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dtrghost · 11 months

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closeness and proximity part.4

pairing: ghost x f!reader

synopsis: callsign is sunshine, because you're anything but. team 141 thought ghost was bad? at least they could crack a smile out of the guy from time to time, you? you were stone faced, all day, every day. until one day you're not, not with a certain someone anyway.

warnings: inaccurate military language and sequences, mega angst, allusions to mental illness (reader has sociopathic tendencies) you get the gist. violence, death (not simon or the mc), sad ghosty because yes. This is gonna be a longer one I think, lot's of gore, lots of torture, be wary of that, not for the faint hearted. Guys, DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE GORE, PLEASE. Also, reminder that again, mc is not a good person, not at all, she's devoted to her job and will do ANYTHING to succeed, keep that in mind. Hey you get to see simon close to tears!!!

part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4 part 5 part 6

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT:

word count: 3.5k

She awoke with a scowl, the vomit from last night leaving a vile taste on her tongue. She brushed her teeth, gargled mouth wash, and opted to skip out on breakfast.

As if her stomach could handle that after last night.

She hated herself for letting her teammate see her so weak, even going so far as to cry in front of him and confess feelings she couldn't comprehend herself. But now wasn't the time to dwell, she had a mission, and to carry it out she resorted to autopilot, her best friend for years.

Simon opened his eyes to the sound of her getting ready, the cocks of her gun as she checked it twice over to ensure nothing would go wrong when she needed it.

"Mornin' sunshine." He grunted out, his voice deep and raspy with sleep as he sluggishly stood up.

"Ghost." His eyes flickered to her, and the woman he knew was back. The cold, guarded version of her he'd managed to break through the night before had returned. He didn't press, knowing how important it was to get the job done right. He got ready himself as she stood by the cracked open door waiting for him patiently. He noticed how she kept her eyes cemented to the floor, not moving, rarely blinking, because if she looked at him, and he stared back with something that wasn't the look of a lieutenant or a soldier, she'd crack.

And she couldn't let that happen. Not now anyway.

Her ears tuned in to the sound of loud thuds hitting the floor. Her eyes flickered to the smoke entering the room shouts ringing out from another part of the house. She got a small whiff of the smell.

HCN, H2S, and PH3.

Knockdown gas.

They made eye contact, rushing to her bag and pulling out a gas mask, Simon following silently. The gas flooded the room, Y/N pressing her ear to the door, hearing nothing but silence in return. She waited for a moment before cracking open the door and taking a peek out, seeing the hallway flooded with the same smoke but no bodies.

"Couples hours before breakfast, most of em were still asleep." Simon told her quietly.

The one time these bloody fuckers decide to sleep in.

They made their way to the end of the hallway, checking the rooms along the way to see that they were empty. She looked around the corner, finding those very bodies on the floor, blood surrounding them as they trailed to the hallway on the other side of the kitchen. Her hand came up, halting him as she crouched down, pushing a metal ball from the back of her vest and into her palm.

"What's that?" He pressed, never having seen a device like that before.

"It's connected to my coms that picks up audio. Prototype from headquarters." His eyebrows shot up in surprise as she rolled it to the other hallway, and with a tap of her earpiece she could hear quiet voices from the other half of the house.

Clear. Alpha 0-5 move to the other side. Omega team will clear upstairs.

She took out her suppressed pistol instead, listening to the near silent thuds of footsteps going up the stairs.

"They're gonna come this way. I take them out, then we move to the front door."

"Copy that." She watched as two soldiers appeared from the other hallway. With two bullets to the head, one for each, she reloaded and approached the front door silently, taking a moment to grab her eavesdropper (what she calls it anyway) and move back to Simon. Gunshots rang out upstairs, Simon quick to grab her arm before she could clear the front for an exit.

"What about the rest of em?" He hated, no. Loathed, leaving teammates behind when he could do something to help. She stopped, sighing deeply. She had to make a choice, save the two of them, or risking the death of everyone trying to save the rest.

"They're out. By the time we get up there they'll be dead and we'll have to face the firing squad." She argued, disagreeing with the idea to play search and rescue.

"You don't know that." He shot back, narrowing his eyes at her.

"I'm not risking our lives. We have a mission to complete, and we can't do that if we have a bullet in our brains." They were both growing irritated. He thought she was being selfish for not wanting to even try to help her squad. She found him idiotic for not seeing that there wasn't a chance that they'd pull anyone out alive.

"I'm not leaving until we try." And he knew she wasn't leaving him on his own, she cared too much. He didn't mind using her feelings for him for his own gain in the moment. Right now he cared about his team, and when he moved to clear the house, she begrudgingly followed. They checked every body they came across for a pulse, finding none for the first few. It pissed her off in a variety of ways, the fact she was right and he wasn't letting up, and the fact that she didn't hear it sooner.

She blamed her herself. If she hadn't let herself deteriorate, she would've heard them come, she could've saved them. But she didn't, and she'd now have to remind herself of that every day for the rest of her life.

She moved to the front of him, taking initiative and peaking around the hallway. The gas had since cleared by the windows they opened, the traces left not being enough to knock anyone else out.

"Clear!" Ghost's heart sank. She was right. He heard her exhale slowly, her anger peaking as she waited for them all the walk out of the rooms and putting a bullet in their heads. All but two. She shot their hands, then their legs, moving through the hallway and yanking them both off the floor with one arm each.

"Sun-"

"Shut it Ghost. How the hell did you find us." He had never seen her so angry. Her tone was spiteful and full of hatred as she threw one his direction and directing her rage to the bigger guy.

"Fuck you." The man replied, smirking at her tauntingly. It was silent for a beat, and it would only get worse.

"Alright." With a quick movement his face smashed into her knee, letting his body drop as she began searching rooms with an order for Simon to keep an eye on them. She found rope, feeling the heaviness of it as she threw it on her shoulder and came back out.

"You can watch this time if you want. Maybe you can learn a few things." She grabbed the man by his vest and dragged him into the nearest room, Simon taking the other one with him.

"Put him in the chair and tie him up." She tossed some rope to him before tying her guy down to the bed. The chair the other one sat in was facing the bed, and there was this awful feeling that he couldn't shake. Everything told him to step outside, to not watch what she was going to do to them, but his need to know what she was truly capable of was just that much stronger.

"Kinky. I like it." He teased, though the sweat sliding down his temple was evidence enough that he was scared. She didn't reply, grabbing a knife, taking off her gear, and rolling up her sleeves.

"Call for evac." She ordered, waiting for him to finish with it before sitting next to him.

"Let's get started. How did you find us."

"I had a nice cup of tea with your mother before she-" He cried out in pain, squirming as she pressed her knife into his abdomen and cut a line down the middle. The ropes were too tight, too thick for him to rip off as he desperately pulled at them.

"This is how it's gonna work. Wrong answer, one organ he-" She jabbed her finger towards the guy sitting in the chair who had just been shouting at her to stop.

"Has to eat." Everyone's eyes blew out of the sockets at her words. She couldn't be serious, she was bluffing... right?

"You're full of shit." She snickered, burying the blade in his thigh, her eyes boring into his own.

"You just murdered my team. I promise you, the last thing I value this morning is morality. So, tell me what I want to know, or shit's gonna get ugly."

"Sunshine-" Simon's words never left the tip of his tongue. The glare that faced him was enough to cause him to step back and keep his mouth shut. He didn't move, didn't try to stop her.

"Let's continue shall we. How did you know that we were here."

"Go to hell-" She dug her knife back into him, and Ghost watched in fear as she cut out his spleen. No amount of hatred for the man was enough to get him to watch the process, he kept his eyes cemented to the floor, attempting to tune out his wails and cries. He watched her turn to the man in the chair who stared at her in terror as she held the bloody organ in her hands.

His hand grabbed her wrist.

"That's enough. We'll find a different-" Before he could finish she slammed his against the wall, her arm pressing hard against his trachea as the knife pointed inward to his jugular.

"Stay. Out. of my way. That's an order lieutenant." It was a reminder that she had operational command. She took notice of the betrayal, releasing him with a push against the wall. This is what she was, a monster, and part of her was glad he likely realized that by now so he'd stop trying. She didn't deserve his help, and it was better he put his time towards someone more worthy than someone like her. With one last look at him, she turned back to her victim.

"So, would you prefer i cut it into pieces for you? Or do you wanna be a champ and chew it yourself." Simon's stomach lurched, and it took everything in him not to leave the room, or to spill his dinner from the night before onto the floor.

"You should be thanking me, you're getting the breakfast my team didn't." The man from the bed sobbed and watched her cut a piece off, a second away from forcing it down his teammates throat before he broke.

"Alright I'll tell you!" He yelled, listening to her 'tch' and turn back to him, tossing his organ off to the side. She sat next to him on the bed, her eyes piercing into his soul.

"If you lie to me. I'll go for your dick next, and your buddy won't be the one eating it." The sheer horror in his eyes almost made her laugh, flipping the knife in her hands as she looked at him expectingly. Turns out he was a mole, hidden inside the operation and feeding intel back to his home country's base with the promise of a perfect life for himself, where he could live in a luxury that even some of the richest people couldn't buy.

She could understand if it were to save someone he loved, she might've spared him if that were the case. But for wealth, for greed, he was willing to murder, and she couldn't stand for that.

"He told you what you wanted to know!" The other man cried, watching as the life in his friend's eyes faded, the metal sinking into his heart.

"I'm doing you a favor. People like him, who trade lives for material wealth, are never good to keep around." She shrugged, pulling the knife out and leaving him there before moving back to him.

"Anything else you think I need to know? You're gonna die anyway." Her unbothered attitude made Ghost question whether she had feelings at all.

Was the person he met last night real? Was it a lie, a facade for some underlying goal he didn't know?

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" The man sobbed, still struggling against his restraints in a feeble attempt to escape the inevitable. Her hand landed on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze in false comfort.

"People like your buddy. Ever heard of the Тюлень project." His eyes met hers and she snickered at his confusion.

"It means seal in Russian. They'd kidnap elite soldiers, most happening to be navy seals to brainwash them and sell them to ally countries through an underground black market system. Now a number of things occurred during the process." She rose back up, twisting the knife in her hands as she thought back to that time with a smile that held nothing behind it.

"But I think the most memorable part was when they'd castrate the men and sterilize the women. No meds either, awake for the whole thing." Simon's head snapped up to her, both of them in shock and terror.

"ECT was one thing, but god that was a whole other experience. But the wounds healed up nicely so I guess I can't complain." The humor behind her words fell on deaf ears. They couldn't tell if they should've felt sympathy or fear.

"Well whatever. I'll put you out of your misery now." She pulled out her pistol and within a second he was dead, the both watching as his body went slack and his head fell forward.

"Evac should be arriving soon-"

"Is it true?" He interrupted, staring at her.

"No I lied to the poor guy about getting my organs ripped out so he'd pass on peacefully. Of course it's fucking true."

"Watch the fuckin' attitude Y/N."

"What the hell is your problem now. Someone shove a stick up your ass when I wasn't looking." The next thing she knew she was slammed against the wall, suddenly the one in front the knife as it pressed against her neck, just as she did to him before. She took his emotions in, seeing his rage, the hurt from her treachery. She strained to adjust her neck to a more comfortable position, smirking up at him. She felt the sharpness of the blade dig into her skin a bit, the warm crimson dripping down her neck as she flashed her jugular to him.

"Do it Simon. I won't stop you. I can see the dying urge somewhere in there." The hairs on the back of his neck stood tall. She was right, a part of him wanted to. The part that felt threatened by her previous actions, that didn't trust her for a second as she flipped from person to person, cold and warm in fleeting moments. She watched him lower his knife, getting in her face, their noses almost touching through their masks.

"You're a sick, selfish bastard. You don't give a damn about anyone but yourself, you kill for yourself, you hurt everyone you meet. And I don't want something like that on my team."

Something. Not someone. She wasn't even a person to him now.

"You'll be off Task Force 141 by the morning, you hear me?" She swallowed thickly, nodding, only for his arm to push farther into her throat causing her to choke.

"Words soldier." He spat, the anger gleaming in his eyes. He could see the small traces of hurt and guilt in her eyes. But she knew it was only a matter of time, She was unlovable, and she was foolish to think she could have something she wanted.

"I'll be off Task Force 141 in the morning. I'll call HQ myself." She forced out. He searched her gaze for falsehood before reluctantly releasing her, facing away as she gasped for air, hunching over and taking deep breaths. She couldn't deny his strength, and it was evident with her short coughing fit.

They were silent as she put back on her gear, and he knew that was the last time he'd ever see Y/N, the woman he met last night, likely forever. He watched as she picked up her gun, her eyes empty and nonchalant.

"We need to head to the landing zone. You ready?" She kept a light tone that surprised him a bit. With a curt nod she approached the door, only for it to be kicked in as she jumped back in shock. The uniforms matched the ones from the men she killed, so she began taking shots, Simon following. But as more filed in, they quickly lost, both of them ending up on the floor with knees on their backs, their hands being tied up.

They were forced to comply, being pushed and shoved to a helicopter waiting outside for them. They had been gagged and stripped of their gear, sitting on the hard floor with guns pointing at them. Ghost tried to meet her eyes, nudging her foot to look at him for a silent meeting to make a plan, until the barrel pointing at him was suddenly digging into his skull, ordering him to stop in Russian.

Then they began to shout, people standing with their guns up and ready as the radar with the control up front beeped, a red blinker appearing to be approaching them from the back.

Evac followed.

The helicopter door opened with a machine gun pointing at them, only for them to scream as she kicked their knee in, sending them out of the chopper. The duo couldn't speak, but a silent confirmation was given as they got themselves up, fighting with their hands behind their back as the evac helicopter appear just below them. With the door still open she made eye contact with Price, her head gesturing down.

The aircraft lowered enough for them to jump in, and she went back to help out Ghost who she pushed in front of her before two men looped their arms around her. She spit out her gag after leaning over with them and trying to shake them off with vigor, but she wasn't strong enough, not after the several blows her body had already taken.

"Get your fucking hands off her!" Simon yelled out, having gotten the gag out of his mouth and seeing her restrained. She stepped back, causing him stutter for a moment in confusion as she told him to stop.

"I'm sorry." For everything, but she didn't have time for that last piece. Before he could help she jumped, her feet making hard contact with his chest, sending him out of danger and falling into evac who turned the chopper to let him fall in. She fell back onto the floor, her capturers' grips loosening and her head spinning as she crawled to the opening.

"We've got to get her out of there!" Simon yelled, only to be held back by Soap and Price. She felt hands wrap around her ankles before she looked back at her team.

"GO." She screamed as loudly as she could, knowing there was no way for her to get out alive either. John saw her for a moment, truly. He saw the girl he met 6 years ago. Her eyes were begging, pleading with him to save themselves, to save him, and leave her behind. He gave her nod, tearing his look away before wetness could pool in his eyes.

"No! Price! Don't you fucking dare!" His eyes burned involuntarily as he looked back at her, desperate to go back. Everything around him went quiet, slow, and he felt the air from his lung dissipate at her face. She smiled at him, a genuine smile.

It's gonna be okay. It told him.

The last person to look at him that way was his mother. When he was just a boy after he received a beating from his father. The look of care, reassurance, and tenderness she gave him as she cleaned the wounds on his body and face. That she'd save him, get him out of harm's way, and this time around, she did. He breathed heavily, every word he had said to her flooding back to his memory with guilt and regret.

Sick, selfish bastard. Those were his last words to her. The last thing he did was threaten her life and kick her off the team like trash. He almost threw up.

"Get us out of here!" Price shouted to the pilot who nodded, turning their aircraft around and heading back home. Simon struggled and yanked, but his body was weak for the beating he took in that house, and all he could do was watch as they parted for what may have been the last time.

Her breath was ragged and heavy as soldiers pulled her up by her arms, not nearly as gentle as they were the last time. The butt of their gun hit her face, and she felt her body sag, her eyes shutting as she lost consciousness. A part of her didn't mind too much, she got him out, she saved someone, finally. She did something right, something that wasn't for herself, and she let herself enjoy that as she slipped away.

She did it.

Yeaahhh. For reference HCN is hydrogen cyanide, H2S is hydrogen sulfide, and PH3 is phosphite (I'm not smart I googled knockdown gas). There's gonna be another part soon, because yes I'm excited. Anyway yeah. I hope you enjoyed this part!! The next part may be the second to last depending on what I come up with. If you wanna be part of the tag list let me know! Notes of any kind are appreciated and thank you for all of the support!!

@thaprilks @bowtruckleninja @almightywdm

#simon ghost riley x you #simon ghost riley x reader #simon ghost riley #simon riley x you #simon riley x reader #cod x reader #fanfic #ghost call of duty #ghost x reader #cod mw2 #cod ghost #call of duty #simon riley #ghost cod #ghost mw2 #cod mw price #cod price

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wardenparker · 15 days

Note

Character: Javi G

Prompt: “I’ll protect you”

Lastly: CONGRATS! 👏 🥳

Javi Gutierrez. 830 words. "I'll protect you." Co-written with @absurdthirst

Established relationship. Reader is described as having hair long enough to curl.

Javi rushes into the room, stopping and staring for a brief moment as you look up from the chair you are sitting in. Curlers are in your hair and there are a million different products lined up on the bathroom counter. A ring light has been added, giving more light to the space to allow the stylist that he had hired to make you feel like a princess. "The dress is here." He tells you excitedly.

"Is it everything you hoped for, amor?" His film premiere tonight has him in jitters, but the excited kind. As Javi has gotten more comfortable in Hollywood, he has also become a more active participant in the parties and events that the film industry considers so important. It's taking a little longer for you to get into the scene, but you also haven't been in Hollywood as long as he has. In fact, you're only here because of how much you love him. Being a writer/producer's girlfriend was never anything you had on the Bingo card of your life.

"You love it too, sí?" He asks, a worried frown crossing his face. He had thought you loved the dress too, but maybe he had been too busy imagining how you would look next to him to see any objections you had. He just wanted you to feel beautiful tonight, since you are coming with him.

"Of course I love it." It's a stunning, designer-made evening gown. What's not to love? "I just want you to be proud to be seen with me, my love. And since you picked out the dress, I wanted to make sure that you still love it."

"I would be proud to be seen with you no matter what you are wearing." You still seem to be a bit intimidated by the fact that he used to be a billionaire. He's not one anymore. Most everything he owed was siezed by the police when they captured Lucas. He didn't even get to keep his golden guns. Now, he was started to build back a nice portfolio with the screenplays he was developing, but you don't care about his lack of money. "But it is even more beautiful than I remember." He hums. "Almost as beautiful as you."

“Flatterer.” A teasing little accusation and you lean forward to kiss him as the stylist moves around you to take your hair out of the curlers and work whatever magic she has in mind. “Everything will be wonderful tonight, mi amor. I promise.” He’s knows you are nervous, but you have given him your word that you do want to be there and so you’re going to make sure that he feels it, too. Hollywood may be intimidating but it will not stop you from supporting him.

"It will be good for you too." He promises, sending you a soft smile through the mirror. You have been amazing, his constant support and champion after he had split with Gabriela. It was like you were meant to be.

“I’m sure it will be. And it will be nice to see Nick and Olivia.” Javi’s best friend is his coproducer on this film and Nick Cage’s wife has quickly become a friendly shoulder for you to lean on. As odd as that sentence is to you sometimes.

"Yes it will." He grins, excited to see his friend again. "They also said that the afterparties are a must."

“We’ll stay out as long as you like,” you promise him with an indulgent grin. “I took the next two days off of work.”

"You did?" His brows wing up in surprise, expecting to have to leave early so you could go to bed a reasonably decent time.

“Of course I did.” His surprise breaks your heart, but you reach up to cup his face gently with one hand. “I might be nervous but I’m not going to abandon you in the middle of your big night.”

"I know." He knows that you are incredibly supportive, but you also have a job that you have to keep as well. "I just know you are nervous at the big parties."

“And I’ll get used to it with a little practice.” Your office job doesn’t exactly put you in the line of fire when it comes to big anything. But Javi is worth making changes for.

Javi nods, understanding that you must feel like a fish out of water at times. "Don't worry." He promises, risking the stylist's ire to press a soft kiss to your cheek. "I'll protect you."

“I know you will.” Since the moment the two of you met, you have been his champion and he has been yours. He’s more than you ever dreamed of in a partner and you’re determined to make him proud. “It’s going to be a wonderful night, mi amor.”

“Yes it will.” He knows it will be, because you are by his side. “We will have the time of our lives.”

______

Master Tags: @pixiedurango @chattychell @winter-fox-queen @lady-himbo @artsymaddie @princess76179 @paintballkid711 @missminkylove @pedrosbrat @ew-erin @sarahjkl82-blog @sharkbait77 @justanotherblonde23 @lv7867 @recklesswit @mylittlesenaar @f0rever15elf @gallowsjoker @steeevienicks @athalien @sherala007 @skvatnavle @thatpinkshirt @jaime1110 @girlimjusttryingtoreadfanfics @goodgriefitsawildworld @greeneyedblondie44 @littlemousedroid @harriedandharassed @churchill356 @ajathegreats-blog @haylzcyon @beardsanddetectives @kirsteng42 @ladykatakuri @adancedivasmom @madiebear @tanzthompson @emilianamason @bigsdinger @xocalliexo @pedr0swh0r3 @avaleineandafryingpan @charlyrmv @avidreader73 @iceclaw101 @loveslide @elegantduckturtle @becsworld @julesonrecord @its-nebuleuse @itsrubberbisquit @mikeyswifie @guelyury @lizzie-cakes @for-a-longlongtime @vabeachazn @purplerain04 @weho2kcmo @madnessofadaydreamer

My Masterlist!

#Pedro Pascal #Pedro Pascal character fanfiction #Pedro Pascal fanfic #Javi Gutierrez #Javi Gutierrez x you #Javi Gutierrez x reader #Javi Gutierrez x female reader #Javi Gutierrez x f!reader #Javi G #TUWOMT #the unbearable weight of massive talent

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desert-fern · 7 months

Text

A Gun Amongst Daggers - Jake “Hangman” Seresin X Fem!Navy Seal Reader

Part 21: I Won’t Let You Go

Summary: When Jake meets a woman at the Hard Deck, the last thing he expects is for her to be a Navy Seal. And not just any Seal, the Commander of Seal Team 3. She’s beautiful, smart, dangerous, and everything about her just makes him want to get close. Her name? Bear. When the Seals need backup, Cyclone puts the Daggers on their radar and now, Jake has to work with Bear and her team, all the while trying to stay professional. Can he do it? Or will he end up falling for the Navy sniper and mission Commander?

*Pic is not mine, found on Pinterest.*

MINORS DO NOT ENGAGE! 18+ ONLY. MINORS & BLOGS WITH NO AGE/EMPTY BLOGS WILL BE BLOCKED.

Warnings: brief mention of blood, physical violence (someone gets punched), threats of violence, panic attack, BIG reveal, some sweet moments, Jake (the man’s a warning okay?), the author’s a dick again 🫣

Word Count: 7.2k

Masterlist >> Part 20 >> Part 22

===

Bear stilled. Her task of making sure that Bob was okay was put on pause to face the man before her. “Lieutenant Commander Richards,” she spoke in a voice edged in steel as she stared Hazard down. “Care to explain why he’s loose like this?” She had turned to the men escorting him in a heartbeat, staring them down.

All it took for the men escorting Hazard to respond was the hard edge of a CO’s voice, and they scrambled to ensure Hazard was tightly cuffed, that their uniforms were on straight, and making sure they saluted.

Safe to say, these midshipmen had no idea how important their jobs were.

Especially since they were under orders from Admiral Will Harris, passed down by Lieutenant Commander Priya ‘Bug’ Gill, both of which were names that echoed through ranks as being people not to mess with, and to make matters worse, Hazard was supposed to be kept away from Bear. That was the order.

These men had just failed. Because here was Bear, standing face to face with the man who had been responsible for so much.

“Ma’am… we uh, we didn’t think that uh. That people would be around at this time,” one of the midshipmen tried to explain.

“Is that right?” Bear was beyond furious at the lack of care that was being demonstrated by the men before her. “Because I don’t think that you’re aware of exactly why he can’t be anywhere near me.”

“Uh… why’s that? Ma’am.”

Turning the flat look to Hazard, Bear gave him a once over. “Because the last time I was in a room with him, I had a loaded gun held to his head, daring him to give me a reason why I shouldn’t drop him like the dead weight he is.”

“Oh.” The sheer obliviousness in his voice made Bear’s jaw twitch, drawing twin death glares from the men behind her.

“Not to mention,” she ground out. “The stitches on his face that have yet to come out? Those are from the last time he faced down Lieutenant Seresin. So you not only disobeyed direct orders by moving him in daylight, but also by failing to ensure that two of the people he is never to have contact with were not in the path you were taking.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Sorry ma’am.”

Jake’s hand had come up to press against her lower back, offering his silent support. He knew she could feel it shaking in anger, but he didn’t care. This was the man, no, the cowardly fuck that had nearly ripped them apart before they had even begun to build something real. “That’s not good enough.” Jake’s voice, like his hands, shook in fury, but Hazard saw it differently.

“Is the big bad pilot scared?” He taunted, the depraved smirk on his face growing larger by the second. Bear hadn’t said a word to him, choosing to stand in front of him looking thoroughly unimpressed. “I guess I’m just surprised that you need someone to fight your battles for you, Bear. But then again, you always did hide up on your perch while the rest of us did the grunt work.”

Bear didn’t say a word, her face impassive. She couldn’t let her anger win. She couldn’t let Hazard think that he had the upper hand. If he ran his mouth long enough, maybe, just maybe, he’d say something to incriminate himself and the others. So she adjusted her gaze, staring him dead in the eyes, daring him to keep going.

And he did. “It’s really just pathetic. This big bad Commander hiding behind a walking Ken doll. I guess you aren’t nearly as tough as you seem, especially if it took getting captured for you to realize that something was wrong. And now, Bear? Good luck ever getting promoted again. You all should be thanking me,” he announced, meeting the furious stares of the men around him, “I just showed you why women aren’t good enough to be in the military. They’re just distractions. Besides, you got captured. It’s not my fault you spent the whole prep time drooling over a man with less intelligence than the plane he flies.

“I fooled you all!” He crowed, sadistic joy growing in his wild eyes. “I fooled the ‘untrickable’ Bear! I am a legend. You believed that I wouldn’t do anything to harm you! That I wasn’t in complete control of this mission, and yet you failed! You had no idea what I did, not until you didn’t die like you were supposed to!” His face had split into a manic grin, everything about him was wild, unhinged like a wolverine in a cage.

It would have been enough to be terrified of had Bear not been worse, more unhinged and broken after her triumphant return to the Air Base. But all Jake could focus on was how still Bear was. She barely moved, even as Hazard continued to rant and rave, bragging about how he was the best by a mile, the most intelligent, the bravest, the most daring.

Jake could barely make out the words being spoken now, he was numb. The same overwhelming feeling he had when he had confronted Hazard in the manner that had led to the stitches that still sat in his cheeks and head. His heartbeat echoed in his ears, and his hands shook, every fiber of his being wanted to jump forwards, to prove that Hazard was none of what he had proclaimed himself to be. But he couldn’t. This was Bear’s fight now.

“And to your precious Flyboy,” Hazard spat venomously. “You were supposed to die.”

What? Bear’s eyes widened a fraction at the statement. Hazard had a problem with her, not Jake. Her mind was calm, but her heart hadn’t received the memo and it had sunk into her stomach at his words.

“Oh yeah. I really thought Shrike would have said something. After all, she did find the missing bolt in my pocket after she grabbed me. But I guess she didn’t tell you. Useless bitch.” Hazard was completely gone. Where he stood was not a man Bear knew, that creature was not the man that had fought alongside her for years. This was a monster. “And what makes it all so much better? The fact that I had help from someone you trusted. I’ll give you a hint: rhymes with ‘Glare’.”

Bear’s heart stopped still, but her mind spun with question upon question, each finding themself no answer in the torrent of emotion. Flare? Her Lieutenant? The woman running her intelligence team? The young woman who showed so much promise and had reminded Bear so much of herself? She had helped this… fuck up? That wasn’t right, it had to be a lie. Flare would never have done this, not to Bear, not to her team. At least not willingly.

A lump hardened in her throat and Bear stood stock still, her eyes betraying her hurt and shock, as she stared Hazard down. “What.” Her tone was short and clipped, the fury barely contained. It was like she was transported back to Riyadh, standing in that meeting room with a gun to Hazard’s head, only this time, he had the upper hand.

The look on Hazard’s face twisted and morphed into one of pure glee. “Oh yeah. She’s been in on this since the start. Since before pretty boy over there. I only had to suggest that she’d be blamed for everything. It was so easy even one of your stupid flying monkeys could have done it! That and well, since I had to improvise, Jake, her capture is your fault. You didn’t die, so she had to.”

Jake froze, heart thrumming like that of a rabbit being hunted. He would have died if it had meant Bear was safe, but she had done the same for him only hours later. What had Hazard done? “What?” The word slipped from his lips faster than he could catch them and Hazard’s face only grew more maniacal.

“Oh yeah. I pulled a bolt from your plane while you were distracted with little miss tits for brains over there. You were supposed to crash and burn up the minute you hit a certain altitude, but I guess Gallows fucked up on that part.” The Seal was ranting and raving like a lunatic, completely unaware that he had just given up another co-conspirator. “You didn’t die easily. So one little phone call, a truck mounted missile and BOOM! NO MORE FLYBOY! You still feel like a man?! You got her captured because YOU. WOULDN’T. DIE. EASILY.

“ALL IT TOOK WAS ONE PHONE CALL! I HAD JUST ABOUT SOLVED ALL OF MY PROBLEMS BUT NEITHER OF YOU DIED!! BUT I STILL WIN! I WILL ALWAYS WIN BECAUSE YOU ARE TOO PATHE-”

Bob had had enough. This man, standing before them, wouldn’t stop. Bear was stunned, Hazard couldn’t see it, but Bob did. He knew that under the dangerous calm she gave off that she was hurt, her sense of trust twisted and warped into something that she didn’t recognize. Jake was beyond furious and Bob? Bob had never been this angry in his life, and Hazard just wouldn’t stop. Before he could stop himself, he had stepped forwards, arm raised and let his fist fly.

Hazard hit the ground from the force of the punch, abruptly finding himself cut off from the mania that had fueled him seconds earlier. He stared up in shock at Bob, who had taken on the anger Jake had been feeling. He had run his mouth for too long, and it was about damn time someone shut it for him.

Bear sprung into action, backing Bob off towards Jake, who stood close by, his green eyes staring daggers into Hazard’s fallen form. “You!” She barked, pointing at the midshipmen who stood stock still in shock. “Get him out of my sight. If I ever see him again, neither he nor you will live to see the light of day again. Am I clear?”

“Yes Ma’am. Crystal clear, Ma’am.” The taller of the two men nodded frantically, and hauled Hazard to his feet and practically dragged him down the hallway towards the infirmary, blood dotting the floor from Hazard’s once again broken nose.

“Lieutenant Floyd.” Bear had rounded on Bob and the look on her face erased any remaining bit of anger flowing in his blood. “What the hell?”

“Commander, I-” He began but shut his mouth quickly.

Bear hated that she had to ream him out. Bob had done what both her and Jake couldn’t, but that didn’t make it right. “No. I appreciate the thought that went into that but you went about the wrong way. I will be speaking with Captain Mitchell about this.”

“I understand,” he replied dejectedly, staring at his boots.

Bear glanced around, before dropping her voice. “Bob. Look at me.” When he did, she continued. “I do have to inform Mav of what happened, but I will be giving him the full story, including that you were standing up for a superior. I don’t expect you’ll be blamed as I have the whole thing recorded.”

Jake made a strangled noise. “What?”

Bear just grinned at him, doing her best impression of the maniac look on Hazard’s face the second he had seen her. “Phone, back pocket. That man never knew when to shut up so I figured I’d catch him in the act. Now, you both need to cool down. Go do that. If I catch wind of either one of you informing the others of what just happened here, I will have both your asses.”

“What about you?” Jake asked, looking at her worriedly.

“I’m fine.”

“Okay…” he trailed off, not looking convinced. “I’ll find you later?”

“We’ll see.” Her words were short and clipped, desperately trying to stem the tears that wanted to slip from her eyes. “Have a good day boys.”

And with that, she left. Striding down the hall to find Flare, willing herself not to cry until she was somewhere safe after all of this.

===

The door to the meeting room flung open and the women inside jumped. Bug took one look at Bear’s face and knew immediately that something was wrong. “What happened?”

“Lieutenant Trace, you are excused.” Her voice was hollow. First Chip, and now Flare? This had been too much for her to handle on top of the trauma she was trying to fight off with a stick and she was oh so close to just snapping.

“Bear?” Flare’s voice was timid, so very unlike her usual demeanour that it only served to confirm what Bear knew. “What’s going on?”

Bear ignored the younger woman in favour of watching Phoenix leave the room before bolting the door behind her. “So Bug. I just found out some information.”

Bug’s gaze flicked back and forth between her CO and Flare. “What about?” She was cautious in her tone, treading carefully in order to ensure Bear didn’t blow up.

“Flare… anything you want to tell Bug?” Bear’s voice was sharp, abrasive; it was loud and calm and somehow that scared Flare far more than anything else. “That wasn’t a suggestion, Lieutenant Komori.”

“I…IwasmanipulatedintohelpingHazardaftermyinformationwasusedtokillsc-outsthatwewereusingintheregionandsabotagethedroneandpersonnelcounts. He said that he would kill me like he has you!” Flare confessed in a rush before burying her head in her hands and beginning to sob.

Bug looked bewildered. “What?”

“She said that Hazard manipulated her too, just like Chip. Told her that since he had used her information to kill our scouts, sabotage the drone imaging for the mission prep, and fuck up our enemy personnel counts, that her indirect involvement meant that he could take her down too. Like he did me, apparently.” Bear’s arms were folded, hands hidden so that she wouldn’t reach out to Flare and try to soothe her. Meanwhile, her heart was breaking as Flare sobbed into her uniform and she stood and watched, helpless to do anything as anger raced through her veins like jet fuel. She needed answers before she could offer comfort to the crying woman before her.

She was angry, both at herself for not seeing any of this, and at Flare for not coming forward. She had trained her team to be honest. To treat the team like family and this happened?! How could it not be her fault?

Bug’s soft tone broke through the storm raging in Bear’s head. “Mei, what happened exactly?”

Flare hiccuped, keeping her face buried in her arms. Of all the things she felt at this moment, guilt was the most prominent. She had let Bear down, her mentor and maternal figure. She had been threatened into submission by a man who failed in his every attempt to remove both Bear and Hangman and now she had to face the consequences that came with the decision that she had thought was the right one.

Bug’s hand on her shoulder had Mei lifting her head, her face contorted in a half-sob that escaped her when she caught the look of disappointment and betrayal on Bear’s face. “I-I… That project,” she began, her voice thick with unshed tears. “The intelligence gathering that I had to do from the beginning? Hazard had finished with his task, Bug had deemed it satisfactory so he went to ‘help’ me. He took my lists of friendlies in the area, claimed that he would make contact and get the information that I hadn’t yet put together. He said he was trying to be helpful.” She dissolved into another wave of tears as Bear looked on, her trust in the young woman before her shattered to bits.

Bear still felt numb. Ever since Hazard had told her about Flare, she had been numb to anything else, resorting to using her Commander personna to prevent people from asking if she was okay. It had only slightly worked, but now Bear wished that she didn’t have to feel this pain. Wished and hoped and prayed that Flare had just agreed that Hazard would be a better leader and that Bear was better off dead than have to sit and face the fact that she had had a fox in the henhouse. She knew it was cowardly, but she couldn’t help it. Anyone would do the same in her position.

“… the next thing I knew, he-he had me pressed against the wall and told me that if I ever breathed a word of what he did to you or Bear, that he would kill me slowly. Priya, he promised to do the same to my family, to you, to anyone on the team that I cared about! I just kept my mouth shut and hoped that no one would notice and that maybe I could go and tell one of you but he was always right fucking there!

“Then the drone went down. I did what you asked, Bear. I ordered it up again and the footage we got was the last from the team. They were found murdered days later in their HQ. I went to talk to you, but he saw me on my way, he hit me.” The words were flowing from her lips faster than Flare could speak, but this had all been bottled up for too long and now her conscience was making a play to clear itself, to dump all she knew at the feet of the women who could try and fix it. “So I didn’t find you after that. How could I?. And it was all fine until we deployed and you needed those figures. I gave you the right ones and when Ha- he found out, he hit me again. Somewhere no one would notice. He threatened me again, told me that he was running out of patience, that next time he would kill me.”

The room went silent. Bug had sat down in shock at the description of what Hazard had done to Mei in order to get her to keep her mouth shut. Bear had to turn away, her stomach churning. She had been so caught up in the sting of betrayal that she had forgotten that Flare, that Mei, had been a victim in this too.

“And? What happened next?” Bear’s hoarse voice broke through the silence as she came to sit down at the table. She would listen. Flare deserved to be heard, especially after what had been done to her. As Commander, Bear had to listen and she knew that the alternative for her would be storming to the brig and murdering Hazard herself. “It’s okay, Flare. He can’t hurt you anymore. I won’t let him.”

Flare drew a shaky breath. She had stopped crying some time ago but her hands and voice shook as she had spoken, glossing over what Hazard had threatened to do because she just couldn’t put it into words. “We hit the ground running in Riyadh, there wasn’t time to tell you. Bear, I swear on my life I would have said something if it was safe to do so. I was just so scared and he had threatened my life too many times not to kill me if I tried to come find you. So I just did my best to try and minimize his effects, but I didn’t know that he would try to kill you or… or Jake. The grenade thrown at you in the compound… Colton told me that it was supposed to kill you. If you hadn’t thrown it,” Mei paused, trying to steady her breathing. “We would have died from an American grenade. Not an Arabian one.

“I just… I’m so sorry Bear,” Flare said as another wave of tears crashed over her. “I’m so sorry. I understand if you can’t ever forgive me, I betrayed your trust. I hurt the team…”

“Mei…” Bear’s tone was gentle as tears pricked the corners of her eyes and her throat tightened. “Oh Mei. I don’t blame you. I blame Colton and his stupid fucking superiority complex. You…” she trailed off, trying to think of her next words. Her heart broke for what Flare had been put through, even if she herself had been the primary target, it didn’t change the fact that Mei had been a victim herself. Her mind however, raced through the millions of questions that had come up as Flare rambled out her story even as she knew that this was no time for them.

She swallowed thickly, stuffing her tears back and forcing herself to remain in her usual calm, collected state. Her team, despite taking orders from Bug, still looked to her for how to act during this time. Her calmness would trickle down through the ranks, spreading to even the most junior of her team, but that didn’t mean it didn’t ache to see how much this had shook everyone to their very cores. Bear wanted to scream, rant, rave, and just destroy it all if only to exact a fraction of the pain Colton had caused her team back on him.

But that wasn’t her job and it wasn’t her place.

She had to grin and bear it. Suck it up and move on like parts of her hadn’t been carved away.

“You shouldn’t have had to do this alone,” Bug replied, wrapping Flare in a tight hug and holding her close. And Bear had to turn away for fear of her mask cracking. She so desperately wanted to be angry, but Flare wasn’t the target of her anger. Hell, Colton, Hazard, wasn’t either. Bear was angry at everything that had ever convinced Hazard that he deserved something that wasn’t his. She was furious at the powers that had bound her hands the second she had freed them from her captors. In a way, the last time she was free was those two days driving across the desert, just her and Amir. No expectations, no rules, no bosses or legislation, and it had been a relief to just abandon the weight that she had always carried. So no, no she couldn’t just sit here and watch Bug hold Flare.

She needed to leave the room. “W- we’ll finish this discussion later,” Bear said, her voice cracking on the first syllable. “I just… I ne-I need to figure this all out.” Bear left the room, trying to ignore the ache that had settled in her chest at Flare’s cries and her own repressed ones.

===

Jake found her a few hours later, curled up on her bunk, phone in hand as she spoke to someone over the phone. He stood in the doorway, watching her, worry growing in his mind. Bear had disappeared almost immediately after Hazard had said what he had, and no one had seen her. Not Mav, not Shrike, no one. “He got the letter?” Her voice was quiet, but it still cut through the cloudiness of his senses, letting him breathe.

Colonel Richmond, the Riyadh Base Commander, replied “He did. I made sure of it myself.” He had been waiting for Bear to call him, and had actually called her first to ensure that she was aware that Amir was going home.

“And he’s safe?”

“He is. Amir went home to his family earlier today. Both parents came, and we made sure the money you left was given to them. It’s all taken care of, Commander.”

Bear bit her lip, nodding slowly. “Good. Thank you, Colonel.”

“It was my pleasure. Goodbye.”

“Bye.” Bear’s phone slipped from her hands and fell onto the bed. Tears raced down her cheeks, this time, ones of relief. Amir was okay. He and his family were reunited, and everything was going to be okay. Then she remembered Hazard’s words. “You got her captured because YOU. WOULDN’T. DIE. EASILY.” They pounded against her heart with every beat. He was just trying to strike a nerve, she reasoned.

The little voice in her head chimed in. “He got to you.” That was enough for her cries to turn into sobs, the words cutting deeper than anything. No one could know, she thought bitterly.

But to Jake, this hurt more. Yes, the barbs about his crash getting Bear captured stung, but seeing Bear break down like this hurt him far more deeply than a few nasty words. “Teddy…” he breathed, stepping closer to her bed, momentarily forgetting that she didn’t know he was there.

“What.” Her words were snarled out, a guttural sound that made his blood chill. Bear couldn’t handle being the strong one right now; she needed to cry, needed to break down and slowly put herself back together. She had to grieve the parts of her that Saif and the others took from her. The pieces that hid the nastiness and ugliness that her job inflicted upon her. The parts that Hazard had warped beyond all recognition. So she wiped at her face, blew out a breath and turned to give whoever had interrupted her a piece of her mind.

At least that was what she was going to do.

Until she saw that it was Jake, and she couldn’t hold it back anymore. Fat, ugly sobs wracked her body as she slid from her bed to crumple on the floor like a puppet cut free of the strings that had held it together for far too long. After years of taking on everyone’s pain, mourning others, grieving in silence for everything she’d ever lost, now the dam broke. Bear had spent so long trying to disappear into her pain, never letting it see the light of day, refusing to inconvenience those around her, but every time she pushed it aside, there was always a tiny voice crying out “Find me please! Lead me out of the darkness!” Until now, no one had ever caught her and held her during this vulnerable moment. Until Jake, no one sought her out after something traumatic. Until him. “Please…” she choked out. “Please.”

It was freeing somehow, being held as she sobbed. Jake’s touch helped to ground her, the little nothings being whispered that she couldn’t hear over her tears, the steady thump of his heart beating; it all guided her through the anguish. “I’ve got you.” Those answering words, a quiet acknowledgement of her suffering.

Jake could do nothing but sit beside her, arms cradling a woman who had spent too long in control. It broke his heart to hear her quiet pleading, her begging for someone else to guide her, to let her have a moment to process. So he held on, letting his hand move up and down her back, doing his best to ground her. “I’ve got you,” he murmured through his own tears. “No one is taking us from each other again.”

Slowly, but surely, Bear began to calm down. Her hiccuping sobs left, until she sat there, exhausted and warm from Jake’s arms around her. “There she is,” he whispered, his own voice too hoarse from his own silent tears. “There’s my girl.”

“I’m here.” Her voice barely made a sound, but he heard her. “I’m… I’m sorry you had to see that.”

“No.” Jake grabbed her face gently, forcing her reddened eyes to look at him. “You do not get to apologize for something that you needed. You hear me?” He had used her name in those two sentences. No nickname, no pet name. Her name. “You needed to let it out. Carrying that around, that’s not healthy. And I will be here for you when you need to let go of your control. Just like you would do for me. Okay?”

Bear nodded, but that wasn’t enough for Jake. “I need words, pretty girl.” His voice caught briefly, a bit of emotion stuck in his throat as he sat there, watching a flurry of emotion pass through her eyes.

“Okay.” And she meant it. Letting go was so hard for her, a woman trapped in a man’s job, a man’s world where weakness wasn’t allowed. “Okay.” A feather-light kiss brushed her forehead and she felt Jake chuckle when her eyes fluttered shut at the gentle contact. “What?”

“Nothing.” Jake’s heart still hurt for her, but further past that, he felt so much love for her. Hell, he’d practically always loved her, but now, after watching her last wall crumble, he loved her far deeper than he could explain. It was like the last piece in a puzzle slotted together, like the catch of a tail hook when landing. Something so innate and natural that he could scarcely remember his life before Bear had slid into that missing place.

He pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, tasting the saltiness of her tears and continued to press kisses all over her face, trying to make her smile. He was successful; a small breathy chuckle left her lips. All she could spare after the tide of emotion that had coursed out of her. “What is that for?” She asked him, having buried her face back into his neck.

“No reason. Other than I love you.” The way he said it was so innocent, so young. It didn’t meld with the strong man whose arms held her tight. He was warm, patient, strong, and comforting. Exactly what she needed him to be at this moment.

Bear sighed, her heart full. No longer did the angst and anguish plague her. Yes, she still felt the sorrow that she always would for the woman she had been before all of this, but she had spent time living with it, not avoiding it. It would hurt for awhile, stuff like this always did, but Bear knew that with Jake beside her, she could handle it. She could and would work through it. But not tonight. Tonight, all she wanted to do was be held by the man she knew would be her forever. She wanted to crawl into a bubble that was just the two of them and live there forever. “I love you too, Jake.”

“Good. Now, I’m going to help you up and get you something to drink. Then, I’m going to come back and if you were planning on sleeping alone tonight, you can forget about that,” Jake told her, as he slowly helped her to her feet. Bear knew that she wobbled a little but he caught her so easily. “You okay for a bit, Teddy?”

“Yeah. I will be. Just… hurry?” Bear felt a little silly wanting him to stay, but the rational part of her brain told her insecurities to fuck off. She deserved good things, after all she would tell Jake the same. So why shouldn’t she believe it?

He nodded, watching Bear slide off into another head space. All it took was the feel of his fingers gliding over her wrist to shake her out of it. “I’ll be so quick you won’t know I’m gone. How’s that sound, darlin’?”

A shy smile met his firm but kind gaze. “That sounds perfect.”

“Good.” Jake went to drop another gentle kiss to her cheek, but Bear turned her head, directing him to kiss her. And he did, but he wasn’t expecting her to deepen it so suddenly. To lick into his mouth and kiss him with such a ferocity that he was almost certain came from the darkest parts of her.

When she pulled back, it was his turn to chase her lips, kissing her back with what felt like a fraction of the passion she was giving him. It was at that moment Jake realized just how deep her love for him went. Beyond the depths of her heart, beyond the vastness of the sky, farther and deeper than he had even thought possible for her. She loved him like he loved her: with every cell, every molecule in his body.

Jake finally pulled back, needing air, but he didn’t go far. “Goddamn darlin’, keep kissin’ me like that an’ you’ll have a whole ‘nother problem.” He couldn’t help the husky drawl that slipped free of his throat, and it gave him great pleasure to see Bear shiver at his tone. “I’m gonna go grab that water, you get changed. Okay?”

Bear nodded, her pupils still blown from the passion of the kisses they shared. She chewed on her lip, suddenly shy under the intensity of his gaze. “Okay. Yeah, umm… you should go do that,” Bear told him, finally finding her voice. “I’ll just…”

Jake chuckled, shooting her a wink before slipping out the door and into the hall. He found himself having to lean against the wall, letting his head fall back to express against the cool metal. “Fucking hell,” he muttered, blowing out a deep breath. “What am I gonna do with you, Teddy?”

===

When he returned with a water bottle in hand some time later, Jake found Bear half asleep on top of her covers, dressed in shorts and a large t-shirt. It made him chuckle to himself as he stepped closer, trying to avoid the flailing arms that tended to happen when he had tried to wake her up before. “Hey darlin’.” His voice was low but the softness in his whisper made her stir just a little.

“Hey.” Bear cracked an eye open and glanced blearily up at Jake. She could just make out his floppy hair and his arm holding out a water bottle. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

“All good, Teddy. Drink up, it should make the headache that you’re trying to hide go away.” Jake knelt over her on the bed, wiggling as close as he could while Bear sat up to sip at the water handed to her.

“Thank you.”

“C’mon, you don’t gotta thank me for somethin’ that simple. That’s just basic decency.” Jake waved off her gratitude in favor of clambering under the blankets and patting the spot next to him.

Bear swallowed thickly. “I meant earlier. A lot of guys would have left me alone if they walked in and saw that.” Her voice was small, almost like she was trying to hide.

She watched his jaw clench in anger at her words. Not at her, no, never at her, but at the assholes that had convinced her that she wasn’t worth being around. That she didn’t deserve to be soft. “That’s a load of bull shit and you know that, Teddy. I said that I’d be here for as long as you want me to be, till the bitter end and back again. I am going to keep that promise.” Jake’s tone had softened as he took in her awkward positioning. “Now come on. Let’s actually get to sleep, okay?”

“That sounds good.” Bear slid under the blankets next to him, pressing herself tight to his side and pillowing her head on his chest, pleased at the warmth his body gave off. “Love you,” she murmured into his shirt.

“Love you too.” Jake pulled her impossibly closer to him, rolling a little to envelop her in his arms. It brought him peace to do so, holding his girl tightly in such a way that she couldn’t be taken from him, nor he from her. He felt calm in this moment of closeness and it took nothing for him to drift off into dreamland, pulling Bear along with him.

===

Jake woke to the feeling of fingers trailing along his chest, gently tracing the ridges of his pecs. “Morning,” he grunted, catching the hand that had continued its ministrations. “Gotta say, that’s still one hell of a sight. Waking up next to you.”

Bear flushed at having been caught ogling, but Jake didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he seemed rather proud of himself at having caught her in the act if the thumb tracing her knuckles was any indication. “Morning Jake,” she whispered, chewing on her bottom lip as she took in the sleepiness of his face that slowly faded the longer she lay and watched him.

“Sleep well?” The gravelly rumble of his voice sent shivers down her spine and had Bear clenching her thighs together once, twice at the sound.

She nodded, a small smile beginning to show itself on her face. “I did. Did you?”

Jake blinked the last of sleep from his eyes, propping himself up on his elbow, watching Bear trace the lines in his face. “Mmmm. Slept great. I gotta be careful now. If I keep fallin’ asleep next to this pretty lil thing, I might not get outta bed in the morning.” He squeezed her hand, watching as Bear’s face erupted in a fierce blush.

“Stop it.” Bear knew her face and ears had turned a bright red and under Jake’s stare, the color only deepened. She turned away, hiding her face in the pillow that had slipped away from them during the night.

“Uh uh. Hold on now. Running away on me, Teddy?” Jake knew the effects his voice had on Bear, it was practically written on her face in capital letters. So sue him if he relished in his ability to fluster her beyond all shadow of a doubt. “Can’t have you doin’ that, now can we?”

She didn’t answer him, choosing to bury her face deeper into the pillow. Everything about the man behind her sent up a cloud of butterflies that went racing through her stomach and lungs whenever he so much as looked at her with mischief sparkling in those green eyes.

“Teddy…” his tone held a playful warning and if Bear had deigned to meet his eyes, she would have seen the teasing hiding within them. It took him nothing to roll her under him, grinning down at her after she let out the minute shriek she had. “I did warn you.”

Bear swatted at his chest, her face still bright red. “Get off me!”

“Hmmm. I don’t think I will.” Jake knew he was being a little shit, but he just couldn’t help himself. Everything about Bear in the morning had him ready to go. The second she gave the okay, she was his in every way he had desired since he had seen her in action. The mere thought had blood rushing from his head so quickly that it made him dizzy. “You gotta do something for me first.”

She rolled her eyes, swatting him again. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

“Deadly.”

“Fine.” Bear reached up and pulled Jake on top of her, kissing him deeply. “Better?”

Jake blinked. “Ummm… can I get back to you in three to seven business days?”

“You tease.”

“You love me.”

She grinned. “I do. And I have to get to work.”

“Noooo,” he whined, putting his whole weight on top of her. He was trying desperately to keep her close to him, knowing that she would bury herself in her work and leave him all alone all day. “You can’t go.”

“Jake, honey.” Bear would have laughed if she didn’t have the full weight of her man on top of her. “Please. I have things to do.”

“I’m a thing, do me,” Jake quipped back, grinning down at her. “Come on, just a little longer.”

Bear began to wiggle under him, trying to free herself. “If I stay here any longer, I won’t get up,” she tried to reason. “Please Jake. I’ll come by around lunch time like I did yesterday.”

“Fine,” he grumbled, rolling over and letting her get up, but not before grabbing her hips and pulling her back onto the bed with a screech. Jake had stuck his fingers in her sides under the shirt she wore and begun tickling her.

“Wh-whyyyyyyyy!” Bear tried to say over her giggles. “Jake - wwwwhyyyyyy - stoppppp!” She was batting at his hands, trying and failing to stop him, until a flailing elbow nearly took him out, and finally he relented.

“There we go. My mama always said that starting the day off laughing would always make it better,” Jake reasoned as he took in Bear who lay sprawled across his lap.

“Did she now?” Bear looked up at him, humming to herself as she watched humor dance on Jake’s face above her. The soft look in his eyes damn near stole her breath and she found herself wondering for a moment how she of all people managed to snare him. Jake was far better than she deserved, but hours earlier, she had told herself that she deserved happiness. Jake was that happiness and if he wanted her, which he did, Bear knew that everything would work itself out.

He hummed, watching himself in her eyes. The crinkles in the corners as she gave him a soft smile that he knew matched his own only had him falling impossibly deeper. Here Bear was vulnerable, open, trusting, and he was the only one who got to see this. “She did. She’d love you.”

The woman in question smiled up at him, leaning up to press her lips to his quickly before slipping from his grasp. “It sounds like I’d love her too.” Bear’s smile couldn’t help but grow as she watched Jake perch on her bunk, blankets pooling around his hips, his green eyes fixated on her every movement. “After all. She did raise you.”

Jake scoffed, rolling his eyes at her words. “I was a hellion.” His words were fond, just like the smile that had seemed to permanently adorn his face.

Bear merely grinned, stripping off her pajamas and dressing in her uniform. She could feel Jake’s gaze raking over the scars on her back before they finally dipped to the curve of her ass and thighs. He wasn’t even being subtle, the concept seeming to elude him the longer he watched Bear move about the tiny room. “Of that,” Bear paused to grab her hair elastic before she continued, “I am 100 percent certain.”

“Tease.”

“Menace.”

Jake stood up, coming to stand in behind her before ducking his head down to rest on her shoulder. He trailed feather-light kisses up the curve of her neck, reveling in the subtle shiver that raced through her body. He didn’t want her to leave and he said as much against her, punctuating his words with a playful nip.

Bear’s face was bright red and she was suddenly very thankful that Jake wasn’t looking her in the eyes. She knew that her desire for him danced in them and that wasn’t something that could be solved right now. Right now, she had a meeting to attend with the ship’s officers. “Jake…”

“Mmm…” he hummed against her skin, mesmerized by the softness and her scent. It took her turning around, hands coming up to hold his face to hers, for Jake to be dislodged from his thoughts. “I heard you, Teddy.”

Bear kissed him softly and stepped back. “Good news is, we should be docking tomorrow.” She had grabbed her watch and was fastening it as she spoke. “I’ll see you later.”

===

Up in the command center, Bear found herself standing before a video call with Admiral Harris. “Sir. Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“Yes Commander. You are to disembark a day early due to reasons that are already known to you. Reasons that transpired during the operation known as Hellfire.” The Admiral’s tone was firm, but Bear knew that there was some genuine concern for her lurking deep, deep down. “Your orders are the following: pack your belongings, meet the Lincoln’s Commander on deck to prep for disembarkment, and most importantly, you do not breathe a word of this to anyone until after our debrief has occurred. Am I clear, Commander?”

Bear’s heart sank. She couldn’t tell anyone. Not Bug. Not Mav. Not Jake. The things that this could do to their sprouting relationship. Would it kill it completely? Or could they work past this?

She had to believe that they could. It would only be for a day, right? So Bear nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. “Crystal clear, Sir.”

“Good. I will see you at the pier, Commander.” And just like that, the video feed cut out, leaving Bear standing and staring at her reflection in the black computer screen.

God. What had she agreed to?

She did as ordered. Except she broke the last rule. She had written a letter to Jake explaining her sudden absence and that he couldn’t say a word. It pained her to do so. Harris’s words had sunk into her, forcing her hand like a rudder guiding a ship, but she had to tell Jake. So in a letter penned and slipped into the pocket of his hoodie that she folded up and placed on her bed, Bear told him what she could.

Jake,

I know my absence is sudden and strange, but please know that I had very little say in the matter. Admiral Harris has requested that I leave early in order to discuss my outburst back in Riyadh. I don’t want to leave you, I really don’t, but I have to do this.

I will miss the bunk cuddles tonight, the comfort you bring from just standing beside me, and the way your touch makes me feel like I am safe in your arms. You are the first man who has ever understood me in such a way and I am so happy that we had our moments these last few days. Unfortunately I have no idea how long I will be gone or when I can contact you again. So until then, please know that I love you more than I can ever express.

I would run out of ink in all the world’s pens before I could ever adequately explain the depth of my feelings for you. But I will settle for this: I love you, Jake, to the bitter end and back again.

All my love,

Your Teddy

That was all she had time to do before the officer escorting her to the deck knocked on her door, stealing away her last moments aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Hopefully it would be enough.

===

A/N: Okay. I’m sorry about all of that. Big thanks to @startrekfangirl2233 and @sarahsmi13s for proofreading this. And an even bigger thanks to @dakotakazansky for helping reformat everything from chapter 14 until now, because this reveal required a lot of extra planning.

Taglist: @horseshoegirl @roosters-girl @lovinglyeternal @lavenderbradshaw @roosterforme @bobby-r2d2-floyd @bradleybeachbabe @footprintsinthesxnd @twsssmlmaa @fandomxpreferences @dempy @gizmodear @fighterpilothoe @chaoticassidy @eli2447 @iwantmyredvelvetcupcake @djs8891 @rhirhikingston @sisterslytherinog @impossiblebagelcowboyfreak @sgt-barnesveins @taytaylala12 @urmom-999 @formulapierre @pinkpantheris @havlindzk @a-beaverhausen @killcomet @buxkybarnez @topgunruinedme @hangmanscoming @smoothdogsgirl @a-court-of-roscoe-and-baby

#a gun amonst daggers #fern writes #jake hangman seresin x reader #bear and hangman #jake seresin x reader #top gun maverick #jake seresin imagine #jake hangman imagine #jake hangman fic #jake hangman seresin #jake seresin #jake seresin series #jake hangman x reader #hehe oops #🤷‍♀️🫣

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froggy-demon · 2 months

Text

Oh, Deer - Part One

A/N: This is going to be a looooooong fic, slow burn AlastorxOC, this is just what I have so far. I haven’t liked how OOC Alastor has been written, so hopefully you enjoy :) Part one has one trigger warning: drugs + date r@pe drugs.

Fic Summary Part One: Lilly meets Angel Dust and after a few close encounters is recruited by him to move into the Hazbin Hotel.

Part Two

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“LILLY!” My head snapped around at the sound of Velvette’s voice calling my name from across the studio. I flashed a “sorry” look to the background actor I was attempting to get the measurements of and went to Velvette’s side.

“Yes Ma’am?” I asked, standing stiffly, anticipating whatever she needed done that would be too boring or annoying for her to do herself.

“I need that fucking idiot off of my set. Now.” She hissed, jabbing a finger out at the offending party. There was only one person Velvette let boil her blood like that, and I didn’t want to deal with them either.

“Yes Ma’am.”

She mumbled to herself, something about cry babies and professionalism and staying the hell away from her as she stomped off to yell at another assistant. I turned my head to fully size up the situation, across the large expanse of the studio sat Valentino on an over stuffed couch with a hand gripping the upper arm of a studio aid who looked like he did not want to be there. Valentino always has a knack for running anything that isn’t his production off course. I held my clip board a little tighter as I made my way over to him. It was always odd to deal with Valentino, if he is causing big disruptions Velvette will call in the big guns, Vox, but for minor disturbances she seems to have no problem making me try to deal with it. Valentino being bored and taking that out on our crew did not qualify as a Vox problem. The clicking of my kitten heals against the floor stopped as I found myself standing in front of Valentino now, though he had not looked up from his hostage. The studio aid had a nervous smile on as Valentino had not let up his grip on the demon at all and as ranting on about ‘loyalty’ and ‘being respectful’. As intimidating as an angry overlord may be, I am far more scared of an angry Velvette than Valentino.

“Mr. Valentino, may I steal back my aid? I’m afraid he is imminently needed on set.” I said coolly, it’s best to not give him any emotion he can twist just to get a rise out of you.

“But then who will keep me company? Plus we are having such a good of a time, get someone else to do his job!” Valentino snarled, looking up at me over his sunglasses.

“Allow me to double check sir.” I replied, rolling my eyes mentally. I made a show of looking at my clip board, tapping my fingers on it, flipping between pages and then sighed. “Mr. Valentino, sir, I’m so sorry it would appear that no one else can cover for him. Maybe I can find someone else to keep you company.” He gave a dramatic sigh and released the poor sinner who quickly got up and scurried away.

“You can keep me company then since you’re clearly not busy today.” He said as he lit a cigarette and flashed me a toothy smile. Right, not busy, sure. I smoothed out my skirt a little, I knew I didn’t want much alone time with Valentino, but I also still needed to actually get him out of the studio and preferably with something to keep him out.

“Ms. Velvette has asked me to escort you to your suite, or studio” Or anywhere, but here. I stated plainly, he frowned.

“So that bitch just sent you to get rid of me? Fuck her! I can do whatever I want, I can go wherever I want, she cannot tell me what to do!” Valentino jumped to his feet and picked a vase up off the table and before I could protest, threw it at the wall in frustration. Standing he was more menacing, it felt as though he was nearly double my height now. He adjusted his large fur coat as he took some deep breaths, if I wasn’t obligated to follow the instructions given to me I would have been anywhere but here at this point. I did not want to be the next assistant he quite literally tore into to vent his anger with Velvette. Despite my anxiety, I stayed poised.

“And, Sir, where is it that you would like to go?” I ask keeping my tone level. Instead of replying he starts furiously texting on his phone. Satan help the soul in the other end. After a few moments he seemed to give up the texting route as he shoved the phone back into his pocket. He looked back at me now and I attempted to not make eye contact, but also not look like I was trying to not make eye contact.

“My suite. He should be there soon.” Valentino huffed and I nodded in response, allowing him to lead the way to an elevator that would presumably take us there. He looked back at me and as we reached the elevator placed a hand on the small of my back, a shiver ran up my spine.

“You know Doll, I know you work for Velvette and everything, but this goody-two-shows, all-serious-business thing you have going on is quite…” he took a drag of his cigarette and then blew the smoke into my face. “...Profitable, if you’re ever looking to be bought out.” He flashed me another wide grin, like it was some great opportunity he was offering me to be a porn star instead of a wardrobe assistant.

“I believe this is your floor, Sir.” I responded, avoiding the topic altogether as the elevator came to a stop. The doors opened straight to Valentino’s suite, it was massive as well of course, but laying on the largest couch in the room was a white spider demon who looked up at Valentino though his eyelashes and flashed a cheesy smile.

“I didn’t realize you were bringing company, Val.” he teased and sat up. Valentino seemed very pleased to see him and strides across the room to meet him.

“I was just ensuring Mr. Valentino got where he was going.” I turned to Valentino a bit, though he could no longer care less that I was here. “Thank you, Sir.” I added and stepped back into the elevator to return to work as moans start to fill the room. As soon as the elevator is back to Velvette’s studio I saw her with a line of models in front of her as she tore apart everything wrong with their hair, makeup, and outfits. Without casting a look my way she calls out, “LILLY! It’s about damn time, fucking hell!” And began listing off all of the things she had thought to tell me to do in the last 15 minutes. And so the day dragged on and on and on.

By the end of my day I am exhausted and I have the choice between going back to my shitty apartment with my roommate who I honestly think is trying to poison me, or go out and drink that worry away. While my feet are tired of these shoes and I know my hair has seen better days, I’ll take alcohol poisoning over regular poisoning any day. I let my hair down and walk myself to a near by bar that I like, they have the best espresso martini on this side of hell by far. I sit at the bar and order exactly that when I catch a familiar shape out of the corner of my eye, it’s that spider demon that was with Val, small ring of hell I guess. He is sat laughing with a group of demons, I don’t give them much thought though because I hear a friendly voice come up behind me.

“Lilly, sweetheart, fancy seeing you here!” I swiveled around to be face to face with a long time friend, Cherri. She flashed that trademark smile and I knew she was hatching some kind of an idea.

“Hey Cherri, didn’t expect to see you over on this side of hell, you usually prefer to kick it over in Pentagram City, what brings you out?” I offer her the seat next to me and she hops up crossing one leg over the other. She quickly flags the bartender and orders a double shot of tequila.

“Oh just dropping in on an old mate of mine, have I ever introduced you two? You know HE knows how to party with me, maybe you could learn a thing or two Little Miss Lightweight!” She jokingly elbowed me in the side and I smiled and swatted her away. Cherri threw back her shot and ordered two more doubles, sliding one over to me “Join us?” Cherri got this glint in her eye and I knew that she had made up her mind: I was joining them.

“You know I can’t keep up with you, not after dealing with Velvette all day and god the tantrum Valentino threw today-“ Cherri grabbed my shoulder and for a moment gave me a very serious sober look, she glanced around and then looked me in the eye again and very carefully told me, “look, absolutely no Valentino talk tonight, okay?” I nodded yes, a little taken aback. Cherri had never stopped me from ranting about work before, but I trust her judgment if it’s that serious. I downed my shot and grabbed my martini, Cherri already have three more doubles in her hands as she hopped down and sauntered over to the exact demon I had noticed a few minutes ago. I suppressed a smile, they looked like they went together. Cherri shooed away the demons at the table with him and he quirked an eyebrow up at me.

“Aye, haven’t I seen you recently?” He asked as I slid in the booth next to Cherri, she passed out the shots.

“Angie, this is Lilly. Lills, this is Angle Dust.” Cherri introduced us and Angel stuck out a free hand to shake mine which I accepted. I don’t love mixing work and fun. I don’t know about having a night out with someone else who works for the Vs…but if Cherri knows him he can’t be too bad, right?

“I believe, we briefly met this afternoon, but let’s leave the work stuff at work.” I said and gave a small smile, taking my next shot.

“I cannot agree more!” Angel said and Cherri laughed. She pulled out 3 small bags with a couple of pills each and held them up for Angel.

“I hope you don’t think we’re just taking shots all night!” She sang giving one to each of us.

“You know,” Angel said, popping it in his mouth and washing it down with his tequila, “Val said you were a tight ass, what the fuck does he know!” Angle and Cherri laughed and I sipped my martini as the music playing blared in the background, seemingly getting louder. Tonight might actually not suck.

And then I woke up.

I rubbed my eyes awake, trying to take stock of myself and my surroundings, and retracing my steps. Cherri is next to me in bed, okay that’s a start. Is it my bed? Yes. Okay even better. Angel was nowhere to be seen though. Do I remember him leaving? Hell I don’t even remember leaving the bar myself. But I don’t feel horrific so, things could be worse. What time is it? 6am, perfect just in time for work, ugh.

“Cherri-berry, I have to go to work,” I gently shook her to wake her up, brushing the hair out of her face. “I have to get dressed, if my roommate offers you ANYTHING do not take it, it is poison.” She groans to confirm she heard me and I set off to get my ass out the door on time. I rip off yesterday’s outfit and replace it with a black sleeveless dress with a high slit, run a brush through my hair, brush my teeth and gently shoo a groggy Cherri out the door while refusing the coffee being offered by my roommate.

It felt like I had been through this day at work a million times. Sometimes all the little problems in productions and costuming just run together, it becomes mind numbing to distinguish between 666 News, whatever newest sitcom we’re running, daytime talk shows, and whatever trash Vox is pushing to melt the brains of sinners. While trying to track down the extra mannequins needed for the next lineup I was pleasantly surprised to see a white tuff of hair attached to some very long legs rounding the corner down the hall ahead of me, maybe he had a better idea of how last night went, or I could at least say it was nice to properly meet him while it’s just the two of us.

“Angel Dust!” I called out and walked a little faster to catch up to him. “Hello! I just wanted to say-“ I stopped as soon as I rounded the corner, Angel wasn’t alone, Valentino was with him. Val had one arm wrapped around Angel’s shoulders and I think Valentino is one of the few demons that can manage to make Angle actually look small. They had stopped walking, Angle was still staring a head, unmoving, but Valentino was looking at me with an anger I couldn’t explain. A shiver run down my back and I found myself standing very still, I tried to remember not to show emotion, but it’s different when you’re caught by surprise. I didn’t want to be the first one to speak, but I also knew I shouldn’t leave until the silence was broken.

“Aw c’mon Val, she must be a fan of mine.” He turned around and gave me that same toothy grin as yesterday with a hand on his hip and another twirling a stand of hair. “Tell me, Doll, what’s your favorite video of mine?” He teased. Val did not seem pleased yet though.

“Aren’t you that bitch from yesterday? Unless you changed your mind about working for me, fuck off.” He growled, and Angel gave me a look that said that’s the best out I’m going to get.

“Yes Sir, thank you.” I said with a slightly bowed head, I nodded to Angel and promptly turned around to find my way to anywhere but here. Note to self, try not to make an overlord your enemy. I trekked on to find my mannequins for Velvette and got on with my day.

I wanted to go home and curl up in bed, but if I did that I would only think about how utterly stupid I had been today with Angel and Valentino. Not only could I barely keep my cool, it was ridiculous to even try to say hi to Angel at work in the first place. Nope, I did not want to wallow in my own self pity and hatred at home all night. So I went out, hoping to find some club to lazily move though and let someone buy me one too many drinks until all the sudden it’s tomorrow and I can repeat the whole damn cycle again. I walked a few blocks before I finally found somewhere that looked right, Nightmare Nightclub, and once I was in I made my way up to the bar. I tried to flag the bartender, but she was quite busy.

“You have such lovely hair, has anyone ever told you that?” I felt an arm snake around my waist as he said it, but I didn’t know that voice. I turned my head to see whoever this stranger is and was met with the sight of a red hell-borne with blue horns just a few inches longer than his hair, and a wide smirk. He wasn’t bad looking, but the night was juuust starting.

“Y’know I don’t think they have,” I spun around in place so I was at least facing him as he held onto me. “You can tell me just what else looks lovely on me if you can get the bartender to put a drink in my hand.” I smiled and he seemed eager to take on the challenge, puffing up his chest and going to get the bartender’s attention. While he’s busy I scan the room, it’s mostly dance floor that’s hard to see too much though with the mass of people mixing with the low and colorful lights, then booths lining the wall for any interested in a less public place to talk. If it wasn’t proving so hard to get a drink myself I might have walked off in that moment, but I needed something to distract myself.

“You didn’t say what to get so I figured we’d start off with something quick, a whiskey neat for the lady, and for me” he chuckled as he handed one of of the glasses, not my drink of choice, but that’s what I get I suppose. I knocked it back and set the glass back down on the bar just a step away.

“Thank you, that’s the least horrible tasting whiskey I’ve ever had!” I smiled a little at my own joke as he drank his and set down his own glass. The demon placed his hands on my hips from behind me, I became suddenly aware of the sharp nails at the end of fingers, more like claws than hands.

“Why don’t you join me at our booth? I know some people who I think would like meeting you.” He said into my ear. Normally I’m more hesitant, but I let him walk me over to a booth far from the entrance and the dance floor, but at least it was a little quieter over here. When we got there there were 4 other similar looking demon men sitting there. “Gentlemen I’ve found a lady willing to keep us company, don’t scare her away.” He teased his friends as we sat down, one of them motioned to a passing waitress and she nodded, assumingely for drinks. “I’m so rude though, what was your name?” he asked me as the other man beside me put his arm over my shoulders and the original demon’s arm found its way back to my waist.

“Lillian, but please, I prefer Lilly, and you?” I asked him and then glanced at the others around the table. The waitress brought over a tray of drinks and some shots for the table and began setting them down.

“Sebastian, these are just my friends that I’m out with tonight.” He slid a cocktail in front of me, “Another drink? Maybe this one will be a bit better than ‘least horrible’." He watched me try my drink and admittedly it was pretty good, some fruity mix. "Let me know when you want another, you're drinking on me tonight sweet stuff." That, I don't mind. He sipped his whiskey and began to fiddle with the hem of the slit on my dress.

I knew his game, get a couple drinks in me and then ditch his buddies so we can sneak off somewhere, that was also my game tonight. Still it's early, I should pace myself this drink must be pretty strong because I felt a little lightheaded already. I realized I needed to know how to make small talk, neither in life nor afterlife has that been my strong suit. "So, Sebastian, when you aren't buying overpriced drinks for girls what are you up to?" I teased, drinking some more.

He seems to think about it for a moment, maybe not everyone wants to talk about their job, or they don't have one to talk about. "Oh nothing too fun, I'd rather hear about you, I think this lot is tired of hearing me bitch about all the stupid fucks at work." He said earning a couple of laughs from the other demons. I glanced around the table and Sebastian pressed his claws into my side a little, not enough to hurt, but enough to say we wanted a response. He scooted my drink closer to me again, encouraging more. I finished what was left of my drink and more was ordered.

"I don't have time to get up to anything very interesting. I work for 666 News and the rest of the TV studio in wardrobe, or really as a task rabbit for whatever Velvette tells me to do." I say and the waitress brings over another round. Sebastian drums his fingers on me and flashes me another smile. There was a bit of ringing in my ears, maybe the music was too loud for me, but it felt far away.

"Well there are worst way to spend your days here I suppose, they haven't killed you yet so you can't be too shit at the job either!" He says and grabs my second drink from the demon with his arm over my shoulder and gives it to me. "You out here all alone tonight?"

I had to give it to him he was at least charming, scary, but charming. "Well-" I took a sip of my drink, but watched as Sebastian’s face fell into a scowl as he looked out of the booth before I could finish answer. My eyes went to meet what he was looking at, but my ears found it first.

“There you are tuts! You promised to let me know if you were running off!” It was Angel, but why was Angel here? He looked at the demon with his arm firmly holding my waist, his eyes lacked their usual carefree spirit. “We were just headed out.” Angle Dust reached across the table to grab my wrist, but the two demons had a better grip on me and I was beginning to feel dizzy between my head and the lights.

I blinked a couple of times trying to make sense of the situation.“Angel, yeah, we wanted some air. I want some air.” I looked back down at my drink and Angel slid it away from me with another arm. He leaned in close to Sebastian and whispered something I couldn’t hear. Sebastian begrudgingly released his grip on me and after a look his colleague did the same and Angel practically yanked me out of the booth. He kept one pair of hands on my shoulders leading me to the door and used the other set to keep people out of our way.

“You got some self destructive tendencies babe I can tell yah that.” He chirped. I still didn’t feel any better than I had sitting down inside.

“What can I say, I’m here for a reason.” But I felt far away, and really I was glad Angel was there. We made it outside and I think it is the only time I have been happy to breathe in the ‘fresh’ hell air.

“Listen I may not know you well, or really even at all, but” he looked away from me, fiddling with his gloves a little. “you gotta be careful going out like that. I’ve seen that scenario play out a hundred times and let me tell yah, 5:1 is not a good ratio. I’ve seen that video babe, hell I’ve made that video. I wouldn’t recommend it.” Angel had one hand on my shoulder and I suddenly felt my face get warm with embarrassment and shame, but I could focus on his words less and less. “You gotta be aware, that guy he-“

I'm starting to think he put something in my drink.

I remember being outside and the club had been so hot that the regular air almost stung my skin like the cold. I remember standing up trying to listen to Angel, god he was saying something important too I really wanted to listen. And I remember that feeling of falling, like when you nearly fall asleep and your brain goes into free fall mode. For a second there isn’t really an up or down or left and right, just the air you’re moving through. Luckily I don’t actually remember hitting the ground, judging by my headache though I’d guess it was pretty hard.

I open my eyes, but this time I’m not back in my room. Is this Angel’s place? It’s…nicer than I imagined. And bigger? I sit up from the couch that I’d been laid on, holding my head with one hand. Hopefully I only bumped the back of my head, Velvette would be pissed if I scratched up my face. Looking around the room, I’m in a library maybe more so a study. It’s me, the couch, a warm fireplace and whole walls of books. Interesting, Angel didn’t strike me as much of a reader. I swing my legs over the side of the couch getting ready to stand up, but my whole body begs me to stay down. I groan as my feet meet the cool floor.

“Did I hear signs of life?” Thank goodness, Angel. He walked in and leaned down towards me, grabbing my face to make sure I looked alright. I grunted when he lifted my head back and he sighed. “Well you look alright, but you sound like you don’t feel great, huh?” He had this little ‘I-Told-You-So’ look and to be fair he was right.

“Goodmorning to you too.” I pushed him back and stood up, stretching out the aches on my arms. “Is this your place?” I ask him rubbing the sleep from my eyes. He looks back to the open doorway and then closes the door, as if someone is listening.

“Yes, and no, mostly no, but I live here!” He said excitedly. He sat me back down and paced in front of me. “So the hotel you see, which we’re in, let’s you stay for free so long as you are ‘working towards redemption’ or whatever!” He explained, using air quotes. Yeah that sounds too good to be true to me. I may be fresh, but it’s not my first day in hell.

“Yeah and which overlord sold you THAT bullshit?” I crossed my arms, skeptical. Angel furrowed his brow and shook his head.

“No overlord, it’s run by Charlie Morningstar, I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of her. She’s just the Princess of Hell!” That caught my attention. What does the princess care though? “She might be the only actually nice person in all of hell. The rest of the staff is slightly more rough, but not bad.” He sounded like he was building up to something, but how much bigger does ‘You crashed at the Princess of Hell’s place’ does it get?

“Well I’m glad you’ve got a cool situation going with them, and thank you for looking out for me. You didn’t have to do that, especially since I pissed off Valentino.” Angel looked away from me at that, staring into the fire for a moment.

“It’s no big deal.” He turned back to me with a wide smile. “My point was though, I was completely under Val’s thumb ‘til I moved in here. You seem to me to be under someone’s thumb too, I’m sure they’d be happy to have yah if you wanted to stay here.” He seemed surprisingly earnest. I mean I pay practically every penny I make to live in a rat infested apartment with someone who I’m pretty sure is trying to kill me, so at worst someone tries to kill me for free right?

“I don’t know maybe-“

“DID I HEAR A YES?!!” The door flung open and a very smiley blonde stood in the middle, sporting a deep red suit, squealing with excitement. To the side was another demon with long grey hair, missing an eye, but she was focused on the blonde more so than me.

Angel huffed and tried to shoo the two girls away “NO you did not, you are going to freak her out and scare her away, fuck off!” The Blonde bypassed him and strutted up to me on the couch and held out a hand for me to shake.

“Pleased to meet you! I’m Charlie! This is my hotel, oh and that’s Vaggie, and you know Angel, and I’ll introduce you to everyone else in a moment, and I can give you the full tour, and we’ll find you a room! I’m so excited!” She grabbed my hands, positively giddy. Can you say no to the Princess of Hell? Would Lucifer swoop in and exterminate me himself? I glanced at the annoyed looking Angel who was staring down Charlie and I smiled.

“I’d love that, thank you.” I replied and she pulled me in for a bear hug, not my thing. She stood back up and smoothed out her suit and I stood too. The other girl, Vaggie it would seem, stepped further into the room and smiled, though it did not seem to come as naturally to her as it did Charlie. I forced myself to stand up and tried to smooth out my hair.

“We’re happy to have you, Angel said it’s Lilly right?” Vaggie asked and held Charlie’s free hand as Charlie had linked our arms.

“Yes, I’m…happy to be here.” Angel gave me four thumbs up and Charlie lead us out of the room. She excitedly explained her plan, to teach sinners how to be better and get them to heaven in order to avoid extermination by ascending instead. We reached the foyer which lead to most of the main level rooms, and where it looked like she had gathered the rest of the hotel staff.

“Lilly this is Niffty, our maid-“

“Reporting for duty!” And then she flung a dagger at a nearby roach with a menacing laugh.

“Husk, the bartender-“

“Nice to meet you.” He did not look up from the glass he was cleaning and inspecting, but it was more than nothing.

“And, uh-“

I felt a hand land on my shoulder and heard someone clear their throat directly behind me. “I’m Alastor, charmed to meet you!” His voice sounded like it came from somewhere entirely detached from his body, as if it was being filtered in some way. I flinched at the surprise contact and looked up at the demon responsible.

He had the widest toothy grin I’d ever seen, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes, they carried a sinister look that felt like he was seeing every weak point of mine in that moment. His suit was similar to Charlie’s, though more refined. Really her suit was a less nice version of his. He took a step away, removing his hand and stood by Charlie’s side, smile never faltering. I knew that name, that voice was familiar, why can’t I place it?

“-The Hotel’s manager!”

“Alastor is an overlord," Angel whispered in my ear "but he just got back from being missing, I can’t figure out his deal, but I thiink I’m wearing tall dark and handsome there down.” Angel threw a wink to Alastor. Of course, that voice. Who could forget his broadcasts, not that long ago it felt like. I can’t believe here he is just standing here, playing with the Princess of Hell. What the fuck is this place?

“Please to meet you all, I’m Lilly, thank you for letting me stay here.” I said keeping my even tone that I usually save for work. I don’t want to come off cold, but also I also can’t immediately be a target here. I mumbled chorus of ‘Hello’ and ‘whatever’ comes from the staff.

“Okay babe, I think she gets the idea, let’s try not to overwhelm new guests.” Vaggie says to Charlie, giving her hand a squeeze. Charlie gives her a soft smile and then turns back to me.

“Ooookayyy! You are welcome to find a room that can be yours and explore the place. If you get lost we are never too far away!” Charlie said and then Vaggie and her set off back to whatever they had been doing before I woke up. Husk sighed in relief and went back to straightening his bar, pouring himself a drink. Niffty scurried off presumably to stab more bugs. I turned to Angel, who I guess at this point is my new friend, and he seemed to know what I was thinking.

“Yes there is a super fucking cute room across the hall from mine that you should take, I’ll show you the way!” Angel lead me up the grand staircase and we made our way up to the 6th floor.

It was a lot to take in. Getting roofied, and now I live in Rainbow Hotel with Princess Sparkles and an incredibly murderous deer demon? Cool, that’s totally normal.

“Angel, can I ask-“ I paused to wait for his confirmation. “-should I never say hello if I see you at work? Valentino seems particularly.. territorial over you. And frankly he is fucking intimidating as shit on his best days.” I look at my feet as we walk down the hall and Angel doesn’t respond for a moment.

“Yeah, it’s fucking stupid, but Val has a short temper so I tend to avoid it the best I can. That’s probably the only fucking thing that would make him happy, if he was the only demon in all of hell who got to talk to me.” Angel was pissed off, and he had every right to be. He took a couple deep breathes and smoothed his hair. “So that should work, don’t worry though, babe, that’s just work. Here are our rooms!” Angel beamed with pride at his bedroom door, it was decorated though mostly it looked like with notes from Charlie. He walked over to a blank door just a step across the hall for his long legs. “This one is yours!”

We walked in and it was more than my apartment was that’s for sure. Nothing fancy, a bed with white duvet and pillows, a dresser, and a desk with a lamp, but it was still more than enough. For the first time since arriving in hell I almost actually felt lucky. “Oh it’s perfect! This bed is twice the size of mine back home!” I flopped onto the bed and dust rose up around me, causing a coughing fit. “Okay maybe it needs a clean before it’s perfect perfect.” We both laughed and he walked towards the door.

“Try to get some more sleep tonight, we’ll worry about how shit it looks tomorrow!” And he went back to his room across the hall. I tried to lay down, but my mind was racing and even though I knew I was alone it felt like I was being watched by an unseen party. I huffed and dragged myself back downstairs, to the bar, what are the odds Husk is still there? If he isn’t is it totally against the rules to get a drink myself? Luckily he was there and he rolled his eyes when he saw me.

“Haven’t you had enough tonight, given you were literally drugged just a few hours ago?” He asked dryly, folding his arms over his chest. I sat down on a barstool in front of him and waved off his question.

“Oh please, I had one little sip that just put my out of it for a little bit. I’m fine now and looking for something to occupy my mind. Can I please have a drink, Sir?” I smiled unconvincingly, batting my eyelashes at him sarcastically.

“Ah whatever.” he huffed and began mixing something up for me. I kicked my feet a little in the air as I waited. Why does he work here anyway? Clearly he doesn’t seem to like it. Husk sat the drink in front of me on the bar and I happily took a sip, admittedly this mystery concoction was pretty good. “Anything else you need from me tonight?”

“Hmm, a vodka double shot to-go should have me set for the night.” He grabbed a second glass and poured exactly that for me. I traced the rim of my glass with one finger and decided to ask one last thing. “Hey I know it’s my first night and all, but…do you ever get the feeling someone is watching you around here?”

Husk looked side to side and then nodded “it’s because you are. Alastor, he can move through shadows. He could be watching and listening from any dark spot here.” Then he raised his voice just a little. “Which is why I only say the mean things about you in my head!” Clearly directed to an eavesdropping Alastor.

A chuckle came from the corner and out stepped the Radio Demon himself and his grand smile. “So you caught me! It’s always good to know who exactly you’re getting into bed with y’know! Or in this case in a hotel with!” He quipped, leaning on his cane. Husk wasn't kidding. Of all the rumors and stories I've heard about the Radio Demon shadow walking was not one of them, you would think that would be good to know.

“Well, Mr. Alastor, Sir, do you mind at least leaving me be while I try to sleep in my own room?” I asked allowing a hint of sarcasm to drip into my voice, making him laugh. He walked over to me and leaned down slightly so we were eye level.

“I’m afraid I am not in the business of making promises that I cannot keep my dear!” He sounded cheerful still but I knew he was dead serious. “Also, ‘Mr. Alastor’ is so formal, we’re all friends here! Please, just call me Alastor, but you can keep the ‘Sir’ if you really want.” Husk rolled his eyes at the ‘all friends’ part, but I am still not going out of my way to anger an overlord, even one who did drop off the map for seven years.

“Oh, of course, yes, Sir. Just Alastor it is then.” I replied with a smile. I finished my cocktail and picked up my double shot, hopping down from my seat which put some needed space between me and Alastor. “Thanks for the company, but I think I should try to get a couple more hours of sleep tonight. I attempted to turn and walk away but Alastor appeared directly in front of me, blocking my path.

“It might be best if I escort you up to your room, wouldn’t want you getting lost or anything happening to our new guest on your way there!” Alastor insisted, looking me in the eye. This wasn’t a request. I suppose it is natural he would feel a little protective of the hotel if he really does care about this, I’m some stranger who is moving in I wouldn’t trust me either.

“Of course.” I say. He turns around and starts leading the way, humming to himself. We walk in silence to the elevator, the exhaustion of the night starts to set in and my headache comes back, I drink my to-go booze hoping to hell it will help. Once we’re in the elevator I lean against the wall a bit, Alastor raises an eyebrow at me.

“Tired now are we? Not sure that liqueur is helping any.” He chuckled, eying me. I pushed myself up off the wall and stood up straight, smoothing out my dress.

“It’s been a long day, and an even longer night. I’m very much looking forward to a couple hours of actual rest.” I responded, watching the numbers tick up to the sixth floor.

“Very well, sleep tight.” He told me with a gentle push to the opening elevator doors. I looked back into the elevator, but he was gone into the shadows. I just went to my room, tried to floof off as much dust as possible from the bed and got a good few hours of sleep, it felt like the first time in a hundred years I had gotten proper sleep.

part two

#hazbin hotel alastor #hazbin hotel #hazbin angel dust #hazbin hotel fanfic #slow burn #radio demon #alastor x reader #alastor x oc #radio demon x reader

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rpreaperperson · 3 months

Text

Chapter 12 : Escape

Masterlist

Taking their gun out of the trunks, they rushed out to the place where Shadows holding Alejandro

While the men make small talk Claw stays silent aside from being worried for Alejandro she is still flustered from her affair with Soap earlier, jumps down from the small edge they see a light

“Hold up, Eyes on the prison “ claim Ghost as he look into his scope

“Patrols on the outside”

“We’ll have to take ‘em out to get in” claim Rodolfo

“I’ll do it” ask Claw for permission, glance at Ghost

“then you take one Claw, I’ll get the other one” confirm Ghost looking through his scope targeting Shadows with his sniper, Claw then shooting at the Shadows followed by Simons shooting the other Shadows who are on the tower

“Shadows down”

“Good job Claw” Claws tail swirling flattered at the praise

Then they cleared out the field to reach out to the tower so they could climb up there with a hook, after shooting the last Shadows on the field they rushed out to one of the towers and Rudy shot a hook into the tower

Following Ghost to the security room, and taking down two Shadows in the security room

“We’re clear” Claw huffed reloading her gun

“we’ll use the closed circuit to locate my men” explain Rodolfo

“And find Master Ale”

“We’ll need diversions when we move. I’ll plant charges on the outside.Soap, your eye’ll guide me.” When hearing Ghost say that Claw goes tense and snaps her head towards the Lieutenant

“Aye” Soap nodded

“Get on –“

“I’ll go ” claim Claw walk on front of Ghost, her eyes determine

“Bonnie?” Soap glance at her cocking his eyebrows

“Sergant we dont ha –“ Ghost tried to reject her

“I’ll go and that final...please Master..even if I got caught...”

“which is I’ll never let that happen” huffed Soap taking a step foward to Claw

“They not going to kill me...but you?..I do not doubt they will neutralize you in sight, I will not risk MY Master getting hurt or worse..” ignoring Soap's statement, she took a step forward to Ghost a possessiveness filling her eyes

Rudy just stared at both Claw and Ghost, he understood why Claw volunteered to be the one who planted the charges, the risk of her getting killed was none cause Graves needed her alive while if Ghost got caught possibility of getting killed was..

But at the same time, he understands if Ghost forbids her to go, a protective feeling fueled inside him and he does not doubt both of the 141 had the same feeling as him

He really thinks dearly for Claw after all

“you positive wanna go?”

“Yes” Ghost huffed faced away from Claw then stare at her amused

“Good luck then Claw” he ruffles her hair and approaches the camera beside Soap, meanwhile Soap gaping at him in bewilderment

“You sure about this LT?!”

“she’s the one who volunteered Sargeant” Ghost shrugged, Soap stared at Claw who staring back at him exhaled deeply he walked in front of her and cupped her cheeks making her squeak in surprise, and gave her a good luck kiss on the forehead she stunned with her face flushed

“Came back to me Bonnie or I’ll punish you” Soap winks, Claw stuttered yes and sluggishly walked out of the security room

Meanwhile, Rudy widens his eyes at Soap and Ghost just furrowing his eyebrows

“You..both..together hermano?”

“Nah...”Soap shaking his head then walk to the camera, then he mutter

“Not yet at least” he smirk Ghost furrowing his eyes at Soap

Every commando Ghost gave her through her earpiece she obeyed, snapping each head of the Shadows shoot and stab, and planting bombs each of the pickups

Each praise comes out from Soap's mouth

“Mmm~ good shot Bonnie” his gruff voice purring in delight, Claw shudder flustered her tails swishing embarrassed

“T-Thankyou..” she tremble flustered

“Quite Sergant, fuckin’ hell” scolded Ghost narrowing his eyes at Soap, then they saw Claw jump onto one of Shadows' shoulders and snap his head with her thigh then roll into behind the pick-up, watching it Soap biting his lips and grunting.

“Steamin’ Jesus...tha’ was somethin’ can she do that to me too?”

“You’ll dead Johnny”

“Just wanna be squish between those thighs sir” Ghost glanced at him deadpan, Rudy who listening to their banter just snickered while searching for Alejandro then he alerted both Soap and Ghost that he found the Colonel

“Bloody fuckin’ hell, that’s him” Soap smirk, Claw ears perk up

“is he okay?”ask her

“Seems fine to me”

“He’s alone. Two shadows on guard” report Rudy

“Understood..”

“Wait for us there Bonnie”

After they found where Alejandro was being held, Claw jumped up to him wrapping her arms around his neck and snuggling into his neck

Alejandro tense when he was engulfed by something but then relaxed when he caught a cat ear on their head

“Master!!” she cried, Alejandro smiled softly one arm wrapping around her slim waist and one on her head

“Glad to see you too Gatita” Letting go of her, Alejandro rubbed his nose against hers doing some Eskimo kiss as Claw giggled shyly, Soap frowned jealousy filled him so did Ghost the grip on his gun became tight, and Rudy relief to see the Colonel unharmed....even though he worried that both 141 might plummed him out of jealousy

“Let's go catch this Cabron..yeah?” claims Alejandro unaware of the tension both Ghost and Soap gave him

“Uhm!” Claw eagerly nodded and handed him a gun, a smirk planted on Alejandro's face

After releasing the Los Vaqueros many Shadows came for their blood, the pickup that Claw planted bomb exploded instantly by Soap who was holding the remote

Fear of fire still haunted her...but now..she need to fight it..if she wants to be stronger for her Masters

A hello flies above them trying to corner them, the others covering themself behind the concrete barrier and pillar while shooting the hello

A loud boom came from the helicopter and it spun around and fell off to the ground

“All Bravo and Vaqueros, Top of the wall. Get here and I’ll get you out, How copy?” a gruff voice coming out from their comms

“Loud and clear, Price comin’ to ya!” calls out Ghost as the backup helps them out on the top, they rush into the wall and climb in with the hook, A feeling of longing enveloped Claw when he heard Price's voice

As she reached the top of the wall Gaz caught her small hand into his pulling her up, ears twitching and her tails swirling her pupils rounded

“Master Gaz!~” cheered her engulfing him in a hug and rubbing her head into his neck an ‘oopf’ let out from Gaz's mouth

“heh miss you too kitty” he gave her a kind smile

“Good to see you well Claw” greeted Price relive to see her here and well

“Ma – I mean Captain! Good to see you too” beamed Claw, then Price walk to her and ruffles her hair glancing at Ghost he nodded at him

“Price...Garrick..” acknowledged Ghost

“How’d you know?” ask Soap

“Laswell” answer Gaz

“Soon as Shepherd went dark, she called us” claim Price

“Laswell still solid as a rock” chimed Ghost, saw Alejandro climb up Claw awaiting him with her hand stretched out at him pulling him up introduced her Captain to Alejandro

They helping the Vaqueros to climb up the wall, then Soap came out from rummaging through the piles of ammunition with a grenade launcher in his hands

A cheeky grin plastered on his face as he pulled the trigger, bombing the Shadows with his new toy

Claw pursed her lips looking away from it climbing down the wall with rope following after Gaz being the most attentive Ghost follow her down to the ground, Claw shaking her head ruffled up her ears and tail as Ghost climbed down he rubbing her cheeks a little bit to eased her up

“Load in” Claw climbed into the van first followed by Ghost and the others, while Gaz took the driver seat speeding up with Alejandro This makes Claw stumble upon Soap who immediately wrapped his bulk arm around her shoulder

“Shepherd burned us” growl Ghost

“He sent Graves and his Shadows to kill us and round up Los Vaqueros”

“Not to mention steal our Bonnie here” Soap nodded at Claw still in his arms

“We know why..”

“Laswell did a bit of digging”

“What did she find?”

Price glances at Claw ways, just blinking at him twitching her ears and holding at Soap's vest

As Price elaborates on the information Laswell got about the missiles, the illegal shipments and the cover-up, Claw perked up when Price mentioned Professor

“It seems like in your Professor's lab..there’s a spy, got the info from the Professor herself they have been sold the intel to Shepherd..” Price pursing his lips, both Ghost and Soap furrowing their eyebrows that not a good news.. the possibility of her data could be leak to other than Shepherd is high

“Is..Professor alright?”

“totally..right now she’s busy dealing the snakes..Claw..from now on I want you to watch your back ..always...” She strictly nodded and placed her fist on her pounding chest trying to comfort herself, biting her lips she knew from the start...

After all Professor always mentions that in the lab there’s a traitor among the scientist

Taglist: @lilpothoscuttings @unicorngirly1 @kaoyamamegami

#call of duty x reader #call of duty #claw #neko reader #simon ghost riley #simon riley x reader #john soap mctavish #john mctavish x reader #kyle gaz garrick #kyle garrick x reader #john price #john price x reader #task force 141 x reader #task force 141 #alejandro vargas x reader #alejandro vargas #rodolfo rudy parra #rodolfo x reader

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alpacaparkaseok · 2 months

Text

How to Steal Moonlight |2|

Chapter 2. The Brawl

→ Pairing: mafia!BTS x reader (not poly)

→ word count: 3.1k (yes she's itty bitty)

→ warnings/tags: SFW, we're angry and fighting but we're also really thirsty?

→ a/n: hellloooo, it's me. updating with just a little chapter that's been sitting in my drafts for almost a year. pls accept this humble offering. for those of you still reading this, ily.

“Where is she?”

Tearing across the room, you rip the card from the lilies, taking a handful of the flowers along with you. Jungkook stares at you, a hint of fear in his eyes.

You’ve cracked. Shattered, and the pieces of you that were still intact are scattering across the ground until the only thing that’s left are the mangled lilies hanging from your hand.

“Who? What’s…tell me what’s going on!” He calls after you, wincing from the effort it took to yell. “Hey!”

You’re gone, out the door and striding down the corridor with death in your eyes. Namjoon and Hoseok appear, guns drawn. “What’s wrong?” Namjoon asks.

Fire licks up your veins just looking at him. All you can see is her, reflected in his eyes.

“Where’s Victoria?”

He stiffens, jaw set at the mere mention of her name. “What did she do?”

“Where is she?”

Hoseok answers after seeing the stricken look on Namjoon’s face. “Kitchen.”

It’s all the answer you need, already breaking out into a run. Hoseok hangs back, ducking his head into Jungkook’s room. Namjoon is hot on your heels, looking for all the world as though he’s trying to come up with an explanation but doesn’t dare hope for one.

“Victoria!” Shout echoing down the staircase, you take the stairs two at a time. The kitchen light is on, the voices inside quieting. All you see is red as you jump down to the landing. Free hand fumbling for something – anything. A knife, a gun, an old newspaper.

A pack of gum is all you can find in your pockets, but you hold it as if it’s your preferred weapon as you burst into the kitchen. Both Yoongi and Jimin sit at the island, the latter holding a spoon of cereal to his mouth.

Victoria sits at the table, feet up, face hiding behind a book. Her eyes are icy as they flick up to your form, sliding to the hulking figure of Namjoon behind you.

Taking advantage of the distraction, you huck the pack of gum with every ounce of power you have.

It flies through the air, spiraling as it shoots like a torpedo before connecting square with Victoria’s exposed forehead.

“You little-” she drops the book, massaging the already red welt. “Did you just hit me with a pack of gum?”

Legs carrying you over to the table, you sidestep a bemused Yoongi and yank Victoria’s chair out. “Recognize this?” The card hits the table along with the lilies, crest facing the ceiling. Victoria has the good sense to flinch away from it as if it were a live snake baring its fangs.

“What are you on about this time?” Her eyes meet yours, that insufferable smirk eating up her face. You have half a mind to slap it off, raising your hand to do so, but something holds you back.

No, not something. Someone.

“Let me go,” you hiss, yanking your hand from Namjoon’s grasp. He stares down at you with a stony expression, jaw twitching. “And you,” stepping closer, you block off any escape route. “You have ten seconds to tell me how this got here before I pick a bone to break.”

Namjoon shuffles closer, eyes lit from the inside with an unholy flame. “Skipping straight to violence, capa? Since when were you the one to get their hands dirty?”

“Don’t think I’m about to start paying you for your opinion.”

Yoongi appears at Namjoon’s shoulder. “Step back, Namjoon.”

“Are you kidding me right now? She’s gonna kill her!”

“That’s sweet, Joon,” Victoria croons, sparing him a withering look. “Glad to see you still care when it’s convenient.”

Yoongi pulls Namjoon back a few steps, the job considerably easier now that he’s been impaled on Victoria’s barbed words. Jimin remains at the island, pouring more cereal into his bowl while he watches the show.

“Ten seconds,” you remind Victoria. She rolls her eyes, grabbing the crest and holding it up to the light. “Did Yadiel teach you the easiest way to break a clavicle, too?”

She snarls, throwing the card back onto the table. “He taught me lots of things, kid, though I doubt he dared touch you. His precious little student could never stoop to such lows, could she?”

Seokjin has wandered in now, taking in the view with an air of boredom. He approaches the island, tapping Jimin’s shoulder. “This seat taken?”

“All yours.”

“Your nose might be the better choice,” you muse, cold fury sludging through your bloodstream. “It might be an improvement.”

Victoria laughs, the sound high and shrill. It grates against your ears. “You really think you’re something, don’t you? I’m absolutely terrified. Look, I’m shaking.” She extends her arm out in a mock show-and-tell, and you seize it, holding her elbow straight.

Voice dropping into a lover’s murmur, you approach a different tactic. “Shaking like you do when you let yourself fall asleep?” Victoria’s face flickers between resentment and shock as you speak. “I’ve heard you calling out, Victoria. What are you dreaming about?” She shuts down, expression turning impassive in a last-ditch effort to avoid showing her hand. “Do you lie to yourself and say that you would’ve killed him if you had the chance? Is the fact that I’m the one that did it what keeps you up at night?”

One moment, you’re standing before her, and the next she’s pinning you to the ground. Stars dance in your vision as your skull hits the tile, the world a mess of gnashing teeth and hair. You struggle to get a hand free, distracting her as you suddenly flip your weight, sending her toppling to the floor beneath you. Somehow you clamber to your feet, momentum churning.

“You ran away!” She accuses, kicking out as you lunge for her. Blinded by rage, you receive the kick square in the stomach. “You shot him, and all this time, you’ve probably thought that he was afraid of you. That he never sought you out for fear that you’d finish what you started.”

“I did,” you wheeze. Around the kitchen, everyone stands frozen. Seokjin keeps twitching in his seat, jaw set. “I killed him, in the end.”

“Only because Taehyung let you.”

Your head snaps up to see the expression on her face. Braid undone; Victoria’s greasy hair frames the exhausted expression on her face. “He didn’t…” but you trail off, unable to finish the sentence. Victoria nods before lashing out once more, going for your legs. This time you expect it, spinning out and tripping her. Instead of dropping to the ground she grunts, pulling you down with her. Your teeth sing with the impact.

“Yadiel waited for Taehyung’s order to return like a good dog. Why do you think that was? He wanted you back, Bianchi. Talked about it all the time.” She laughs as you elbow her, causing her to lose her grip. “I almost killed him myself a couple times purely because he wouldn’t shut up about his little Bianchi princess!”

The thought makes your stomach flip, recalling the feeling of his breath curling over your ear – the prolonged touches along your hips as he adjusted your stance.

You try to roll away, but Victoria is faster. She pulls you back, sitting on your spine as your face digs into the floor. “You wonder why he dressed me up in red? Have you ever thought about that? Red dresses, red nails, red lips. Everything red – I think it helped him forget that I was just a consolation prize. Something Taehyung gifted him to keep him quiet.”

The humiliation of being pummeled in front of your crew makes your cheeks burn a sharper scarlet, but try as you might to break free, Victoria holds on all the tighter. She isn’t done.

“You have no idea what he had planned for you, do you? The life he wanted. All the things he was going to…” Victoria stumbles over her own words, her breath catching.

The truth is staring you in the face, and you think you’re going to be sick on the kitchen floor. Swallowing hard, you close your eyes against the thought.

“I’m you.” She rises with one last push off your body, sneering. Even with your blurred vision you can see the tear tracks on her cheeks. “I’m the version that couldn’t get away. Better looking, smarter. Not quite as noble as his little Bianchi. But you all the same.”

Victoria walks back to the table, ignoring you as you flip onto your back. Grabbing the lilies and the card, she stands above you. You stare back up at her, having the distinct feeling that you’re six feet under, staring up from your grave as she throws flowers down.

“If you think for even one second that I’d do anything for Kim Taehyung, I’ll personally dig your grave next to Yadiel’s. Understood?”

Nobody speaks as she storms from the kitchen, leaving you still on your back. You can hear every step she takes up the stairs, stomping away back to whatever hole it is she hides in when she wishes to disappear. The kitchen is silent as a mouse as everyone sits in shock, staring down at your prone body.

“She’s got spirit, Namjoon,” you spit out. “I’ll give you that.”

Namjoon looks disheveled despite the fact that Victoria never laid a finger on him. He clears his throat, tearing his eyes away from your glare.

“I’m…”

“Don’t apologize.” You roll up onto your knees, back screaming in protest. No serious damage, but enough to bruise more than your pride. “Run a perimeter around the building.”

He doesn’t stick around long enough to say anything more, Yoongi hot on his heels. Jimin’s eyes dance between their retreating figures and you. “Er…So, I’m gonna go see a guy about some hubcaps…”

As soon as he vanishes, you become ultra-aware of being alone here with Seokjin. He strides over, kneeling in front of you so he’s eye level.

“Where’d you find this?” He asks, picking the discarded card up from off the floor. The sight of it makes you nauseas.

“Flowers. On Jungkook’s side table.”

“Oh.” He lets it flutter back to the ground, fingers finding your hair as he pushes it back gently. “How’d that feel?”

Your eyes shut, forcing yourself to see nothing but black. “Which part? The part when I realized that our security measures are an absolute joke? Or when I got laid out by Namjoon’s ex?”

Seokjin cracks a smile that quickly turns into a sympathetic wince. “If it makes you feel any better, you just got more action than Namjoon’s had in years.”

Croaking out a laugh, you lean heavily on the side of the table and rise to your feet. Seokjin watches your every breath, something hard and calculating hiding behind those dark eyes of his.

“Spit it out,” you say, although it comes out as more of a whisper than anything.

“I just…” he shakes his head. “Not sure this is the appropriate moment to say this-”

“Seokjin.” He meets your eyes at your firm tone. “Out with it.”

He frowns, staring down at the table. It strikes you at that moment just how tall he is. He certainly towers over you, but it’s the way he’s ever so slightly hunched over, as if shielding you from what lies beyond these four walls. It makes you lean in a little closer, hand reaching out to grasp the sleeve of his sweater.

Seokjin’s eyes flash as you sway into view, latching onto yours with an electric shock. He visibly swallows before he speaks.

“If you’re going to fight,” he murmurs, “you need to avoid getting so beat up.”

You can’t help but scoff. “Are you seriously telling me to win next time?”

“And if I am?”

“Well,” you shrug. “It couldn’t be helped. She was better. Angrier.”

Seokjin shakes his head, eyes dropping to the ground as he steps closer, effectively trapping you against the table. You rest against it, arching a brow.

This man. You don’t know where you two stand, or where you’re going. Everything since that night you kissed is a blur – a memory that you find playing on repeat at all hours of the day. Whatever this is, it’s impossible not to feel as if you’re being pulled in by his personal magnetic field.

He grasps your hands only to plant them firmly on the tabletop, making you lean back even farther. Any hope that he didn’t hear your faint gasp is diminished when he grins, cheeks reddening.

“Next time, it’s ok to play a little dirty,” he whispers. He clamps down on his smile long enough to nose along your throat. You wonder if he can feel your heart pounding as he pauses, lips trailing just below your jaw.

Your eyes slip shut as you frown. “That’s hardly fair,” you respond, lungs no longer functioning as Seokjin plants an obscenely innocent kiss to your neck. It’s quickly followed by another, this one much slower.

You can feel his smile against your skin, sending goosebumps racing along your flesh. “You’re seriously concerned about fair? In our line of work?”

It’s silly, you know that. To be concerned about keeping score while working as a glorified thief. Yet it’s how you’ve always worked. Keeping track of the hits, as though counting cards in a casino.

A part of you had always thought that you could anticipate when the next blow would come. Now, you can hardly get back up again before Taehyung strikes again.

Seokjin pauses, straightening up until he meets your eyes.

“You’re thinking about him again.”

Not a question – not that it needs to be. He seems to be able to sense it whenever you get sidetracked like this. It’s certainly not the first time that it’s come between you and what you want.

Which is Seokjin. Your heart seems to beat out his name as you frown. Seok-jin, Seok-jin. Seok-jin.

It’s a struggle to not lean forward, lose yourself in his touch rather than have to face the issue nipping at your skin.

“I don’t want to be,” you whisper, eyes closing. “I hate this. Everything he’s left behind.”

“What will you do?”

There’s his lips again, whispering into your hair. He’s pulling you against him, letting you rest in his arms. Your mind flicks back to your earlier revelation. Seokjin, coming into your bedroom. Checking on you. Just making sure you’re still there.

You’re both too broken for this.

“Tonight? Start looking into staff. Doctors, nurses, janitors. Whoever might be on his side. Someone here must have planted the card.”

A pause. “And then?”

“Seokjin, I...” you chew on the inside of your cheek as the truth roils through your veins. Leaning back, you look up into his dark eyes. See the fear that sometimes grips him in the middle of the night, lingering just below the surface. The something else that you never know what to make of.

You let out a long breath. The something else in his eyes wins out.

“I’ll go with you.”

Killing a man has consequences. Of the bad sort, typically. Jail time, guilty conscience, a trail of blood and tears left behind. Nasty business.

Yet standing here, now, you just can’t find it in yourself to care.

“Jungkook, lay down.”

He obliges, bed creaking. The glare he directs toward the end of his nose is most likely directed your way, although you can’t be sure. It could be for the chocolate pudding, now out of reach.

Hoseok, sitting on the edge of his bed, reaches it and passes it back to him. “So...how do you want to go about this?”

Everyone is here, even Victoria. She sits in the back, near the door. There’s a bruise blooming along her jaw. This you add to the list of things you don’t care about. Besides, you’re fairly certain she gave you a concussion.

“Do we even have eyes on his location?” Jimin asks. “Did he actually go home?”

Yoongi clears his throat. “He was last spotted five days ago. Looks like he’s holed up in his family’s estate for the moment.”

Like the rat he is.

You clap your hands together, wincing at the loud sound. “Great. Here’s the thing – we can’t all hop on a plane and jet over to Italy-”

“Sicily,” Jimin and Hoseok speak in unison.

“Same thing. We can’t all show up looking for him. We’d be caught out in no time. So – here's the deal. Yoongi, you’re here. We have business with the Genovese family, which you’ll be heading up. Don’t look at me like that – we've talked about this. Jimin, Hoseok, you’ll be helping him.”

Hoseok frowns, but it’s Jimin that complains. “There’s no way you’re leaving me behind. You’ve already broken the terms of our contract-”

Your ears burn bright red as you recall that Jimin – Jimin, the gods-forsaken heathen – is the one who found out about you and Seokjin. And now he’s blackmailing you with it.

“- and I’ll do much worse than that if you don’t do as I ask,” you finish for him, offering up a sickly sweet smile. “Namjoon, Seokjin, with me. We’ll be leaving first thing tomorrow for Italy-”

“Sicily,” Jimin groans forlornly.

“- so pack your bags. We’ll go over the details on the plane and fill the rest of you in.”

Jungkook makes a sound of protest from his bed, and struggles to sit up on his elbows. “Take me with you!”

“No.”

“Sorry, I meant to say, I’m going with you.”

You turn your back on him, heading toward the door. “No, you’re not. You’re not in any state to go anywhere right now, Kook. You’ll stay here. When you’re ready, you’ll join Yoongi and assist him here.”

“But I-”

His protests are cut off by an icy voice. “I’m going with you.”

You stop in your tracks. “You don’t want that.”

Victoria rises from her seat. The fire in her eyes hasn’t gone down yet. If anything, it’s burning brighter than before. As she nudges past Namjoon, she tilts her chin up a bit higher.

“Take me with you.”

She stops right in front of you, and you see it, then. What she needs. All the pent up anger and the sheer sense of loss she must feel after losing herself to Yadiel.

All of it is Taehyung’s fault.

I’m you, she’d said in the kitchen. As she gazes into your eyes unflinchingly, you can’t help but know she’s right.

“One condition.”

Her head tllts to the side, interested. “Name your price.”

The smile threatening to break through is difficult to contain. Still, you manage it. “Teach me how to fight like you.”

Victoria grins, and the sight is unnerving. Feral.

A reflection of yourself.

“Deal.”

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inkedobsidian · 1 year

Text

~ Safe place S.R ~

prompt: #49 "Who did this?" #54 "Is that blood?" #5 "I need a place to stay."

summary: Y/N shows up to Spencers flat covered in blood and bruises looking for a safe space to stay.

pairing: Spencer Reid x Reader

warnings: abuse, fighting, blood

word count: 972

a/n: I left the partner gender-neutral and left out names just in case I used one that could trigger anyone about the situation mentioned. Yes, the reader fights back but abuse is still mentioned so please be careful! Requests are open! The prompt list is there if you guys want extra ideas!

Master-List - Prompts

It had become normal for Spencer to be awake at 10 pm reading, it became comforting and a nice way for him to relax before going to sleep. It was relaxing until there was a series of knocks on his apartment door that might have been closer to banging than knocking. It completely took Spencer by surprise and he shot straight up toward the door without thinking to grab his gun or any form of protection really. As he swung the door open Y/N was leaning against the door in a limp state almost.

"Hey pretty boy, didn't wake you did I?" Y/N said smirking as blood ran down the other side of her mouth. It took Spencer a moment to realize what he was looking at. Y/N had a black eye already forming with a cut in her eyebrow, cheekbone, and lip.

"Who did this?" Spencer asked immediately grabbing Y/N's back and pulling her into his apartment shutting and locking the door behind her. Y/N walked straight to his bathroom has been in his apartment many times considering Y/N usually drives them both to work. As Y/N sat down on the bath side Spencer followed her straight in to hopefully get some answers. That was until he looked at her almost limp on the bath side, he's seen her after fights in cases but this looked more intense like she was emotionally exhausted more than physically. He just kept looking at her until he seems the slow drip of blood down his bathroom side that was coming from Y/N's hands.

"Is that blood?" Spencer said not really knowing what to do, he doesn't even know what happened.

"Don't worry it's not mine," Y/N said with a smirk, she knows sarcasm shouldn't really be her go-to right now but she didn't know what else to do or even how to act.

"Y/N please tell me what's going on," Spencer said putting the lid down and taking a seat on the toilet so he could be next to her.

"I don't even know what happened. First, they just started complaining that I'm either gone in the morning to come to get you, or I come back too late or I'm gone on cases too long. At first, I tried to explain that, that is my job I can't control it but my life and job come before them because it's my career. Then they couldn't get past the reason I leave early or come home late is because I drive you home. First, it was my friendship with you, then it was how I act with Emily. Then it just became everyone on the team and everything about the job. I couldn't even think over the yelling and then it hit me, literally. Or they hit me I guess." Y/N had stopped to breathe after she finally said out loud that her partner had hit her. Spencer didn't know what to say but he also knew there was way more to the story. After she'd taken a moment Y/N continued considering there was way more than that one punch that led her here.

"The first punch hit my cheek hence the cut, I didn't even flinch then I felt liquid running down my cheek and it touched it and seen the blood. Then I saw red and I started streaming telling them who do they think they are to lay a hand on me because they couldn't handle their own emotions and then the second punch landed on my lip splitting my cheek. That's when this happened," Y/N said lifting her hands up to finally look at her blood-covered hands. "I ducked under their third punch and threw one myself. At that point, it escalated from a verbal argument to an actual fistfight. Then I landed a punch that broke their nose and I knew I'd gone too far. They hit me first sure but I made sure I hit harder. They're conscious but I just grabbed my overnight bag and ran to my car."

"It was self-defense Y/N. Sure you might be stronger in a fight but you didn't start the fight you're not at fault remember that. Why did you come here and not the hospital? Do you want to head there now I'll join?" Spencer said knowing very well her injuries could be worse than she thinks they are from adrenaline. Y/n immediately started shaking her head in fear she didn't even wanna leave Spencer's apartment.

"I just need a place to stay… Please, Spencer." Y/N cried finally letting her emotions out.

Spencer agreed to leave the hospital until the morning, they moved in unison as Spencer started to silently clean Y/N's hands of blood, the bruises on her knuckles were getting worse by the minute but that was the least of her problems. Once her hands were cleaned Spencer put some rubbing alcohol on her cuts and taped them up until she was clean. Y/N appreciated that Spencer was doing it all in silence, she needed the peace and he always made her feel safe.

They both worked around each other in silence from making tea and then cooking then sat on opposite ends of the couch with their legs crisscrossed. Y/N thought human contact would make her uncomfortable after tonight but it was Spencer, he was her safety net, and he always had been. They actually fell asleep like that for a moment before Spencer woke up and carried Y/N to his room and tucked her in then went back to the couch. He knew that she would've taken the couch but she needed comfort. Spencer fell asleep on his couch as Y/N subconsciously dug herself deeper into Spencer's bed just the smell giving her comfort. Tomorrow was a different battle, and a battle it was going to be.

#criminal minds #spencer reid x reader #spencer reid x you #spencer reid x fanfiction #spencer reid fanfiction #spencer reid fanfic #spencer reid x y/n #spencer reid

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kit-walk3r · 10 months

Note

could you write smth angsty with james march? please i'd love to see it :)

Thank you for the request! Sorry it has taken a bit longer to get this one out, it’s my first time writing JPM and I was a little nervous 🙈

Dine With Me (James Patrick March x fem!reader)

James March has been trying to get on your good side for three years ever since he killed you. You don’t give in so easily.

Warnings: References to murder via gun

You’d been dead for three years. An overnight stay in the Hotel Cortez had resulted in a bullet in the head and an eternity trapped amongst the dead.

You knew who was responsible for your death. Parts of it you remembered quite clearly, others were a little fuzzy, but you knew the face of the man who took your life, he was rather distinct afterall. Dark eyes, neatly combed black hair, thin moustache. Not easy to forget.

You didn’t really remember the full circumstances of your death. You’d been in a hotel room, with a man. You don’t remember why you were in there or who that man was, but you just remember one moment the two of you were talking, and the next the distinct dark haired man was there, pointing a gun at you and then you woke up, dazed and confused and, most importantly, not alive.

You kept to yourself, mostly. You didn’t want to talk to any of the others, you’d much rather stick to yourself in the room that you died in. Iris, the manager of the hotel, made the room off limits to any other guests after a bit of begging from yourself and the other ghosts had learnt that it was best to not disturb you. It was a lonely existence, yes, but you felt like your life was much better off this way.

There was one ghost who didn’t seem to get the memo about leaving you alone. Well, technically two. James Patrick March and his laundress, Ms Evers. The man who killed you and the woman who helped clean it up. For the first year of your death they couldn’t seem to leave you alone. Ever since you awoke in your undead state you’d often found James hovering, trying to get your attention. In that first year of your afterlife you often found presents left in your room, bouquets of roses or bottles of wine, that sort of thing. You didn’t need a note to know who they were from, and James finally stopped when he realised that all gifts were just going to continue going out the window or in the trash.

Now, two years later and although you still had a visit from James March every couple of months or so, he wasn’t hovering and pestering you every moment like he previously had. You still refused to talk to him though, only ever speaking to him to tell him to leave.

You walked back into your room one day after a stroll down the hall to find James’ redheaded maid pulling the pillowcases off your bed.

“What are you doing here?” You asked, tone harsh.

Ms Evers didn’t even turn around, unphased by the harshness of your voice. “Mr March asked me to launder your sheets.” She continued her work on the bedding.

“My sheets are fine, thank you very much.” You pulled one of the pillowcases roughly out of her grasp and threw it back on the best in a huff.

“Please, Mr March insisted.” Ms Evers tried to continue her job.

You pushed her away lightly from your bed. “Well, I’m insisting that they’re fine the way they are.”

“You can’t expect me to leave you with filthy sheets,” Ms Evers insisted, and you realised that she wasn’t going to be leaving.

You sighed, frustrated. “March!” You shouted loudly.

“You called?” A voice suddenly said from behind you.

You jumped, taken by surprise by his quick appearance. You turned around, and there he was. Dark hair combed back, dressed impeccably in a pinstripe suit and ascot, James Patrick March stood, cane in hand, and an unnerving twinkle in his eye.

“How many times do I have to ask for you and your maid to leave me alone?” You glared.

“I’m merely offering you the marvellous services of Ms Evers, here,” James said. “She truly is the best laundress.”

“I don’t need her services, I need you to get her to leave,” you said, growing more frustrated by James’ insistence.

You turned away from him, and when you heard no response you assumed that he had just simply disappeared, hoped he had disappeared.

“Will you do me the honour of joining me for dinner this evening?” James asked suddenly.

No. He had not disappeared.

You turned back around to see James still stood there, eyebrow arched, waiting for an answer. Your eyes widened slightly at his request. Did he really think you would want to have dinner with him? Afterall he did, you know, murder you, which you had reminded him about multiple times when he would pop by your room and make his presence known. You’d made it clear how much you disliked his presence, what would make him think you’d willingly eat with him?

“Are you serious?” You laughed humourlessly.

“Deadly.”

“And what makes you think I’d want to eat with you?” You asked. “Do you invite all your murder victims to dinner?”

“How about this? Join me for dinner tonight and Ms Evers, nor myself, will never disturb your peace ever again,” James suggested.

You considered it. One night in James’ company in exchange for never having to deal with him and his maid anymore? That did sound like a pretty good deal.

“Okay,” you finally agreed.

James grinned and banged his cane on the floor twice in excitement. “Wonderful!”

“But please do let Ms Evers launder your sheets, darling, your room is hideous.”

- - -

At eight that evening you made your way up to James’ suite. You’d purposely underdressed, wearing a tattered pair of jeans and a t-shirt, to show him just how disinterested in this dinner you were, and that you were only there to get him to leave you alone.

Once you reached his room you knocked twice and waited. Only seconds after you knocked the door swung open, revealing James stood in perfect dinner attire, a huge contrast to the casual, worn clothes you had on.

“Ah, Miss Y/L/N. Please, come.” James greeted, moving aside so that you could enter. You walked in, looking around and taking in the grand yet dark decor. You’d barely been in any other rooms in the Cortez besides your own, and this was very different to the one you resided in.

James pulled out a chair. “Please,” he motioned to it. “Take a seat.”

Your eyes flickered between James’ grinning face and the chair before taking a seat. After you sat down James pushed in your chair, playing the role of the gentleman. You’d have felt flattered, if he wasn’t the one responsible for you being stuck here.

“Absinthe?” James offered, picking up a glass and bottle from the drinks tray that resided next to the grand table. You shook your head and James instead poured you a glass of wine from the bottle next to the absinthe. He placed it down in front of you before pouring himself a glass of absinthe and taking a seat at the other end of the table.

“Thank you for joining me, Y/N,” James paused. “May I call you Y/N?”

You shrugged. This was going to be the last time the two of you interacted, might as well let him call you what he wanted. “Sure, why not.”

James looked pleased with himself. “And may I say, Y/N, you look rather exquisite tonight,” He remarked with charm.

You looked down at the basic clothes you were wearing and back up at James with a humorous look of disbelief. You’d purposely dressed terrible and he was still complimenting you? Ha, funny.

There was a pause after that, an awkward silence. Ms Evers brought out the first course, some sort of soup, and you ate it quietly under James’ inquisitive gaze. You couldn’t deny it, the food was good. You finished the whole bowl.

The silence continued, and it was honestly getting a little boring. You didn’t come along to dinner to engage in full conversation but you thought there would be a little more… flair to this evening. Maybe you missed the back and forth banter you and James would often have with each other whenever he appeared.

“So, do you make all your murder victims your dinner guests?” You asked, breaking the silence finally.

James sighed dramatically. “How many times do I have to say, it was an accident.”

“How do you, of all people, kill someone by accident?” You scoffed.

“I was aiming for the great buffoon next to you, you just happened to get in my way,” James explained, as if that made it any better.

“You expect me to believe that the great James Patrick March doesn’t know how to aim a gun?” You arched an eyebrow in disbelief. As if James, probably history’s greatest serial killer, could not be able to kill the ‘right’ person in such close distance.

“We all have our bad days,” James said matter-of-factly.

You rolled your eyes. “Of course,” you said sarcastically.

Ms Evers arrived with the second course and the silence returned. As you ate your gaze would sometimes flicker up to see what James was doing, and his own eyes would typically be locked on you. He wouldn’t stop looking, and you didn’t feel as frustrated as you thought you would have. You originally thought that at this point in the dinner you would be almost tearing your hair out with frustration and anger, but you weren’t. You wouldn’t necessarily call this evening pleasant, but it was better and more tolerable than you ever expected.

“Y/N, darling,” you looked up at James’ call, ignoring the slight warm feeling you got at him calling you darling, knowing that you should not be experiencing that. “Will you please accept my sincerest apologies?” He asked.

You thought for a moment. Honestly, it was getting exhausting, being so filled with anger and hatred and resentment. Whether you liked it or not you were stuck here for eternity and it would only go by slower if you remained this way. Maybe it was best for you to just forget and move on. And besides, this evening was going better than planned. Maybe, with time, James wouldn’t be such bad company.

“Fine,” you sighed, defeated. “I’ll think about it.”

James sat back, grinning with satisfaction. “Splendid.”

•———•

I hope this was okay and that I characterised March right for you! Thank you again for the request 💗 and thank you to @lostgirl677 for reading this first for me to make sure I got JPM right!

Requests are still open!

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#american horror story #ahs #james patrick march #evan peters #ahs hotel #american horror story hotel #James Patrick March x reader #James Patrick march x you #James Patrick march x y/n #tate langdon #kit walker #kyle spencer #jimmy darling #kai anderson #ahs fic #James Patrick March fic

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testingthewatersss · 4 months

Text

Questions Trigger warnings for PTSD, mentions of war, torture, etc. Bucky Barnes x F Reader Oneshot 4800 words fluff, angst, comfort & kissing. 18+ MDNI Bucky has questions. Questions he's sure she can answer. But she wont, and he thinks he knows why.

“Bucky” Y/N says, “Why are you askin’ me that?”

“Because” he replies, “I can’t ask anyone else.”

The look on his face is sad. She maintains eye contact for a minute before breaking it, averting her gaze to her desk, where she pointedly focuses on a bit of paper that is near enough blank.

“Please, doll?” he presses, “Please, just-”

“What do you want me to say?” she almost snaps, “James, I-”

“Please” he says again, softer this time, “Don’t call me that… Y’know I- I only get James when I’m in trouble.”

When she brings her eyes back to his, she can’t help but sigh, temper retreating like a wave.

“It’s a pretty nice name, y’know” she murmurs, “I don’t know why-”

“-Are you tryin’ to change the subject, darlin’?”

At least his smiling now, even if it’s tight lipped and forced.

She doesn’t deny his statement, just shrugs.

“My point stands” he hears her say, “It’s hardly a mouthful, I don’t know why you hate it so much-”

“I don’t hate it” Bucky counters, “It just reminds me of bein’ yelled at.”

“Have I ever yelled at you?” she quips quickly,

He shakes his head, letting out a slow breath.

“I just want to know” he says quietly, “I can’t just let it go”

“You really want me to tell you wether or not I think you could have gotten away sooner?” she clarifies, “You want me to stand here and tell you if you put up ‘enough of a fight’ in the beginning and then after all that you want me to-”

“make sure the words they put in my head don’t still work” he confirms, “Please, doll, I…I don’t have anyone else I can go to about this kind of stuff, can you imagine Steve’s face if I even tried to bring this up with him?”

For a second, she says nothing. She just stares, trying to read wether or not even considering his line of questioning is a step too far, and then, he reaches out to take hold of her hand and she feels her heart breaking.

“Please…” he whispers thickly, “…I want to know-”

“They’re not easy answers to give” she replies, imploring him to understand, “Bucky, that first question alone isn’t a simple yes or no, there are so many variables, I-”

“You” he mumbles, bringing her knuckles to his lips, “won’t lie to me, darlin’… I trust you, I love you and-”

“I love you to” she counters, “That, is exactly why you comin’ to me like this isn’t fair.”

He’s kissing across her fingers, and all she can do is grumble as she leans back against her desk;

“Do I think you could have gotten away sooner?” she echos, surrounding to his puppy dog eyes, “Physically? probably— They let you carry loaded guns, you were never in particularly bad shape, even if you’d been knocked around a bit— You probably could’ve bolted from a job, or fought your way out if you’d have timed it right, y’know?” he does know, so he nods, gut tightening uneasily, “but-” Y/N says, “just because you might’ve been able to get away, that doesn’t mean you ever stood a chance.”

Bucky feels his face dropping as she lets go of his palm, choosing to tuck her hair behind her ears instead-

“There was a reason they didn’t care about you carrying weapons” she continues, “they knew full well that you weren’t going to try anything, even when given the opportunity.”

He opens his mouth to speak, to ask her to be more decisive in her judgement, but she gets there first, crossing her arms across her chest as she carries on,

“and the reason they trusted that so much” she says, “is because, yes, Bucky, you put up a hell of a fight in the beginning— It wasn’t a one and done where they wiped you and that was that, it took months of them pullin’ you in and out of storage, of them messin’ with the tech, messin’ with you, before they decided that it was just about good enough to move on to any further training, and that, that was just the tip of the iceberg— I mean jesus, weird, torture bullshit, aside, you had at least 3 different trackers active on you— If you’d managed to run they’d have found you eventually. You cut that one out of your neck in Budapest—”

The old scar that’s hidden by his hair aches as she mentions it, and then, as she nods at his arm, he finds himself feeling awfully small,

“—I broke the unit they had in there, that thing was more than just a bug, it was hooked into your nervous system, and-”

“There was always one in the guns”

She nods, in agreement before falling silent again.

It’s a difficult topic to talk about. Y/N hates discussing anything about her own time with HYDRA, but, she still thinks she’d prefer that, to this.

Talking about the horrible things that have happened to the man she loves, seems unfathomably worse, somehow. It’s probably because even though she’d been there in person for the last five years of his time there, she knows that he was there for so long before that.

And then, she’d found herself having to paw through the book he’d brought back with them, having to read, and dissect every insidious detail of his history so that she could make sure that he was okay, now, that he wasn’t in danger—

and that had been bad enough, but, he’d asked her to do it, so she had, but now- now he’s starting to ask questions, and she can’t even be angry at him, because if anyone deserves answers he does.

“I don’t think I remember” he tells her, voice thick, “The beginning it… it’s real hazy—”

“I know” she agrees, smiling a little, “That’s probably a blessin-”

“—But, I think it’s comin’ back” he admits, forcing the words out before he can chicken out, “I- I think it… it might be- some, some of the dreams I’m havin’… It- it’s either not real or it’s just from real early on-”

That silences her. Her lack of interruption only highlights the way that Bucky’s words have drifted off into nothing.

He gulps, and finds himself shifting anxiously on his feet as he awaits her judgment.

She firmly decides to stay quiet. To let him digest what has already been said for a little while longer and to see if he’s going to expand on his own.

“Do you think you could tell me?” he asks eventually, “If… If things really happened or not?”

Again, she lets his question sit for a beat before she offers him a “Maybe” that he doesn’t know how to take.

“Maybe?” he echos, “Wha-”

“I don’t know everything” she tells him carefully, “I probably know enough to make a good guess on the things I’m not certain of, but wether I’d do that would depend on why you’re askin’ in the first place.”

Why I’m asking in the first place? he thinks, confused,

“I mean” she chuckles falsely, “honestly, I still don’t know why you’ve been asking me the questions you’ve already come up with”

“I just” he begins, “I… I want to know-”

“Why?” she presses, “Why, Buck? What does knowing wether or not you could’ve— maybe— in another reality gotten away sooner change? What does me telling you that you definitely fought back when they first started torturing you do? Does it make you feel better? Worse?—”

“No” he admits, “It… it’s not about that… how I feel, I mean”

“No?” Y/N says, “then what is it about, Buck? I get you wantin’ to check about the words— I know I’ve told you a hundred times that I’m sure— but, you wanting to check, to be a million percent certain? That, I can understand, but the rest of it? You’ve gotta help me out-”

“—I’m scared, doll—”

Bucky’s voice, and the blatant sincerity behind it makes her breath catch in her throat.

“—god,” he sighs, “—I’m terrified, I’m terrified that if I don’t ask you, then one day, one day soon you’re gonna start askin’ yourself and you’ll wonder if I, if I don’t care, and then, then I won’t be able to do anythin’ but watch as you realise that I could’ve done better and, you’ll— you’ll hate me, and I- I’ll lose you too, and I won’t be able to say a damn thing because it’ll be exactly what I deserve and, I—”

“-Stop.”

The natural authority in her tone makes his jaw snap shut. Anxiety driven rambling turning into silence;

Silence that Y/N allows to settle for a second as she tries to rationalise everything he’s just said—

“I’m sorry” Bucky offers nervously, running a hand through his hair, “I’m sorry, I- I’ll go— I’ll see you later, or, I, I can just… I can just go-”

“C’mere-” she counters, tone softening when she realises that he really is distraught, “What am I goin’ to do with you, huh?”

Her arms are open in invitation, and despite the way he’d been ready to turn and flee just a moment before, Bucky finds himself hiding against her a front in what feels like no time at all.

“Whatever you want” is the answer he gives to her question, though his words are muffled by the crook of her neck, “you can do whatever you want with me”

She chuckles at that, soft and light as she strokes a large circle across the back of his ribs.

They’re straining, he’s panting, and trying so hard to steady his breathing that she feels guilty about not approaching this in a more tactful way;

“How about we make a deal?” she suggests calmly, “How about, I’ll answer your questions, if you answer a few for me?”

“Okay” he agrees, not pulling away, “I… I can do that”

Y/N smiles, feeling his arms tightening around her waist in a silent display of attachment.

“When did you last sleep for more than fifteen minutes in a row?”

“1935” he grumbles, smiling a little when she laughs, “… probably last week, doll… usually… usually when I pass out I, I see things and I- I come round and I can’t settle again after that”

He’s being so blatantly honest that all Y/N can do is press a kiss against his brow, and wait for him to take his turn;

“.I… I don’t know what to ask”

That makes her chuckle again, eyes rolling even though he can’t see,

“and you had so many questions earlier” she teases gently, “Now I’m offerin’ to answer you can’t think of one?”

“I can think of plenty” he says, “Just don’t know where to start”

“How about” Y/N sighs, “you start with what’s botherin’ you most?”

“That ain’t a question…” he grumbles, “…Do… Do you think I could’ve done more? to, y’know… stop everythin’ that happened?”

“No” she says honestly, “No, Bucky, I don’t think there was anything you could’ve done to stop any part of what happened.”

“But, I-”

“You wanted an answer” she cuts in, “Not a debate, now it’s my turn.”

She’s right, so he nods, settling back into an unhappy silence,

“Do you really think that I’m going to suddenly wake up one morning and realise something that makes me ‘hate’ you?”

“Yes” he gulps anxiously, “Yeah”

She doesn’t say anything else. His reply just sits in her chest like a lead weight, as he continues to hide himself against her front,

“Do you?” he asks after a pause, “Do- Do you think that you might… do, do that?”

“No” she says, “Of course not—I could never hate you, Bucky”

“but-”

This time, she barely has to tut before he catches himself and swallows his objection,

“Do you believe me when I tell you that I love you?”

“…Yeah…” he says honestly, “…yeah I do, I- I just don’t understand how you could… or, or why you ever would…”

“Isn’t that up to me?”

“It’s not your turn, doll”

She scoffs at that, but doesn’t argue.

“Why do you?” Bucky asks next, “Why do you love me? after… after everything”

That’s a sad question really, but still Y/N feels a smile blooming across her face as she starts to consider every single reason she has; and then, it falters when she realises that putting them into words might be a problem,

“Christ, Buck, you’re not makin’ this easy on me…” she murmurs, “There are so many reasons… You’re kind, and sweet— you’re so, so sweet, and you make me laugh, you’ve always made me laugh, and, I- I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone as brave, or gentle as you are…”

It’s so clear that he needs to hear her kind words that she suddenly can’t bare the thought of stopping,

“You’re thoughtful” she says next, “You’re smart— brilliant, really, without even havin’ to try— you’re… you’re just so good, y’know?… You’re a truly good person, down to your core, and I know that you always try and do the right thing, and see that goodness in other people, even when it’s not there—”

“But the things I-”

“You” she cuts in, not wanting to even hear his argument, “didn’t do a damn thing wrong. This whole thing was always bigger than you, but it's fair that you miss that sometimes.”

He does. He misses it all the time;

“But everything that happened” he mumbles, “all those people are dead because of me”

Y/N shakes her head, chest aching.

“No” she says, “those people are dead because HYDRA decided they needed to die— You just happened to be the weapon they liked using most at the time.”

He doesn’t reply, he just nuzzles in impossibly closer to her front as she lets her chin rest against the top of his bowed head.

“My turn again, huh?” she murmurs, “…How long have you spent worryin’ about all this?”

“all this?” he echos, uncertain of her meaning, “I… I’ve always been worried ‘bout you realisin’ that you deserve better than me, doll, that- that’s not new.”

“It’s ridiculous” she counters, “You deserve the world— but I mean this, specifically— How long have you been worrin’ about talkin’ to me about things you’re remembering just incase it makes me realise that you’re actually some evil monster and-"

“Ever since you wouldn’t answer me the first time” he confesses, “when I asked you about… about if you thought I could’ve done more to get away, and you wouldn’t tell me I… I figured it was because you knew deep down that I… I should’ve done better and I… I tried to stop thinkin’ about it like you said but it… it kept eatin’ at me, and the more I asked—”

“The more I didn’t want to answer, and the more likely the whole thing seemed.”

He nods against her shoulder, and she can’t help but press a kiss into his hair,

“I didn’t mean to annoy ya’, darlin’…” he says, “I, I really didn’t but I couldn’t… I couldn’t stop thinking about it, when you, when you wouldn’t tell me what you thought I was sure there had to be a reason…”

“I’m sorry” she says honestly, “I didn’t think you’d take it that way, I should’ve been clearer about why I didn’t want to talk about it”

“Why didn’t you?” he asks, “Answer, I mean? I… I’ve asked you things before and you… you’ve always answered me”

“Because” Y/N sighs, “I know you, and I know how easy it is for you to blame yourself for situations you had no control over… You do it all the time, and I love you, Buck… I love you and seeing you be so hard on yourself is bad enough without me piling on hypothetical situations that could only ever make it worse”

For a few seconds, there’s silence. Bucky’s arms are still tight around her waist and if she tries, she can feel his pulse rushing anxiously through his body,

“I know you forget that nothing that happened was down to you” she allows, “and I don’t mind reminding you— I really don’t, but, I really don't want to start goin’ into all the different ‘what if scenarios’ that you’re mind can cook up, because that… that’s a hell of a box to open”

“It feels like it was…” he tells her weakly, “It feels like it was all my fault, doll, all of it, it… it’s like I should’ve stopped it somehow, like— like I… like I could’ve just woken up and, and made myself not-”

“But you couldn’t” she inserts, “Sweetheart, you couldn’t just wake up, and even if you had? If by some, bizarre twist of fate you’d have been able to snap out of it and fight back? They’d have just started from scratch, either with you, if they could bring you back in, or with someone else, if they’d have just decided to kill you instead.”

“Do you think I could’ve made them do that?” he wonders, “Kill me, I mean?”

“Is it your turn?” Y/N asks, trying to lighten the atmosphere, “I’ve lost count”

“I don’t know” he mumbles, “I hope so”

She chuckles at that, shaking her head,

“No” she says, “I don’t think there is anything you could’ve done that would’ve made them kill you— not when finding you in the first place was like striking gold in a coal mine.”

“Can I ask what you mean by that, or do I have to wait?”

Y/N laughs again, soft and airy as she pulls back a little so that he can finally pull back and reveal his face.

“You are a good person” she tells him, reaching up to cup his cheek, “Really, Buck— You’re good, all the way through— It’s why they had to keep you, because that kind of genuine goodness isn’t somethin’ that you find often. The serum proved that there wasn’t a bad bone in your body, it magnifies everything it touches, you know about ‘Red Skull’— you know what putting that stuff into someone who’s not decent can do, so… you landing right in their laps, already dosed up and ready to go? that was something that was never going to happen again”

He’s starring at her, hanging on every word she’s saying, so, instead of waiting for him to ask her to expand, she just sighs, brushing her thumb under his eyes.

“You can’t torture evil out of somebody” she says, “no amount of pain or electricity can make a person better, so, even if they had managed to get a never ending supply of the serum, it never would’ve worked out because they’d have still needed subjects who didn’t have an ounce of malice in them, who didn’t want to be powerful, or dangerous, or anything other than decent and I think even they knew that wasn’t going to happen, and that… that’s why they spent so long making sure they kept you how they wanted, and that's why all of those other Winter Solider's never got more than a few hours out of tank at a time. They had no idea what might start to happen.”

“So if I… if I had made them kill me, then they… they wouldn’t have been able to-”

He sounds so genuinely guilty that all Y/N can do is continue stroking his face as she shakes her head, again;

“I don’t think they would’ve ever just killed you, and if they had? or if something had happened out of their control? Then they wouldn’t have given up— They’d have gone through thousands of people trying to find one that worked to replace you.”

Bucky’s brow is furrowed, both his hands still around the back of her waist. He doesn’t want to let go, he wants to stay close, and despite the way he’s trying to not be so obvious about his need for skin on skin, he knows that he’s pressing his cheek into her palm;

“I know it didn’t feel like it” she murmurs, “but they were real careful with you, sweetheart— They spent so much time in the beginning making sure that their tech worked- tailoring it to you, y’know? and makin’ sure that everything from the fall was patched up so that even when they hurt you your heart was never going to give out or anything like that”

“In the beginning…” he parrots, “…later on, when… when I’d been there a while, did… did the tech stop workin’? is, is that why I, why I…”

“No” she whispers softly, “The tech worked how it always did, they just didn’t factor in the fact that you were going to be off ice so much”

He blinks, confused and she can’t help but smile,

“They called them wipes” he hears Y/N explain, “but that’s not what they were, you can’t just erase somebodies personality, not with all the electricity and torture in the world… all you can do, is make someone obedient, you can make good men do bad things, and sometimes if you’re trying really hard you can alter the conscious mind— you can make it so someone can’t fathom fighting back, or questioning what you’ve convinced them is reality, but even that doesn’t last indefinitely— it needs maintenance, y’know? upkeep, because human minds aren’t hard drives that can be reset whenever someone feels like it.”

“They’d… they’d say I was unstable…” he recalls, “..Like when… when I saw Steve on the bridge I- I didn’t understand but I- I knew, that… that I he knew me and they… they wiped me straight away-”

“Well yeah” she chuckles grimly, “They couldn’t let something that major slide”

“and when I’d was bein’ brought out of storage they’d.. they’d usually bring me right to the chair?”

That’s definitely a question, Y/N can tell by the unsure quirk in his voice.

“Yeah, baby” she confirms, “that’s right”

“I… I hated that chair, I- I still… god, I- I still dream about it sometimes… even, even just the door to the room it was in, I, I see myself walking towards it, I- I feel the way my heart is racing…”

“Nobody” she whispers, “Nobody is ever, ever, going to hurt you like that again, you know that, right?”

The nod he gives her is a reflex. He’s so used to agreeing to statements like that, that it’s automatic, and it’s only when he meets Y/N’s gaze that he takes a second to consider wether or not it’s truthful;

“I forget, sometimes” he allows, “but, I trust you, and I know it’s safe here”

She seems to like that, she smiles and brings her fingers back across his cheek, stroking his face like he’s precious,

“It’s very safe…” she agrees, “…You, are very safe.”

“I’m sorry, doll”

That takes her by surprise. She’s not sure where his apology has come from, and she’s already shaking her head to refute it when he starts speaking again,

“I didn’t mean to force you to talk about all of this, I- I know you didn’t want to answer me and I, I should’ve just respected—”

“You can always talk to me” she counters, “about anything— anything at all, Bucky- I just want to make sure that we’re not makin’ you feel worse, not if we can help it.”

He nods, and presses a kiss against the pad of her thumb.

“What would you like to do now, huh?” Y/N asks gently, “we can do whatever you feel like.”

Bucky stays quiet for a beat, working up the courage to make his suggestion,

He already knows what he wants to do, he just don’t know if asking her to do it is pushing his luck, considering how she’s indulged him so much already;

“Could… could you try the… the words?” he asks eventually, “Please? just so, so I know…”

Her instinct is to refuse. To delay for right now, if not forever, but then she sees his face, she sees the need, and longing and, and then she finds herself nodding, even though she’s not sure quite when she decided to say yes.

“C’mere” she murmurs, “Close your eyes for me— FRIDAY, lock us in for right now.”

Bucky does as he’s told, slipping his hands into her back pockets as the room dissolves into blackness.

“Ready?” she checks- he nods, nervously, so she leans in and presses a kiss against his brow, “Tell me if it hurts, and I’ll stop.”

He knows what kind of pain she means, so he nods, bracing himself to feel his head burning, to feel incredible, pulsing pressure building inside his skull—

“Semnadtsat’… Rzhavyye…. Dozhd’…” her soft voice begins, slow and stable as ever, “…Pustyye…. Nad…. Vnevremennyye….”

He’s tense, and shaking.

He’s honestly, totally ready for something terrible to happen, for his whole brain to collapse inwards as he loses his grip on… on everything other than pain and whatever instructions he’s given— He finds himself thinking about how even if that did happen, at least it’s Y/N he’s with, at least she won’t make him do anything terrible— He’s about to tell her how grateful he is, that she’s always been so good to him, but then, he realises it’s over, she’s not talking anymore, and all he can hear is the violent, panicked thrash of his pulse in his ears.

“See?” Y/N says, almost smugly, “I told you…Nothin’…”

“Ready to comply” Bucky says, aiming for an impression of his former self, "gotov podchinit’sya”

“Oh yeah?” she laughs, pressing her lips against the corner of his mouth, “You gonna do what I tell ya’ for once?”

“Maybe” he mumbles, trying earnestly to coax another kiss from her, “depends on if I'd wind up regretting it later”

“You are full of shit, Barnes—” she chuckles, teasing him with the promise of more affection by letting her nose bump against his, “Have I ever asked you to do anythin’ you’d regret?”

“No” he promises quickly, “No, doll I- I’m just teasin’…”

“Good” she purrs, pecking at his cheek before pulling him closer, so their fronts are touching, “Do you feel better now that’s cleared up?”

He nods, feeling himself blushing.

“Yeah, I- I do, doll”

“Good” she says again, “I’m glad, sweetheart— Did you feel anythin’?”

Her hands are on his cheeks, now— both of them, cupping his jaw as her thumbs brush across his temples.

“No” he whispers, feeling incredible vulnerable under her consideration, “I was… I was nervous, but- but it didn’t feel like I thought it might…”

“It’s been awhile” she says, “If we’d have tried it a couple of weeks ago you might’ve ended up with a migraine, but, I think you’re so far out now that anxiety is the worst you’ll come away with.”

She doesn’t want to downplay that, anxiety is still more than he deserves, but given the situation, it’s definitely better than the alternatives.

“Thank you” he mumbles, head lolling over to the side as she starts to card his hair back, “Doll, for… for humourin’ me with all if this…”

“I think I'm indulging more than humouring” she corrects lightly, “but it's fine, next time you feel like playin' 20 questions just give me a heads up, this version made it impossible to cheat”

Masterlist

#bucky barnes fluff #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky x reader #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barns x reader #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes angst #bucky x you #bucky x female reader #bucky x y/n #bucky barnes x you #bucky fanfic #the winter soldier x you #Oneshot #fluff #x reader #drabble #bucky barnes oneshot

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greg-montgomery · 1 year

Text

Ivy - Part 10

gif by: @hotch-girl <3

Aaron Hotchner x Fem!Reader (Sean Hotchner x Fem!Reader)

Series summary: Your relationship with your boyfriend, Sean, is going great. Well, that is until you meet his older brother, Aaron.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9

my besties <333 i'm sorry it took me a while to update, but i'm here!! don't yell at me for not tagging anyone in this, no one gets notifications from me anymore, so there was no point. idk who is gonna see this without any tags but i'm posting it for the people who ask me about it and are waiting for an update 🥹 ilysm!!!!! this chaper is hurt/comfort and they're all gonna be okay! i promise!

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

“I’m saying we should double the prize. A hundred thousand dollars for your one and only. Sounds fair to me.”

Spencer held the button of Garcia’s device so he could speak without being heard by the people on the other side of the phone. “Agree with him.”

Sean nodded, looking at his almost empty apartment, left alone now with only Spencer and Penelope.

“Fine. A hundred thousand dollars. Tell me the place and I’ll bring them to you,” he said with confidence.

“I’m not telling you the location more than half an hour before our meeting. Do you think I’m stupid?”

Yes, Sean wanted to say, but he held back. “Alright. I’ll have them ready by eight o’clock tonight.”

“Good. Wait for my call around that time then. Say goodbye to pretty Y/N for now,” the man’s mocking voice replied, before hanging up.

Sean closed his eyes, exhaling as if it was the first time he had breathed all day. “Jesus…”

“You did a great job,” Spencer said. “They think you’re gonna meet in the evening so they won’t attempt to move locations for now.”

Reid’s reassuring words were comforting, but the weight on his chest was still heavy. “I won’t feel okay until Aaron calls me and tells me he has her.”

You, in his brother’s arms. His greatest fear had somehow turned into his greatest wish. As long as you were safe, nothing else mattered to him.

Being tied up and alone in a basement left plenty of time for your thoughts to travel wherever they desired. At first, those thoughts were filled with Aaron, and Jack, and Sean. But after that last phone call, your fantasies had shifted. This time they were violent and they involved the chair you were currently sitting at, and you using it to hit your kidnappers in the face.

They had, at least, finally shut up and left the room; although you were certain they were still in the house. You closed your eyes to appreciate the silence before a loud bang disturbed your little moment of peace.

“FBI! Drop your weapons.”

Aaron.

Aaron was here.

You smiled. Aaron was here and it was all going to be okay.

You could hear loud noises and yells from the other room, but you couldn’t make out everything that was being said. Two sentences, though, arrived perfectly clear to your ears.

“Where is she?”

“Hotch, slow down, you’re gonna kill him.”

Listening to the mess that was taking place on the other side of the wall and not being able to see any of it was actively killing you, but that torture ended fast when the door opened and you finally got to see the love of your life after a day full of agony.

Your heart melted at the sight of him and the tears you didn’t know you still had inside you spilled.

“Baby…” you cried, as he rushed to get next you.

Derek and Emily followed him, still pointing with their guns. “There’s no one else here,” you informed them.

“Sweetheart…” Aaron’s voice got your attention again. He kneeled in front of you, and started untying you gently.

It was hard for you to get any words out, your voice choked by your sobs.

“I’m here now. You’re okay.” he said.

“You’re here.”

“I’m here. I got here on time,” he said, kissing your forehead. You weren’t sure if he was talking to you or himself. “I got here on time,” he repeated against your skin. “You’re alive, I wasn’t too late this time. I wasn’t too late.”

“What did you do to them?” you whispered.

“That’s not for you to worry about,” Aaron answered softly, helping you to stand up and then immediately lifting you up in his arms.

You could feel the eyes of his team on the two of you. You knew how it looked, yet you did not have the energy to care. You hid your face in the crook of his neck, holding onto one of the straps of his vest, as he walked you out of the building, protecting yourself from seeing the reason behind the blood that had stained the sleeves of his white shirt.

Getting checked up by the doctors didn’t take long since - besides the scars on your wrists and ankles by being tied up - there wasn’t a single scratch on your body.

You shut your eyes letting yourself surrender to the safety of being in Aaron’s car. He was talking on the phone with someone from his team, but you didn’t pay attention to what he was saying, his voice muffled with the sound of the few drops of rain that were falling on your windows, the soft melody coming from the radio, and the sound of the other cars passing. His hand was holding yours, resting on his lap. He squeezed it softly every few seconds as if to make sure you wouldn’t suddenly disappear.

“Sean…” you whispered.

“I called him. He knows you’re okay.”

“Good.” You smiled, and finally dozed off.

Your nose was buried in something soft. A hand was playing with your hair and the sweet feeling of sleep was taking over your body, but you resisted it. Where were you?

Your eyes fluttered open, being met with the fabric of a gray t-shirt. Turning your body to lay on your back and looking up, you saw a pair of brown eyes staring at you sweetly.

“What time is it?” you asked, not recognizing your own voice.

“It’s four in the morning.”

“Four?” You palmed your forehead and closed your eyes, feeling tired and confused.

“I know you needed to shower and eat, but I didn’t wanna wake you,” he explained himself. “How are you feeling?”

“My throat is dry.”

“Here.” Aaron offered you the glass of water that was sitting on the table right in front of the couch you were laying at.

The feeling of the cool water down your throat was worth a million dollars.

“I feel like shit,” you said, handing back to him the now empty glass.

“Wanna take a shower?” he suggested. “Then we can eat something. I cooked.”

You nodded.

You didn’t have the energy to talk; you didn’t have the energy to cry. And you felt immeasurably grateful it was Aaron that you were with. Someone who understood you, someone you didn’t need to fake it with.

He led you to the bathroom and quietly removed your clothes. An action he had done before, but this time there was nothing sexual in his movements. There wasn’t lust in his eyes. Only care and worry.

“That’s it,” he whispered, as you stepped into the shower. He made sure the temperature of the water was perfect and then he placed the shower head above you so the water would be poured all over you. After a few moments, he opened the shampoo bottle, and dropped some of the product on his open palm. The feeling of his fingers scratching your scalp was what broke you.

Your sobs were soft and your tears blended with the shower water. Still, it wasn’t hard to miss that you were crying. But Aaron didn’t acknowledge it, giving you the space you needed, even though he was right next to you. Just when you thought it was impossible to love him more, he made you fall for him even harder.

“I love you,” you attempted to say, not sure if the words even came out.

“I love you,” he answered, cupping your cheeks. His lips touched yours, the kiss light as a feather; a reminder that he was right there and he loved you.

Aaron moved onto washing your body, his touch reaching every single inch of you, washing away every reminder of that experience.

His clothes had gotten wet and some parts even had soap on them, so you figured it was okay if you did something that would make an even bigger mess. When he was done rinsing all the soap of your body and hair, you opened your arms and pulled him into a tight hug. You held him as close as possible to your body and Aaron lost no time before wrapping his arms around you protectively.

“Thank you for saving me.”

“Thank you for coming back to me.”

“Your hair is still wet. You’re gonna catch a cold,” Aaron said from the kitchen, as you made yourself comfortable on his couch. You were dressed entirely in his clothes, seeking comfort in every little thing of his.

He walked towards you, with a bawl of soup and his famous Aaron Hotchner disapproving stare. He didn’t fight you, though, letting you settle in his arms even with wet hair, and fed you the soup he had prepared when you were asleep.

“Baby?” he said, carefully, as you devoured the food.

“Mmm?”

“Are you feeling okay enough to call Sean now?”

His question took you by surprise.

“He asked me if you could call him at some point,” he explained. “He wants to hear your voice.”

“Of course,” you said. “I’m an idiot for not thinking of it earlier. I should have called him as soon as I woke up.”

“No, you’re not. You went through a lot today.”

“Still.”

You were in the middle of dialing his number when you realized what time it actually was. “Aaron, the sun is not even up yet. Isn’t he probably sleeping now?”

Aaron’s gaze dropped on his lap, in what you figured was guilt. “He said he wouldn’t sleep until he heard your voice. He…he thinks all of this is his fault.”

“It’s not.”

“I know. But you know Sean.”

“Yeah…I do.”

As hypocritical as it sounded, you both shared a love for Sean that you were afraid he would rightfully not accept. Sean would beat himself up for what happened to you, and you would not let that happen. You had already damaged his heart enough.

Part 11

#aaron hotchner x reader #sean hotchner x reader #hotch x reader #aaron hotchner #hotch #criminal minds #ivy #hotch 🪐

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phenomenalgirl9 · 10 months

Text

Taehyung x Reader: Stand down

Summary: All you wanted was to keep on your job as an agent and fend for your child. But, a certain fellow agent made it difficult for you. However, fate has different plans.

A/n: Been holding onto this for sometime now

Wc: 5.7k (ish)

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You've worked under Mr. Bang for almost 20 years now, ever since he found you fleeing through the streets of Daegu when you were 13, trying to run away from child care services. He took you in, he treated you as his own. He helped you learn self defense, then weapons. He fed you, clothed you, nurtured you and made you his most prized agent, he never made it seem like he did a favor on you. He was the person whom you'd consider as a father. He was there for you and he trusted you. He was there for you even when you got pregnant and decided to keep the baby. You're little baby girl Bora, he loved her to pieces and called her Grandpa.

When you got back to work after your pregnancy, (he gave you a 6 months leave after pregnancy, he gave it to all his female agents) and you were looking for babysitters who could be trusted he offered to look after her while you worked, it's not like either of you had any other family to turn to anyway.

If you had to say you were one of the best agents of Bangtan, one would call you guys hired goons but you all are hireable agents. The other best agent being your mortal rival Kim Taehyung. The sassy bitch so thinks he's so good at everything. "Now, now, don't fight, it wasn't either of your faults. The one who is to blame here is the person who gave false intel. I'll send in an agent to it, you both go back" Mr. Bang said. You walked to the nursery he had set up for Bora and found the girl sleeping. You picked her up and exited through the back door and kept her in the back seat and were near the driver's door when you heard footsteps and your hand hovered over your gun, before putting it back down.

"What do you want?" You asked bitterly. "What's with the venom in your voice? Anyway, the next time Mr. Bang appoints you and I in the same unit, ask him not to" he said glaring at you. "Why me? Don't you have a mouth of your own?" You taunted him. You want to get into the car and just drive off but you can't, he would see Bora the moment you opened the door, he can't right now cause the windows are all tinted. Actually nobody knows about her, you, Mr. Bang and your best friend Jungkook, considering that would be for the best for safety reasons.

"Fine. Whatever" he said and walked to a different direction. Dumb man, you muttered as you got inside the care and dived away. It's not like any one can be excluded from the team. The team alpha of Bangtan, Jungkook, Jimin, Taehyung and you, Mr. Bang's most trusted agents. You reached your apartment and punched in the numbers and set the sleeping Bora down on her bed and decided to get fresh and check schedules.

Tomorrow you had a special mission, an assassination, after a long time. You checked the blue prints and the plan that Seokjin sent you. You sighed and heard your phone ring, "Namjoon. Ssup?" you said,

-Yeah. I think we should assign 3 more people to your squad, it'll help and ensure the safe escape, incase Plan A goes cheese.

(That's the way you guys talk cause Mr. Bang says saying the 'F' word is unlucky)

I was thinking the same thing, okay I'll text them.

-Just call them

Why don't you do it then?

-Fine. Be careful, okay?

Yeah Joon.

And you hung up.

"Mama~" you heard Bora call you running to where you were sitting. "Yes bubba?" You said eyes still on the blue prints, when you heard silence and looked at her. She just stood there, with her hands in the air. You smiled at her antics and picked her up and placed her on your lap and repeated "yes bubba?". "Does it hurt?" She asked, pointing at the drying wound on your cheek. "nope, it's okay, it's healing" you said amused at your child's concern. "Wah. Grandpa said Mama is strong. She will always protect Bora '' she said. "Grandpa is right. Mama will always protect Bora." You said, patting her head. At this Bora stepped down off your lap and ran to her room. You shook your head and went back to look through the papers. When you heard her come back, with a..... Lightsaber? "Bora where-" before you could answer.

"From now, Bora will also proteck Mama!" She said, A pan on her head and towel tied around her neck. And you knew where this was coming from. Yet you asked "Bora? Where did you get the lightsaber?"

"Uncle Kookie" she said with a wide smile and you shook your head and smiled.

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The next morning you, dropped Bora at Mr. Bang's and went to the Bangtan house. "Jungkook, did all 8 of them report?" you asked as you took the tab from his hand and made sure the last moment arrangements were okay. One by one the agents piled in, and you set off for your destination, Taehyung's van hot in pursuit.

As you reached, you two made no eye contact. Jungkook and his assistant Jimin, nod at each other, and the two squads sneak inside the building through two pathways. As your group sneaked directly in, Taehyung's squad took the Fire exit route.

"Something's wrong" you said as soon as you and your squad reached the floor. "Why, the blueprints match," Jungkook said. "The guards," Taehyung said through the intercom.

"Shit! They know! Retrea-" Y/n was interrupted but the sound of a bullet going off.

"Incoming!" You screamed, and everyone jumped to get cover. "GET INTO THE LIFTs NOW!" Taehyung exclaimed as he jumped in through the fire exit. By then you were actively shooting the attackers hidden among the pillars.

"Y/n!" Jungkook screamed, as a bullet straight hit your arm, you turned the direction and shot two shots towards the rascal who hit you and he dropped.

Taehyung and Jungkook rushed to your side as Jimin guarded and kept shooting as the four of you walked into the elevator. "Y/n are you fine?!" Jungkook exclaimed. He asked as you were wearing a black shirt and the blood blotch can't be seen. You let out a shaky breath and suddenly all your phones started buzzing like crazy. Jimin pulled him out and was stunned. "The base is under attack," he said. "FUCK! THIS WAS ALL A SET UP" Taehyung screamed. You all immediately rushed out "Taehyung take Y/n!" You looked at Taehyung and he nodded at you, as the two of you climbed onto his motorbike.

Neither of you uttered a word, the base was at a secluded part and you were on a different side of the city. "FUCK FUCK FUCK" was all your mind can think. Mr Bang and Bora, you prayed they both were safe. Most of the agents were out for work today, only the basic security team were there. This means it was planned, it's an assassination. You tried your best to not let your worst thoughts intrude your mind.

As soon as you and Tae reach the gate, you find it open wide. The security all on the ground. You ran your way inside and shouted "Mr Bang! MR BANG!" You screamed as you passed finding most of the security shot. You were trembling by the time you reached the door to Mr Bang's room. You never noticed Taehyung and Jungkook who were already behind you. Jungkook pushed you aside and unlocked his guns safety and pushed the door open to only freeze on spot. You rushed in behind him to see, Mr Bang on the floor. A shot on his forehead and one on his chest. You stood there stunt tears stinging your eyes, you frantically ran out of the room, as Taehyung and Jungkook rushed to check if there was any chance he was alive, just if-

You ran towards the nursery and shouted "Bora!" But, didn't get an answer. Your hands were shaking as more tears spilled your eyes. "Bora! BORA!!" you cried out loud. Taehyung surprised at your sudden outburst of the unfamiliar. "Ahjussi!! Bora!!" You cried tears running out in streams as you crashed onto your knees. "Y/n" Taehyung held your shoulder and didn't know what to say or ask when Jungkook screamed "Y/n!!! Y/n, in here! Quick!!"

Y/n stood up and ran and found Jungkook sticking his ear on the wall behind Mr Bang's chair and desk. Mr Bang's secret chamber! You thought and rushed to the opposite wall and opened the starry night painting revealing the keypad. You put in the password and the door slid open. "Bo-bora?" Jungkook asked in a low-soft voice. "Uncle Kookie!" Bora called and Jungkook walked in, and in the queue you rushed in and picked your baby girl in your arms, kissing her cheek. "Bora bubba, are you okay?" You asked in tears. "Yes mama~" she said, wiping your eyes. You didn't see it but Taehyung's (who was standing and watching you hug a child and Jungkook patting the kid's head) eyes went wide.

"Bubba you go home with Uncle Kookie, mama will join you in a while" you said, patting her head and looking at Jungkook. He nodded his head and picked up Bora, covering her eyes and walking out. By then the rest of the hit team were there. Namjoon, Jin, Jimin, Hoseok (who was busy on another assignment that night), And Taehyung watched in awe as they saw Jungkook carry a child outside the room, through the fire exit. They got more confused when she shouted "Bye mama" and they all looked at you for answers.

"She's my daughter," you said. And you watched all of their eyes go wide, and you added "Just mine". You didn't notice, but Taehyung seemed to take a sigh of relief. "When you went to Seoul 4 years ago and stayed for 2 years. Was it-" Hoseok was hesitating to ask. "Yes. I was pregnant, but I was also setting up the small office there. Helped Mr Bang's nephew and all. I didn't want anyone to know. Only Jungkook knew and of course Mr Bang knew too" you explained. "You did what you thought was the best. Don't worry, now we'll all be more aware and careful" Namjoon said and you walked and dropped beside Mr Bang's now lifeless body. "Mr Bang? I'm so sorry and thankful to you" you managed to let out and broke down, the 5 others came to their knees beside and behind you. "Thank you for saving me all those years ago, you were the closest person I had to a father. Thank you for teaching me everything. Thank you for supporting me, for saving my baby. Mr Bang! How will I repay you" you said and completely broke down. Someone immediately embraced you, you were too grieved to notice, it was Taehyung who jumped and hugged you. Hoseok and Jin patted you head and back, as they all wiped their tears. He was a fatherly figure to all of you, he took all of you in at certain times of your lives.

"Y/n! Jimin! Mr Bang!" A sound came from outside, and a pale cat-like man came running to the door frame, you all looked as he entered the room and went paler. You stood up and walked to him and embraced him. The last piece of the hit team, the one who handled all and every legal matter of bangtan, Min Yoongi. "I can't believe he's gone" he just said.

"I will find whoever did this" You said, leaving the embrace and wiping your eyes. "We're with you," Seokjin said.

"I-I have his will" Yoongi revealed "We need to go through that as soon as things are sorted here".

"His nephew is already on the way," you said. The room was silent in your apartment, it was a rare sight to see all of you in one place and the place to be silent. Come to think of it, this was the first time the others ever came to your house you all always met at Mr Bang's but staying there became too much. Everyone just sat there staring at a distance, except Yoongi and Namjoon, one was working with papers and the other was on his laptop, these workaholics and their dumb coping mechanisms, you thought. Soon you received a text and you texted back to your floor. You whispered to Jungkook who was sitting beside you to open the door. "Y/n" your name sounded from a voice coming from the door, the voice had a different accent, which became clear as he uttered "oh my god, are you guys okay??"

"Chris!" You said, standing up and he opened his arms inviting you into them. "I couldn't protect him, Chris! I'm so sorry!" You said sobbing again. "It's not your fault. Please don't blame yourself" Chris said, stroking your head. Only Jin noticed the way Taehyung gritted his teeth and tightened his fists. "Where are the others?" You asked as you let go. "I brought Minho and Jisung with me, the others are minding the office there, but they can come for any emergency alert, I have full plans ready for all that. But, where is Bora?" Chris asked. "She's sleeping in the room" Jungkook said and he nodded. "I wish we would be meeting under different circumstances but anyways, this is our hit team" you said introducing everyone, one by one, "guys this is Christopher Bang, Mr Bang's nephew" you said.

"Now that everybody is here, it's time to read the will" Yoongi said. And eveyone nodded and took a seat. "First the assets he had alot, he left 2% teach for the Namjoon, Jin, Hoseok, Jimin, Taehyung, Jungkook and Myself. 35% to Y/n, 35% to Chris and the rest 16% to Bora" he said and you eyes went wide, "She can access 3% of it when she's 15, 6% went she starts college and the rest after she's 22" Yoongi added. "Now, the gang will be a bit reorganized. Y/n will be replaced by Taehyung as the chief agent. Chris will remain the head of the Seoul office and expand it and Y/n will sit as the head now. As his-" Yoongi stopped to take a breath, "As his daughter, his heir"you covered your mouth in shock. You were sure Chris would be the head, you looked at him and he was looking at you, his eyes seemed proud. "You deserve it, Y/n-ah" Jungkook said, shaking you. "Now, we find who-" Jimin started but was interrupted by Namjoon saying "Found it!". Everyone jumped at his sudden outburst. "What happened Joon?" Jin asked. "I got the coordinates of the IP that leaked out our information," Namjoon said, turning the screen. Taehyung immediately put them in his phone and said. "It's somewhere in Gyeonggi-do," he said. "Send it to me, I'll ask my men to go there and bring him here" Chris said. Taehyung looked at you but you nodded at him. "You all rest, you all look too tired, especially Y/n" Chris said and Jin nodded. "Lets spread out in the room and Y/n go to bed" he said. "I'll join Bora in her room. A few of you take my room and others get blankets and adjust here" you said. You really were tired, with a last hug Chris went to check on the mansion as the rest found places to settle.

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You received a call, it was hardly 7 in the morning "Yeah?" You answered "okay" you replied and woke yourself up. You called Jungkook and put him on Bora duty as you contemplated whom to call, as if on cue Taehyung got up from the couch. "I'll go" he just said, "Fine" you muttered, as you couldn't help but notice his chiseled abs that he was covering up by doing his buttons. You mentally scolded yourself for that. The whole ride was silent. As soon as you reached you saw a very known face on the ground. "YOU!" you screamed and rushed up the stairs and kicked the man on the chest as he rolled back with a scream.

"We found these with him," Felix said, pointing at a laptop that Namjoon is currently on. "When did you get here?" You asked. "A few minutes before you" you nodded and said "Get him on the chair" and put your hair in a bun. As if mechanically Felix and Jisung picked the bound man up and dragged him to the free chair and placed him on it. You walked behind Namjoon and asked him what he found only for him to say that it was all encrypted and the code isn't hackable.

You strided off to the man and pulled him by his hair to face him upwards. "WHAT. IS. THE. CODE. Park?" only for him to laugh, showing his bloody teeth, probably received from Chris or Felix. "Answer her" Taehyung said and pinched his ear, both of you held strong as the man struggled and screamed. "Chris" you called and signaled him. Taehyung and Chris now hit and pinched the man questioning him. As you called Felix behind Namjoon. "Did he have anything else around him? Any scanner?" You asked. And Felix shook his head a No. "Y/n! His fingers" Namjoon suddenly said and you looked at the Laptop to find a fingerprint scanner. "Boys bring him here" you said and they tried one by one and it did open. "You can't kill me. Else you won't get the fingerprint. It's encoded on every level with my thumb and it is needed multiple times" he said and cracked up and a gun went off. Everyone looked at you and then at the silent man, who is now quite dead with a bullet on his forehead "Thank you for the information". "Y/n?" Chris, Namjoon and Taehyung said at the same time. "Felix. Chop off that bastard's finger and store it in the freezer, take a print of it first though. Namjoon, decode that damn thing. I gotta get my daughter ready for school" you said and walked off, getting an agent to drive you home.

"She killed him?" Namjoon uttered after you left. "She's never hit any vitals of anyone who hasn't attacked her" Taehyung said, finally letting the dead corpse down as Chris did the same. All shocked at the fact that you killed someone and didn't even blink.

As your car went Park's words ran on your mind 'information is always sellable on the market as long as you can buy it' he had said to Felix when he asked who bought him off. You closed your eyes and breathed in and out. "You're almost home, Bora mustn't see you like that".

You walked to your apartment and walked in to find Bora playing with Jungkook and Jimin, as Jin and Hoseok were cooking in the kitchen. You walk in and you find him packing lunch in Bora's lunch box.

"Mama!" Bora ran to you and hugged your legs. You patted your daughter's head and said "Bubba lets get you ready for school" you told her and she started blabbering, making you smile. "You know, uncle Jimin and uncle Hobi are so fun. Uncle Jin made yummy lunch for Bora" she went on, happy to meet new uncles. You felt happy that she had more people in her life, but at what cost, is what you thought. When you went back to the mansion with Junkook, Jimin, Hoseok, Jin and the food, you found Felix sleeping on the couch and Taehyung, Chris and Namjoon huddled in front of that laptop screen. "What did you find?" you asked them. "What the fuck! Who killed JYP?" Hoseok exclaimed as soon as he entered the room. "I did, he cheated us. Call some agents and get this removed" you said. "On it" Jimin said and walked out. "The Chois" is what Taehyung utter when he looked up. Your blood started boiling, the Chois had a contract with Mr Bang to not interfere with the affairs of bangtan. “These RASCALS” you said “Jungook, call the alpha team” as you started leaving the room while bringing out your gun and checking it. “Y/n! No” Chris and Taehyung said at the same time. “Are you crazy!” Chris said. “You will get yourself killed! What about Bora? Us? Think of what’s at stake before you act up. “Ah! FUCK!” you cursed and sat down on the top step of the stairs, hand on your head. FInally letting it all out, letting the tears fall. “Mr Bang. How could I let this happen” Jungkook and Hoseok rushed to hug you from both sides. You felt another weight on your back and it's probably Jimin. “He loved all of us so much. He loved Bora so much. SHe was asking if she could play with Grandpa today! What will I tell her?!” you sobbed, tears flowed endlessly. All the others were crying by then. “Let's take them down,” Taehyung said, finally coming in front of you and wiping away your tears. You looked up at him, his eyes wet but he had a look of determination in his face. There was no facade in that look, no ego, no sarcasm, it’s like it's a complete different Kim Taehyung. “We are all in this together” he said. “And you are boss” Chris said from behind “You’re supposed to lead us and take care of us and we’ll protect you and each other and Bora” He added and you nodded your head. You looked around at all these people along with the once working around the house, these are your people now. “Let’s do this,” you said.

Mr Band’s funeral was held three days after he died, it was closed off, only the rituals and the agents. You were introduced to them as their new leader.

“I found these blueprints of their mansion,” Jin said and spread them out. “But we need someone to check if it's credible,” He said. “Let's send in two agents to check it out and we need the maintenance schedules of their house and locations of other safe houses” You said. “Let's put Hobi and Jisung on a look out. We'll know the people who visit regularly and will have the element of surprise. Thanks to Minho who has been his bodyguard undetected, we have so much information on him” Taehyung said, noting these down on the white board. In a white shirt that opens 2 buttons from the collar, messy hair, one hand stuck into the trouser and specs. He looked godly okay, and you couldn’t help but notice that. He suddenly looked towards you and your eyes met, a small smile enlightened his face and it reached yours too, this wasn’t the first time this happened. “So, we're ready with the plan apart from the authenticity of the blueprint, its not very essential but it's safer, we’ll see to that and Jin’s on Bora duty today, and we have a meeting with a dealer” Chris said. “I’m off then” Jin said as he winked and walked away and you shook your head. The boys adore your daughter, she also adores her, uncle Joonie, Jinie, Yooni, Hobi, Jiminie and Tata, she already loved Kookie.

You, Taehyung and Chris went to meet your arms dealer and struck new deals. Well you bought some more stuff than arms. Yes you bought off information, thanks to Taehyung. A few business and client meetings and you were done for the day.

“Y/n, I’ll drop you home, you didn’t bring your car right?” Chris said. “You don’t have to worry. How is on my way I’ll just drop her” Taehyung said and grabbed your hand as he started walking towards his motorbike. “Taehyung!” you whisper yelled. But he didn’t say a word. He picked up one of the helmets and put it on your head and secured it, then put his own and started the bike, and waited for you to mount it, the moment you did and held onto his shoulders he drove off.

“Will you say something?” You finally said, not being able to take in the silence. “He can’t hit on you” he said. “Sorry what?” you said. “I said, he isn’t allowed to hit on you. Only I can do that!” he grumbled. “What’s wrong with you?” you asked but he stayed silent, you didn’t even notice you were reaching your alley and he stopped the bike in front of your house and the two of you climbed down. “Do you like him?” he finally asked. “Whom? Chris?” you asked and Taehyung nodded. “Lord! NO!” you denied, “Then don’t let him flirt with you” Taehyung said. “What why? It doesn’t do any harm” you said smiling only to stop when you noticed his eyes, dark and deep, you averted your eyes and were about to walk away. “But it does! It harms and hurts me! Y/n, for the past few days I have been painfully obvious. Not like I wasn’t before that. Can you stop running and look at me” he said, grabbing your arm and pulling you to himself "Please, stop pushing me away" he almost sounded like he'd break any moment.

"Mama~ Tata~" a sound came running towards you two (literally) and hugged Taehyung's legs. "Bora!" He lighted up instantly and picked her up and walked inside giving you one last look and you stood there dumbfounded. "Ssup?" Jin said and eas about to follow them but stopped to look at you. "What? Never been rejected by your own blood?" Jin asked jokingly. You still stood there and Jin started to worry "Y/n? What's wrong?"

"Jin, can I talk to you?" you asked and he nodded standing in front of you, giving you his full attention.

The two of you settled on a bench in the nearby park.

"Taehyung, he-" you stopped, you still couldn't say it. "Don't tell me he grew balls and confessed to you" Jin said being his normal self but you looked at him in shock. "Wait really??" He got excited, "Wait, I thought you liked him too, why are you in tears?" he asked. You didn't even notice you were crying until he said "I don't know, if this was before then it wouldn't have been a matter. But now? I can't jump into things I have Bora" you said. "Did you see how she jumped Taehyung before you? She was literally talking about you and how. That's mostly all she talks about, and a little bit about Kookie and us. She adores him." Jin said. "And that's what I am afraid of. What if he decides he can't do it?" You said. "You've seen Taehyung grow up Y/n. He never talks without thinking, and he's loved you for so long, ALL OF YOU, then and now, all this time. He loves Bora too, you should see the way he looks at you both" Jin said, patting your head. "Now, let's go back, I'll cook something for all-" he was interrupted by the sound of his phone. …. "What? Fuck!" Jin said and looked at you "Okay!"

"Y/N quickly get your car and meet Taehyung at the alley behind your building. Quick!" Jin said and you stood up and ran, thank god for Mr Bang made it your habit to always wear shoes in which you can run. You rushed into your parking lot and pulled out of it as fast as you could and rushed to the back alley. You noticed Taehyung walking towards the car and opened the door for him as he jumped inside and said "Drive Drive"

"Where is Bora?!" You asked and then got shocked to see his arm shot and bleeding. "She's with Jin Hyung. Drive quick" he said, and you did, you drove towards the mansion , "Not towards the mansion, if someone follows me, then they'll reach the mansion and Bora too" He said. You turned the car towards the Gyeongsan safe house.

"Will you be okay?" You asked. "It's not deep, the bullet just scratched me" he said and you shook your head. The sound of your phone broke the silence. "Receive it" you said, Taehyung put it on speaker. "Y/n! The Chois are running away, we'll miss our chance and we need to empty the mansion as well. What do I do" he said. And you harshly stopped the car. "Fuck!" You curse "wait" think Y/n, Think. "Get the plan into motion right now, call all agents and go full offense, send Bora to Seoul with Jin and Felix"

"Are you sure?" Taehyung asked, "What other choice do we have if we need to stop him from going and the attacks, we have to. What if Minho gets into trouble? We need to do this. Now, Chris do it" you said, determinedly. "Ok boss, you both need to stay safe. Minho told me you have a tail" he warned. "Okay. You all be safe" you said, almost reaching the house and pulling inside the forest. You then helped Taehyung out and the two of you made your way through the forest. "There's someone following us, I just feel it" you said, and looked behind scanning the trees. You brought out your gun and took off the safety lock. "You stay here" you said. "Y/n you can't do that, get back" Taehyung barked. "I need to protect you. I can't lead people to the safe house" you whispered, Taehyung saw the determination in your eyes. He held your hand and pulled you to him, crashing his lips to yours, "come back to me safely, Bora would be waiting" He said as he pulled away. Your mind went black for a moment but you nodded. You had to protect him, and you will.

You slowly crept towards the trees where you heard the sounds, one, two and three, there were three people, you had enough bullets but taking on three would be a bit difficult until, you heard Taehyung shoot a shot loudly. Why did this dummy take off his silencer? You thought, but then you realised. They all were distracted. You aimed and hit the one closest to you on the head and he deopped, two and down. Suddenly the last one looked back and pinted his gun at you, you were in his close range "fuck!" You cursed and were about to run to take cover, but the man dropped, showing a huffing Taehyung behind him.

"I told you to not move!" You said as you ran and hugged him. "I hate you" you said as he held you tight with his unhurt arm. The two of you made your way towards the safe house.

You cleaned his wound and bandaged it. You had received word that Jin and Felix had left safely and the mission is on noe you wait. You couldn't help but notice how chiselled his body was, you won't say you never imagined how his body would be like below those button up shirts. You now realise that the comments you thought were sarcastic, he actually made them to get a reaction from you. His comments you took to be teasing were actually him flirting. "A picture would last longer" he said, with a smirk, making you realize that you were indeed staring. You wanted to run that smirk off his face and so you did the most intrusive thing that came to your mind. "Really?" You taunted, as you started unbuttoning your shirt, slowly one by one, you noticed him gulo and his eyes following every move of yours. You finally took it off and placed it on the counter and slowly walked towards him. He felt like a deer caught in the headlights, unlike the deers it excited him.

You walk towards him in a tank top and jeans, damn his luck. You stood in front of him and fisted his hair, turning his face above towards you and kissed him roughly. You let him know all you feelings through that one kiss. How you've been in love with him for so long, how his words always got to you, how you felt hurt and hooked up with someone when he had declared that he was dating someone else. How you felt now, with all these pent up feelings. He immediately held your waist and brought you down on his lap. Your hair roamed his bare body and flicked his nippled as he moaned inside your mouth. You locked your hands behind him and hugged him as you made out. Tae pulled away and attacked your neck. "You mine" he growled as he hit a specific place that made you moan and he made sure to leave marks. Soon you tank top came off, as Taehyung went in awe seeing you. "You're so beautiful" he whispered as he dove to kiss you.

_____________________________________

You heard your phone ring and sat up, a heavy arm still on your waist.

"It's done, the Leader is down, we've set a meeting with his three sons to discuss the new terms of business" Chris said. "Oh my god. Thank god, everyone is safe right?" You asked. "Yeah a few are hurt but nothing much" he sent forces to attack us, but thanks to your timely response we evaded them and found him on time." He said and you laughed, you finally hung up sayung you see them all at Yoongi's the next day.

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7 months later

"Mama~" Bora asked, "Yes Bubba" you d

Said, still planning out the business on the table with Namjoon and Hoseok as Tae and Jungkook played with Bora on the ground. "Can Tata stay with Bora and Mama always?" she asked you. "Always" Taehyung beat you to it and pulled Bora in a hug and said, patting her head. "Tata will always be there for Mama and Bora".

Later that night, you went in to switch off the lights in Bora's room, when you find Taehyung sleeping beside her, a story book in hand. You smiled at the two, the two most important people of your life, whom you'd protect at all cost.

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