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c-u-c-koo-4-40k · 2 months ago

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Do I Know You? - Part 3

Warnings: Minor Violence, Blood, Identity Theft

Summary: The other shoe falls and Lullaby has to try and escape from the imposter in their nest. Their abilities allow them a slight edge, but will it be enough until their family and Khopesh can arrive to save them?

Previous Chapter: Here!

Next Chapter: Doesn't Exist Yet Here NOW

First in the series: Here!

Tag List! Tag List: @kit-williams @gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan (all of whom have amazing characters that make cameos here!) @sleepyfan-blog @egrets-not-regrets @legionsofthehungry

@passionofthesith @bispecsual @bleedingichorhearts @beckyninja

Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck FUCK! You fight your trembling hands as you try to undo the lock to the bathroom window. Every click of the latch feels like it echoes, and with how sharp Astarte hearing is, it Just might be more accurate than hyperbole.

“My Dar-ling?” That fucking voice calls to you from the living room, and knowing what you do now, it makes you want to vomit.

But you push that down, or rather…you Use that to your advantage.

“BLEHgH Ugh…don't come in…” You fake through the locked door, actually decently convincing. “I don't know what's wrong, but I think something bad is hitting my stomach. Just give me a few minutes to sort this out.” You turn on the sink full blast and even add flushing the toilet.

The imitation of your Sweetness talks Gently to you through the door. “I could help you Dearest. Let me make sure you're well.”

Revulsion curdles in your gut like sour milk filled with maggots. “No! No no…” Think THINK! “The Last time you tried to help, the smell hit your nose so badly you ended up vomiting in the tub! And your acid spit ruined the shower tiles!” You lie, and turn on the shower as well. “Just let me handle this! I think a shower and a good soak will help. I'll just keep bouncing back and forth till this passes.”

“Alright…just ask me if you need anything, Dearest…” The interloper concedes, and you hear the steps move away from the door.

“No worries~ Ulp ugh…Love you~” You add in a saccharine voice, and with more feigning sick for good measure, then you turn back to the window.

Thankfully it's big enough for you to squeeze through, though it is a bit of a climb and scramble to get through. A tiny part of your mind winces at leaving water running but this Isn't a normal situation.

You're about half way into the dark morning outside when there's a sudden jiggling at the door knob. Alongside a call of, “Darling? What are you doing dear?”

You nearly panic. “I told you! I'm fine, I don't want you messing up the tiles!”

“But that's not true…is it darling?” The door rattles even harder. “Let me in and we can discuss this like Sensible People.”

Your anger gets the better of you. “Sensible people don't go around stealing other people's faces!” You snarl.

The other side of the door, your nest, what is meant to be your safe haven, goes Quiet.Your veins go cold, and you scramble the rest of the way up to the window.

CRASH!

Against your better judgement, you glance back. The face of the man you love stares back through the partially broken door, but you Know it isn't him. To his credit, the imposter does try to stay calm, acting more as if You're the one having a mental breakdown and acting irrational. “Dearest Please, there's no need for hysterics…we can Talk this out.”

You don't have any witty comebacks or scalding remarks, instead you scramble harder, practically vaulting yourself out of the window. It's a bit of a drop but you barely notice the pain from hitting the ground, as you roll and bounce back to your feet, even using some of your power to push you back up.

Run!Run!Run!RuNRUN! Your lungs burn, your legs ache as you plow towards Gary and Nancy's house.

You run up to the door and pull, but it doesn't budge. The dogs inside bark, but otherwise there's no response. And it's then you notice the lack of cars.

Gary and Nancy aren't here.

“A two day trip.” The voice from behind you says and you whip around. There's only a porch light, and you find yourself cornered. The stranger with Khopesh's face has you boxed in.

Nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide.

But he doesn't attack you, instead he just smiles. And now you fully pick up on the Wrongness of it. “I know I told you about that Dear one.” He assures the gaslighting Prick. “I scraped together the funds so they could have a romantic weekend of their own. And We could have Our privacy, come now…” He places a hand to your cheek with extreme gentleness. “Come back to bed. I Promise you this is all just the result of a bad nightmare.”

For one moment, you doubt yourself. The face in front of you looks so…so Heartbreakingly honest.

But then you pull back, mentally not physically, and you steel your resolve.

You smile shakily, making sure it touches your eyes. “I…I'm so sorry…I don't know what I was thinking.” You sigh, rubbing your temples as if conceding. “Yeah let's…let's go back to bed…”

You hold out your hand, and the imposter takes it.

BZZZT-ZAPT!

“AUAAGH!”

You send a shockwave of power through your mycelium, through the armored hand you've enveloped with it, and through your feet, the ground and the armor of the lying face stealing BASTARD in front of you. The surging energy breaks his focus and the facade melts away.

CLANK!

A teal armored knee hits the ground, and it's the last movement the marine in front of you is able to make as his armor locks up. Even kneeling his height is fairly equal to yours, but he rasps out. “Hoooow?”

“Hands-on experience.” You reply. “And this is also hands-on Experience!” You snarl slamming an empowered hook punch right across the hydra's face.

“Shit! So the rumors are true…you are warp touched…” He says, your punch isn't deadly but it Does actually hurt.

SLAM! Another punch makes contact as the Hydra is helpless in his locked armor. “Where are my In-Laws you fucking Teal Shithead!?” You snarl, grabbing his throat with your other hand, and steadily increasing your grip strength.

“I- crkl- wasn't lying!” He pleads, surprised and realizing the mortal before him Could do more damage than some bruises and a bloody nose. “They're safe! Urkl- out- Out of town! I SwEar!”

“A liar's word isn't worth much.” You sneer, forcing your grip to be tighter and tighter. And maybe Khopesh has really rubbed off on you, but you decide to let a little more sadism come out. “But…I'm sure My Darling, you know…the one who's face You STOLE!” You squeeze for emphasis before continuing. “Could get you to talk.”

“And indeed, I will.”

The voice makes your heart jump, and you glance up from your would-be kidnapper to see a familiar face off in the distance.

“Khopesh?” You say with relief and hope.

The Night Lord opens his arms. “In the Flesh! I've called the others, they will be here soon. For now, allow Me to deal with this…interloper.” He says approaching closer.

The relief you feel nearly brings tears to your eyes. “God…I'm so happy to See You! I can't believe you got here so so-”

You stop suddenly, and your face falls. “How did you get here so soon?”

‘Khopesh’ tries to reassure you. “I ran as fast as I could! Please, you Must let me take care of yo- I Mean of This. Well And you…you've been through a terrible thing so just let me Help-”

“STAY BACK!” You snap, flexing the hand on the Hydra that is still at your mercy. A warning, and the ‘Khopesh’ in front of you stops his advance.

You take a deep breath, and you visualize your mycelium tendrils winding, and integrating with the veins and nerves of your eyes. As you'd hoped, it brings back the vision you'd seen when facing the silver dragon. The ability to see your own power and the life signatures of others.

And Just as you'd feared.

Teal…Teal…Not Midnight Blue.

You feel and Hear a crackling sound as your rage and your power flows through your spreading mycelium.

The Hydra in your hand is sweating, Good.

The newcomer licks his lips nervously “Lullaby-”

“Get my fucking name, Out of your FUCKING MOUTH!”

BBZTZTZT! Crackling energy lances through your circle, racing toward the faker. “AND GET MY LOVER'S FACE OFF OF YOURS!”

But he's not being caught off guard like his friend so he swerves with a blur of speed. Your warp sight allows you to track his movement but it's too late as he overcomes your position. The fake Khopesh grabs and pins you against the wall of the house.

“Let Go! LET ME GO!” You scream and thrash and try to dump another charge of your power into the marine pinning you.

But your previous burst had been so large, you didn't have enough to lock up this one's armor. The false face snarls at your defiance.

“Enough! Will you Just calm dow-”

SHINK!

A small warmth splashes across your face. And you suddenly drop to the porch.

“TALOS!” The kneeling marine shouts as a dark shape illuminated by crackling claws rips your attacker away from you.

Another dark shape manifests from the shadows, an arm clad in black metal snatches the Hydra still in front of you and drags him into a headlock.

“Are you okay Lullaby?” Claude asks, before hissing a line of very Karlsor like profanities to the Hydra who's windpipe can't seem to catch a break.

And now you feel your heart soar with relief. “Claude! Khopesh!” You'd jump into your love's arms if you could move at all, and if he wasn't actively fighting. Instead you hobble to your feet and nod to the Raven Guard. “I- I'm alive! Fuck I'm so glad you're both here!”

The..the Talos, Talos groans as he's splayed out on the ground after Khopesh stabbed through his shoulder and yanked him away from you. “Please…wait…

“SILENCE!” Khopesh snarls, which almost makes you recoil, but it's not directed at you. “You come here to raid my nest….Steal what is Mine to Love…AND YOU HAVE THE GALL TO ASK FOR MERCY!?” He stomps down on the Hydra's damaged shoulder, causing the marine to howl in agony.

“P-plEase! My laov… Lana-!”

Your rage and fear lessens a bit, replaced by confusion. Wait…what? My Love Lana?

Khopesh's rage is still in full control as he leers over his pinned prey. “ENOUGH! Your life was FORFIET the moment you came here!”

“No! No-urk! Was me! It was me!” The other Marine pleads while still held by Claude.

Khopesh twists his gaze to him, and his full livid smile peels his lips back. Fear, he isn't even focused on you but you can Tell what he's thinking.

He's going to rip these marines limb from limb.

Which they'd tricked you, might have been planning to do something Awful to you! So why are you hesitating?

BANG!

“STOP!”

A bolter round? And that voice! All three of you turn to the familiar sound.

“Anrir?” You can't believe what you're seeing, but regardless of your confusion the elder Night Lord stomps through the early sunrise with…

“Zariel?” Now you are Doubly confused, as the Ultramarine Apothecary runs up. Ironically he looks more angry than Anrir and Anrir looks fucking terrifying at the moment. He stalks up to the injured Alpha Legion marines.

The hydras for their part look as if they've been caught with hands in the cookie jar. They're also relieved to not be actively getting shredded by Khopesh at the moment, but maybe that would be a less painful fate.

The Ultramarine is red in the face and begins snarling at the hydras. “When Anrir told me I had Wanted to believe this wasn't true! But then I see you two have gone and done something WELL AND TRULY ASININE!”

Khopesh growls and flexes his claws. “You Know these nest raiders?”

“REGRETTABLY!” Zariel spits.

“Hey! You're one to fuckin Talk ‘Ultramarine’!” Claude's hydra snarls, now that he's only being restrained, not choked.

“And we're NOT FUCKIN NEST RAIDERS!” Talos bites back.

That makes you laugh at the audacity. “You entered My Nest under False Pretenses! You slept in my-” And a realization dawns. You slept beside a stranger, and you barely even suspected something was wrong. “Oh god…”

You feel the need to scrub your skin off. You want to cry and vomit. A small voice in your head Was actually glad the imposter had given an excuse as to why you both couldn't be more intimate but still!

Khopesh reaches out to you, and you almost push him away. You start babbling. “I-I need to wash off. I need to wash before….before we do anything I didn't know! I didn't Know!”

“Lullaby…” Khopesh soothes, pulling you close so you can feel his purring and heartbeat.

“-oh…Fuck!” The sobs break through and you bury your face into his neck and shoulder when he picks you up.

You don't just want a bath, or a shower where you'd scrub yourself raw, you need Khopesh, you need his scent, his body, his breath, his Love to make you feel clean again.

To make you feel safe again. You wrap your arms around his neck and you force those bad thoughts down for a moment.

“I love you.” You say, it sounds more sad than you mean it to. Khopesh strokes your back. “Thank you…for coming to save me. I missed you.” You pull back to look at your love in his dark eyes.

He smiles, nuzzling nose to nose with you. “Always…”

The onlookers watch the tender scene with varying emotions. Zariel is still angry, and gestures to you and Khopesh.

“And Now look at what you've done! This poor child is traumatized by your indiscretion, Keed!”

“It wasn't supposed to be this way!” Keed replies.

“We were only trying to get help for our Lana!” Talos pleads.

Your ears perk up at the mention of that name. Or rather the confirmation that it Is a name. “Lana?”

The Hydras turn their attention to you. “Our Lana is to us, what you are to your Khopesh.” Talos explains.

“And we would do Anything to ensure her wellness.” Keed adds.

A low growl festers in Khopesh's throat. “I Fail to see how using my face to gain entry to my nest is aiding your mortal.”

“You'd be correct to be skeptical, If this was any other baseline.” Keed answers, before addressing you directly. “We came here in the hopes of securing you so you could be brought to treat our Lana.”

Zariel hisses. “Keed!”

“Oh, stop with the theatrics Zariel the cat is well and truly Out of the bag so you might as well be honest.” Keed snipes.

Zariel takes a moment, before sighing, and rubbing his face in exhaustion and defeat. And all at once the guise of an Ultramarine melts away, leaving a very tired, very fed up Alpha Legion marine. “Just…please let my little brothers go…or stand or…whatever-”

Claude's face takes on a grimace, he glances at Anrir, who nods. He releases the Hydra, but swiftly moves to stand between so you and Khopesh are behind him.

Talos shakily gets to his feet, now that Khopesh is no longer standing on him. To his credit he seems more ashamed than Keed, especially about causing Zariel so much headache. “We really didn't mean to scare them-”

“DON'T!” Zariel? Hisses at his younger brother's attempts. “Just don't! I need a moment to cool off.” And he stomps off in one direction around the corner of the house.

Anrir approaches you now and begins checking you over.

“I'm feeling a sense of deja vu.” You mumble, as he checks your vitals. “Sorry for the trouble.”

The side of Anrir's mouth quirks up. “You aren't the trouble in this case my dear. And rest assured you are worth almost any you might actually bring.”

The Hydras stand awkwardly off to the side, Claude is still standing between your positions and theirs, it seems they'll be made to wait for their medical care.

You chew on your cheek before asking. “So…Zariel is…someone else?”

Anrir answers. “He's still Zariel, always has been. Think of it like…a difference in work attire vs home attire if that helps. Most Hydras prefer to have two faces, one for the world, and one for the home.”

“And why…does he- I mean they…Why do they…do that?”

Anrir smiles wryly. “Why do Night Lords prefer the dark?”

You tilt your head. “It's in their nature?”

“It's in their nature. Like a mimic octopus pretending to be other things. Most aren't even malicious, they're just…”

“Dramatic?”

“Hey!” Talos protests.

“Quiet!” Claude barks, clearly and thoroughly unamused by what's transpired.

“Oh shove the barking down your blowhole Hatchling!” Keed snipes back which causes Claude to bristle.

“I am Not your Hatchling!” Claude hisses, his eyes lighting up.

“Those Teal eyes say otherwise, Hatch-ling.” Keed jabs back. But before Claude can stride over and start another fight Zariel comes back from around the house.

And promptly walks up to Keed and knocks him in the head with a disciplinary WhACK!

“OW!”

“Ah ah AHP! You have brought this upon Yourselves No More Belly Aching!” Zariel grouses, and begins to treat his brother's wounds.

So while you all stand there with varying degrees of awkwardness, you decide to break the silence.

“So…Who is Lana?” You ask, still being held protectively by Khopesh.

Talos perks up. “She is our sun and stars! Our love and beauty! The center of our-”

“Okay okay I Get It!” You huff, before taking a breath. “Sorry that is Very sweet of you but let me rephrase; Why do you need Me to help Lana?”

The mood takes a downturn, but after a moment Keed answers. “She’s…sick.”

“O-kay? So why not take her to an Apothecary.” You glance at Zariel. “The one you got at home not workin or something?”

Zariel huffs and rolls his eyes. “It is not a sickness of the body. Or even one of the mind.”

“It's some kind of warp sickness. Keed Saw it! Tell em! Tell em!” Talos urges.

You turn your attention to Keed, and he nods. “Over the last few weeks, our Lana had…been getting weaker. We originally thought it was merely a cold, or exhaustion, but then I sensed, It.” He shudders for a moment. “On her soul, there were traces…traces of a Terrible and Powerful psychery. It was small, fragmented, but it was latching onto her life force.”

“Both Psychers in our squad tried to remove it! But…they couldn't even dampen it.” Talos adds with disappointment. “But then Zariel had the idea that You might be able to help!”

Anrir's expression morphed subtly. “You Told your fellows about my In-Law's status as a psyker?” There's a barely noticeable growl in his throat and you feel Khopesh's muscles tense.

Zariel barks back. “I Told my brothers to be Patient! And wait for me to approach you and Ask for your aid, Directly, Without any deception besides maintaining my Ultramarine shape in front of you.”

Keed protests. “Lana’s getting weaker everyday! We couldn't afford to wait any longer!”

Zariel sighs. “But now…I am forced to approach you…like this.” To your surprise the Apothecary takes a knee and bows. “Please, I understand that you may never trust me again. And I will take any punishment you deem fit for us if you must, but I Beg You.” His sea green eyes meet yours with intensity that can only bely honesty. “Help our Lana, not for Our sake, but for Hers.”

You…have to take a moment to take everything in. “You…really love her, Don't You?”

“More than words can say!” “She's our everything!” The younger Hydras proclaim.

Zariel nods solemnly. “She is our Life.”

You let out a sigh, and glance up at your Khopesh. His dark eyes meet yours for just a moment.

If you were in their position, and Khopesh in Lana's…would you even hesitate?

Not even more a moment.

You turn back to the Hydras. “I promise only to Try.” You vow, and gesture for Khopesh to let you down, which he does. But he keeps a hand on your shoulder.

The Hydra's faces morph with relief. “Oh Thank You!”

You hold up your hand. “Don't thank me yet. Remember, I've never used my power on a baseline directly…I don't even know if my abilities can help your Lana. But…I Will Try.”

The Hydras nod gratefully.

You do add one more caveat. “You'll also be paying for the nest repairs And the water…bill- FUCK!” You start to rush back over to your nest so you can turn the water off.

“Uh…I actually did take a moment to turn off the sink, and shower while you were ah…running up here.” Keed assures awkwardly.

You…don't know how to respond to that. “Ah…okay well…that's…I honestly don't know of I should be thanking you in this case but you know what it's been a Weird day so…Thanks.” You sigh and pinch the bridge of your nose. “I need some breakfast…and caffeine…” You turn to Khopesh. “And lots of hugs and kisses.”

Khopesh purrs and leans down to fulfill your request, you nuzzle gratefully into your love's affection.

You know what? Fuck it.

“Breakfast is On Me! Let's All go get pancakes!” You declare.

Khopesh smiles at you with confusion. “Ah Lullaby? Are you alright?"

“NOPE! But I'm taking us All to Breakfast because if I'm going to face some new mind fuck every day I Might as well be able to roll with the punches.” You reply. “And pancakes are Your favorite and I want to treat you.” You say sweetly.

Khopesh's expression melts. “Oooh Lullaby~” He cooes sweeping you up into a passionate kiss.

The Hydras seem…very unsure with this. “Are you Sure?"

You break to look back and meet their eyes with intensity. “If I'm going to treat your Lana, I'm gonna need fuel. Plus we can discuss more of the particulars over a meal and get a better idea of what she needs. I imagine you want this done as soon as possible, right?”

The stunned Alpha Legion look at you, not sure how to respond.

Anrir…actually starts…Laughing? It starts off as a small snicker before growing into full disbelieving laughter.

“Woah…” Well…rolling with the punches. Eventually Anrir composes himself, and takes a few breaths.

“Ah…Ah…Ahhhh…” He shakes his head in a non-serious way, he mutters something under breath that sounds like. “only on Terra…” And he starts walking.

Claude follows, confused. “Father? Where are you going?”

Anrir huffs with amusement. “I don't know about you Claude, but I quite like the idea of a free breakfast.”

Claude seems unsure. “Are you certain we can trust them?” He asks, this could all be one big ruse.

You chime in, approaching Claude. “I have no idea. But I know you'll have my back and that's good enough for me. Besides…” You turn back to face the Hydras. “We're not friends…but we're not enemies either. And if your Lana really is in need of help, I wouldn't feel right turning my back.”

The Hydras seem to mull over your words, eventually Zariel approaches. Khopesh moves closer to you, and Zariel keeps a respectful distance. “Thank You. Truly. You have no idea what this means to us.”

You smile. “I think we've got more in common than you might realize.” You look into your darling's eyes, gesture for him to raise his hand, and press a kiss to his ceramite gauntlet. “Now let's go get those Pancakes!”

“Hell Yeah!” Khopesh growls gleefully, sweeping you up into his arms.

#c u c koo anon #oc: khopesh #oc: claude #oc: anrir #oc: zariel #oc: keed #oc: talos #space marine husbandry #space marine husbandry sentience

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