#wish me luck.....this report had got me clouded in the head for like the past month......soon i will be free..... | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

timextoxhajima · 4 years

Text

HOSTIS, Chapter VI: Venerem, Aphrodite

Previous Chapter (V: Monitum)

Member: Lee Hyunjae (tbz)

Genre (by chapter): comedy, drama, angst?

Category: Short Novel/Long Series

zeus has sent me my aphrodite, and there’s no way i’m going to let her go.

fucking ares

where the fuck were you when i needed you?

motherfucker--

"are you alright? you look a little pale," the cab driver scans you through the rear mirror, and you force a polite smile to display on your face.

if i wasn't fucking pummeled by the other ares last night, i wouldn't even BE in this damn cab.

"i'm alright, just feeling a little... crampy. that's all."

the cab driver nods and returns his attention to the road, your eyes travelling out the window to see the hospital building hiding behind some other architecture a distance away.

walking from the cab to your office in the neurology department without looking like you were stabbed in the abdomen was arguably the hardest task in the entire time you've been alive. on top of that, you failed.

your empty office greets you with a little dull wave of work, the clouds outside beginning to cry, as though mocking your plight. the first thing you do when you get to your desk was to turn on the classical music, which was the only thing you've been listening to since you went to bed.

cleaning yourself after being utterly smashed into pieces was so humiliating, even if you were alone when you did it.

the white coat finds your shoulders and your eyes flutter shut as you leaned back into your seat, the soft pitter-patter outside your window adding on to the peace and calm and tranquility of the--

"morning!"

motherfucker.

your eyes shoot wide open with horror flashbacks, and lucifer struts across the length of your office and into his. your lungs max out with a deep breath, your eyes closing again while your fingers search for your case which contained the slightly crumpled report you stole from the previous day.

the muscles in your pelvis aches the moment you stand up, and a soft wince shows itself on your face, the reflection of the pain staring right back at you in the black screen of your computer.

deliberately inhaling a large breath and exhaling through a little 'o' you made with your lips, it was a struggle to remember the last time you had difficulty gathering your courage to do something you didn't want to do.

his shadow just about sat down in his seat when you pushed your way into the office. you keep the door open with one foot against the door and one shoulder outside the room, and you hold out the report in your left hand.

you keep your head aligned with your body, and you were staring past the width of the door in your face, your eyes refusing to budge from its current line of sight.

"aren't people going to wonder why you're halfway into my office rather than you actually being in it?"

was having a break from detest, hatred, resentment, anger, displeasure, discontent -- a raging fire -- so hard to get?

reluctantly, you pull the rest of your body away from outside and into the office, trying to light your eyes on fire while you turned your attention to him.

he looked so prim and proper with his styled up hair and stupid white coat... it disgusted you to even watch him pretend like he didn't snap your spirit into half just about twelve hours ago.

he folds his arms across his chest and raises a cocky brow, eyes trailing to the stack of paper in your hand.

"this is yours," you hold it out to him, your glare shooting imaginary lazers into his chest where his heart would be. "take it back. i don't want your shit lying around in my office."

a scoff was barely heard, and he walks around his desk to the front, leaning his hip on the edge while he fiddles with the stationery on it.

"well, why don't you come here and give it to me?"

your glare hardens, but the smug look on his face remains. "don't push your luck."

his arrogant chin tilts upwards a little, giving you a better view of his nostrils while he crosses his arms across his chest again. he puckers his lips and furrows his brows while scanning you, the innocent blinking only fueling the pissed-off ares in you.

"well, if you're not gonna come here and give it to me then how else am i going to get it?"

a muscle in your right cheek twitches, and his stupid doctor-qualified eyes catch it.

"unless you're telling me you can't walk this distance of what, five steps?"

"no, i just don't want to bother walking to you."

"oh, really? so you bothered to fight through the pain in between your legs to get here, but not bothered enough to hand my work, which you took by the way, back to me?"

this piece of shit.

"whatever i do is none of your fucking business. it never has been and never will be. i'm just here to mend my mistake of taking what was yours," the little speech and false apology flies off your tongue in sharp, succinct words and how you wish they were each a dragonstar being hurled into his face.

ares fuels your resentment for you to physically challenge him, and you throw the stack of sheets at him.

lucifer was not one bit amused when the report landed on the ground just about a metre away from his crossed feet. the pens in your coat pockets gets twirled and rolled around between your fingers while you ready yourself to turn around.

"you know what? i don't need it anymore anyway... since doctor kim already got both our files. no point for me to submit a report separately, right?"

your knuckles were unconsciously turning white with the harsh grip you were giving the door handle. if you put any more energy into it, you would've snapped the metal handle right off the glass.

"besides, you were just looking out for me, weren't you?"

the pens in your pocket get rounded up in your palm and you've barely gotten them out of the pocket when the words fly out your mouth first.

"you're such a--"

"good morning," the familiar voice strikes from behind you, and the muscles in your arm holding the pens freeze. you whip your head over your shoulder and see doctor choi's head poking through the gap of the office door and the glass wall, his eyes scanning the both of you over the rims of his spectacles.

"getting along well, i see," he comments kindly, maybe sarcastically, you couldn't tell, as lucifer bends down to pick up the report and places it on his desk.

"very well, just discussing about the research reports we submitted to doctor kim yesterday."

"i see," doctor choi nods and you take a step away from the door in case he wanted to come in, but an aching muscle cuts through your abdomen like a small knife and your entire body twitches a little in pain.

"anyway, doctor kim has requested for me to invite you to welcome a research intern joining us today. he'll be with us for two months, so don’t be surprised if doctor kim wants you to work with him every now and then.”

“okay, are we meeting him now?” lucifer’s voice gets nearer to you from the back, and his presence starts to loom over yours.

"the two of you are, i have rounds to make that i’m sure the both of you have already made yourself familiar with the procedures,” doctor choi looks at his watch. “i do believe the intern will be here soon, so why don’t the two of you scoot over to the north wing... and i gotta bolt. ”

doctor choi waves and leaves abruptly, leaving the door to close right before your eyes. your attention zooms in on the reflection of the frosted glass, and lucifer stops right next to you, orbs of triumph and pride looking down at you.

the refusal to look at him was crushed when his fingers find your chin and tilts it towards him, the sudden contact triggering a sense of displeasure as you remove your face from his hold.

“don’t touch me.”

his lips pull apart and his teeth shines at you, and he blinks like he knew your deepest darkest secret.

which he unfortunately does.

“it’s alright,” he hums as he reaches for the metal handle on the door. “say whatever you want to say, but we both know how easy for it to... reverse that thought.”

he pulls the door open and stands back against it, one arm gesturing out to you as his service smile pulls up onto his face. “ladies first.”

physical pain was suddenly made all the more worse in the five minute walk from the neurology offices in the east to the research department in the north. every move your legs made only made the ache between your thighs ache, and it really felt like you were constantly being given a punch in the gut with every step you took.

most people who saw you would’ve probably noticed you were walking strangely, but of course, nothing much comes to mind.

but when lee hyunjae sees it, it’s like watching a comedy; it’s like watching his very own masterpiece strut round on two legs. he was walking behind you the entire time, and despite the deafening silence between the two of you, you’d hear a soft scoff or arrogant snicker from behind you.

not only did it hurt your pride and fuel your resentment towards him, but it also made you feel so powerless, so physically resigned and degraded in his eyes; in your own eyes.

now that he’s roamed his hands all over your skin in places he shouldn’t even have touched, you couldn’t forget it, or at least, your body couldn’t.

there was no way to decide if you were more humiliated because he broke you, or that that you even begged to come.

the lift of the north wing finally reaches the floor where the research department was, and you walk out almost like you were walking in heels. the steps behind you quicken as he overtakes you, his lips dangerously close to your ears when he whispers words that you would’ve sliced his tongue off for saying.

“later, when the intern sees you, try not to make it so obvious that you were fucked hard last night.”

the temples in your forehead tighten and your jaw locks when you clench your teeth together. the smile on his face was so tempting to rip off, all you wanted to do was to ram a fire extinguisher into his balls.

“good morning, doctor kim!” the greeting was so annoyingly loud and cheerful, it irked you to even hear his voice.

“ah, there you are!” the bright grin on doctor kim’s face was so hearty and welcoming, all you wanted to do was to hug him and complain that lee hyunjae was bullying you.

“i was getting worried that doctor choi wouldn’t let the two of you come to meet the intern. he’s on his way up right now, and i’m so excited to be around young people again,” he balls his fists and hops a little on the spot. lucifer smiles and takes the initiative to wipe a small puddle of dried coffee off his desk, and the mild gesture was disturbingly comforting.

“the good old days,” doctor kim falls back into his chair and turns himself in circles, his eyes plastered to the ceiling but it wasn’t long before you could tell he was starting to get dizzy.

lucifer gently runs his palm on the top of the chair to slow it down, and he pats the elderly doctor on the shoulder with a soft smile. “don’t think you should be trying to hurl out your breakfast right before meeting the intern, doctor.”

the wrinkles extend themselves along his forehead and features when a sheepish smile spreads across his face, and you purse your lips in attempt to hide your soft side.

“you’ve got a point there, doctor lee,” he rubs the back of his neck before hyunjae helps him to his feet, holding onto his arms the way you were trained to hold a frail patient to his feet.

“what are you doing holding me like that!” the elderly doctor berates hyunjae, but he doesn’t let go.

“you were spinning in circles and got dizzy just seconds ago!” hyunjae’s arm wraps around doctor kim’s shoulders to stabilise him before letting him go. “wouldn’t want you to pass out or something before the intern comes.”

doctor kim huffs and waves him off while hyunjae removes his hands off him. the ring of the lift steals all of your attention, and a lost looking young man exits through the doors when they open. staff members flood out onto the floor from behind him while he stares at some file in his hand, a lanyard around his neck that said ‘RESEARCH INTERN’.

“you must be son young jae!” the enthusiastic call-out startles you when doctor kim nearly yells at the top of his voice. the young man turns in response to the name, and a bright, gleaming smile provides you with the view of his teeth and adorable half-folded eyes.

“are you doctor kim... ryuk hoon?” he questions as the two walk towards each other, leaving lucifer and you in doctor kim’s cubicle to observe the situation.

you were worried the two were just going to stand in the middle of the pathway while the elder doctor checks his administrative forms for the internship, because you sure as hell didn’t want lucifer to start whispering nonsense in your ear like some demon in the night.

thank god doctor kim wraps his arm around the intern and walks him over to the two of you and does the introductions.

“this is doctor l/n y/n and doctor lee hyunjae of the neurology department. they are both still in their two weeks of mentoring under the neurology department head but they are also attached to the research department because of their credentials in med-school,” the young man reaches out to you first, and you politely shake his hand. your eyes meet, and his smile gets a tad bit wider.

the way his eyes halved when he smiled was so admirable, you almost wanted to pull him into a hug and pat him on the head.

the intern moves on to shake lucifer’s hand, and you see again that pinch of disgust in his eyes when he touches a hand that just touched yours.

“this is son young jae, and he’ll be with us for two months. i might end up putting the three of you in a research project team at some point of time in these two months, provided your boss won’t kill me,” he directs the last statement at both you and lucifer, and a laugh shrugs it off.

“oh, it’s great to be here-- it’s great to meet all of you! doctor kim can call me young jae but the two of you can call me eric. that’s usually how i introduce myself to people closer to my age to make it less awkward.”

“is that your english name or is it a nickname?” you raise a brow and watch in awe at his high levels of energy and enthusiasm.

you would’ve probably been like that if you weren’t completely fucked over from last night.

literally.

“it’s my english name! i spent a lot of my childhood in LA so most of my friends there know me as eric. young jae is reserved for whenever i come back to korea,” doctor kim takes some of the administrative sheets from him to check and confirm the internship information with his digital copies.

“oh,” you respond with slight surprise. “alright then, welcome to the research department, eric.”

“thank you!” he gives you a tight bow, and doctor kim taps on his shoulder to return him the forms. “i totally look forward to working with all of you. seriously, i’m so psyched for this stuff.”

your mouth was already open, ready to encourage his eagerness to be part of the staff, but lucifer beats you to it.

“i’m as psyched as you are, eric. welcome to the team.”

the pat lucifer offered his shoulder looked oddly stiff, and you smile at eric again to mask the slightly awkward atmosphere in the air.

doctor kim leaves eric with the both of you to help orientate him around. doctor choi came round at least twice but was shooed away by doctor kim.

“you don’t even need them to do anything much for you,” doctor kim said, both times he came round.

lunch hour arrived and doctor kim tells the both of you to bring eric to the eatery to eat up, and afterwards eric would return to the research department for instructions to being his internship officially while the two of you would finish your second last day of being a mentee.

sitting down for two hours talking to eric completely eradicated any memory of the previous night. though lucifer was right next to eric who was wedged between the two of you the entire time, all your attention chose to focus on was the way he talked about research and how much he wanted to contribute to society.

but when doctor kim started chasing the lot of you away to the eatery, standing up became a major chore.

the three of you entered the lift, and you were already prepping questions in your head to ask eric before someone decides that teasing you would be a great idea. yet, it was like the heavens sent you an angel, and he was right next to you.

“i’m sorry if i’m intruding, but are you injured somewhere? you were walking funny just now, even though the lift was barely a fifty metre walk from doctor kim’s cubicle.”

your eyes capture the glimmer of evil that flashed across lucifer’s face, and the self-restraint you needed not to throw a pen at him right infront of eric was slightly overwhelming.

“i... did some major cardio last night. obviously, it wasn’t a good idea.”

lucifer scoffs and decides to join in the conversation. “if only she knew what to do and what not to do to get herself into such excruciating pain.”

eric glances at the both of you, and his attention settles down on you again after a few moments.

“hey, if you need help with cardio or working out, i could totally give you some tips to reduce the pain. i work out a lot in my own time, so i’m fully aware of how shitty it gets when the ache settles in.”

oh. my. god.

“really?” your peripheral vision completely deletes lucifer from your view and your eyes lock with eric’s.

the lift doors open and people start walking past the group of you while eric paces his steps with yours.

“oh, totally! there’s a bunch of protein and vitamins you can take to maximize the gains from your cardio workouts. i’m gonna guess you didn’t stretch before you started,” he squints and lifts a finger at you.

a small giggle escapes your lifts at the sight, and you nod while covering your mouth.

“i knew it,” eric gives you a little punch on your arm. “most people underestimate the wonders stretching do.”

“then i guess i should start stretching before i do anything else.”

“you should never do anything without stretching,” eric’s attention starts to wither away at the stalls in the eatery, and you simply follow his line of sight to see that he naturally gravitated back to western food.

“what’s good here?” his fingers caress his chin, eyes reflecting the light off the led menu board. his jawline looked so tempting to touch, but you stop your wild thoughts by turning to look at the menu as well.

“western food’s not too bad, and the sushi’s great. but yesterday i went out to the nearby cafe to get takeaway chowder and garlic bread instead because the rest isn’t really to my taste.”

he hums in acknowledgement, eyes still running through the menu.

“so was the chowder good?” he side-eyes you with a curious brow raised, and your heart dies a little on the inside.

“not bad. i’d totally go over but i’m in more pain than i’d like to admit.”

he chuckles and shoves his hands into his pockets. “you must’ve had a swell time getting here from home.”

“it wasn’t too bad,” you shrug and the world stops when you look at eric. “i was in a cab, but the driver could tell i was about to pass out.”

“cab?” he turns to you, and both his pretty eyes come into view. “i was going to ask how you drove here with such an aching core.”

the sound of the rain outside reminds you that it was a wet day, and bolt of lightning splits the dark, grey sky into half for a split second. a violently loud clap of thunder runs through the eatery, and the sudden call from nature startles you.

“well... now i definitely wished i had my own car,” you regain your composure and pull out your phone to scroll mindlessly.

“aw, no, i’ll give you a ride after work!” he reaches both his arms out to you, gently tapping your forearm with one of his hands.

i’m gonna fucking cry--

“aw, really?” you try to mask the confirmation question with a slightly mischievous tone, but deep down, you were ready to litter kisses all over his face for being such a nice guy.

just where in the world were you going to find another eric son young jae?

“yeah, totally. what time do you get off?”

“i--”

“whoa, y/n,”

that fucking voice--

“hitting on the intern so fast?”

your lungs suck in air quickly in attempt to restraint your violent thoughts of gouging out his eyes and ripping his tongue out between his lips, your fists balling into tight fists when you turn to side-eye him.

“you clearly have no clue what hitting on looks like, do you... doctor lee?”

“oh, trust me,” eric chimes in, and a one-sided sense of protection starts to blanket over you. “i know what hitting on feels like and it’s kinda gross.”

you turn around, refusing to look at lucifer while eric continues to entertain him.

“i’m just giving her a lift back home because she’s in some sucky pain. i know how it feels so it’s just a little favour.”

a small smirk pulls your lips up your cheek, and you revel in the little acknowledgement lucifer provides eric.

the rest of the day was spent avoiding the hell out of lucifer, and you were lucky that every time doctor choi came around to look for the two of you, only one of you was needed.

six o’clock reached pretty fast and you bolted out your office door even before lucifer got out of his seat. you reach the basement where the carpark lot was, and happiness washed over you like you just died and went to heaven when you notice eric standing right at the automatic glass doors of the lift lobby.

he greets you and leads you to the car, asking you to key in your address in his phone gps while he fumbled around in his pocket for his car keys.

the vehicle beeps, and the gps loads your location on the screen. your arm was already stretched out to return the phone to him, but the whirring of the lift lobby glass doors capture your attention.

the sight of lucifer himself throws you off your already painful balance, and you kick some imaginary rock in your path.

a short, sharp yelp runs through your teeth as your center of gravity begins to tip. but eric’s arms catch you on your way down to the ground, and he hoists you up easily, naturally grabbing onto your upper arms tightly.

“jesus, are you alright? what’d you kick?” his eyes dart around on the floor. “did i trip you by accident? i’m sorry--”

“oh, no! no, no,” you straighten yourself and shift backwards, slightly embarrassed and a tad bit disappointed in yourself that you couldn’t even walk properly anymore. “i’m alright, i was just being clumsy, that’s all.”

“um, okay... well, let’s get you in the passenger’s seat first.”

eric literally supports you like you were missing a leg to the passenger’s seat, and you find the tiniest opportunity to roll your eyes at lucifer, who was still standing at the lift lobby glass doors, a look arrogance painting his face.

if you could take a knife to slice off his lips that had that smug smile off, you would’ve.

zeus has sent me my aphrodite, and there’s no way i’m going to let her go.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter VII: Partium

#hyunjae fanfic #hyunjae #lee hyunjae #the boyz hyunjae #the boyz fanfic #the boyz #timetohajima

108 notes · View notes

xtolovers · 3 years

Text

The Song And The Silence

Rise of the Tomb Raider Lara x Jacob Rating: T

AO3

Jacob knows his duty lies with his people, not a woman that saved his life once. And still. As she is drowning in a river of ice, he is the first to admit that he has never been the smartest of men. But faith. Faith he has plenty.

So I replayed ROTR and I fell down the rabbit hole again. God, these two. I shook this out in an hour, and this ~might ~ become a series, but I make no promises.

This is not a song fic, but I was listening to Giants by Dermot Kennedy, and if something fits, I sits.

I knew from the start You'd be the one to set me free

Out of the corner of his eye he saw a flash of dark hair disappearing under crashing waves, followed seconds later by the falling power pole, buried in its wake. Jacob swallowed a shout as he ducked behind a boulder, catching his breath. Inadvertently, Lara ’s quick and nimble escape down the cables had been drawing Trinity’s attention, allowing him to slip away. Quickly he glanced over his cover, trying to find a glance of her beneath the waters, but found nothing. He ought to go, ought to leave her to her fate, even if it was cruel. He’d been gone for days, stuck in Constantine’s prison, and he knew his people needed him. Within minutes of careful treading he would be hidden beneath the canopy of trees, on his way to his village, his people, his duty. If she was alive somehow and not torn to pieces by debris or rocks, he might be able to save her, but it would cost him time that he owed to his people and holy purpose. It grieved him, but she ’d be one in a line of thousands of sacrifices he had had to make in the millennium he had walked this earth. A sharp whistling announced more rockets, followed by subdued explosions and a splash of water bursting through its surface. Jacob ducked back into cover, and a moment later the helicopter ’s droning sound got louder as it flew over him, back to the Gulag base, apparently satisfied in their purpose of killing her. And rightly so, in all probability. He’d seen her fight, and her very presence in the valley suggested she was capable, sturdy, athletic and lucky as well, but it would need more than luck to survive this. It would need the grace of God.

Jacob sighed heavily as he peeked over the boulder, checking whether or not the air was clear, before jumping over it and sliding down the hillside. The argument was over in his head before it had properly started; he was a rational man, but he was also a believer, and while his mind told him his duty lay elsewhere, his heart told him to believe in the notion he had felt when he had first seen her: that she was change. He headed to the edge of the riverbank, but could not see any movement or sign of her amongst the depths. Jacob was not surprised — the fall and the cold ought to have knocked her unconscious, if they had not killed her outright. He shrugged out of his coat and dove into the water, his muscles contracting sharply against the icy cold. With swift strokes he swam down and ahead, looking for her in the dark, dim, disturbed waters. Guide me. Drawing on his faith, he looked around, and there, to the right and below him, she was. Miraculously intact, not surrounded by a cloud of blood. In a few strokes he was by her side, shaking her slightly, but her eyes remained closed, her body unresponsive. Deftly he wrapped an arm around her and made way for the surface, his lungs slowly starting to burn. After a few moments that felt like eternity — not for him, but to him, for her — they finally broke through the surface. With effort he heaved her out of the water, hoisting himself after her. Hastily his fingers found the pulse point at her throat, barely stopping there to find a weak thrum, and sliding further to extend her neck back and clear her throat.Jacob had lost count how many times he had saved people from drowning, the movements were second nature. Not all lips had been as cold as hers though, and it worried him greatly. It was equally luck and misfortune that she was wearing nothing but a shirt — a jacket or cloak would surely have dragged her into the depths past his reach, but without such protection her body temperature was already dangerously low even before she had dropped into the icy river.

Maybe a little challenge might help her find the conviction. He pressed harder, feeling a rip crack under the heel of his hand. Regrettable, but she would be none the wiser, if she woke up. “Come on. Look at how far you’ve come…”, in wry sense of doom, he thought that she might return to life simply out of stubborn will. She had seemed the type. He leaned down again, giving her air, heat, hopefully life. One, two, three … And then, finally, a gasp, a cough, the river spewing forth from her lungs. Her body convulsed briefly in the effort to expel the water from it, and he slid his arm under her shoulders to support her. For a moment, a pained groan escaped her, her eyelids fluttered, before she slipped back into unconsciousness. Her lips were blue, her skin white and ashen, but at least she was breathing and shivering. If he could get her to a shelter and a fire quick enough, she would live. A small, relieved chuckle escaped him as he lifted her up, grateful for her slight frame and his slightly supernatural constitution. He sat her down on top of his coat, fighting a little to get her arms into the sleeves and wrapping her body in it to shield it against the biting winds— winds that felt even to him like sharp knives against his soaked body. Jacob gently lifted her in his arms and turned around, making his way carefully along the icy riverbank. The closest shelter would be the cave near the old sawmill; if God was willing, he would encounter Nikolaj or one of the other scouts. Konstantin had asked him about sabotage and skirmishes down in the valley, that some Remnant were held to be questioned below the old train yard, threatening him with killing them. If they were indeed there, he would not have to abandon his duty completely to save Lara. At least he could strategize and lead while he healed her, maybe even send word to Sofia.

The way was not long, but treacherous, and with the added weight took longer than usual. Eventually, he finally caught sight of the ruined roof of the sawmill. Climbing the frozen brook, he finally found some of his people, who were notably relieved at his sight, and visibly confused that he was cradling a foreign woman and fervently rubbing her arms — until they saw the colour of her face. With a few quick commands and traded infos, Jacob enlisted the help of two of his men to lift Lara up the steep cliff unto the ledge and finally into the sheltered cave. Quickly, a fire was started, and he sent his men out, one to report to the others, one to gather supplies. He gathered cloth and a tattered carpet to make her more comfortable, preparing a bed for her next to the hearth, hanging one blanket over the stove to warm. Methodically, he removed her wet shirt, pants and shoes, leaving her small-clothes to preserve her dignity, and hanging the rest to dry over the hearth. Kneeling next to her, Jacob pulled a pouch out of his pocket, and gathered some of the powder in his hands. Muttering the familiar words, he worked the herbs into her arms, shoulders, abdomen and legs, paying extra time to heal the rib he had broken earlier.

The Lord is your guardian, your protective shade at your right hand … Where his hands worked, her skin regained its peachy hue, now almost warm to the touch. Finally his fingers returned to her throat, satisfied to now find a steady beat there. Jacob stood and stretched, himself still drenched and shivering. He retrieved the blanket from the stove and covered Lara with the warm fabric, then gently toweled her hair dry with some cloth. . While he was stoking the fire, Ruslan returned with firewood, some dried boar meat, a freshly caught rabbit, and the herbs he had requested. They talked briefly, both catching the other up on the happenings of the past days. “Will you go to the village and organize the defense?” Ruslan asked, glancing down at Lara’s huddled form by the fire, questions clear in his eyes. “As soon as she is awake, and I had a chance to talk to her. She freed me from the Gulag, she is an ally to our cause.” Or, at least I hope she will be. “ Spread the word that she is to be helped, not harmed. ” Ruslan nodded, and left shortly afterwards. Jacob’s worries were eased a little, now that he knew of the situation— not as hopeful as he had wished, not as dire as he had feared— and that he had regained a small bit of control. He busied himself with a kettle, gathered and melted snow, boiled tea out of the herbs he had requested, in the mean time trying to dry himself of best as he could. While he was shivering, he refrained from stripping out of his wet clothes because he did not want to make Lara uncomfortable. It was unlikely she would wake up soon, but he did not want her to mistrust him because she woke up to find he had undressed both of them. No, freezing was better; it would not kill him.

When the tea was done and sufficiently cooled down to be drinkable, he gently lifted her upper body up, supporting her head sideways against his shoulder so she could not choke, and slowly, patiently dribbled the tea into her mouth. A good portion of the tea drenched both of them, but it was warm and did little harm, and she drank sufficiently. He dabbed the spilled tea up and bundled her up again after checking her temperature again. Warmer and warmer. Sipping his own cup of tea, he settled near the fire, trying to soak up the warmth. While he ate some dried meat to get his empty stomach warmed up to the idea of food, his mind wandered over the events of the last days, and not lastly, the woman that lay before him and the enigma she presented.

Jacob had heard her minutes before Konstantin and her had appeared in sight, screaming and cursing him, Ana, Trinity, spewing threats and insults, and as they rounded the corner, he could see, physically putting up as much of a fight as she could. There's no us . I don't even know who you are, or why you're here. Sorry... I'm not feeling particularly trusting right now. Now that they were out of there, the memory almost made him chuckle. Jacob did not know what had transpired outside of his cell, but the fresh, personal hurt that was radiating off of her was almost palpable in the air. She snapped at him, which was not especially surprising giving he was a stranger in an adjacent cell that she had just been thrown into, but then, immediately, the fire of her fury was tempered by guilt, and it seemed she could not stop herself from apologizing.Then, in a flash, while he was still trying to get her measure and trust, she had ripped a pipe out of the wall, clawed her way through a wall, ripped the bars open and was out of the cell. Of course he had known what she was here for— most of the foreigners that stepped in this valley were here for that. We may not be enemies. I can see that. I suspect you do too.

It was almost comedic, how fast she relented, how hard she had tried to shut him out. He had watched her back, the wish to make herself hard and strong warring with her wish to find answers. Of course, he could not be sure of her true motives, but of all the people he had met, Jacob had his fair experience in seeing people for who they were. What he saw was an ally, not an enemy. What he saw was a determined woman on an almost desperate quest — but a quest not for her sake. What he saw was a light that some people, few amongst so many, carried within them. What he saw was a strong heart, struggling to be good, and a spirit that was confused as to what being good meant, and what it would cost. There used to be a time, centuries ago, where the same could be said for him. Jacob ’s heart ached for her fight. He knew it all too well. And he knew all too well the foolish mistakes that might come out of such aspirations, if left without guidance. He wondered what she could become if she had the guidance that he had lacked. Wondered, if he had had the same, his mistakes would have been different ones.

By then a deep fatigue gripped his body. His stamina was better than most people’s, another advantage of his gifts, but even he had to rest, and now that he had stopped running, the last days caught up with him. With a groan he stood slowly, and grabbed her now dry clothes. Gently and slowly he dressed her again, providing her with as much warmth as he could, before he made a bed for himself. Rationally, it would be best to share the blankets, to keep close and save and share the heat, but there was a conversation to be had, and he had to tread carefully. She came from a different world than he. So he made his bed a respectable distance away, still close enough to the hearth so both would be warm. He did not know what fate awaited his people, but for now, he did know that Lara would live, and he had learned to take the small victories as they came.

Jacob stoked the fire one last time, and then allowed himself to sleep.

Will you remember those times That I have held until tonight

#Lara Croft #Tomb Raider #ROTR #Lara x Jacob #Jacob x Lara #jalara #Rise of the Tomb Raider #The Song and the Silence #ginster writes

39 notes · View notes

unholyhelbig · 3 years

Note

Hosie where Hope finds out that Josie is dealing... Oregano?

A/N: I wish I had some oregano to get me through this quarantine...

Title: Searching for a Deal

Ship: Hope Mikaelson/ Josie Saltzman

Request prompts here | Read on AO3

Magic had a scent to it that reminded Hope of home. She could never pinpoint the exact smell, it was more of a feeling than anything, a memory that pulled at the very back edges of her mind until it felt familiar.

Her aunt carried a dark mahogany box; its wood was soft and finished and hot like sage. And that’s exactly what magic reminded her of. Of course, she kept weed in that box and hid it behind the books she knew her family wouldn’t reach for. But not everyone was as cunning as Rebekah. Hope was.

She would reach her hands past the spell books, feeling that cold energy along the way, and pull out the box. It didn’t take much convincing to get one of the witches in the quarter to teach her how to roll the paper around the herb, she would sit on top of the toilet in her bathroom near the small window and blow the smoke through there. Hope probably inhaled more off-brand air freshener than the actual weed.

There were parties at the Boarding School, kids who had a handle on where to get drugs, but part of her always felt horrible about drawing smoke into her lungs and passing it back to the person who had paid for it. She was used to doing things herself, and she had gotten to the itchy point in time where she wanted it on her own.

She couldn’t call her Aunt Rebekah, she had gotten away with too much as a young teenager and she was nice enough not to say anything. And going into Mystic Falls to con Maya out of her supply wasn’t an option either. She needed to find a hook-up within the walls of the school.

Hope tried Lizzie first.

“Oh come on,” she whispered harshly, sandwiched between romance novels and a shelf of non-fiction Norse magic. The blonde let her eyes flick from the finely printed spines to Hope before going back to her task. “I know you have some.”

“And what makes you think I do?”

Hope shrugged and tested her luck “There’s no way in hell that therapy is the only thing that has mellowed you out this much, Lizzie. Just give me a name.”

The blonde blinked slowly at her, fingers running against the nearest textbook. She swiped it from the metal shelf and piled it on top of the other one in her arms before letting out a small breath. “Even if I was about to tell you, which I’m not, insulting me isn’t the way to get answers, Hope.”

“Then what is?” She arched a brow.

“Simple. Ask someone else.”

Hope let out a groan of frustration and the taller Saltzman twin went back to her book report. The library was mostly empty at this time of day, golden strings of light bouncing from the shelves. She wouldn’t be able to find an answer with the librarian behind the counter or the young vampire lounging in one of the leather chairs with oversized headphones.

She was agitated, and albeit, desperate.

That very desperation leads her to the gym; it was vastly different than the study. Its floors gleamed and the sound of rubber against glossed wood pounding against her already existing headache. She lingered by the doors for a few moments, watching a few of the wolves pull themselves effortlessly up the ropes.

As soon as Rafael met her gaze, she beaconed him over.

“Not a chance, Hope.” He said, breath caught in his throat. A fine layer of sweat dripped through his shirt. “Dr. Saltzman is strict about that stuff. You think I would be caught with that in my system?”

It hadn’t stopped him before, not at the same parties that Hope had gone to. He was often sitting right next to her, blunt between his teeth and smoke clouding his lungs. “Fair point, but you know who sells it?”

He stalled for a moment, clenching his jaw and glancing back at his teammates. “No. But I know who might.”

Penelope Park.

Hope was growing exhausted of this game of telephone, and even more wary of rushing around the Salvatore school. It wouldn’t be hard to track down Satan herself, she stuck to the dark corners of the school and often camped out under the bleachers, letting the coolness of her perch soak through her jeans as she breathed in the sharp smoke. She reeked of it, and Hope lingered at the entrance. She kicked a metallic can of off-brand beer to get the woman’s attention.

Two other witches lingered, one with his arms stretched above his head, he clung to the bars like a vice and narrowed his glowing eyes at her. The other witch grabbed the rolled paper that Penelope jutted out to her. Hope despised the smug look on her face and the sloppy grin that followed.

“You have a moment?” Hope asked, shoving her hands into her pockets.

Penelope stood from the cinderblock with little hesitation. With the nod of her head, the blunt was handed back to her and the two witches exited from their position at her flanks. They never took their eyes away from her. Hope hated being alone with Penelope.

“You want a hit?” Penelope asked, stretching out her hand.

Yes, she did, more than anything. She nodded and took the rolled cigarette before taking a deep breath in. The toxic taste coated her lungs and instantly made the tension release from her shoulders. “Thanks. I actually… Raf said that you know where to get this?”

“mm, try in town.” She grabbed the blunt back and then dropped it into the wet soil, using the tip of her toe to ground it into nothing. “The humans at Mystic High thrive on it.”

Hope shook her head “I know someone here supplies it. Just not who.”

Penelope laughed and she hated the sound of it. It was something that mocked her and kept her up on certain nights when she was forced into the same social situations as the girl, which wasn’t often. It made Hope cross her arms over her chest defensively.

“Relax, dude. I just think it’s funny that you’re just now hunting this kind of thing down. Even funnier that you have no clue who sells it. It pays to have friends around here, you know?”

Hope glared at her. “I just need a name, Park.”

“Fine, fine.” She shrugged her shoulders in defeat “Josie.”

She wanted to tell Penelope Park to crawl back into whatever hole she had dug herself last. To lay down and cover herself in dirt because there was no way in hell she had spent this long talking to the girl for a bullshit answer like that one. Josie Saltzman. Yeah right.

Penelope must have read the expression on her face. “You asked for a name, Red. I gave you one. She doesn’t’ sell the best stuff, but it’s high quality for Mystic Falls. And even better, you don’t have to travel into town for it.”

Hope waved her off and walked out from under the bleachers, back into the sunlight. She was instantly washed with an easier scent of freshly mowed grass and off-brand sports drink. Maybe she would find Josie, because if Penelope lied, at least it was about Josie. Soft lipped and kind-hearted Josie. She might get scoffed at, but that was the extent.

She found the girl in her dorm room, the door cracked open as she drew little swirls in her notebook. Ukulele was on her right side. She had been scrawling notes and lyrics but took a creative break, it seemed. The girl glanced up with a stunningly potent stare, setting everything aside as the tribrid knocked sheepishly on the doorframe.

“Can we talk?” Hope had asked, and she knew the answer before she even parted her lips. Josie had a certain vulnerability to her eyes that spelled everything out. Of course, they could talk. Hope could speak for hours without a breath and Josie would listen.

Josie scooted over at the base of her bed and patted the spot on the carpet with a slight nod. Hope was feeling the few breaths she pulled in under the bleachers, the taste still thick on her tongue. Her mouth was dry and she would kill for one sip of water, but this seemed like the most important place to be right now.

“I’ve been asking around the school,” She started. Josie nodded, her slight curls bouncing “and Penelope Park of all people told me that I could… buy something off of you?”

“Like what?”

Josie got this adorable little crinkle in her nose when she was miffed, or when she was lying. Hope never noticed it at first, but she did after once too many dinners with the family. Josie didn’t like lemon and she didn’t like fish either but she would eat it if they were in a fancy enough restaurant because that was the polite thing to do. Her nose crinkled now.

“weed Jo. I’ve been searching through this entire school, and so help me God if Penelope is fucking with me,” She stilled and sighed “I’m stressed. I need something.”

“I don’t even smoke weed.”

“Christ,”

Hope pinched the bridge of her nose, because she knew this meant having to go into town. She didn’t like Lizzie Saltzman much, but she disliked Dana even more. All the townies had something against each and every one of them, and she wasn’t prepared to drop a good amount of money on something so small.

Josie shifted as she turned towards the bed and pressed her shoulder against the floor. She was reaching blindly under her bed for something, letting out little grunts of exasperation. She said something, but it was muffled by the carpet. Finally, she pulled a small mahogany box from the darkness.

“I asked if you could close the door,” Josie emerged, breathless.

Hope just nodded dumbly and got to her feet before following the order. She remained there, her back against the mahogany as she rose both of her eyebrows. Josie hummed in gratitude before unlatching the container.

“I hide it in my sage because people like you can’t smell it otherwise.”

“I thought you said you didn’t’ smoke.”

“Oh I don’t, but I can recognize a good business venture when I see one. There’s not a dealer within fifty miles of this place. Simply no competition so my margins are great.” She stopped rooting around and pulled out a little baggie, a portioned clump of browns and greens.

“I never would have figured.” Hope laughed.

“That’s kind of the point,” Josie beamed “First ones free.”

#hope x josie #hope mikaelson #josie saltzman #hosie #hosie fanfic #fanfiction requests #fanfiction

25 notes · View notes

spartanxhunterx · 4 years

Text

Home Support (part 3)

Tags: @elmokingkong, @kuroko26, @votederpycausemufins, @redscarlet95, @amayakans, @yin-390, @susiej1118, @toodaloo-kangaroo

Her arms ached, her brow was dripping with sweat and the Akuma was hot on her heels. So much so that she could feel the heat they were emanating on her back, if it wasn't for Tikki's protection, she probably would have burned up by now.

She was trying to push the Akuma closer to the seine, closer to water, where she hoped to be able to dunk the Akuma into to combat the flames that engulfed them. Only then would she stand a chance. If only the Akuma didn't keep bringing up massive walls of flames to block her path.

At the very least, she had managed to scout out the Akuma's abilities. They could only being up one massive wall at a time, so as long as she didn't trap herself in (which is kinda hard when you can vault over every building around) then she could keep up with their game of cat and mouse.

Speaking of cats.

Chat Noir was following behind the Akuma, slightly off to the side. Normally this wouldn't be a problem but the damn cat was choosing to just watch from a safe distance, instead of trying to ambush Hawkmoths victim of the day.

She was so having choice words with him later.

She swerved to the side as a fireball flung past her head, she was certain that a few hair had to have been burnt from that. She had yet to see the extent of that move yet, but she would deal with it later.

The Akuma took priority, she swung around a corner, pulling herself up and over the building before her before touching down into a sprint that resulted in her jumping over gaps between buildings and streets. The Akuma left growing flames everywhere they went, leaving the fire department severely overworked and undermanned as they tried to fight the flames for the sake of the civilians.

She could see the seine just over the cusp of the buildings, feeling her determination grow she put all her effort into getting there as soon as possible.

It seems, however, her ladybug luck could only last so long.

As she flung her yo-yo onto a lamppost a blast of flame hit it, melting it instantly. She had already been lifted into the air slightly when it happened, expecting to simply vault to the closest building. Instead, she took a sudden dive towards the ground, hitting it full force as she skidded across the tarmac.

Thank Kwami for the magic that protected her.

as she turned to look up, she saw the Akuma hovering above her, the sharp symbol of Hawkmoth over their pure white glowing eyes. Without a word the Akuma raised their arm and pointed it at Ladybug, a large stream of fire escaped from their Palm and was heading her way.

She was frozen to the spot, unable to move, her yo-yo was too far away for her to use, having skidded away from her during her fall.

"LADYBUG!"

She was certain she was hearing Chat shouting her name but couldn't pinpoint its origins.

Just before the flames got to her she felt a massive hand grab her shoulder, pulling her backwards effortlessly as something big and round was planted in front of her.

The flames hit it, spreading around it as it was forced to come in contact with the... Thing... The tarmac around them began to bubble. After a few more seconds of the onslaught of flames, they stopped. The light of the flames had left her momentarily blinded, yet she felt... Safe.

She's stood as her eyes adjusted back to normal, before her stood a very large and very broad man. He was wearing large thick green boots, a thin dark green undersuit was covered with near black coloured sections around the thighs, shoulder and wrists. His stomach was more a yellow green giving off a pattern similar to... It clicked.

her eyes darted to large shield in His hand, to the turtle miraculous on his wrist then to the man's face where it was shrouded by the dark hood and goggle like mask.

There was fondness in those eyes that she couldn't immediately place. There was only two people who knew where to find the miraculous and only one of them were like the man before her.

"Papa?"

He, her father, smiled at her in that way that she knew meant that she was loved and cared for.

"Hello my little macaroon."

Marinette was about to open her mouth when another person, her Maman no doubt, landed next to them both. She would honestly admit to everyone around that she was jealous of her mother's attire.

Sabine's suit was designed like a hanfu dress, the deep red colour was accented by the shiny silver lines that made the entire suit look scaly. Sitting in the centre of her chest was a dragons head, wide open as if ready to bite, between the teeth was the three elemental symbols for water, air and lightning. The dragons neck when up and around her mother's neck where it went back down, seemingly under the head and towards her right hip.

The body of the Dragon circled around her waist until the tail hung loosely off her front. The large sleeves were designed to look like Dragon wings but clearly were unable to hold any real weight. Sabine's eyes had gone a golden yellow and sliced like a reptiles, the red mask that covered her eyes gave off the impression of an open maw, there were two horn like additions to each side of her head, almost looking like a crown.

She looked glorious and Marinette was jealous that her mother got to showcase her heritage better then she could.

"Perhaps it time we get a little... Lucky, ladybug."

Sabine jolted her head to behind them as she returned Ladybugs yo-yo to her, giving a quick look back she spotted Alya hiding behind a trashcan, phone trained on the three of them.

Great, Just.... Great.

"Protect me." She stepped back as her father pulled his shield up in front of them both and her mother drew the sword from her back, it look no different from the one Ryuoko used. "Lucky Charm!"

From the cloud of Ladybugs emerged a... "Fire blanket?"

" figure it out, " Her mother spoke fiercely. "I'll handle them for now." Like that she was off the ground, jumping from outcrop to outcrop while trying to get close to the Akuma.

Her sword would swing at them as she got close, forcing the Akuma to drop lower down or move back. Her mother was a little too fast for the Akuma to keep up with.

Ladybug scanned around her, her vision darkening as she tried to figure out a solution. There wasn't much to go off of right now just...

Her eyes darted to her father, then her mother, to the blanket and then the fire hydrant down the street, where to Akuma had been forced back towards.

"I got it." She quickly tied the blanket to her left arm, not wishing to lose it. "Help her push the Akuma back and down more, be ready to activate Shell-ter on my mark."

Her father gave her a nod before he ran down the street, not nearly as agile as the two of them. She was quick to fling her way to the hydrant, wrap the wire around the end and brace. Then she waited.

She watched her parents fight, her mother tried to stay as airborne as possible, bouncing back and forth between buildings and truly looking like a dragon.

Her father stayed down, drawing the heat - literally - to himself. Just a little closer.

"Hey bugaboo, look a little busy there, need a hand?"

She groaned internally, not letting the irresponsible hero get under her skin. "Not now Chat, talk later." She heard her earrings beep once and ignored the weight that was out on her shoulder.

A little more now.

"So, patrol tonight?"

" Can't... Family business. " Which for once would not be a lie.

"You can keep playing hard to get all you want MyL-"

"Now!" She pulled back on the hydrant , breaking it and allowing water to spray upwards. Directly into the Akuma.

they were put off by the force and their flames dulled due to the moisture but they didn't extinguish. They hit the ground close to her father, as he raised his shield up, her mother dropped next to him.

"Shell-ter!"

The large dome encompassed the three of them, leaving Ladybug and Chat Noir outside it. Despite this it still seemed impossible to retrieve the Akumatised object as it had to have been below the flames, they couldn't see it.

"Hold your breath." The two adults looked at each other in understanding. " Water dragon! "

As quickly as one could blink the dome filled up with water, it filled the flames until they extinguished and even then the water stayed a short moment after. As her earrings beeped a second time ladybug unwrapped the blanket from her arm, she knew what she had to do.

As quickly as it started, the shield dropped and the water flowed everywhere, leaving her parents both standing above the Akuma. Ladybug wasted no time in trying their hands together with one end of the blanket before she used the other end to pay down the Akuma still hot body.

there were cracks running up their body like magma was trying escape from underground. She quIckly found the object, a fancy looking lighter, before she smashed it on the ground under her foot.

She untied the blanket before repainting into the air. "Miraculous Ladybug!" Like that all the damage was reverted, fires where extinguished and the hard working rescue services could relax once more.

As the corrupted magic dissipated off the victims body ladybugs earrings beeped a third time, this time she brought a hand up to them before she turned to her parents.

"Go, we'll handle this." Her mother was already kneeling by the victim, trying to comfort them.

" purr-haps I should take you home Milady? We still need to have tha-" Chat Noirs words were interrupted by his yelp of pain, caused by her father dragging him backwards by his tail.

"Actually," the larger man spoke, putting an arm around the feline hero. "Why don't you help us speak to our... Dedicated reporter." He gestured to Alya as Ladybug Yo-Yo'd away, greatful for her parents.

After a few minutes of gushing and - with somewhat scornful looks sent the man's way - asking questions they ended off on the important one.

"So, what done a call you two?"

"Fēilóng." The Dragon weilder spoke, authority and power coursing in her voice.

"Tortue." The turtle weilder spoke with pride in his own voice, a sound that made others feel at ease and safe around him.

quickly the two of them jumped up to the closest roof, gave each other a sparing glance before parting ways, as if they didn't know each other. Leaving a grumbling cat and slightly disgruntled reporter behind.

Later the family was sat at their dinning room table enjoying their dinner, as they spoke about pleasant nothing's. As if the three of them had never gone out and fought a magic enhanced villain with the help of magical mini-gods.

said Mini-Gods were sat in the centre of the table enjoying their own food and even tea from their miniature cups. Marinette had been more then willing to allow her parents to keep the miraculous, both so she could have back up and so the Kwami themselves could enjoy the world more thoroughly.

She knew Wayzz needed more time before he got over the loss of master fu, what better way then to find with someone new?

She's knew he wouldn't be decent for a while and she didn't blame him for it at all.

"Tikki?" The tiny red God looked up to her chosen not noticing, or choosing not to acknowledge, the glint of mischief in her yes.

"Yes Marinette?"

" Could not be possible to... say... Pass a message onto Plagg for me? It's important. "

"I would have to visit him personally and inform think that's wise. "

"Well," the bi-racial girl started. "I don't think we'll get an Akuma tonight, so it should be safe. I just need you to ask Plagg How he feels about his holder and what he's doing to correct his behaviour, he was pretty game today after all."

" Very well, do you wish for me to depart immediately or later? "

"Soon. It would be best so we can get to sleep early tonight, I'm exhausted. "

"Very well." Despite her size , Tikki was quick to pick up a cookie and carry it with her. "I shall return as soon as possible."

She went through the open window , unable to phase through it while holding her sugary treat. Her parents looked at her oddly and she was quick to withdraw a box from her bag, pulling the miraculous out of it she didn't flinch at the bright golden light in front of her. She clipped the comb to one of her ponytails before facing her parents.

"Lets go get the ring back. "

#Home Support AT #dragon!sabine #Turtle!Tom #miraculous au #marinette deserves better #guardian marinette

189 notes · View notes

evabellasworld · 3 years

Text

Storm of the Republic

Chapter 10

AO3 Link | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

——————————————————————————————

Summary: When Tup murdered General Tiplar during a battle, Anakin Skywalker and Captain Rex dispatched Ahsoka, Fives, and Yara to solve the mystery that was plaguing the Clone Army. Meanwhile, Senator Padme Amidala contacted Commander Fox, Commander Tori, Riyo Chuchi, and Dipper to help her continue investigating the death of Palpatine, suspecting that Dooku was behind the evil plot. But when Dooku send an ISB agent to stop them, the team had to race against time to search for the truth, which could alter the course of the galaxy.

————————————————————————————

Stepping towards the surface, Odd Eye and Mina breathed a sigh of relief as they landed on an empty part of the island, hearing gunshots and explosions from afar. As part of their mission briefed earlier, Team B will storm the capital city of Mendes to topple the Imperial government.

The planet was part of the Galactic Republic, but had fallen in the hands of the Galactic Empire recently. Hocura harvested crystals that were worth millions of Galactic Credits, and they were instructed to take it back from Imperial hands.

Rubbing her belly, Odd Eye turned around and counted all her troops from the 666th Battalion, from ARC Trooper Tarot, Ouija, Yeri, and others that survived for the past six months. “All members of the 666th are accounted for, General,” she reported to Erina.

“Excellent, Commander,” Erina praised her.

“What about you, Mina?” Raul asked. “Is everyone present?”

“We’re all here, General,” she responded, looking at Bouncy, Nygma, and another Mina.

After the death of Commander Gowon, the ARC Trooper was promoted to a higher position, something many of her peers could only dream of. She was pleased with her new position as a commander, but a bigger role means bigger responsibility for her, and she found it challenging for the past 6 months.

Mina looked up to Odd Eye for guidance, and while the latter has been helpful, the former wished that she had more time to learn about leadership. She may have received training from Alpha-17, but Mina was used to being in the shadows alongside her late commander. I wish Commander Gowon is still here. Why does she have to go too soon? I have a lot to learn about responsibility.

“Alright, we’re heading to the jungle,” Erina instructed them. “So make sure you all stick together and keep your eyes sharp. You never know what you have to encounter down there.”

“Yes, sir,” Odd Eye bobbed her head in acknowledgment. “Come on guys, we have a city to take back.”

”Understood, commander,” Tarot said, as he gestured to his siblings to keep moving.

As the 666th and 197th Battalion marched together, Raul frantically searched through his backpack for something important, making Erina cross her arms. “Let me guess, you forgot your bug spray again?”

Raul gave a nod, smiling sheepishly. “You know me well, Eri.”

“Next time, please remember it,” she advised, passing him the bug spray. “You always forget every time we’re heading to another planet.”

“Alright then,” he resigned. “Also, did you remember to pack your prayer mat? You always forget to bring that whenever we’re on duty.”

Her smile faded as she paused in her tracks, slapping her forehead in shame. “Shit, why do I always forget to bring my prayer mat? That’s like the most important thing on my list. Now I have to pray five times a day with my blanket, again.”

“Don’t worry about it, Eri. At least you don’t have to worry about forgetting your binder like me.”

She raised her eyebrows at the dark-skinned man. “But you don’t need to bring your binders anymore. You already had chest surgery a long time ago.”

“Well, that was way before my chest surgery,” Raul told her. “Remember, I had to work at the diner all day long?”

“How could I forget that, Raul? You wouldn’t even dare to take a day off just to go out with me. Your boss was pretty strict with you.”

“Hey, at least I took you out on a date after the surgery.”

Erina let out a chuckle. “Of course we went out. You came out as a trans man and I wanted to celebrate at your favourite ice-cream shop. That was an important milestone in your life, you know.”

“Yeah, it was the best day of my life.”

As they continued with their conversation, Odd Eye could not help but smile underneath her helmet. Their conversation reminded her of Erhan, back when he was still alive and cheerful. They always have a deep conversation with each other that lasts the entire night, before they would fall asleep in each other’s arms when the sun rose from the horizon.

Her last memory of her lover was before they left an island planet. I can’t wait to start a family with you, Odd Eye recalled his words towards her, before watching him die in front of her. All it took was a tank shooting him from behind. As much as she told Tori that she moved on, she wished he was with her right now.

“Aren’t they cute?” Mina spoke, bringing her back to the present. “They’re both holding hands right now.”

“Yeah, they are,” she agreed, focusing on Erina and Raul. “Who do you think will propose first, though?”

“I think it would be General Gomez,” ARC Trooper Tarot speculated. “He’s quite the romantic one in the relationship.”

“Really?” Mina raised her eyebrows. “I always assumed it would be General Almarez-Guttierez. She’s pretty confident in everything she does.”

“My money goes to General Gomez as well,” ARC Trooper Bouncy joined in the fun. “He’s always sweet towards his partner. I mean, he even carried General Almarez-Guttierez to safety more than once.”

“Okay, guys, let’s just relax with this gossip, alright? We should let their relationship go with the flow.”

“Yes, commander,” Tarot groaned. “Though my readings tell me that there might be a union, eventually.”

Odd Eye rolled her eyes. Of course Tarot would say something like that. That’s how he got his name. He’s obsessed with tarot cards. She wondered why Erhan had to get him those cards in the first place, though some of his readings were accurate most of the time.

One time, he pulled out The Tower card, and the next thing she knows, the 666th Battalion lost half their men in the Battle of Zamerth. It was the most devastating loss she had experienced, and it wasn’t the last time the Grand Army of the Republic had to fold against the Separatists.

“Speaking of readings, what is the card of the day?” the pregnant commander asked, hoping today will be filled with good fortunes and luck.

“This morning, I got the Temperance card. From what I can tell, it means that you’ll have to keep your cool, even when things aren’t going your way.”

“I’m trying my best, Tarot. You know how hard it is to carry a baby while fighting a war?”

“I’m aware of that, commander. That’s why the Temperance card appeared in my reading today.”

It’s an accurate reading, she acknowledged with pure intention. She had to give credit to that. It’s difficult to predict the future with tarot cards, especially if you’re not familiar with it.

The purple jungle looked like something that was from a fairy tale, and the symphony of crickets in the background felt tranquil for her. The rain from the clouds made it better, as she could concentrate on her current surroundings.

If Odd Eye was given a chance to live somewhere, Hocura is her number one choice. She would never get bored with the scenery from her treehouse. Her son would love it here too. He could sleep to the sound of raindrops while Odd Eye would just sit beside him, reading her favourite book. It’s the life she always wanted after the war ended.

“So, how long till we reach Mendes?” Mina questioned Raul. “We’ve been walking for hours and my legs are killing me.”

Raul opened his map from his device and showed their current location to his commander. “Mendes is 20 kilometres from here. If we meet up halfway through the jungle with the 212th and the Coruscant Guard, we will get there in two days.”

“So are the 212th and the Corrie Guards still fighting on the other side?” Mina bit her lips. “It must be a pretty intense battle. I hope they’re okay.”

“Two days is pretty long and I’m not sure whether they can survive that long,” Odd Eye commented, tapping her feet on the ground. “Is it alright if we rest for at least 10 minutes? My feet also hurt and I might need a bathroom break right now.”

Erina exchanged a brief glance with her partner for a moment before approving both their requests. “Alright then, you all can have a 20 minutes break for yourselves. Then we’ll continue through the jungle.”

“Thank you, sir,” Tarot sighed in relief. “You’re a lifesaver.”

“It’s not a big deal,” Raul winked. “Rest is good for your health and you all need it.”

2 notes · View notes

pinkbubbles-and-bigtroubles · 4 years

Text

Wicked Game (Part 3)

Word Count: 25K total The first part is about 5K, part 2 is 7K

Rating: 18+ Slash fic Strong language, alcohol and drug use, and a misogynistic and racist comment. Sexual scenes including masturbation, toys, voyeurism, oral, and anal sex.

Summary: Ashton is ready to move on with his life after his painful divorce from Luke and the demise of the restaurant they’d built together. With the help of his protegee and sous chef Hima Singh, Ashton is ready to take on opening weekend of his new restaurant Anne-Marie’s. Calum is a reporter filling in on an assignment and is surprised when his past comes back to haunt him. Hima arranges an interview that takes an unexpected turn between the two men.

Part 1

Part 2

Ashton jumped at the sound of the buzzer. Calum sent him a text telling Ash he was on his way so he knew he was coming, but he was so jittery it startled him anyway. He checked the time, 5:15 pm. 35 minutes to get here? That's good he doesn't live too far. Ashton held a bottle of cologne up and away from him, released three quick spritz into the air before walking through the cloud of fragrance. He made his way out of the bedroom, pausing for one final glance in the mirror. He brushed the soft brown curls off his forehead, his eyes reflexively checking his hairline. He silently thanked Hima for convincing him to get treatment. You could barely see the previously thin spots. Don't keep him waiting. You're ready for this.

Ashton opened the door and barely caught himself from gasping out loud. Hot Damn. His chest fluttered in a rush as his throat constricted. He didn't know where to look. Calum was holding a gift basket with three flavors of Ashton's favorite hot sauce but that wasn't what had his mouth watering. His eyes landed on Calum's hands holding the gift before trailing up to where his bronzed biceps disappeared into a crisp, red short-sleeve button up with one of those black tank tops he favored. His gaze lingered on the small gold necklace nestled against Calum's throat before dragging his eyes up to find the other man watching him with a shy smile.

"Hima said this was your favorite," Calum blurted out, pushing the basket into Ashton's chest.

"It is, thank you so much. Please come in," Ashton blushed hot pink as he gestured for Calum to follow him into the apartment.

Calum got a whiff of Ashton's scent as he turned away from him, causing his spine to tingle at the memory of the missed opportunity that night in the club. His eyes followed Ashton's broad back, unable to resist a quick glance at his tight little butt. Hima mentioned her boss's daily yoga routine, and the black jeans he had on left very little to Cal's imagination. Pay attention Hood. You're here for an interview, not to get laid, he reminded himself. Por qué no los dos? a tiny voice asked that definitely wasn't from his brain.

Ashton was equally grasping to get his thoughts together, but having Calum in his house made everything much more real.

"Go ahead and have a seat," he motioned for Calum to sit down at the bar while he entered the kitchen. "Would you like something to drink? I have pink lemonade, mango infused sweet tea, and wine."

"Sweet tea sounds good. I'll have that if you don't mind," Calum sat on one of the tall stools facing Ashton in the kitchen.

Ashton garnished the drink with a slice of fresh lime, and Calum grinned as he handed it to him.

"Always the artist," Calum remarked. "Hima was going on about that. She's very observant, and you're lucky she loves her job because she'd make an excellent reporter. I might steal her away yet."

"Good luck getting past her mom," Ashton giggled. "All of them really, she's got a twin brother who's crazy overprotective and more cousins than I can count. My family was just me, mom, and the kids so it's a bit much."

"Where's your family from?" Calum asked.

Ashton leaned against the kitchen island, his eyes fixed just above Calum's head.

"I was born in Sydney, Australia. My dad fucked off when I was a baby, and my mom moved us around a lot. She got remarried when I was ten and had my brother and sister. We moved to the US soon after, and when they moved back I was a junior in high school, I decided to stay here. That's when I got a job in a kitchen doing dishes and grunt work."

"Did you know right away you wanted to be a chef?"

"Hell no," Ashton laughed. "I was miserable and living with three guys in a grimy apartment. I was trying to go to school and worked till close most nights. I got into a really bad fight with one of my roommates. He was a big, ugly bastard, ignorant homophobic piece of shit. He accused me of stealing his weed and attacked me. I was in the hospital getting stitches when my boss showed up and dragged me home with him. They put me up in the basement, bought me a bus pass, and he gave me a raise. Did you ever get to eat at Bordeaux?"

Calum shook his head. "Never had the money or the clout. Didn't they sell it?"

Ashton stepped up to the sink to wash his hands, setting his rings in a crystal tray on the edge of the windowsill. "Yeah, after his heart attack, his wife Brigitte made him give it up. She's a force of nature, that woman. She taught me everything I know about baking and pastries. Baking is when science meets art. Cooking leaves wiggle room; you can improvise. But baking doesn't allow for carelessness or impatience."

He dried his hands before he pulled an object out of the fridge and placed it on the counter, unwrapping the plastic wrap.

"I made mushroom Wellington for dinner, and getting the puff pastry dough right takes time. It's an all-day process because every couple of hours you have to roll it out and fold it so the butter gets folded layer over layer. That's what makes it rich, fluffy, and delicious. There's no way to shortcut that." He placed the pastry in a shallow baking pan and pulled a small bowl out of the fridge. "I'm brushing it with egg wash so it'll get nice and golden brown in the oven." He pulled out a small knife from the block and twirled it between his fingers. He narrowed his eyes, the tip of his tongue peeking out from between his lips as he concentrated, making several small quick shallow cuts. He grabbed a couple of bottles and carefully sprinkled seeds and spices on the surface before looking back up at Calum.

The intensity in the other man's eyes stopped him short. "Am I talking too much?" Ashton asked, feeling his face flush yet again.

"No, not at all. I uh, almost forgot I'm supposed to be interviewing you," Calum stammered a bit, embarrassed to be caught staring. "So tell me, where did you go after you left Bordeaux?"

As soon as the words left his mouth Calum wanted them back. That would be when he met Luke, you dumbass. Of course, his brain was a step behind his mouth. To his relief, Ashton shook his head with a sharp laugh.

"Yeah, that old story. Why don't you tell me a story I don't already know?"

Ashton pulled another pan from the fridge and set it next to the oven. "Both of these have to bake for about thirty minutes. You can tell me a little about yourself while I make the salad. I don't like to talk while I'm using a knife, but I'm a great listener."

"Are those figs? I'm starting to think you're trying to impress me," Calum's eyes crinkled in a smile and Ashton's chest fluttered once again.

"Maybe I am. Is it working?" Ashton spoke before he thought about it. Ooh, look at you flirting.

"Oh it's working alright," Cal's voice took on a husky edge that gave Ashton a victorious little thrill, knowing he wasn't imagining the heat between them. "Do you need me to help with anything?"

Ashton smirked, dirty thoughts racing through his brain. His dick twitched in his pants, eager for Calum's help, but then those dark eyes went wide as he realized what he said. The reporter nervously licked his lips and looked away while Ashton gripped the countertop to keep his knees from buckling.

"I'm good, thanks," Ashton replied, needing to keep Calum at a distance if he wanted to have any concentration to make it through dinner. "Are you trying to get out of talking about yourself?" He cut a thick slice off the largest fig, speared it, and offered it to Calum off the point of his knife.

Calum plucked it from the blade and popped it in his mouth, his eyes rolling back in pleasure as he chewed. Ashton had to cough to suppress a whimper at the sight, his jeans now uncomfortably tight.

"One of the best things about being a reporter is not having to talk about yourself. My mom taught me to choose my words and my friends carefully. However, to be a good journalist, I have to be able to completely open myself up to each experience while not making it about me. I want to be the reader's guide to the story, not the star of my own show. I leave the primadonna bullshit to my coworker Felipe, or someone like Kevin Mackie."

Ashton chuckled, "Did you see his review of Anne-Marie's? Ass-kissing prick, he's banned for life."

"Did you really throw him out of your restaurant? What did he say?,” Calum leaned forward, eager for details. “Hima wouldn't tell me. I wish I could've seen that."

"She doesn’t know it all. I didn’t want to tell her, but he insulted her personally. He even managed to be racist and condescending while doing it. He's a twat. I was willing to grit my teeth and endure it because it's Mackie, and we all have to deal with him, but you’re not going to insult my friends. I can't even think about it without getting angry again" Ashton spat out the words and Calum's eyebrows went up in surprise. Ashton continued, trying to steer the conversation away from having to repeat the vile things he'd said. "You already know he brought up all the past drama and even asked me if I'd gone to the Galway Grill."

"You're kidding," Calum couldn't help but laugh. "Seriously, though, that place looks awful."

"It really does. You can tell they rushed the opening. Those tacky plastic decorations, if you thought Lune Rouge was gaudy," Ashton had to stop working because he couldn't stop giggling, which only got Calum laughing harder.

"Did you see the fucking menu? The Irish puns, it's so bad. The best part is that it's not supposed to be awful," Calum said.

"No, yeah, exactly it's supposed to be clever and fun, but it just comes off like a pretentious dickhead."

A loud alarm caught them off guard, and Ashton quickly silenced his phone and grabbed an oven mitt. He checked the temperature of both dishes before turning them around and putting them back in the oven. Calum had the hiccups and asked for a glass of water between breaths.

Calum hiccuped while trying to take a drink and began to sputter and cough. Ashton grabbed a towel as he came out of the kitchen and around to the other side of the bar. Calum covered his face and tried to catch his breath, but as he did, he became aware of Ashton's hand rubbing his back. His eyes still watering, he glanced over to see nothing but concern in the other man's face. Calum saw up close that Ashton's eyes seemed to shift color depending on how the light hit his face. He noticed the dimple on Ashton's chin and the rough patches of skin bearing faint scars from his teenage acne, the little bit of stubble under his bottom lip he'd missed when he shaved that morning, lips that were almost irresistibly close. Calum remembered he probably looked a hot mess and needed a minute to himself.

"Can I use your bathroom?" He asked from behind the towel.

"Sure, it's the first door down that hall," Ashton stepped back and let him pass.

Calum closed the door behind him and took a quick look in the mirror. His face was still red but it was slowly fading. He took a piss and blew his nose before washing his hands and splashing some water on his face. The towel hanging on the rack was super soft and Calum could tell it was expensive even if he didn't recognize the brand. He took a second to look around, and while the rug looked as soft as the towels, everything else seemed to be made of bamboo. In fact, the only plastic Calum saw was a bottle of mouthwash on the sink. It was rude to look in the medicine cabinet, but he peeked in the shower. He smelled sandalwood and citrus, noticing they not only used the same brand of shampoo bar, but the shower enema attachment was identical to the one in Calum’s shower. He began to worry he was taking too long, so he took another look in the mirror before opening the door.

Ashton was setting Calum's salad up on the bar next to a fresh glass of tea when he sat back down.

"Ooh thank you so much. This looks fantastic, is that feta?" Calum asked, suddenly realizing he was hungry.

"It's actually honey-basted goat cheese. The dressing is a turmeric and honey vinaigrette. I like the extra touch of sweetness. I grew the lettuce in my little balcony garden out back, along with most of my fresh herbs." He stopped talking and watched Calum eat. He'd never seen anyone go through such a range of expressions while eating. He was clearly enjoying himself. Ashton felt like he was being intrusive for staring, nevermind the thrill he got watching the other man's bliss. If he makes these faces while eating, I'm dying to see what he looks like when he's cumming, he thought.

Calum opened his eyes and caught Ashton blatantly staring. He met his gaze as Calum ran his finger along the underside of his bottom lip to catch a tiny drop off dressing from spilling down his chin and slowly licked it clean. He smirked when he saw Ashton blush and look away. Aren't you supposed to be working? A little voice reminded him, but he ignored it. "That was delicious, I can't wait to taste what's next."

Ashton smirked and started to reply when his phone rang. He started to hit ignore until he saw it was his mother.

"Sorry, it's my mom. I have to answer this," Ashton swiped up to answer. "Hey Mom, hold on one second. I'm sorry about this," he said, covering the mouthpiece.

"Thanks, and don't apologize. It's your mom, I get it," Calum told him.

"Yeah Mom, I've got company. Yes the interview, mmm-hmm, yeah. No, I'm home, but he's here. Yes, right now. No Mom it's not like that. I'll call you later. Love you too, bye." Ashton hung up and turned back to Calum. "Sorry about that."

"Please, it's no big deal. I talk to my mom every day, too, and it's not like I didn't know you were a Mama's boy," Calum grinned. "Hima told me, and you did name your restaurant after her."

"Hima talks too much," Ashton rolled his eyes with a laugh. "Yeah, my mom is my lucky star. We've been through a lot together, and she's the only one who's always had my back. I rely quite a bit on the women in my life, honestly. Lauren, my sister, is one of my best friends, along with my cousin Sophie. You've met Hima; Mom calls her my work wife."

"I could see that," Calum teased, "until she opens her own place."

"That's why I gave them a stake in the business. My mom suggested it. Hopefully, they'll want to stick around, maybe take over someday, who knows?" Ashton shrugged.

"Mom knows best right?" Calum smiled, pulling out his wallet. He pulled out an old picture of a woman who could be his twin with a chubby-cheeked toddler on her lap. "This is my mom, Joy. She lives on the east coast now, and every morning my alarm goes off at 5 AM so I can text her good morning as she's having her morning coffee."

"That's so sweet. You must be her favorite child," Ashton had the warm fuzzies watching Calum talk about his mom. The way his entire face lit up when he smiled melted him into a puddle.

"My sister would agree with you, except she has Vanessa now, so she cares fuck all what I do," Calum said unlocking his phone. As soon as he did multiple messages popped up from his editor/best friend/total pain in his ass asking how his date was going.

"Go away Sham," he mumbled, and Ashton looked at him and then his phone

Calum quickly hid the messages. "My editor, Sham. She's my work wife and constantly in my business."

"Didn't Hima tell me she sets you up on dates? Like the pocket-sized lawyer from the club?" Ashton asked, suddenly jealous.

"Hima talks too much," Calum grumbled, and Ashton lost it which set Calum off again.

It took several minutes to regain control until Calum had tears on his face, and Ashton was about to piss himself. He excused himself, and when he returned, Cal showed him a picture of the same woman from the first photo only older in this photo, her dark hair streaked through with silver. Standing next to her was a young girl who was obviously Calum's daughter. They were both dressed in Polynesian-style floral dresses. She had the same dark flashing eyes, broad nose, and strong jawline as her father, but her face had a more heart-shaped appearance.

Calum swiped to the next picture. "My sister, Mali, she's older and my best friend in the world." He pointed to the woman standing next to Vanessa, wearing a similar dress and tying a scarf around the little girl’s cloud of curly hair., The scarf was open a bit at the top, allowing her hair to work free of the silk forming a halo of curls for added effect. Whereas Mali had a bit of a sunburn causing her shoulders and cheeks to look pink against her warm golden tan, the sun had only added an extra glow to Vanessa's deep copper skin tone which was only highlighted by the vibrant blue and yellow pattern of her dress.

"Your family is gorgeous. You definitely take after your mother. Your daughter is a real cutie, were you guys in Hawaii?" Ashton asked, curious about the outfits.

Calum shook his head. "New Zealand, actually. Mom's whole family is from there. We went for a family reunion of sorts and so Vanessa could get to know her Maori heritage. She had a blast. We all did. Nicole came with us, and so did her husband. Well, he was her boyfriend then."

"Sounds like y'all have a good relationship," Ashton could tell Calum put his family above everything just as much as he did.

He swiped to the next picture and Ashton's jaw dropped.

"Wow, that's your daughter's mother?" He looked up at Calum and he nodded. "She's beautiful and that bone structure, my God. The camera loves her, and you can tell she knows her angles too. Damn, you're gorgeous, but you leveled up there," Ashton didn't realize what he'd said until it was too late. He looked back at the picture to avoid looking at Calum. When you put Vanessa next to her mom you could see a strong resemblance there as well.

Calum's ears burned with the compliment, and he was at a complete loss for words when the timer went off again, saving them both from the awkward silence. Ashton pulled the pastry out of the oven, flooding the room with a heavenly aroma that had Calum practically drooling. He grinned when he caught sight of the mushroom design Ashton had crafted out of paprika, coriander and sea salt. The mac and cheese was next, producing an insane cheese stretch from the pan to the plate as Ashton served it up. He finished the plate with a pile of oven-roasted celery and leeks topped with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and cracked black pepper.

Ashton sat at the edge of the bar, at an angle from Calum so they could easily converse while keeping him steps away from the kitchen. At first, they were quiet, the food demanding their full attention, although Ashton had already decided watching Calum's expressions was his new favorite thing. The obscene amount of pleasure he took from his food had Ashton so distracted that he poked himself in the face with his fork.

Calum was in heaven. He didn't know what cheese blend Ashton concocted, but he'd never had anything like this pasta dish in his life. The vegetables were still firm to the bite, and the fresh citrus was a nice contrast to the creamy, heavy cheese sauce. However, the mushroom Wellington was the real stand out, and Calum had never had anything like it. He opened his eyes and caught Ashton staring again. When he looked away quickly and his ears turned red, Calum was hopelessly smitten. He couldn't remember the last time anyone had cooked for him, and never, ever anything like this. He can cook, and he's handsome as hell, with a big dick and his own money?? He's definitely getting his dick sucked tonight. Calum almost burst out laughing hearing Sham's voice in his head. This time it was Ashton's turn to catch Calum staring, but Cal didn't look away. Instead, he gave the chef a wink and a smile before taking another bite.

When dinner was finished, Ashton shooed Calum out onto the balcony so he could pick up a bit. He offered Calum an after-dinner smoke from his case of pre-rolled Raw cones. Ashton used to smoke weed all day long when he was a teenager before quitting cold turkey. The past couple of months, Rafi got him into a couple of decent blends to help him relax in the evening that didn't get him too wasted.

He made sure Calum was out of sight before quickly brushing his teeth in the kitchen sink. Ashton wanted to be prepared in case he got the chance to make a move. He'd even made a peppermint sorbet for dessert to cleanse the palate. He scooped out two small cups and topped them with freshly grated dark chocolate before heading out onto the balcony.

Calum was sitting with his back towards the door, a small cloud of smoke wafting above his head. Ashton opened the door, and the cloud dissipated in the rush of cold air that followed him outside. Calum glanced back over his shoulder and offered the joint to Ashton as he took the icy treat from him. Ashton inhaled deeply one time before gently stubbing it out in the ashtray as he sat across from Calum. Overcome by nerves Ashton began to point out the various herbs and flowers in his little balcony garden. He could tell he was talking too fast, and his palms were sweaty but watching Calum eat ice cream might was obscene,

The peppermint was stronger than Calum expected but left a lingering cool sweetness accentuated by the bittersweet chocolate. He scraped the cup, and ran his finger along the edge before licking it clean. He shivered, and he wasn't sure if it was the chill from the sorbet or nerves as he tried to plan how to ask Ashton out on a date, a real one.

Ashton abruptly stood up and walked to the far end of the balcony looking out at the city. Calum, sensing something was off, hesitated until he saw Ashton kept glancing at him and then looking away. He pushed himself up out of the chair and made his way over to Ashton and stood next to him looking out into the distance.

"You ok? I can go if you want me to. I don't want you to be uncomfortable," Calum didn't know why he said it, but he suddenly panicked.

Ashton looked up, stunned. "No, no, I'm fine. I'm just," he rubbed the back of his neck and looked up at the sky. "I-uh I got nervous."

"Oh?" Calum asked, his pulse picking up.

"Yeah, I don't know how to do this anymore," Ashton mumbled looking at his shoes. "Kissing you is all I've thought about since the moment we met. And wow I said that out loud. Ok so maybe.." Ashton's sentence ended in a squeak as Calum's fingers brushed along his jaw and tipped his chin upwards to find Calum's face inches from his. He leaned forward as Calum's lips found his. The kiss was soft and slow, Calum's hands cupping his face as they melted into each other. Ashton's hands slid up Calum's chest before snaking around his neck and pulling him closer.

Ashton felt as if he were suspended in mid-air, floating and flying as the heat grew in his chest. He had butterflies in his stomach as he pressed himself closer. He felt Calum's strong arms wrap around him, giving him a cheeky squeeze on his ass. They both giggled and pulled away for a moment to breathe. This time Ashton went in first, he'd been dreaming about this moment, and it was better than he'd imagined. He was relieved Calum wasn't trying to rush. Still, he couldn't resist pulling back to nibble on Calum's jaw before scraping his teeth along the hollow of his throat. The whine that escaped Calum's lips, as a result, was almost enough to make him cum in his pants.

"Let's go inside," Ashton took his hand, and Calum followed him into the living room. Calum sat on the couch and tugged Ashton's belt loop to get him to sit down. Ash started to sit next to him, but Calum shook his head and grabbed his thigh, guiding him down so Ashton was straddling him.

Ashton's head was swimming as Calum's gently bit his earlobe and ran his tongue along the curve of his jaw. He moaned and Calum growled in response, grinding his hips into Ashton's where his bulge strained against the fabric of his tight trousers. He reached up and began to unbutton Ashton's shirt, his fingers brushing against the cool steel of the chain he wore around his neck then dropped down, leaving a trail of fire in the wake of each touch. Ashton's breath caught in his throat as Calum began to ease his shirt off of his shoulders while peppering his skin with kisses.

"I should've shaved," he mumbled.

"No," Calum assured him. "I like the chest hair," he whispered before scraping his teeth across his skin.

Ashton moaned, his head rolling back as he concentrated on Calum's mouth and hands, his own fingers grasping the other man's messy black curls. He pushed Calum back against the couch, finding his mouth again and sucking on his bottom lip, electricity coursing between them. Music started playing out of nowhere and he was puzzled when Calum stopped kissing him and wrapped one arm around his waist to hold him in place while he fished his phone out of his pocket.

Ashton frowned at the interruption and shifted his weight, sliding off his lap as Calum looked at him apologetically. "I'm really sorry, but it's Nicole. I think something's wrong."

Ashton's annoyance was immediately replaced by concern. Calum reached over and squeezed his hand, giving him a smile as he answered the call. It was brief, and Ashton heard every word. Nicole wouldn't give details over the phone but Vanessa's school had called and there was to be a teacher-parent meeting the very next day.

"I need you here. You need to be a part of this," she told him.

"I'm on my way," Calum replied without hesitation. He hung up, and Ashton could tell he was pissed and very worried.

"I hope everything is ok," he stood up and headed for the kitchen.

"She's been having a problem with a girl at school. We thought putting her in private school would make her life easier, but these rich kids are nasty little shits. Where did you go?" Calum stood up and straightened his clothes. When he looked up, he was confused by Ashton's sudden disappearance.

"I wanted to send you home with a doggy bag," Ashton replied, coming out of the kitchen with a paper bag in his hand.

"I thought we ate most of it." Now Calum was really perplexed.

He walked Calum to the door. "We did, but these are smaller versions I made for you to take home and cook yourself. I wrote instructions on a card that's in the bag, and there's a piece of flourless chocolate cake I made for dessert." He had to stop for a second and look away, suddenly shy at the way Calum was smiling at him. He took a breath and kept going. "I hate that you have to go, but it's sweet how much you care about your family. I had a really good time tonight, not just because of," he waved towards the couch, "you know, that. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard. So maybe, I mean if you want to hang out sometime..."

Calum reached out and brushed his thumb across Ashton's bottom lip. "You're so damn cute when you're nervous." Calum leaned down and gave him a soft kiss goodbye. "I want to take you on a date, a real one. I have to go, but I'll text you. Goodnight." Another kiss and he was gone.

********

They were slow for lunch inside the restaurant. Daniel and Gloria were handling takeout, so Rafi and Hima were doing some extra prep for the weekend. She was helping make challah bread for brunch on Sunday when she spotted her boss gliding into work. She burst into laughter at Ashton's goofy grin despite the dark circles and bags under his eyes. Rafi saw him too and whistled and hooted until Ash flipped them both off and disappeared into his office.

Twenty minutes later, Hima set a plate of cookies down on his desk.

"We want you to try these. We're working on expanding catering to boxed lunches," she told him, sitting across from him.

"We've been open less than a month," he told her, trying not to spit cookie crumbs everywhere.

"We're already doing decent business on takeout, so we're just floating ideas for new revenue streams as word of mouth gets going. The reviews have been glowing, and I've been monitoring social media. We've been getting good exposure so far. I've had some offers to trade a free meal for exposure, but nobody has been worth our time."

Ashton nodded, as he'd learned long ago to trust her instincts. The cookies were perfect, absolutely delicious, but he knew that's not why she was in his office.

"How's my new stepfather? I've never seen you look so joyful, it's almost disturbing." Hima teased, but she was thrilled for him. Ashton deserved to be happy, and if she couldn't snuggle up to Calum “tall, dark, and handsome” Hood, having him as an in-law would work. Ashton took another big bite, chewing intently as if deep in thought. However, the blush creeping up his neck, not to mention the little hickey she spotted under his ear.

“So I take it the dinner went well. How was breakfast?" She asked, batting her eyes innocently.

"You're incorrigible, I swear," he laughed and leaned back in his chair. "He didn't stay the night. We kissed, but he got a phone call and had to leave."

"That fucking sucks," Hima pouted.

"Tell me about it. It was just getting good when the phone rang," Ashton felt himself getting hard thinking about it.

"Oh God, your face right now. You're so lost. Were you in the kitchen? All Hallmark-movies-of-the-week style?"

"No, I was straddling him on my couch if you may know," he told her just as she took a drink of water.

She tried not to choke and succeeded in dribbling water down her chin as she sputtered. "The mental image I just got. I hate you, you know that right?" She wiped her face with a towel she pulled from her apron and then threw it at Ashton.

"He's really a great guy," Ashton giggled. "Have you watched him eat though?"

"I know right, the faces," Hima almost yelled, catching herself and taking it down a notch. "I've never seen anything like it. Makes you wonder eh?" She wiggled her eyebrows at him. "Seriously though, I'm really happy it worked out. You guys are gonna make such a cute couple. Now we have to find someone for me."

"Why? Is Dakota not working out?" It was Ashton's turn to look innocent as he watched the comment land.

Hima blinked rapidly before looking him straight in the eye. "I was not expecting that. How did you know?" She asked, but the answer came to her at the same time. "The cameras are on your phone. Am I fired?"

"Are you kidding? No, I'm just teasing, but yeah that caught me by surprise the other night," Ashton felt awful when she burst into tears. "You're not in trouble. Hima, look at me, we're friends. I'm not mad. I'm not going to tell your family." He came around the desk and pulled her out of her chair and into a hug.

Hima started to laugh, and he could feel her shaking in his arms. "Oh shit, sorry," she wiped away tears, as she eased away from him.. "I don't know why I reacted like that. I felt like my dad caught me lying and there was this rush of blind panic."

"I'm sorry, I was just fucking with you," Ashton didn't know what to say.

"I shouldn’t have done it, but I’m wanting to try things. But if I’m feeling guilty I can’t enjoy it. Can I tell you?" Ashton nodded and she continued. "I met him on FetLife, more on that in a second. He's got a girlfriend, but he wanted to try something new. Maisie won't let me use her place to meet up when her roommate is there. I had fun, but I didn't feel good about it after so it's a one and done. Anyway, I'm pretty sure Calum is on FetLife. He has a pain kink, nipple clamps, and light bondage from what I saw on his profile. I checked this morning and his profile was deleted. I'll send you the screenshot I took the first time. I don't know his tattoos, but you might."

There was a loud knock at the door, and they both jumped. Rafi opened the door before Ashton could answer, and Hima was taken aback by how angry he looked.

"You're not gonna believe this boss," Rafi said, a flush creeping up his neck. "Luke's here, he wants to see you."

Ashton jumped up followed by Hima hot on his heels. Gloria stopped them in the kitchen, blocking Ashton's path as they began to go back and forth arguing in Spanish with Rafi and Daniel cutting into the conversation.

Hima was the only person in the room who hadn't come over from Lune Rouge and wasn't included in the conversation. She took advantage of the distraction to slip past them and out through the prep area to the bar. She was looking towards the hostess podium, not expecting him to be sitting two feet from her looking straight at her as she came through the swinging doors. She'd seen enough pictures to recognize him right away, but he was even better looking in person. His blue eyes were sad, and for a second she thought he’d been crying. He turned on the charm instantly, giving her his best smile and extending his hand.

"I recognize you," he told her. "You're Hima, Ash's girl wonder. I've heard so many good things about you. I went to Johnson and Wales for a bit myself. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Hima instantly saw how Ashton had been so thoroughly bewitched by this man, and it amazed her that Luke had the balls to walk into their restaurant. She opened her mouth to tell him so when Ashton came out of the kitchen on the other side of the bar. Rafi came out and stood next to her behind the bar until Ashton glared at them and they ducked back inside.

"What do you want?" Ashton asked, folding his arms across his chest.

"Listen, I didn't know how else to reach you," Like started.

"There's a reason for that. What do you want?" Ashton repeated the question.

"Can we sit down and talk, somewhere private? It's been so long" Luke whined, the sound grating on Ashton's nerves.

"Nope, I'm busy and I don't want you here. Please leave, don't contact me again," Ashton turned to go.

"Wait its Mom," Luke played his ace card. "She had surgery. I'm worried about her."

Ashton turned back around slowly, looking at Luke, who couldn't quite hide the triumphant smirk knowing he still had leverage over his ex. Ashton’s anger felt hollow now, not the gut-wrenching agonizing pain that once was there every day since he caught Luke cheating. It was gone, all of it. The realization was liberating. Knowing the seething hatred didn't follow him like a storm cloud, and the spell of attraction was irrefutably broken. Ashton knew right then that he didn't love Luke anymore, and he couldn't ever get it back even if he wanted to.

"Luke, your mom had her thyroid removed last Thursday. She's fine, we're having lunch next week. Get the fuck out of my restaurant," Ashton hissed.

Luke looked like he was going to start something, but Ashton stared him down, watching as he left the restaurant, got in his car, and drove away. He then pushed back through the kitchen doors, past everyone without a word, locked himself in his office, sat in his chair, and wept for almost an hour. The adrenaline rush of seeing Luke, the relief of knowing it was done, needed a release. When he was finished, he cleaned up a bit and finished the cookies Hima had left on his desk. There were a couple of text messages on his phone. The first was from Hima

You ok boss?

Never been better, I'll be out in a bit

Under that was Calum

Can't wait to see you again but I have to go out of town tomorrow. There's an event at the observatory for the meteor shower so I'll be up in the mountains. Let me pick you up Monday afternoon if you don't have to work

He did have to work, but Hima was off and she'd switch with him for this.

Sounds good, let me know what time

I can't wait 😉 I wanna pick up where we left off before we were interrupted. I'm almost at school. I have to go to the principal's office, some things never change. Looking forward to Monday

Ashton read the message, not knowing how he was going to stand the anticipation. He got up to find Hima. e could not work Monday. This was too important.

*********

Calum pulled into the parking spot, looking up at Ashton's building. He sent a text letting him know he was outside. As he waited, Calum glanced into the backseat at the picnic basket full of goodies Hima had helped him select. He'd sent her an email on his way out of town headed to where he would have little to no cell service. There was a little park that, if you knew how to wind through a subdivision full of dead-end and one-way streets, was about twenty minutes away from Calum's house. There was a duck pond next to a jacaranda tree that he'd always thought would be perfect for a date. He glanced up at the cloudy sky praying the weather held throughout the day.

Calum wiped his palms on his jeans and took a deep breath. He'd been looking forward to this all weekend, even sitting in the observatory atop Mt Hamilton watching shooting stars streak across the sky. He'd been impatient to get back to Ashton. Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered. The lyrics to a song he hadn't heard in over a decade bubbled up into his brain, taking him back to his grandmother in Scotland cleaning her kitchen and singing along to the FM radio above her sink.

I'm wild again, beguiled again. Gran always told his sister to "find a brawny lad who can make you laugh and works hard." Calum grinned, watching Ashton emerge from his building wearing a green, long-sleeved Henley shirt and black skinny jeans that clung to his physique. Brawny lad indeed.

Calum turned the music down when Ashton opened the car door and climbed in. He was completely caught off guard when the other man handed him a small bundle from behind his back. Calum looked at the small bunch of plants tied together with kitchen twine and a small ribbon.

"You brought me flowers?" He asked, feeling his face get warm. "That's so thoughtful." Calum's throat was tight, and he knew he was blushing crimson. He smiled at Ashton, trying not to get too emotional. He focused on the bouquet which allowed him to take a second to regain his composure. As he did, he realized this was unlike any bouquet he'd seen before. "Are these from your garden?"

"Yeah," Ashton giggled, giddy and nervous. He shifted in his seat. He pointed to the small purple flowers on one. "These are chive blossoms, sage, and thyme." His fingers brushed the delicate white bell shaped blossoms. "Sweet marjoram, and this is borage, both great additions to a salad or stew. I added some daisies and rosemary for color and fragrance. I'm glad you like them." Calum looked up and Ashton looked away, shy again.

"If you're trying to impress me, it's working. I love them, thank you," he said brushing his fingers along the back of Ashton's hand. He reached behind his seat and grabbed a handful of napkins and a cup out of the picnic supplies. He carefully wrapped up the little bundle and placed it in the cup. "We should get going before the weather turns on us."

"Where are we going?" Ashton asked, buckling his seatbelt.

"It's a surprise," Calum winked at him.

"How was the meteor shower?" Ashton asked.

"Out of this world," Calum shot back and they both erupted into laughter.

Ashton leaned back in his seat, watching Calum's face as he concentrated on getting through a construction zone. His eyes landed on a small faint bruise on Calum's neck. He felt his cock twitch in his pants at the memory of leaving the mark, knowing he had every intention of leaving more later tonight.

Calum glanced over, and this time Ashton didn't look away, instead giving him a wink and a sly smile before Calum had to tear his eyes away to focus on the road. He gasped when Ashton reached over and put a hand on his knee. Ashton jerked his hand back at the sound, but Calum caught it. He gave him a squeeze then placed Ashton's hand on his leg again, slightly higher than before.

"Almost there, this place is a maze, but it's a nice quiet park," Calum made a series of turns and Ashton spotted the park up ahead. They passed the first parking lot near a playground where several kids were running around before making another turn and parking in a smaller lot.

Calum got out and walked to the back of the Rover. Ashton came around right as he was opening the hatch.

"What can I carry?" Ashton asked.

Calum frowned and pulled his phone out of his pocket. He had his phone set to only allow for two numbers to ring through.

Ashton's heart sank watching Calum's expression. Please not another family emergency. He felt guilty, but he wanted Calum all to himself today.

"It's my mom, she's probably calling to chat but I have to answer. Give me just a second, I'm so sorry," Calum apologized.

Ashton nodded and smiled, hoping it was nothing serious. "I'm a Mama's boy too," he reminded him. "I'll look around a bit."

Ashton wandered off towards a lovely pond where he spotted a family of ducks swimming together. There was a tree overlooking the pond giving off shade and a little privacy. He heard Calum laugh and say his goodbyes to his mom, and he was relieved to see everything was fine. The ducks quacked out a warning before turning and swimming in the other direction. He started to turn back to go help Calum unload the car when the first raindrop hit his nose. Ashton looked up as it started to sprinkle. As he headed back towards the parking lot the drizzle increased to a soft steady rain. Then a streak of lightning split the sky with a deafening crack causing Ashton to almost jump out of his skin at the incredible noise. Unfortunately, this caused him to lose his footing and slip on the wet grass. He crashed hard into the ground and fell again when he tried to get up. Calum hurried over and reached Ashton just as he struggled to his feet, his left side streaked with mud and grass clippings sticking to his skin and hair.

"Are you ok?" Calum reached out to steady him.

"Yeah let's get out of here," Ashton snapped. "Sorry, I'm not mad at you."

"It's fine, really," Calum opened his door for him before going to his side and getting in. "We'll go to my house, I live ten minutes from here."

Ashton hesitated, not wanting to dirty up Calum's car, getting soaked standing there.

"It's fine," Calum reassured him.

Ashton thought for a second and then pulled his shirt, which got the worst of the mud, off over his head, wrung it out as best he could, tossed it on the rubber floor mat, and got in.

Calum turned the car on and flipped the heat on low so Ashton wouldn't get chilled. He wanted to say something, make small talk, anything as they drove in silence.

"I'm sorry about that," he began.

"Why? Rain is rain, it's not your fault. I might need to borrow your shower though. The grass is starting to itch," Ashton reached over and put his hand on Calum's knee again. Calum pulled it a little higher, and Ashton responded by sliding his hand all the way up Calum's thigh as far as he could go without actually touching his dick. Calum didn't say a word but Ashton smiled as he heard the sharp intake of breath and felt the car accelerate in response.

They pulled up to a small bungalow at the end of a winding road as the rain started to pick up. Calum grabbed the basket and handed Ashton a bag and they both made a dash for the front door. They were greeted by Brutus barking and bouncing on his back legs at the sight of Ashton. Calum was stunned when the little dog launched himself at the newcomer’s ankles, immediately flipping over for a belly rub.

"Somebody's friendly," Ashton cooed, leaning down to pet him.

"Not usually," Calum told him. "I'll get set up in here. Follow me, I'll show you where the shower is." He walked down the hall, Ashton and Brutus trailing behind him. He stopped at a closet and grabbed a couple of towels before opening another door. "This is the bathroom. I've got a couple different kinds of body wash, use whatever you need and I'll find you something dry to change into. You want a t-shirt or button up? Pants or shorts?" Calum asked trying not to gawk at Ashton's bare chest.

Ashton shrugged. "Something that's comfortable and easy to take off sounds good. It won't take long. It's not safe but I've gotta rinse off." The lights flickered and they both looked up.

"You'd better hurry. I'll leave the clothes outside the door," Calum told him before leaning in for a quick kiss.

Ashton frowned when he pulled back but Calum winked and disappeared into his bedroom across the hall. Ashton was tempted to follow but he needed to stop itching first.

*******

Ashton was halfway down the hall when the lights went out. He'd changed into the pajama pants and t-shirt Calum left hanging on the doorknob. He followed a soft glow until he found himself in the living room. Calum had set up some food in a spread on the coffee table, but he was nowhere to be seen. Ashton sat down on the couch and began to nibble on some strawberries when he heard a door slam and Calum came out wearing similar drawstring pants and a black shirt fully unbuttoned so the candlelight reflected off his bare chest making him look like a golden god.

"Oh hey, that was quick. I didn't know how hungry you were so I put the cold stuff in the fridge. I thought you might want to have a drink first. I have wine."

"Sounds good, we can eat later. I'm not really thinking about food right now," Ashton replied, food the furthest thing from his mind.

Calum sat down next to him, handing him a glass of red wine. Ashton took a sip and recognized it as a German ice wine he loved that was not easy to come by.

"How did you know? How did you find it so quickly?" Ashton looked up in disbelief.

"My wife called your wife about the feature and next thing I know I've got a box on my doorstep with this wine and some salami I've never heard of. There was also a caramel brownie cake that looks like it's gonna go straight to my hips. I did my own research for the rest of it. I know this date isn't going exactly how I wanted it to, but I wanted to make things special. At least the food will be good," Calum sighed.

"You didn't have to do all that," Ashton told him.

"Yeah I did," Calum responded. "You really went all out the other day. Everyone I’ve talked to while writing this feature has gone on and on about how kind and generous you are. You’re always put so much effort into other people and you deserve to have someone make that kind of effort for you. You're so warm and caring, and funny too. Anyone who doesn't see how special you are is an idiot," Calum stopped talking, afraid he'd said too much. He took a big gulp of wine only looking up when Ashton reached over to take the glass from his hand. He set both their glasses on the table and turned back to Calum.

Without a word, Calum reached for him pulling him onto his lap, Ashton's knees on either side of his hips. Ashton slid Calum's shirt off his shoulders as their lips met with a heated urgency. Calum nipped Ashton's bottom lip before their tongues tangled. Ashton pulled back and grazed his teeth and tongue down Calum's throat. His long fingers traced around Cal's dark nipples before giving them a sharp tug. Calum grunted and bucked underneath him in response making Ashton try it again. Leaving slow sucking kisses down his neck pinching the stiff rosy buds after each one as Calum began to grind his erection up against Ashton. Breathy cries escaped his lips as he got more aroused, more desperate.

Calum was tugging at the drawstring on Ashton's pants and slipping past the waistband. His hand closed around Ashton's length and he moaned in anticipation. It was bigger than he expected and thicker than anything Calum had imagined outside of porn and his wildest dreams.

"Let me suck you off," Calum begged as Ashton continued to mark up his neck.

Ashton shook his head, his soft curls brushing against Calum's jaw.

"Can't let that happen, sweetheart," Ashton answered, barely lifting his lips from the patchwork of red welts and slight purple bruises. "I'll cum too fast if I let you put those pretty lips around my cock. I've thought about it so many times."

Calum shivered as much from the heat of the other man's breath on his skin as the words he'd said.

"Mmmm I like that," Calum hissed. He arched his back as Ashton's head dipped lower, sucking a trail down his chest and latching onto his nipple. "I've wanted this, need you, Ash."

Ashton pushed hard against Calum's chest and stood up. Calum whined at the sudden lack of contact, his kiss swollen lips pursing into a pout.

"What's wrong?" He asked, looking up at Ashton who was peeling off his shirt revealing his lean physique, chest heaving with a sheen of sweat, tattooed flames peeking out underneath his ribs. Calum started to get up but Ashton stopped him.

"Nothing's wrong, everything is perfect," Ashton told him, bending down for a quick kiss. "I wanted to take my time but hearing you moan my name like that is too much. Slide your pants down, let me taste you." Ashton carefully moved the table back far enough they wouldn't bump anything as things got crazy.

"Oh God," Calum gasped as Ashton kneeled between his thighs, tugging impatiently as he raised his hips and kicked his shorts off.

Ashton licked around the tip of Calum's cock feeling it twitch seeking his mouth. Calum reached for him but Ashton pinned his hands beside him on the couch. "Not yet," Ashton teased, fluttering the tip of his tongue along the ridge.

"Oh fuck Ashton, please," Calum's eyes rolled back and his jaw dropped open as Ashton took him all the way down his throat. He had to concentrate to keep himself from exploding right then. Calum tried to squirm away but there was nowhere to go. Ashton let up instantly.

"Are you ok? Do you want me to stop?" Ashton's hazel eyes were searching Calum's face.

Calum grabbed Ashton's hand and placed it in his inner thigh. "I don't want you to ever stop. I'm just trying not to bust too soon."

Ashton grinned and leaned forward. His mouth hovered just above Calum's shaft, close enough he could reach out with the tip of his tongue, if he wanted to.

"Don't want that to happen do we?" Ashton smirked, grasping the base of Calum's shaft applying pressure just above the balls and pulling it back away from Calum's stomach.

"Keep doing that," Calum moaned, waiting until the pressure turned to slight pain. "Let go, let go," he cried and Ashton released his grip letting his dick spring back, slapping against his stomach. "Fuck babe, do that again," Calum whined, pulling his nipples his dark eyes intensely focused on Ashton.

Ashton flushed under Calum's stare feeling the knot in his stomach twist with desire as Calum moaned with each stroke, each release. They were both sweating now, the dim light giving Calum's broad chest as Ashton pushed up and met Calum's lips for a kiss.

Ashton stood up looking down at Calum seated on the couch. Reaching down he cupped his hand around the massive bulge straining against his pants before pushing his hips towards Calum's face. His dark bushy eyebrows raised in a smirk Calum began to tease Ashton with nips and sucking kisses. Ashton hissed at the feeling of teeth grazing his shaft through the flannel. Calum groaned against him as Ashton impatiently slithered the waistband down past his hips. Calum's mouth was on him in a flash, lips parted and taking him down past the back of his throat resisting the urge to gag around his length. Ashton cried out as his hands tangled in Calum's soft curls leaning his weight against Calum to keep his knees from shaking.

Calum looked up at the man hovering over him, their eyes met and the need intensified. Ashton bent down for a kiss as Calum's hands reached up pulling his hips down once more. In between the flurry of passionate kisses and hands roaming and grasping desperately to feel as much of the other’s skin against their own Calum could barely gasp out the words.

"How do you want me?"

Ashton's head spun at the sound of the words. He'd imagined this so many times, gotten himself off so many times thinking about this moment. Now that it was here he didn't hesitate to answer.

"I wanna ride you until you cum for me," Ashton told him.

Calum looked shocked and Ashton started to explain, "normally I'm a top but with you I thought-"

He couldn't finish the sentence before Calum stopped him with a kiss. "Don't have to explain. I wanna try everything you wanna try. Let me grab something really quickly," Calum helped Ashton shift so he could get up. He grabbed a towel and pulled open the drawer on the coffee table where he'd stashed lube and condoms just in case. Ashton chuckled but his breath caught in his throat as Calum turned back towards him. Fully nude, the candlelight cast a golden glow across Calum's chest and thighs as he walked back towards the couch, sliding the condom on with a stroke and Ashton couldn't remember anything sexier. They settled back on the couch with Ashton straddling Calum his knees on either side of his hips. Calum moved his hand down as Ashton raised his hips as Cal's fingers moved past Ashton's balls to tease his tight hole.

Ashton sighed and relaxed back against Calum feeling himself being spread open as he worked another couple of fingers in. When Ashton had gotten used to the stretch he began to rock his hips impatiently and wanting more. Calum chuckled against Ashton's chest as Ashton took the lube from him and made sure Calum's cock was nice and slick before easing the head of it into his eager entrance. Calum held his breath, clenching his stomach and thighs to hold still while Ashton carefully worked Calum's length inside him. The pain gave way to a throbbing ache as Ashton began to rock his hips. Calum was thick, so he felt the most delicious stretch. Calum's hands roamed everywhere. He ran his nails along Ashton's thighs, stroking over the phoenix tattoo on his ribcage, and grazed through Ashton's chest hair before tugging at his necklace. Ashton's hips moved faster as he leaned back to balance his hands on Calum's thighs. Calum wrapped his hand around Ashton's cock matching thrust in time. There were no words needed as they moved together moans and groans punctuated with the occasional soft little sigh because it just felt so good.

Calum's hips bucked and he knew he couldn't hold back much longer. Not with the way Ashton was bouncing on him now, his thighs pumping as he sought his own climax. Ashton leaned forward whimpering into Calum's neck, nuzzling and nibbling. His tempo increased, his nails dug into Calum's scalp and his long fingers pulled his curls. Calum kept one hand on Ashton's shaft while the other clutched Ashton's hip spurring him on.

A growl ripped from Ashton's chest as his orgasm exploded from his core shooting electricity through every nerve ending in his body. Calum felt him erupt between their bodies spilling through his fingers and onto his chest. Ashton clenched around Calum's cock sending him crashing into ecstasy as Ashton's hips stuttered and jerked, milking every drop from Calum as he thrust up into Ashton, his eyes rolling back in his head. Ashton sat up pulling Calum's head into his chest, Calum's arms wrapped around Ashton's waist as they traded breaths and their heartbeats slowed back down. Ashton eased himself off Calum causing both of them to groan a little at the lack of contact.

Calum got up and staggered into the kitchen to throw the condom away and wash his hands. He came back with a bottle of water for each of them, flipping the spout up before handing it over. Ashton sat up and guzzled the entire bottle as Calum grabbed the towel wiping himself off quickly and tossing it on the couch. Ashton excused himself to clean up and when he came back Calum had moved the table back by the couch and was munching on a cluster of grapes.

"Sorry, but I'm always hungry after sex," Calum looked sheepish and Ashton noticed he hadn't bothered to get dressed yet. Not that I'm complaining. Ashton ran his hand up Calum's thigh as he settled next to him on the couch.

"Don't apologize," Ashton gave him a wink. "You need to get your strength back for round two."

"Oh yeah?" Calum raised his eyebrows and bit into the fruit, letting the juices dribble down his chin.

"Keep looking at me like that and see what happens," Ashton smirked but he was hungry too.

Calum pulled a throw blanket and some cushions on to the floor so they could stretch out. Ashton poured more wine while Calum grabbed the food out of the fridge. Ashton's mouth watered when he saw the espresso baked brie and the spinach croquettes. Calum had done his homework and Ashton was incredibly touched by the effort.

Calum sat down with his back against the couch and Ashton propped himself up at a slight angle to him, close enough to touch, with the food places between them, their legs stretched out and tangled together. They ate in comfortable silence exchanging smiles and glances between bites. They found little ways to touch each other, unable to keep their hands off each other. Calum fed Ashton a bite of chocolate only to find the other man's lips pressed to the inside of his wrist. Ashton wiping crumbs off Calum's bottom lip before finding his thumb captured between Cal's teeth. Calum laughed and started to say something but Ashton had spaced out on him.

"What's on your mind?" Calum cringed when he realized he'd spoken out loud.

"I'm trying not to think about things too much, it's never a good idea," Ashton admitted. He was already in too deep, whether he said it out loud or not.

Calum pulled Ashton in close, folding the other man into his arms so his head was resting just above Calum's heart. Ashton closed his eyes, listened to the rhythm, and the rise and fall of Calum's chest.

"I know what you mean. This is going to sound corny but I feel like I should be nervous, I'm not though. I really like you and I'm not going to try to find something wrong. I'm too excited to see what happens next." Calum finished his thought with a string of kisses along Ashton's hairline before adding," I have to Venmo Hima $100 before I forget."

Ashton pulled back laughing, he grabbed his phone off the table. "I can't say shit, she pulled the same scam on me."

Calum laughed and leaned forward to get his phone as well. Ashton eyed Calum's bare ass noticing the slight tan line just above his hips. Calum saw his expression and wiggled his hips. "Like what you see?" Calum's tone was playful but Ashton could see his dick getting hard again.

"I will take you right here Hood," Ashton growled reaching for a condom.

Calum's phone rang, it was Hima on FaceTime.

"Answer it, I dare you," Ashton pulled Calum onto his back and placed his hands on the back of Calum's thighs.

"Hima, what's up?" As soon as Calum answered the call he felt Ashton's tongue teasing between his cheeks. He fought to keep a straight face as he told Hima about the disaster in the park despite Ashton probing and licking against his hole. Aston buried his tongue and Calum ended the call without saying goodbye and tossed his phone to the side.

Ashton made Calum beg to be fucked before he finally relented and replaced his tongue with the head of his dick. Ashton kept Calum's knees to his chest as he took his time easing his cock into Calum's ass, adding lube as he went. Calum had never been with anyone this big and he pulled his own nipples as Ashton stretched him as far as he could go. The thrill of the pain was unlike anything Calum had experienced and Ashton made him beg before he pushed further. Calum gasped as Ashton bottomed out, seeing his arms flex as he held himself in place, the light reflecting off the red blood moon tattoos and bold black star. Ashton moved his hips, barely pulling out and rocking against his ass to hit a spot deep inside him that Calum never knew existed. The surprised moan that filled the room spurred Ashton to maintain that control, giving long slow deep strokes, and hitting that spot each time.

Calum's hand closed around his dick, trying to keep from cumming before he was ready. Ashton switched positions, biceps curling around Calum's thick thighs as they moved together, chasing their climax together.

Calum arched his back, his spine contracting and releasing slamming his hips against the floor. Ashton rutted his hips, pushing deeper into Calum. His vision blurred as Calum's name fell from his lips. Calum cried out underneath him and Ashton watched Calum's release spattering his chest and stomach with white streaks. Ashton collapsed on top of him shaking uncontrollably as he came undone.

"Oh my God Ashton, that was incredible," Calum whispered when he found his voice again. They untangled from each other, both sticky and sleepy, overheated from exertion.

Calum made sure the candles were blown up and there was nothing left out that could hurt Brutus before he led Ashton into the bathroom where they fumbled around in the shadows taking turns rinsing each other off and exchanging clumsy kisses. Calum took them into his bedroom, pulling the covers down on the bed as the electric came back on. The AC started with a whoosh turning the room chilly very quickly. They scrambled under the covers quickly, fighting for the covers and giggling like little kids. There was a bit of awkward positioning before they ended up laying face to face unable to stop staring at each other, chatting for what seemed like hours, hands, and legs intertwined before they finally dozed off.

**********

When Ashton woke up he was alone in a strange bed. The smell of Calum tickled his senses and the bed was still warm. There was a light shining from the hallway. He listened and heard tiny scraping sounds coming towards him before a small dog burst into the room and launched himself on the bed. Brutus attacked Ashton with doggy kisses as Calum followed him into the room.

"Brutus, get down," Calum scolded him. "Sorry about that. He needed to go out and I was trying not to wake you."

"What time is it?" Ashton looked around for his phone.

"It's a little after midnight, I can drive you home if you need to go," Calum offered, unable to hide his sudden disappointment.

"There's nowhere else I want to be, come back to bed," Ashton yawned and stretched out.

Calum slid under the covers, cuddling into Ashton's body heat, Brutus curled up on the duvet between them. Calum rested his head against his shoulder and Ashton's fingers aimlessly snaked through Calum's soft dark curls. The rain began again as they drifted off to dream together.

@sublimehood @tea4sykes @be-ready-when-i-say-go @scribblesos @kiiiimberlyriiiicker1995 @wildmichaelflower @castaway-cashton @damselindistressanu @notinthesameguey @cashtonasfuck @irwinkitten @mermaidcashton @malumsmermaid

#calum hood #ashton irwin #cashton #cashton smut #calum hood smut #ashton irwin smut #5sos writing collab #5sos #calum 5sos #ashton 5sos

57 notes · View notes

guardianofrivendell · 4 years

Text

PERFECT SECRETS - CHAPTER 4

Legolas x OC

Requested: Nope

Summary: Mira. A short and unusual name for a short and unusual Elf. After an audience with Galadriel goes sideways, she leaves her birthplace Lóthlorien and the Elves for good. That is until a certain Gandalf asks for a favor. Come along on her journey, as she reluctantly agrees to accompany Gandalf on the quest to destroy the One Ring. She befriends every Fellowship member, except one. Legolas and Mira are water and fire from the very first moment they laid eyes on each other. Will this be an obstacle during the quest or is it going to make everything just a little more interesting?

Warnings: none in this chapter, just a stubborn Elf

Masterlist Perfect Secrets

Guardianofrivendell’s Masterlist

Everyone started to leave after the remaining Council Members had wished them a safe trip. Mira was still trying to wrap her head around it all. It slowly started to dawn on her that she was going to Mordor. Mordor. It’s not that she was afraid. She was brave enough, she had killed her fair share of Orcs. But this quest was nothing like she had ever done before. She had mostly been on her own, and now had to travel with nine others. Two of them being major dickheads.

“What is clouding your thoughts, my dear?” Gandalf’s voice sounded behind her.

“Why, Gandalf?” She immediately shot back.

“Because I was hungry, because I felt like it, it was the right time and because you wanted to. All answers to questions, but none to the one you just asked me. Let me ask you a question in return, Mira. Why not?”

Mira sighed, looking at the other members of the newly founded fellowship. Even though they had volunteered only a few moments before, they all looked so… prepared.

“Because I’m not ready. This is nothing like the quests we’ve done in the past, Gandalf. I’m sure they all have something to contribute like strength and skills. Filled to the brink with courage, all of them…”

She paused before she added, “Well, of one of them I’m quite certain it’s more stupidity and arrogance than courage but that’s not the point right now. Remember that I did not volunteer myself. You dragged me into this.” She poked his chest to back up her words. Gandalf wanted to say something, but she interrupted him immediately. “Don’t even think about bringing Galadriel’s words into this!” He raised his hands in defeat, chuckling lightly. “I was not planning to. Come, child, join me on a walk around the gardens.”

Legolas was talking to Aragorn, briefing him of the escape of Gollum. The reason he came to Rivendell in the first place. Not that he regretted his decision to join the Fellowship, it was the right thing to do and he would do anything in his power to protect the little Hobbit and help destroy the Ring.

He saw Gandalf talking to the hooded lady. Mira, was it? Everyone could see that she didn’t want to go, and he could hear her complaining about it to the Grey Wizard. Why was Gandalf so keen on bringing her along? What was so special about her? Legolas didn’t like her and that was nothing like him. Somehow she annoyed him terribly.

“Legolas?” Aragorn repeated. He looked at him in surprise.

“Welcome back, mellon nin. You were deep in thought! What troubles you?” (My friend)

“Lady Mira. I can not help but have a bad feeling about her,” he stated.

“And why is that?”

Legolas watched them descend the stairs, Gandalf a few steps ahead and Mira trudging after him. Even now she still kept her hood up.

“She is constantly hiding underneath her hood. Clearly she does not want to join us. Yet Gandalf insists. I can’t help but wonder why.”

Aragorn smiled. “It’s Gandalf. He always has his reasons.”

“I hope you’re right,” Legolas sighed. He was going to keep an eye on her, until she proved him wrong.

Mira walked alongside Gandalf through the many little garden paths of Rivendell. She had to admit it was very beautiful and it brought a certain peace to her. She felt almost comfortable being here. Almost.

“You have skills that will be very useful during our journey, my dear. Do not belittle yourself,” Gandalf began. “Your visions are growing stronger.”

She nodded. “They are, but I can’t control them. I’m vulnerable when I have them, they’re blocking my sight. It’s not something you want to happen mid-fight.”

“There are nine others including myself who can keep an eye on you if that were to happen. You have excellent fighting skills. I cannot see a reason for you not to join.”

She looked at the old Wizard, studying the many wrinkles across his kind face. They went through a lot together, and she suddenly felt the need to protect him overcome her. She thought about all the times she saved him and when he returned the favor. Maybe it was for the best she went with him, if only to keep an eye on him.

But then she noticed the twinkle in his eyes.

“Gandalf?”

“Hm?”

“What are you not telling me?”

“These gardens are extraordinary, don’t you think? Let us find Lord Elrond so I can compliment him,” he said with a knowing smile and walked away. Mira stood with her hands down, lost for words. He only did this when he tried to hide something.

“Gandalf!” she yelled before running after him.

Gandalf never told her what he was hiding and after a few days she gave up trying.

He did give her the advice to start getting to know the others before their journey began. Mira agreed, although reluctantly. She didn’t like talking all that much, afraid she would say something that would give her away. But then she realised they probably weren’t even alive back then - well, maybe the Elf was - and she started to feel more comfortable around them.

She slowly warmed up to Aragorn and Gimli, making her feel a little more at ease. She hadn’t lowered her hood, and they didn’t ask her about it. Yet.

During meals she preferred to sit with the Hobbits. Their kind and animated personalities made them ideal companions. She especially got along with Merry and Pippin, since Frodo kept mostly to himself and Sam was too busy worrying about Frodo’s wellbeing. It was nice to see how strong their friendship was. The only two members she tried to avoid as much as she could were Boromir and Legolas and she had the impression they were doing the same.

She sometimes caught them staring at her during meals, but it wasn’t out of curiosity or even boredom. She knew both men didn’t trust her. Legolas’ electric blue eyes turned cold and distant every time they met hers. If looks could kill, Mira would be slaughtered at least twice a day.

So to say the fellowship was one tight big family when they left a few weeks later… that would be part truth, and part lies.

Gandalf kept himself close to Frodo so Mira chose to walk with Merry and Pippin instead, sometimes accompanied by Gimli. The Dwarf took a particular liking towards her humor and sarcasm and sometimes the others could hear his booming laughter echoing over the fields.

Legolas kept walking around the group, sometimes going ahead to scout and report to Gandalf and Aragorn on his return. He never stayed with the group and for some reason that irritated Mira immensely.

She could hear and see everything just as well from her spot in the group, he had no reason to hop around like he was doing right now. He was just showing off.

When they came to their stop for the night on the 6th day, the Hobbits were exhausted. Gandalf and Aragorn hadn’t allowed them to stop during the day, not even for a meal. The days of constant walking without breaks started to take their toll. And she suspected they finally realized this wasn’t just some fun trip to Mordor and back in a few days. They hadn’t spoken a word for hours.

Sam unpacked his trusty pan and started cooking, but not even the foresight of food could lift the other Hobbit’s spirits up.

She let herself drop between Merry and Pippin. They hardly acknowledged her presence.

“Hey, it’s okay to be a little scared you know,” she whispered to them.

“We’re not scared,” Merry said proudly.

“Course not, and Gimli’s beard isn’t even real!” she laughed. When their eyes widened, she assured them that it was only a joke and she begged them not to go test the authenticity of his beard.

“I only said that to let you know that I know you’re lying, Merry. But like I said, it’s okay to be scared. I used to be scared all the time.”

She put her hand in her pocket. “Until I got this…”

She opened her palm and showed them what was inside: a blue-green gem stone, shaped like a small rock.

“What is that, my lady?” Merry asked her, looking at the stone in her hand.

She showed it to them, the blue-green shine reflecting in their eyes.

“It’s my good luck charm. It was a gift from my father when I was only a child. When I have this with me, I know it will all be okay.”

“Does it help you win fights?” Pippin wondered.

“It always does, I never lost one since,” she smiled at him. Pippin’s smile grew wider and it warmed her heart, glad to see her trick had helped.

She took his little hand and placed the stone in it. “Keep this with you,” she whispered to him. It wasn’t easy for her to part with the gemstone, it was the last thing she had that reminded her of her parents. But when she saw his face light up she knew she’d done the right thing.

“Luck has nothing to do with it, only courage, skills and experience can help you win a fight,” Legolas said to Pippin, before he headed towards the other side of the camp.

Mira saw Pippin’s smile falter and it made her angry. Who the hell did he think he was?

She stood up and went his way. Legolas stood tall on the top of a large boulder, scanning the surroundings for possible threats. He didn’t even look down when she reached him.

“What is your problem?”

His eyes met hers briefly, before he continued staring in the distance.

“You should not give them false hope.”

Mira scoffed. “I’m not giving them false hope! They’re capable of a lot more than you give them credit for!”

He didn’t react to that. In fact, he ignored her completely, his eyes locked to a point somewhere in the distance. Completely fed up with his attitude, she climbed the rock he was standing on and stood right in front of him.

“Hey, I’m talking to you,” she snapped, poking his chest.

“I heard you,” he answered.

“They joined the fellowship to help us destroy the Ring, the least you could do is help them in return. Yes, they aren’t warriors or experienced fighters like you and me.” He snorted at that, but she let it slide. “But they want to learn. And you talking them down like that is not helping!”

She turned around, leaving a confused Legolas behind, not sure how he should react.

When she wanted to jump off the rock, her foot slipped and she would’ve hit her head or made a nasty fall if Legolas hadn’t grabbed her under her arms.

“It seems like your luck has run out,” he challenged, easily slipping back in his previous attitude. “You might want to ask your stone back.”

“You’re impossible!” she grunted, pulling her arm out of his grasp.

When she stomped back to Merry and Pippin, she failed to notice the twinkles in Gandalf’s eyes had returned and the suppressed snickers from the others who had watched their interaction with mirth...

A/N: Let me know what you think! Or if you want to take a guess on what will happen next, be my guest :)

Taglist @ayo-cowbelly @fried-potato-balloon @galileostyles

#perfect secrets #lord of the rings #lotr #legolas #legolas x oc #legolas greenleaf #fellowship #lotr fanfiction #lord of the rings imagine #lord of the rings fanfiction #lotr imagine #guardianofrivendell

49 notes · View notes

honestlywrites · 4 years

Text

Vices | (Sith! Obi-Wan Kenobi x Reader)

Chapter Four of Golden Hour

Summary: A few months past and you are selected by the Jedi Council to go on a mission to investigate suspicious activity around the Jedi Temple on Lothal. Unfortunately you find more than just the Separatists.

A/N: Talk of infidelity, cheating, and degradation.

Golden Hour Masterlist

You march through the corridor, your robes flowing through the air as you walk. Once you finally reach the training room, your eyes are instantly drawn to the temple guards that spar almost silently with their double-sided pikes. Their poise and militaristic fighting, you could watch them all day simply learning and training in the styles they were taught.

Master Cin Drallig sits at the front of the room on a cushion, overseeing the training of the newer temple guards. You instinctively walk over to the seat beside him and kneel down, awaiting his instruction.

“I have a mission for you, my dear,” he turns to face you and you lean in close, hyperaware of the audience you have. Every mission interests you for your true duty is to learn how to spearhead security like your master before. Exceptions are made, though, for the Clone Wars rage on with no care of the casualties.

“What kind?” you ask as the two of you pause to watch as one temple guard pins and corners another, signaling the end of a match.

“The council and I need you to investigate an abandoned Jedi Temple on Lothal, there has been reported activity there and we need to ensure the Separatists are not taking advantage of it. You are not required to engage, we just wish to find out what is happening,” he instructs and you nod, categorizing all the information.

“Alright, then I’ll get to it. See you soon, Master,” you state and stand, walking alongside the edge of the room to avoid the action. Master Drallig barks out some sort of correction and you smile, turning your head to check on the match. When you look around at the guards, you notice the face of one staring straight back at you, the emotionless mask piercing into your soul. Turning back quickly, you shake your head and exit the room out to the hallway.

Walking quickly back to your room, you shake your head and try to forget the way that the yellow slits stared at you with such menace even though the masks were utilized to get rid of emotions altogether. They were nothing like Obi-Wan’s honey-golden eyes. They were lifeless.

Sighing, you shake the thought of Obi-Wan out of your head. You had a mission and you needed to focus. Once you arrive at your small living quarters, the essentials are shoveled into a small rucksack for emergency purposes. You pull at a sash on a stray wooden chair and watch as a few items tumble, including a small beaded bracelet.

“What’s this?” you ask as Obi-Wan hands you a small pouch. The two of you sit on the roof of the Jedi Temple, away from the watching eyes of the council and temple guards.

“A present! Just open it,” he states and you quickly tug at the opening, watching as a small beaded bracelet falls out onto your lap.

“A bracelet?” you ask and hold it in your hand, seeing the yellow and blue beads shine in the light of the setting sun.

“I was out with Master Qui-Gon and saw this, it reminded me of you. So, I asked the owner nicely and he gave it to me,” he smiles and you look up in shock.

“You compelled him to give it to you? Obi-Wan, that’s illegal!” you look at him in horror, clutching the small bracelet in your hand.

“Don’t worry, I doubt he wanted it anyways. Besides, I got it because I know your master doesn’t leave a lot. I got it so you could have a taste of the outside world,” he takes your hand in his and you sigh, the warmth of his body against yours searing the feeling of the bracelet into your skin.

“Fine, I’ll wear it for good luck,” you slip it onto your wrist and smile as your fingers intertwine with Obi-Wan’s, your head resting on his shoulder.

You pick the bracelet up and roll it onto your wrist, allowing your sleeve to tumble down over it.

“For luck,” you mumble and continue to pack up the rest of your items, namely rations and your saber all in a small satchel to carry with you on the ship. The sun barely begins to dip below the horizon when you arrive at the hangar, the clones readying your small ship.

“Thank you, Commander Appo,” you state and he nods sharply before you board the ship and begin taking off. Staring out forward into the night, a cold sweat begins to wrack your body as the ship lifts off the ground and takes off into the darkness of space. Luckily, the navicomputer does most of the work as the ship heads toward Lothal.

As the ship rushes forward into hyperspace, you nervously reach over for your bracelet and rub at the beads, allowing the smooth texture to bring you some sort of piece. Paranoia eats away at the back of your mind and you let it, the fear consuming your mind. In an instant, you can only acknowledge how small the ship is and how the vacuum of space seems to close in on you. Your throat dries and your heart pulses quickly in your chest, the lights suddenly becoming too bright. Standing quickly from your seat, you walk to the back of the ship where the thrum of the engines sounds out louder than space, providing you with some sort of distraction. This trip could not be any shorter. You pace back and forth in the back of the ship for a long while, attempting to break your focus on the scary depths before the control panel begins sounding out, alerting that you are about to jump out of hyperspace.

Sitting back down, you prepare to take control as the ship jerks, and you are met with a beautiful blue and green planet. The clouds swirl in a beautiful myriad of patterns, painting your vision with a sight of lively nature. You steer the ship downward, following the navigation as it points you in the direction to the temple. As you land, the dust kicks up and blocks your vision for a moment before it settles and reveals the mountainous spires that appear to roll on for ages. You stare up at the largest spire that stands tall in front of you, seemingly staring down as you peer up to take in its greatness. For a moment, you close your eyes and the Force reaches out to you, recalling the many souls of the previous Jedi that had roamed this temple. When you reopen your eyes the spire begins to grow out of the ground as the ship rumbles from the sheer vibrations that resonate throughout this area. Once the spire reaches its full size, your body begins to shake from excitement. You grab the tawny sack that contains your belongings and rush out of the ship, almost sprinting toward the opening where the teeth-like stones separate to make a passage for you. Stepping inside, the air clings to your skin and seeps into your muscles. While not sluggish, you feel the essence of a being residing inside the temple and surrounding you, almost comfortingly. The silence does not deafen you but coexists to bring serenity as you walk further inside.

Once you arrive in front of three doors, you notice the kneeling statues of previous Jedi Masters. You stare at their figures, immortalized in the natural stone of this planet. They were waiting for their padawans to come back. This temple was a test for the Jedi of old. It would be a perfect breeding ground for Separatists to hide and learn the secrets of Jedi past, but there was no sign of life, no occupation to investigate. Oh, how quickly you were proven wrong.

The sound of feet landing softly behind you causes you to spin around swiftly, reaching to the saber hanging at your belt. It ignites and lights the dim room in a beautiful yellow, illuminating your face and the figure of a Sith acolyte. Asajj Ventress.

“Well, look who we have here. A Jedi Knight,” she mutters lowly, brandishing her own two red lightsabers that combat your bright yellow.

“What are you doing here?” you ask and begin settling in your spot, your body moving into a defensive position.

“What does it look like I’m doing, I’m luring you here,” she states and smiles, her eyes lighting up as the fear begins to rise within you. “Honestly, I’m surprised they sent you. You seem the least qualified to deal with the Sith.”

“What do you mean?” your stance waivers for a moment as Ventress lets out a small cackle.

“You were in love with Darth Vellian and now look where he is. If anything, you shouldn’t even be a Jedi. I mean you’re toying with the dark side, my dear.”

“Jedi do not fall in love. We are not to have attachments,” your fears come to fruition as you begin questioning all the precautions you took to ensure that your love for Obi-Wan would never see the light of day. What did this mean for you and your place as a Jedi?

“Don’t be silly, he’s told me all about you and your silly relationship. About how you were a thorn in his side and drove him to the dark side. He’s not yours anymore, he’s mine,” her eyes seemingly gleam in the light emanating from her weapons.

“What?” you drop your position, turning your lightsaber off as the darkness ebbs away at your stability.

“What did you think would happen? He realized you were too safe and too boring. I now occupy his time much better than you could,” your vision drops down to glance at the beaded bracelet that sits at your wrist. This gives Ventress enough time to begin charging at you with her two blades up and ready. When you see her beginning to run, your saber is instantly up to defend yourself against her attack.

“You’re lying!” you scream out and push back against her.

“No, you are,” she instantly goes again, aiming to sweep at your legs. “And he’s much better in bed now that he’s on the dark side.”

You jump up to avoid the burning beams and bring your lightsaber straight down, the acolyte meeting your attack. Drawing back, you throw the hilt up slightly so that it flips in your hand as you attempt to sweep the saber across her chest. Ventress steps back and growls as you follow through, the woman taking the moment to slide the blade against your arm, burning the skin severely. The lightsaber falls out of your hand as you lose stability and reach with the other hand to hold your injured arm.

“Did he get this for you?” she deactivates one of her lightsabers and reaches out to grab at the wrist with the beaded bracelet. “It’s useless. He doesn’t love you anymore.”

She rips the bracelet off your wrist, the beads flying across the stone floor, and rattling off into corners where they will never be seen again. Tears gather at the corners of your eyes as your chest aches at the loss of such a prized possession.

“You’re useless,” Ventress leans in and whispers in your ear, her saber close enough to feel the heat radiating off of the charged plasma. You can hear your heart pound away in your chest, reminding you that you are alive and in a moment of lucidity, you beckon your saber forward and smash the hilt across Ventress’ temple. She instantly falls to the ground, unconscious as her lightsabers scatter across the floor. The tears threaten to roll down your cheeks as you rush out of the temple, your bag slung on your shoulder as the light of day shines and reflects off your small flying vessel.

For once, you feel relief as you climb into the artificially cold atmosphere of the ship. When you sit down in the seat, the soft sponge-like cushions provide you comfort as the vessel comes to life and begins taking off into the sky. You cannot be bothered by the fear as another thought eats away at you. Obi-Wan is no longer your lover. You have been cheated, he lied to you. Was taking you to Mustafar a power move?

The lights of hyperspace blind you as the tears fill up in your eyes, spilling over onto your cheeks. Your arms wrap around your torso, attempting to stop your chest from aching even more. The chill of space seeps into your skin and you sob silently to the emptiness that surrounds you, doing nothing to comfort you out in this deep abyss. Years of love and history seem to escape away, the memories meaningless. Times where you hid in the hallways and climbed onto the roof to get away, it all appears as moments where you were pawned off in his long game. You want to believe that Ventress is wrong, that she is telling you lies but her sabers and tie to the dark side connect the two of them much more than you could imagine.

The sharp jolt out of hyperspaces comes quicker than you expect, but it forces you to get a grip on your emotions, even for a moment to show a face to the Council. Steering down to Coruscant and landing in the hangar has never seemed so easy as you find yourself exiting the small vessel and stepping out to see the faces of the mechanics who quickly get to work. You swiftly walk out and toward the Council, ready to report your findings. After a moment of breathing just outside of the room, you knock and enter, faced with a room full of the Jedi Masters.

“Ah, welcome,” Yoda mutters as you move to stand in the middle of the room. After countless times of facing the council, you always seem to feel the pressure and fear of being revealed even after Obi-Wan left.

“I have returned from Lothal, and the findings are shocking, to say the least,” you state and begin explaining your encounter with Ventress, the lies rolling over your tongue as you leave out the mention of Obi-Wan.

“So we have a reasonable belief that the Separatists are attempting to take over and use Lothal as one of their bases,” you finally conclude as silence washes over, the Council sitting as they take in the information. “If that is all, I would like to take my leave. This mission was very taxing.”

You walk out of the room as the silence seems to choke you, allowing your thoughts to take over. For a moment, you pause in the corridor and stare at the emptiness, recalling the areas you would hide with Obi-Wan to get away from it all. He is all you can see when looking at the carpet, the ceiling, the pillars. The temple was like a shrine to him, you could remember every single place where he whisked you away just to kiss your cheek or to caress your body. You cannot escape. Your breathing quickens and you quickly rush through the halls and out of the temple, finding solace in the busy courtyard that leads out to the bustling streets of Coruscant.

Rushing through, you find yourself boarding a speeder bus to Dex’s Diner. The buildings pass by you in a blur of gray and black and you find yourself walking into the diner, sitting at a small cushioned booth. Dex wanders over and asks you for your order, you mumble out your order and dig into the sweet concoction that slides onto the table. The sugary treat coats your mouth uncomfortably and stops you from thinking too deeply about the past couple of hours. It distracts you enough that the bell from the door does not even break you from your stupor.

“Hello, darling,” the silky grovel of Obi-Wan voice causes you to jump as your vision focuses on the man in front of you. Your heart pounds loudly in your chest once again and you wonder how it does not burst out of your chest. A few moments are taken as the two of you stare, the ambiance of Coruscant playing on a loop in the background. It takes you a moment to respond but the venom that builds up sprays out the second you mutter your words.

“What are you doing here?” your eyes narrow into thin slits as your blood boils like acid in your veins.

“I’ll admit, I thought you would be happier to see me,” his honey eyes drift over your form, taking in the tenseness of your shoulder and overall hostile language.

“Happy to see you? Think again,” you spit out and visibly see him flinch in place.

“What is with this malice, darling? Just tell me,” he sighs and leans in, resting his arms on the table.

“Malice? Why don’t you ask Ventress,” you turn to stand but find Obi-Wan sliding out and pulling you back.

“What does she have to do with this?” he asks and you huff, the tears beginning to bead in the corners of your eyes.

“Everything,” you state and watch as a few people turn to stare. Standing, you take Obi-Wan’s arm and pull him to the nearest alleyway after slamming down a couple of credits onto the table.

“Finally,” he whispers and wraps his arms around your waist, beginning to lean in to press his lips to yours. You firmly place your hand on his chest and push him back off of your body.

“Why was Ventress in Lothal at the Jedi Temple?” you ask, breathing in deeply to try and remain civil.

“Because I sent her there to scout. I assume the Jedi caught wind of those operations though, I’ll need to disband it,” he thinks out loud and smoothes down his beard as he ponders the situation.

“Is that all I am to you? A tool to win the war?” you scoff and shake your head, your hands moving up to anxiously run through your hair.

“Of course not, but do remember that we’re in the middle of the Clone Wars, dear” he smiles playfully and the sight of him cracks your porcelain exterior.

“She told me that you used me. That you’re using me. That you love her and sleep in her bed. Was I just an accessory? I can’t believe I fed into your lies,” a rebellious tear drips down your cheek, glistening in the low lighting of the alleyway. Not even the sounds of Coruscant can save you from the thick cloud of silence that settles like a weight on your shoulders.

“She told you? I promise it was only a few times. I was lonely,” he whispers and turns away in shame and contemplation.

“She was right. I’m nothing to you anymore. I can’t believe I fed into your narrative. I even wore your bracelet,” the tears roll down your cheeks more readily in salty streams, dripping into your mouth and creating a lasting bitterness. “Leave me alone, Sith.”

You reach down with shaky hands and take your lightsaber in your hand, the metal hilt weighing you down like lead. It comes up at the ready, and before you equip it, Obi-Wan is already running off into the darkness. Falling to your knees, you sit back against the brick wall and wrap your arms around your knees, letting out a scream as you cry into your knees.

Taglist: @zeldasayer @aemorr-5885 @danicalifxrnia @sparrows-corner @squeakingsheep @fandom-blackhole @cherieboba @wildefire

61 notes · View notes

you-know-like-the-bird · 3 years

Text

It Gets Bad Before It Gets Worse

A/N: Right so... hello. Been a while since I last posted anything. But! Anyways! This is my little take on Deku joins the League of Villains and how that works out for him. This is only just the USJ incident, and that to not the whole thing, but that’s because I’ve still got to write the last bit (where All Might fights the Nomu) and I really wanted to post this now so... yeah.

I copied this from my word document, but tumblr just- ate up my italicised words? Like they’re still there, but nothing’s italisiced except for this author’s note that I’m typing straight out here on tumblr. I really don’t have the patience to go through this and re-work everything, so I hope it doesn’t mess with the flow of words too much.

But besides that, I hope you enjoy!

Edit: I fixed stuff.

"Kurogiri."

Shota sends out tendrils of his capture scarves and grabs onto two villains, swinging feet first through the space between them and right into a third. By all means, his attention is mostly on the b-lister villains surrounding him, but he's been careful not to let the three bosses out of sight. They haven't tried anything yet, which just mean that they're going to be more trouble later on.

"Take the brat up with you, won't you?" The man with the hands scratches at his neck, a contemplative tilt in his voice as he keeps Shota in his sights just as much as Shota keeps handsy in his.

There's warning lilt in mist-man's tone when he speaks, who Shota silently renames as Kurogiri for when he has to recount this incident for the police reports, hopefully with the villains locked up somewhere near. "Shigaraki..."

"Don't give me that tone!" The hands villain- Shigaraki- snaps, "You're not the leader of this operation. I am."

Kurogiri lets out a weary sigh just as Shota is forced to twist around to dodge a swipe of metal claws meant to dig into his torso, and regrets it immediately when he hears, "As you wish, Shigaraki."

When Shota turns back around, the Kurogiri is gone.

After the shock of, 'holy shit, this is really real' has passed, Class 1-A follows after Thirteen as they all run towards the entrance. They never quite make it there, when purple mist flickers into existence just ahead of them and starts to expands, bigger and bigger until it's like a swirly purple wall towering over them. That's not the last of it though, when Class 1-A watches a teenager who looks about their age step out from the mist.

"Is it time then?"

This is said to the owner of two yellow eyes that blink open in the mist, and voice that seems to come from nowhere and everywhere at the same time. "There was a change of plans. Shigaraki... wished to have you called in early."

It's the last bit that has all eyes watching the boy, as he in turn watches Kurogiri from over his shoulder. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Deku?"

The boy slowly turns to meet a violent red gaze, and Class 1-A hold their breaths.

For one Izuku Midoriya, it’s like the world slowly halts to a standstill. Suddenly, nothing matters much anymore, not the fact that this is the first attack he's been allowed to participate in, and that too only to watch. Not that he was nervous why Shigaraki wanted him 'called in early'. Not that he was finally supposed to get his irrefutable proof that he hadn't lied to Sensei about All Might's weakness, that he had been loyal. No, none of that matters because Izuku doesn’t even look at the crowd of hero students, just the figure right at the front, with sparking hands that's more flash than boom, for now, and an expression that seems almost surprised to see him.

Izuku looks at Bakugou in fascinated horror, "Kacchan?"

This wasn't- this wasn't how this was supposed to go. Izuku was supposed to pop in and take notes, not come face to face with his childhood bully after almost a year.

Predictably, like it always happened when Kacchan was caught off guard, his expression twists from one of surprise to anger, like how dare Izuku try to pull a fast one on him. If only someone would tell Kacchan that Izuku is just as surprised to see him as Kacchan is to see Izuku, but good luck getting him to believe you.

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

"I-" There's that same adrenaline, pumping through using veins, the kind he always got when Kacchan had him by the front of his shirt and was screaming right in his face. But unlike before, where when the anger would come (‘What did I ever do to you?!’) and Izuku would push it down, he doesn't this time.

He hasn't in a long time pushed the anger down.

His eyes narrow and its hard, harder than anything Izuku's ever done, to keep his composure. His voice still trembles, threatening to betray the red-hot fury he feels curling in his gut, but he just about manages to keep that poisonous feeling contained in his hands, in his erratic breathing, but never seeping into his voice, onto his face, into his actions. "I could ask you the same thing Kacchan."

Kacchan goes to speak, give it back to him twice as hard because he never listens, does he? When Kurogiri draws a close to this verbal match of spitting bullets with a polite. "Sorry to interrupt, but me and comrades would appreciate it if you take this seriously."

Kurogiri has the kind of influence that is quiet but intense, which means people listen when he talks. Not only that, everyone realizes that he's clearly the bigger threat between being the warper and the dude who looks like literal middle schooler blocking their paths. Izuku knows rationally that this class of hero hopefuls' best bet right now would be to try and get past him and Kurogiri and to go call for help, but Izuku has enough faith in Kurogiri to handle that. Not that he can do much else, or think much else, because of the anger that just keeps building and building the longer he stands here with Kacchan's red hot glare pinned right on him, greater threat be damned. It should feel gratifying, that he's finally gotten Kacchan to look at him, not just as another thing in his way but a person, but maybe he hasn't. Maybe it had meant nothing at all to Kacchan, when Izuku Midoriya had disappeared off of the face of the Earth about ten months ago, taking nothing but the words of an angry bully with him.

Yeah, that fits the bill, doesn't it? Izuku may have known Kacchan for over 14 fucking years, but he's only ever been just another thing in Kacchan's way to step over on his way to glory. As if Kacchan noticed he was ever gone.

The only time Izuku ever gets to have Kacchan look at him again, acknowledge him again, and Izuku is just another obstacle in his way. Just like it's always been.

"We don't mean to be rude by intruding, but my comrades and I have taken the liberty of paying your school a visit in hopes of putting an end to All Might and his legacy. It seems, however, that he is not currently present."

Izuku can practically see the hypothetical steam of anger coming from Kacchan with his mouth twisted into a fearsome scowl. The boy beside him, with bright red hair that stands straight up as if cut from the face of a rock, mashes his fists together and shouts back, "What makes you think we'll just let you?"

Kurogiri only narrows his eyes, "We were not expecting you to. You are a class of foolish hero hopefuls, after all."

Izuku just about manages to tear his gaze away from Kacchan when Thirteen lifts a finger, and Izuku realizes what's about to come next. Just before he can warn Kurogiri, however, his attention snags on something else. Like Kacchan can't stand attention not being on him for even a second, him and the boy with the tall red hair have launched themselves forward, straight towards Kurogiri, though Izuku barely manages to scramble out of the way when Kacchan points one hand straight in his direction and uses the explosion to boost himself further, uncaring if Izuku gets caught in it. Probably hoping it hit him, actually.

They both manage to get what they think is a hit in and jump back, and the red head shouts, "We're not going to just let you waltz into our school to hurt All Might!"

When Kurogiri clicks his tongue, unhurt because it’d take more than that pathetic display of ego to even bother him, Izuku immediate knows that he's annoyed, but it's especially evident in his flat tone of voice when he speaks. "Very well. If we are clear on our roles." Purple mist sweeps out and covers everybody in a thick cloud. Izuku knows better than to resist it, only hoping that Kurogiri's kind enough not to drop him from somewhere high.

Izuku stumbles when he immerges from the portal, and it's all he can do not to trip and fall face first on the ground. Sensibly, Kurogiri hasn't come with him, probably still handling the handful of people left up at the entrance, because Izuku really still feels like he's going to explode at someone. Logically, he knows that it probably isn't Kurogiri's fault, that the poor man is just following orders and not much else. He may have more sense than one Tomura-fucking-Shigaraki, but that doesn't mean he's the one Sensei favors most.

Of course, speaking of the devil...

"Why did you send me up there?" Each word is bitten off and chewed before being spit out like poison. Izuku wished he could grab Tomura smug fucking face and break it over his knee.

Shigaraki’s smirk is the asshole-ish kind Izuku wished he could kick in, "What? Didn't like the surprise, brat?"

Oh ho ho, it's a very close thing Izuku doesn't just start screaming at this point. He's so angry, "That was not part of the plan."

Shigaraki scoffs, "I'm in charge, I can change the fucking plan."

If Izuku was keeping his cool before, he certainly isn't now, "You can't change it whenever you feel like it Shigaraki!"

Izuku is suddenly grabbed by the throat, and there's a terrifying moment where he wonders if this is it, this is how he dies. At the hands of who's supposed to be a comrade, with no thanks given for the certainly valuable information he'd brought to the League. He'd thought it be enough to get them to trust him, because really, what else did a quirkless loser like him have to offer? But it wasn't nearly enough, not by word of mouth alone that All Might was slowly dying of a grievous old injury that Sensei himself had given him. After all, what argument Izuku have to justify just why All Might would give that information to some random middle schooler he once saved?

But while Tomura looked like he would gladly put down his raised pinkie against Izuku's throat to complete his set of five, he doesn't yet. "Don't talk back to me like you've got any authority, brat."

Izuku's breathing has slowed to a halt, painfully aware of the fingers around his neck and the one finger that isn't, could so easily be put down and turn him to dust. But, even then, with nothing much left to lose except a mother who will now know for sure her child is dead instead of just missing, Izuku meets a single red eye peeking out from under a severed hand with his own determined green ones. Shigaraki doesn't scare him, and even if he does, like hell Izuku will give him the satisfaction of seeing the proof of it on his face.

"Are you just going stand there boss? We're not doing quite so well here." This comes from a woman who's desperately trying to keep an eye on the pro hero culling their ranks with extreme prejudice while calling back for help. But Izuku knows Shigaraki, full on expects the scoff that comes from him as he doesn't move a single fucking finger to help his 'party'. He just watches, with that hungry red gaze of his, as if all he wants is to hold the world in his hands and watch it crumble, cannot fathom why this vision of his has not yet come to fruition. As if the world should come to serve him, and only put up just enough of a challenge to make it 'fun' for him. Izuku manages to turn his head, neck still under Shigaraki's hands but as if this is the first time he's pushed the man hard enough to come close to death by decay, and watches as not a moment later Eraserhead swiftly takes out the woman who had dared to call out for help.

Shigaraki clicks his tongue, and spares a glance at Izuku, "You were told to watch, weren't you? Then watch how a real villain does it."

He pushes Izuku back roughly, leaving him to stand there with a hand rising to carefully press against his throat with the threat to it finally gone, as Shigaraki takes off straight for the pro hero standing ready for him, thinking he's prepared for someone as bat-shit insane as Shigaraki Tomura. From what little Izuku has seen, Eraser's doing pretty well so far, especially for an underground hero who specializes in stealth and springing surprise attacks onto villains from the cover of the shadows. He'd almost think that this was where Eraserhead thrives, except he knows better, can see it in the desperate way the man moves that this is far from his kind of game. No, as heroes do still surprise Izuku from time to time, Eraserhead’s probably down here trying to buy time for the students to get away, which they probably won't, not if Kurogiri's got anything to say about it.

Shigaraki grabs onto the first tendril of Eraser's scarf sent his way, and Eraser sends another only to duck under it as he manages to elbow Shigaraki right in the stomach. It's when this happens, that a flash of green against the plain brown terrain and a muffled croak catch his attention. Izuku looks to where the sound came from and sees round green eyes poking up from the edge of the raised platform, and feels his own eyes widen first in surprise, but then in panic.

Oh no.

He wonders if the girl crouched at the edge of this fight is alone, only to catch sight of something round and purple just behind her. What are these kids doing? Don't they know it's dangerous to just stand there like that, begging to get noticed by the manic villain willing to fell anyone and anything just because he finds them annoying? Don't they care that they're teacher is trying to give them a chance to get away, and they're squandering it by crouching at the edge of this fight?

The girl's gaze catches his and her own eyes widen. Probably because he's a villain too and he's obviously seen them. He looks back at Shigaraki just in time for the villain to say, "You're getting slower Eraserhead. It's hard to tell with those goggles of yours, but I've figured out your tell." He glances back at Izuku, and Izuku manages to wrangle his expression into something carefully blank. Shigaraki continues, having made sure that Izuku's watching, "Your hair falls back down in the intervals when you stop using you quirk." Izuku let's out heavy breath, because he knows Shigaraki is right, he'd noticed that too. And its then that Eraserhead's hair falls back over his face, while Shigaraki still has his elbow in a five-finger grip, and oh- Izuku knows what comes next. He tries to catch the girl's gaze again, but she's watching in horror as first his sleeve and then Eraserhead's skin starts to crumble away at the elbow. The hero jumps away, but Shigaraki's point has definitely been made.

A few of the low lifes that they most definitely picked from the streets for the sole purpose of playing cannon fodder surround Eraser again as Shigaraki carefully backs away. Eraserhead doesn't notice Shigaraki make a subtle gesture at the Nomu that has the tall beast finally move from somewhere behind him. For how big it is, the Nomu can be pretty sneaky when it wants to be, because Eraserhead doesn't notice it take position a few feet behind him as he handles the few of the street thugs still left standing.

Shigaraki has a smile in his voice, which Izuku can only tell because he sounds real fucking smug when he says, "If you think I'm the final boss Eraser, you're sorely mistaken."

And really, Izuku should have seen this coming, but he doesn't, and flinches back when Eraser turns back just a second too late, because it doesn't matter anyways when the Nomu is built to match All Might's speed. The Nomu puts the hero to the ground faster than Izuku can blink, the arm with the decayed elbow in gripped tightly with one of hand and his other holding Eraserhead’s head down. Izuku wonders how the girl and the other person with her are taking this, and if they regret sticking around for this final act, but he can't take his eyes off this scene without the fear of missing something important. It feels... wrong. Putting down a hero like Eraserhead, who only ever jumped into this fight to make sure his students had a chance, who's a great fucking hero anyways. The part of Izuku that will always be a fanboy seethes that this his own fault, that if he can't deal with the consequences then he shouldn't have made the choice to be here in the first place, but it's never that simple, not really. So Izuku watches, some part of him begging him to step forward and maybe try to reason with Shigaraki about sparing Eraserhead, but the more sensible part of him knows it's pointless. Shigaraki only ever does what he wants to, and there's a huge chance that if Izuku tries to tell him not to do something, he'll only ending up doing it just to spite him.

The Nomu slams Eraserhead's face into the concrete and Izuku let's out a shaky sigh, a sick feeling starting to churn in his stomach at the pool of blood that slowly inched outwards from where Eraser's head hit the ground. He glances back over to where the girl is and sees her staring at the scene with wide eyes, two hands clasped over her mouth in horror.

There's a flicker of something purple somewhere behind Shigaraki, which grows outwards in the air like how moss spreads over a stone wall, until Kurogiri stands there in a cloud of purplish smoke and intones, "Shigaraki Tomura."

Shigaraki slightly tilts his head to show that he's listening.

Kurogiri sounds almost apologetic, which is rare enough that Izuku's temporarily distracted from keeping an eye on the girl and the person with her that he's only caught a brief glimpse of until now. "I'm afraid that I let one student slip past. I believe he has most likely gone to get help."

Shigaraki's hands suddenly jerk up until the fingers dig into the sides of his neck, and Izuku can't help but make a face as he starts scratching them with slowly growing intensity. It's a habit of his that Kurogiri has been trying to get him to break, but has been unsuccessful so far.

"Kurogiri..." Shigaraki's voice is dark with malintent, "If you weren't the warp gate I would kill you."

Kurogiri shows no outward reaction to the threat, except the shifting of his features like a turbulent sea of purple. It makes it hard to get a read on him, without facial expression to use as a gauge of his mood, but Izuku likes to think he's gotten to know Kurogiri well enough to think he might just be the slightest bit amused right about now. None the less, familiar with the sentiment of Shigaraki being upset with him for one thing or another, Kurogiri ignores the murderous gleam in Shigaraki's eye and simply continues, "The other pro heroes will most likely be arriving soon, and we are not equipped to handle them with our... dwindling numbers. It is best if we take our leave."

Shigaraki lets out a low growl, his eyes pinballing wildly between the Nomu, Eraserhead and Izuku. "Game over, huh? Fine, we'll wrap up."

And Izuku doesn't even get a chance to relax at the prospect of Shigaraki finally being sensible for once and retreating at a fortunate time, because there's a mean look in his eye as his gaze lands on Izuku, then past him. Right over to where...

The girl.

"But I think we should leave behind a message for All Might first."

In the blink of an eye, Shigaraki has sprinted half the distant to the girl who just stands there, frozen in shock. That's when a harried cry rips from Izuku's throat as he goes stumbling after Shigaraki, "No!"

But it's too late, because Shigaraki already has his fingers splayed over the girl's face, and it never gets easier. That heart wrenching terror of the just before, a nanosecond where after Shigaraki's quirk kicks in and turns everything to dust.

Except that this time, it doesn’t kick in.

Izuku, frozen stiff and expecting a dead young girl with her head turned to dust in the air, but instead meeting eyes blown wide in terror but still very much alive, watches Shigaraki turn slowly to look behind him. His gaze stalls on Izuku just for a second but a second is enough to tell Izuku that his little outburst has not gone unnoticed, before passing over him over to where Eraserhead's face is lifted off the ground. It's nothing short of a miracle, how he's managed to look up even with the Nomu's death grip still wound into his hair, and his eyes are an angry bloodshot, but he's still here, still looking, still having saved that girl's life.

"You're so cool Eraserhead."

And finally, Izuku finds his voice, "L-let her go Shigaraki."

Shigaraki's lilting tone immediately sours back into a scowl, but he still doesn't let go. "Nobody asked you, brat."

It makes Izuku's resolve only steel, because he didn't sign up for anyone dying today except maybe a fully-fledged pro hero, "I'm not asking either, Shigaraki, let her go."

"You-" Shigaraki's angry snarl is cut off when there's a loud bang from the direction of the entrance that draws their attention. It's also at this moment that the girl flinches back, no longer frozen in fear like she had been before. Or maybe she was afraid Shigaraki would so something much worse if she had moved, which she might not have been wrong about. The girl leaps back, far enough that Izuku knows her quirk gives some sort of boost for that jump, but Shigaraki only watches her go, half his attention still on the sounds coming from the entrance.

They don't have to wait too long to find out what happened, when a figure larger than life steps into view at the top of the stairs and booms, "So fear not students! Because I am here!"

But oh, Izuku realizes with a sliver of fear even with an insurance like the Nomu to back them, All Might is not smiling.

A/N: I’m so sorry for people who didn’t want to read this and had to scroll all the way dow but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to insert a read more right now. I’ll edit this later to do that when I can.

#bnha #villain Deku #villain Izuku #Izuku Midoriya #my hero academia #Bakugou Katsuki #All Might #shigaraki tomura #League of Villains

14 notes · View notes

hysterialevi · 4 years

Text

His Name Was Isaac - Ch. 13

Fanfic summary: During a mission to avenge his mother’s death, Isaac hunts down the men responsible for her murder and kills them off one-by-one, only to discover that his last target is taking refuge among the Van der Linde gang. In an attempt to kill them, Isaac attacks the gang and unknowingly becomes enemies with his own father, who is in the process of fighting his own battle for redemption.

Point of view: third-person

Previous chapter | Next chapter

This story is also on AO3

THE NEXT MORNING

PINKERTON HQ, BLACKWATER

Gazing out a nearby window, Agent Fordham casually watched the streets of Blackwater as men and women paced around all over the place, traveling from one end of the city to another.

Business carried on as usual in the small town, and despite the damage Dutch’s men caused to the bank during the robbery, everything else seemed to functioning just fine.

The only thing that was missing from the bustling sight... was Arthur Morgan himself.

It had only been a couple of days since Agent Ross proposed his deal to that man, but they had yet to see any sign of the outlaw ever since then. The other Pinkertons patrolling The Great Plains reported no visuals of Mr. Morgan in the area, and his son was apparently nowhere to be found either.

Fordham liked to believe that they were still considering the decision and would show up at their headquarters eventually, but the pessimistic side of him knew better.

Arthur had no reason to trust the Pinkertons. Milton didn’t exactly make the best impression on Dutch all those years ago, so Fordham supposed it only made sense that Arthur would put as much distance between himself and Blackwater as possible... but he had hoped that the man would give Isaac a chance by turning himself in.

That boy was hardly a man yet, and he had already been thrown into the unforgiving world of outlaws. If there was any way to avoid killing him needlessly, Fordham was willing to take it.

Unfortunately, he doubted Ross felt the same.

“You think Mr. Morgan will accept our deal?” Fordham asked Edgar, glancing away from the window.

Ross leaned back in his desk’s chair and stuck a pipe between his lips, speaking through clenched teeth while he held the object in place.

“Unlikely,” he replied, bringing a flame to the pipe’s tip. “That man’s about as stubborn as Dutch van der Linde himself. Trust me, I’ve known him for many years now. It was pointless to attempt a deal with him. We should’ve arrested him and his son when we had the chance.”

Fordham hesitated, trying to remain as professional as possible. “But... don’t you think it’s worth a try? Saving his son, I mean. If Arthur accepts our deal, Isaac will perhaps have a chance to live like civilized folk. And carry on with his future.”

Edgar blew out a puff of smoke, exhaling deeply as he extinguished the match with a quick wave.

“Our focus is to protect law-abiding citizens, Archer.” He said in a bored tone. “When it comes to criminals or savages, we do not concern ourselves with their personal lives or well-being. All that matters is bringing them to justice. Of course, how we handle the situation depends on how they behave, but ultimately -- their future is not our concern. Their end is.”

Archer was reluctant to agree. “I understand, but in the end, criminals are still humans. Not all of them break the law for the same reason. In some cases, it’s greed. In others, power. But in Isaac’s case, it’s survival. You’ve read the files. He was forced into this life with no way out. Wouldn’t you say that someone at his age deserves to make a real life for himself?”

Still, Edgar’s mind remained unswayed. “It is not my place to decide, Archer. Nor is it yours. I’m only going along with your deal for now because I want to help you. But in the end, the final decision resides with the judge. If Arthur and Isaac put themselves in a position where they must be killed, then the only thing we need to worry about is pulling the trigger fast enough. Though, of course, obtaining them alive would be ideal.”

Fordham turned back to the window, trying to conceal the begrudging expression on his face.

“...I understand, sir.”

“Good.” Edgar said simply, standing up from the chair. “Then I trust that the next time we see Arthur or his son, you will not hesitate to bring them in?”

Archer shook his head staunchly. “No, sir. Of course not.”

The other agent nodded in approval. “Good. We have far too many issues to worry about already when it comes to the savages of this country. The last thing we need is complications within civilization itself. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Agent Fordham...”

Ross grabbed his coat and headed for the office’s door, leaving Archer to his own devices.

“...I’ve got something to attend to.”

~~~~~~~~~~

MEANWHILE

THE GENERAL STORE, VALENTINE

Handing money over to the shopkeeper, Arthur stuffed some of the new provisions he’d just purchased into his satchel and began making his way for the shop’s exit, throwing a quick wave behind him before he took his leave.

“Thanks, mister.”

The shopkeeper gave him a polite nod. “Y’have a good day now, sir.”

Pushing the door open, Arthur stepped back outside into the muddy streets of Valentine as a chain of horses and wagons lazily rolled past him, their drivers still in the process of waking up.

It was chilly this morning, or at least chillier than the one before, and thanks to the bleak clouds veiling the sky, the sun was barely able to break through.

Arthur didn’t much like being this close to civilization, but he figured it’d be a good idea to grab some more food and winter clothing before heading up to Ambarino.

He sure hadn’t forgotten how cold it was in that region, and part of him wished they would never have to return there, but if there was any place in this country that would prevent the Pinkertons from tracking them, Arthur was willing to bet it’d be in the mountains.

The only thing that really worried him now, was Dutch. That man may not have been strong enough to survive the snow, but he was definitely crazy enough to try.

And that alone was enough to frighten Arthur.

“Hey, mister!” A voice suddenly called out, leading the man to glance to his side. “Over here!”

Standing next to the building, Arthur spotted an elderly man occupying the alleyway between the general goods store and the saloon, and it looked like his eyes were pinned on him at the moment. His hair was frazzled, his face was covered in dirt, and his ragged shirt almost resembled an old Union uniform.

As for his sleeves, one of them had been folded in half due to the amputated limb, and...

Wait a second.

Arthur narrowed his eyes in recognition.

“...Mickey? Is that you?”

The older man’s eyes twinkled upon hearing his name. “So you do remember me! Oh, I certainly remember you, mister. Your name’s Arthur, isn’t it? Like the king.”

Arthur nodded. “Yep.”

Mickey smiled warmly. “Oh, well... it’s good to see you again, friend. You was always kind to me. I remember. Everyone else in this town ignored me -- and they still do -- but you was always willing to lend an ear. I never forgot you.” He paused for a moment. “Hey, mister. I spoke with your son, y’know.”

That caught the outlaw’s attention. “You met Isaac?”

“Yeah,” the veteran replied. “I thought he was you. He looks just like you did, all them years ago. Though, he’s a bit angrier, I think. Not as nice as you was.”

Arthur sighed apologetically. “...Sorry ‘bout that. The boy’s been... goin’ through some things lately.”

Surprisingly, Mickey didn’t seem offended. “Oh no, it’s fine, mister. Your son might be angry, but I’ve seen that type of anger before. In the war, men would always get angry when they was hurt. They would end up hurting others. I think Isaac’s the same. He looks... sad. Just like you.”

The outlaw didn’t entirely know what to make of that. “Does he.”

“Yeah. I asked him why, but he didn’t say much. Just told me that you was dying.”

Arthur shook his head. “I already told him, I ain’t--” a short cough interrupted him. “--I ain’t... dying.”

Mickey gazed at him with concern. “You sure, buddy? Your boy’s right. You don’t look so good.”

The other man cleared his throat. “Well... I dunno. But I ain’t dead yet, and that’s all that matters.”

“But you will die.”

Arthur shrugged despondently. “Everyone dies.”

“Sure,” Mickey agreed, “but it still hurts. No one likes losing things. Things that they love. And your son, well... he don’t wanna lose you. Especially since he already lost his ma.”

Arthur cocked a brow at him. “You know about her?”

“The boy only told me a bit, but he said she died when he was real little. He couldn’t save her. And now, you’re dying, too. And he can’t save you either.”

The outlaw let out a breath. “But why take his anger out on me? Or you? It ain’t like I asked for this.”

“I don’t know.” Micky answered truthfully. “But I think you should talk with your son. I always feel better when I talk to people. Maybe you will, too.”

Arthur thought about it for a moment, eventually agreeing with the man.

“Yeah... I think he and I need to have a few words.”

The veteran seemed pleased with that. “Well, I wish you luck.”

“D’you know where he is?”

Mickey pointed to the saloon. “Yeah, I saw him head behind the saloon. He’s havin’ a drink there, I think.”

Arthur followed the man’s gaze. “What, at this hour?” He let out a sigh. “I guess I’ll go find him.”

The veteran said one last thing to Arthur, stopping the outlaw in his tracks just before he could leave.

“Hey, mister! Could you spare a dollar?”

Arthur nodded, reaching into his satchel. “Sure.”

Mickey gave him an appreciative look. “Thanks, friend. You take care of yourself now. We need more folks like you around here.”

The outlaw laughed at that, waving goodbye. “Oh, I ain’t too sure about that.”

Strolling away from the homeless veteran, Arthur wandered down the narrow alleyway and to the back of the saloon, right next to where the barber’s door was.

Sure enough, he found Isaac sitting on a barrel with a beer bottle in his hand, and it looked like Aldo was standing quietly beside him.

The young man didn’t look so good at the moment. His head was lowered in sorrow, and his shoulders slouched in discouragement. His eyes seemed to be glued on the ground in front of him, and if he noticed Arthur’s presence, he didn’t acknowledge it.

Something was definitely wrong. Arthur just wished the man would tell him what.

“Isaac?” He called out, walking up to him. “Whatcha doin’ out here?”

The boy remained seated, not even bothering to shift his gaze. “Just wanted to get away from everyone.”

Arthur glanced through the saloon’s windows, raising a brow at the incredible lack of customers.

“...There’s three people in there, Isaac. Bartender and barber included.”

Isaac sighed in annoyance. “Look, I just needed to be alone, okay?”

The outlaw chuckled softly, though not in a mocking manner. He stepped next to the young man and leaned against the wall, crossing his arms in a casual fashion.

“Listen, son... I spoke to Mickey.”

Isaac lifted his head in confusion. “...Who?”

“The homeless Union vet.” He explained.

“Oh, is that his name? Yeah, I spoke with him, too.”

“So I’ve been told.” Arthur fell silent for a second, taking on a more serious tone. “...He says you think I’m dying.”

Isaac took a swig of his drink. “I ain’t a child no more, Dad. I don’t think you’re dying. I know you are. That much is obvious.”

Arthur felt another series of coughs tickling his throat, but did his best to hold it back for now.

“Well, even if that’s true, I ain’t dead yet, Isaac. I’m still here. So let’s save the eulogies for when I’m actually gone.”

“...You say that like it’s so easy.”

Isaac finished the rest of his beer and set the bottle down with some force, clearly upset.

“Don’t you get it? Apart from mom, you’re the only person I’ve had in my life that I could actually trust. After she died, everyone else I met always wanted to kill me, or use me in some way. Even Shay. He never raised me for my sake. He only did it so he’d have another gun to order around. I guess...” he trailed off for a second, his voice becoming much softer, “...I guess I just got used to being alone. It was the only choice I had. There was no one else I could depend on.”

He turned to look at Arthur. “Now that I’ve met you though, I can do it again. And... it feels good, y’know. To be able to trust someone. To have someone that... you love.”

Isaac returned to his irritated nature, hopping off the barrel. “But now you’re sick. And dying. And I’m gonna be left alone. Again.”

The boy began to walk off, causing Arthur to pace after him.

“I understand that, Isaac, but it ain’t like I chose this. You think I wanted to get sick?”

Isaac rested a hand on Aldo’s saddle, letting out a deep sigh.

“No. I... I don’t. I know you didn’t. I’m just...” he took a breath, struggling to get the right words out, “...I wish things was different, alright? I wish I could help you. I wish... you were okay.”

Arthur put a hand on Isaac’s shoulder, trying to reassure the boy.

“I know, kiddo. I do, too. But the truth is... we can’t always control life. Sometimes, life kicks us in the ass and expects us to cope whether we’re ready for it or not. And we can’t control it when that happens. But what we can control, is how we deal with it.”

Arthur stepped closer to Isaac, looking him in the eye. “Listen, it’s clear to both of us that I ain’t got much time left in this world. Whether that means I have three months or three years, I don’t know. But I ain’t gonna be around forever. Unlike what happened with Eliza though, we’re prepared this time. We have the luxury of knowin’ what to expect. So we can kick and scream at the world for being unfair, or we can make use of the time we have left together.”

He paused, glancing down at the ground. “This is the only chance we’ll get to make things right, Isaac. Let’s not waste it.”

Taking in everything Arthur just said, Isaac responded with nothing but a profound silence and gazed blankly at the distant horizon, his eyes carrying a heavy sense of exhaustion within them.

It was difficult for Arthur, watching his son go through this. No parent alive wanted to tell their own child that they were dying, but Arthur learned long ago that it was impossible to live a bad life and expect good things to happen.

He wished he could be there to see Isaac grow into an old man or start a family of his own, but this was the reality they had to deal with.

Arthur’s sins were finally catching up to him, and Isaac was going to pay the price.

“...Hey, Dad.” The young man said, getting his father’s attention.

Arthur threw him a curious look. “Yeah?”

Isaac’s brow furrowed in guilt. “I’m... sorry for what I said yesterday. I know I was pretty harsh.”

The older man wasn’t too bothered by it. If anything, part of him felt bad for snapping at the kid after he expressed his frustration.

“Harsh? Yes. Wrong? Well, not entirely.”

Isaac looked down in shame. “No, I was wrong. You may not’ve been there much when I was a kid, but I know you wanted to be. The truth is... I didn’t mean a goddamn word of what I said. I don’t wanna be anything like Micah. Or Dutch. Or Shay. I wanna be like you.”

Arthur shook his head in disagreement.

“No, Isaac. You don’t. When this is all over... you’re gonna be your own man. A better man.”

The boy seemed lost. “But how am I gonna do that?”

Arthur smirked warmly. “Well, that’s the beauty of it. It’s entirely up to you.”

Leaving Isaac to his thoughts, the older man patted him on the shoulder and beckoned the kid to follow him into the street, eager to get a head start on their journey to Ambarino.

Despite being somewhat conflicted about their future, Arthur suspected the young man felt slightly better now. He still carried that same gloomy look in his eye as before, but his demeanor didn’t appear as solemn anymore.

He seemed... different. Hopeful. A little sad perhaps, but unwilling to give up.

There was a newfound sense of determination in his step, and even though Arthur could clearly see that Isaac was still hurting over his father’s illness, he knew that the young man would pull through.

He was strong. Much stronger than he realized. Arthur just wished Isaac would put that strength to good use.

He seemed to have a habit of getting lost in the past. Everything he did revolved around his desire for revenge, and Arthur could only hope that once his time came, Isaac wouldn’t live the rest of his life trying to avenge his death.

There was so much more in the world that he could experience. So much for him to do.

Arthur’s only wish now, was that he’d be able to make Isaac see that.

~~~~~~~~~~

A FEW HOURS LATER

THE VAN DER LINDE CAMP

“...Goddamn. You are one, ugly bastard.” Bill murmured, observing the fresh wounds on Micah’s face. The man had just woken up from his beating and was currently sitting under a makeshift tent, attempting to get a better look at his injuries.

“Well, I wouldn’t be if you’d have gotten to me sooner. Where the hell was you when Joe and I was doin’ all the work?”

Bill defended himself. “Hey, I was keepin’ a lookout! Just like you fellas told me to. Don’t act like I wasn’t doin’ my job.”

Micah chuckled sarcastically, glowering at the other man. “Well, you wasn’t. Couldn’t even see Arthur ridin’ towards us at full speed. You only came runnin’ after Joe was shot. I dunno if you’re aware of this, Marion, but the whole point of a goddamn lookout is to make sure that doesn’t happen!”

Bill lurched forward out of anger. “Hey, don’t call me that!”

The one-eyed man didn’t back down. “Oh, sorry. Would you prefer ‘moron?’ It’d be more fitting, anyhow.”

Bill pointed a finger at Micah, only to end up clenching it into a fist as he grumbled to himself in frustration.

“You... you don’t...” he waved a dismissive hand, walking away from the man. “Y’know what, forget it. Dutch can look after your goddamn wounds himself.”

Micah laughed, taunting Bill as he stormed off in the opposite direction. “Yeah, sure. Drink yourself into a stupor, why don’t you? Leave the real work to the big boys. Heheh.”

The other man shook his head in anger. “You’re a fool, Micah! A goddamn fool!”

Watching Bill retreat to the opposite end of the camp, Micah relaxed into his bedroll again and chortled lowly to himself, amused at Williamson’s annoyance.

He didn’t know how on Earth that man was still alive, considering how easily he got riled up. Most folks with a temper like that got shot at one point or another, and yet, Bill was still here. Keeping Dutch company even after Arthur, John, and Hosea were all gone.

Who would’ve thought?

Dragging himself over to the small, circular mirror by his tent, Micah slipped off the final bandage around his head and unveiled the nasty gash underneath, revealing a permanently closed eye.

Thanks to the laceration Isaac gave him the previous day, his top eyelid had been sealed shut, and a diagonal scar now carved its way through his brow.

Micah’s vision had been cut in half, and yet, the man only found himself feeling twice as eager to put Morgan’s brat into the ground.

Who the hell did that little boy think he was? Attacking their gang and killing off their members, and then trying to run away from it? No one just... attacked the Van der Linde gang and lived.

Micah had half a mind to give Isaac the same treatment Arthur gave him down at the river. That kid stole their money, ruined their supplies, and caused their gang to shrink to just three men. Two of which were utter fools.

The only problem he had now was actually finding the boy. Lord only knew how far he and Arthur had traveled by this point, and judging by the lack of updates from Dutch, Micah assumed their almighty leader wasn’t having any more luck with tracking Arthur down himself.

He’d have to think of an alternate method. A quicker method.

But most importantly, he’d need help.

“Micah!” Dutch called from behind, his reflection growing in the mirror as he approached the small tent. “You’re awake.”

“Hey, boss.” Micah greeted, turning to face Dutch. The other man paused upon seeing his new scar.

“...Arthur surely did a number on your eye, didn’t he?”

“It was Isaac who did it,” he corrected. “That boy’s young and stupid, but he knows how to use a knife.”

Dutch sighed worriedly. “Oh, he knows how to do much more than that, I’m afraid.” A strong cough escaped him, causing him to spit on the grass before wiping his mouth. “I spoke with Bill. He says Arthur killed Joe.”

“Yeah. His body flowed downstream.”

“Well, we don’t have the time to retrieve him. Let alone bury him. Right now, the three of us need to focus on findin’ Arthur, and puttin’ him down for good. Problem is, he ain’t alone.”

Micah held up a thoughtful finger, standing up from his bedroll. “Well, y’know, Dutch, before Bill tried to play mother hen with me earlier... I was thinking. We all know Arthur’s big and bad, but no matter how strong that man is, he’s bound to have a weakness. A soft spot where we can hit him real hard, and hurt him real good.”

Dutch had a feeling he already knew what that weakness was. “Go on.”

Micah continued with his explanation, slowly pacing back and forth in front of his tent. “The boy, Dutch. You’ve seen how much he means to Arthur. Hell, he was willin’ to bail on you for the kid. That’s gotta mean something.”

The other man placed a foot on a nearby stump, resting his elbows on his knees. “So, what? You sayin’ we should kill Isaac first?”

“No, Dutch. Don’t you see?” Micah strolled up to the man, placing a hand on his shoulder. “We don’t need to kill Arthur at all. The only thing we gotta do is put a good ol’ fashioned bullet through Isaac’s skull, and the rest will handle itself. You’ll have your revenge, and we’ll have one less problem to worry about.”

Unsurprisingly, Dutch didn’t seem to fully approve of the plan.

“I don’t know, Micah. I...” his voice tugged with heartache, “...I hate Arthur... for what he did to me. And I want nothin’ more than to make him pay for it. But the pain of losing a child...” Dutch gazed downward, “there ain’t nothing that can compare to it. Even a traitorous bastard like Arthur doesn’t deserve that.”

Still, Micah persisted. “Why? What does Isaac mean to you for you to spare him?”

Dutch brushed his hand off. “It ain’t about Isaac. It’s about Arthur. You know the history between us. How much we’ve been through. How long we’ve known each other.”

Micah raised his hands in a diplomatic manner. “Of course, Dutch. Of course. But... let me put it this way.” He leaned closer to the older man. “...Arthur’s your son. I mean, he may as well be. You raised him ever since he was a boy. You taught him to read, you taught him to shoot. You’re his father, Dutch. And yet, despite all that effort to keep him safe, and to keep him alive... he still left you when you needed him most. He left you alone.”

Dutch listened intently, causing Micah to reel in the line now that he had him hooked.

“So, I says we go find Isaac, kill him, and leave Arthur alone. He’ll share the same pain you felt, and he’ll know what it means to turn on our gang. Just like you wanted.”

The man let out a sharp sigh. “That ain’t happening.”

“Well, at least consider it. It ain’t just about the sentiment, after all, Dutch. There’s also the, uh... strategic aspect of it, if you will. So long as Isaac lives, we’re gonna have a helluva time tryin’ to reach Arthur. That boy’s a menace, and he’s nearly as rage-driven as you. He’s got to go.”

Dutch rubbed his chin in thought, appalled by the idea of taking Arthur’s child away from him, but admittedly conceding Micah’s point.

“I will... think about what you’ve said.”

Micah appeared pleased with that. “Thank you, Dutch. That’s all I ask.” He began to stroll away from him. “Trust me, boss... this is all for the good of the gang.”

#red dead redemption #red dead redemption 2 #rdr2 #arthur morgan #isaac morgan #dutch van der linde #micah bell #bill williamson #edgar ross #archer fordham #rdr2 story #rdr2 fanfic

11 notes · View notes

leggomylino · 5 years

Text

Glasses | yandere!mafia!jaemin

Genre: yandere, mafia au, a bit fluffy(?), action, and ofc a sprinkle of comedy Pairing: yandere!mafia!jaemin x reader Word count: ~3.3k Warning(s): mild language (censored), mildly dark psychological themes, hinted suggestive content, violence, mentions of blood Song: Glasses by I.U. A/N: requests are open~ | Masterlist in BIO! | what else can I say except I hope you enjoy yeehaw <3

[10:34 pm]

You knew this was wrong. You’d known for the longest time now; but you didn’t want to.

It was too late, however. The moment you picked up the glasses, and tried them on for the first time...seeing things from an entirely new perspective, for what it really was, the reality of it all...seeing things through these lenses...it was time for it to stop.

You’d thought Jaemin was safe. That he was your shelter. That everything he was doing was for your benefit, for your protection.

It wasn’t. It was for his.

So tonight was the night you were doing it. Tonight was the night you were taking back what he stole from you.

“Such a good girl…” Jaemin cooed, stroking your cheek with the back of his hand. You’d gotten used enough to it by now, able to swallow down the shivers that previously would crawl up your spine and had one day caused you to lash out at the pretty-faced boy. Let’s just say that wasn’t your best day; you still winced in fear just thinking about the dark clouds that rolled over his face, how he’d treated you like you were an enemy to both him and yourself.

But that was all in the past, behind you now. Because today was the day you were finally going to make your escape...you’d be a caged bird no longer.

Jaemin was just finishing up his nightly routine of petting your face and admiring your features before heading off to bed, or whatever the heck it was he did at night. You waited patiently and quietly for him to finish before he turned out the light, tromping up the stairs.

“Good night, my love,” he whispered before closing the door. He waited a moment, but you didn’t say anything back to him.

This seemed to make him more than a little angry. “I said, good night, my love.”

“......”

He huffed under his breath, beginning to come back down. You sucked in yours, holding it a moment before squeaking out the words he wanted to hear, so he’d keep his distance.

“Good night! Good...Good night.”

Though you couldn’t see his face, the tone in his voice was enough as he mumbled more things under his breath, half-storming out of the room in a grumpy fuss. Whatever. You honestly didn’t care if you hurt his feelings or not. He was the one who’d kidnapped you; he was the one responsible for keeping you locked up in a 24 x 32 foot room, with a small attached bathroom and an actual pin for when you were “acting out” and “needed to be tamed.”

You shivered at the thought of the first time it’d happened...and all the other times as well.

But soon all of that would be a waking afterthought; not even, for tonight you were officially rising from six feet under to tell the world you were still alive and there was a crazy person on the loose, walking amongst them right under their noses.

Quickly you rose from your bed the moment you were sure the coast was clear and Jaemin was long gone for the evening, scurrying over to your bookshelf and opening the fourth book down, fifth one across to exactly page 312, where the rest of the book had been cut in (with safety scissors, which was no easy task) to reveal a small role of parchment paper you’d been saving from meals brought down to you daily, just tearing away bits and pieces and later taping them all together to be one long map of your escape plan. You laid it out on the desk, going over everything one last time before you burned the gosh darn...well, really, flushed it down the toilet.

Your eyes scanned the page carefully, taking in everything: the basement, the house layout, the surrounding streets. There was the tiniest slit of window that had been sealed off, but you’d just managed to climb on top of stacked objects about a week ago to peek out and catch a glimpse at a street sign not too far off, telling you that Jaemin had to live in a neighborhood on the corner.

Okay. Time to make sure your emergency survival pack was ready, taking with you as much evidence as you thought you’d need when you reported this situation to the police. You hurried to your bathroom, opening the small cabinet beneath the sink and pushed everything aside to reveal another small compartment, lifting the door and hauling out the bag you’d carried when Jaemin had first taken you.

You had no idea why he let you keep it, and only removed a few things inside it: a safety alarm, a keychain of pepper spray, and an actual decent pair of scissors from your pencil bag. Maybe he thought having things familiar around would help comfort you, so you could adjust faster.

How wrong he’d been, now that you were seeing clearly. Tonight, you were so out of here.

Thank goodness he’d never asked to see any of your stuff again. You were pretty sure he’d forgotten about it by now, given that you had to be coming up on your three month anniversary.

...Anniversary? Really, y/n? Ugh.

This wasn’t a holiday. You’d be celebrating the moment you busted out of this joint.

Strapping your bag around your bodice and tying one of Jaemin’s flannel shirts around your waist (as much as you hated doing so, it was necessary), you headed back to the desk, swiping the stuck-together pieces of parchment paper and with a satisfied reassuring nod to yourself, flushed them down the drain, saluting as they swirled down to thank them for their service to you. Because you really couldn’t have done any of this without them. Then you ran out of there and climbed up the stairs to the door you’d never seen the outside of.

You tried the door handle, just for the heck of it. Of course, not to your surprise, it was locked.

As expected. No biggie. Onto Phase Two. With a grunt you wrestled beneath all the junk in your bag to get out a few tied-together paperclips, jamming them into the—

...There was no lock. No keyhole. The handle was completely solid, gleaming back in the faintest trickle of moonlight from the cracked slit of sealed-off bulletproof window as if to mock you.

Son of a b*tch.

You wanted to scream. This was not happening...it wasn’t! Augh, now what?! Seriously, why you? How had you not noticed this before…?!?

The doorknob suddenly jiggled. You hadn’t heard any footsteps coming toward it.

Sh*t sh*t sh*t.

You turned around to run back down the stairs and fling yourself into bed, but it was too late. Jaemin already caught you standing there, suspiciously closer than you should have been and oddly out of place.

“Baby girl? What are you doing out of bed?”

“...” You gulped, trying to get your nerves under control. You were really starting to lose it here. “...I...I uh—“ ...Then you got an idea. You smiled kindly, turning back around to face him fully. “I wanted to see you. I missed you. I was...lonely.”

Ew. This was going to be hard to forgive yourself for later; especially since a small part of you still cared about him, still wanted to trust him.

Jaemin returned your smile, slipping the rest of the way in and closed the door behind him. “You were? Already?” He laughed. “Aw, Princess, it’s okay. I get lonely too sometimes, when I’m away from you. More like always.”

You took two steps back for every step forward he took, backing yourself into a corner at the foot of the stairs. He smiled down at you like a predator cornering it’s prey.

“Say, tell you what…” He swiped his tongue over his lips, and you got a bad feeling in your gut. “Since you’re obviously not very tired...how about we—“

“Jaemin!!”

You both looked up toward the sound. Jaemin didn’t say anything, merely glared in a half-startled, half-annoyed expression.

“Jaemin, where are you?” the voice continued to call. “There’s been an emergency at the last location. Hyuck and Jeno need you.”

“......” With a mumbling curse the man stomped his way back up the stairs, pausing midway to look down at you over his shoulder. “We’ll finish this later. I have some...business to attend to. Wait for me,” he added with a wink, before practically slamming the door shut.

Sheesh. That was a close call. Way to go, y/n.

Shaking your head at yourself you gazed around the room, observing your other options.

Except that there were none. You were completely, hopelessly, utterly—

Another door slammed shut from somewhere far off, causing the whole house to shake; and then, the basement door just...opened.

You couldn’t believe your luck. It was almost too easy, like some sort of dirty trick.

Unfortunately you were desperate, so it was just going to have to be a risk you were willing to take. You shimmied your way out of that door without a second thought.

Except once you stepped foot in the hall, you found yourself wishing you had of had second thoughts, because the halls were big. And long. And confusing. Everything looked the same, the halls never came to an end and were winding as heck, and you were quickly running out of time, patience, and energy.

And then someone you didn’t recognize turned around the corner.

It was a teenage boy with bright cherry-red hair. He had an innocent smile but a mischievous look in his eye, as if a cursory glance wasn’t enough to reveal all he was cracked up to be. He wore a nice-pressed stylish outfit that accented all his best features...which had to be just about every part of him. He was an insanely cute kid.

“Oh! Hi!” he greeted, rushing over to you.

Crap crap crap…

It was too late to make a run for it. You gave him your best innocent I’m totally lost smile.

“Hey…”

He beamed, but his face still managed to appear a little urgent. “Are you okay?! We’ve been searching everywhere for you.”

“For...For me…?”

It was honestly hard to find anything to say at all, given that the only person you’d had any contact with for the past three months was Jaemin. Seeing another living breathing human being in the flesh was giving you a bit of...culture shock, for lack of a better word.

The stranger nodded, then paused briefly to tilt his head to the side. “You are...y/n, aren’t you?”

“......”

Should you tell him the truth? You didn’t know. Jaemin had warned you about bad people in this world...which is why he insisted on locking you away, and when you’d refused, he took you by force...but…

But he had lied. He was a dirty, unbalance liar. And that was so three months ago…

“Y-Yes, I’m y/n.”

The boy smiled like a cunning fox. “Oh, thank goodness I found you, then. If you come with me, I can get you out of here. We have a car waiting out back.”

“A...car?”

“Yeah. You want to get out of here, don’t you?”

Of course you wanted out. How could you refuse? So in all your spite, you hastily took his hand, which he seemed a little apprehensive about holding back, and he led you through the winding halls and out the doorway.

The moment the night air hit your face for the first time, it took your breath away. It was so cool and refreshing, so liberating, you felt like you could swim around within the starry skies all night long, and the night after that, and the next one.

“Finally,” a raspy voice greeted from inside the vehicle. He pushed open the door, scooting back the next second to make room and help you inside.

A temperamental brown-haired man was tapping his thumbs anxiously against the wheel in the driver's seat, a freckled face boy slouched back next to him, scrolling through his phone.

An actual phone. You hadn’t seen one of those in...what felt like years.

“Hurry up,” the driver hissed, looking back anxiously over his shoulder and then toward the house. “Did anyone see you leaving?”

“Did you hear any gunshots?” the redhead shot back. Grumpy narrowed his eyes.

“Hey. Watch it. I was just asking.”

“Well quit doing that and just drive already. Don’t forget you promised me a swing.”

A swing? …

You were about to ask what the heck that was all about when suddenly there was a loud pop! outside, followed by another one, then more. Everybody ducked for cover, and the brunette up front hit the gas...but the car hardly went anywhere.

“Sh*t!” he cursed, yanking out a...was that a…?

He’d yanked out a gun. All of them did.

You suddenly found yourself longing for the security and dull lifestyle of the sunless basement.

“Get down!” the cherry boy ordered, shoving you to the floor of the van. You squeaked and did as told, though it’s not like you really had much say in the matter.

Grumpy growled, cocking his weapon and aiming it out the shattered window. “I thought you said no one saw you!” he hissed. Cherry sighed, chewing on his bottom lip nervously.

“I-I told you I didn’t see anyone! I cleared the entire house with Seungmin just like you asked!”

“Well you obviously did a terrible job! And Seungmin’s not even here, what are you talking about?!”

The younger boy sniffled, his voice cracking around the edges. “H-He hacked into the security cams...I--”

“Sheesh, lay off already Minho, this is his first time on the job.” The freckled boy spoke. He looked to be the most innocent of the bunch, yet sounded the most intimidating. “We all make mistakes our first time around--”

“Oh, you’re one to talk!” Minho barked. “You--”

“Hey!! Leave my partner alone!” ordered the shorter raspy-voiced one. “You’re the one that chose to park out here in the open like this!”

“We’re not in the open! Are you blind?! Do you not see all the damn trees outside?!?” He waved an overemphasized hand in the air, cursing as a bullet whizzed by and almost gave him a new piercing. He grumbled then, firing back a few rounds. “...I’m the one with the license, how many times do I have to tell you not to be a backseat driver?”

“Ugh, you’re such a killjoy...sh*t, we should have signed up for raiding the BTS hideout.” Raspy spoke to his partner. “Hyunjin and Jisung really got the better deal this time...”

His partner scoffed, shaking his head. “Agreed--”

The back windows exploded as a round of automatics blew up the glass, and the youngest redhead squeaked, throwing himself down and nearly dropping his gun.

Enough for you to grab it.

You don’t know what took over you in that second, but with little more than a fleeting thought you kicked once, twice, three times until the back doors flew open, throwing yourself out in the process. You heard the redhead screeching behind you, followed by shouts from the others as well, but you didn’t stop to look back or listen to what they had to say. You were getting out of here, for real this time.

But in your high of adrenaline you failed to realize it was a battlefield you were potentially throwing yourself in the middle of, and that was enough for your survival instincts to kick in and make you freeze, panic-stricken in both heart and mind.

Especially because in the next second, you found Jaemin standing right in front of you.

“Y/n!” he nearly yelled, out of breath and drenched in a layer of sweat. He was way more than a little angry this time. “What the hell are you doing out here?! How did you get outside?!?”

You didn’t have time for his stupid dumb questions, or to just be standing around like a target. Shakily, you rose the gun in your hand before you, gripping the cushioned handle tightly. You aimed it right at his heart.

Jaemin’s eyes went wide, then settled down to something subtle and almost lifeless, gray clouds forming on the horizon that casted a shadow over his face. He didn’t move an inch. “Y/n...put the gun down. Now.”

“......” You didn’t listen. Hesitantly, you released the safety. Jaemin flinched ever so slightly, though he tried to contain it.

“Y/n, please. I’m not going to hurt you. I only want what’s best for you. I warned you, didn’t I? That there were bad people in this world that were after you? ...They’re after me, really. They want me dead, y/n. And the best way for them to get under my skin is through you.”

“......” You’re hands were shaking more and more visibly at this point, to where you were barely able to keep the gun trained in one place-- it was everywhere, jumping from his face, his shoulder, his bicep. You swallowed hard, working relentlessly to keep the tears from pooling in your eyes and blinding you once again to the reality before you, putting you under a false lens of a made-up reality that Jaemin actually cared about you, that he was really safe, that he wanted what was best for you. A world he had crafted himself.

Do it, y/n. Just shoot already! He’s a liar! You can’t go back to being holed up in a basement for the rest of your life…!

A shot rang out that could be heard from miles away; it sounded distant, but in reality it was happening right in front of you.

Jaemin took a deep, ragged breath, lowering the smoking gun in his hand. A few seconds later you heard a body drop to the grassy wooded floor.

“MINHO!!!” Cherryboy screamed, tromps of footsteps filling up the back of your mind. You turned trembling hands and quivering lips behind you, where the one named Minho laid out on the ground, blood leaking from a wound on his chest. He coughed up more blood, cursing between each upheaval.

“I...sh*t, I’m fine...just...uhn…”

He fell over whilst trying to stand, and the other three boys were at his side in an instant, then soon surrounded by more men in similar attire to Jaemin’s. A brush of fingers wisped against your shoulder, and you nearly screeched as you whirled to face the present danger, wrapping your arms around yourself, the gun falling at your feet.

Except there wasn’t any danger to be found. It was only Jaemin.

Not scary, psychotic, manipulative Jaemin. The Jaemin you once knew a long time ago, the one with soft eyes and blurred edges and a fragile, caring heart.

He had been right. He really had only wanted what was best for you. For the both of you; because you knew, or now realized, that Jaemin had and always would be a part of you. Your roots were here, with him.

You cried. Sobbed uncontrollably until the tears refused to stop falling, and Jaemin caught each and everyone, holding you tightly and securely in his strong, sheltering arms.

“Hey...shhh...it’s okay, now,” he whispered, brushing back your hair as you cried. He tilted your face up to look at him after a few moments, once the bad people who’d almost taken you to probably another basement or who knows where had been hauled away, smiling down you agilely. “I told you, didn’t I? This world isn’t safe. Please, let me protect you. I want to take care of you.”

“......” With shaky breath you nodded, slowly, gently allowing yourself to be cradled back into that false reality you were now finding to be true.

He smiled and helped you back inside, through the kitchen and down the maze of halls towards the basement. As you walked, your arm brushed up against a pair of glasses that soon after fell off the counter, the lenses shattering to the floor.

412 notes · View notes

pernatius · 3 years

Text

Lost in Space Part 5: Ch 1

Summary: An unnamed Space Explorer must come to terms with the fate of the universe resting in her hands.

Part 1: ch 1, ch 2, ch 3, ch 4, ch 5

Part 4: ch 1, ch 2, ch 3, ch 4, ch 5

————————

The lights attracted me and in the process, they blinded me from the darkness that awaited ahead. They tempted me, tricking me, towards what its people have gotten sickened of. Of why its people want to run away from such a place with so much beauty. Of why its people want to escape from it, but can’t because this is all they know. Leaving would mean entering a new path towards a new world. Leaving would mean entering the unknown. As far as I know, the unknown is just a cruel, faceless power. Forget what I said earlier. It’s brought me more harm than good. This despise is something I’ve grown to feel, something that has strengthened as I scrape the bottom of my foot across this brick wall. I could’ve seen the squishy, sticky, and stinky substance easily with my newfound height, but as soon as I entered the city I was toppled and nearly suffocated by a bustling crowd. It felt as if that serpent from S1Y’s planet wrapped its body around me, squeezing me and tightening its hold every time I conjured the strength to try to fight free. I didn’t even get to scream for mercy, but at least it ended as quickly as it came.

I’m sitting on a piece of some cracked sidewalk with my head against the part of the wall where I didn’t viciously scrub my foot, which is stained with pieces of the substance, as I watch the sea of people I managed to swim past go to who knows where. I could assume some headed towards whatever job they had by their attire and the tiresome look within their eyes. Others I guessed were heading home after finishing school by their attire and their youthful, innocent faces as well. However, in their eyes, I could see they’re being molded. I could see the tiresomeness building within them too. This causes my heart to sink as they spread their gloominess to me. Speaking of gloominess, above the city are dark grey clouds looming overhead. I, unsurprisingly, assumed too quickly. This place is a different world, but it’s the same story. Lowering my head, so that my eyes are looking at the insect crawling under my crossed legs, the figure with whom I have built an unlabeled relationship appears in front of me. They mimic my posture but are looking right at me and are of course not phased by the several people walking through them.

Sighing, I look up to meet their eyes. I note how they’re as black as coal. They’re as empty as an abyss. They’re as empty as outer space. At least they have my face, my face before it became cubic, so I didn’t jump that much. I’ve known this figure for a while. I’ve known them for too long. Realizing this, I chuckle. I brush my hand to where my hair is supposed to be, but I imagined my fingers gliding between the strands. I’ve become insane, I concluded. Maybe I always have. Whether this is true or not, maybe it’s for the best. I take it as the universe getting back at me. When they speak, I also realize I have yet to become comfortable with hearing my voice come out of their mouth. Well, technically it’s my mouth. My mind? Anyways, “You were never the one to give up so easily. Why have you now?”

I am frustrated. I am tired. Most importantly I am hungry. So, I shout, “Because I was stupid back then! I was naïve!”

I could only imagine how the people around us reacted. Some Vector...Some Vection? Some other names not related to Vecta?...However, as Licata’s people are labeled, I’m still shouting at nothing. Clearly, I am done. Clearly, I am out of my mind. So, in the corners of my sight, I see people go around us and make sure the distance between me and them is more than enough for them to make it out unscathed if I am to suddenly pride myself on my insanity. Seeing how I’ve made a fool out of myself, I lower both my shoulders and head.

Quietly, I continue, “I knew what was out there. I’m sure she knew, but it’s only until recently I understand. That she understood too. It all came running at me. Ashley is right. What business do I think that I, a mere human, can fix both the intergalactic issue and personal issues I’ve created,” I sigh for the second time within my depressive state, “And I wanted to find Saamuki? It’s only a matter of time before she finds out about Mikrovos. I failed her. I failed Earth. I failed Ashley. I failed myself.”

“No, you haven’t,” an unknown voice answered in the figure’s place. Turning to it, as my ghostly twin disappears, I see an elderly woman draped in one too many layers of fabric that covered just about every inch of her except her face. This and along with her hunchback causes her to look a whole lot shorter than she actually is.

All four of her eyes squinted at me, causing me to question, “Are you talking to me?”

“Please, dearie, come with me.”

“But I don’t know y-”

Before I can finish she grabs my arm and leads me into the very building I was just leaning against. Somehow for someone of her stature, specifically with the lack of muscle, she can move me without much effort. Once we’re inside she lets go of my arm and proceeds to water a potted plant. The bucket’s water rains onto the plant’s leaves. Tiny droplets of water drip off of the leaves, but most are motioned by the leaves to slide down its stem. Whereby touching the dirt is then absorbed.

I don’t know how much time I have until she turns back around. So, I don’t waste any more time and I reach for the gun hiding underneath my cloak. Again, this elderly woman remains to surprise me because she tells me, “There is no need to get rash. Although, I understand why you want to make such an attempt. I am sorry for my ill-mannered action earlier, but I worried about your safety.” I raised my eyebrow. Well, if I did have one I would’ve. “As you were bickering with yourself, there was a being outside that took interest in you. A being that has ties to those you are currently incapable of dealing with.”

“Right. Well, I’m sure they wouldn’t try to do anything in such a large crowd. It was pure luck that I got past them, but I guess I have to thank you for your consideration anyway.”

Inching towards the door and reaching for its handle, she turns around to face me. The wood beneath us creaks because of her movement. “It’s only natural for those that have escaped from death one too many times think they can, but unknowing to them, now escaping will be their death. While not as sophisticated as the rest of the universe, humans are still remarkable beings.” I fling my hand away from the doorknob. “They have accomplished so much, but they aren’t unstoppable. Even those with a godly presence can be killed as well. You will come to terms with that, human.”

Gun pressed against her forehead, she doesn’t flinch. “You know I’m a human.”

“While you should be careful of your own voice I have known about that part of you for some time now. I’ve known about it even before you stumbled onto my homeworld, but I did not bring you here for trouble. If I was I would’ve done so already.”

“Why? What’s your goal? Why are you sounding like you’re trying to help me?”

“That’s because I am.” She smiles, which causes my grip to shake. That type of smile isn’t new to me. She continues, “Understandably so, you have many questions now awaiting for me to answer. More is being formed the more I speak. Youth does that.”

“Just get to the point. I don’t have the time nor the patience.”

“You’ve been hurt, dearie.” The woman reaches out. Her hand is above my left cheek, parallel to my arm that’s holding the gun. Without me stopping her, she places her hand on me. I flinch, but too quickly I let the affection get to me.

“Because of it, you’ve lost yourself, or so you would like to believe. I am a friend of Saamuki’s sister. Just like her sister, I have an extraordinary gift, but sometimes it’s a curse. It’s greatly reduced my years,” she continued.

Regaining my grip on the gun, “How-How do I know you’re not lying?”

“You don’t. I am a stranger to you, but I have known of you ever since you came to be. Believe what you wish, but if you want to believe your judgment rather than my words then pull the trigger. However, you already know those that are on the verge of death do not lie. My declining health is no secret.”

“If you dare to do anything problematic I won’t hesitate to shoot.”

“Of course.”

“Now what do you mean you’re a friend of Saamuki’s sister? How exactly does that have to do with saving me?”

“As you already know, her sister has passed. While that is true, her spirit has not. She had gotten word about your possible future and its correlation to the universe’s fate. Not too long ago she contacted me. We weren’t that close. We were rivals at one point. At first, I didn’t believe her. No, I didn’t want to believe her. When I saw them looking at you that’s when I chose to believe her. That’s when I knew what might’ve happened may have happened.”

“What do you mean possible future? What do I have to do with the fate of the universe? And who’s them?”

She coughs before answering, “The universe is no longer what it once was. Centuries ago the universe was at peace. Because of this, it wasn’t prepared. It was naïve. One being split themselves into several. On that day they became the ruler of the universe. Scattered throughout his kingdom are their Watchers. Watchers take notes of the cracks in the walls and report them back to the Lords. One of those cracks is a human, millions of lightyears away from her homeworld. It is that very human that will free the universe from the Lords’ reign.”

“That’s some nice lore there, but me? You said it yourself. I’m a human, one that’s definitely incapable of doing a universe-wide coup d'état. These Watchers have to be far stronger than anything I’ve ever had to face. So, there’s no way I’m able to do the impossible you’re asking me.”

“Correction, I said that you’re currently incapable.”

“I’ve only made it this far because I had people with me. They did the work. Not me, but when I tried to I got my ass kicked. So, I’m not some messiah. I’m just a human who’s lost in space.”

“We only claim we are lost when we have become blind.”

“That’s a lot coming from you.”

“I could see much more than you think I can. I can see you are hungry.” With that, my stomach growls, and I can feel my face heat up in embarrassment because of it. “I’ll whip us both some lunch.”

I let her walk away and head into a room behind a curtain. With her leaving me alone, I notice the place’s details. Her home, I assume it is, is small. It’s nearly claustrophobic. Candles float above and bookshelves have been stacked on either side of me. They touch the roof, but that’s not saying much considering I have to slouch just enough for my crown not to touch the candles. The bookshelves, though not grand, held a couple of hundred books at one point. They’ve scattered all over her home over time. A handful rest in a pile next to my left foot. Many of them lean against the feet of the bookshelves. The rest have been stacked into a makeshift table for the potted plant. Dust sparkles in nearly every inch of this place. Cobwebs as well, but they’re not as prominent.

The old woman motions for me to join her in the other room. Maybe I felt bad because I got the hint that I'm the first living person that’s talked to her in a while. Maybe it was because I’ve been hungry for the past half hour. Whatever the case I follow. Besides, whatever she cooked smells too good not to try. Although, as I should know by now, with every step towards heaven there’s always something that’ll make me slip back into hell.

#199 #lost in space #writers #writers on tumblr #writeblr #my writing #creative writing #spilled ink #fiction #scifi #wlw #fantasy

3 notes · View notes

sea-side-scribbles · 4 years

Text

Fanfiction: Sympathy For A Downer

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22737214/chapters/62486839#workskin

Chapter 26:

The moment Nick came back to his senses he noticed he was still standing in front of the mirror, in the bathroom, staring at his own startled face. Next thing he noticed was his head, that was pounding, and his pulse too. Overwhelmed by memories he must’ve been frozen for a while. Everything that had been long forgotten suddenly came back to him. Everything he hadn’t been able to recall for years but still had feelings about. Now these feelings grew stronger.

The third thing he noticed was that it was time to go back to bed before his lover found out that he was gone. Therefore he walked quietly along the corridor and opened the door to his room as quietly as possible. In utter darkness he searched for the bed.

Before he reached it, he heard his lover’s voice whisper his name and froze.

Then Morrie turned on the light and he noticed he looked ridiculous, crouching on the floor like that.

„What are you doing down there? Are you trying to spook me?“, Morrie asked him with a grin. Obviously he found it funny too.

Nick got up and sat down on the mattress without giving an explanation.

„Turn the light off,“ he begged.

Morrie furrowed his brows but he did it.

The second it went dark Nick reached out for Morrie and pulled him into a tight hug. Soon, he felt the other man’s arms wrap around him and his hands patting his back. Quietly, Nick rubbed his cheek on Morrie’s.

„Are you ok?“, his lover asked quietly.

„My Morrie…“, Nick sighed and began to send kisses all over the other man’s face, or rather every spot he could find in the dark. Morrie moaned.

„Norbert, I can’t even see you…“, he chuckled, but he did his best to return the favors.

They needed a few attempts to find each other’s lips. When they got them, Nick kissed Morrie breathless and climbed on his lap.

„Mercy, please…“, his lover started to beg. „I’m still tired…“

„My Morrie, my love,“ Nick whispered.

In his head he saw them both standing on that soft green hill where they had confessed their love to each other.

Forever.

He couldn’t remember what had happened to that.

What had happened to their love.

Nick’s chest hurt. He had tears in his eyes and fought down sobs that tried to shake him.

„I’m so sorry.…You deserved better…so much better…“

He kept kissing and hugging Morrie and the other man searched for Nick’s face with his hands.

When he felt that Nick’s cheeks were wet with tears, he did everything to calm him down, stroking his back and running his fingers through his hair.

„Sssh, Norbert…It’s okay…we’ll make this work….I love you.“

Nick let everything happen while he cried and sobbed into Morrie’s shirt. The other man kissed his hairline and whispered gentle words to him.

What Nick didn’t see was that Morrie’s eyes were wet as well.

It felt so good to hear the apologies, to hear that everything was getting better, that Norbert needed him and wouldn’t abandon him again.

In time, Nick’s breath calmed down and his eyes dried.

Morrie convinced him to lay down again and Nick rested his head on Morrie’s chest.

„Do you remember our past?“, he suddenly asked.

„How we met? And our first kiss?“

Morrie rustled with the blanket, pondering. Everything he recalled were blurry images, accompanied by a feeling that made his heart tense up. Usually, whenever these images tried to haunt him he popped a Joy.

But now it was different.

It was getting better, right?, he thought while his fingers curled into the blanket.

Now the pain should vanish.

„Vaguely,“ he answered and tried to describe the first image he saw. „I see us sitting at the piano… I’m trying to explain something to you…but you don’t get it.“

Nick started to giggle at that. It turned into a fit that was almost as strong as the crying fit from before. And it made Morrie laugh too.

When they calmed down Nick said: „Yep, that’s exactly what happened, Morrie-Moo. Anything else?“

„Did we go to the Garden District together?“, he asked, because every time he set foot into a garden he felt the pain too.

„It was a park near school,“ Nick explained. „The Garden District didn’t exist back then. I played you a song, remember?“

Morrie struggled with his foggy mind, but whatever he tried he couldn’t get through it.

„No, I wish I could…“

Now he was sorry that he had deleted their time together.

Nick however took Morrie’s hand and said: „I think it went like this…“

He started to hum a melody.

His lover’s hand tensed.

When the melody broke through the fog Morrie felt a sudden panic, as if there was something really dangerous behind that cloud. Then he listened to the song and slowly, everything came back together again. He saw Norbert with his old guitar, sitting under a tree and singing a song just for him. It was such a wonderful picture. Then he saw himself running away.

Oh, you damn coward, he thought but smiled.

When the song ended, it was Morrie who cried, because Nick had just recreated one of the most beautiful moments of his youth.

„My god…thank you…thank you so much…“, he sobbed.

Nick kissed his forehead, whispering: „I can tell you more.“

Morrie begged for more.

It was a long night.

The next day Arthur had a new plan.

He had found a way to get close to Nick without raising suspicion. After all, he didn’t want to wait for him in the tunnel every time. Because of that he was going to the “O“ Courant editorial office to get his old job back. It felt a bit weird to come back just like that, as if the incident in the Parade District had never happened. But he counted on one thing: Wellies were forgetful.

Protected by Sunshine and excited to see Nick’s reaction later, he strutted into the building. The workers there barely noticed him, focusing on their papers and typewriters. Arthur smiled at the sight, remembering that he had liked the job.

Eagerly typing, drinking coffee and chit-chatting with the colleagues, going out to research things… Not that he had been unhappy in the Department of Archives, as a decent citizen he had never been, but in hindsight he preferred being a reporter over everything else.

He found his old desk that was now used by someone new and assumed it wouldn’t be easy to get his job back. But he had an ace up his sleeve.

Entering the office of the editor-in-chief, he thought it was a good sign that Mrs. Oliphant didn’t chase him away at first sight.

„Arthur. Arthur Hastings,“ she shouted in surprise. „So you came back from holiday I see.“

„I just had a lovely time, nothing to worry about“, Arthur said nervously. „I was hoping you could use a reporter.“

„I’m afraid I’ve got a dozen of them, all useless, the lot of them. I’ve got six pieces on my desk, all about the new flavor of Joy. Can you believe it, it’s Coconut.“

She crossed her arms and shook her head, looking very exhausted.

Time to play the ace.

„I thought you might want some real news.“

She furrowed her brows.

„And what are real news to you?“

„You’ve heard about the great band reunion, Nick Lightbearer and The Make Believes, right?“

She let out a moan.

„You have no idea! We had the concert on the front page, downer fight and all, but now we’re starving because he doesn’t let anyone near him. He doesn’t even leave the house anymore. God knows how he’s living like that. I’d do anything for a glimpse at the new album. Don’t tell me you found out something?“

She stared at him in anticipation and Arthur was glad he could help her out.

„Well, I can safely say I’m one of Nick’s closest friends.“

„Really?“ Mrs. Oliphant tilted her head. „You’re not making this up, do you? No offense but you don’t really look like his type.“

Arthur was speechless with a gaping mouth for a moment, but he caught himself.

„It’s true. Sadly the Constable who’s guarding his house seals him off from the outside world. I’d have a better chance with a press pass.“

She considered that. Then she waved him off.

„Well, there goes nothing,“ she said. „But Arthur, just in case you have other plans with your pass…we never met, you understand?“

„Of course“.

Arthur happily accepted the pass.

Finally he was somebody again! No downer, no tunnel rat, but a real reporter.

Him and a star together at a table - who would question that?

Arthur strutted outside and was motivated enough to try it out right now. He was excited to meet Nick in his house again anyway, but this time not as an intruder.

He had to take another sunshine pill, before he could approach the Constable that was guarding the rockstar’s front door.

He remembered that the bobby was picky about who he let in, so he couldn’t just pull out his pass and ask for anything. But Arthur had more aces. He pulled out a bottle of Scotch, all bobbies loved a friendly gesture.

„Just to show you I appreciate your work,“ he said and held out the bottle.

„That’s nice of you,“ the bobby said and took a hit.

Arthur considered it was save now to have a little chat.

„I bet you’re quite busy these days, after the concert and all.“

The Constable gave him a real smile.

„Yes, but it’s wonderful! Just like the old days! I’ve been worried about him, you see, he didn’t come out for weeks, and now everything is peachy again.“

„Good to hear jolly news like these, am I right? Especially in such hurly-burly times…“

„What do you mean by that, sir?“

„Well, we need good new’s, don’t we? The upcoming festival, the new flavor of Joy, the Make Believes, that’s something people should hear more about. Instead of stupid rumors.“

„There’s wisdom in your words,“ the bobby agreed and took another sip from the bottle.

„You think Mr. Lightbearer would agree too?“, Arthur tried.

„Sure. Why do you ask?“

„I’m wondering if Mr. Lightbearer would give me an interview about the new album. It would match the other good news so nicely. And isn’t it everyone’s duty to make people happy?“

„It is. I must still warn you, Mr. Lightbearer has been quite anti-social in the past days“, the bobby said and opened the door for Arthur.

„Good luck, sir.“

„Thank you very much, Constable.“

A very happy Arthur entered the house and called for Nick.

He could hear the sound of music coming from the upper floors. That must be the band. So he came too soon?

While he was standing around and couldn’t decide what to do another man entered the room, decoyed by his calls.

„I’m afraid Mr. Lightbearer is busy right now. I’m Virgil Dainty, his manager. Who are you?“

Arthur looked at the other man who was a slight bit taller than him and most of all unexpected.

He had to tell himself that he was still a good citizen, not at all a downer.

„I’m Arthur Hastings, reporter from the Hamlyn “O“ Courant,“ he answered and it felt good to say.

„All I’m asking for is one interview, to get in touch with the fans again. To make them feel close to their idol gain. They’ve been starving for months now.“

The other man’s expression softened.

„I’ll talk to him. Come back in the afternoon. He’ll see you then.“

„Thank you, Mr. Dainty,“ Arthur said and started to walk backwards out of the room. He was afraid his wide grin would raise suspicion. „See you!“, he added before he quickly left the house.

Outside he climbed into the first hatch he found and then broke out in cheers.

He finally did it! He could meet Nick as a person!

Virgil talked to Nick when the band made a pause.

„A reporter asked for an interview today and actually, it wouldn’t hurt to be in the news again. Do you think you’re capable?“

„Today?“ Nick was surprised.

„He’ll be back in the afternoon, in case he doesn’t forget.“

Nick liked interviews, but most of the time he wasn’t able to give any.

„I can do that, Virgil,“ he told his worried manager.

The other man eyed him.

„Perhaps it’s better if I come along.“

Nick smirked.

„Don’t you trust him or don’t you trust me?“

„Both,“ Virgil admitted.

„Virgie, I’m clean! If I don’t like that guy I’ll ditch him, it’s easy,“ Nick waved him off and stretched himself out on the chair he was slouching on.

Virgil laid a hand on his star’s shoulder and immediately he had his full attention again.

„Don’t tell any sad stories from your past, okay? That’s nobody’s business. Only the happy times.“

„I know, Virgie! It’s not my first interview after all,“ Nick assured him and looked him in the eyes.

Virgil sighed.

„Alright, there goes nothing.“

When that mysterious reporter finally rang the bell Nick opened the door himself.

Arthur could see how his lover’s face froze. He however grinned and held out his press pass.

„Mr. Lightbearer, are you ready for an interview?“

Nick stared at the pass, then at Arthur.

„Arthur, you’re a reporter?“

„Yep, “O“ Courant, freshly hired,“ the other man answered proudly.

„But aren’t you…“, Nick lowered his voice, „aren’t you a downer?“

„I still have friends at the office“, Arthur said and chuckled. „Now what? Will you let me in, or will you stare at me all day?“

„Uh..I…“, Nick stuttered and glanced inside. „You know, it still looks like a pigsty in there and…my band is still there too. Why don’t we go somewhere else, like, the Garden or something?“

He made a step outside and closed the door.

Arthur gave him a pleading look.

„I hoped you would show me a place you like. The Garden is my favorite place. But what’s yours?“

Nick thought about it.

„Have you ever been in the Avalon Hotel?“, he proposed.

„The most expensive hotel in town? Hell, no, I could never afford that.“

Arthur beamed at him.

„Do you still have your suite there?“

Nick returned the smile.

„You bet I have! Come, Artie, let’s stir up some snobs!“, he said and gently slapped Arthur’s back.

Arthur was inches from hugging Nick, but he had to wait.

Thanks to Nick’s new success it was even more important to hide in the underground. Nick also preferred not to be seen with Arthur in public or even be photographed with him.

They sneaked through Nick’s yard and opened the same hatch they had used when they first met. Arthur noticed that Nick wasn’t afraid of climbing anymore and felt proud of his lover. Perhaps he could learn more, and they would be able to move around in town without hindrance.

Down in the tunnel, Nick waited for Arthur at the ladder and just when his feet touched the ground he pulled the other man into a kiss. Arthur was happy that Nick obviously couldn’t keep his hands off him, as soon as they were alone. He felt the same. He returned the kiss, then he took Nick’s hand as they strolled along.

„What would we do without the underground?“, Nick remarked and chuckled.

„We would have to put on silly costumes,“ Arthur supposed. „Fake hair and fake beards and such.“

Nick felt a tickle in his stomach at that, but he didn’t let it show. Instead he said: „I can’t imagine you in a costume.“

Arthur gave a nervous laughter.

„If you knew what I had to do to survive.“

„A minidress?“, Nick guessed.

„No, but a rubber suit.“

„Meow,“ Nick said and formed claws with his fingers. „Very sexy. Perhaps we should turn back. The Reform Club is on the other side of the town.“

„You know the way, don’t you?“, Arthur purred in his ear and made Nick’s hair stand on end.

„I know a lot of ways,“ he purred back.

Arthur shook his hand as if he burned himself.

„Now I’m curious what you’ll do with me.“

Nick laid a hand on Arthur’s chest.

„And I’m curious if you’ll like it.“

He brushed the other man’s chin with his lips and soon they were entangled into another deep kiss. Their hands were roaming each other’s bodies. Nick digged under Arthur’s jacked, testing how far he could go. He wouldn’t mind doing it right now, on the spot. But then Arthur grabbed his hand.

They moved apart and Nick opened his eyes. Arthur’s brown eyes examined him.

„Not here,“ he whispered, making Nick’s legs turn to jelly. He retreated a little.

Then he felt how Arthur cupped his chin.

„You’re a bad boy, Nickie,“ he purred, before he lifted up his chin and kissed the tip of his nose.

After that he put out his hand.

„Let’s go.“

Still entranced, Nick accepted Arthur’s hand. His pulse was running much faster now, while he led a very happy Arthur through the tunnel.

#we happy few #wehappyfew #whf #whfarthur #whf arthur #whfnick #whf nick #nick lightbearer #nickxarthur #nickxmorrie #nick x morrie #nick x arthur #morriememento

8 notes · View notes