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organic-bloodbath · 4 months ago

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Lobotomy: kills & kisses

Episode II: Escape

Chishiya x Reader x Niragi

Summary: Niragi tries to get closer to you in the asylum, but with poor results.

A/N: A little bit of Niragi's POV <3 Just a note, the events during the first three chapters might not happen in a linear timeline, they might overlap and happen before a previous scene or at the same time since it's a different person's POV.

♤ List of Chapters ♤

That son of a bitch deserved it, Niragi thought as he was sitting in a padded room, arms wrapped inside a straitjacket. He had it coming, it’s his fault he’s dead. Why am I being punished? They should be thankful for me, being brave enough to get rid of a trash like him. They should consider me to be a hero who saved several other people from the torture and pain he was causing to others.

Idiots. There was nobody I can trust anymore, he thought as the room started getting smaller. He was dehydrated for sure, needing water but there wasn’t a single drop available. It had been hours, his surroundings completely silent, forcing Niragi to drown in his own thoughts that were racing loudly inside his mind. This place was supposed to help people get better, but instead they decided to torture people like this instead of just locking them up in their own room until the tantrum would be over.

Bullshit. He’d die here if he didn’t start to plan for an escape. He wasn’t going to spend years in this asylum, the state of his mind getting even worse day by day, no. He had to gather a plan to get out of here.

Niragi had been eating the same pills, the same amount too, for weeks and weeks and they weren’t making him feel any better. He felt no different than when he got here. Well, maybe a little — he felt numb, empty. Was the medicine supposed to make him feel better or worse? The pills weren’t doing a very good work. He wanted to stop taking them altogether but the nurse would check every inch of his mouth afterwards, forcing him to swallow them. Niragi would have to push his fingers to the back of his throat to vomit them out of his system when he'd be left alone.

Niragi had heard of another treatment which had been used to some of the patients who showed no signs of progression. He wasn’t aware of any specific details and wasn't entirely sure if what he had heard was real at all, but the word was stuck in his brain nevertheless.

Lobotomy.

If they were going to smack an icepick through Niragi’s eye, he would kill the doctor right then and there with the same icepick. There was no way he’d let them do a lobotomy on him. Then he’d turn into a total zombie and be unable to ever leave this place. Then he'd rot in this hellhole for the rest of his life for sure, food being fed for him from someone else's hand like a helpless baby.

He should have started to plan his escape much earlier, because now he was running out of time.

Niragi had learned the layout of this place during the past months, building a map of sorts inside his mind. He had memorized the location of every single room in this building, including the storage closets, literally everything. Every window too, though escaping through windows wasn’t an option since they were covered with not only glass, but also thick metal bars which Niragi didn’t own correct tools to break. Three floors and a basement, which Niragi had no way of accessing to.

Although, the basement was still a mystery to him. He couldn’t help but wonder what was down there but he had heard horror stories of different theories among the patients. But would there be another way out? It was unlikely but not impossible. However, the basement must have contained something extremely important since it was sealed with three locks that would be extremely hard to pick without the correct key.

Niragi wouldn’t be able to execute the escape plan, which didn’t fully exist yet, alone though. He’d need someone to distract the staff, at least, but he didn’t exactly have many friends here. None actually. He wasn’t easily approachable on the outside, he knew that, and most of the people here were lost causes — he knew there were only a few sane enough to keep up with a detailed escape plan which wouldn’t be simple at all.

One thing was on Niragi’s side: there weren’t many security cameras in the building. There were some, but they didn’t cover every corner of the rooms, and Niragi had studied the exact areas where the cameras couldn’t reach. Where he could do anything he wanted without being seen, unless someone would walk past him. He wasn’t sure if anyone even looked at the cameras unless something crucial happened which needed to be closely investigated.

Such as a patient escaping.

There was a possibility that they had installed hidden cameras and other devices which Niragi couldn't instantly see, of course he had thought about that as well.

Niragi was growing more and more frustrated being in this room, his limbs restrained like this, and hit the back of his head against the padded wall, then cursing under his breath.

He didn’t belong here, he hadn't done anything wrong. He was wrongfully locked up here, he had only done a favor to others. Why should he feel remorse for his actions? No, he’s right and others are wrong.

I’ll get out. I’ll get out of here. No matter what I have to do, he thought, gritting his teeth.

And they’ll all be sorry.

Niragi wandered around the corridors when all the patients — the ones who had been behaving well lately — had free time and could do whatever they wanted for a moment. Most of them were either drawing, watching TV with low volume, chatting with each other, reading a book or talking to a wall.

He scanned the patients with his gaze, trying to select a few who seemed the most sane and clever enough to be a part of his plan. He hadn’t gotten to know anyone properly but now he’d have to decide who he’d start to befriend — just a little bit. He wasn’t going to try and find a genuine friend from here, no, just a partner in crime who could follow a plan. Someone whose trust was easy to win.

Then, his gaze landed on a you, sitting by yourself and drawing something with a red crayon. Niragi had seen you many times before but never cared to approach you. He had probably never even made eye contact with you — you kept your head down most of the time and minded your own business.

It had taken Niragi a while to recognize you, but eventually the memories crawled back to him. He hadn’t seen you in the past 13 years but he would never completely forget you. Back then, you had barely even talked to him, so he doubted you’d remember him easily. Niragi didn’t personally know you well but you went to school together for years when you were kids. But one person he did know.

Your brother.

“The fuck you looking at my sister, you loser?” he spat on Niragi’s face and threw Niragi against a brick wall.

Niragi still remembered all the hits of baseball balls on his head and how your brother urinated inside Niragi’s bag — the list of different methods of bullying was endless and nobody did anything about it.

Niragi doubted you were fully aware of your brother’s bullying because one day when you witnessed him to bully Niragi, you intervened.

“The hell is wrong with you? You’re just like dad,” you spat at your brother, looking absolutely furious with wide eyes and hands clenched in fists, ready to throw a punch if he said one wrong word. “You wanna become like him, huh?”

Niragi would forever remember you pulling him up from the ground by his elbow and fixing his glasses with glue and tape you pulled from your backpack. You were only 13 years old at the time.

“Don’t let them kick you like that, you hear me?” you nagged at Niragi like a scolding mother.

Yes ma’am.

You hesitated for a moment until pulled something else out of your bag and handed it to Niragi.

A taser.

“Here. Give him a little shock if he bothers you again.” Niragi had tried to refuse and give it back to you but you wouldn’t take it. “I have another one at home, just take it. He’s a piece of shit who deserves it.”

Why the hell would a child own a taser at home? To even get one somewhere in the first place.

At school, you had always been the weird kid. Niragi couldn't help but admire you a little, how you never cared about what anyone thought and knew exactly how you could defend yourself if other girls made fun of you — making you end up in a detention but you didn't seem to care. He did stare at you once in a while but he couldn't help it.

After five weeks from the incident you handing a taser to Niragi, you had disappeared somewhere, leaving Niragi to think what happened to you. Your family didn't move out of the city, since your brother still attended the classes, but you were gone. In time, you left Niragi's mind — until you happened to come back to his fucked up life.

Now, you were locked up here with Niragi. Why were you here anyway? You were wearing a T-shirt, having no self-harm scars on your arms, so he doubted you’d be one of the suicidal types. Unless you wanted to get straight to the point and use pills. Niragi noticed you flinch once in a while, even when there was no sound around you or anyone coming to bother you. You closed her eyes tightly and counted to five under your breath once in a while, probably just mouthing the words though.

You were beautiful, gorgeous even — Niragi wasn’t blind. But did you have brains too or was it all just looks? He didn’t know your diagnosis, of course he didn’t. Maybe you were too crazy to bring along, ending up ruining any plans Niragi had made, but he didn’t know that for sure.

Niragi’s main thought of trying to include you to his escape plan wasn’t necessarily because he wanted to take you out of here with him, otherwise you’d rot in this place for the rest of your life. Sure, you clearly needed help, but this mental institution was doing anything else but helping. But the first thing Niragi had thought was that you were small enough to fit into the vents and crawl there — if that was needed. He couldn’t execute this alone, just by himself, and you seemed like a suitable option for one of the people he’d need.

Your brother had bothered Niragi to his adulthood as well, applying to the same job. God, he wasn’t able to get rid of him. It was like he was following him on purpose and acting surprised to fool Niragi.

If Niragi was to get you out of here, your brother wouldn’t be a problem anymore. He wouldn’t beat Niragi up for being around you. Why?

Because murdering your brother was the reason that led Niragi to this asylum.

Niragi moved his gaze away from you, looking for other options. He spotted a young man sitting by the window, the sun shining on his face. He had seen him too, blond hair framing his oval features, always watching others, except now having his attention outside. The man and his mannerisms always looked like he was too good to be in this place. Like he considered himself to be above every other patient here. He seemed smart, but who knew if he really was smart and calculated enough.

“Join us for a game?” a man asked next to where Niragi was standing, mixing a deck of playing cards. He was quite muscular and strong looking, having clearly more visible muscles than Niragi’s body. The expression on his face looked calm and peaceful, almost like he was bored.

There were two other patients sitting at the same round table, but just one of them was present mentally. One of the men was seated on a wheelchair, only staring ahead somewhere Niragi couldn’t see. He had dark mustache and slightly greasy hair which hovered just over his shoulders. He was much more skinny and bony than the man with the playing cards, collarbones sticking up under his skin, cheeks hollow. He had been here longer than Niragi and seemed to be quite popular among the patients, known as the ‘Hatter’, whatever his real name was. Now he was only an empty shell like many others.

“We’re missing one player and I heard you’d be a good challenger.”

“You did, huh?” Niragi smirked. He rarely joined any card games with the patients but whenever he did, he won every round. Well, had won by far. Niragi sat down next to the man. “I haven’t seen you around before.”

“Got transferred here a week ago,” he said, eyeing Niragi for a moment with narrowed eyes, until offering his hand to him. “Aguni.”

“Niragi,” he replied, grabbing Aguni’s hand in a quick handshake. Just a week and he was already making friends here — Niragi hadn’t succeeded in that in months. He’s perfect, Niragi thought.

Niragi turned to the third guy who also offered his hand.

“Mahiru,” the guy introduced himself.

“He gonna play too?” Niragi asked, nodding towards the Hatter.

Aguni didn’t seem to find anything funny about Niragi’s remark.

“I think he prefers to watch,” Aguni answered calmly, starting the deal the cards to each player. Alright, no sense of humor, Niragi thought.

“So, where were you before?” Niragi asked, organizing the cards in his hands. “Since you transferred here.”

“Osaka,” Aguni revealed. “I’d rather keep the reason to myself.”

“Fair enough,” Niragi shrugged.

As the game progressed, Aguni actually managed to surprise Niragi for being able to beat him. Not many people had beat him before, so Niragi was rather impressed.

In the end, Niragi was holding the card of Joker, feeling strange tingling in his hand. He couldn’t explain it but Niragi felt like the Joker was suddenly looking straight into his eyes, maintaining eye contact with that creepy grin on its face.

Niragi stepped inside the largest bathroom in the end of the second floor. It wasn’t usually assigned to him to clean but apparently the patient cleaning the bathrooms wasn’t able to attend the work today — probably rotting in the solitary confinement cell.

It wasn't Niragi’s first time cleaning bathrooms though, so he already knew it was going to be awful. Whenever people showered here, they didn’t care to make sure that the floors were left clean, of course not — some of them had no shame and would shit on the floor while showering. Niragi was forced to clean all the drains on the floor too which made Niragi instantly gag. The smell was disgusting and the amount of hair people were shedding from their head was much more than Niragi would have thought.

Then, as Niragi walked further into the bathroom, he found out who he was working with today, already wiping the tiles on her knees.

You.

There you were, scrubbing every inch of dirt off the floor. You looked up when you noticed Niragi approaching you.

“We meet again, huh?” Niragi smirked.

You only rolled your eyes and turned your attention back to cleaning, wanting to get the job done as fast as possible. You really didn’t say a word, huh?

He wanted to talk to you about the plan. The plan to escape, but he couldn’t be entirely sure if this room was monitored too. He didn’t see security cameras here, so the staff weren’t total perverts, but they could be hidden somewhere. Listening devices in the shower heads. Who knew? Everything was possible after so many people had tried to escape. One of the attempted escapes happened in a bathroom anyway — or so Niragi had heard, people talked all kinds of things so it might not even be true.

Niragi walked around the bathroom, trying to find anything relating to someone spying on the two of you. He couldn’t take any chances, he had to play smart and be extremely careful. The staff here were prepared for more escape attempts, and Niragi wasn’t going to fail.

Suddenly, Niragi felt something wet hit the back of his head, making him flinch and let out a quiet groan, even though it didn’t hurt a bit. He touched at the spot which had taken the hit, his neck now wet. Niragi turned around, seeing a sponge by his feet, dipped in water and soap.

You were looking at him with a threatening look in your eyes, pointing at the shower drain near him. Of course you didn’t want to do all the work and just watch Niragi slack off.

“I’m getting to it soon, princess,” Niragi assured you but obviously you didn’t buy it. “I’m doing something much more important first, alright?”

You stood up and crossed your arms against your chest. Jesus, why couldn’t you just open your mouth and yell at Niragi to get to work?

Niragi turned away and was about to grab the next shower head and open it when he felt another sponge hit him, now directly on his face. He closed his eyes but a little bit of soap still managed to go into his eyes, water and soap falling down against his cheeks.

“Okay, listen here, princess- Fuck,” Niragi mumbled as his eyes started to burn more due to the soap. He rushed to the sink to rinse it off from his eyes and face.

When he had dried his face, he walked back to you, clenching his jaw and fists, fingernails digging deep into his hands. If it was a man standing in front of him now who Niragi needed nothing from instead of you, Niragi would already have the man’s nose broken and a tooth missing.

“Throw one more sponge at me and I’ll actually lose my temper at you,” Niragi threatened, having a hard time to stay calm and collected. He lowered his voice as he continued, “I’m trying to find any devices that might hint that we’re being listened to, alright?”

You furrowed your eyebrows, confused what he was rambling about.

“I’ll get to work right after, got it? So calm down and keep your fucking sponges away from me.”

Niragi did clean the drains while searching, since they could have been hidden there as well. Surely they made waterproof devices these days. It kept you satisfied as well, making him do his part of the job. When he had checked the entire bathroom, every single corner, and had come to the conclusion that it was safe to talk and everything would stay just between the two of you, he returned to your side.

“So, thought about what I said to you earlier?” he asked, grabbing a washing cloth from the supply bucket. “Can you at least nod or shake your head if you’re not gonna talk?”

You continued ignoring him, but Niragi figured you were still listening to him since you didn’t move too far away from him to clean the next area.

“If I tell you something, you’ll keep it between us. Just us, got it?” Niragi stated, it wasn’t a question, more like an order, but he got no immediate answer from you. "Come on, give me at least a nod or something."

You rolled your eyes, but ended up with one nod. If you weren't going to participate in Niragi's plan, at least you would keep his secret. You didn't seem like a snitch, so he dared to take that risk. After all, you didn't even speak to anyone at all.

Niragi pulled a folded paper out of his pocket, handing it over to you. You stared at it for a moment, not sure if you should grab it or just walk away from him, but your curiosity ended up winning. You threw the dirty washing cloth to a trash can and took the paper from Niragi's hand. You debated for another moment what you should do, but then opened the paper to examine what it included.

It was a map of sorts. The layout of the asylum’s second floor, including the bathroom were the two of you were right now. Niragi had drawn a map of each floor but had taken only one of them with him here. You scrunched your eyebrows together, your gaze going through each room. God, how much Niragi wished he knew what was going on in that pretty head of yours.

“There’s vents in the ceilings and all around this building but I’ll need to find something to get the screws off and be able to access them,” Niragi explained, looking directly into your eyes. “And I need you to go up there and find out where they lead.”

You raised your eyebrows, an expression on your face which told that you thought Niragi was for sure joking and playing around. Niragi could see you weren't taking him seriously.

“You’re smaller than me, so you can move there better,” Niragi reasoned.

You shook your head and turned your head away from him, but Niragi grabbed your elbow, forcing you to stay there with him.

“Listen,” Niragi said, not sure what kind of approach would work at you anymore. “You wanna get stabbed in the eye and turned into a vegetable?”

You stopped but didn’t turn your head back towards Niragi.

“Because that’s what’s going to happen if we don’t get the fuck out of here."

They would do a lobotomy to every single patient here who didn’t show signs of progress in their mental health, and Niragi would rather kill himself than go through that — but Niragi didn’t want to die yet. He wanted to live and he would do anything to stay alive.

Of course he had heard of the rumor what is going to happen if he gets caught. He’ll be brainwashed and lose the sense of himself completely but he was willing to take the risk. He just had to plan everything out very carefully and he’d succeed in whatever he was going to do. He was so much smarter than the other people attempting to escape.

“I’ve seen you get dragged to the solitary confinement several times. If you keep it up and continue behaving the way you do, they’ll do the lobotomy on you sooner than you’ll realize,” Niragi explained, trying his best to convince you. You were all running out of time. “So, you in or not?”

Right then, someone walked into the bathroom. Both of you jumped a little, getting startled by the sudden presence of someone else, turning to look towards the noise. You were quick to hide the paper behind your back.

“Aye, use the other bathroom!” Niragi shouted.

“But I need to —“

“Do I look like I give a shit what you need?” Niragi yelled at the scared little man who then walked away the same way he had come in the first place.

When Niragi turned around towards you, about to continue the conversation, you weren’t standing there anymore. Instead, you had gathered the cleaning supplies back into the bucket and were on your way outside, done with the day’s job.

Niragi couldn’t help but wonder if you remembered him or if you had forgotten all about him. Sure Niragi had grown up and wasn’t that little boy anymore, with different hairstyle and no nerdy glasses anymore either. He hadn’t seen you in 13 years, but did you have at least some sort of memory of his existence?

It didn’t matter. You were strangers to each other anyway, neither of your pasts would affect anything what would happen in the present.

Should he just give up and approach someone else? Would someone other, someone your size, be more willing to get out of here with him? No, he didn't want to give up on you. Maybe he should have tried to befriend you at first and make you to trust him before start trying to recruit you. Fuck, he was stupid.

Later that day, Niragi entered the restroom on the first floor. It was small, having only three stalls. He turned the faucet on, about to wash his hands, but flinched and instantly took a step back before his hands even touched the water.

Water was supposed to be transparent, right? Not red like blood.

Niragi shook his head and rubbed his eyes for a moment, expecting for the water to turn back into normal but it didn’t. He quickly turned the water off, leaving red stains on the sink. Niragi lifted his gaze up to look at himself in the mirror.

You’re weren’t crazy before the asylum. You’re not going to become crazy now either, he thought, chanting the mantra inside his head to convince himself that he wasn’t starting to see things that didn’t exist like most of the other lunatics here. He wasn’t supposed to be here, no. He didn’t belong here, he wasn’t insane.

Niragi had been looking directly into his own eyes the entire time through the mirror but now noticed something a few metres behind him. Someone standing there in odd clothes.

Niragi had never seen him before nor seen anyone dress like that. He looked like… almost exactly like the Joker in the playing card if the cartoon figure was turned into a real person. Then, the man waved at Niragi, a creepy grin spreading on his face. A grin so wide it almost broke his face in half.

Niragi knew that when he’d turn his head, the man wouldn’t be there anymore. If Niragi was aware that something wasn’t real, he wasn’t insane — right? He was still sane. A sane person who saw things but still sane. And when he did look behind him, he was alone in the bathroom. The sink was clean as well. All he wanted to do right now was to laugh. He wasn’t going to be fooled by anyone or anything.

But something was now attached on the mirror. Something that wasn’t there before. A playing card.

More specifically, a 6 of Spades.

Niragi ripped it off the mirror — it wasn’t an illusion, it was a real card he could hold. He turned it around, looking at it on each side and noticed something written on the back side with a black marker.

Niragi. His name had been written on the card.

Niragi furrowed his eyebrows. What kind of ridiculous magic trick was someone pulling on him? Niragi kicked each stall open, with a little too much violence, making a lot of noise by the doors slamming against the stall’s wall. Every stall was empty, except the last one.

“What the hell, man! I’m taking a shit, get the fuck out!” a man shouted at Niragi, face red.

Niragi rolled his eyes and slammed the door shut. There was nobody else in the bathroom besides that man and Niragi, and nobody had entered inside either while Niragi had been in the bathroom, of course he would have heard it.

Niragi took one more look at the playing card, wanting to rip it in small pieces and throw it away but he didn’t manage to make himself do that. Instead, he put the card inside his pocket and exited the bathroom without another thought.

At night, Niragi woke up to a sudden scream.

“Murder!” a woman shrieked somewhere. “Murder! There has been a murder! Help!”

Niragi pressed the pillow on his face, wanting to suffocate himself. For fuck’s sake, he was so tired of this place. He had fallen asleep faster than usual and now, probably just a few hours later, he was awakened by this lunatic who claimed to have witnessed a murder every other night.

“Someone help, oh my god!” the woman cried.

“Shut the fuck up, you crazy bitch!” a man shouted, sounding so furious he’d surely beat the woman up if he was able to get his hands on her. To be fair, Niragi would too. Everyone would sleep at least a little better if she was out of the picture.

Niragi sat up, brushing sweat from his forehead. He quickly glanced to his left, seeing something painted on the wall which hadn’t been there before. Not before he had fallen asleep.

Words were written on the wall with sloppy brush strokes, paint was slowly dripping down the wall as if the letters were slowly melting.

THE GAMES ARE ABOUT TO START — WE’RE GOING TO HAVE SO MUCH FUN

Then, manic laughter echoed around the room, giving Niragi chills.

What the fuck?

A/N: Losing my mind over how this (and the first episode) gets automatically the mature content label already when it's just in my drafts and at the time had only the headline and summary written down like no actual story yet like 🫠 ig the word lobotomy isn't for everyone but raw detailed sex is 🤷🏻‍♀️

Tags:

@audiiix

@lizxoxeth

@psychobitchsthings

#alice in borderland x reader #aib imagine #alice in borderland imagine #chishiya imagine #aib chishiya #chishiya shuntaro #chishiya x reader #chishiya alice in borderland #alice in borderland #aib x reader #aib niragi #niragi imagine #suguru niragi x reader #niragi x reader #suguru niragi #niragi alice in borderland #niragi suguru #shuntaro chishiya

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hereforreadandwrite · 1 year ago

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Madness Part 1

Masterlist

How did things get so bad?

How did you end up lying on the ground, blood coming out of your lips and throat? You saw a strange person loudly chewing on a piece of your flesh.

How did you get to this point?

Your life had gone wrong overnight. In just a few moments, your house had gone up in smoke, you had seen your parents and your sister burn alive, you had managed to save yourself by leaving through your bedroom window. At eight years old, you had been interned because of post-traumatic stress. For fifteen years, you were tortured by his doctors who had nothing to do with your well-being. They said they were healing you, but they weren't. You hated that hospital: the straitjacket, the sensory deprivation, the experimental drugs, the leeches, the electroshock therapy. You wanted out of here, but you were at the mercy of his doctors eager to learn about the human body. Everything had changed when they appeared in your room. A child accompanied by a butler. At first you thought they were a figment of your imagination, until the man named Sebastian took off your camisole.

"Are you…real?" you asked uncertain.

"As real as you are," the child replied, stepping closer to you. "My name is Ciel Phantomhive. I'm looking for personnel. People with certain characteristics."

"Particularity? Looking for staff? Did you take a good look at me? Are you looking for all your staff in a psychiatric hospital?" you asked as you pulled away from Sebastian.

"As the young master just said, he's only looking for people with certain quirks," Sebastian commented smiling at you. A smile that made you uncomfortable. "I did some research on you. You don't realize it, but you have an invaluable ability that you don't yet realize. We're sorely short of female staff. You'd be perfect as a maid."

"Priceless ability? Maid? I've been locked up here for twelve years! I may be crazy, but you seem even crazier," you say between your teeth.

"No previous experience is required here! We don't discriminate by age, race or history," Sebastian said ignoring what you had just said. "We guarantee payment and days off, and even provide luxury supplies like sugar and tea. The uniform is designed by a first-rate tailor. You could even get a raise depending on your performance. How about it? Not bad right?"

"You didn't listen to me," you growled annoyed.

"Fifteen years locked up and tortured in his hospital, that must be a long time," Ciel said looking down at you. "Doctors and nurses say you're crazy, but aren't we all? I can get you out of this place, you'll finally be free. And I could help you find out who kill your family . Or I can leave you here, in this sordid place. You will die alone, at the hands of his doctors."

You, being a maid? You felt like they were playing a joke on you. A joke in very bad taste. But it was your only chance to leave this Hell. You shook hands with the demon, accepting the walk. They took you out of the psychiatric hospital and you agreed to serve Ciel Phantomhive body and soul. The transition from a very poorly maintained hospital to a perfectly clean mansion had been a shock. Everyone here was perfectly clean. You looked like a disgusted rat. Head shaved, still wearing your straitjacket with your hospital gown dirty like your body. But the employees weren't judging you. Everyone seemed to have a past as checkered as yours. A crazy seamstress had arrived the day after you came to the mansion to make you an entire wardrobe. Ciel gave you a present, he had asked Nina Hopking to make you a top quality wig while your hair grew back. It was a second shock to see you so clean, with clothes as clean as you and hair. With this transformation, you swore to yourself to protect Ciel Phantomhive even if you had to die for it. He had saved your life. You had worked hard to become a good example, as much in your domestic tasks as in protecting the mansion from attackers. A year was gone. A year of hard work. During two years, you had believed that your loyalty to the earl would be unfailing until Jack the Ripper struck. Ciel had decided to take you with him and Sebastian to his townhouse and from that moment your life took another turn.

"So, what is this place?" Lau asked, glaring at Ciel with his everlasting friendly smile.

"Why are you familiar with this kind of place?!" Madame Red shouted at Lau.

Sebastian explained that the business they were standing in front of was an undertaker run by an acquaintance of Ciel. You had never heard of this person. Anyway, you had been there for a year and the count was within his rights not to tell you anything. Sebastian opened the door, letting Ciel enter the building. The place was plunged into darkness, there were coffins on the floor and leaning against the wall. You were looking around uncomfortably when a laugh sounded in the room. You moved closer to Ciel, lifting your skirt slightly to put your hand on your gun.

"I knew that you would come," a man's voice reasoned as he pushed open the lid of the coffin he was hidden in. "Do you want to see how it feels to sleep in my custom-made coffin?"

"I didn't come here to play today…," Ciel began before being cut off by Undertaker who put his finger to his lips.

"You don't need to tell me," Undertaker replied, stepping back when you stood in front of Ciel. "I know why you came. With just one look~ I can tell what's on your mind. Since the earl went out of his wa to visit me. I'll certainly do everything I can to help."

"Do you know something?" Ciel asked, waving you back.

"I didn't know you had a new maid, earl~" Undertaker commented as he approached you. "What's your name, poppet?"

"(Y-Y/N), sir."

"You can call me Undertaker, (Y/N)."

Undertaker was no ordinary man. He was goofy, his payment was laughable, which was kind of weird, but who were you to judge him? With himself working, he didn't have to see funny things every day. He had provided information on the serial killer: Jack the Ripper. After the case, you decided to visit him.

"My, my~ Wouldn't that be Earl Phantomhive's maid. It's nice to see you again, (Y/N)," Undertaker greeted, stepping closer to you. "What is this visit worth to me?"

"I'm sorry to disturb you in your work."

"You don't bother me, Poppet. I knew you would come," he said, running his hand through your hair, watching your eyes intently. "You have beautiful eyes~"

"Did you know? How can you know that kind of thing?" you asked, taking a step back, embarrassed by the compliment.

"It's a secret. I'll make us some tea. Take a seat wherever you want~"

Undertaker went to the back room, leaving you alone in the shop. You were looking around when your gaze fell on a particular coffin. You wanted to open it, but it would be an aberration if you did. You shook your head away from the coffin that aroused your curiosity. Undertaker came back into the room with his beakers full of tea. He gave you one of the beakers by opening a jar filled with bone-shaped biscuit.

"Take seat~ Take seat~ you have some time don't you?"

"It's my day off. The Count isn't expecting me," you say, sitting down uncomfortably on one of the coffins.

"So it's my lucky day~"

You just nodded as you took a sip of your tea, watching Undertaker fill out various forms while munching on his cookies. This man was really strange.

"You wanted to ask me something, (Y/N)?" Undertaker asked, leaving his papers to stare at you.

"Hm? Uh…that's right. You're doing research for the young master, aren't you?"

"Yes and?"

"Is it possible for you to do a search for me?"

"It depends, what do you want me to do for research?"

"My family died in a fire. My family's stupid lawyer says my cat, my Dinah, knocked over an oil lamp. But that's impossible."

"And why this?"

"Because…she had come to bed with me. She couldn't knock over an oil lamp. I was the last person to leave the library and I did extinguish the fireplace."

"So…you think it was arson?" Undertaker asked while eating a cookie.

"I don't know. After all this time, I don't remember if I put out the fire properly. But at night during the fire, I saw a centaur."

"A centaur? Are you sure?"

"Yes! I saw him come out of my sister's room. He ran away when he saw me and then… my house and my family were burnt down."

Your grip tightened on the beaker. Even if all this made no sense, you were sure and certain that it was because of this centaur that your family died. Undertaker closed his jar, left his office and approached you. He cupped your chin between his fingers, lifting your head.

"Alright, I'll do a little research, poppet. But there's a price to pay," Undertaker said.

"You… you want to laugh, right?"

"Not this time," he said, licking his lips. "This time I want something else."

You didn't have time to ask what he wanted until his lips landed on yours. In shock, you had no idea to react. Undertaker took advantage of your surprise to pass his tongue over your lips, which brought you out of your stupor. You tried to push the mortician away, parting your lips to catch your breath, but he took advantage of this moment to stick his tongue in your mouth, starting a wild dance with his twin. Your hands gripped Undertaker's robe as he grabbed your waist, pressing his body against yours. Undertaker broke the kiss, finally letting you breathe. Your cheeks were now flushed with embarrassment and excitement.

"This payment will be enough for now, love~" he said in a low, seductive voice. "Come back to me in three days, Poppet~ I'll have all the information you want to hear~ Give my regards to the Count~"

You nodded in response, your voice stuck in your throat. You felt like your legs were freezing her. You heard Undertaker laughing as you stumbled out of the store. You didn't understand why Undertaker did that.

You went to see him again three days later to get the information you wanted. When you arrived in front of the shop, you had had a lump in your stomach. What if he did it again? But you needed his information. You needed to know what had happened to your family. You walked into Undertaker's shop, your heart pounding. The undertaker was waiting for you, sitting on his desk, two beakers of tea in his hands. You felt your cheeks flush as you saw Undertaker smiling at you with the same enigmatic smile that graced his lips.

"Hi Poppet~ Come and get settled, I have a lot to tell you~"

You approached Undertaker who handed you a beaker. You thanked him with a nod as you took your place on one of the coffins.

"So…? Did you find anything?" you asked uncomfortably.

"Lots of things~ especially one thing that might hurt you," Undertaker said taking out a bone cookie.

"What is it?"

"You remember seeing a centaur that came out of your sister's room. What else do you remember?"

"I heard Lizzie talking in her sleep."

"Had she ever done that before?"

Now that he said it, Lizzie had never spoken in her sleep. She had never locked her bedroom door again, it made her feel like she was locked in a cage.

"The fire couldn't have killed her," Undertaker said before taking a sip of his tea. "His room was furthest from the fire. He didn't asphyxiate her. She could have got out otherwise, through the window for example. Like you did. Someone must have immobilized or killed your sister, locked her in, then started the fire downstairs to cover up his crime. This person wanted to kill you all. Neither you nor your cat set the fire, (Y/N). Centaurs n don't exist, unlike doctors."

"Doctor… im-im-impossible… it can't…"

Fear descends on you, like thousands of daggers that pierce you at the same time. Undertaker was right, centaurs never existed. His devil creatures never existed, unlike doctors, especially this particular doctor. Tears were streaming down your pale cheeks, your breathing became jerky, your fingers began to go numb. You were having a panic attack. Undertaker moved closer to you, he cupped your face in his hands, lifting your head to force you to look at him. You see them take a deep breath and exhale. You imitated him, gradually finding your normal breathing. The undertaker sat down next to you, putting his arm around your shoulders to pull you into a hug.

"You had nothing to do with it, Poppet. What happened last night wasn't your fault. You were just a child."

"I saw it…"

"Hmm?"

"I saw him, a half-hearted student. I remember him! That key! Lizzie's!" you say between your teeth taking deep breaths. "He used it against me to make me forget what he did to my sister. Lord, my poor Lizzie."

"Now that you have the answers you wanted, what are you going to do?"

You had made Bumby pay for what he had done to your sister, your family and her poor children whom he had broken up to sell as sex slaves. You got Lizzie's key. Finally, you had the answers you had been waiting for for so many years.

"So? What are you going to do now?"

Your gaze fell on Undertaker. After neutralizing Bumby, you went to the cemetery to announce the good news to your family. The undertaker had appeared out of nowhere, but you didn't care too much to pay attention to that detail.

"I don't know. I stayed alive to find out the truth. I promised myself to stay loyal to the Earl. But even though he didn't help me find my family's murderer, he did when even got him out of the hospital."

You were surprised when you felt Undertaker's hand pull your wig off. You clapped your hands on your head. After two years, your hair had grown back into a little boyish haircut, but you didn't like people seeing your real hair.

"Give them back to me!" you cried, trying to get your wig back.

Undertaker put his arm around your waist, hugging you. You were mortified, your body frozen with embarrassment. Was Undertaker having fun humiliating you? The mortician was watching you intently, his left eye visible. He ran his finger over your cheek, tucking a stray strand behind your ear.

"Why are you wearing that wig?" he asked running his fingers through your hair.

"It's…it's a gift from the Count. Give me back my wig, I need it…"

"Ah sorry Poppet~ I didn't mean to upset you," he said as he put your wig back on your head. "Let me fix it~"

Undertaker arranged your wig to make you look presentable. You glared at the man with long gray/silver hair who placed a chaste kiss on your lips.

"I didn't mean to hurt you, love. I'm sorry if I made you angry," Undertaker apologized, taking your hand in his and bringing it to his lips. "But I have a request for you. What I found deserves more than just a kiss~don't you think~"

Your cheeks turned red. You pushed Undertaker away, telling him you weren't a prostitute. This simple sentence made the undertaker who was rolling in the grass roar with laughter. You looked at him surprised as he regained his composure. He stood up saying you were hilarious. Definitely, this man was the strangest.

"I don't want a carnal relationship, my dear. No~ No~ what I want is for you to visit me on your days off~"

"Is that all you want?" you asked uncomfortably.

"Yes~ I am a man of my word~"

You accepted Undertaker's request. You visited him on your days off. Strangely, you were counting the days until your holidays. You enjoyed visiting Undertaker, despite the kissing incident. You caught yourself telling him about what happened to you in the psychiatric hospital, your old life with your family, your life at the mansion and other things. A few days before you embarked on the Campania with the young count, you had gone to Undertaker to tell him that you would be away for a while. Ciel had asked you to accompany him with Snake and Sebastian, of course. He also ordered you to keep quiet about why you were boarding the Campania. Apparently Karnstein Hospital had found a way to bring the dead back to life. It was ridiculous, but with everything you've been through, it wouldn't really surprise you.

"Hey~ the Earl is selfish to keep you all to himself for his three weeks," Undertaker commented as he hugged you and rested his chin on your head. "Wouldn't you like to stay with me for her three weeks?"

"And it is the young master who is selfish?" you replied with a sigh.

"Eheheh~ Sorry~Sorry~ It's okay if you leave. I'm going to be away for a while as well," he said letting go of you to go to his kitchen. "Make yourself at home, Poppet~"

You watched Undertaker disappear into the kitchen, presumably to make some tea. Your gaze rested on one coffin in particular. You didn't know why, but you had a morbid curiosity about this coffin. Why did no one come to claim this coffin? Why wasn't Undertaker going to put him in a mass grave? Who could possibly be in this coffin? You moved closer to the coffin, looking towards the kitchen, making sure the undertaker was still busy. You swallow, grabbing the edge of the lid, forcing it a little to lift it up a bit. You didn't have time to open the coffin enough to see who was inside when a pair of hands suddenly landed on the lid, closing the coffin with a crash. Your body tensed as you felt Undertaker lean against your back, his hair tickling your cheeks and his lips brushing your ear. Your heart was beating incredibly fast in your chest.

"I didn't know you were a curious little mouse, Poppet~"

"I'm… I'm sorry, Undertaker. That's…"

"There's something special about this coffin," he whispered in your ear, stroking the lid. "One thing I seek to fix."

"W-wait Undertaker!" you cried, managing to get out of his grip, placing your hands on his chest to push him back. "I'm sorry for going through your stuff. I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry."

You looked at the ground ashamed of your behavior. Normally, you would never have done such a thing. Your behavior made the Undertaker chuckle. The mortician took your chin between his fingers, forcing you to raise your head.

"You really are an interesting mortal, (Y/N)," Undertaker commented, bringing his face dangerously close to yours. "With such a beautiful soul~"

Undertaker dropped your chin, running his fingers down your throat, then down your chest. You felt your cheeks warm when the mortician squeezed your left breast in his hand. To your surprise, Undertaker tipped you over the coffin. He clapped his hands on either side of your head and placed his leg between yours. You were trapped.

"Such a sweet soul~" he said placing his head on your chest. "So full of life~ Aaah~ I would so love to kidnap her. Keep her to myself for eternity. Maybe this is the only way to save you, you wouldn't mind me kidnapping you to keep you just for me?"

You didn't know what to answer. You'd be lying if you said that proposal wasn't tempting. To be with Undertaker for eternity? Your irrational side was screaming for you to accept this proposal, but your rational side was screaming at you to run away as far as possible. You were shaking. You didn't know if it was fear or excitement. All this was strange, terrifying and exciting. Undertaker sighed loudly as he tightened his grip before letting go of you to straighten up. For the first time since you had met the undertaker, you saw his eyes. Mesmerizing green/yellow eyes and a long scar lined his face.

"Excuse me, Poppet. I didn't mean to scare you," Underaker apologized, placing a quick kiss on your lips.

Undertaker stood up before helping you to your feet. He readjusted your dress and restyled your hair to make you look presentable. All of this was terribly embarrassing.

"Hm…you…you said you were going to be away too," you say, hoping to break through that unease.

"Right," Undertaker replied, brushing his hair back over his eyes. "I have some business to attend to outside of London."

"I… I see. I have to go. The young count must be waiting for me," you say, pointing your finger at the door. "So…"

Undertaker smiled seeing you so uncomfortable. The undertaker was leaning towards you, kissing your temple.

"We'll see you soon, Poppet~ Pass my regards to the Count."

After this strange visit, you left the shop in perplexity. Undertaker was a strange man, but what just happened was even more strange than usual. You returned to the cart to return to the Phantomhive mansion and prepare for the cruise. Even if it was for an investigation to reassure her majesty, it will be the first time that you will travel aboard a luxury freighter for three long weeks.

Seeing the liner on D-Day made you nervous. It was the first time that Sebastian and the Count allowed you to come on one of their missions, you weren't going to be able to enjoy this sumptuous trip. Elizabeth had wept with joy when she saw that Ciel had "surprised" her. At least you had an excuse. It took another three days to wait for the Aurora company meeting. You had disguised yourself to go unnoticed and avoid a scandal. You had traded your wig (Y/H/C) for long red hair, a fake pair of glasses was placed on your nose and you had traded skilled servants for a crimson red dress. Ciel had put on a blonde wig and traded in his eye patch for bandages. And Sebastian had just put on a wig. The butler quickly explained what you were going to have to do to make it look like you were part of Aurora society. Ciel was mortified and you uncomfortable at the thought of striking such a pose. The young count took a glass of water at an exorbitant price. The smoking room was filled with well-to-do people waiting impatiently for the meeting to begin.

"Are you firts timers?" asked a man who had just noticed your arrival.

"The… the complete flame in our chests…," Ciel began uncomfortably.

"Shall not be extinguished by anyone," the man continued.

"We are…The Phoenix!"

Striking the Phoenix pose was terribly embarrassing. You and Ciel were red as peonies, but at least the man was satisfied. He welcomed you to the company and gave you three Phoenix badges. Giggles came to your ears. You and the young Earl were surprised to see Undertake, laughing.

"Saying "The Phoenix!" with such a serious face hahaha!" Undertaker exclaimed.

"You bastard!" exclaimed Ciel mortifying.

"Now, now young master," Sebastian said.

"Undertaker? What are you doing here?" you asked, trying to forget your embarrassment.

"My job, Poppet. The hospital is a regular customer of mine," Undertaker explained, regaining his composure.

"We're investigating the illegal human experimentation going on here though. Do you know anything about the revival of the dead?" Ciel asked, glaring at his informant.

"Just a sec, if you want information then I want my compensation," Undertaker stopped chuckling. "Let's see~ How about you do that pose once more?"

"Who the hell will…?!!!

"The Phoenix!!!"

Ciel and Sebastian's attention was drawn to none other than the Viscount of Druitt. Undertaker took advantage of his moment of inattention to grab your hand and lead you with him, through the crowd, away from Ciel and Sebastian.

"U-Undertaker? What are you doing?"

"Hush, it's starting," Undertaker said, pointing to men carrying a coffin to the makeshift stage.

A young man, probably in his late twenties, came onto the stage. No doubt a doctor saw the white coat he was wearing.

"Who is that man?" you asked looking at the puzzled Undertaker.

"The Founder: Ryan Stoker. An idiot."

"Hey?"

"Nothing, Poppet," the undertaker replied, hugging you, resting his chin on your head.

"The complete flame in our chest shall not be extinguished by anyone," Ryan said before striking the Phoenix pose. "We are the Phoenix!!! Ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for coming to today's research presentation of the Aurora society's "complete salvation of making through medicine". What is complete salvation you say? That is… COMPLETE HEALTH!!! A healthy body! Healthy teeth! A healthy spirit housed within a healthy body! And finally, a healthy mood! HEALTHINESS IS TRULY SPLENDID!!!"

"W-what?" you asked lost. "What he is talking about?"

"Shhh~ The best part is coming~"

"However, there's the worst kind of health issue that we can't overcome no matter how hard we try," Rya continued, placing her hand on the coffin. "What is that, you say? Death! And the great power that will save us from this disaster is THE AURORA SOCIETY'S MEDICINE!!!! We will now show you ladies and gentlemen. The fruits of our "complete salvation of manking through medicine "research."

Two men removed the lid of the coffin where a young girl was. A shiver ran up your spine as you leaned against Undertaker's chest. You felt bad.

"Are you all right, Poppet?" Undertaker asked running his fingernail through your hair.

"That girl reminds me of Lizzie," you say looking away from the scene. "I…I don't want to watch this. Besides, it's cruel to make someone believe that you can bring a dead person back to life."

"Ummm~ Do you mean?"

"Yes! How can they mourn properly?"

"Who knows~ But watch carefully what's next Poppet~"

Even though you didn't feel like it, you brought your attention back to the scene. Ryan's men placed electrodes on the deceased's chest and temples. Ryan sent powerful electric shocks into the body before stopping the machine and ordering the deceased to get up, like the Phoenix. To your surprise, and that of the crowd, the body began to move. The resurrected young girl stood up, under the tearful eyes of her parents and the admiration of the crowd. You remained speechless in front of this scene. How could that be possible? No one could defeat death, not even my medicine. You had a very bad feeling. The crowd began to applaud Ryan for this complete salute. But something was strange in the behavior of the young girl, she was perhaps "awakened", but she did not seem more alive than before. The mother hugged her daughter, crying with joy and thanking the doctor, but to everyone's surprise, the girl opened her mouth as wide as she could to bite her mother's shoulder. Blood spurted from the wound, the mother's cry of pain echoed in the quiet room. There was silence for a few seconds before people started screaming and fleeing the scene. You didn't have time to do anything that Undertaker dragged you behind the machine that had just "resuscitated" the young woman.

"What do you-"

"Hush!"

Undertaker had just clapped his hand over your mouth. You looked at the undertaker surprised by his behavior. His attention was focused on the undead advancing towards Sebastian and Ciel. You saw the butler throw knives at the monster's vital points, but it had no effect. How could that thing still move after Sebastian's knives had touched its heart?

"We've seen enough. Let's get out of here Poppet."

"W-wait! Undertaker!"

Undertaker took you with him out of the room, taking you away from Ciel and Sebastian. You were trying to pull your wrist out of the undertaker's grip, but he was determined to take you with him. You tried to talk to him, but Undertaker pretended not to hear you. You understood that you had no choice but to follow the undertaker through the corridors of the liner until you arrived in a room where you were pushed unceremoniously. You turned to the undertaker, but he quickly locked the door, trapping you in the room. You rushed to the door, trying in vain to open it.

"Undertaker! What's wrong with you?!" you asked, banging on the door. "Let me out!"

"Sorry Poppet. You better stay in there. I don't want you to get hurt. It's the last thing I want," Undertaker replied, his voice muffled by the door. "You don't fear anything here. Stay quietly there until I return. I won't be long."

You heard Undertaker's footsteps walking away from the room. He really just locked you in that room? What was happening? First this girl coming back to life and devouring people, then Undertaker decides to lock you up without giving you a plausible explanation. What were you supposed to do? You couldn't stay locked in this room, but what could you do? You had to calm down and think of a way out of this room. You were snapped out of your thoughts when you heard people screaming in terror and running through the hallways. What was happening? There was another strange noise reaching your ears. Rattles. What was happening? You had to get out of here. Your gaze swept the room when you saw an air vent. It was big enough for you to fit in. You pushed the desk to reach your only exit. You manage, with some difficulty, to open the gate and slip into the ducts. Screams of terror, pain and gasps echoed through the vents. You stopped in front of a gate to see what was making people hysterical. The living were chased by other undead. Was that why Undertaker locked you in his room? Did he know what was going to happen? A violent jolt shook the liner. The tremor lasted a good minute until everything became "calm" again. Did he hit something? You crawled back through the vents, looking for a hallway quiet enough to get out of there. You found a deserted corridor, there was not the slightest living and the slightest death. You opened the grille and pulled out the air ducts. This place was way too quiet. You took out your revolver before setting off. You had to find the Count and Sebastian. And quick. You were running through the long dark corridors. The corridors were all alike, this liner was a real labyrinth, it reminded you of the hospital.

"The hospital…," you muttered before shaking your head. "No, (Y/N)! Stay focused!"

You quickly set off through this maze. The liner was leaning dangerously, it was only a matter of a minute before it sank forever in the ocean. You'll run through the long corridors, passing several doors to arrive in a reception room. The huge room was empty, all the furniture had been knocked over and the majority of the doors were blocked, the corpses of half-eating people littered the floor in a pool of blood. How could things have gotten so bad? The huge room was empty, all the furniture had been knocked over and most of the doors were blocked, half-eaten corpses were strewn on the floor in a pool of blood. It reminded you of that night, it looked like it. Deaths, blood, screams, tears. You were snapped out of your thoughts when you heard a door open. You got into a fighting stance when you saw a group of men alive, along with Undertaker, Sebastian, and Ciel. A sigh of relief escaped your lips when you saw that they weren't injured, but your attention quickly fell on the strange machine that Undertaker and three other men were carrying. The undertaker put the machine down, under the watchful eyes of Viscount and Ciel, before approaching you.

"You should have stayed in the bedroom, Poppet," Undertaker commented as he wrapped his arm around your waist, pulling you closer to him.

"You know what's going on on that liner, don't you?" you asked, sternly eyeing the undertaker.

"Ah~ that~ that's another story, Poppet~"

"Ah! Bastard!! Why did you take the device?!!!"

Ryan had just walked into the room with two other people you had never seen. You thought he was talking to the Viscount, but when he spoke, the doctor's eyes fell on him. It was not the Viscount he was addressing. You looked at Undertaker who chuckled as he tightened his grip on your waist. The Viscount fantasized about a new era, which he would name "The Aurora Empire". Either the man or woman was activating his chainsaw, saying he/she was going to paint it red, but Druitt was leaning his wine glass dangerously over the machine. The blonde laughed, saying he could beat everyone here with just a glass of wine.

"I'm going to kill him," you say, glaring Druitt sternly.

"Eheheh~ Not yet, Poppet~"

To your surprise, and that of the others, hundreds of undead broke the windows, clumped together and forming a traffic jam, a few managed to enter. There were far too many of his creatures to fight. Ciel asked the Viscount to activate the machine, but the Viscount announced that his title no longer suited him and that he would activate the machine only if the little Count called him Caesar. What was the problem with this guy who compared himself to Emperor Nero? The man/woman with long red hair ordered Druitt to activate the machine, losing what little patience he/she had. Druitt smiled ordering everyone in the room to do the phoenix dance to prove their loyalty. The three men and the man/woman looked at Druitt with the same idea in mind, to kill him.

"Oh no," Undertaker chuckled, rubbing your cheek against your hair. "Are you sure you don't want to know how that device works? You must too, Poppet."

Ciel glared at Undertaker who chuckled as he imagined this most hilarious scene.

"What are you doing? Come on!" Druitt exclaimed.

"The… the complete flame in our chests," Ciel and Sebastian began.

"Shall not be extinguished by anyone," Grell and Ronald continued.

"The nex embodiment of. We are…," Druitt continued.

"The Phoenix!!!"

The word Phoenix echoed around the room as the group struck a Phoenix pose. Druitt congratulated the group, announcing that he would show them how the army of the dead would bow down to him. Druitt turned on the machine, the light bulbs lit up, sparks appeared, then nothing, the machine went out on its own in front of everyone's eyes. Undertaker's laugh echoed around the room, you saw the undertaker roll on the floor and hold his ribs. Why the machine was not working? Wasn't the Viscount who built this thing?

"Bastard! So you fooled me?!" yelled Ryan annoyed.

You looked at Ryan surprised. It wasn't Druitt he was yelling at, it was…

You were snapped out of your thoughts when you heard the sound of the chainsaw motor. You saw Grell leap from the balcony, slicing the undead in half, before rushing at Druitt. You didn't have time to react when Undertaker moved in front of the Viscount, blocking Grell's chainsaw with a sotobari.

"Un-Undertaker?" you asked surprised.

"Hehe… it's been a while since I've laughed so much to lose such an amusing man would be like losing the whole world to me…," Undertaker commented quietly as he removed his top hat. "Don't you agree? Shinigami?"

"The deathscythe's blade can't cut it?!" exclaimed Grell surprised.

Undertaker pushed Grell away, opening his jacket to reveal the sotobaris hiding beneath. Undertaker smiled as he sent sotobari at Grell, who shielded himself with his chainsaw, but one of the sotobari grazed the Shinigami's temple. Grave markers shattered the huge glass. Your legs had turned to jelly, you collapsed on the stairs, staring at Undertaker in shock. What was he doing? What was happening?

"Ahh…how sad…," Undertaker commented, brushing hair from his face, revealing his green/yellow eyes and the scar across his face. "How sad it would be should laughter disappear."

Ciel was as surprised as you to find Undertaker's true face. You shielded your face as the shards of glass crashed to the floor. You didn't want to watch this show. You didn't want to be there. You were praying this was all a nightmare and you were going to wake up. You felt like your head was underwater, it was way too much information to take in all at once. You vaguely heard Sebastian say that he had never noticed the undertaker's true nature and that he had concealed his eyes very well, while Ronald and Grell understood that Undertaker was a Shinigami. Undertaker sneered, saying it hadn't been called that for half a century.

shinigami? What was this thing? What was happening? Why did things get so bad? You lay curled up on the floor, digging your nails into your skull. Your heart was beating insanely fast in your chest, your fingers were numb, your breathing was erratic, you were having a panic attack. What were you supposed to do? To run away? Combat? Do nothing? You vaguely heard Ryan yell at Undertaker, but you felt like your head was under water. The young doctor didn't understand why the Shinigami had lied to him? The whole thing about going to America to spread complete salvation was a lie. All Undertaker replied was that he thought this would all be fun, since Ryan was trying, seriously, to bring the dead back to life and he was the perfect person to achieve his goal. The terrible truth fell on Ryan, he had been manipulated from the start. The young man fell to his knees, horrified by this truth.

"So in the other words, you're the mastermind behind the Aurora society's human ressurection experiments, Undertaker!" Ciel exclaimed, eyeing the undertaker.

"That's a secret," Undertaker replied before sighing with a shrug. "is what I'd like to say, but by doing that Phoenix pose, you've paid me for an awful amount of information. So I'll tell you. Hehe~ It's true that I was the one who made these moving corpses ."

"Why?!"

"Ah yes… at first, it was probably just my curiosity toward humans," Undertaker began, tapping the tip of his sotobari on the ground.

Humans were a body of flesh and a soul. If brought together, they could exist among the living and continue to record their memories in the cinematic lantern. And when the body of flesh withers and a Shinigami comes to collect the soul, the film stops and the living becomes dead. The Shinigami then takes the soul from the body from a list and thus ends the kaleidoscope. Day after day, quietly, indifferently, Undertaker lived this Shinigami life for a long time when one day he said to himself: what if the ending had a continuation? What would happen to the body if a sequel was added to its memories that ended when the soul is removed?

"Shinigami only hunt souls after all. The body and the brain that holds the memories are left in this world," Undertaker continued.

"Hehe~ Well then how about you take a look at their records with your own abilities?" Undertaker asked, pointing to one of the undead.

Grell activated her chainsaw to cut off the heads of two walking corpses, revealing their cinematic lantern. At first, everything was normal, then after the lantern ended, the two Shinigami and the demon were surprised to see that Undertaker had added a film of him doing anything. Which had the gift of making Grell hysterical. You ignored everything they were saying, covering your ears with your hands so as not to hear anything anymore. You had to calm down, to come to your senses. You could see Undertaker, the two other Shinigami and Sebastian fighting among themselves. But no sound reached your ears, you could just hear the beating of your heart which was deafening, your breathing was erratic, your heart was beating at a crazy speed and you had the impression that your legs were made of lead. You were having a panic attack. Your attention was quickly diverted from the fight to be brought back to Ciel. The teenager was talking to you, but his voice couldn't reach you. You were just watching his lips move when your attention was drawn to one of the walking corpses rushing at Ciel. You were brought out of your panic attack, grabbing the young Count by the collar of his jacket to throw him over the banister.

Ciel looked at you surprised when he saw you grab him by the collar of his shirt to lift him off the ground and throw him over the banister. During his fall, he saw the corpse throw itself at you, pinning you to the ground and sinking its teeth into your throat before its body hit the ground heavily, cutting off its breath.

The cry of pain that escaped from your mouth, feeling the corpse sink its teeth deep into your flesh and tear it out, resonated in the room. A metallic taste invaded your mouth, you had trouble breathing. You could only see the walking corpse chewing noisily on the piece of your own flesh.

You saw the man/woman with long red hair land next to you and pull out a notebook.

"(Y/N) (Y/L/N), born in 1864, aged twenty-five, dies of a hemorrhage. Nothing special," Grell said with a chuckle.

Dead…?

You were dying?

So this is how you were going to die?

"Poor thing," Grell chuckled. "A life of misery with an equally miserable end. Be glad to be free of this miserable existence."

As you heard this person speak to you, you saw your vision begin to darken, the noise stopped reaching your ears and then it was black and complete silence.

#x reader #fanfiction #female reader #reader insert #black butler undertaker x reader #sebastian michaelis #ciel phamtonhive #kuroshitsuji #grell sutcliff #ciel black butler #undertaker x reader #sebastian black butler

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thepieisalie · 1 year ago

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A snippet from “Chapter 1: Visiting Hours” of my Azula redemption fanfic:

—

Context: Zuko visits Azula in the asylum

…

The room was depressingly empty, aside from a single wooden chair by the wall and the bed under the ‘‘window.’’ Most of the rooms in the psych ward had at least some furniture or decorations to liven it up. Azula’s room used to have them too, at the very start. Most of it had been burned to a crisp by now. And if Zuko had to guess, that chair wasn’t going to last long either.

Azula sat on top of the bed, crawled into the corner. Her arms were restrained in a straitjacket, as well as her feet which were held together by chained cuffs. She only had a little bit of movement free so she could walk if she wanted to. She had her face turned towards the wall and was softly mumbling to herself.

Zuko felt his stomach churn at the sight of his sister, but he ignored it and forced himself to remain calm. He pulled the chair into the middle with his foot, since he had his hands occupied with the tea. The noise caused Azula to stir and turn. Her eyes darted wildly until she recognized him and that controlled demeanor he was so used to returned on her expression.

‘’Hi, Azula,’’ he said softly as he sat down on the chair. She didn’t say anything back. She just watched him. He was quiet for a moment before awkwardly motioning to the cups he was holding. ‘’I uh, brought you something.’’

She looked at the cups, then back at him. Entirely unimpressed. ‘’How am I supposed to drink tea in a straitjacket, Zuzu?’’

He was a little taken aback by her comment but continued.

‘’I thought it would be nice,’’ he said as he placed one of the cups on the floor next to him. ‘’For you to have something from home. Maybe the tea could lend you a little dignity.’’

She huffed a short, mocking laugh. ‘’Don’t you talk to me about dignity. Not while you keep me in here.’’

Zuko inwardly cringed. He knew she was right. She looked anything but dignified right now. She was extremely pale and her hair was a knotted mess. That was probably because she was so difficult about the nurses touching her.

‘’Would you like me to take you out to the gardens? It’s a nice day for—‘’

‘’I’m not interested in being wheeled around to look at flowers. Why are you here?’’

Zuko sighed, breaking eye contact to look at the steaming cup in his hands. ‘’You’re family. Do I need to have any other reason to come visit you?’’

‘’You have a strange idea of caring for family, Zuzu. Given you have each of us locked up.’’

‘’You’re not locked up,‘’ he began to argue, but Azula gave him a pointed look. Zuko sighed again. ‘’Do you want the tea or not?’’

She eyed him for a moment before giving a very small nod. Zuko leaned forward, holding the cup to her lips so she could drink.

‘’Do you ever think of Father?’’ he asked her after she finished.

‘’Hmm, sometimes,’’ she said as she looked past him in thought. ‘’Sometimes I think of Mother too.’’

That caught Zuko’s attention. ‘’You do?’’

Azula nodded, still not looking him in the eye. ‘’I know she’s behind all of this. She probably send you to come here today. I know it. She can’t fool me.’’

Zuko instantly felt a heaviness weighing on his chest. Dr. Sun Chen told him before that Azula would sometimes have mad ramblings about their mother. The doctor claimed it was some sort of trauma response. He had no idea what that meant.

‘’Do you ever wonder what happened to her?’’

Azula shrugged. In the best way she could with the jacket on.

‘’I’ve been trying to talk to Father about her. But he won’t speak to me. I was wondering if maybe you could try to talk to him.’’

Azula’s eyes filled with clarity again and her gaze instantly fixated back on him. ‘’So you did come here with a reason.’’

‘’Please, Azula. You might be the only person who can get anything out of him.’’

She looked away for a moment, pretending to think it over. ‘’Fine. But I cannot go speak to him looking like this. If you want me to face him, I must be allowed to do so with some dignity.’’

Zuko closed his eyes, clutching the cup in his hand a little tighter. He knew she was trying something. Using his own words against him. He needed to remind himself that even though she had been in the institution for so long, her personality had not changed.

—

You can read the rest of Chapter 1: Visiting Hours on AO3, by clicking the link below!

#princess azula #avatar the last airbender #atla azula #atla zuko #azula fanfic #atla fanfic #fanfiction #ao3 fanfic #i am so normal about azula

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ducaduart · 3 days ago

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Patient T.Rogers Ticci Toby AU 🦌🪓

Chapter 2 " Minor Misfortunes "

May 30, 2024

Today, the start of my day was nothing out of the ordinary. I received my injection and some pills, ate, went out to the yard—nothing different, just the same boring shit as always. Now I'm working on a puzzle. It's not very conventional; it's several flat squares that I have to line up. Since I'm wearing a straitjacket, I wouldn't be able to put together a normal puzzle easily or without help, so they gave me this one. I usually leave the pieces on the floor and assemble it with my feet. It's not as difficult or impressive as some I've seen, but it's good for passing the time, and it's the main activity I've been doing. I confess that I feel more relaxed when I'm putting the pieces together. I stay focused and don't pay attention to my surroundings, which is perfect.

"Rogers!"

I look up in the direction of the voice calling my name. The nurse is looking at me through the small "window" in the door.

"Your session starts in 10 minutes, so clean up this mess!"

The nurse says rather irritably and leaves. Someone is having a bad day... I sigh and get up, starting to gather the pieces, which consists of putting them all in a pile on the floor next to the box. It doesn't take long for him to return, he comes back with the same sour look on his face as when he came to give me the warning and unlocks the door, letting me through, he closes it and locks it again and starts to lead me down the corridor, we take the same route as always to the room where I had my therapy sessions and the nurse opens the door.

"Behave yourself, you brat..."

The nurse says in a hoarse, warning tone and opens the door for me to enter. As soon as I step inside, he slams the door shut rudely.

'Jezz...'

I think to myself as I continue walking deeper into the room. Not far away, in the armchair where my old psychiatrist used to sit, was a younger guy, around 25-30 years old, with dark skin like dark chocolate, a black buzzcut, and eyes like honey, who smiled in a sickeningly gentle way. He wasn't as annoying as Dr. Jackass-on, but still sickening. I walk over to the chair where I usually sit facing him, looking at the oval pine coffee table with the glass vase of water and a single, slightly wilted rose inside. The silence hangs for a few minutes until the guy opens his mouth.

"Hello! Mr.....Tobias Rogers!"

The man with the serene gaze says with a short pause as he reviews the file with my information.

"I believe you are already aware of Dr. Caron's departure! I am Dr. Conrado, Lucas Conrado, and I will be your new psychiatrist starting today! It's a pleasure to meet you!"

He finishes his introduction and remains silent, probably waiting for a response, which never comes. A few more minutes pass with me staring at the table, neither of us saying anything, but I can feel his gaze. It is penetrating, different from the way Dr. Caron looked at me. Dr. Caron looked at me with boredom, fatigue, defeat... But this one... he looks at me intrigued, with curiosity, calmly, practically analyzing me from head to toe, paying attention to every movement, every blink, every sigh, every tiny movement, every muscle contraction... I'm even feeling a little naked. I'm not exactly irritated, but... disturbed... I'm not used to anyone looking at me like that. Strange guy...

I shift a little in my seat and glance around the room.

'How much longer is he going to keep me here? ... Shouldn't he have released me by now? ...'

As I look around the room, I notice the window not too far away. The curtains are wide open, which is unusual. Dr. Caron usually keeps them closed, with only daylight illuminating the thin pink fabric. Well... at least I have some kind of entertainment. I stare at the window, the landscape, which makes me feel calmer, but I can still feel his gaze, analyzing me... ugh! I even feel a tremor, very strange, very strange guy...

The sky outside has a beautiful blue gradient... covered with fluffy clouds... I start looking for shapes in them... I see one... a deer! Yes, a full-bodied deer, facing me, as if looking at me! I also see... a car! A car on its side, it's a little dented but it's a car haha!...and... I can't tell... it's kind of square, and it has what looks like a stick... hmm... Ah! I know! Definitely a lollipop! What else...

"Very good, Tobias! Our session is over for today! See you tomorrow at the same time, okay?"

Oh, finally, I couldn't stand this guy staring at me anymore! It was about time. The dark-skinned man goes to the door and tells the nurse that the session is over, opening the door and waiting for me with a smile. I get up and slowly walk to the door.

"Have a good evening and night, Tobias! See you tomorrow!"

He says with the same kind smile, waiting for me to leave, closing the door quietly when I'm in the hallway on my way to my room, accompanied by the nurse right behind me.

I hope I can continue, well... start my puzzle again before going to sleep. I've been trying to put it together for a long time, but they always interrupt me. I'm going to start making mental notes of how much I solve, so I can break records and...

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!!"

The nurse and I heard a piercing scream coming from behind us further down the hallway. Turning quickly to see the cause of the scream, I saw one of the cleaning ladies on the floor holding her hand to her chest, blood spattered across her uniform shirt and hands, and a little staining her pants and her face, which had a wide-eyed, glazed look. Hot, abundant tears streamed down her face, her eyebrows painfully furrowed, and her mouth wide open and pursed. A little snot dripped from her nose, probably due to crying, and her hair was a mess with strands and more strands escaping from the once tight bun she had made in her hair, she continued to cry, dragging herself in terror to the wall behind her, looking at the reason for all her anguish and fear. A completely distraught patient screamed and screamed, struggling to get toward the cleaning lady while other nurses restrained him. He yelled with an animalistic expression. Jesus, I've never seen eyes so wide... My eyes lower a little more on his face and... oh! I get it... his mouth is open in a crazy shape that I can't describe... I don't know, it looks like something straight out of a child's drawing, discovering shapes, and it's dirty, no, smeared with blood... he must have bitten her...

"YOU PIECE OF SHIT! YOU PIECE OF SHIT! YOU SICK SON OF A BITCH! YOU RIPPED OFF MY FINGER!"

The woman screams from her place on the floor, now no longer so scared, but extremely annoyed, she was really angry, yeah... there's more to it than that.

"THIS IS ABSURD! A TREMENDOUS ABSURDITY! HOW CAN YOU NOT CONTROL THIS THING?!"

"Ruth, calm down—"

"CALM DOWN??? CALM DOWN??!! THIS ANIMAL RIPPED MY FINGER OFF AND YOU'RE ASKING ME TO CALM DOWN???"

"Yelling like that won't help, it will only make the others-"

"WHOEVER STAYS!!! I DON'T CARE! THEY SHOULDN'T EVEN BE HERE! AN ANIMAL LIKE THAT CAN'T BE FIXED! THE ONLY REMEDY IS HELL!"

Wow, someone's angry... If I were her, I'd be more grateful, at least it wasn't her ear, hehe...

"YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS, YOU PIECE OF SHIT!"

She says with venom in her voice and spits at the patient, upsetting him even more. Sure, that's exactly how you treat someone who just bit off your finger, you're so smart my dear! My inspiration!

"I QUIT! I HOPE YOU ALL FUCK YOURSELVES, YOU INCOMPETENTS! AND I HOPE YOU DIE IN YOUR SLEEP, YOU RETARD!"

She says, storming off and still shouting curses and insults, holding her bloody hand against her chest. She passes me, leaving a trail of scarlet drops that follow her down the hallway and down the stairs. Yeah, that's something that wasn't on the agenda! The nurse and I start walking again, following the trail for a while, which only leaves us when we turn the corner to my room. The nurse leaves me there and walks away. Now it's just me again.

I go to the puzzle box and throw it on the floor, scattering the pieces all over the carpet, and waste no time in starting to put it together. As I assemble it, I can't help thinking about what just happened. After all, it's not every day that someone has their finger ripped off in the middle of the hallway, is it?

And... I think she deserved it, she deserved it! That woman wasn't a stranger to me! No, no, no... I've seen her around the sanatorium a few times, and how can I put it? She doesn't mind her own business... not with patients or staff, she's very... talkative... she talks shit about the staff, she talks shit about the patients, the only difference is that with the patients she's more brave and speaks more directly.

I don't know what made her think that acting tough in a psychiatric hospital with people with different types of mental problems and different degrees of severity was a good idea, but it was only a matter of time before something like this happened... it seems ridiculously obvious, doesn't it?....It is... it's incredible to see how someone can be so stupid... maybe she'll be smarter next time... oh no, she quit, that's right, well, it's understandable... so maybe at her next job?... why am I thinking about this???

Well, one thing is certain, with her resignation, they'll have to hire someone new to replace her. I just hope the next one have a little more sense than her...

"Rogers, time for bed."

Already? I look down and see that I haven't done practically anything on the puzzle, damn! I was daydreaming so much that I didn't even notice the time passing...

I gather the pieces into a pile and lie down on the bed. The nurse puts them in the box, places them on the desk, grabs the blanket, and throws it over me... literally, the blanket is thrown over me, covering my body from head to toe.

'No fucking way...'

I hear the light being turned off, the door being closed and locked, and him leaving.

'NO WAY HAHAHA'

I can't help but laugh softly in disbelief, well, at least I'll sleep warm hahaha...

Dr. Jackson's office 11:47 p.m.

"Dr. Jackson, she threatened to sue the hospital! You don't have to be calm!"

The doctor's assistant says, amazed at the blond man's calmness and serenity, who even had a gentle smile on his face.

"Connor~ I know! But anyone can threaten anyone! It's empty! Besides, she asked for it, didn't she?"

"What?!"

"Yes! You see, this particular employee has not only messed with patients but also with several employees here..."

"Yes, but-"

"If she does sue us, just give her a taste of her own medicine! Moral harassment, illegal embarrassment, and I think even contempt! After all, we are dealing with patients..."

"I don't know, doctor..."

"Connor, we have witnesses, cameras, the whole package! Look, I don't really want to do this, I can't even imagine what this poor woman is going through, but if I have to, I will... for the good of our hospital!...and she's not in a position to be so demanding, because as I said, she asked for it, she just reaped what she sowed!"

Dr. Jackson says, leaning back in his swivel chair and looking at his assistant with a reassuring smile.

"*sigh* I hope you know what you're doing, Dr. Jackson..."

"Don't worry, Connor! Everything will be fine! I've already scheduled an interview for tomorrow to fill the position!"

"B-But already?"

"Connor, Connor, Connor! The more people in the family, the better! And we can't leave any spaces empty!"

"I admire your proactivity and agility, Doctor!"

"Oh, come on, boy! I'm just doing my job!"

The blond man thanks him with a bright smile.

"If you don't mind me asking, Doctor, who is the interviewee?"

"Hmmm, let me remember... Oh yes! Alena, Alena Svilenko!"

"Svilenko? Hmm, interesting surname!"

"Captivating, isn't it? From what I read in her file, she is Ukrainian!"

"Oh, I see!"

"Oh! Look at the time! We'd better get going! After all, I want to be ready for the interview with Miss Svilenko, don't I?"

"Go ahead, Doctor! I'll lock the room and the exit for you!"

"Oh, thank you so much, Connor! I don't know what I'd do without you!"

"Hehe, no need to thank me, Doctor, it's the least I can do after all the hard work you do here every day!"

"You're making me blush, Connor! Haha! Have a good night, see you tomorrow!"

The tall man with a bright smile says goodbye to the shorter man as he puts on his large caramel-colored overcoat and leaves.

"You too, Doctor!"

(Hey, guys! It took a while, but it's out! I'll post the next chapters as soon as I can! Sorry for any mistakes or weirdness in the writing! English isn't my first language! Bye! Kisses Kisses!).

#fanfic #fanmade #ticci toby #au #creepypasta #creepypasta au #oc x canon #tobias rogers #creepypasta toby #creepypasta ticci toby

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kcyars99 · 5 days ago

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that person is going to hell for this because what the heck wrong with you?!??!?!

And you know what else is sick?!? Mofos had the nerve to say I was bullying an autistic trans girl. I'm autistic too; you just on some weird shit. 😭 I blocked and moved on.

Like no the bitch’s brain is BOILED!

Is it crack?! Shawty need a straitjacket pronto,chyle dat mfka got 8 different personality disorders listed in they bio that brain is BOILED. Who does that? they are INSANE. Wtf! They are sickos LITERALLY!!! Promote necrophila but if I come at you it’s homophobia?! No! It’s not giving anti gay , it’s giving anti evil vibes and that post Is giving BOILED ASS BRAIN!!!!

They need to be put down IMMEDIATELY! IMMEDIATELY !!!!

Nevermind the block lists—get them off the entire internet! The fuck wrong with people?

😭😭😭😭 then this mfkas gone say im “Anti Intellect” baby them multiple personality disorders are speaking very loud that mfka needs a NURSE and a conservatorship 😭

Not you defending mfkas sticking they dicks up dead ass pussy you fuckin FREAK A ZOID go to JAIL EW GET THIS NASTY HOE OFF MY TIMELINE

You’re a fucking predator I hope someone puts your disgusting ass on a sex offenders list you disgusting fuckin freak go to jail then hell

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zephyrstrand · 3 months ago

Note

Halfway between doctors' visits, the physical therapist will visit you. The nurse watches silently, judging, from the corner as you're ordered to perform various exercises and stretches while still locked in your straitjacket. And if you do anything wrong -- the PT starts screaming at you, seemingly out of nowhere, furiously shouting at you to do it again, from the beginning, until you're crying. This goes on for an hour, until your legs are sore, perhaps riddled with welts from a ruler. The PT won't release your arms and help you to exercise them, though. You wonder how much atrophy will set in, how weak they'll be when granted any amount of release... And, fuck, you wish you could have RELEASE...

Though, maybe worse is when the respiratory therapist comes and asks you to start blowing into the spirometer. Then, shakes their head and slips a rubber hood and breathing apparatus over you, having you try blowing again... except... you find yourself unable to then inhale this time...

Can the PT have a German accent and be in her 50s? Like, you might have to put out the weirdest craigslist ad imaginable (doylian) but I NEED that. It's a medical necessity, hur hur.

And if she puts me through some pelvic floor exercises, shoving bony dry fingers up my various holes and telling me to tighten and relax in her brusk way, that'll just make me moan and cry louder, probably pissing her off even more. "Loosen! I said, loose! Not tight!" *smack*

Fuck, you're verging on real life medical trauma here with my asthma. But it's ok. Having a panic attack because I suddenly can't draw a breath is just part of your fun, isn't it, you sick fuck?

I better get the nicest, softest aftercare ever. Maybe you'll wrap my limbs in soft gauze and pet my head while you feed me a little cup of ice cream. Or give me a nice warm bath, ladling water over my head and scrubbing my back.

#zeph #zeph stories #tw medical

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occult-roommates · 3 years ago

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Awkward reunion

After his mom called him to tell him she knows he dropped out of college, Dawud assumed for some reason Audrey had snitched on him, since they talked about it the night before. But no, actually, he accidentally caused his own downfall. Shortly after hanging up with Audrey, he mindlessly posted on Facebook a selfie of him with Daniele clearly in front of the San Myshuno art museum, thinking to himself he’s gonna private it so only Audrey can see it...He forgot to do that. Maybe he should just stop going to the art museum with Daniele, nothing good ever came of it.

Now, how did his mom figured out it means he has dropped out. Well, let’s not forget that after dropping out, he lived with Audrey for about a year, and around once a mom, her mom, Jacqueline, came to visit her. She promised to keep the secret and not tell Farida before he’s ready, but at that point it’s been more than 18 months, and Farida finally knew he’s no longer in Oasis Spring. And so, Jacqueline told her the truth about her son’s whereabouts.

Now, it had been way more than a month, it was in fact almost July. Dawud tried to avoid his mom, which was hard as May was both Ramadan and her birthday month. So, when he finally got his two weeks off work, he decided to finally see his mom again, trying to make up for what was at that point almost two years of acting like he was dead. The first day after coming back home was incredibly awkward though, very little talking, quite obvious Farida was still pissed at him.

The next one appeared to be better at first. Farida was gardening happily, while Dawud laid on a lounge chair in his bathing suit, unable to believe it was not even noon and it was already scalding hot outside.

Dawud: I could not be a woman, like how do you even handle being dressed like that when it’s over a 100 degrees outside? Farida: I wouldn’t have told you how to dress if you were a girl. I can’t even get you to wear a shirt. Dawud: I mean, I think if I were a girl I’d have more of an incensitive to wear a shirt cause not doing it is uh...illegal. But I don’t think I’d be able to wear a bra. Like, I tried Audrey’s one as a joke once and it was so uncomfortable I felt like I was wearing a straitjacket. Farida: What?

Ah, he said too much again. Well, at least he didn’t also add he used to just not wear underwear growing up, up until that day in middle school when he got his dick stuck in his fly and he had to go see the school nurse to free it. She doesn’t need to know that. I’ts also marginally more acceptable when you have roommates to walk around in your underwear than cock out.

Farida: I don’t even understand why you are like that. I thought you’d outgrew that like the fact you used to constantly rock back and forth or shake your hands agressively, especially around Audrey, and you two would make incoherent noises. It was cute when you were toddlers, not so much when you were 12. Dawud: I didn’t outgrew it, I was bullied out of it. I told you, you just never believed me. Farida: And you still walk on your tiptoes when I told you it is bad for your back in the long term, and you can barely speak Arabic in spite of all my attempts to teach you. Dawud: Ok I get it I’m a fucking failure! Farida: And don’t used such words in front of me!

Getting mad, Dawud went inside and locked himself in his bedroom, as if he was a teenager again. It sucks, it really does. He tried so hard to make his mom proud, and it seems like it’s never enough...To be fair, he did messed up badly by lying to still be in school for more than a year, but still.

And then, as he was starting to regret being stucked here for two weeks, ruining his vacation, he received a very special text message from a very special someone...

Prev - Next

#sims 4 #the sims 4 #ts4 #simblr #sims 4 community #sims 4 gameplay #sims community #occult roommates #dawud sahan #farida alwan #jacquline newberry #daniele rossini #long post #OcRo s1

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womanofwords · 3 years ago

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The Interview of Sara Berry

Karla Jones walked into the psychiatric ward feeling rather nervous. This was certainly not her first time interviewing someone, but it was her first time having a convicted murderer as the interviewee.

“So, what exactly is Sara Berry’s claim to fame?” the cameraman, Charlie Nelson, asked.

“Murdered six of her classmates at her senior prom three years ago to obtain the title of prom queen after a psychotic break. Poisoned punch for one of them, another one had her head bashed in with a rock, one girl’s body was dismembered and the pieces spread round the school, another was drowned in the pool. Her rival was the one that called the cops. Sentenced to life in a psychiatric institution.” Karla looked surprisingly happy to be in the presence of such a person.

“Good to know. Now why are you so happy about this!”

“Are you kidding me? This is going to be shining moment of my career! Me, Karla Jones, the one interviewing the murderer prom queen candidate!” She excitedly twirled a lock of thick black hair.

“Of course,” Charlie replied. Which one of them is really crazy? he wondered.

“You’re the news people, right?” a nurse asked. Karla nodded, and the nurse sighed. This clearly wasn’t the first time news crews had come into the unit. “And who are you going to be talking to?”

“Sara Berry. Where is she?” Karla asked. The nurse paled.

“Come with me. Don’t mind the screaming, there’s a lot of that there,” the nurse beckoned for them to follow her, looking noticeably rattled.

Just how bad was Sara Berry that a presumably experienced nurse was this shaken?

Karla and Charlie were led through winding corridors and up stairs that made Charlie feel almost dizzy as he lugged a heavy camera up the stairs. Karla stifled a gasp as she looked at the sign above the staircase and the checkpoint a few feet away.

SECURE AREA

“Gonna have to search you for weapons, I’m afraid,” the nurse replied. “Can’t have any of the residents getting a hold of anything dangerous.” Karla sighed and allowed herself to be patted down by people that would make airport security seem inadequate in comparison. After an agonizing fifteen minutes, they were allowed through to see Sara Berry, in her small padded cell and tight straitjacket, wheeled in on a hand truck that reminded the interviewer and cameraman of Hannibal Lecter.

“Good morning, Sara Berry,” Karla nervously greeted. Sara smiled widely at her, with too many teeth.

“Sara, my name is Karla Jones, this is Charlie Nelson, and we’re here to interview you for TV about why you’re . . . in here,” Karla explained. “Would you like us to do that?”

“Oh, yes!” Sara giggled, squirming with glee on the hand truck she was strapped on. “I really shouldn’t be surprised about people wanting me on TV. I am royalty, after all!”

“Royalty? How so?” Karla asked.

“I’m the queen of High School Land! That has to make me royalty!” Sara bragged. “It’s such a shame they took my crown from me.”

“That was taken as evidence, Sara,” Karla replied. “Are we going to talk to you today or not?”

“OK, OK, I’ll answer all your questions,” the murderous high schooler replied. Well, she wasn’t a high schooler any more. She was twenty-one years old, and was supposed to be in college right about now.

Those six girls she murdered were also supposed to be in college right about now.

Karla motioned to Charlie to switch on the camera and put on her best reporter face. “So, Sara, let’s start with you life before . . . this. What your life like?”

“Oh, my life was great! I was basically in charge of the student body in high school! And why wouldn’t I be popular? Hot bod, hot boy, cheer captain, plus I was rich,” Sara bragged. “I’m the apple of Daddy’s eye, being his only child. Mom died when I was a baby, but it really didn’t have much of an effect. It was sad, but I was still happy.”

“Sounds like your life was perfect.” Karla couldn’t help but think about her own high school experiences. Being the kid that was obsessed with asking questions was not something that earned her many friends. “So, what really started the problems for you?”

“Julie Jenkins lost a leg in a wreck. Amputated. All of a sudden, everyone wants to vote her queen out of good will! ‘Let’s do something nice for the girl who’s wheelchair-bound and without a leg! End the year on a good note!’ Spare me the sob story, dumb no-name.”

Karla wanted to point out that wheelchair-bound was not politically correct, but she held her tongue. “You seem rather . . . angry towards Julie. Do you blame her for all of this?”

“Of course I do! She may not have started this, but I know she was milking it for all she was worth. Faking pain in class, asking people to get things for her that she can’t reach, all the most annoying sympathy bids!” Her tone became more desperate now. “It was only supposed to be a pity vote. It was never supposed to get this far. She was never supposed to win! It was supposed to be me!”

“Sara, calm down. There’s no need to get defensive.” All those de-escalation tactics she’d been taught appeared to be paying off now, as Sara took some deep breaths and calmed down. “Now, tell me: why did you want to be prom queen?”

“Don’t be ridiculous! Every girl in school wants to be prom queen! It’s the best thing about high school,” Sara informed, sounding a tad arrogant. “And everyone was gunning for me to win! My friends knew I would win, my boyfriend knew I would win, and my dad was counting on it. He said he knew I wouldn’t disappoint him and Mom. I was a shoe-in until Julie was in the running.” She spat the name out like it was poison. “Her and her stupid friends had to pay.”

“Is that why you did it? The girls you killed . . . they were helping Julie’s campaign for prom queen, weren’t they?”

“They were Julie’s sycophants. They put her up to this. They did this to ruin me and say they beat me! They stole my boyfriend for Julie to have as a prom date! He took her to prom instead of me! That is just so embarrassing! Nobody embarrasses me or beats me! I’m a Berry! A Berry isn’t supposed to be beaten! There’s just no future for a princess at prom!” Her voice had an almost feral growl to it.

Karla winced. This poor girl was under so much pressure from everyone around her to be prom queen. It almost excused her from murder.

Almost.

“So . . . when did you decide to murder your classmates? When did the idea first come to you?”

“The day before prom,” Sara told the reporter. “It hit me like a truck just in time. And I guess this is what Dad meant when he told me to kill the competition!” She burst out laughing, the deranged look back in her eyes.

Or maybe it had never left and had just become stronger.

Karla took a deep breath. “Do you remember killing the girls?”

“Of course I do! It’s in my dreams every night, wonderful dreams! I love dreaming about them dying,” Sara babbled. “Patricia drinking poisoned punch, Raquel getting hit by a rock, Anne’s brain being bludgeoned, marinating Marianna’s remains, drowning Quiara in the pool, throwing Eunice’s pieces round the school. . . .” She smiled a dreamy smile. “It was so lovely. But then Julie brought an end to it by calling the cops. She always did ruin everything.”

“Clearly, thinking about Julie is stressing you out, and we don’t really need to talk about the trial.” Karla didn’t look it, but she was sweating bullets. “Has anybody visited you since you got put in here?”

“No, just the nurses. One of them is really nice, she brings me brownies sometimes,” Sara replied. “None of my friends from school visited me once, or my boyfriend. My dad got arrested for child abuse after I went to prison, can you believe it? He never hurt me; he loved me! He was just strict!”

Karla wanted to tell her that your child citing parental pressure as the reason they committed multiple murders was proof of child abuse and he was clearly more than strict. “Right. And, as the very last questions in this interview: do you have any regrets, and what would you like to say to the families of your victims?”

“I don’t regret a thing,” Sara said quickly.

Charlie zoomed in on her face and Karla stammered for a second before resuming her calm composure. “You . . . have no regrets?” she asked, her face pale.

“Not a thing. No matter where I am or what I’m wearing, or even if I have my crown or not, I’ll always be the queen of High School Land,” Sara replied. “Stick that in your school newspaper!” She let out a burst of hysterical laughter, throwing her head as far back as she possibly could on the hand trolley. Charlie kept the camera rolling as two male orderlies wheeled her away.

“Show’s over, Berry,” one of them replied, taking her into what was probably a more secure part of the hospital.

“Down on your knees before the queen!” Sara laughed, as she went through the doors and never came back.

This is dedicated to @kaiwewi, who has (virtually) been there since the beginning. Here’s to you, you non-binary bitch.

#creative writing #my writing #writing inspiration #writers on tumblr #writeblr #writers #writerscommunity #angst #tw mentally ill #tw murder #the ballad of sara berry

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canmom · 4 years ago

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Animation Night 87: Annecycore

Hey, remember the Annecy International Animated Film Festival? That thing whose short films you may have watched earlier this year?

Well, if you want to run a film night and you are a little under the weather, their shortlist backlog is definitely a delightful trove of animated films.

Like all big awards, they tend to come in certain types. You have your big serious drama movies which face up to some big social breaking point or historical atrocity, like Funan (about the Cambodian genocide, which I hope to watch before too long) or Rio 2096 (an excellent and very depressing film about all the unbelievably awful things that happened in Brazil). You’ve got films that take on the same sorts of subjects but in a more oblique stylised way that plays on the strengths of animation for serious emotional impact, like Birdboy: The Forgotten Children (Animation Night 25), Boy and the World (Animation Night 68), or The Wolf House (Animation Night 77) - the kind of thing which is produced only rarely, but tends to be mindblowing when it is.

But there’s another kind of film that tends to do well: a kind of elaborate, character driven European comedy film which tends to get near perfect scores among the critics, who go around saying things like...

"My Life as a Zucchini's silly title and adorable characters belie a sober story whose colorful visuals delight the senses even as it braves dark emotional depths."

Lots of belieing going on!

Anyway, tonight I have a couple of films of this ilk from the library, returning to the earlier days of Animation Night where we’d roam the globe every third week instead of the current unpredictable weeb variable (...how long has it been since we actually did anime? ...ok two weeks ago if you count Final Fantasy Spirits Within lmao... I wouldn’t because it doesn’t use the characteristic anime production system but some people might find that a rather tendentious definition!)

The first is, indeed, My Life as Courgette (Ma vie de Courgette) or if you’re American, My Life as a Zucchini, which won the award back in 2016. This was the first and so far only feature length film of one Claude Barras, a Swiss stop-motion animator about whom very little seems to be available, at least at a glance, in English. It follows a young stop motion boy nicknamed Courgette, who accidentally kills his mother, and is thus thrown into a custody dispute while living in an orphanage, throwing him into contact with various other orphans - among them Camille, whose parents died of murder-suicide.

I honestly don’t know from the plot summary whether this one’s gonna be great or frustrating, but it certainly has a cute approach to claymation and the nigh unanimous acclaim makes me feel it’s probably worth a shot!

Alongside that, I have Wrinkles (Arrugas), a Spanish film which also focuses on a population who is systemically institutionalised and denied autonomy - this time, old people. Wrinkles focuses on ‘the friendship between two elderly men’ who are roommates at a nursing home. (Is that a wikipedia editor being coy? I guess we’ll find out lol.) The home is characterised by various abuses of power; the top floor houses residents deemed unable to care form themselves who end up straitjacketed or medicated into docility. One of the two, Miguel, habitually exploits and steals from the other residents at the home, which leads to a building conflict... but as the story develops, the pair become involved in an escape attempt with another inmate.

We have not had a lot of Spanish animated films on here, but it would be cool if we could find another film as outstanding as Birdboy. The gif searcher fails me this time, so please, enjoy this trailer from youtube...

youtube

Wrinkles is directed by Ignacio Ferreras, but as before, the amount of information I can get this evening is very very slim, but he did apparently work under Sylvain Chomet on The Illusionist just prior to this film. The story and character designs, meanwhile, come from a comic book by Paco Roca, and I can at least direct you to his website - hope your Spanish is good!

Anyway, both of these films are pretty much unknown quantities - but that’s led us to some absolute gems in the past so let’s roll the dice and see if the critics know what they’re about this time! Starting very shortly at https://twitch.tv/canmom - and next week I hope I’ll be in a better frame of mind to produce a really in depth writeup about something ><

#animation night

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anythingbutmar · 5 years ago

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That’s my girl

Diego Hargreeves x reader

Summary: As a karate teacher, you never thought your life would get more extraordinary after being a teen champion, but when you find yourself in the 60′s looking for your boyfriend, you realize just how wrong you were.

A/N: Ooff this was hard! So much to fit into a one-shot, i hope I didn’t miss anything! I used a chinese name for the mentor but I don’t know if I misspelled or something, so let me know if I did something wrong!

Warnings: swearing, mental hospital.

October, 1963

“Diego? Five? Anyone?” You yelled on the dark alley, unaware that your boyfriend had been there a few weeks before.

You strolled around the block and found a rude old man who informed you of how bold your clothes were “even for this crazy 60′s” he had exclaimed and you had felt the urge to kick him in the face. Great, thanks Five.

You had no idea what to do next but one thing was certain: you needed to find Diego.

December, 2018

You struggled with the keys as you tried to close the dojo’s door with your gloves on. Winter was at its strongest, which meant you had to wear uncomfortable clothes until you reached home. You hated it, it made you feel a little helpless in case someone attacked you, and just as you were thinking about that scenario, you felt someone coming from behind and you kicked back, right on the crotch area.

“HO-ly shiiiit!” A man exclaimed, and when you turned around you realized it was just the guy who cleaned the gym next door. You two had never talked before, but you sure had seen him walking around. You might have thought he was attractive if not for his way of living, gym’s were no place to live in.

“Oh my god I’m so sorry! I thought you were going to steal from me.” You apologized, covering your face with your hands.

“I was trying to help you!” He gasped for breath

You nearly laughed. He looked adorable with his eyes closed and his nose red from the cold. “I think I could handle that by myself. What was your name again?”

“Diego.” He pushed, recovering from the pain. “And you must be Miss Huiliang.” He extended his hand and you took it with a smile.

“No, I’m just Y/N, Mister Huiliang was my mentor and my friend.”

“Oh I’m sorry.” He frowned.

“Don’t be, he taught me everything he could. How about I buy you a coffee to make up for that?” You gestured towards his lower area.

“How about I buy you a coffee to make up for scaring you?” He gave you a flirtatious smile and you just laughed, heading for the shop.

November, 1963

“Babe...” You whispered towards the small TV in your living room, which you shared with your roommate, a 76 year old woman with severe arthritis.

“That’s your man? The one you talk about everyday?” She laughed out loud. “Then why don’t you go get him sweets? He’s right there on the loony bin!”

“You know what Ruth? You’re absolutely right, I’ll be back by dinner! Keep an eye on my lasagna!” You exclaimed as you ran to your destination.

Once you got there you realized you had no plan, just a third degree black belt and that would have to do the job.

Thankfully, the guards weren’t expecting a sweet girl with an apron to knock them out with two swift chops right on the carotid artery. Now you just had to avoid other people and find your love, easy, right? You checked the cameras and the sight made you sob; he was sedated out of his mind and they had him on a straitjacket. “Motherfuckers.” You whispered to yourself.

You ran inside and found a few unlucky nurses who were knocked out easily as well. It cost you a few minutes but finally you heard him struggling inside a door and knew exactly what to do. You took a bobby pin from your hair and started picking the lock, when the door finally opened you realized he was doing the exact same thing, which immediately brought you to tears as you hugged him, holding him close in case he would fall.

“Did you punch people to get to me?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s my girl.” He praised and you enjoyed that small moment so very much.

That was, until you heard gunshots.

“Come on! I just want one peaceful reunion with my lover!” You cursed the universe before you started running, again.

March, 2019

“Yeah, she’s a twice under 18 champion, no less.” Diego bragged to his brothers with his arm around your shoulders.

“That is pretty cool, how did you end up with a sucker like him then?” Allison asked jokingly.

“I’ve always thought he put me on a love spell with those weird abilities of his.”

“Honey!” He exclaimed in shock.

“What? You thought I just fell for the knives? Oh no baby, that’s just a plus.” You winked at him, making his siblings cringe.

Except for Klaus, of course, who just clapped. “I like this one!”

November, 1963

“I just want you to know that I missed you all very much!” You grunted as you helped lift the weight from Diego’s leg.

“See Diego? You should learn some manners from Y/N.” Answered Luther when you could finally pull him away from the bulldozer.

“Shut up, team zero! Unstoppable!” Diego and Luther awkwardly fist bumped and you smiled at the sight.

Vanya gave you a small nod. “We missed you too.”

“Alright so what’s the deal with Lila? She moves like she’s been doing karate all her life.” You wondered, starting a discussion on her apparent powers.

After hearing voices inside the barn you left the Hargreeves to discuss while you went to actually do something about the newfound information. You stepped in and you saw Lila stepping on Five’s throat.

“Not on my watch, bitch.” You sneaked around until you were right behind her. “Oi! Why don’t you fight someone your size?!” You exclaimed before sending a high kick to her face, which she caught flawlessly, spinning you and throwing you away.

You landed with a loud thud and then everything went black.

April, 2019

“Not this again.” You grunted as you were sucked on a blue void, worsening your headache.

You suddenly were in the entrance of the umbrella academy, together and unharmed. Diego let you down from the bridal position he was carrying you on and embraced you tightly. “You’re alright.”

“I am.” You whispered into the hug. “Now please tell me you didn’t have sex with that mad woman.”

“Don’t worry about that, angel, I’m all yours, always have been and always will be.” He kissed you and you silently promised not to lose him ever again.

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jahdalli · 4 years ago

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GOD loves you <3

Okay I haven't posted a fanfic for a long time and I've never done it on Tumblr, but hey, the inspiration came and I said “why not?” for my dear Betty Ross ... but for an angst fanfic so ... xd I hope you like it, (I am sorry if there are errors, this is not my first language) but I would like to know what you think and if it would be good to give a continuation, I have some ideas but they are not yet clear. Anyway, the fic.

“Look where you are”

Everything continues, time passes, the world turns

But you, where are you now?

What is this place? How did you end up here?

“How is my little girl?” Her father entered the room

He used to visit his daughter often, General Ross finally felt that he was finally making up for so much that he had spent away from her, now he could see her again, since banner left his life again he would have taken care of her, as he always should be

“Now she is safe” he thought "Thanks to me" he said "You are a good father"

“Betty, won't you answer me?”

“Sorry senator, it doesn't have much that she took her medication, she's a little ...”

“I'm perfectly ok” Betty answered “I just don't want to talk”

The tone of her voice was different from what she used to be

She was different from who she used to be ...

“My dearest Betty” her father caressed her head with care of her while she watched him with recel “Every time I come are you going to get like this?”

“You locked me up”

“Betty… “

"In a dammit madhouse, General!"

“It was for your sake, understand it once”

“For mine or for yours?”

“You could end up worse”

The severe look that had always characterized him, there was Thunderbolt Ross

“You could end up in prison”

“For helping an innocent man? for that reason?!”

“Ah ... your innocent man, are you talking about the man who abandoned you?”

“You made him do it, you made him a fugitive”

“Yes, I certainly did, but now where is he? Or is it true ...”

Ross showed on his cell phone a lot of videos, news, interviews with Dr. Banner also known as Hulk.

“Now everyone loves him, he is no longer a fugitive Betty” He held her face with his right hand Let him continue watching

“Now he is an avenger, he forgot you, everyone did it, except me”

Betty's sight began to blur

The anger, the pain, the rage, the drugs were all colliding

“Let me out of here

Let me out of here!

LET ME GET OUT OF HERE!”

A fit of hysteria and despair. She got up to her father, she wanted to slap him, the doctors, nurses and everyone who crossed her path, cross the door and flee from that place.

But the doctors, as in every visit from her father, were always by her side to hold her, sedate her and put a straitjacket on her if she did not control herself.

“Here you are safe Betty, I am the only one who cares about you, believe me when I tell you that this is for your own good, here you are safe” her father kissed her head when the injection had already taken effect “Now sleep” he gave them an authoritative look at those who held her “Take her, and give her this” he said handing them a couple of books

Betty loves to read

I am the only one who cares about you

The only one who has not forgotten you

I do this for your good

"I love you"

That last word she heard was not said by her father on that visit, or on a recent one, perhaps the first few times, but that "I love you" that she heard also seemed to be Bruce's voice, it was difficult to know, anyway. She hadn't heard an "I love you" in a long time, but her mind insisted on remembering it.

She blamed the human need to feel loved.

However, it was a combination of voices, a bad joke from her unconscious towards her, after all she could barely remember his voice.

The words kept reverberating inside her as she sobbed without tears, long ago she had stopped crying, somehow she tried to find comfort in those words, to feel important in them, she knew it was a lie but she had no more to hold on to, she was there , locked up against her will after helping Bruce escape. The giant monster who saved Harlem, but he was still a fugitive at that time and she had helped him

"Don´t ever speak to me as your daughter again"

"It´s only because you´re my daughter that you´re bot in handcuffs too"

And He was right, the doctor's face was everywhere, she had been looked for, they had seen her with the monster, many thought that she controlled it, many thought that she was behind everything, the work doors for Dr. Ross were closed , she was fired from the university, no one was hiring her, she started taking small jobs, the pay was getting lower and lower, she had a hard time, the calls to court kept coming, Ross knew they would want to question her and arrest her, he knew that Betty would not would testify against Banner, she would not deny that she would have helped him, that she would continue to advocate for him, It was only a matter of time before he fled, his daughter was going to become a fugitive like him

The daughter of a general could not be a fugitive

"Dr. Elizabeth Ross was declared with a mental disorder, so that all of her actions were not in a conscious way, the trial is postponed and she will automatically be sent to a psychiatric hospital"

Here you will be safe

It's for your good

I love you

Lies, they were all lies

"I am the only one who does not forget you"

But this

"He forgot you Betty"

And this ... maybe not or they were at all ...

Her eyes were opened

Her father was gone

The tv was on

“Betty, how are you feeling?”

“... I'm Dr. Ross”

“Okay Dr. Ross, I'm a doctor too, I'm Dr. Palmer, how do you feel?”

Stop talking to me like I'm not understanding

The television was heard in the background

“... Bad ...”

“Is there anything I can do for you?”

Get me out of here

Give me back from my life

“No...”

"Okay," she got up. "I'll see you again in the morning. Do you want me to turn up the volume on the TV?"

<<The avengers saved the day again in New York City, Captain America along with his team, Iron man, Black widow, Thor Hawk eye and the hulk ...>>

And still despite everything

She couldn't stop reproaching herself

That something inside her made her happy that he was a hero

But at what cost?

Who did she have to leave behind?

-Turn it off-

#Betty Ross #bruce banner #General Ross #hulk #Avengers #marvel #MCU #bruce x betty #bretty #angst #mark ruffalo #Liv Tyler #The Incredible Hulk #what if

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alias-b · 5 years ago

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sins of my youth. 019

Billy Hargrove x OC! Evie Fenny~ Also posted to my AO3

Summary: It was common knowledge that Billy Hargrove hated Hawkins. Hated Cherry Lane. Even loathed the strange girl next door. Evie Fenny wasn’t too fond of the chaotic Cali transfer either. An awful high school tradition sparks a chain of events that changes everything, ultimately bringing two frayed souls together.

A/N: Hey everyone!! I know it's been quieter around here, but enjoy the chapter I hope! Sort of sweet filler. Billy nurses a hungover Evie back to life as they reach a common ground with their relationship. Evie returns to school as the new Keg King. Chp title is after that Depeche Mode song. TW: Light light mention of a past r*pe/abuse & Pica. Smut!!

***My tag list is wide open, just shoot me a msg to join it! Chat with me about the chapter if you have the time! Enjoy! xoxo

Chapter 19: One Caress

Death. Hot, swampy death. Somehow mixed with frigid chills.

Evie cracked her eyes to light and moaned. Loud enough to wake the body spread on his back next to her. Billy spied her. Curls spiraling endless directions. Knotted all over.

Face pressed into the pillows, Evie held her thudding brain. Figured it might be unspooling around a cracked skull. There was movement as Billy reached over her to pull the curtains further closed and block the early morning sun.

“You seriously woke up at seven with that bad a hangover. Figured you’d sleep in longer. Must be a pride thing.” Billy hummed and draped his arm over her. Casual as can be to tuck back in. He made this rumbling sound into her shoulder blade and sighed out.

Evie realized finally she wasn’t alone and scrambled up, almost tumbling over the bottom edge of the bed if Billy hadn't snatched her wrist.

“Easy!” Came the sharp hiss. “Take a moment to remember last night if you can.” Brown eyes squinted to blink at him. Blurring the gold honey of him together. Billy made a face. “Jesus, you’re looking at me like I’m taking a dump here, Evangeline.”

“Oh, jeez,” Evie fisted her curls so he let go. Her eyes began to dart, finding the events and piecing them. Little by little. “Jesus Dolly Parton Christ.”

“That’s some poetry I like.” Billy reclined, covered in a loose sheet looking his insufferable cupid self. One hand behind his head while he tapped a rhythm into his abs. Evie moaned again, curling up toward the curtains.

“I did a keg stand…”

“Oh, yeah, you did.” Blue eyes rolled. “Your highness.”

“Did I puke on anyone?”

“Just some sorry ass purple primroses.” He’d snarked with some amusement. “You almost got me, but I aimed you just fine.”

“Shit. I’m-”

“You’re gonna piss me off if you apologize again. That’s a stupid girl habit you need to shake.”

“Stupid girl habit, pfffs. I’m Billy Hargrove. I'm perfect and glowy with the face of a damn cherub. Know-it-all.” Evie huffed and mumbled to mock him but Billy continued.

“You just did to me what I did to Harrington. Figure I had it coming. I’m still Billy-The Shit-Hargrove. Smoke and mirrors as you think.” His chest rose and air blew out his mouth. “We didn’t do anything, I just helped you home as you poured your tasty heart out.”

“Yeah, uh… It’s all coming back. Argh...” Evie rubbed her face and aimlessly waved for him to stop talking. She noticed Billy still had his jeans on, no shirt. Then, spied her own outfit under the robe. “The hell are we wearing?”

“You were keen to flash me those Fenny wiles so I tied you into the drunk girl straitjacket. Took some wrangling, but I think I earned the gold,” he blinked, “and I didn’t wear anything under the denim. I figured jeans were better than you waking to my huge, raw morning wood...unless you’re into that.”

He winked which earned him that scrunchy scowl he loved to see on her face.

Evie collapsed back on her front. Cursing daylight. Lingering black makeup still smeared around her eyes.

“Okay, well, I can die now. Officially. Thank you, Billy, for bearing witness.”

“No, no, I’m nursing you back to health today. We both smell like party. Get up. Water. Pills. Shower. Gonna shower at my place and then I’m coming back for breakfast. I’ll make your birthday up to you if you’ll let me. Hope you let me, cause I’ll bug you another two months until you don’t.” Fingers tugged for messy curls until she grumbled.

Evie poked those bright eyes up.

“There was talk of a couch day. I remember.”

“You remember everything?” Thick lashes batted the vulnerability away. She softened.

“Everything. Feel like death,” she said, “but waking up in your arms wasn’t so bad.” Billy brightened, liking that. Maybe too much because he looked smug. “So, the couch. You and me. Us. Can you manage that? Relaxing with casual stimulation.”

“Oh, say stimulation again. Slower,” Billy uttered and Evie rolled her eyes. “Gonna let me come back over?”

“Maybe.” She hitched and whined, ruffling her curls. “Knowing my mom, she’s gonna stay until closing. Around six or seven tonight, she might go party straight from the shop. She's made that a habit on weekends. I don’t know, as this year is going she’s just home less. City friends. Dating. And I feel bad cause it’s almost easier.”

Billy didn’t comment.

“My throat still hurts from last night and we do smell pretty ripe...gonna shower. Clean these sheets too.”

“We haven’t even made a proper mess of them.” Billy came up on his elbows with a suggestive look. They shared another beat before his tone changed. “I should have stayed.”

“I wish you did. But, I also wish I didn’t run into Fredrick’s arms after that dance. It was stupid. We can both make idiot decisions. Still young, I guess.” Evie turned her eyes. “But, you’re here now and we’re not yelling at each other.”

“It’s a whole new world. Keg King.”

“I need to forget that.”

“School won’t. None of the schools there will forget it. Betcha even Tannen knows.” Billy pushed up and Evie followed, stretching until something cracked delightfully. “Heard from him?”

“Something with a DUI or two… I don’t know. He made his threats already.” She stopped to pet Blue, shifting the kitten off Billy’s coat while he snagged his shirt. “Tell Max I said hi if she’s around.”

“Give me thirty.” Billy took his coat, gave her ass a pat, and waltzed out. Unworried. Evie dragged into the shower. Stood there under the warm spray with her head pressed against the cool tiles. Swallowed some aspirin down and slid her eyes to the container of cherry red pins.

There wasn’t a melancholy welling inside her empty gut, but she found it odd. This craving to indulge. To swallow sharp objects and let them click around musically inside her. Make them part of her routine. Eat artificial things until she was made from them. A doll on the top shelf threatening to take a tumble.

Wet curls hung over her shoulders and breasts. Evie closed the mirror and looked at her body there. Head tilting. Towels fell around her feet. She opened her palms, arms slighting lifting in a submissive motion. Evie thought to cover herself but didn’t. Imagined a shell opening so the world could look at her. Admire her. Pluck her free and decorate her with tiny diamonds and opals. Maybe seaweed and shells like a pretty siren.

The mirror lights washed her flesh out as they would an old starlet. Flash. Romancing Evie as she blew kisses to an empty lens, hoping to be loved beyond it. She might die if they don't all love her. Want to screw her. Want to open her up and peek inside. Flash. Keep her at arm's reach if they don't like what they see. Flash. It doesn't matter because she's still a wondrous thing to covet.

She imagined several hands piecing her parts together. Painting them with deft brushes. Evie could sit on a shelf still. She could also let them loop red strings around her broken limbs. Contorting fingers walking her upon a empty stage with the same washed-out lights. Evie would be anything for them. Give anything for eyes and lights and brushes that caress her.

Hands pushed her curls back over her shoulders. Evie really looked at her body. No shame. No sex. No fear. No disgust. Just flesh and blood and muscle wrapped around bones with marrow made of that electric stardust. Flesh that offended the world, they had to fetishize her to stand her. Nothing really mattered if the lights washed her away though. The lights would tell them to love her regardless because she was the next great thing.

Flash.

Lips pushed into the mirror's reflection, breath ghosting to leave an imprint that faded as she leaned back. Her neon demon flitting out to curl and poison the world so she wouldn't have to choke it down alone.

“I don’t want to be them,” Evie sneered there, “they’ll want to be me.”

They’ll claw. And scrape. And scream. And die. Just to be a second rate version of Evangeline. Steam rose around her, placed adoring kisses upon her skin.

A kiss and a promise wrapped in that vengeful neon demon she fed and hid from the world that had ruined her. Broke her parts to pick and choose the best. A demon she still kissed and tried to preen with kindness because Evangeline tried. She tried.

Evie hadn’t been cruel. She told lies. She made messes. But, she tried and she had always hoped that would count for something. It didn’t with her father. Or Mona. Not even Fredrick, he liked her mutilated. But, Evie tried to hold onto that kind girl with fire and hopes to create music that rained to make flowers grow even bolder. She deserves something. Anything.

She was already carved out by this life. Felt like she might hit bone if she dug any further. Piles and piles of ash spilling out longing veins. Organs delectable enough to feed on from souls that sapped her vitality away. What else was there to do but scream until someone heard her? Scream for the girl she lost. The people who would never care to understand that. Scream until they were forced to scream over her. Until they were all roses falling at her feet.

As she looked at herself here, Evie wondered if that girl was even alive anymore. And if she’d already let her down. If she could be forgiven. If she could forget a specific howl of thunder that came after crackling lightning. Lips near her ear to preen so sweet.

"My little mouse-"

Flash.

Hands shaking, she thrust the mirror open and pricked her finger on a cherry pin. Blood beading before she settled it upon her tongue to devour it.

It didn’t make sense. She was happier. Today, she was better. She was in control. But, this... It was built into her. Settling comfortable with everything else. A need. A hope. A cycle. An addiction. Girlhood was a horror story written by a true romantic. This, she knew well.

Just once, Evie figured. She could wean off it. She could gather her parts and sew them back together without help. Carve the person she lost to the world in something stronger.

It’s fine. This is fine.

Flash.

Unable to see whoever was in the mirror now, Evie shut the lights out and hurried away. She pulled a long sleeve tee on with a faded floral design. Decided leggings were a god-like invention and was stuffing socks on when Billy let himself back in.

At the sound, she clenched her stomach as if he’d walk in and see the artificial fragments that made her up now. A softer breath puffed. Everything was neatly hidden inside. Soon to be a part of her shelf collection. Footsteps came to her while she bent over to toss her wet towels in the hamper.

“Can’t knock-?” Evie was spun around into an oncoming hard kiss. Lips colliding before Billy hitched and pulled out. Fireworks burst.

“Hey, I waited for that.” He winked and went into the kitchen. Owned the space. “You look like hell still, Evie. Couch. I’ll make you something greasy to eat.”

“Ugh, I won’t even fight you on this...and you’re well aware of that.” Evie fell onto the sofa. Sagged. Heard Billy clicking around. “You’re not gonna make a mess, are you?”

“Quit worrying, let the master work.” He peered at the kitten eagerly eating from her dish.

Evie heard something sizzle and flipped TV channels. Turned the brightness and volume a little lower while she draped over the sofa's arm. Tried to distract herself as the meds kicked in. Melting around her pricking pin. Billy padded back in with a paper plate. Something stacked high on it.

“What did you…?” Evie blinked and sat up to make room for him so he put the plate down. Still warm and steamy, gooey cheese oozed from fresh bread. “Grilled cheese. Oh hell, that actually looks really good.”

“I made a bunch. Stuff that hangover.” He spied her and stole the remote. Evie was too busy leaning over to pull a cheesy sandwich apart to fight him. Readily, leaning into Billy’s shoulder, Evie got comfortable there as they shared a silence. A hot, greasy meal that was perfection. Even a few laughs over the TV.

She forgot about pretty made up dolls. About that girl she lost. About whatever was trying to take its place. About screaming and thunder.

“I think we should set some ground rules for this thing since we’re obviously avoiding labels,” Evie said during a commercial, wiping her fingers on a napkin before she pushed up. “Water?”

“With ice if you really wanna impress me.” Billy kicked back and heard her scoff. “What do you mean, rules?”

“I mean,” the sink started running from the kitchen, “just...you wanna be with me and I wanna be with you and we’re not gonna bring a third party into that. Basic ‘don’t screw this up’ rules.”

“Unless you’re into it.” Billy cracked his cheekiest smile as she returned. Ice clicked in two glasses. Billy put one arm up on the couch to gesture so she tucked in there. Cups clicked and they hydrated as if a mission was afoot.

“Ah, use the coaster.” She leaned forward so they could set the drinks down. Billy rolled his eyes and sat back, legs spreading.

“You worry too much, I know how to tell people I’m seeing a girl.”

“How public can we be? If I try to kiss you or, god forbid, hold your hand at school...will you be weird about it now?”

“No, and just give me a slap if I get weird on you again.” He shrugged. “If I wanna slip you my tongue or smack your ass, are you gonna get all squirrely on me?” Billy tipped his head back when he felt her chuckle.

“Depends on who you do it in front of. I figure you’ll use your brains for that judgment. I hope.” Came the softer reply. Evie curled into the warmth of him. Stared at his neck and watched the muscles and veins shift under tanned skin. Wondered about sinking her teeth there. “You can get handsy within reason. Do that thing where one person slips their hand into the other’s pocket as they walk.”

“I’ll give you the John Hughes fantasy if you throw me a little pornstar now and then.”

“Bet you think every nasty thing you say makes me blush.”

Evie wiggled down and settled her head in his lap. Eyes snapped down to see her face crinkle with a brighter smile, still only somewhat fatigued from the night before. Curl spiraling long over her shoulders and his thighs. He caught one around his finger. Twirled it with a thoughtful expression before he looked at her eyes.

“You are beautiful, Evangeline Fenny.” Billy had to sigh it. A fierce and tender proclamation. A stunning spell cast over her like a thin veil. Twinkling jewels. Flash photography.

It became clear that they held power over each other and that this was the closest she’d ever gotten to her name in lights.

And Evie did blush. She didn’t look away from his eyes. For once. Not when they flickered to catch her gaze. Lost in Billy, she rose and turned over on her hands and knees. Leaned toward him carefully. Billy inhaled her perfume, got this fluttered look as she took his chin and tipped it to place a delicate kiss upon his throat. Another touched the line of his jaw.

One muffled sound fused them together. Evie’s back hit the couch. The remote fell with a clatter. Fingers laced, Billy shifted her hand next to her head. Saw her pause to kiss his knuckles. Tough with scars from too many fights that burst them open.

Fingertips gave this gentle caress of Evie’s hairline with his free hand. Careful as if something here could shatter. Thick lashes fluttered so she turned to look up at him there. Words crushed in her throat. Almost pleasurably.

“Open your mouth.” Billy longed to taste the fragmented syllables. Lips parted. A finger swept the kiss-puffed swell of them. “Little wider.” His own mouth curled. Thumb rubbing a circle into her chin before he came down. A vaguely sweet-salty kiss. Tangy, almost reminding him of that balmy California air.

Evie matched him. Pushed back. Cupped his face. Made a heavenly sound that vibrated into him.

And she leaned out as if struck by lightning.

“What’s your middle name?”

“What?” He laughed, watching her lashes flutter. Hand midway to touch her breast.

“Your middle name.” Evie fingered the metal pendant when it hung down from his neck. Traced a line across his collar before tucking spun gold behind his ear.

“Why?”

“So suspicious.” She tugged his tee so he’d kiss her again. Slower this time. “This, Billy, is totally a date. So, I’m asking about you about you.” Frankly, Evie wanted to know every little, silly thing there was to him.

“Feels like that perfect, lengthy ending of a date to me.” The snark had Evie pouting. Stopping anymore kisses he dared to plant. Billy gave pause. “It’s stupid. My middle name.”

“Well, now you have to tell me.” She shifted so he could drape his weight across her, one elbow planted near her head. Billy rolled his eyes. Cringed.

“Seamus.” He mumbled, sparking. “Don’t laugh. Mom chose it after an ancestor on her side.”

“Just smiling cause you told me. That’s not bad!” Evie pressed her lips when they trembled. “William Seamus Hargrove.”

“Yeah, I sound like a creepy lighthouse keeper who's really into masturbating.”

“One out of two.” Evie squealed as he pinched her side for that. “Marie!”

“Huh?”

“My middle name. Marie.” Arms looped loosely around Billy's shoulders. They wrapped each other up, spoke intimately of casual subjects. All too easily.

“Evangeline Marie Fenny.” He gave it a taste. Liked it.

“Uh-huh.” Evie’s fingers twirled idle into Billy's curls, massaging circles into the back of his warm neck. “My mom got the middle name from this famous Voodoo Queen in New Orleans. She thought to name me Christine, Wendy, or Beatrice but when I was born, she changed her mind at the last minute because she saw me and said the name just came to her from this epic poem. Said it was star-worthy so she plucked it down from the night sky and kept it as her own.”

"A star?" He panned to focus on her expression relaxing.

"It's a lot to live up to." Something to grieve deeply in that.

“Hm. Voodoo Queen. So, do you like to turn boys into creatures when they cross you? Frogs, goats, and bats maybe? For sacrifice?”

“I mean, that’s the first thing they teach us, obviously. Voodoo is actually peaceful and balanced, it just has a violent misconception because of racism. It’s an even exchange of life and energy. A relationship you build with actual effort. Signature.”

“My mom might have liked it, she was spiritual-like.”

“My aunts know more. They were pretty worked up when my mom branched out. I like to think she balances a couple religions to get by. She does the same thing with hair styling…and boyfriends.” Evie puffed, eyes elsewhere. “Just a jukebox, she changes the song by whatever is gonna comfort her most that week. I just tell people she’s open-minded and she is.”

“My dad hates your mom more than he’s hated any neighbor we’ve ever had. And we used to live across from these guys he didn’t like me talking to. Said they were living in sin. Well...he used worse words.” Billy admitted, vaguely entertained because Neil loved to spit words only when backs were turned. He was a coward. “They were always nice to me. Owned this fancy cake shop so they sometimes gave me a truffle if I was playing on the apartment steps.”

“I can picture you small. Face all messy with chocolate.” Evie gushed there. “Probably the cutest thing. Bet Neil hated them more for being sweet.”

“The one and only time he spat the word out in the open, one of those guys broke his nose. I got the brunt of that anger later, but it was worth it. Just makes me like Mona more.”

“I’m sure.” Evie blinked, sighing elsewhere under Billy’s gaze. “My mom and I have a disconnect, but I am proud of her. She’s so educated despite having me young even if people don’t know it. She’s marched for human rights and she’s braver than she knows. She always stands for something and I hope I can one day too. Even if her big, noble causes distract from her home life.”

Evie paused with this searching look. Unsure if she should indulge the thought that swept her eyes. Gently, she continued.

“I don’t think her mom ever loved her. Nana was always so cold to her, not like with the older sisters. I noticed that young. She might have liked me only cause I was her one and only grand-baby.”

“Why’s that?”

Evie flickered her brown eyes again, frowning.

“You can’t repeat this, not even to me.” A sigh followed when Billy nodded. “When my mom and dad got divorced...that Christmas break she took me back to N’awlins. They live in this big place, I used to think it was a castle. Her three older sisters, growing old together. Nana was with them until she passed away. I used to hang out in the attic when I wasn’t at their store. Going through boxes of memories.”

“Yeah.” Billy nodded for her to go on.

“My mom wasn’t supposed to be born. Nana had her sisters. She had this husband. Perfect life. A shop to pass down. One night, she was closing and a man attacked her. Held her down and…” Evie swallowed.

“Oh…”

“He hurt my Nana bad. I don’t think she was ever the same, how can you be? But, she got pregnant with his baby. Kept it and that was my mom. I think my mom spent her whole life trying to make up for it. I’m sure she knew.”

“How so?”

“My grandfather left not long after she was born and..my Nana wrote him this letter I don’t think she ever sent. It was begging him to just take Mona and love her right. It was full of apologies and, I think she was gonna kill herself. I don’t know what changed her mind. But, I found that letter and read it. It was in my mom’s things. Under the floorboards of the first dollhouse she ever made herself. She must have found it all the same. Maybe when she was my age.”

“Probably wasn’t an easy thing to find for her.”

“Right. Might explain why mom can only handle the dainty things in life. She just wanted to be loved. So, I think after that...I tried even harder to be perfect for her. I know she loves me and her mother never loved or wanted her. She tried so hard for everyone even if she’s bad with the negative. We’re friends. She always tells me I saved her life so I’m scared of letting her down. What if I can’t save her one day?” Her voice cracked so Evie swallowed a lump down to level herself.

Billy felt that prick his heart. Deeper than he liked. But, the advice still came out clear.

“That’s not your job, Evie, you need a mother. You have plenty of best friends.”

“I thought she married my dad cause she loved him, but really I think she married the first person who promised to care for her. Who whisked her away from her mother’s cold house. It worked out that he was always traveling for work. It feels like everything I thought I knew about my life wasn’t real.” Evie caught herself, eyes on Billy’s pendant. She hoped it protected him. Well enough. “But, my dad. I bet he thinks about me every day. I know it.”

It was always striking and peculiar how Evangeline spoke of her father. Billy pictured a string being pulled from her back to rattle the same peppy sayings. Over and over again until perhaps she believed it too.

Evie paused to stare at Billy thoughtfully. With the pull of her string, she switched modes to become something else.

“What kinds of things to do you like to write about?” She asked with this dreamy sort of expression crossing as if the words before were all imaginary. She was fine. Her mother was fine. Her father, he…

It was all fine. Picture perfect. Paparazzi flashing to send her into a sea of spots. Memories wiping.

“I don’t know, anything to not be here.” Billy caught himself, both of them still wrapped around each other. “Not here, I mean. I’m here.”

Billy seemed to realize how present he was and shifted off her.

“The words almost don’t sound real.” Repetition. A mild chuckle. “I’m here.” He sounded them out carefully. Evie pulled up. Stared at Billy sitting on his knees between her legs.

“That’s it.” She said. “Labels and rules aside. As long as we’re just here, I think we have a handle on this. I can manage that, can you?”

I’m here, Billy gave this closer look and nodded. Earring dangling. Fingers twisted his ring around.

“Are you going to tell Neil or Susan about this?” Evie’s question made him pale noticeably.

“Hell, no. It’s better if my dad doesn’t figure it out. Don’t like him talking to you.”

Evie didn’t argue with that.

“I don’t think I want to tell my mom, she’s just a lot when I’m seeing someone or liking anyone point-blank.” Evie winced.

“Don’t freak on me if I pull from you around my dad. I don’t trust him near you. He’ll say shit and you don’t need that.” Billy peered aside until Evie took his hand, shaking it almost officially.

“Deal. Screw Neil.”

“Oh,” Billy laughed, “you're still a funny girl, Evie.” Eager as can be, he cupped the back of her head. Kissed her into the couch. They forgot the dull aches that kept them so grounded. All giggles, she squirmed out to escape him. Left Billy breathless and tugged as she got up. “Wait, where ya going?”

“Um. My room. Duh.”

He lit up and tried to play cool which melted the second he scrambled to scoop her from the floor.

“Ah!” Evie wiggled and clung to him. Feeling his muscles bulge and strain as they always did. Made her heart sing. “We didn’t discuss this!”

“If I can lift it, it’s mine. You spent all last night challenging me, what do you expect?” Billy jostled her which had Evie wrapping her arms tighter around his shoulders. Barely squealing.

“Okay! Don’t drop me!” She squeezed into his arms and balled up. Billy laughed all the way to the bedroom. “I didn’t wash the sheets yet.”

“Even better, let’s make a bigger mess of them.” Billy dropped her playfully into the covers. Pulled his shirt off as Evie sat up. Eyes falling to the hard contours. He relished that she liked to look at him. Fingers wrapped around her wrist, encouraging the cool palm into his skin. Up the deft lines in his stomach. “You can touch, I won’t charge you for it.”

She dropped the awe and pushed from him. Laughing back into the pillows.

“You’re such a pain.” Evie stiffened because Billy dropped down to crawl up her body. Pretense gone. One hand cupped her jaw. Urged it open as fingers stroked the silky cheek. Thumb curving the swell of her parting mouth. Evie kissed the pad and let the digit slip along her tongue.

“You’re so good.” Billy shuddered when he felt her tongue whirl obediently around his thumb. Breathless. Evie reached down to undo his belt. Sly as can be.

“You’re eager.” She whispered coolly against the wet thumb tracing a line down her chin.

“I haven’t been laid much the past few months, I’m collecting. Times I tried didn’t work. Sue me.”

“Poor thing.” She cooed, working his zipper down until Billy bit his lip. Hips shimmied between her spread legs. He jerked her hips up to get the underwear and leggings off in one expert pull. “Did you think about me when you tried?”

Billy narrowed on her. Sighed as a hand slipped into his jeans. Moaned.

“Yes.” He stole himself a kiss. “Couldn’t even measure up to that kiss in the street.”

“Remind me how that went.” Evie hitched a laugh and he smothered her down. Scared the syllables with his tongue.

Billy pulled her hair for good measure, pushed his open fly into her bare skin. He didn’t waste time this hour as she moaned and pulled for him. Adjusted to find her core. Hips snapped together, both of them mostly clothed in disarray. A good ache built as he moved. Hard and intent like he was making an impression into her flesh. Into her marrow.

Evie would remember him and this time and how he played her. Totally. Neither of them would be running. This moment was about the long haul together. They kept slowing to just look and breathe. Noses nuzzling. Soft exhales in turn. Billy broke kisses to push his face up against her hair and jawline, arms sliding underneath her to cling. He let Evie whisper sweet things into his flesh. Let her hold him just as close.

At the sweetness of her coaxing, he spilled inside her. Earlier then he meant.

“Shit.” Billy started to push up when Evie’s legs caught his hips.

“Stay,” she puffed, “stay like this for a bit.” She prodded and pawed, openly needing him. So very bad.

“I’m crushing you.” He mumbled into her cheek. Trapped in heat.

“I like it.” Evie’s arms looped his shoulders. Both of them got the shakes. “I like how you feel right here.”

“You didn’t come yet.” Hot breath ghosted her neck.

“It’s okay.”

Billy blew air into her jaw. Kissed the line of it before he reached down to finish her.

“Yeah?”

“Ngh, yes.” She mewled out silently. "Oh, Billy." That was his favorite song in truth.

“Atta girl.” Billy kept planting kisses. Evie twisted with nowhere to go. Whimpered until she was locking under him. Mouth back open for his slow tongue. She reached a peak and let him slowly bring her back down.

Lips muffled into her collar. He stayed there inside her. Took every piece of comfort she offered. One hand reeled up to pet her curls. Arms kept him firm against her so he could listen to her twittering heart slow and lull. Fingers danced too delicate across flesh.

Evie whined as he pulled out. Felt the absence burn hot.

They messed the sheets. She was still pulling for him until he pushed her over. Wrapped himself around her after fixing his jeans back up. Leaving them open. Evie shifted, restless until Billy kissed behind her ear.

“Just sleep. Not going anywhere.” Billy’s words lulled her back to relax. “Quit squirming about it.”

She stilled, fingers trailing up the hair on his arm before she dropped her head to the offered bicep. Evie tilted Billy’s wrist to see the watch, groaning.

“It’s not even noon.”

“Maybe you’ll think next time before you get up hungover on a weekday before eight,” Billy mumbled into the curls.

“Only did it for the Hargrove grilled cheese.” Evie closed her eyes to sigh. "You fell for it."

“Guess we’re both screwed.”

“Mm-hm.” She let her mind flutter. Felt Billy’s hand stroking her bare thigh.

Fingers moved up her hip. Kneading the flesh. His palm trailed over her tummy and she didn’t stop him. Didn’t clam up at a boy touching her fuller areas. Billy worshiped her skin. Breath hot into dark curls. She almost wondered if he was trying for another round massaging her hip like that with dancing fingertips.

“Hard to nap when you...when you touch me.” She sounded breathless.

“Like touching you,” Billy mumbled. “Gonna figure out a way to prove it to you without the label. This thing.”

“For a boy who likes to talk, I notice certain words are hard for you.” She felt the arm under her wrapping tighter, pulling her further into his fire. “Not judging. I have problems words too.”

“Still good with my mouth.” Billy shifted hair from Evie’s neck and jaw. Settling his lips there, lazy as can be. “And my hands. But, you still have something nagging you tell you I’m not being truthful about the exclusive thing. Gonna figure out how I can make that up to you.”

“If I really didn’t trust you, Billy, I wouldn’t have let you stay here.” Evie shifted around to face him, still laying on his bicep. There was plenty of fear. Fear of exposing her heart and vessels and nerves to be plucked. Fear she'd like him more than he liked her. Fear this relationship would be such an easy thing to fall into.

"That's honest." He decided, lashes batting. Evie reached up and traced this curving line near his mouth.

“Just be with me cause you want to be and try not to raise your voice if you’re upset." She dropped her hand. "It’s okay if you’re upset, you can tell me. It just freaks out when men raise their voices. It’s like thunder and I...I’m scared of thunder.”

Evie recalled the passive-aggressive way Fredrick would slam things when he was upset with her instead of outright telling her. How he’d wait until she was near tears and begging his forgiveness. Billy studied her eyes. Saw lightning flash within them. Knuckles came to her cheek. Gave an idle caress. His soft lips found her brow and lulled her heavy eyes until they began to flutter. Billy laid there and watched Evie fade, let her sleepy frame tuck into him. Under his chin. She found solace.

He thought of the men in her life and his life who raised their voices. Who hit. Who broke them down to a series of parts they can pick and choose from to make a doll that suited them best. This image they placed up carefully for protection, it may have shattered them both distantly. Billy didn’t want to be a piece of thunder in Evie’s life. Striking to make his points so she wouldn’t forget them.

But, Evie slept so soundly in his arms. Barely twitching while his hands roamed her body. Under the shirt down her bare back. Threading into fluffy locks of thick hair. These little caresses that were her lullaby. It made Billy believe with all his soul that he’d never be like them.

And it made it so easy for him to follow her in darkness.

** ** **

“You’re awfully quiet, Max.” Evie turned her head in the seat. Trees whizzed by illuminated with little flits of the morning sun.

“Just a test today, I guess.” Max had her backpack clutched close in her lap. Almost hiding behind it. She hinted a smile. “I gave Billy shit this morning.” Billy snorted in the driver’s seat, nodding. One hand idle on Evie’s knee. Hot through the denim.

“She did. Neil wasn’t around.”

“Hey...I told Will and them I’d go to the arcade. Just to hang out after school. I’ll be home before dinner.”

“Does Neil know?” Was all Billy asked.

“Yes, he thinks I’m just going to see El. Stays quieter if I’m seeing the Police Chief.” Max plucked up her skateboard. “I won’t need a ride so you guys can make-out.” She snickered while Billy swerved to park at school.

“Yeah? Beat it.” He shifted his seat, patting Evie’s knee to make her wait there. Max jumped out and hopped on her board.

“She does seem off,” Evie remarked more so to herself.

“Things at home are off, it’s making it weird for her and her friends.” Billy shut the door with a hard look. Exhaling out his nose. “It was bound to.” Evie watched Max skate down the hill around other students. Seemingly isolated. She didn’t push the subject and wiped the frown aside. Mauve lips upturned when she peered to see Billy staring at her face. Not reaching for a smoke yet.

“Got something for you.” He said instead, fishing into the front pocket of his denim jacket. “Tried to figure out how to make this official for you. Here.”

Billy dropped a silver chain in her hand without ceremony. The silver ring he wore on his middle finger hung from it. Evie wondered what he’d fidget around with now when he was deep in thought.

“I don’t have a class ring or Letterman jacket for you because I’m not a douche. But, guys do this. Don’t they?” Billy peered at Evie eyeing the ring before she met his gaze.

“It’s perfect.” She turned, gesturing so he could help her put it on. It sat lower than the little music note she usually wore. Evie debated it and pulled her dad’s necklace off, looping it around her wrist as a bracelet because she wasn’t ready to part with it just yet. Maybe it not being in plain sight would make her easier to look at for Mona. “Thank you.”

“My mom got it for me. She had it in the family and said it would fit me one day. That and this chain.” He fingered the saint pendant.

“I’ll be careful with it,” Evie promised him.

“It sits exactly where I wanted it to.” Billy flashed some pride.

“Over my heart?” Her eyes glimmered.

“Over your tits.” He laughed when she shoved at him, tugging his collar in for a kiss.

“You’re gross,” Evie mumbled, pecking him once more. She fingered the ring and beamed.

“You’re into it.” Billy turned her chin for just one more. She could live in this.

Just one more kiss.

Deciding to join the rest of the student body, they got out. Evie slung her strap over one shoulder while Billy held his bag in a wad at his side. They met each other around the car before Billy slipped his arm around her waist, bringing Evie into him. Fingers delved into her back pocket.

Every teen around them took note. It was official. Comments piled in as they passed into school.

“Great party, Evie.”

“Looking good, you two!”

“Love your outfit, Fenny.”

Whistles cast and overlapped suggestively.

“This is weird.” Evie leaned into Billy as they got to her locker. Students looked at them together. Offered winks or smiles. Students who never addressed her much before.

“You’re the keg king. What’s that saying?” Billy had shrugged. “Heavy is the head… Fine is the ass.”

“I regret you already.” Evie broke to laugh at him. “Pure poetry, Billy.” She shut her locker, paused to see Heather headed her way looking apprehensive. Another smile crossed, even fuller than the last. Heather seemed to respond and follow it.

“So, I heard I missed a piece of history.”

“Hardly, I puked everywhere.” Evie swept curls behind her shoulder. “Billy, can Heather and I have a sec?”

“Depends, am I still an asshole prick?” He leered over Evie’s shoulder.

“You’re back down to normal prick status.” Heather beamed even sweeter while Billy caught his tongue between his teeth, seeming to like that.

“I can work with that, princess.” He tugged Evie’s curls and went around them to head to his locker before the first period. Evie shifted on her feet so they walked along together.

“I know...things have still been kinda weird.”

“I just figured I’d let you and Carol work through your stuff, you know?” Heather looped her arm into Evie’s.

“Can’t without my best friend there. Sure, Carol and I are bonding, but that doesn’t… You and I went to dances together, Heather, we stayed up eating junk food and watching terrible movies. We bought our first bras together.”

“Our mothers made that day so mortifying, I think I’m still messed up from it.” Heather giggled with Evie snorting next to her. “And you got a real B bra while I basically bought a damn bandage.”

“We’re repressing the memory together.” Evie tugged her down the next hallway where Steve scrambled to snatch her into an unexpected bear hug.

“Tell me it’s true, oh my god, Evie.” He was near howling with laughter. Evie, shocked that Steve lifted her feet from the floor, stammered through the broken train of thought.

“What?” She got spun around with a cry as Heather cackled. Students hurried around them. Steve wasn't strong like Billy, but credit was due.

“You’re the keg king?” He shook her by the shoulders. “You smashed Billy’s record in front of him. In front of everyone?”

“I’m never drinking again.” Evie dropped her head to his chest, hands covering her face.

"You're my absolute hero, Eves, I hope you know that." Steve gripped Evie tighter, got close like he thought to kiss her but resisted.

“Yeah, you’re going to have to fill us in on everything at lunch.” Heather decided, grasping Evie’s hand. “Jesus, Steve, get it together.”

“Let me have this, Holloway. She's mine.” He squeezed Evie’s amused frame back into him. “He made my life hellish.”

“I’ll dedicate the win to you. How’s that?” Evie slipped from Steve, laughing now. “Lunch. We’ll give Billy shit about it together.” A wink that Steve matched, thoroughly enjoying this momentous day. Evie rejoined Heather to hurry toward class. “How about a sleepover? Us, Carol, and Max. I think she needs more girls in her life. No boys invited.”

Heather hugged her books close to grin easier.

“I’d like that.”

~~~~~

A/N: Letting these two finally just be intimate is everything to me. Thank you so so much for reading. Comments and rbs are well loved and appreciated!! Feel free to chat with me, pretty please! Tag list & ask open. xoxo :)

TAGGED:: @80sbxtch @nottherightseason @alagalaska @alongcamedolly @kellyk-chan @10blurredsmoke10 @charmed-asylum @unmistakablyunknown @lukespatterson

#Billy Hargrove #billy hargrove x oc #billy hargrove fanfiction #billy hargrove x plus size oc #billy hargrove smut #stranger things #stranger things fanfiction #billy x angel #writing #mine #somy #angel fenny

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kylorengarbagedump · 5 years ago

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Little Bird: Chapter 18 (NSFW)

Read on AO3. Part 17 here. Part 19 here.

Summary: You're concussed. You didn't really think anyone would care.

Words: 4100

Warnings: Handmaid AU

Characters: Kylo Ren x Handmaid!Reader

A/N: Hello! I did the thing again where I was like, oh, this chapter is not gonna have ANY smut in it. And then I wrote it and, y'know, Kylo Ren just... does things to me, y'all.

Does this count as fluff? It can get fluffier, I know, but like. For the universe, and all that.

Thank you so much for your feedback and encouragement! I love y'all so very much! See you soon. <3

The Audi screeched as it rolled into Kylo Ren’s driveway. The rim was almost certainly scrap by now, the way he’d ripped through the roads. You’d spent the entire ride coiled to the door frame--despite the reality of your destination, it was a relief for the car to finally cease moving. He engaged the emergency brake, turned the keys.

“Out.”

Ren exited the vehicle, and you followed, stumbling onto the concrete. You still felt dizzy from colliding with the dashboard. As you thought it, a brief reverie--the car, the light, Poe’s head--pop--your vision fizzed, and you crumpled against the car, temples pounding. Pain split your skull, and you groaned, kneading your forehead, trying to ease the shrieking in your ears. For the four-hundredth time since you’d left the Resistance house, you were nauseous.

Except this time, you vomited, heaving nothing but stomach acid onto the window of Ren’s car.

“Hm.” His presence was murky, like mud in your mind. “You hit your head in the crash.”

You wanted to respond, but couldn’t, mouth somehow made of marbles. Instead, you tried to move, but fumbled--mid-fall, you flailed and grabbed the side mirror for stability. Despite this, your limbs were like rubber, bowing, sending you straight toward the ground. A large, strong hand hooked under your arm, hoisting you to your feet, where you wobbled, unsteady.

“You have a concussion.” He guided you forward, and you retched, trying to push him off. “Come inside.”

“Just… hold on a second.” You weren’t ready to move so fast. The world felt like it was underwater.

Ren urged you along another step, and you winced, collapsing into him and rolling toward the ground again. In one swift movement, he slipped one arm behind your knees, the other supporting your shoulders. Your head spun--you were in far too much pain to acknowledge the gesture, sight still too blurry to even fully comprehend what was happening. His face, to your muddled memory, was stoic--if there had been emotion behind his decision to carry you, it didn’t show. He regarded you with all of the affection that one might regard a paper bag.

Clutching you to his chest, he opened the doors to his home, his heels loud clacks on the hardwood floor. The halls remained dark as he passed through, a fact you were entirely okay with, as you were certain the introduction of any light would slice your head open with its edge. You allowed your eyes to close, your body rocking with his movement, mind attempting to map your location in the house under the strain. One hard step, another--he’d begun to ascend the stairs, but your map must have been in error. They were the stairs to his bedroom hallway, not yours.

“Sir, is that you?” Johana’s voice, sharp with worry, pierced your ears. The noise of footsteps. “Where have you--oh.”

There was a pause. Ren stopped. You dangled in his arms.

“What are…” She paused, and then tried again, softer. “What’s going on?”

“I’m retrieving my property.”

A creak of hardwood. “You… Why is she… You’re bringing her upstairs, Sir?”

Silent, he started to climb again, the movement making you groan.

“Wait, please--”

“Move.”

“Can you just explain what--”

“No,” he replied. “Move.”

There was a lull of silence--you had a desire to peep open a lid, glimpse Johana’s face, construct a visual memory of the tension weighing between them. Even through the air, you could feel the anxiety whipping like a corona off her skin, could sense her restraint, a straitjacket shackling her to obsequiousness.

“You shouldn’t have brought her here, Sir,” she said. “The Eyes could have her slated for re-education.”

“There’s been no order for that.”

“No order?” she whispered. “Did you… Did you abandon your duty to go after a Handmaid?”

“That’s irrelevant.” He went to step again, and stalled in response to a wooden creak.

“We should at least dress her in--”

“Johana.” His voice was a cleaver. “Move.”

“You can’t bring her into our bedroom,” she spat, trembling tone hiding a plea. “I don’t care about the Eyes, or if you left, or any of that. Just. Please. Not. Where we sleep.”

Silence again--and then: “She has a concussion.”

A long, slow breath. A sigh. “Fine.”

Finally, you heard a shift, and he pushed past the last few steps and through the hall. Johana, with feather feet, followed. Ren shouldered open a door--to his bedroom, you gathered--the low glow in the room like a blinding flash to your hidden eyes. You grumbled again, squirming in his grip, and after a short walk, he laid you on the bed. The moment your head connected with the pillow, you seethed, rolling over, shielding your face from intruding light.

“How do you know she had a concussion?”

Ren was crossing, unhooking something. You heard a clatter across the room.

“Why do you have your gun--”

“She was in a car accident,” he said. “She can’t stand.”

“Sir,” Johana sighed, “are you going to at least tell me what happened so I know what to say if the Eyes--”

“It’s none of your concern.” He bit the words off between his teeth. “I will take care of it.”

She grumbled--you felt fingers at your shoulder, rolling you to your back. You whined, burying your head in your hands, but Johana wrenched them down with experienced grace, tacking them to your sides. At the sight of your face, she gasped.

“Is that blood?” When Ren was silent, she said again, “Is that blood on her face?” She released you, and you peeled your lids open, squinting even from the dim yellow ambiance. Johana had spun on Ren, who stood, a gargoyle of indifference. “What the hell did you do?”

“Quiet.”

“I swear to Christ, if she is pregnant--”

“Enough.”

“--and if you ruined my chances of being a mother, Kylo, I--”

“Johana,” he hissed. “Remember your place.”

She stalled, stepping back, her blue nightgown a plume around her legs. “Yes, sir, Commander.” Scowling, she stomped back over to you, meeting your eyes with a flash of rage. “Sit up.”

Nodding, you pushed up on your palms, wincing as your head throbbed. Nausea washed over you again. The bed swirled under your frame--you sucked in a deep breath through your nostrils, quelling the tsunami of vomit that wanted to burble up and spew all over your Commander’s Wife. Thankfully, once your back was against the pillow, you were able to fully open your lids. Johana’s thumb was on your wrist, checking your pulse, face screwed in concentration. In the corner of the room, Ren was seated, shoulders flared like the wings of a raptor, a gaze just as keen.

Glancing at your eyes, she turned to the nightstand, rummaging through it. “Where’s the flashlight?” she asked. And, after a moment, “Nevermind. Found it.”

She clicked it on, two fingers prying open your lids as she shined the flash directly into your pupils. You whinged, seething, trying to shove her off, but she snatched your wrists and strapped them down with her strength, flicking the light back and forth from your eyes, scrutinizing your response. After a moment, the pain simmered, washed away.

“Her pupils are normal.” Johana turned the flashlight off, returning it to the nightstand before staring back at you. “What nation do we live in?”

“The… Republic of Gilead?” you replied, raising a brow.

“And what year is it?”

“Nineteen… eighty-five…”

“What role do you serve in this home?” Her tone grew more severe.

You blinked, scanning her, wanting to inch away. “I’m… I’m a Handmaid.”

“And what is your name?”

A shiver crawled up your spine as you remembered the rasp of Kylo Ren’s voice in your ear, the tears at your neck, the weight of his body and the thick stretch of his cock, slamming into you, demanding your submission. Your gaze flickered to his. The depth of it--like a pit that threatened to swallow you--gnawed at your stomach.

“Ofkylo,” you murmured, and met her eyes again.

Johana studied you, a slow breath escaping her, before she turned to Ren, voice flat. “She’s oriented. No dilation.” A slight shrug as she glanced at you from over her shoulder. “She should be fine.”

Ren shifted, head tilting. “She could still vomit in her sleep. She couldn’t walk.”

She sighed again. “What are you asking me, Sir?”

“She shouldn’t fall asleep.”

Johana threw her hands up, crossing to her dresser. “Well, as far as I’m concerned, she’s fine,” she mumbled. “I was a nurse, not a doctor.”

The admission made your stomach flip. A nurse.

Ren stood, long strides bringing him to the side of the bed. Warmth and terror eked through you in equal measure, body tingling for his touch, brain shriveling at the thought of it. His eyes lingered on your figure, appraising it, before traveling to meet your own. Within his irises, there was a fog--a nameless, formless ache, suffocating in the depth of his denial. You could see it, feel it as it coasted across your skin, scattering like shadow as he stared--and you hated it, hated the flutter it brought to your heart, hated the fire it stoked in your veins. It was that asinine desire to know, even as you had already decided that your knowledge of him was complete.

In secret, a single finger drew a soft line down your calf, and you shuddered. “She will stay here tonight.”

Balking, Johana whirled to face her husband. “What--” She cleared her throat. “Um, excuse me, Sir?”

It was a surprise to you, too--you stared at him, brow furrowed, but his expression was inscrutable, like he’d put on a mask.

“She could choke. Fall into a coma. She requires observation.”

“I’ve already told you that I think she’s fine.”

You nodded, sitting up. Anything to get you out of pissing off Johana. “I actually feel totally fine--”

Ren held up a finger, silencing you, his attention still on his Wife. “You don’t know that to be true.”

Her jaw stiffened. She crossed her arms. “You’re not putting out your Wife so you can watch over a Handmaid,” she said. “That’s… the impropriety--”

“At what point did I order you to leave?”

She blinked, jaw dropping. A choked laugh broke from her throat, her head shaking. “You… You expect me to share our bed with a Handmaid?” she asked. “Have you--I mean…” She drew in a steadying breath. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Sir.”

You nodded, swinging your feet toward the floor, ignoring the rush of pain when you moved. “You know, I don’t really want to stay here, either--”

Ren caught your legs as you tried to kick them off the bed, suspending them in air. “No.” He tossed you back as if you were made of cotton, looked to Johana. “You may sleep here or in any of the other bedrooms in this home. It’s immaterial to me.”

Johana stood, staring, her mouth parted, hand falling over her heart. You could almost see it--the silent disintegration of her reality, like a building crumbling in on its own framework, shattered pieces pulverized into rings of dust. Her eyes glossed, cheeks reddened, and she cleared her throat again, swallowing. A sickened smile flashed over her face; she blinked it away.

“If that’s how you feel, Sir, then please, feel free to share our bed with your little whore. You know where to find me, if you need me.” She threw open the closet, grabbing a robe and tugging it on. “But I know you won’t.” With a flourish, she left, slamming the door behind her.

Guilt sank like venom into your bones, twisted your intestines. You glared at Ren. “You’re cruel.”

He cocked a brow, unbuttoning the cuffs on his shirt. “She should be concerned with your survival, given the possibility of pregnancy.” He glanced at your face and paused. After a moment, he turned, heading into the bathroom.

“She loves you, you know,” you called after him.

No response. You sighed, sinking onto the bed, head plopping back onto the pillow, gazing into the gauzy lavender canopy, tracing its network of soft wrinkles with your eyes. It was true that your head felt like a cantaloupe that someone had smashed with a mallet, and it was also true that the thought of walking currently made bile bubble in your esophagus--but despite all of this, the thought of staying in Kylo Ren’s room with him all night made your chest tight.

The memory of Poe’s head bursting with cherry blood was a circular film in your mind, reeling on repeat, as if someone was rewinding the tape and pressing play over and over and over. The fact that Ren had murdered him without a breath brought a chill to your toes, to your stomach. The fact that even after that, you’d begged in unfortunate honesty for his cock froze you entirely. Poe’s new adage--There are no saints in Gilead--did little to assuage your shame. Just because sainthood was unachievable didn’t mean you were supposed to drown in sin.

Who could be considered more reprehensible--the devil? Or the one who had witnessed him shed his humanity, spring forward as a full-formed monstrosity--and still chose to kneel at his feet? At least one was by nature. You weren’t sure what your problem was.

Ren entered the room again, a white towel draped over his hand. You eyed him with suspicion as he approached--Was this all a plan to kill you?--but before you could sputter a protest, he sat at the side of the bed and wedged his hand under your head, cradling it with ease.

Silent, he guided the warm, damp cloth over your face, tracing it across your forehead, gentle along your hairline. You felt the crust of blood and sweat on your skin drifting clean, the heat of the towel soothing the thumping of your temples. Air failed to enter your lungs, a tremor of something only identifiable as affection tunnelling through you. In his gaze, you saw no evidence of the man who had pinned you to the pavement, pistol to your chin--he was open, a wound without a bandage.

“I don’t understand why you killed him,” you said, the words leaving before you’d had a chance to think them.

Ren blinked, soft, dark lashes shielding his eyes. “I don’t understand why you left.” The towel caressed your jaw, his long fingers tilting your head as if you were made of porcelain.

You snuffed a laugh. “Are you… serious?”

For the first time in minutes, he leveled you with his stare. “Yes.”

“How… do you not understand?” you said. “This is hell. You’ve created hell for me.” You bit your lip, choosing your words carefully. “You’ve created hell for all of us.”

He considered you, motionless. “You’re not happy here.”

Snorting, you wondered how many times you’d have to say it for him to actually listen. “Commander--are you?”

Ren paused, holding the towel to your cheek, his gaze fixated on yours. Those full, pink lips twitched with something nameless, the mellow lights casting a mahogany shimmer over the dark waves of his hair. You laid there, locked with him, trading a feeling too dangerous to articulate in the absence of your breathing. Heat dripped into your face--too much heat for the towel to be responsible. He focused on your mouth, rubbed it clean, and offered another blink, almost meandering in its speed.

“Smuggling a Handmaid is punishable by death,” he said. “For Guardians, public execution.” He scrubbed at your chin, swooping along the perimeter of your face.

You grimaced. “So you killed him out of the kindness of your heart?”

“No.” The towel glided under your eyes. “I killed him because he took you.” He dabbed at your neck, your pulse a drum underneath his fingertips. “But his death was inevitable--by me or otherwise.” Leaning back, he examined you, seeking out any other stains. Apparently satisfied, he lowered your head to the mattress and stood, returning to the bathroom.

You sighed, embers crackling in the ash of your flesh. You’d asked to understand--and now you had. For some reason, it didn’t make you feel any less guilty. In fact, it only made you feel worse as you imagined Finn and Rey finding out the mission had gone haywire, that Poe had met his inevitability. All because of you. All your fault. More tears welled, and you shook them away. You were tired of crying.

After a moment, Ren exited the bathroom carrying clothing. His shirt was untucked, a pair of black drawstring trousers hanging at his waist. Your eyes stuck to him like flypaper, gawking while he crossed the room, his fingers popping open his shirt buttons, revealing inch by inch his thick, powerful torso. A wad of saliva lodged in your throat, breath stuck behind it. He tossed his clothes in a wicker basket, shucking his shirt into it, muscles in his back rippling as he rolled his shoulders. You devoured him, a wolf starved for his vulnerability.

He turned, approaching you in silence--it was impossible not to notice every movement of his body, how it tensed with his footsteps, how the veins in his hands rooted in his arms, how the breadth of his chest appeared so, so deliciously solid. The light almost disguised the white scars spread across his skin, phantoms of the revolution still haunting his flesh. A wave of fire crashed over you at the realization. He was dangerous--a weapon of a man. And he had just tenderly cleaned your face.

You finally remembered to breathe and swallow when he hovered over you. Was he going to try and fuck you in the throes of a concussion?

“Uh, excuse me, sir.” You tried in vain to tear yourself from his beauty.

“Sit up.”

Despite his order, his hands were at your back and shoulder, pulling you forward. Ren turned you, sliding in behind you, his legs framing yours, your back flush to his chest. He curled an arm around your waist, tugging you tight to his body, his heat enveloping you. In silence, he gathered your hair, folded it over your shoulder, smoothing the strays over your scalp. Having finished that, he lifted the Bible from his nightstand and flipped it open, his head nestling next to yours as he began to read. You fought for breath, mind whirling from either the concussion or from stupor. How was this the same man who, only hours ago, had his gun shoved in your cunt?

You wanted to feel disgust, horror--you were his possession, after all. But his touch was too gentle to signify ownership. It was the touch of a human, a touch you’d only known men to give to women they cherished--a touch you hadn’t known in years.

“What… are you doing, Commander?” It was the only question that could crawl its way out.

“Observing you.” Velvet rolled from his mouth to your ear. “Until you can walk, it’s not safe for you to sleep.”

“But Johana…”

“Johana would risk your safety to spite me,” he said. “I want you alive.”

You almost laughed. “Is that why you shot into the car that you knew I was in?”

A pause, and his chest fell in a sigh. “You were never my target.”

“You could’ve missed, Commander.”

“I didn’t,” he said. “And I don’t.” The darkness in his tone sent ice through your spine. Another pause. “Use my name.”

You blushed, choking on your own spit. “I’m sorry?”

“When we’re alone,” he murmured. “Use my name.”

The motive of his observation clarified in your mind. Ren had wanted Johana, and you, and his own self to believe his intentions were practical. So far, he’d managed to fool only himself--and maybe not even then. He dipped his face to the slope of your neck, drawing in a long, deep breath through his nostrils. Goosebumps swelled across you--in an automatic reaction, you melted against him, your head resting on his shoulder.

“Kylo…”

“Yes, little bird?” he whispered over your skin.

You sighed. “I hate you…”

He nuzzled his nose along your pulse. “You hate me?” he asked. “You are me.”

“What?” You frowned.

“You want to resist…” A hand rested on your hip, bunching fabric as it curled to a fist. “There’s something here that makes us both betray what we believe in.”

You shook your head. “No,” you said, “because what I believe is right, and what you believe is wrong.”

“Inconsequential.” His lips skated your heartbeat, and you caught a sigh in your chest. “When we both believe we’re right.”

You squirmed, feeling his growing desire at your backside. A pang of lust knocked between your legs, and you gripped his thighs, feeling them harden under your palms. “I know I’m right.”

“Of course.” He tossed the Bible to the side, mouth pressing soft, lingering kisses to your exposed throat. “And I know you’re getting wet for me, right now.”

A shudder rattled you, and you chewed a whine before it escaped. “Kylo…”

Kylo Ren growled, undoing the button and zipper of your jeans and slipping his hand into the open flap. You whimpered, your head throbbing with the surge of delight hitting your nerves--he shushed you, his thick fingers gliding across your mound.

“I want to make you cum again,” he purred, kissing your jaw. “I want to hear you say my name as you clench around my fingers.”

Longing roared inside of you, searing your insides. “My head hurts,” you replied, even while your cunt pulsed with need.

“I’ll be gentle, little bird.” His other hand threaded through your hair, nudging your face toward his, and he captured your lips in a hot, tender kiss. “Now be good for me.”

Ren slid a digit across your already stiff clit, his chest rolling with excited breath as he teased it with a quick swirl. You gasped, legs spreading wider, your nails biting his thighs, and he huffed, tracing quick, tight circles around it, the pad of his finger supplying shocks of friction. Pleasure flooded you, muscles collapsing as you succumbed to it--Ren kissed you again, holding you there, tongue delving into your mouth while he rubbed your swollen nub faster. Two more fingers coated themselves in your slick and pushed inside you.

You moaned into him, and he jerked you harder to his body, tongue massaging yours while his plush lips worked over your mouth. His hand continued to cup your head as he kissed you, as if to meld you with his frame, as if to brand you in his memory, and his fingers pumped into you, one digit flicking and circling your clit. Air was passed in hot gusts between your nostrils, your bodies grinding together in a futile attempt to fuse. He was deft--your climax approaching fast, his hands pulling it from you faster than they had your dignity.

“That’s it, little bird,” he groaned against you. “You’re close, aren’t you?”

Nodding, you fussed, trying to meet his lips again, missing the heavy comfort of his kiss. Your walls clenched his fingers, the beat of bliss thrumming to your head, every new thump of your heart cracking your skull. A sob of pain was silenced by another peak of pleasure over your flesh, your pussy squeezing him faster, yanked to the edge by the stretch of his digits plunging into you, his finger battering your nub.

“Let me hear you.”

“Kylo,” you breathed, gripping his thighs as if they’d anchor you to sanity, “oh, fuck, Kylo…”

“That’s right,” he muttered, “that’s right…”

You splintered, ecstasy burning through you, and as you came, Ren’s lips crashed into yours, swallowing your desperate wails of pleasure, his body solid while your limbs twitched. He was a rock, a sanctuary where you could come undone, finger rubbing until you squealed with discomfort, continuing to kiss you, softer, gentler, until the last tatters of your climax dissipated from your skin.

Wilting into him, your lids fluttered shut, lungs heaving while your heart searched for its rhythm. Ren kissed you again, then pulled his hand from your cunt and popped his fingers into his mouth, sucking them clean with a quiet moan. Once finished, he zipped up your jeans, re-buttoned them, and propped you up, positioning you flat along his chest once more. His length still throbbed at your back--but if he noticed, he said nothing.

You sighed, ignoring the echo of pain at the perimeter of your skull, waiting for the oxytocin to leave your blood. “I hate you, Kylo.”

He stroked your hair, flipping it over your shoulder for the second time. “I know.” He returned to his Bible, thumbing it open to 1 Corinthians, and you spied a verse circled in pretty black ink.

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.

The rest of the night, he was silent, nudging you only when you would drift toward sleep, vigilant until the sun crested into the sky.

#kylo ren smut #kylo ren x reader #kylo x reader #kylo ren imagine #kylo ren #kylo trash #little bird #handmaid au #fanfiction problems #just a quick little fingerbang yknow

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talietikasero · 4 years ago

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Aria of the Sol

So, this is a preview (with brief context before each scene) for something I’ve been working on for a while. This is a “what if" scenario following the "Aria was revived” ending (/ original implication?). Set in the three-week gap between Revelator and Strive.

[Check it out on AO3]

Scene 1 (Chapter 1): Aria wakes up in the hospital and meets her daughter and son-in-law. [Inspired by “Ch’io mi scordi di te?” by rex101111]

[November 25. Illyrian Royal Medical Center, Patient Room 107. 11:02 am] Approximately five days had passed since she was checked in as a patient. If only she knew the collective shock from the medical staff and those who were waiting to visit their family members when they saw her unconscious form being brought into the facility by Sol nearly kicking the doors off, who had Ky and Sin trailing right behind. Those standing outside were treated to the sight of the Gullinkambi Dark acting as the group's transport, with Daryl's fleet right behind as they were all returning to Eastern Illyria.

“She gonna be alright?”

“Let’s hope so.”

“You’re good to go, Johnny. Thanks for the lift.”

“Anytime.”

“Daryl, drop the girls at my home. Dizzy will be waiting outside.”

“Understood.”

Inside her head, memories of who she was started flooding in from two clashing sources. Source A had recent memories about her days figuring out what it’s like to be human. People tracking her down, one annoyed she got away, another insisting she take off the mask so he could see her face. Source B saw nothing but death and destruction, whether it was from her hands or not. Humanity hated her for this, but she didn’t care. Those foolish “knights" who dared oppose her. That grumpy old man who, against all odds, survived fighting her on seventeen different occasions. Out of those eleven brave souls who participated in the tournament that led to her release, one stood above the rest. When she saw him, it was then that she remembered herself —who they were – before taking her final breath.

“H… How could I have forgotten you? If only we could have talked one last time… Just the three of us…”

“…Justice…? That’s right… The man who created us… our boss! I won’t rest until you lie writhing in agony before me!!”

Vision hazy, she stood alone in a void that seemed all too familiar before seeing two others in front of her. This strange woman with a halo and a pumpkin motif who mirrored her in physical appearance down to the face simply smiled, where the armored monster who she admittedly was frightened by stood idly and stared before nodding. They faced each other, joining their hands before merging as one. She saw her own reflection, still dressed in her researcher clothes. Her identity became clear.

She is Aria Hale, one of the key researchers assigned to the Gear Project.

Various figures and faces she couldn’t put names to appear one by one, two of which appeared to be her old colleagues still dressed in their white lab coats. She wanted to call out to them before refraining as they changed into strange attire. One was covered from head to toe in a hooded robe that looked more like a straitjacket than anything, where the other was clad in red, black, and white, and was the reason for her demise seven years prior. Was this truly how they were in her absence? Everything suddenly went blinding white.

Aria had regained consciousness. Nose crinkling at the sterile "lemon" scent, her eyes slowly opened to see the dimmed fluorescent light above. "Nnnngh, where am I?" Her sudden awakening startled the nurse who was doing her hourly check-in, causing her to rush out the door and call for one of the main physicians. Whoops. Curious about her surroundings, she saw that she was dressed in a light blue hospital gown and had been hooked up to a system that tracked her life signs. This wasn’t the project complex infirmary. Where exactly was she?

When the nurse returned following a doctor, Aria apologized for the unintended scare, to which the latter understood and said she overreacted. After a series of questions regarding any possible issues and if she had any dietary restrictions, the doctor had another staff member bring her something to eat and drink. She wasn’t listening to what they were discussing but did catch “well now that she’s up, please contact his majesty.”

[1:15 pm]

“That was unexpected.” The breakfast she ate wasn’t the subpar hospital food she recalled from back then. Rather, she was given a bowl of freshly chopped fruits, some toast and berry cream cheese, and a mug of coffee with sweet cinnamon cream and sugar mixed in. As an afternoon treat, she was also left a fruit tart, along with a kettle of hot water, a small assortment of tea, and two cups.

Aria was passing time with a copy of the local newspaper in hand while the radio played music, trying to wrap her head around what she was reading. The main story reported that there was this worldwide battle ranging from Illyria to the Japanese Colony. The article detailed various heroes fighting against someone named Ariels's forces; assassins, pirates, a doctor (with a paper bag on his head? What in the hell), some soldiers (oh my god just how large is that man with the helm?), and... is that a girl with wings? What exactly did she miss? Despite not knowing who this blue-haired girl was, she couldn't help but feel a little proud of her, reading the positive things the people were saying. "She saved my life!"

"She refused to abandon us."

"She's like an angel! No, a goddess!”

“If she were Queen, she’d make a perfect match for King Ky.” The hospital's usual noise of medical staff chatting or yelling life-saving orders, wheels on carts and beds rolling, and footsteps were present, but she heard what sounded like a group of people headed towards her room. She folded the paper and placed it on the table next to her bedside, figuring she'd finish reading it later. If there was something that caught her attention, it was the weekly news recap radio broadcast stating that the Gear Maker has turned himself in.

“The ‘Gear Maker’… Asuka’s been arrested?”

"Ah, here we are."

"Thank you."

"Thanks, doc."

"This is exciting! I can't wait to meet her." Was her head playing tricks on her? Those muffled voices on the other side of the door sound familiar yet entirely foreign. Still listening, she saw herself in the mirror the nurse had left earlier. "Well, if they come in here, I can't look disheveled." She lowly muttered as she touched up her appearance; it wasn't too bad, just a light sign of tiredness (she wanted a haircut too.) “…When did my hair become… two-tone…?”

First, she heard a soft, feminine voice. "I think it'd be best if she saw you first. I don't want to scare her. D-don't give me that look, Dad!" Scare her? How could that happen when she'd already seen the worst horrors imaginable?

"Dizzy, look at me. You're not scary. But I see what you're getting at." Whoever the second person in this conversation was, she could sense they were reassuring her of something. It sounded like they were together in some way. "I think she'd be happy to see you." Her eyes widened as the third voice caught her off guard. Is that who she thinks it is? Is it really ---? "Incredible, Sol. Your soft side is showing." "Shut it, Ky." Dizzy? Sol? Ky? Who are these people? "I'd say it's normal to forget someone from before, but you know all three of them. Or at least I did. ~" Who the hell was that? Now there's a voice in her head? Great. She just wanted to sleep again and tell those three to come back later. Now was not the time for having to get answers for every question that may pop up. "Heh. Doctor, could you do the honor?" "Oh, of course." There was a gentle knock on the door. "Ma'am?" "Y-yes?" Aria put the mirror away and adjusted her blanket. "You have a couple of visitors. Is it okay to come in?" "Yes. Please enter." The sound of the door slowly creaking open was harsh compared to the steady beeps of her vitals monitors. She wondered who would step in first but kept her hopes at bay. A blond young man dressed in blue and white was the first to enter. Had she seen him somewhere before? He was older now but lacked the fierce and determined gaze she remembered. Neutral bordering on welcoming, this man bowed as he introduced himself. "Good afternoon, madam. My name is Ky Kiske. I'm the King of Illyria." Oh god, what did she do? How was she supposed to greet royalty, let alone the man who's in charge of everything? Unsure of how to do so, she politely nodded and smiled. "Pleased to meet you, your highness. To what do I owe the honor of a visit?" "It's been a few days but what a relief it is to see you're awake. I hope you don’t mind as my wife wanted to come along, and we brought an old ‘friend’ of yours." "I appreciate the concern." "We're sorry to show up unannounced, but we came as soon as we could." Dizzy was the second to enter the room, taking a seat close to her. "I know this may come off as a shock, but it's nice to finally meet you, Mom." Aria took a moment to study Dizzy's appearance. Features remarkably like her own, mainly in the eyes and face shape. Long blue hair tied with yellow ribbons, a tail, red eyes, and wings. The realization hit her like a freight train as this was who she had just read about. This heroine, the queen, was her daughter. How the child of two stressed-out scientists from over one hundred and seventy years ago ended up as one of the most powerful women on Earth is an answer for another time. For now, she was trying to think of a conversation starter. “Nice to meet you too.”

“It wasn’t until our college years that I met your father.”

“You two weren’t high school sweethearts?”

“If we knew each other back then, something might’ve come out of it. He is two years older than I am.”

“Oh. So, with that if you were a sophomore, he was a senior?” Dizzy may have the mind of a woman in her mid- to late-twenties, but she never had the chance to attend an actual school. She did have an idea about how education systems worked.

“Precisely, though I might’ve been bumped up to the same student standing now that I think about it. Though that would’ve been unlikely as I earned my PhD in my late teens. Our studies differed, with my focus on cytology, and his in magic particle physics, but the two of us were recruited to work for the same project group after graduating. He was confused as to how I could be interested in someone like him – an extrovert and an introvert, respectively. Aside from me and our mutual colleague, he didn’t have very many friends – if any at all.” Aria noticed the expression on Ky’s face, indicating that he already knew about her partner’s lack of social skills. “I guess he wanted to be around me so much that he asked to be transferred to the team I was with, rather than work on his original assignment. All jokes aside, it was really because of how much significance the project held. I think he was tasked on researching some powerful spell. Saint Oratorio, I believe it was called.”

Dizzy turned to Ky, asking something that popped into her head. “Isn’t that what they fired that day?” Ky nodded, remembering the argument on if another energy blast should’ve been used or not. Aria noticed the couple sneaking in a quick glance at the door, then exchanging a knowing look at each other.

“Excuse me for a second.” Ky rose from his seat and headed out the door. “Get in here and talk to her, you moron!”

“I told you I’d go in when I was ready!”

“And when would that be, huh?”

“When you and Dizzy left! Let go of me! AGH!”

The door swung open with Ky dragging a familiar face into the room by the lapel of his jacket. Dark brown hair, olive skin, and those bold rectangular eyes she vividly remembers. The world knew him by a nom de guerre – Sol Badguy. His real identity wasn’t common knowledge, only being known by a handful of individuals – Asuka, Paradigm, presumably Ky, Leo, and the Valentines, and her. He displayed no significant signs of aging despite the time that passed since she last saw him, still appearing to be in his mid-twenties. Aria’s grip on the blanket tightened as she murmured his name. “…Frederick?”

____________________________________

Scene 2: After being discharged from the hospital, Dizzy takes Aria out on a shopping trip. Aria meets a friendly time traveler.

[December 2. Downtown Shopping District. 12:15 pm]

“Let’s get going. There’s more shops to browse."

Although the public started to trust her, Dizzy and Aria went out with two members of the Convict Hammer team as their escort. Thankfully, the citizens were nice enough to give the Queen her space and greeted her whenever she passed by. There were some who gave her “thank you” gifts, ranging from goody baskets filled with sweets and teas to flowers and handmade trinkets, all of which were given to their escorts to carry.

Weather today was a cool 60 degrees Fahrenheit, slightly overcast with scattered clouds. Aria recalled something regarding her accessory choice on a past date. “You gotta be some kind of eccentric to wear a hat on a day like today.” The promenade was bustling with the usual crowds, some people were getting ideas for what gifts to buy for those special in their lives as Christmas was approaching. Aria noticed a family of three walking past a toy store, seeing the child point out what was in the window to their parents. Glancing at Dizzy, who was busy meeting and greeting the people she protected during the recent attacks, she thought to herself “if only I – no, we were there for you back then. That could’ve been the three of us.” It made her chuckle that their escort had to explain everyone needed to wait their turn to speak with her daughter – she is technically a celebrity.

Aria couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. She stood still, noticing everything froze similarly to that fateful day. Out of nowhere, a man with long blond hair, wearing a blue shirt, black pants, a varsity jacket, and a black bandana appeared next to her. His sudden presence nearly made her jump out of her skin. Just like Ky, Aria vaguely remembers seeing him before too. He simply smiled and waved in a friendly manner. “You have nothin’ to worry about. Name’s Axl. I’m a friend of Fre—I mean, Sol’s.” One more person to add to the list of who knows his real name. “He asked me to check on you today. Glad to see you’re doing well.”

Aria blinked at him owlishly. “I’m sorry but did you just say check on me?”

“Yeah, he’s got other business to attend to – can’t say exactly what it is either.” He shrugged, giving her a look that she couldn’t decipher. “He told me to tell you he’s sorry for being gone, but he did add something about making it up to you. We’ll meet again sometime.” Axl raised his right hand, making a peace sign. “See ya ‘round, Ari.”

“W-wait!” Time resumed, leaving her standing in the middle of the sidewalk confused about what she just heard. She tried to find Axl, her head turning to all possible directions, and no trace of him was to be seen as if he vanished into thin air. Her motions bordered on frantic as some passersby gave her puzzled looks. “He doesn’t have the decency to see me in person, yet he sends a friend to say hi and watch over me. Sometimes, I just don’t understand you, Frederick…”

“Madam Hale, is everything alright?” One Convict Hammer asked regarding her wellbeing. “You seem like something's troubling you.”

“I’m fine, really. I spaced out for a bit.” Aria rubbed the back of her neck in attempt to brush aside what just happened. “Sorry.”

____________________________________

Scene 3: Ky takes Aria to the castle. She meets the other Kings and has something to ask one of them.

[December 3. Illyria Castle War Room, 9:45 am]

“The last time I saw this many people staring at screens and tapping away at keys was during a project crunch.” Coffee cup in hand, Aria commented on the operator crew stationed around what looked like a throne on the lower floor. “It was either from a sooner deadline or everyone just decided to make last minute changes on their data. It wasn’t odd to see at least one or two people running down the complex’s halls with a sizeable stack of papers.”

“Not too different from the crew here, but what can you do? We’re only human. Normally, civilians aren’t allowed in here, but I’ll make an exception.”

“He’s right about the ‘no civilian' policy.” A boisterous voice came from the burly man that approached them. “Ky, who is this?”

“Aria, this is Leo Whitefang, the Second King. Leo, this is Aria Hale. You know, my mother-in-law and you-know-who’s partner.”

She nervously smiled at him. “Hi?” Fitting name considering he has a hairstyle reminiscent of a lion’s mane. He towered over them, standing with a sturdy frame at six feet and five inches. She noticed the difference in the two kings’ fashion choices; Ky wore lighter clothes with his jacket placed over his shoulders, where Leo had a heavy coat with a furry lining.

“Oh, my apologies.” Leo apologizing wasn’t something anyone saw often. He gave Ky a side-eyed glare. “A heads up would’ve been nice.”

“One of the few times I decide to drop by, and the God of War's better half is here.” A man who looked to be exactly the midpoint of Ky and Leo's age gap approached the three, briefly bowing as he stood near them. “Good morning, Ms. Hale.”

"Daryl?" Kiske and Whitefang asked in unison. “What are you doing here?”

“With the G4 summit next week, I thought I’d at least consult with you two in person before I go. It’d be a terrible idea if all three of us went, wouldn’t you agree?”

Aria wondered what the Three Kings had for a planned course of action regarding the conference. At the moment, she remembered what she and Ky had discussed on the trip to the castle. She tapped his shoulder and leaned in to whisper “did you forget my idea?”

“Ah, right. That’s one of the reasons why I brought you here. Leo, Aria has something to ask.”

“And that would be?” She didn’t speak, only bumping her fists together. “You want us to do what now?" Leo asked as he crossed his arms. He had an idea of what she meant but would rather hear it from her. "Teach me how to fight. I can't be reliant on others to defend me." "Okay." Ky chimed in. "Okay!?! You're telling me that the woman who used to be Just--- OW!" Aria punched Leo in the stomach as hard as she could. "Don't call me that."

“AUGH! Was that necessary!?” Ky couldn't help but laugh at Leo's expense. "And we're off to a good start. Look at it this way, it's not like we’re placing her in a big role like Ramlethal."

"Dammit, bambino! You have a point. Fine. Report back here at 0900 tomorrow. Your training will begin then." Leo’s communicator went active. Holding a finger up to his ear, he answered and looked towards the hallway. “Hm? Yeah. Alright, I’ll be right there. I’ll get you access.” Click. “That was Ram. Did you not authorize her entry to the armory?” Ky shook his head – the task referred to was Leo’s job. “Before I go, what’s your preferred style? Sword? Shield? Bare hands?”

“You’ll find out when you start teaching me.” Aria replied with a hint of playful snark.

“You really are Sol’s girlfriend.” As Leo walked away, Aria turned to see what looked to be a girl wearing a white body-length cape with red bandages on her left limbs waiting for him. The mysterious girl seemed to be hovering a few inches off the ground and was accompanied by two small flying creatures.

“He’s a bit of a hardass, but you learn to tolerate it.”

“I heard that! There’s a multitude of reasons you’re not as popular as us and that’s one of them!”

“See what I mean. Also, this is for you.“ Daryl handed Aria a medium sized gift bag with pink and purple tissue paper sticking out. Printed with an art nouveau floral pattern, there was a sun emblem on the lower right corner, not-so subtly hinting at who dropped it off. “I didn’t know which flavor you’d like, so I put both chocolate and strawberry desserts inside, on top of your actual gift. Don’t worry, I didn’t look.”

[Kiske Residence, Aria’s room. 5:15 pm]

“If you ever stop by, I hope you like what I picked out…” Aria placed the folded bag in the drawer and slid it shut. She looked to the closet where the other clothing she bought was stored, including a dress and hat like what she owned in the past. Hopefully, she’ll be able to wear it sometime.

“Ram, are you sure about this? We haven’t introduced ourselves yet! She might think we’re being rude.”

“I’m certain, El. At least let me try and speak with her. I’m only the messenger here.”

“Hey, are ya talking about Sol’s gal? Ya know, I was the first Valentine’s companion.”

“Ugh, stay out of this, you big balloon creep!”

“Lucifero. Self-destruct. Why must you follow me everywhere?”

“You’re getting better at this whole showing emotion thing, but you’re terrible at small talk! …okay. I’ll be waiting in our room until you’re done.”

Following the fading footsteps, a rhythmic knock-knock-knock preceded a monotone voice. “Miss Aria? May I come in?”

“It's unlocked.” Her attention was turned to the same young girl from this morning standing in the doorway. She wore a dark blue and white sailor dress with a mint green bow, had amber eyes, brown skin, and cream white hair. “I don’t think we’ve met before, but you’re Ramlethal, right?”

“Of course you two have met! Just not like this! ~”

“Correct. As you may have learned, I am a Valentine, and as such my sister and I were created from you.”

“’Valentine'? Created… from… me?”

“Mother used you as a template for our existence. I can see why now but telling you this isn’t why I’m here.”

“Then why are you? Do you… want to chat? You look like you could use someone to talk to.”

Ramlethal's blank expression shifted to a soft smile. “Perhaps another time, but there’s something I have to do first.” She walked up to Aria and hugged her. “This is from him. Thank you for returning. Sol is much happier than he was before.” She let go and left, gently closing the door behind her.

Aria stood there dumbfounded at what had just occurred. “He’s… happier?”

She took a seat at the desk where she placed her gift from earlier. Her curiosity got the best of her, and she decided to open it. “I know it’s from you, but what exactly did you get me?” Removing the tissue paper and the extra gift desserts, she pulled out a black box. Placed inside was a brown teddy bear dressed as Sol – removable headband included – holding a heart and rose, along with a card that had “to Aria” written on it. Opening it, she read the message.

“Cute plushie, isn’t he? I got this custom made just for you. Even comes with a change of clothes: a purple shirt, black slacks, and a lab coat. Hope you’re not too worried about me. I promise I’ll see you soon. Okay? 🖤”

Aria finally has friends and family, yet without Frederick, she felt alone. Opening the container with the strawberry pudding, she picked up a spoon, and placed a scoop of the sweet in her mouth. “I’ll hold you to that… Really wanted to share this with you too.”

____________________________________

Scene 4: Aria meets her other genetic copy and her grandson. Song used: “Pirates” by Caravan Palace.

[December 5. 6:30 pm]

Reorganizing her belongings, the soft melody from the song currently playing on the phonograph filled the room.

Do me, beauty. Rock me up, yup go once again. Hug me, beauty. Oop, the way this life is clearing into my brains. Fool me, beauty. Let me think of home once again. Hear me, beauty. You gotta hide away the secret of your low bone this man.

“Miss Aria. It’s me, Ram. Can I come in?”

“Of course.”

“I hope I’m not intruding on anything.” Ramlethal was carrying her puppy in her arms to keep it from barging in.

“You weren’t. I was just cleaning up. What brings you to my room?”

“I, uh, wanted to tell you I think your skills are developing nicely.” She chose her words carefully, trying not to sound off-putting. Holding a conversation is something she’s still working on. “I had some downtime and observed again.”

Aria's training today consisted of testing her agility and competence to read and react to opponents. During a brief cooldown period, she did notice the small group of people watching included more. “Who were those two standing next to you, Dizzy, and the others?”

“My younger sister and your grandson. They’re,” Ram paused for a second, “actually waiting outside because they would like to talk to you as well.”

Aria's attention went to the open door, seeing a grey-haired girl and a blond boy with an eyepatch sticking their heads in. “Come on in, you two.”

Elphelt and Sin entered, both taking note of how grand the royal residence's guest room was designed. The younger Valentine was nowhere near as reserved as her sister when it came to talking about something – the first thing that came out of her mouth after seeing Hale was “oh, she’s even prettier in person! I see where Miss Dizzy got her looks from! And by extension, me!”

“Like looking into a mirror, isn’t it? Even more so since you got a new hairdo. ~”

“Weirdly familiar, like I’ve seen you before.” Sin poked his chin, trying to recall. “I remember now, there was the first one with the winged hat who tried to kill the Old Man! She had a freaky Gear form and managed to brainwash me for a bit too. But I can tell you aren’t her since she’s gone.” He was jabbed in the arms by the sisters. “Ouch, what was that for!?”

“You had a brain to begin with, you dope?!”

“El, don’t be rude!”

As the three were fighting amongst themselves, Aria found herself thinking “what in the hell happened.”

[7:43 pm]

“I’m glad I had the chance to speak with you. Is this what is referred to as ‘therapy'?”

“I wouldn’t exactly call it that, but let’s say yes for the time being. Hey, what’s wrong? Was it something I said?”

“N-no. It wasn’t. You just seem more like a mother to me than my ‘actual' one. I am aware I’m not human, and she created me as an emotionless doll she threw away when I had no further use.” Ramlethal tried to soothe herself by smoothing out her bandages. Part of her wanted to tell Aria about what happened in Scandiva, yet she couldn’t bring herself to do so. Her magehound started snuggling next to her, sensing the mood drop. “She… she called me a failure.”

Aria grabbed a tissue and wiped the tear that ran down Ram's cheek. After disposing of it – and picking up the Sol bear – she kneeled in front of the Valentine, holding the plush in front of her own face. Using one of the bear's limbs to tap her knee, she had her attention. “Listen to me. She’s the failure, not you.”

Peeking up from behind the toy, Aria was treated to the sight of her genetic copy struggling to keep herself from giggling.

____________________________________

Scene 5 (Chapter 2): Day trip date. Aria brings up a very sensitive subject later that night. (Note: this was written with the game’s implication of a pregnancy. Also, I did some level of research and figured the stage I picked is approximately where Italy's Amalfi Coast is.)

[December 9. L'oro di Illyria. 5:45 pm]

A few hours later, they went for a leisurely trip down south, dressed in their best attempts at incognito clothing. Emphasis on attempt as the suppressor was a dead giveaway (it was worth a shot). Aria was wearing that dress and hat she purchased a week prior, paired with leggings, fuzzy boots, and a warm winter coat. A callback to how he dressed himself in the past, Frederick was wearing a black button-up shirt with a tank top underneath, dark blue jeans, and a pair of Chelsea boots. He also had a mid-long jacket that she brought along just in case, placed under the sidecar’s seat.

“Oh, I remember this place! Heaven’s Edge! It’s where we met for the first time after I left the Sanctuary to get some fresh air. Ah, memories. ~ Or am I remembering wrong? Those sword monoliths look very familiar.”

There’s that childlike voice again. It changed to a mature tone mid-sentence.

“Just who are you? And how can your voice change like that!?”

“Oops, I’m sorry. You see, I’m the previous owner of your current body. My name is J—”

Before this disembodied voice could say her name, Aria’s attention went elsewhere. “You alright?”

“Uh, yeah. This isn’t what I thought you meant by going out, but at least the trip here was fun.” The highway they took was through inner Italy and had passed through numerous towns, of which contained convenience shops to obtain refreshments here and there. “Built that bike yourself, didn’t you?”

“Designed for one so that’s why I made a sidecar for you.”

“Can it turn into a minibike if I wanted it to?”

“What? You’re psychic now? I’m still working on that part.”

“Hey, chief! Ari!”

“Axl? What are you doing here?”

“I was in the area. Thought I’d drop by and say ‘ello. Almost didn’t recognize the two of ya.” He wasn’t used to seeing Frederick, let alone anybody, in anything so casual. Aria, on the other hand, wore that dress nicely. He couldn’t help but feel a slight hint of sadness, as the last woman he saw in a similar clothing article was M— he mentally shook his head and put on a smile. “That outfit looks lovely. Ain’t you a lucky guy?”

“Thank you. Nice to see you in real time and not during a time freeze.”

“Ah, yeah. I wanted to avoid trying to talk in a crowd. My bad if you were annoyed by my choice.” Axl had the power to jump to any point in time and any dimension, yet he’s been frequently visiting for some reason only he knows. “I got something to tell you.”

“I could use a quick snack.” Aria wasn’t paying attention to Low and spotted the outdoor marketplace, noticing the large ship cruising by. “I’ll be over by that fruit vendor. Don’t be too long, alright?”

As Aria left, the two men watched her reach into her purse, taking out a few W$ to purchase an apple. It amused them as she tried to fight the kind vendor about giving her a free apple, insisting that she pay for it as it’s only fair for business. Not only did she end up with a free fruit, but she was also given a bag containing two additional and a bottle of cream soda with a straw. She didn’t look back at them; her attention went to admiring the colorful cliffside residential buildings.

“Do you think I could get a free piece of fruit and a drink too or is she a special case?”

“You might scare the living daylight out of him.”

[9:15 pm]

"So, um, about Dizzy." Aria clasped her hands together and twiddled her thumbs, avoiding eye contact while staring at the paved stone walkway. "I was trying not to bring her up, but what about her?" "I..." She took a deep breath and collected her thoughts. "I didn't know how to tell you." She didn't hear a response, worrying her about what Frederick was thinking. A moment later, she felt a hand rubbing her back, taking this as a sign that he's listening while trying to soothe her. "I already experienced how you reacted when I told you I was sick with that infection, but I didn't want to make that worse by telling you you're going to be a father. I don’t recall how far along I was, but you shouldn’t have had to live with knowing you’ll never see your unborn after I was gone either." He remained quiet a bit longer before reaching to wrap his arm around and pull her closer. Not too suddenly as he didn't want to give off the wrong idea, but once he saw her ease into him, he placed a kiss on the crown of her head. “Do you remember your birthday where I showed you that programming ‘error'?”

“You mean the ring? Of course I do. I didn’t mind that you didn’t have the real one because your method was so cute. It was so… you. If neither of us killed the mood, I would’ve told you I was looking forward to changing my name to Aria Bulsara.”

“I’d be lying if I said I didn't occasionally think of some alternate time where we truly settled down. We were still scientists and met under the same circumstances, but there was no Gear project or magic, and you didn't have an illness. Or at least one you didn't tell me about near your last days." "Wha--... really?" "Yeah. Then all this shit happened." His voice was deceptively calm, yet she could sense the rage beneath it all. "My conversion and the resulting amnesia, your conveniently timed 'disappearance', and the destruction of the complex with countless deaths were the beginning." "Then decades later I lost control of my mind and body and waged war against the world. That stubborn geezer never quit, but then Ky and you showed up to seal 'me' away. I don't think I felt it, but during my imprisonment, that's when I gave birth?" "Sounds about right. We're living in one of those stories I used to read when I was bored. The reader turns out to be the hero, where someone very close to them was used as a twist villain."

____________________________________

Scene 6 (Chapter 3): Aria takes up the offer of becoming a bounty hunter, taking up the alias “Luna". Her new outfit is a blue, black, and white version of Sol's, with a pair of blue goggles in place of a headband. Song used: “Seven Seas of Rhye” by Queen.

[December 10. Somewhere in the Illyrian outskirts. Midday.]

“No targets today, so do you wanna just relax? I think there’s a beach just up ahead.”

“We’ve been on the road for a few hours, so a rest period at a beach sounds perfect right now.” She noticed what song was currently playing, having already passed the bridge. “Oh, I know this one! It’s one of my favorites.” Clearing her throat, she began singing along. “Storm the master-marathon, I’ll fly through.”

He couldn’t help but smile and continue. “By flash and thunder-fire and I'll survive (I'll survive, I'll survive).”

“Then I'll defy the laws of nature and come out alive,” she pointed a finger at him. “Then I'll get you!”

“Be gone with you, you shod and shady senators.”

“Give out the good, leave out the bad evil cries.”

He clenched his fist and held it up. “I challenge the mighty Titan and his troubadours.”

She placed her index fingers at the ends of her mouth. “And with a smile.”

He pointed towards the shore of the Tyrrhenian Sea as they sang the last line together. “I'll take you to the Seven Seas of Rhye!”

[Nighttime.]

A cool 55 degrees, the night sky was clear as the stars strewn throughout were in full display. They sat by a bonfire, sharing drinks and leaning back against the Firewheel Mk.2, enjoying the other's company. There was a brief squabble on whether they should find an actual motel room to stay in for the night, with Aria winning as she convinced Frederick to sleep in a bed as opposed to the ground.

Fire crackling paired with sounds from the nearby wildlife, she thought of a conversation topic. “Hey, do you wanna hear something weird?”

“Shoot.”

“Before I woke up, I saw myself, Justice, and someone else.”

“Oh yeah?”

“It was unnerving. She looked just like me but had a halo and her hair was the inverse of mine. My first day at Ky and Dizzy's, I scrounged around and found a cracked one that looked just like what I saw. Along with an iron mask, a crux ansata, black heels and gloves, and a white jumpsuit. It all fit me perfectly! I was considering wearing that instead of this.”

“Jack-O.”

“Huh?”

He took a drag of his cigarette, blowing the smoke out before continuing. “To bring you back, a special Valentine was made that contained the other half of your soul. Her name was Jack-O.” He butted the cigarette before tossing it into the fire. “Ram, Sin, and I chased her down before any additional damage could've been done. Then a few days later, she reappeared with Asuka, and struck a deal with us. Said something like ‘if you can get me close enough, I can fuse with Justice to revive, well, you.’ I thought they were full of it. Turned out they were telling the truth.”

“He's right! ~ I took off my mask and told him I was literally half of you. Nearly lost his mind right there. Sorry about the forced mind override, but you refused to accept it, and he wasn’t going to back down. ~”

“That explains the voice in my head. I wonder how her stuff got into my room though.”

“She’s still in there?” He gently poked her forehead. “I can imagine when you wear these, she also sees life through blue tinted lenses.”

“You’ve got puns now? I knew I should’ve gone with a pink color scheme.”

“Blue’s more your color.”

#guilty gear #aria hale #only tagging her since she's the main character of this little project #i wasn't much of a fan of ggst's story so here's my idea #this is a sol / aria story but i tried including a good amount of supporting cast #it's not perfect but i've been trying to write while doing like five other things #nat's fanfics #wip #sorry if everyone sounds even slightly ooc #i tried to get everyone's speech patterns right #even asked one of my friends and he said i did a good job #criticism welcome #i dunno when this will be done to my liking #so i'll post this preview #i'll probably receive my ao3 invite before i'm done lmao

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