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bryhoney · 6 days

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Recognisance pt. 1

This is literally my first post, please go easy on me lmao - the slowest of slow burns between AdoptedWalker!Reader x Keegan P. Russ. TW: Kidnapping and Torture. Set two years after the events of COD Ghosts.

On AO3! Semi-Regular updates :)

This has barely been proofed - so, sorry in advance!

Pt.2

"NO!"

It's a man's voice, you don't recognise it. He sounds panicked, his voice is ragged and hoarse. His scream grows louder and louder until it's a deafening ring and-

You jolt awake, crying out in pain. Every part of your body hurts and the ringing in your ears is agony.

Your chest feels tight as you try to orientate yourself, you're in a room you don't recognise. It's sparsely decorated and looks medical, it's not often used.

It takes you only a second to notice the three silhouettes that stand in the corner of the room, effectively blocking your only exit. You lurch into a sitting position, pushing yourself backwards in the bed.

Panic floods your system, you don't recognise any of them. You have to get up, get back to-?

Get back to who?

The man standing closest to your bed is older, with greying hair and lines around his eyes. He pushes himself of the wall and you take note of the sheer size of him. He's muscular and clearly disciplined. A threat.

Your eyes scan rapidly for any sort of weapon, something that could offer some vestige of protection. Nothing.

He raises his arms in mock surrender as he approaches, "How do you feel?" His voice is deep, gentle and entirely unfamiliar.

W--g. Wrong. Wrong.

Your voice wavers, "Stay back!" You're pushing yourself even further away from him as you frantically try to assess the best way to escape these men.

"Hey, hey" he continues, your breathing is rapid and shallow.

Where's ----? I am - ------ and I am ---. I have been ---------.

Your hand instinctively reaches to the top of your thigh, your fingers find only the thin medical gown you're wearing.

Where's my -----?

What are you looking for?

"Do you know where you are?" He asks, he's at the end of your bed now. You realise that you can't escape this situation in your current state, you try and level your breathing and maintain eye contact.

"No." You grit the words out, you hate the way your heart sinks.

The man nods, a ghost of a smile tugs at his lips.

Stop it. Stop it.

"Do you know who I am?" He continues, his voice still calm as he moves to sit at the foot of the bed. His movement spurs you into action, you carefully swing your legs off the bed, just in case.

"No" You answer again, your hands fisting the bedsheets as you focus on keeping your breathing level. What the fuck is happening.

"Control your breathing ----. You're --- ------- when --- -"

Whose voice was that?

"I don't-" your voice falters and cracks. If they didn't know you were scared before, they do now. Stupid.

"Stop giving them the advantage"

His eyes meet yours and he exhales deeply, "My name is Gabriel. You and I work together, you were part of the Federation. Do you know what the Federation is?" As he speaks you realise he is truly unarmed, dressed in civilian clothing. The other two men are in standardised uniform, armed to the teeth.

At his words, you almost sigh in relief. It's the first bit of information you recognise. The Federation sounds familiar. It's-? E--m-. What was the Federation?

"Yes, but- I...I thought the Federation where-? I'm not part of the Federation? My house was-?" You're stumbling through scattered memories, trying desperately to assign meaning to abstract thoughts. The more you try to pin something down, the quicker it escapes.

A sudden wave of nausea washes over you. The man in front of you will hurt you. What?

"Dad! Wait! I'm not as fast as ----" It's your voice. You're young.

Where's my Dad?

The man at the end of your bed reaches towards you, covering the hand that's clutching the sheets, "It'll come back to you in time, Sweetheart". You would have flinched if you hadn't locked up in fear. Your heart thundering in your chest.

"Why can't I remember", you feel a tear roll down your cheek. You're not sure if it's borne from frustration or fear.

Safe. You're safe. Calm down.

He tenses and stands abruptly, "You were taken from us, you-" he cuts himself off, "we will get the men that did this to you- I'm just sorry it took us so long to find you".

His back is turned to you, the men that stand guarding the door seem to stand further to attention under his gaze.

This man, Gabriel, is important. He said you were someone he worked with. Were you important too?

He came back for you. He said you were taken and he came back for you.

"I don't-" you feel overwhelmed, unable to breathe.

You were taken? Why? Who took you? When? What did they do? How did you get out? Are they coming back? Are-

You shake your head, as though you can physically dispel these thoughts.

Gabriel turns to you again, "you will remember us, and you will help us get revenge for what they did to us".

Your eyes snap to his, "Us?" You stop trying to hide your fear.

He returns to your bedside and clasps your hand before he repeats, "Us".

3 Weeks Later

The chair is still the same uncomfortable plastic one as last time. You fought every urge to make yet another complaint to the man opposite you. You'd asked him to replace it for you, he'd raised his eyebrow, made some notes and said nothing.

You can remember everything since you woke up in the hospital room, just not a lot before that. However, the nightmares and flashbacks of your time with the Ghosts were becoming more vivid and frequent with each week. Sam made more notes about that.

You'd see this man almost every day, his name was Sam and that was about all you knew about him. He was assessing you apparently, monitoring your progress before you could go back to work. He applauded your short-term memory progress in the most unenthused tone you'd ever heard.

He clearly didn't want to be here any more than you did.

He'd ask the same questions every time before delving into other recovery topics.

"What's your name" his voice was monotonous, uninterested.��

You reeled off your first name easily, before meeting his unamused gaze and sighing, "I'm not sure". You slouched in your seat, eyes scanning each crack in the cold concrete walls that surrounded the two of you.

"----? st-----! Get ----!" A man's voice, deep, urgent.

You fidget in the seat, "Something with a W in it? I don't know". It's the first time since you regained consciousness that you heard one of the voices. You decide not to tell the man opposite you that fun tidbit of information, you're not crazy.

He looks momentarily surprised at the omission before resuming the blank facade and furiously jotting down notes.

You knew your first name but Gabriel made it clear he wanted you to recall as much information as possible before he told you anything else. He said it would set a good foundation and allow them to track your progress better. It sounded like bullshit to you at the time but you had agreed to it all the same.

"What's your mother's name?" he continues.

You wait for another voice, a scattered memory. Nothing.

"I don't know," your teeth hurt from clenching them, you have to wriggle your jaw to ease the tension.

"Any brothers or sisters?" he pushes his glasses further up his face. Dickhead.

You hear laughing. "Got---! Yo--- -- ---o-" your hands are skimming the top of water, throwing it suddenly as ----. You hear a laugh and then your own. The sun is blinding and you can't focus on anything. Ha--y. Yo--- -a---.

"I don't know, maybe?" your eyes are closed as you try to concentrate. The sudden onslaught of shattered, unclear memories hurt to try to piece together.

"How do you know Rorke?" It's a new question.

"We worked together," you reply almost instantly. It's the only question you can confidently answer. The only answer you've been told the answer to.

“Where's —-? You came back witho—--?! —---” This time, you recognise it’s your voice. You’re scared. You’re angry. You’re screaming.

You bring your palms up to rub your eyes at the screaming. A headache is taking root and your eyes sting in frustration.

"Who is Elias Walker?" Another new question, you don't like this.

There are no memories, except a heaviness that settles on your chest. You physically shift in the chair to accommodate the weight and hope he doesn't notice.

"I wish I knew," your head is still in your hands, your elbows resting on the table.

The name is a whisper. It should mean something.

"Are you alright to continue?" His voice is absent of any concern that should be present in that question. God, you hated him.

"Yes, just annoyed" you manage.

Annoyed with you, with my situation.

Why the Federation believes that this is the most effective way of getting back your memories is beyond you. You make little to no progress with piecing together your life. Your memories are still undecipherable and scattered.

You're escorted back to your room, which lies opposite Gabriel's. You're aware that everyone on the base calls him Rorke except for you. He introduced himself as Gabriel and so you're hesitant to deviate away from this name.

He spends most of his time in the control room, meticulously planning the Federation's next move.

You'd been around him long enough to know that his main objective was the annihilation of the group of men who'd captured you. A particularly tricky group of men known as the Ghosts. An elite task force that managed to use the Federation's own weapons against Rorke. They also had an unnerving ability to kill droves of Federation soldiers without being detected.

From the limited number of redacted reports you'd been allowed to read, the Ghosts had managed to infiltrate the Federation ranks an embarrassing number of times.

It was remarkable, there was only a handful of them and yet the threat they posed was severe and entirely warranted. By the time I was retrieved, only the most loyal remained as active members.

The Ghosts had taken everything.

Rorke had succeeded in killing two of them, a man named Ajax and their former leader, 'The Scarecrow'.

It had been the remaining men, that had ripped you apart over two years of continued torture.

Gabriel had told you that the Ghosts had targeted you to get to him, you didn't ask why. You had ignored the implications of that statement. He also said you had valuable information, so you left it at that.

"Damn ---, what the ---- you doing on this?" It was a deep voice, a new one. It was almost entirely intact. You could hear the smile in their voice. It wasn't Rorke, it wasn't anyone here. It was someone you knew before.

You exhaled deeply as you crossed over the threshold of your room, closing the door and sprawling face down across your bed, groaning. You had wanted to make some notes on the voices you heard. You didn't want to forget them, but you didn't want to share them with Sam.

Any rest that you could have had was ripped away from you by two sharp knocks to the door.

"Just me," Gabriel yelled before opening the door, not waiting for any invitation to do so. He smiled at you as you scrambled off the bed to a presentable, standing position.

"You alright?" You ask, despite your initial unease about Gabriel, he was the only one to reach out to you and make you feel comfortable at the base. He was the closest thing you had to a friend.

"Jus' checking in with you, how was this morning?" He keeps his distance, crossing the room before taking a seat at your desk chair, swivelling it to face you. You follow his lead and sit at the foot of your bed.

You laugh, feeling tension roll off you, "Same as always, delightful" he seems to smile in response but says nothing else for a moment.

Gabriel doesn't come to just check in with you, he wants something.

He moves closer to you, grabbing your shoulder heavily and squeezing. It feels so familiar and yet-?

It shouldn't be him.

What?

"I'm proud of you," he says, "I know what you went through wasn't easy". He looks sincere and you feel your throat tighten.

You shrug him off playfully, smiling, "Alright, alright, what are you actually here for?"

He laughs, sitting back in his seat, "We've got some leads, need you to get on them - might have something for once". He's relaxed, crossing his arms in front of him.

You're taken aback, you'd essentially been signed off indefinitely, "You think I'm ready to - y'know, come back?". You're so hopeful and you can hear it in your voice.

Finally. You could get back to doing something you were good at. Something that had made you important once.

He laughs and you both move to stand, his arm wrapping over your shoulders as he leads you towards the control centre, "never doubted you for a second".

You're smiling. Actually smiling.

It's nice having someone believe in you. Someone who can attest to what you used to be capable of. The rest of the soldiers here avoid you, keep their eyes low as you pass them in corridors. As though you were a higher rank than them. As though you really were important.

Who were you?

#keegan p russ #keegan russ x reader #logan walker #cod keegan #call of duty ghosts #what am i doing lol #i am sorry in advance #the slowest of slow burns #not proofread

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vodika-vibes · 4 months

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Now I bet PA & Fox dance together without music when they’ve got a moment to themselves ❤️

Oh, absolutely. It's how they bond.

Fox's hand is feather light as it rest on your hips. His other hands is entwined with your own, as he sways you to the soft music playing through your apartment. There's a strange look on his face, something warm and soft and adoring and you can't bring yourself to look away from him. Your free hand rests on his shoulder, and you don't stop yourself from brushing your fingers, featherlight, against his neck. "You just can't keep your hands off of me," Fox accuses, his voice soft, refusing to break whatever spell is hanging over the pair of you. "You started it," You retort, your voice just as soft as his. Fox laughs softly, "Did I?" He asks, as his gaze drifts to your lips. "You did," You raise yourself onto your toes, cursing your mother's side of the family for their lack of height almost absently. "I'm not sure that's right," Fox murmurs as he leans in slightly, his gaze half-lidded. Just as his lips are about to brush against yours, your comm rings loudly, breaking the spell. Fox sighs, his breath warm against your face, and he releases you, taking a step back with a wry smile on his face. You step away from him, your face burning slightly, and you grab your comm to read the message. "Um...I have to head back to the Senate. But I'll definitely look at the datapads when I get a chance-" Fox's gaze is almost wistful, but the expression snaps to something a little more natural after a moment, as he picks up the datapads, "I'll come with you. If you're needed then I'm sure I'm needed for something."

#star wars #star wars au #PA AU #THE SLOWEST OF SLOW BURNS

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acciokaidanalenko · 28 days

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Taking on the Universe: Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen: The Quarian

Summary: The Squad races against the clock to save the Quarian.

CW/TW: None

Preview of chapter below the cut. AO3 link: here.

On familiar ground, and far from triggering events, Kaidan found Shepard to be not only a competent leader, but also a compassionate person. Each step forward in their investigation of Saren and his betrayal lead him toward the understanding of how she maintained such a pristine reputation. The pressures and stresses that accompanied them as they followed the trail of clues around the Citadel seemed not to bother her. She took it all in stride.

Even as Garrus had taken an unnecessary risk while saving Dr. Michel from Fist's thugs.

Kaidan watched warily as Garrus helped the doctor to stand up from her hiding place. The last of her attackers had fallen in the brief skirmish that had erupted upon their entry to the clinic. Garrus had put the doctor at risk when he'd shot the man holding her. His actions painted him in a slightly different light for Kaidan. He'd be sure to keep a close eye on him as he seemed to be more impulsive with his actions than any of the soldiers present. Possibly, even more impulsive than the blood-thirsty Krogan mercenary in their midst.

"Dr. Michel, are you hurt? Spirits, we got here as fast as we could." His concern for the doctor was evident, as was his relief for her safety.

The doctor brushed some dust off her white coat and smiled up at the Turian as he towered over her. Her eyes darted toward Shepard, then quickly swept over the rest of the squad as they all drew nearer to her. Her attention returned to Garrus before she spoke. "Yes, I'm quite all right, Garrus. Thank you. I owe each of you for helping me."

"For once it'll be worth the paperwork," Garrus replied with a soft chuckle. He took a small step back from her, as if trying to give her some breathing room after such an intense fight.

Dr. Michel let out a similar laugh as she clasped her hands together in front of her. Shepard stepped forward slowly, reaching toward the doctor's hands with a sympathetic expression. Her movement seemed to take the doctor by surprise, but she didn't protest as the commander took her hands in her own. It was only in this compassionate moment that Kaidan noticed the slight tremor in the doctor's hands.

"I know you've been shaken by this attack, and I want to assure you that the Alliance and C-Sec will do what they can to keep you and your clinic safe until Saren is brought to justice. You won't have to worry about another attempt on your life."

Shepard's voice was low and calm as she spoke. Even he felt comforted by her tone. He wasn't sure how she'd be able to deliver on these promises, but he believed her. Dr. Michel met Shepard's gaze and nodded her head slowly, showing her that she trusted her.

"Now, in the meantime, we need to know why these men attacked you. They were threatening you when we walked in, weren't they?"

"They were Fist's men, I'm sure of it. I should have expected this. I should have known he would want to tie off any loose ends," she answered as she pulled her hands from Shepard's gentle grasp and crossed her arms against her chest protectively. Her gaze wandered to the nearest fallen man, the one Garrus had shot when they'd pushed into the room, and lingered for a long moment before she turned back to face the commander.

"What makes you a loose end?" The doctor paused, taking a deep breath to calm herself. Shepard nodded her head and offered her a gentle smile. "Take your time, Doctor. We're here for you. You're safe."

"There was a young Quarian. She was injured and came to my clinic seeking treatment for her injuries, which I was happy to help with, of course. I knew of Fist's association with the Shadow Broker, so I suggested she go to him with the information she had. I had no idea he would sell her out. I didn't mean to endanger her life," Dr. Michel confessed heavily, her voice breaking as she held back tears. This time she reached for Shepard's hands, finding them easily as she offered her comfort.

"You couldn't have known, Doctor."

"Must be the same Quarian Saren's after. Not like many of them are wandering around, even on the Citadel," Wrex interjected quickly. The commander and the Krogan shared a quick glance between them, the former clearly prompting the latter silently for further explanation. "All I know is she showed up here on the Citadel, on the run. Not sure how she got her hands on it, but she has evidence linking Saren to the Geth. She went to Fist, asked him to set up a meeting with the Shadow Broker. He must've sold her out to Saren instead."

"Which is where you factor in, on your special assignment from the Shadow Broker to take Fist down?" Kaidan mused aloud. Wrex nodded his head in agreement. Kaidan looked toward Shepard, his expression betraying his hope despite the way his eyebrows pulled together in apprehension. "This is what we've been searching for, Commander. If we can get to the Quarian before Saren does, then we've found our proof. There's no way the Council could deny that he's turned traitor after that."

"Only problem is, we don't know where she is," Shepard pointed out dejectedly.

"My bet would be in Fist's club," Wrex suggested.

"Then I guess it's time we paid Fist a visit."

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atthefishhouses · 3 months

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Kurz bevor uns der Spatort nächsten Sonntag verrät, wie es im Kanon mit Leo, Adam und dem Geld weitergeht, habe ich in meinem AU endlich auch wieder ein Update für euch.

Vielen Dank an alle, die hier mitlesen und mitfiebern. Ich wünsche euch ganz viel Freude mit dem neuen Kapitel! ❤️

#tatort saarbrücken #spatort #adam schürk #leo hölzer #im sog #my fan fiction #wip #undercover au #the slowest of slow burns #not actually unrequited love #read and heed the warnings #and enjoy ❤️

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littlelovelyspiderling · 2 days

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you are just my fav writer ever, new chapter is the best news i’ve ever heard and i’ve already read it like three times bc i am obsessed with this story and your writing! thank you x1000 for all your work, you are incredible girl! <3 peter and johnny forever

oh my god STOP 🤭 i’m so happy you liked it, got me blushing over here ☺️ PETER AND JOHNNY FOREVER TEEHEE i’ve already started on the next chapter cuz i am SO READY to get to the real meat of this story, the fact ive made people read 136K words and they STILL HAVENT KISSED??? id hate me if i were yall lmao

#asks #kind reader friends #anon #like #the slowest of slow burns #i’ll try to make it worth it 😅

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labyrinthhofmymind · 18 days

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CHAPTER 28 OF PRESQUE VU!!!!!! WOLFSTAR ARE WOLFSTARRINGGGG!!!!! I WILL CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THIS FIC BECAUSE IT IS SO PERFECT AND BEAUTIFUL AND UTTERLY HEARTBREAKING AND I LOVE IT SM!!!!!!

#they finally kissed your honour #wolfstar #wolfstar kissing is all i need #the slowest of slow burns #bizzarestars managed to do a double slow burn in the same fic????? THEIR MIND #guys i’m so happy #WOLFSTAR WOLFSTAR WOLFSTAR WOLFSTAR WOLFSTAR #presque vu by bizzarestars #presque vu

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no-context-nonsense · 27 days

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tightjeansjavi · 1 year

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@loquaciousferret I am waiting patiently for the anons to come through <3 I too, believe they should just bone already LMAO

#talkswithgi #blue jeans n’ texas dreams fic #the slowest of slow burns #just wait till they rip eachothers clothes off #Joel is such a true Texas gentleman in this but just wait till he gets his hands on her

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burningchandelier · 2 years

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New Chapter is up and you can learn a fun prank to do with your friends (do not do the prank described in this chapter. For obvious reasons. Please)

#mcr fic rec #mcr fanfiction #the slowest of slow burns #yep they're still smoochin'

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cps-oteric · 2 years

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That is exactly the kind of Best Lawyer content I come here for. You know how to keep us on the edge of our seats!

Ha, it’s my pleasure! That post is already a couple weeks old as I’m replying to this and sadly I have no new updates. But check back in 3-6 months or years and there will probably be at least one encounter between now and then.

#3-6 months or years seems like a good bet #the slowest of slow burns #best lawyer #work crush #love u tumblr #ask me almost anything

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rwprincess · 2 years

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ELECTRIC LOVE ~ CHAPTER 18 (WATCH WAVERLY FEM!OC)

Masterlist

Word Count: 1.2K

Synopsis: On the run from danger, Jules relies on Watch to overcome her fears.

CW: mild anxiety (fear of heights); fluff; Ann being a jerk

All five of them rushed through the woods, panicking and nearly out of breath. Bare branches and rough, scraggly leaves whipped by, nipping at their arms and faces. The homunculi from Shadowmire were in hot pursuit. Ann had advised them to take particular items from the garden, despite Moorpark's disapproval. She reasoned that she couldn't take them herself without raising suspicions and asked the others to 'break in' to assist her search while she waited outside. However, she neglected to tell them that the area would be guarded by these overbearing, ghastly creatures who were now tracking them closely. And, if she were caught amongst these thieves, she too would be as good as dead.

"I think---there's an old bridge--up ahead." Ann panted out, leading the group. She more or less knew the route to take, but she also put herself first in line to give her the most distance between herself and the homunculi, lest they be caught. They burst out of the foliage to indeed find the archaic structure. "There! Just up ahead!"

They approached the rickety bridge, the stone pillars seemed well-intact but the wooden slats forming the actual bridge were questionable. "This looks like it's at least a hundred years old," Sally said.

"I would estimate maybe two..." Watch piped up.

"Well, come on, we haven't got much time!" Ann impressed upon them. As they reached the precipice of the bridge and assessed its footing, Jules froze.

"I…I can't." Jules said as they stepped forward. "I'm afraid of heights. Like, petrified. I can't make it across."

"Hey," Sally said softly, reassuring her, "you can do it."

"Yeah, we're all crossing together!" Adam enthused, optimistically. They tried to coax her, but she stilled at the edge once again and began shaking.

"Oh my God," Ann intoned with frustration, "we don't have time for this!"

"It's not like we can leave her!" Sally yelled in response. She looked back over to Jules and noticed that Watch was standing in front of her, speaking calmly and in a low volume.

"We're right here with you. I'm right here. Just…take my hand, okay? I'll lead you from one side to the other." He offered his hand and she took it, numbly. Somewhere, in the recesses of her brain, she realized how truly monumental this was for him, to offer his touch in order to be helpful…and she became aware of the humming sensation that holding his hand gave her. "Go ahead, guys,” he nodded to the rest of the group and turned his focus back to Jules. “Alright, we're going to just walk over slowly and you're going to just look at me, okay? We're not looking down. I'm just gonna guide you. That's it, one foot in front of the other."

As they traipsed along the bridge, Adam and Sally looked back at the sight. Watch had never been so outwardly patient and understanding before. The two of them exchanged a look of realization, their shared best friend was far beyond an average crush; this was something much different. Still, they pressed on and saved this silent conversation to be spoken about on another day.

“That’s it. Don’t forget to breathe, either. Just gently, slowly, deep in and deep out. You are doing great.” Watch susurrated along, praising each step they made across the bridge, a beacon of constant reassurance and praise. Jules misstepped and shrieked as her ankle rolled unwittingly, absolutely certain she would fall to her doom. But Watch shot out another hand, bracing her arm and drawing back her perspective, “Hey, hey, it’s all right,” he soothed as if talking to a trapped and rabid animal. Her eyes snapped back up to his face, finding a compassionate gaze framed by thick black plastic and lenses. “Just a few more steps.” He tugged her along until they made it to the other side, feet hitting solid ground joyously, reuniting with their friends.

“Finally,” Ann groaned, “let’s get going. The bridge wasn’t going to kill us but the homunculi might.” She set off at a rushed pace and the others were quick to follow. It wasn’t until they passed a thicket of trees that Watch realized he still held Jules’ hand in his. Initially, it made sense to lead her to follow Ann, to propel her onward, out of her frightened state, after conquering the bridge. Now, however, it was less logical. Yet, he did not want to let go. She, too, realized shortly after and dropped her hand from his, filled with gratitude for his contact and commitment, but not wanting to push it further than it needed to be, for his sake. She didn’t want to burden him with that, but he felt the lack immediately, a phantom tingling as though her hand was still entrenched in his.

They soon found that they were no longer being hunted and could navigate their way home comfortably, at an ambling pace. Without the threat of present danger, Sally took to her usual bickering with Ann, blaming her yet again for their situation, but Jules and Watch lingered in the back of the line together. “Thank you, for everything back there.” Jules said softly, still embarrassed at requiring that much help to pass over a bridge, withering or not.

“Like Sally said, it’s not like we were going to leave you,” Watch hummed in response. He acted nonchalant, as if it were the obvious thing to do.

“Yeah, but no one else dragged me across.” She said, huffing a bit. She felt ridiculous that it was even necessary. Looking back on it, it should have been a journey as simple for her as it was for the rest of them.

“I didn’t drag you, I … assisted you. There’s a big difference.”

“Uh huh. Always with the semantics and word specificity.”

“Always.” Watch agreed, a smile playing at his lips as he looked forward, disregarding her concern.

“I’m just sorry it was needed.” She cast her eyes down, still trudging along and he took note of her defeated posture, “But I’m incredibly grateful that you did all that, don’t get me wrong!” She rushed out. Watch took a step in front of her, forcing her to halt her stride. He placed a hand on either of her upper arms, feeling the scruff of the loose flannel there. Always ever-present. He liked the consistency. She looked up, and the look in her eyes signified to him that he should indeed tell her what he was going to.

“Listen, it was not a bother, or anything like that. I did not mind and I would do it a million times over just to get you across. I would never leave you behind. Okay?” He was asking for her agreement, her acknowledgement of what he had said, but all she could think was ‘How could I ever be just okay after he said that and looked at me like that?’

Her heart was pounding and she wasn’t sure she would be steady on her feet if he were to release her. But she mumbled a simple, “Okay,” in response anyway.

#spooksville #spooksville show #watch #watch waverly #watchxfem #watchxoc #adam freeman #ann templeton #sally wilcox #jules fox #heights #bridge #ya romance #the slowest of slow burns #slow burn series #fanfic series

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so-many-crushes · 16 days

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yeah… tiefling party colorized

(based on that one meme)

#khourey rambles #khourey creates #they truly are something #the slowest of slow burns #tavtari #bg3 #astarion a

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acciokaidanalenko · 3 months

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Taking on the Universe: Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen: Searching for Proof

Summary: Commander Shepard and her squad take the investigation into their own hands.

CW/TW: None

Preview of chapter below the cut. AO3 link: here.

Natasha led the others into the small office that belonged to the Shadow Broker's agent, Barla Von. The Volus in question was seated at the desk in the back of the room, two armed mechs flanking him protectively. The decor was limited to a few small potted plants in the corners of the room, and no other furniture. The only thing to be found in abundance in this barren room were the surveillance cameras positioned in such a way around its perimeter that every square inch would be covered.

"Ah, hello, Earth Clan. What an honor it is to have the Hero of the Blitz herself visiting my humble business," the Volus said as Natasha was the first to approach. Alenko, Williams, and Garrus followed closely behind, moving slowly and uncertainly as the Shadow Broker's agent offered his greeting. "To what do I owe the pleasure, Commander Shepard?"

"How do you know my name?" she asked apprehensively, stopping a short distance in front of the desk. She stood where chairs would normally be positioned in an office such as this, though they were absent in this case.

"Come now, Commander, surely you're aware of how famous you are. Not only among your fellow Humans." He paused briefly, and Natasha imagined the sly smile that must've been on his face as he spoke. "Your exploits on Elysium during the Skyllian Blitz are known throughout the galaxy. Your bravery has been lauded over the years." Another interval of silence as the Volus watched her intently. "Though, one does wonder... What number of those people who hail you a hero, would change their opinion if they knew what you sacrificed that day?"

A pointed silence lingered as the Volus finished speaking, the final hiss of his breathing punctuating the air as Natasha glared at him, her fists clenching in response to his veiled threat. She felt the heat rising in her cheeks as she struggled to contain her anger, focusing on her need to quell the sudden wave of biotic energy threatening to spill out from her carefully contained aura.

Natasha took a deep breath to calm herself, noting the way Alenko subtly stepped closer to her. She quickly reminded herself of the objective of this meeting, her goal to acquire the information necessary to take Saren down. She couldn't allow herself to consider how this stranger knew about the cost of her victory when the Alliance had worked so hard to keep it hidden from the public.

"Sounds as if you're well-informed, Barla Von," she countered sharply, ignoring his baited words and pushing through the emotional turmoil now raging within her mind.

"Ah, so now we come to the reason for your visit today. Is information what you seek from me, Shepard?"

"We need any information you have about the recent attack on Eden Prime, or the one responsible," she replied with a swift nod of her head. The Volus stared at her for a long moment, allowing the loud hiss of his breathing to fill the silence as he watched the group squirm with impatience.

"The recent attack on Eden Prime was a tragedy, most certainly. How odd for the Geth to find themselves on a Human colony, so far from the Perseus Veil. I wonder what led to such an alliance? One of the Council's best agents leading the Geth, in pursuit of Ancient Prothean technology? Very curious behavior, indeed."

"Enough with the mind games and riddles! Just tell us what you know about Paradise and Saren so we can take his ass down," Williams interjected, her tone sharp as her patience had reached its limit. The Volus chuckled darkly and shifted his gaze to the chief for the first time since the group had entered his office.

"My, my, my. The Hero of the Blitz keeps such interesting company," Barla Von mused as he steepled his hands together and continued to stare at Williams over them. His tone had turned mischievous. He seemed to be enjoying this game of his own invention, toying with the soldiers as he dangled their secrets in front of them.

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