Pull out. Wait at the rendezvous.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice. Every damn cop in the city is going to be on you any second.”

“Consider me appraised.” You cut the connection, up another round of steps and then – oh. A chunk of the building has already collapsed. Well fuck. That’s not a good sign. Gritting your teeth you peer through the smoke and flame, try to appraise a chunk of roof that’s still stable. There!

A running jump with boosters flaring puts your hands just in range to grab the edge. Smoldering wood creaks under your weight as you swing in the open air. Arms scream complaints as you pull yourself up. Wheeze for breath once you’re on your feet. Shit. Not in total shape just yet you guess.

Firelight coats the ruins of the roof in a dozen criss-crossing shadows. Chunks of scattered metal litter the ground. You foot catches on something and you glance down. Dead body. Kick it over, and it looks like a guard. Blue uniform. Damn. Dead for an asshole like this? Not worth it.

Speaking of which…

There! The Rat-King directs your attention. Weak, stunned thoughts. You race across the roof to find a prone Lou Marconi on the ground. Blood gushes out of his nose. Broken? But still alive. That’s all you need. Who doesn’t want the two of you talking this badly?

Well, too bad. They failed.

Maybe – maybe wait until you’re somewhere safe before you say that.

With a grimace you pick up the bleeding man. Only one way off the roof from here. Can your booster jets handle both of your weights?

Fucking hell.

Holding the limp body against you, you take another running jump. Jets flaring against the pull of gravity as you plumet. Slowed, but not by enough. You crash into the brush, white fire cascading up your legs and into your spine. Momentum carries you forward still, sending you crashing against the perimeter wall and

fuck

fuck no no no…

You shake Marconi. Where’d his mind go? It was still there. However faint. However dim. Can’t check for a pulse or breath with your gloves on. Press a hand to his chest as tight as you can bear. Nothing.

You drop the body to the ground with a thud.

He… he was going to die stuck on that roof anyway right? So – so you didn’t really – you were trying to save him. Sure you were planning to rifle through his memories like a thief through cabinets, but you weren’t – you weren’t going to kill him.

Fuck.

fuck fuck fuck

–––

Watch your reflection in the mirror. Only minor bruises and sore muscles from tonight, but you’ll fix that.

The face in the reflection is empty, it’s eyes a rancid green, partially obscured under a veil of curling red threads twisted out of shape. Skin paler than anything has a right to be under Californian sun. Whoever you jacked your genes from clearly was never meant to see the light of day.

Don’t look down, stare ahead at that grimace, gritted teeth. The sharp pain. The knife clatters out of a hand as steam from the faucet brushes the silver, condensing against the glass. With a hiss you shift position, pressed against the counter. Too hot – too warm. You jerk the arm out from under the spray. Pat it down with a towel. Distant screaming alarm bells in the back of your head. Grab a stretch of bandage and wrap the wound.

You’re here. This is real.

Almost.

Almost fooled yourself back there. Sneaking in where you shouldn’t, dropping everything to get someone out of trouble. It’s not you anymore. Let it go.You put two Rangers in the hospital and humiliated a third. You destroyed priceless exhibits and ensured no one would ever remember your old alter ego ever again. Now someone’s died – directly because of you.

‘He was going to die up there anyway,’ ‘it wasn’t your fault.’ Excuses. If you hadn’t had Rosie keep him from the helicopter, then at least his death wouldn’t literally be on your hands.

There’s no turning back from this, only pressing forward. However far you can get before the end.

You’re not going to burn alone.

–––

Jane shades her eyes from the afternoon sun as she looks down at the business card in her hand, frowning. ‘Mia Ochoa.’ A reporter for LD Confidential. “Am I supposed to be impressed?”

The deceptively small Fillipino woman sitting across from her huffs at that. “It’s the most respected independent newspaper in Los Diablos.”

“Uh-huh.” Jane slides the card into her purse, making a show of thinking it over. Wound her professional pride. Make her think she has something to prove. “And… how can I help you, Miss Ochoa?”

Ochoa flips over to a blank page in her penpad, chewing on her pencil eraser. A serious look settles over her face. “I know you were at the Gala the night of Puppetmaster’s debut… and…” She hesitates, watching her lunch partner carefully. “I have reason to suspect you know more about what happened that night then anyone else.”

Jane’s eyebrows shoot up. She ducks down her head, hissing angrily. “And where do you get off making that kind of claim?”

From you, of course. You sent her the anonymous tip-off. Something to whet her appetite. Mia Ochoa is exactly what you need to start working the media angle. An established reporter with a respected reputation for pushing the edge, but not so famous as to be unapproachable by a nobody.

“I have my sources.” Ochoa answers, tactfully. “As I trust you have yours.”

Jane sits back, frowning. Drums her hand on the table. “Suppose I did. What’s your angle?”

Ochoa leans over the table, dropping her voice. “There’s something going on with this city. Something weird. I intend to get to the bottom of it.”

Hrrm… Jane hums to herself and shifts in her seat. Pulls out photocopied piece of paper. Ochoa’s eyes watch the paper as Jane spins it between her fingers. “You hear about Marconi?”

“You’re going to tell me it wasn’t a house fire.”

Jane purses her lips, puts the paper down on the table between the two of them. “Nooope.”

Ochoa picks up the paper, brow creasing as she tries to read the smudged print. “So the whole Puppetmaster arson thing was just a cover-up.”

“Oh, Ghost was there.”

She looks up at Jane. “Ghost?” Blinks. “Oh.” Looks back at the paper in her hands.

“And somebody wanted our friend dead. But it wasn’t Ghost.”

“Who?”

Jane spreads her arms wide, leaning back in her chair. “You’re the famed investigative reporter. Investigate.”

#fallen hero: rebirth #fallen hero fanfic #fanfiction #fhr/Ariadne #tw: death #tw: self harm

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chaolavry · 4 years

Text

sooo this is chaol like kale, and im harley like the motorcycle *finger guns* and i’d love to plot with all of you this is dumb long so i apologize !

『DANIEL SHARMAN ❙ CISMALE』 ⟿ looks like CHAOL AVERY is here for HIS SENIOR year as a BIOLOGY student. HE is 24 years old & known to be IDEALIST, BRAVE, DETACHED & OVERCRITICAL. They’re living in MORIS, so if you’re there, watch out for them. ⬳ OOC HARLEY. 23. CST. SHE/HER.

random bits.

pinterest board.

before college.

chaol was born into a family where the parents should probably have skipped being parents, they were detached, aggressive and infrequent their love was built on weekend long drug binges and screaming matches all day.

the kids were a shock, they were a beacon of the idea of change and as soon as they were born things would look up before crashing down just as fast, and eventually they would be shipped off to distant family members.

chaol was the last born and by the time he came along they had given up on the idea of change and hope, so as a young kid chaol witnessed everything that they would throw at one another figuratively and literally.

when chaol was around ten his parents were fighting one night and it was pretty standard yelling, blaming him, his father blaming his mother, anger i think you get the point. eventually his dad got a bit too aggressive.

( tw violence, abuse ) his anger was pointed towards chaol and that led to him hurting his son and while his mom wasn’t mother of the year she stepped between them.

in the morning once his dad was passed out drunk, chaol woke up to being left at his aunt and uncles.

did they want to raise him nope, did they for a while yes - chaol was an angry child he was always getting into things he shouldn’t have been, always skipping class - staying out late, sneaking out the older he got the more things he did which just caused a bigger headache for his aunt and uncle.

as the years progressed and his anger at the world controlled him his aunt and uncle would eventually lose chaol to group homes but they didn’t really care it was a weight lifted.

the group homes would lead to a foster home where he found discipline and someone that really believed in him and help calm him down

he was encouraged to try and apply for college, his grades were good he was smart but he never showed it, he was fine everyone seeing him as a grumpy boy.

currently.

he enrolled with no idea what he wanted to study he eventually landed on biology and was graced with a scholarship which is a shock he hasn’t fucked up

still kinda angry a lot currently also works part time as a barista and hates it, honestly is stupid and edgy because ‘feelings get you hurt blah blah’

chaol isn’t like as bad as he claims to be if you can push the dumb shit aside he has a good heart and really just wants to find a place to belong.

also does the occasional tutoring session for a little extra cash but i think he just does whatever he can to stay busy so he doesnt overthink

his birth mom recently has come back into his life and he feels like he owes her something so he ends up giving the money he makes from his job to her only saving a little for himself.

spend a lot of time high, talking nonsense or like skating around campus probably doing some tagging here and there

has a giant stuffed alien in his room, and probably only wears black, likes parties but acts as if he is tooooo coool *edgelord*

tldr.

a set of bad parents let chaol to develop an anger that would follow him into his childhood and teen years causing him to lash out. eventually he would land himself in group homes and eventually a permanent foster home. now he is here in college finishing his senior year as a biology major tryin to not be so trash

plots. these are just some ideas but im open to whatever ~

family he lived with - so basically the cousins whose parents raised him he was either little asshole to them or they had broke those walls down and got the nicer chaol

group home/foster home - probably the closest to family i guess all the misfit toys in one island ya know

exes good term - ya know a shockingly ex that turned out good maybe they just both felt like hey this isn’t working and we are better off as friends

exes on bad terms- we crashed and burned and now we’re both just angry

good influence - someone who is positive and all that jazz

bad influence - lets party and get drunk spring break vibes but also lets just do shit we shouldnt

tutor - he can tutor them ~

roommates - like roomies in moris

ex friends - I mean i get it

we were in a threesome together and now its awkward - okay hear me out threesomes happen and ya know it was probably a drunk thing but now no one ever talks about it just like hey i saw your “insert here” and now its weird because maybe they were friends at one point

childhood friends that drifted - people grow up and apart and thats what happened here, maybe they can rekindle it but maybe the damage has been done

ride or die besties for life - probably have been attached at the hip forever also probably had some fights here and there but always stuck together

friends with benefits - nothing more nothing less

smoking buddy - lets get high and convince ourselves that the lady who runs the dry cleaners and go is an alien

friends - all you need is friends

exes mixed terms - is it bad or is it good one moment we are electric the next we are strangers

#radintro #im sry this is dumb long and bad #idk why im like this

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miss-ingno · 5 years

Text

The Replacement 2/6

Fandom: FAHC Ships: past Raywood (Ray/Ryan), Trevyan (Trevor/Ryan), eventual Trevraywood (Trevor/Ray/Ryan) Words: 7.9k Tags: drugs tw, past drug addiction, violence tw, guns tw, criminals doing crime stuff, morally dubious characters, relationship drama, jealousy

Chapter specific warnings: implicit smut with exhibitionism/voyeurism between "He wants a show? I'll give him a show" and "Score for Trevor"

Summary: When Ray returns to Los Santos, he doesn't care that Jeremy took his place on the crew, or that Mica replaced him as the crew's sniper.The only replacement he cares about is Trevor: Ryan's new boyfriend.

Read here on Ao3 or Patreon. Part 1.

***

Geoff called him back for a meeting the next day. Having nothing to do aside from eating ice-cream in his empty hotel room and ruminating on the past, Ray agreed. Better to get this heist done with so he could- well. Figure out what came after. Get back on the road doing freelance work probably. Ray was the first to arrive, picking his corner perch again. Geoff showed up next, sending him a long, questioning look.

“We talked,” Ray bit out, swallowing down the bile rising in his throat. Geoff frowned, raising his brows. He knew them too well, Ray mused, waving him off. “Stop worrying, Boss.”

“I’ll worry as much as I damn well please,” Geoff shot back. Ray glowered at him, and Geoff sighed, hand brushing over his mustache. “Look, it’s clear that something happened between you two, or you wouldn’t have stayed away for so long.”

“All due respect, Boss, but it’s none of your damn business.”

Geoff held up his hands. “I know, I know. And I’m not prying, okay asshole? This is me showing restraint. But your small spats have derailed heists in the past, so excuse me for being concerned when this one was big enough for you to run away.”

Except for once I didn’t run away. Fat lot of good it did me.

Ray swallowed the words back down. What did it matter now, why he did it? Sure as hell didn’t matter to Ryan.

“It’s fine. It won’t affect the heist,” Ray chose to assure his boss instead. Geoff narrowed his eyes, opening his mouth to reply, but closed it as Mica stepped in. Ray gave her a grateful nod. Mica brushed past him without acknowledgement, her shoulder strifing his with enough momentum to smart. Ray raised a hand to rub at the spot, eyeing her from the side.

“We waiting on anyone else, Ramsey?” she asked, and Geoff had to let it go.

“No. I wanted to ask you two about where the best sniper nests are for this heist, and where you’ll take position. Depending on how much maneuverability is required, Jack will need to get a different chopper.”

The meeting had a weird vibe. They got to the point quickly, but couldn’t agree on anything. Geoff seemed distracted, staring off into the distance before his gaze snapped back to them. Mica was professional and matter of fact, though she kept shooting him challenging looks whenever she stated her argument. Ray didn’t give it much thought, preoccupied with very much not thinking about Ryan. Or Collins. Especially not about the two of them, together.

“A Blackhawk should suffice, if we still got one,” Ray offered, after they’d been stewing over maps for half an hour. He marked one of the lower buildings around their target. “I’d prefer this spot over the others, even if it has a less ideal vantage point. It’s got a clear escape route and good cover.”

“I’m good with this one,” Mica declared, pointing to a spot entirely the opposite of the one Ray picked, with a great view of the building but no independent escape. She’d be a sitting duck. “I trust Jack to grab me on the way out.”

She shot Ray a look he blithely ignored, unsure why she was trying to get a rise out of him - or what for. It didn’t matter either way. He’d leave right after the heist was over and done with, there was no need to make nice with any of the newer crew.

“That should cover the East and West sides, as well as most of the South. There’s a blindspot to the North, though,” Ray summed up, tapping each point on the map with his pen. “You said there’s an employee entrance on that end?”

Geoff twirled his mustache, nodding as he considered the map. “There is. It and the parking lot are covered in cameras, though. I’ll check in with Matt, he might be able to keep an eye on it.”

“Matt will be busy guiding you guys on the inside,” Mica reminded him with a huff, crossing her arms. “Have Steffie on standby, she can watch until she’s needed.”

Geoff nodded slowly, brows knitting together in thought. “That could work. She’s on medevac and clean-up, unless something dire happens, she should be fine. We can ask Ashley to cover for her at the warehouse.”

“I’m on my way over there after this, want me to pass the message along?”

“Great. You do that.” Geoff frowned down at the map, considering the angles as he tapped his lower lip. “I’ll need you two to back up the others on some of the prep jobs. Ray, you’re covering Gavin on the deal tomorrow, and then follow Jeremy on Wednesday. Mica, I need you with Ryan this week.” That stung, but Ray knew Geoff thought it was for the best to keep them separate. Wasn’t necessarily true because they could put things aside long enough to work together, but Ray could see his point. He certainly didn’t want to face Ryan’s disapproval again, before or after. “Jack will contact you if anything changes.”

“You got it, Boss.” Mica saluted, before turning on her heels and stalking out of the room without another word. Ray glanced after her, arching an eyebrow.

“Dude,” he said, looking back at Geoff. “She’s kinda intense.”

Geoff shook his head, a small smile playing around his lips. “That’s one way to put it.”

He shot Ray a look that made him think he was missing something, but he dismissed the thought. He didn’t need to understand her, not when he wasn’t staying long and unlikely to work with her, seeing how their areas of expertise overlapped. So he didn’t ask. Instead, he changed the topic to the decision he made after his talk with Ryan. Time to face the music.

“I’m staying until after the heat dies down post-heist, but then I’m leaving. Gavin can contact me if you need me for a job on a contract-basis, but I’m not going to stick around for much.”

Geoff’s grin faded into a solemn expression. “You sure? You’re always welcome here, buddy.”

“I’m sure,” Ray stated, keeping his voice firm to avoid an argument. He nodded for emphasis, continuing, “It’s for the best.”

“The best for whom?” Geoff challenged him, tone gentle and eyes soft. “The crew? Ryan?”

“For me,” Ray insisted, head held high. He could forgive Geoff for worrying. After all, he used to try and do what’s best for everyone else before even considering his own needs. He’d gotten better at that, at least. He hoped. “I’m sorry, Boss, but you’re right, I have some things left to work through. And maybe I’ll come back some day for good, but that day isn’t anytime soon. It’s best for everyone if I stay away until then.”

“If you’re sure…” Geoff trailed off, grabbing Ray’s shoulder. The weight of it felt reassuring and heavy in turns. “Look, I didn’t mean to push you away. None of us are happy with the situation between you and Ryan but… I can work around it. Mica works well with him, you wouldn’t have to be on the same jobs often.”

“Yeah, that won’t come back to bite us in the ass at all,” Ray snarked, his shoulders slumping.

He thought about staying - he’d missed the casual intimacy with the crew, the warmth and comfort of belonging. Geoff’s hand laid heavy on his shoulder, tempting. He imagined it, working with the lads again, meeting the new guys- seeing Trevor with Ryan. His chest tightened at the thought, something hot and ugly churning in his stomach.

“Look, Geoff… I thought I was ready for this, but I’m clearly not. I’ll need some more time to get my head on straight.” He shook himself and met Geoff’s worried eyes. “But… I’ll try. Who knows, maybe we’ll figure something out by the end of this.”

Geoff stared back at him, eyes drilling straight through his head. Ray saw it in his expression, that he wanted to argue, that he had something to say. It lit a small flame in his chest, warming him from the inside, making it easier to breathe. Made him feel wanted.

But it wasn’t coming from the person Ray wanted, needed. In the end it wasn’t enough to make him stay, and Geoff seemed to read it from his face, decided against arguing. He squeezed his shoulder, instead.

“Whatever you need, buddy. You can change your mind anytime.”

What he needed, Ray thought, was to observe Trevor. Stop thinking of him as his replacement and see what he was like, who he was as a person. See what he had that Ray didn’t, what made Ryan want-

“Thanks, Geoff,” Ray murmured softly, dropping his gaze so he wouldn’t see, and Geoff clapped his shoulder before letting go.

“Well, then. Let’s go to work, this heist isn’t pulling itself off.”

***

There’s a sniper across the street.

Trevor was doing laundry when he first caught sight of that telltale glint of reflected light in the window. Since then, he folded and refolded the same stack of shirts three times, trying to appear busy to his mysterious watcher while pondering what to do about it.

He was pretty sure he knew who, exactly, the sniper was, too.

What Ray was doing in the apartment across the street and two to the right, when Trevor was pretty sure it was actually occupied by an elderly couple, Trevor had no idea. Why he was doing it, however, seemed altogether too obvious. Frowning, Trevor finally set the stack of shirts aside, using the walk to the closet to gauge Ray’s current position.

Still in the elderly couple’s living room. Trevor frowned, hoping they’d gone out to a book club meeting or something.

By now Trevor was relatively sure the sniper wasn’t there to shoot him - he’d had ample opportunity, and if Ryan ever finds out Trevor put himself into harm’s way just to test a hypothesis he’ll have Trevor’s head. But that left only two more possible reasons, and Trevor didn’t really feel comfortable with either. But was Ray stationed across the street simply to observe - stalk, the angry part of himself corrected - them or to shoot Ryan?

Putting away the ironing board in the broom closet, Trevor mulled over his options. He could text Ryan about the situation- yet something made him hesitate. Ryan would head over to confront Ray, and considering how out of sorts he’d been since their last talk, that’s an outcome Trevor would rather avoid. Protective anger welled up in his chest, and Trevor glowered at the window.

Why was Ray watching their apartment? What was he hoping to accomplish?

He’s jealous, Trevor realized, eyes narrowing.

Did he think if he could take Trevor out of the picture, Ryan would welcome him back with open arms? Trevor snorted. As if the issues between them would be resolved that easy.

But Ryan still loves him. The thought niggled at the back of his mind. Their break-up make-ups are legendary.

Shut up, he told his brain. You’re overthinking again. Ryan loves you. Ray’s reappearance only caused him pain.

Because he’s not over Ray, that small part pointed out, and Trevor willed himself to ignore it. Instead he focussed on his growing anger.

So he thinks he can just come back and act as if nothing’s changed? After everything he’s done to Ryan? He sneered, continuing the thought viciously, Does he think I’ll just roll over and let him hurt Ryan all over again? The crew might’ve not intervened in the past but things changed. Three fucking years- why is he watching? What’s he expecting to see?

Something hot and ugly like bile rose in the back of his throat. He may not hate Ray- couldn’t care less about him as a person, really- but he hated what this was doing to Ryan, the shattered mess of emotions he tried to hide behind that mask. The way Ray just went and disrupted the life they’d so carefully built together.

The apartment door clicked open, and in that moment Trevor came to a snap decision.

He wants a show? I’ll give him a show, he thought as he pulled the curtains of their bedroom wide open. From that angle, Ray would have a good view of most of the room. I’ll show him exactly how much Ryan wants me. That Ryan has made his choice.

“Trevor?” Ryan called out. Trevor hurried to pull his shirt off, tossing it in the corner.

“Bedroom!” he called back. Pulling the drawer of the night stand open revealed a bottle of lube, maybe two thirds full. Trevor grabbed it and put it on top. Then he chucked his jeans, kicking them in the same corner as the shirt. Now, for the cherry on top...

“I’ve got the rest of the day off, so I was thinking we could-”

Footsteps in the hallway, then the door creaking open. Trevor’s fingers worked quick and sure, using the window as a mirror. That way, Ryan couldn’t see what he was doing - but Ray had a great view.

You don’t know who you’re messing with, Trevor thought and bared his teeth in a vicious smile.

“-go to that salsa pla… Trevor?” Ryan paused, door falling shut behind. There was a suspicious silence. “...why are you naked in the middle of the afternoon?”

Trevor hummed, faking a thoughtful look.

“Laundry day,” he answered, shooting Ryan a grin and a wink over his shoulder. He leaned forward and wiggled his butt. “But don’t worry! I made sure to dress up for you.”

He turned around, lounging languidly against the window sill. Ryan choked, coughing as his eyes tracked over Trevor’s body.

“Is that- are those-” Ryan gestured towards his wrists and throat, words turning into a strangled, choked-off noise. Trevor tugged on the white cuffs as if self-conscious.

“You know I’m a classy bitch, Ryan,” he said, pouting as he batted his lashes. “I’m not just gonna wait for you on the bed naked. No, there’s gotta be something left for you to unpack.”

“You’re something, alright,” Ryan said in a strangled voice. He stepped forward, one hand dropping to Trevor’s waist before he paused, giving him a plaintive look. “Please tell me there isn’t a bow around your dick this time?”

“Damn.” Trevor snapped his fingers with a put-upon expression. “I knew I forgot something.”

Ryan chuckled, pulling him in for a kiss. Trevor teased his teeth over Ryan’s lip, smiling to himself in satisfaction as Ryan groaned and pressed closer.

“Aren’t you hot under all these layers?” Trevor purred, his fingers dancing up Ryan’s arm before twisting the low ponytail around his finger. “You’re wearing a lot of them.”

Ryan’s hands roamed up and down his sides as he pinned him against the window. There was a smirk on his lips as he pulled back, lifting one hand to brush his thumb over the corner of Trevor’s mouth. It came back smudged with grey paint, and Ryan arched a brow.

“I think you rather enjoy that thought, don’t you?” Ryan growled, his other hand slipping around to cup his butt. “The fact that I’m still in work clothes while you are woefully underdressed.”

“I am dressed perfectly fine for the occasion, thank you,” Trevor retorted, wrapping his arms over Ryan’s shoulders and pulling him close. “I have to admit, the facepaint is a nice touch.”

“Yeah?” Ryan snorted, pressing their lips together. He trailed kisses up Trevor cheek, pausing to breathe hot air against his sensitive ear. His voice dropped an octave as he added in a murmur, “You want the big, bad Vagabond to bend you over?”

A shiver raced down Trevor’s spine, and he bucked up against Ryan’s thigh. “Fuck yes,” he gasped.

Ryan chuckled, the vibrations shivering over his skin. Trevor groaned, pressing close. Ryan brushed a kiss behind his ear, hands settling in a firm grip on Trevor’s hips.

“Turn around,” he ordered, and Trevor complied without hesitation.

He glanced up as he put his hands against the window, Ryan mouthing at his neck, and smirked. A figure moved in the window of the old couple’s apartment, a dark outline against the crocheted curtains. The sound of a zipper distracted Trevor, and he looked back over his shoulder at Ryan, who caught his mouth in a searing kiss.

For a second - an eternity - he forgot all about the sniper across the street and his half-baked revenge scheme. Baking never was his strong suit, anyway.

Then Ryan was pushing down his shorts, and Trevor settled his elbows against the window pane, tugging on the bowtie to straighten it. If he was gonna make a point, he was damn well gonna look dapper as hell while doing it. Ryan’s shoulder bumped against his as he turned sideways to reach for the lube, murmuring an apology under his breath.

The moment he turned away, a red dot appeared on the glass. Right above Trevor’s heart.

Trevor stared at the dot, then lifted his gaze up and across, to where he knew Ray was, even if he couldn’t see him. He arched a brow, daring him to take the shot. His heart pounded against his ribs as he waited for something to happen. But nothing did. Another beat, and the dot slid up, facing Trevor. Probably right between his eyes, he mused idly. His breath was fogging up the window, and he dragged a finger through it, drawing a heart shape. Then he stared across the street, imagined locking eyes with Ray, and winked.

The red dot vanished, and Trevor turned his attention back to Ryan.

He didn’t know if Ray left or stayed to watch, and the uncertainty sent a thrill up his spine. He raised one hand to Ryan’s hair and pressed his chest flat against the window, posing with the awareness of their potential audience. It didn’t really matter what Ray was doing - Ray didn’t matter. What mattered was Ryan, his happiness, his pleasure. Trevor grinned to himself, triumph filling his chest.

Score for Trevor.

***

“He’s not that bad, you know,” Gavin mumbled around his spoon. Ray shot him a questioning look. Gavin plopped the spoon out of his mouth and scraped through the bottom of his sundae glass for more of the delicious ice-cream. “Trevor, I mean. I could introduce you two.”

“No thanks,” Ray drawled, crossing his arms on the table. He’d finished his ice-cream five minutes ago. “Besides, we’ve already met.”

Gavin winced, trading a clearly uncomfortable look with Michael. Their communication worked silent, effortless, conveying their thoughts with just a look and Ray felt a sudden stab of jealousy. He used to be a part of this, used to be able to read them. Now their faces were inscrutable, and their tells had changed since he last worked with them years ago.

Everything had changed, even if it didn’t look like it on the surface, and Ray in all honesty wasn’t sure what he’d expected. To slot right back into place as if the last year hadn’t happened? Ray himself had changed a lot, that was the entire point. No, he knew things would be different, but he thought they’d be similar enough for him to adjust.

I didn’t think it would be so hard, Ray realized, watching Gavin trail his spoon through the leftover sludge in an idle, absent motion. The longer he stayed, the more apparent the differences became.

“Trevor’s pretty funny once you get to know him,” Gavin insisted, pointing his spoon at Ray and breaking him out of his thoughts. “He’s up for a lot of shenanigans! Once I ground up American smarties and dropped the powder all on his desk. And Trevor didn’t get mad or anything, though it was admittedly uncalled for…”

Gavin trailed off, a slight frown on his face. Michael chuckled, taking over the story.

“It looked like coke exploded over everything,” he said, and Ray sat back slowly, feeling like someone dumped ice down the back of his shirt. “Geoff started yelling immediately, thinking we’d used part of a shipment for a prank, but Trevor just dove in, face first. Pretty sure there was sugar dust in his files for weeks.”

Michael laughed, but Gavin caught Ray’s eyes and flinched, smile melting into a grimace. Ray wasn’t sure what his face showed, but he just felt... cold. His fingers twitched, itching for a pill he knew wasn’t there. He bit down the words bubbling up in his throat, focussing instead on Gavin’s wide eyes. Concentrated on taking a breath, holding it in his lungs, letting it expand his chest, before letting it go.

The words whirled through his mind, so is Trevor a druggie? and Ryan’d be pissed if it was me so why is it funny? What’s the difference?, but he swallowed them, knowing he was being unfair. It wasn’t the same. That was the problem, wasn’t it?

They looked so happy together, whenever he observed them.

Why didn’t we have that? What went wrong?

Michael stopped laughing abruptly, catching on to the tense silence. Gavin kept playing with his spoon, the awkward tension rising as he avoided Ray’s gaze. Michael shot him a questioning look, but he just shook his head.

“Anyway,” Gavin continued, stiff in his chair, the opposite of his relaxed demeanour from not a minute ago. “I think you two would get along. You’re pretty similar in a lot of ways.”

I bet, Ray thought, heat bubbling up in his chest. Remembered how Collins caught onto his surveillance the other day. Remembered the way he’d been all over Ryan, claiming him. Collins couldn’t have been clearer if he’d written mine on the window. It’d made his finger twitch, and he clenched his hand into a fist. He’d been tempted to pull the trigger, too.

He’s definitely just as petty. Ray didn’t say anything, though.

“Just… Give him a chance,” Gavin finished lamely, shooting Michael a look that called for Help! Michael stared back, face blank, and didn’t say anything. Lost for words, Ray assumed.

“I’ll consider it,” Ray replied, tone sharp as he pushed his chair back with a shrieking scrape.

Michael and Gavin exchanged a look at that. Eventually Michael shrugged and changed the subject.

“This is fun and all, but we need to go unless we want to be late.” He tapped on the table, an impatient da-da-dab. “This guy supposedly has a job offer as a guard for the bank. Still believe he’s bluffing, but who knows? Sure would make our life way easier.”

“Good luck,” Ray drawled, hiding his hands in the front pocket of his hoodie. He knew he was going to be back on the rooftops stalking Collins the moment they split up. It wasn’t healthy, but Ray couldn’t help himself. Just the thought of the other man made him burn. It’s why he agreed to meet up with the lads in between jobs, he could use the distraction.

But now they were off, and Ray found himself at loose ends again, with no jobs until Wednesday. Collins hadn’t been at the apartment this morning, might be working a job for Geoff, or at any of his haunts around the city. Ray didn’t know him well enough yet to know where those were, but he had a lead or two-

Gavin cleared his throat, nudging Michael with a pointy elbow when Ray glanced up.

“You still coming over tonight? We were gonna play some Mario Kart, maybe order pizza,” Michael offered, dropping a handful of bills on the table as he pushed his chair back. “Might play some Halo if you’re joining, Gavvy’s been bitching about us always picking games he’s bad at.”

“Have not!” Gavin protested, voice breaking into a high pitch.

“Have too,” Michael mocked nasally, grin stretching across his face. Then he glanced at Ray, smile wavering, uncertain. “You in?”

Ray wanted to say yes, ignore all the stress for one night. Pretend nothing had changed. Still, he hesitated. Maybe it was something in Michael’s tone that tipped him off, or the way Gavin leaned forward, giving him an eager, expectant look, but...

“Who else is coming?” he asked, watching them closely. Their tells had gotten subtler but this… it screamed of a prank, or considering the situation… an ambush.

Michael and Gavin shot each other another look, before Michael shrugged.

“The two of us. Jack. Maybe Geoff though I doubt it, seeing how busy he is. Jeremy probably.” He paused, eyeing Ray intently. “You should maybe talk to him. He’s convinced you hate his guts.”

Ray startled. He’d expected this to be a continuation of Gavin’s ‘Get To Know Trevor’ scheme. The idea that anyone else had problems with his sudden return hadn’t even occurred to him. “What? Why?”

“Little J’s just being silly.” Gavin giggled. “He thinks he kinda took your spot, since he was promoted to main crew after you… left.” Gavin stopped, staring at him with a charming smile that didn’t reach his eyes, all the Fake’s Golden Boy. A dare; a threat. “But you’re not mad at him, right? That’d be stupid.”

“Of course not!” Ray burst out, bewildered. He’d been so busy with his own personal drama, he’d totally missed that. He was usually much more observant. “What the fuck?”

Gavin relaxed, smile turning smug and real. “Good.”

Michael clasped his shoulder as he stood up, a question in his eyes.

“We’ll see you later, then?”

Ray gave him a dry look. He wondered if Michael realized how he’d be spending his hours until then. Maybe they thought he’d hole up in his hotel room and play games all afternoon. Wouldn’t be the first time.

“Sure. Why not.”

As long as Collins wasn’t there, he might as well try and make nice with the crew.

***

In the end he did decide to go. Collins was nowhere to be found, and Ray could use a distraction from his thoughts. Gavin, at least, seemed delighted as he opened the door. Jack greeted him warmly, and Michael demanded his help in an argument about what game to play first. Jeremy showed up about an hour later.

Now that it’d been pointed out to him, Ray noticed how jumpy Jeremy was around him. He seemed fine with the others - rough-housing with Michael, teasing Gavin past the point of offense, giving Jack lip when he got into his petulant asshole mood or started gloating during Trials… But one snarky comment from Ray and he clamped up.

Ray attempted to compliment Jeremy’s skill in the games they played to ease the tension, but trailed off into an awkward silence because Jeremy appeared more and more alarmed the nicer Ray got. It’d be funny if it wasn’t so frustrating.

To make matters worse, Michael and Gavin kept shooting him looks when Jeremy’s back was turned, annoyed and pleading and maybe a bit exasperated. Ray sunk deeper into the couch, getting quieter as the evening grew late. It felt like his fault, like he was somehow ruining their game night just with his presence. Like he was an intruder, the outsider. It wasn’t a good feeling. Ray didn’t enjoy conflict, and he was the last person to force a confrontation. It was a toss up, really, who was worse at outright avoiding problems until they blew up in their faces: him or Gavin.

Perhaps it was inevitable, then, that Ray ended up lurking in the kitchen on the pretense of going to grab some more snacks.

It couldn’t have been more than five minutes, even if every minute felt like an eternity, before Jeremy stumbled into the kitchen. He set an empty bottle onto the table with a heavy thunk, before staring at it as if it held the answers to the universe. Both Michael and Jeremy had gotten progressively drunk over the evening, egged on by Gavin with Jack’s bemused incredulity in the background. And while Michael got worse and worse at games, Jeremy’s winrate didn’t suffer much. Still, he seemed plenty drunk now, standing in the middle of the kitchen, zoning out staring at a beer bottle.

It took Jeremy a good thirty seconds to notice Ray. He blinked, taking a step back, then shuffled his feet and turned to face Ray, one hand left on the table to prop him up.

“Sorry,” he said, cocking his head. “Did you say something?”

“Nah.” Ray shrugged, pulling over an energy drink, just to have something to fiddle with. “S’all good.”

“Are we?” Jeremy blurted out, the question apparently on the forefront of his mind. “Good, I mean?”

“Yeah. ‘Course.” Ray pulled the tab, air hissing from the can. “Why wouldn’t we be?”

“Dunno.” Jeremy scratched his beard, gaze wandering around the room. “You seemed pretty mad.”

“What?” Ray startled, catching his can before it dropped to the floor. “When? I’ve been nice to you all evening!”

“I don’t know, man.” Jeremy shrugged. “You sounded pretty sarcastic?”

“Oh.” It was Ray’s turn to shuffle his feet, feeling awkward. “I, um. Meant it, though? Like for real, dude. You’re pretty, uh…”

“I’m pretty?” Jeremy teased, lips curling up into a grin.

“Pretty skilled,” Ray deadpanned, shooting him a dry look. Jeremy’s grin slowly melted into a thoughtful expression, and Ray waited for his brain to catch up, curious what he was thinking.

“Wait.” Jeremy squinted at him, trying to focus through his drunken haze. “Are we flirting? Were you hitting on me?”

“Thanks, but you’re not my type,” Ray drawled. Jeremy blinked up at him, frown creasing his brow. Ray took pity on his drunk ass, elaborating, “I like them tall, dark and handsome.”

Jeremy’s frown cleared, face lighting up. “Like Trevor!”

Ray winced. He’d never even considered Collins in those terms. “I was thinking more like Ryan, but sure. I suppose.”

“Oh. Right.” Jeremy snapped his fingers at Ray, lips quirked up into a wide grin. “You used to date! Before you left. I think…”

He trailed off, gaze wandering up as his brows furrowed in thought. Ray grimaced, eyeing the countertops. He fumbled to grab a full beer, popping the cap off on the ledge, before pushing it into Jeremy’s hands, distracting him from the topic at hand. A drunk Jeremy was not who Ray would choose to confide in, if he had to pick someone. A return to avoidance was in order.

“Here,” Ray said, wrapping Jeremy’s fingers around the bottle. “That’s what you came here for, right?”

“Hell yeah!” Jeremy brightened, raising the bottle in salute. “Thanks, bud!”

“You’re welcome.” Crisis averted, Ray let himself smile. “And we’re good, alright? I don’t mind that you got promoted to the main crew, or whatever you were thinking. You clearly earned it thrice over, dude.”

“Alright,” Jeremy agreed, his tone amiable, taking a large swig from his bottle. He pushed away from the table, swaying on his feet. “Hey, we should play Nidhogg again! I’ll trounce you.”

“You can try,” Ray shot back, letting Jeremy drag him to the couch in the living room, chattering away. Jack caught his eyes on the way back, giving him an approving nod.

Once Jeremy was safely delivered and distracted by the others, Ray sunk back into the couch and into his thoughts. While he’d been preoccupied trying to figure out what Ryan saw in Collins, it had been easy to push aside any thoughts regarding what Ray might think of him. Collins wasn’t- he was Ryan’s boyfriend. Ray’s replacement. Version two point oh. Not a person in and of himself, no matter how much Gavin insisted they might get along in different circumstances.

The circumstances were what they were. Ray was better off not wondering.

***

Jack watched the dark-haired man cross the street, hands pushed into his pockets and shoulders slouched. With his loose dad jeans riding low and grey ball cap on in reverse, no one would think to accuse him to be the notorious Vagabond. Which was, admittedly, the point, even if Jack in the privacy of his own mind thought Ryan had too much fun pretending to be this rejected hipster dad persona.

Ryan meandered up the street, stopping here and there to stare at various shops’ displays, until he made his unhurried way over to where Jack was waiting. The door opened just as the last notes of the radio song faded, closing as the next one started.

“You got everything?” Jack asked as he started the car, interrupted the song for a precious few seconds before the electronics went back on. Ryan grunted, underlined by the click of the seat belt.

“Nothing new,” he reported, short and concise, a frown marring his brow. “They stuck to the routine, but that weasel-y guy didn’t make his run for the back today so who fucking knows what he’s up to.”

Jack hummed. “We didn’t expect him to,” he pointed out. Ryan huffed.

“Yeah. Still.” He rolled his shoulders, settling into his seat. “Waste of time.”

Jack didn’t argue, keeping his eyes on the road. Traffic through the center of Los Santos was its own kind of hell, and it took Jack’s entire focus to navigate with cars cutting him off and running red lights. Three songs and a random joke from the radio host later they finally pulled up on the highway and Jack could turn his attention to the elephant in the room. At his estimation, they had maybe five to ten minutes before they reached the penthouse. Plenty of time to have a talk.

“So,” Jack spoke up as the song faded, turning the volume down as an ad started playing instead. “How’re you holding up?”

From the corner of his eyes he saw Ryan’s mouth tighten.

“I’m fine,” was the short reply, not inviting further discussion. Jack hummed.

“The preparation for this heist is stressful for everyone,” he said instead, as if offering an out. A feint, but it worked in the past. “I for one am stealing Gavin’s Titan after we’re done and fucking off to Hawaii or somewhere.”

Ryan relaxed a little, corner of his mouth ticking up. “Vacation sounds good.”

“Mhm,” Jack agreed, braking as the backlights on the car before them flared red. “You and Trevor got any plans?”

Ryan made a thoughtful noise, shaking his head. “Nothing concrete. Go on some dates, sleep in, that kinda stuff.”

“Could get out of town for a bit,” Jack suggested, swerving to overtake a jeep that rolled along at only ten miles per hour. Might as well stand still on the middle of the highway. Asshole. Jack pressed on the horn as they drove by. “You know, until the heat dies down.”

Ryan inclined his head, shooting him a small smile. “I’ll bring it up with Trevor.”

“You two haven’t really gone on a trip yet, just the two of you,” Jack commented, keeping his tone light as he brought the question back around and came at it from a different angle. “Unlike you and Ray used to.”

“Jack.” His name was a sharp hiss, a reproach. Jack blithely ignored the inherent warning, rolling straight over Ryan’s protest.

“Wouldn’t want to give Trevor the wrong idea. Especially with Ray back in town.”

Ryan turned his face away, glaring out of the window. Jack kept his tone mild, going in for the kill.

“Can’t be easy for him, to have your ex just show up unannounced. How is he doing?”

“He’s fine.”

“Really,” Jack drawled as he pulled off the highway. “Have you talked about it?”

“Yes,” Ryan growled, still not making eye contact. Jack raised a brow in disbelief, letting his silence speak for himself. “Sort of. A bit.”

“A bit,” Jack repeated, voice mild as he shook his head. “Ryan- hell knows I know what a constipated bastard you can be about emotions, but you do realize you actually need to talk about this with Trevor at least, right? I mean-” He waved a hand through the air before dropping it back on the steering wheel. “You two have been doing pretty good communicating far as I can see. Much better than you and Ray ever did, for sure.”

Ryan sank deeper into his seat, glowering off into the distance. Jack gentled his tone.

“Look, I’m just worried. Shit, we’re all worried, the whole crew. There’s a lot of tension in the air.” He slowed down as they came closer to the penthouse, dragging out the time they had to talk. He knew once they arrived, Ryan would be out and gone. “I don’t know why you and Ray broke up for good, but anyone with eyes can see that there’s still stuff between you. And Trevor is one of the most observant guys I know. Clever as fuck, too. So don’t lie to him, okay?”

“We’re fine,” Ryan snapped, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “Stop prying.”

“What, it’s none of my business?” Jack snorted. “Act like this isn’t going to impact the crew?”

“It’s not,” Ryan insisted, finally turning his glare on Jack. Jack flicked on the turn signal, pulling into the penthouse’s garage.

“Uh huh. Sure.” He shot Ryan a withering look. “It’s not like we’re friends or anything. Why the fuck would we care when two of ours are fighting, right?” A tense pause where Jack stopped the car, locking eyes with Ryan. “Idiot,” he added softly.

They sat there in silence, staring at each other. Contrary to Jack’s predictions, Ryan did not flee the moment the opportunity availed itself. Instead his gaze was drilling into Jack’s head, as if he was looking for something in particular. Finally, his shoulders slumped and he turned away.

“It’s not- it’s not easy, seeing Ray again,” he muttered, and Jack had to strain to hear him. “I don’t- I’m not sure I want to know why. And maybe I’m not fine, alright, yeah.”

“You know you can talk to any of us, right?” Jack pulled his leg up, turning in his seat to face Ryan better. “Geoff’s already talked to Ray, and Trevor has Matt and Jeremy. But we’re all here if you need us, you know that, right?”

“Yeah. I just. I’m not ready to talk yet. With anyone.” He lifted his head, eyes meeting Jack’s with determination. “But Trevor and me? That’s not in doubt. Ever. So just…” He trailed off, growing awkward. He reached for his seatbelt, the click echoed in the quiet tension between them. “Don’t question that.”

“Alright,” Jack agreed, watching with worried eyes as Ryan shrugged out of the seatbelt and opened the door. Watched him all the way to the elevator, his gait the steady stalk of the Vagabond approaching a threat.

And shit, when was the last time the penthouse, their home base, became a threat?

Jack rubbed a hand over his eyes and sighed. Something had to give, sooner or later. He wasn’t sure what - but he was certain he wouldn’t like the aftermath.

***

Trevor checked his set of lockpicks once more, noting the chips here and there. Mica was running late, and they only had a narrow time window in the first place. Jiggling his knee, he inspected one of the tinier picks for damage and mentally reviewed the blueprints Matt sent him last week. It wasn’t the most difficult job to pull off, the security system was quite outdated, culminating in an honest to God old-fashioned safe. No, security wasn’t the problem.

The building’s location was. Smack dab in the heart of a rival group’s territory, what should have been just a quick in-and-out became a two-man job with high stakes.

Well, one man and one woman job, if Mica would show up already.

As if listening to his thoughts, the penthouse elevator dinged. Trevor leaned forward, putting his things back into the small leather case. Light footsteps were mostly muffled by the thick carpet, but Trevor knew what to look out for. They stopped, as if the person hesitated or was looking around for him. Trevor sat up straight, pocketing the picks on the inside of his jacket.

“Over here!” he called out, shoving the used oil cloth into a box. “Jesus, Mica, I thought I’d have to head off alo-”

When he finally looked up, it wasn’t Mica who stood there. Ray stared back at him, expression impassive.

“What are you doing here?” Trevor demanded, perhaps a smidge more hostile than entirely called for. He eyed the sniper case in Ray’s hand, a vague suspicion spreading through his gut. “Where’s Mica?”

“Mica’s in jail,” Ray replied, his voice as bland as his face. “Jack’s on his way to bail her out.”

“Jail,” Trevor echoed sharply. His brows furrowed in concern. “Do you know why?”

“Parking ticket, or something equally trumped up,” Ray said, shrugging. Trevor bit down an expletive.

“Figures. The pigs got impeccable timing, as always.” Trevor clipped the lockpick kit on his belt and stood to face the other man. The fact that he towered a good head over Ray, forcing him to crane his head back to look at Trevor, cheered him up. “I assume you’re standing in for her, then.”

Ray shrugged, pushing his hands into the purple hoodie he was wearing.

“Jack gave me the barebones rundown. Eastside, one of the corporate buildings. Should be easy.”

Ray raised his chin, a challenge in his eyes. Trevor straightened.

“It would be, if we were on better terms with the gang there,” he returned, trying to keep things light. The tension sizzled between them. “Gotta make sure they don’t catch on, and all.”

Ray hummed. “I thought you were supposed to be all-” He wiggled his fingers. “-stealthy and shit.”

“I am,” Trevor shot back, narrowing his eyes. “It’s you I’m worried about.”

“Don’t strain anything on my behalf,” Ray drawled and smirked up at him as if to say score one for Ray. If they weren’t on a tight timeline here...

“I’m driving,” Trevor asserted, changing the topic. Tilting his head, he smirked as he added, “Got a problem with that?”

“No problems.” Ray sounded bored, but his gaze remained sharp, flicking over Trevor, assessing. “You waiting for anyone else?”

Trevor arched his brows at the clear challenge. Curious. Ray expected him to bow out, make excuses. Call Geoff and reschedule, as if that even was an option. He wasn’t some freelancer, didn’t drop in and out of heists when it was convenient. No, Trevor was part of the crew, and he would not fail them just because he didn’t get along with a partner. He was a professional. Trevor wouldn’t run and leave Ryan to pick up the pieces.

“Nope!” he said, popping the ‘p’ with faux cheer. “Let’s go!”

The drive was mostly silent, Trevor obeying the traffic laws with forced nonchalance - they were trying to fly under the radar, after all. Ray slumped in his seat, staring out of the window. Or maybe he was using the glass to watch Trevor’s reflection, he thought, his grip on the wheel tightening. He forced himself to relax, prying his fingers off and flexing them.

It wasn’t until he drove past their target that Trevor decided to speak up and break the silence.

“You know he’s moved on already, right?” Trevor didn’t take his eyes off the road, but saw Ray shift from the corner. “You can’t win him back, or whatever you think you’re doing.”

“It’s not a competition,” Ray muttered. Trevor hummed.

“No, it’s not. If it were, you’d have lost three years ago.”

“Are you done?” Ray asked, ice creeping into his voice as he turned his back to Trevor. And maybe that was the cue for Trevor to drop it, but he’d never ignored a problem before, and he wasn’t going to start now.

“Actually, you know what? No, I’m not.” Trevor pulled up in an alley and killed the motor, turning to face Ray. “I don’t know what happened between you and frankly? I don’t care. What I do care about is that your presence here is hurting him. So yes, I want you gone. As soon as possible.”

Ray sprawled back in his seat, glancing at Trevor from the corner of his eyes. “You’re scared.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“You’re not sure who he’d choose,” Ray declared, something unbearably smug about his face. Trevor wanted to punch it. “Or maybe you know and don’t like the answer.”

“Oh, there’s only one of us who can’t take no for an answer, and it ain’t me,” Trevor snapped. He raised his hand and made a great show of checking the time. “Now would you look at that! We’re running late.”

“Are we.” Ray tilted his head, eyes sharp and calculating. “Do you always avoid conflict? Running like a dog with its tail tucked between its legs, hoping nobody notices you ran out of arguments?”

“See, this is why no one likes you,” Trevor stated, his light tone belied by the cruel twist of his mouth. “You don’t know when you’ve lost, do you?”

He opened the door and stepped out of the car, Ray following suit, his rifle case slung over his back. Trevor walked in brisk steps around the car, adjusting his gloves. The building he needed to break into was just up the street and across- Ray stepped in front of him, blocking his way.

“You don’t like me because you’re jealous,” Ray corrected him. Trevor balled his hands into fists, nails digging into the leather of his gloves.

“I don’t like you because you’re a danger,” he hissed, pushing into Ray’s space. “To Ryan, to the crew. Your mere presence throws all our plans into chaos. We have to schedule around you and your petty drama, and quite frankly? The reward does not outweigh the risks.” Trevor jabbed a finger at Ray’s chest. “So get over yourself and move the fuck on, for God’s sake.”

He glared down at Ray, who stared back, not batting an eyelash. His death grip on the strap of his rifle case gave the calm away for the lie it was. Trevor narrowed his eyes, then nodded decisively. He pulled out a slim case from his pocket, snapping it open to reveal a set of comms. He picked one up, fitting it into his ear, eyes never leaving Ray’s.

“One wrong move, Narvaez, and you’re out.” He mustered Ray as he took the other earpiece. “I dare you, give me an excuse.”

“You don’t know who you’re messing with, Collins,” Ray warned him in a low, gravelly voice. He sounded so much like Ryan in that moment, threatening a terrible but unspecific fate, it threw Trevor off. Had Ryan rubbed off on him, or had he picked it up from Ray?

“On the contrary, it’s you.” Trevor bared his teeth. “Try me.”

Ray rolled his eyes. “I’m sure you can come up with a better line all by yourself. If you’d excuse me...”

And with that Ray turned, climbing on top of a dumpster to jump from there to the ladder hanging down from the fire escape on the opposite building. Trevor watched him, his fingers itching, before turning on his heel and marching out of the alleyway.

Ray dug his own grave, and Trevor was more than happy to give him a shove, if needed.

***

Head’s up, the first half of chapter 3 is going public on Patreon on Oct 3rd, a week before the entire chapter goes up on here and on Ao3!

You can follow me on Patreon if you have an account and receive email notifications whenever stuff goes public, too <3

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