angstywaifu

[angstywaifu]

Black Dahlia - 61. Pretty Boy

Summary: After Violet's run in with Barlowe on the mat, Xaden has them ramping up their training. And Liam is looking for someone else to challenge. But his flirty mouth may just get him on the bad side of a certain Section Leader.

Black Dahlia Masterlist | Masterlist | Links

The gym is a bit busier tonight. Challenges were back on, and with no one flying with how cold it’s been and the temperamental weather, everyone has been taking advantage of being up for extra training. As usual marked ones are spread throughout, training with the more experienced ones as per Xaden’s instructions.

Since Violet’s challenge with Jack, he’d been on edge more than usual, and was now more demanding about everyone under his care being on top of their training. Which mean Imogen and I had to increase the amount of training we were doing with Violet to keep him at bay. On the mats closest to the weights area, Bodhi and Liam are sparing, showing some techniques to some other first years who are watching them intently. Though with the amount of girls watching them I know they’re watching for reasons other than learning how to fight. And with the cocky smirk Liam flashes at them before putting Bodhi on his back, I know he notices the attention.

”Come on Durran, give me a real fight.” Liam complains as he helps pull him up from the mat.

”This is meant to be informative. Not a proper fight.” Bodhi points out.

Bodhi was never one to go all out in these sessions. Preferring to use the time to explain and show technique. Whereas Liam was always itching to prove himself. Which he didn’t need to. He was undefeated this year, and everyone knew he was a rider to look out for. Both on the mat and up in the air. He was a very talented rider.

”And what better way to teach then to show them a proper challenge. You’re holding back. I bet Imogen or Dahlia would give me a proper fight. Wouldn’t you ladies?” Liam asks as walk past.

”I don’t think tha-”

”Of course we would.” Imogen says a bit to eagerly as she cuts Bodhi off. “I’m sure the undefeated Squad Leader would love to put on a proper fight.”

I turn and look at her, utterly confused as to what the hell has gotten into her. Usually she’d brush the boys off and mutter something about pent up testosterone. Because this isn’t the first time they’ve tried to pull us into their training while he walk past.

”What do you say old Squad Leader?” Liam asks with a smirk as he braces his hands on his hips.

Imogen shoves me toward the mat as she relieves me of my pack. “Fine, but make it quick. I have other things to attend to.” I tell him as I walk onto the mat.

”I’m sure I can make that happen given my track record.” He says confidently as he starts to circle me.

”Come on then pretty boy, show me what you’ve got.” I taunt before he rushes me.

Despite his size he’s quick and agile. It’s what’s given him the upper hand against all the opponents he’s been put up against. Most people would assume due to his height and build he’d be a bit on the slower side. But I’ve watched him fight for most of this year, so I know what to expect. Especially when he come’s at me with a combo I’ve watched Xaden do countless times. I shouldn’t be surprised. They were fostered together, so it doesn’t surprise me that Xaden trained him during that time.

Liam lunges at me, pulling me from my thoughts as I dart backwards to get out of his reach. We fall into a rhythm with ease, as if we’d done this a thousand times before. Soon I get an opening and land a series of hits on him as he slows, clearly fatigued by the sparing he’d been doing with Bodhi prior.

”You’re getting slow.” I tease.

He grins, blonde hair falling into his blue eyes as he steps back to circle me again. He parries my next punch with a casual twist of his wrist. I pivot, trying to slip past his defences, but he grabs my wrist and spins me around, the motion pulling a laugh from my lips as he pushes me away.

”Oh please, I could go all night pretty girl.” He teases with a smirk.

”Alright, that's enough.” A familiar booming voice comes from the edge of the mat.

I turn to see Garrick who is practically shooting daggers at him with his glare, arms crossed over his chest as he focuses on Liam. It’s not hard to tell he’s jealous, clearly having heard the banter between Liam and I while sparring.

”We we’re just getting started. Unless you’d care to join us.” Liam throws back with a smirk, not helping the situation at all.

I watch as Garrick’s jaw ticks with his tell-tale sigh of being annoyed. If Liam wasn’t who he was, I have no doubt Garrick would have laid into him on the mat already. Fucking possessive man.

“I said that’s enough. Dahlia has other training to do.” He barks out.

Yep. Jealous as fuck.

I roll my eyes as I walk over to Garrick who keeps his eyes on Liam, as if looking for a reason to lay into him. He finally looks at me when I lay my hand on his bicep. His hazel eyes softening ever so slightly as they meet mine.

”Don’t worry, you’re a pretty boy to.” I tell him with a smirk before reaching up and placing a kiss on his cheek which flushes bright red almost immediately before brushing past him and joining Imogen who looks like she’s barely containing her laughter.

”You did that on purpose.”

”I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She says with a smug smile on her face as she hands back my pack.

We turn and head over to the door to the weights area just as Liam joins Bodhi on the edge of the mats behind us.

”You could have fucking told me she was Garrick’s girlfriend.” Liam whisper yells at Bodhi.

Bodhi just shrugs. “Not my fault you live under a rock.”

@imtoanonymousforyou @simplyme-fornow @omalmal @lalaluch @wolfbc97 @leptitlu @fullmoon-94 @the-fandom-ness @fan-of-many-bands @awkardnerd @heeseungthel0ml @acourtofsmutandstarlight @fairchild06 @freyagallileaevans @pit-and-the-pen @hannraumari @elliot-rain @thestarseternaal @stupid-and-contagious01 @hyperfixation-train-station @lxnvmvrzx @thebreadisthetruevillian @red0202 @fangirling-galore @craftytrashprincess @taliyahvermillion @xadenswhore @fenixyrie @lagrandeourse @hellodarling1357 @iambored24601  @thegiftofacreativemind @fanfictionjunkie1112 @mysticalfuncollectorus @ohlookitsasinglepoeceofpopcorn @emoravenwolf @imheretobeinvisible @pvrkacciosan @fuckingsimp4azriel @clarewinchester @i-am-infinite @prettylittlewrites @electronictimetravelninja

[angstywaifu]

Well, I can now officially say Dahlia's Fourth Wing/Second Year is finished (we're just going to ignore the fact I made a post about trying to finish it a few weeks ago....). Maybe I'll start doing some extra Dahlia posts during the week 😏

[angstywaifu]

Violet: You bought a taco? Garrick: Yes. Violet: From the same truck that hit Ridoc?! Garrick, with a mouthful of taco: Well, me starving ain't gonna help him.

[angstywaifu]

“Fine, but make it quick. I have other things to attend to.” I tell him as I walk onto the mat.

”I’m sure I can make that happen given my track record.” He says confidently as he starts to circle me.

”Come on then pretty boy, show me what you’ve got.”

@imtoanonymousforyou @simplyme-fornow @omalmal @lalaluch @wolfbc97 @leptitlu @fullmoon-94 @the-fandom-ness @fan-of-many-bands @awkardnerd @heeseungthel0ml @acourtofsmutandstarlight @fairchild06 @freyagallileaevans @pit-and-the-pen @hannraumari @elliot-rain @thestarseternaal @stupid-and-contagious01 @hyperfixation-train-station @lxnvmvrzx @thebreadisthetruevillian @red0202 @fangirling-galore @craftytrashprincess @taliyahvermillion @xadenswhore @fenixyrie @lagrandeourse @hellodarling1357 @iambored24601  @thegiftofacreativemind @fanfictionjunkie1112 @mysticalfuncollectorus @ohlookitsasinglepoeceofpopcorn @emoravenwolf @imheretobeinvisible @pvrkacciosan @fuckingsimp4azriel @clarewinchester @i-am-infinite @prettylittlewrites @electronictimetravelninja

[angstywaifu]

Black Dahlia - 60. Confessions

Summary: After waking up in the Healers Quadrant, Dahlia finally confronts the boys about what is going on. Black Dahlia Masterlist | Masterlist | Links

A/N: Normally I wouldn't put something like this before the content, but after various comments I've seen where I post this fic, I feel I need to say this. A lot of you might not like how Dahlia reacts. And I get that. But as much as Dahlia is sassy, angsty and fierce, she's smart and understands. Just like the boys she has a secret. One she keeps to herself till recently. It might not be as big as the one the boys and the marked ones have, but she gets not wanting to tell people. So please keep this in mind while reading the below.

Xaden wasted no time with indulging my request to talk. Not that he had a choice after what had happened over the last few days and what I had pieced together. As soon as I was released from the Healers Quadrant with strict instructions to take it easy for a few days, he’d found Bodhi and lead us down behind Basgiath. I shiver as I do my best to tighten the cloak I wear with the one hand I have free, the other clasped firmly in Garrick’s warm hand. Since I’d woken up he’d barely let me go. As if he was worried I was going to run off or fall back into the slumber I’d been in thanks to the torture inflicted on me by the man who biologically was my father. But just like he didn’t have a daughter, I didn’t have a father.

Garrick must feel me shiver as he pulls me closer to his side as we walk further into the trees. I hadn’t missed how relieved Bodhi had looked when he’d seen me holding Garrick’s hand. There was no doubt him and Xaden were worried how I would react. Even without speaking, they knew I knew. Bodhi had been there, probably heard the questions and torture the Colonel had put me through before I had succumbed to the pain. They probably expected me to be angry, feel betrayed that they’d kept me in the dark, only to end up being tortured over it. And I couldn’t deny, there was a part of me that wanted to go off at them. Yell at them for keeping me in the dark. Yell at them for being the reason I went through all that. But I more than anyone knew the danger of telling people things. I’d even kept my own secrets. Mine did not compare to this at all, but it had taken me over a year before telling Bodhi and Garrick about the tension between the Colonel and I, as well as my brother. I had no doubt the only reason they hadn’t told me was Xaden. Xaden who had definitely been trying to see where my allegiances lay recently. There was no way he could deny my where my loyalty laid now. Finally we come to a stop under neath a tree, well hidden from any prying eyes or ears from the college. And being so late in the evening, I had no doubt no one saw us coming down here.

”So are we finally telling her?” Bodhi asks as he looks over at Xaden, leaning back on a tree as he crosses his arms over his chest and raises an eye brow at him.

Xaden looks at his cousin and lets out a breathy laugh while shaking his head, “Don’t think there’s much to tell considering she just got tortured within an inch of her life and proceeded to wake up and say I have some explaining to do. I think she’s figured it out.”

”Pretty safe assumption.” I tell him as I step forward, Garrick reluctantly letting go of my hand as I pull it from his and cross my arms over my chest. “Especially with the few late flights I’ve caught you all out on, the way you all turned up to Violet’s room decked out in weapons and full flight gear and the Colonel interrogating me. Pretty easy to put together.”

”So you’ve known for a while?” Bodhi asks.

I shake my head. “I had suspicions something was up, but it wasn’t till that chamber and something Proth said after Amber was executed that I pieced it all together.”

”What did he say?” Garrick asks from behind me.

”He said I was more than capable on figuring it out on my own if I sat down and thought about the things I’ve noticed and questioned all these years.” I tell them.

”Your grandfathers death.” Garrick says.

I turn and nod at him. “Something still doesn’t sit right with me about it.” I turn my head towards Xaden. “And something tells me your rebellion has something to do with it. Or at least what actually happened. Because there is no way in hell Gryphon fliers took them all out and the only survivor was Proth. You know what killed them, don’t you?”

”Did your parents or anyone else tell you stories when you were a kid? About things that didn’t exist?” Xaden asks as he pushes off the tree.

I know they had. I can remember small glimpses of being put to bed by my mother, her telling me a story or reading from a book to me. But could I remember what the stories were about? No. My brain had pretty much blocked most of the memories to do with my mother. And the Colonel was definitely not the type to read his kids a bed time story.

”Only my mother read them to me. And….”

A warm hand grasps mine. Garrick. “You don’t remember.”

I nod.

”Does the term Venin mean anything to you?” Garrick asks as he looks down at me.

I furrow my brow. Venin. Why did it sound so familiar? Like its something I should know, but can’t quite remember the finer details.

”It sounds familiar. Why?”

”Because they are from those stories you would have been told as a kid.” Xaden tells me as I look back over to him. “Usually told to kids to make sure they don’t go wandering off at night or alone. Most people think they don’t exist, along with Wyverns.”

As if a key turns a lock in my head, I get a glimpse. But not of my mother. Violet’s father. Dain, Violet and I all sitting around him as he reads from a book. I remember the way he describes the Venin. Red eyes with veins marking their pale skin. Wyverns, so similar to our dragons, but with two legs instead of four. Venin draining the power from the ground. No. Channelling. That’s what he’d called it. Venin who could easily wipe out towns and outposts. Something that could have easily taken out a Squad if there was enough of them.

”They’re real. Aren’t they?” I ask him.

”Very much so. And I have no doubt that’s what killed your grandfather if you asked Proth.”

”Do I need to bother asking you?” I ask Proth, already feeling his presence in my head since we’d started this conversation.

”Venin and Wyvern are real. And before you ask, yes your fathe-”

”He’s not my father.” I snap as I cut him off.

”The Colonel knows and knew what he was sending your grandfather and his squad into.”

The Colonel willingly sent my own grandfather to his death. A grandfather who in the days leading up to his death had pushed and questioned the Colonel on how he was treating me. Had called him out on how stupid it was to blame me. And because of it he’d been sent to his death to keep him quiet. He was dead because of me. Seemed I was setting a trend of killing family members I cared for, even if it wasn’t intentional.

Xaden stepping forward has my attention shifting back to him, Garrick’s body going rigid as he walks over to us. His hand grasping mine more tightly as if nervous about what Xaden is about to do or say. But I know Xaden isn’t going to harm me. Not after that conversation we had back at the start of the year. This is the moment he was talking about. This is the moment where I will have to give up everything I knew. But in reality that moment came days ago when I told the Colonel he was no longer my family and I owed him nothing. And I will stand by those words. He spent most of my life putting me down, acting as if I was not his own flesh and blood, and blaming me for something that wasn’t my fault, and sprouting lies.

”You now have a choice to make. Though I’m pretty certain you’ve already made it.” He says as he stops in front of me, looking down at me with those hardened onyx eyes. “You going to go running back and tell them what you’ve figured out? Or you ready to turn your back on them and help us?”

I smirk up at him. “Pretty sure I’ve already turned my back on them a long time ago. So tell me what I need to know.”

An hour later after many questions and a bone crushing hug from Bodhi that Garrick had to pull him away from, Garrick leads me back up to the Quadrant, my hand secured back in his. He’d remained mostly quiet after Xaden started explaining everything. That the late night flights were actually supply runs to Gryphon riders who were willing to work with them. They were doing their best to arm them with weapons capable of killing Venin who were attacking outposts and villages on the other side of the wards. Weapons which I now had strapped to my thighs with my other daggers,

I probably should have been more freaked out about the whole Venin being real thing. That they were just beyond our wards and capable of attacking us at any moment. That everything I knew was a lie. But I was surprisingly calm. Probably because I’d had doubts of what was going on already. So to have my suspicions confirmed, was honestly more comforting than anything.

Garrick takes us straight to his room, guiding me into his room before locking the door behind us and leading me over to the bed before helping discard my cloak and uniform for one of his shirts which dwarfs me instantly. He quickly changes as well before sitting on his bed, leaning up against the headboard before pulling me to sit between his legs with my back against his chest.

”So, you’re not mad we didn’t tell you?” He asks after a few moments.

I turn my head and look at him, his worried eyes already looking at me. “I won’t deny, there's some annoyance you guys didn’t trust me. Part of me wants to yell and scream at you all for what I went through. But at the same time I get it.” I tell him before I turn around to fully face him. “This isn’t exactly something you go around telling anyone. And given who my family is, and the signet Dain has… it was a risky move even if we don’t like each other. So I get it. I probably would have done the same if the roles were reversed.”

”What if I told you initially Bodhi was the only one who wanted to tell you?” He confesses as his eyes search my face.

Yet again I should be furious. Be hurt. But the fact he can tell me and admit he took a different side initially, means a lot more than him trying to hide it and me find out later on. “When did it come up?” I ask.

”At the start of this year, not long after we decided to give this a go.”

”If you felt inclined to tell me something like this only a few days after we’d gone from hating each other, to giving this a go, I’d probably be more concerned. Might question your mental state.” I tease as I smile at him.

He smiles softly at me as he wraps his arms around me and pulls me closer and rests his forehead against mine. “I’m glad. I was a little worried you might unleash your wrath on us. Especially after what you went through. I’m so sorry for that. If I had known-”

”There’s nothing you could have done. You didn’t know what he would do to me. You couldn’t have stopped it.” I tell him sternly as I cut him off.

I know Garrick feels bad for what I was put through. I know he wishes he could have stopped it, protected me at any costs. Gods I know I would have if it was switched. But I can’t let him go down that rabbit hole of feeling bad. It was going to do neither of us any good.

”I know. But you didn’t see what you looked like when Bodhi came and grabbed me. You didn’t have to watch him run over covered in your blood. So much blood. You… you were barely alive Dahlia.” Garrick squeezes his eyes shut and shakes his head. “I swear if he ever lays another hand on you, I’m going to kill him.”

When Garrick opens his eyes, I know the words he speaks are true. Gone is the worry and fear of what he’d seen after Bodhi had carried me out of that chamber. Now his eyes are filled with what I could only describe as murder. So much hate and anger. But he would have to get in line.

”He won’t. Not if I have anything to do with it.” I tell him. “Now lets try get some sleep. I might have been out for a few days, but I feel exhausted.”

Garrick slowly nods as he manoeuvres me with ease so I’m curled up with my back against his chest. It’s not uncommon for Garrick and I to sleep like this, but I note how his arms hold me against him a bit tighter than normal as I fall asleep.

@imtoanonymousforyou @simplyme-fornow @omalmal @lalaluch @wolfbc97 @leptitlu @fullmoon-94 @the-fandom-ness @fan-of-many-bands @awkardnerd @heeseungthel0ml @acourtofsmutandstarlight @fairchild06 @freyagallileaevans @pit-and-the-pen @hannraumari @elliot-rain @thestarseternaal @stupid-and-contagious01 @hyperfixation-train-station @lxnvmvrzx @thebreadisthetruevillian @red0202 @fangirling-galore @craftytrashprincess @taliyahvermillion @xadenswhore @fenixyrie @lagrandeourse @hellodarling1357 @iambored24601  @thegiftofacreativemind @fanfictionjunkie1112 @mysticalfuncollectorus @ohlookitsasinglepoeceofpopcorn @emoravenwolf @imheretobeinvisible @pvrkacciosan @fuckingsimp4azriel @clarewinchester @i-am-infinite @prettylittlewrites @electronictimetravelninja

[angstywaifu]

Sawyer: When I said bring me something back from the beach I meant like a conch shell! Ridoc: *Struggling to hold a seagull* Fucking say that next time!

[angstywaifu]

Xaden: I'm not doing well Violet: Why? What happened? Xaden: I have a headache that comes and goes *Ridoc enters the room* Xaden: There it is again

[angstywaifu]

”Do I need to bother asking you?”

”Venin and Wyvern are real. And before you ask, yes your fathe-”

”He’s not my father.” I snap as I cut him off.

@imtoanonymousforyou @simplyme-fornow @omalmal @lalaluch @wolfbc97 @leptitlu @fullmoon-94 @the-fandom-ness @fan-of-many-bands @awkardnerd @heeseungthel0ml @acourtofsmutandstarlight @fairchild06 @freyagallileaevans @pit-and-the-pen @hannraumari @elliot-rain @thestarseternaal @stupid-and-contagious01 @hyperfixation-train-station @lxnvmvrzx @thebreadisthetruevillian @red0202 @fangirling-galore @craftytrashprincess @taliyahvermillion @xadenswhore @fenixyrie @lagrandeourse @hellodarling1357 @iambored24601  @thegiftofacreativemind @fanfictionjunkie1112 @mysticalfuncollectorus @ohlookitsasinglepoeceofpopcorn @emoravenwolf @imheretobeinvisible @pvrkacciosan @fuckingsimp4azriel @clarewinchester @i-am-infinite @prettylittlewrites

[angstywaifu]

Black Dahlia - 59. Where. Is. She. (Garrick)

Summary: Garrick has been restless the last few days, not able to shake the feeling that something is wrong about Dahlia being gone for RSC. And his worst nightmare is about to be confirmed. Warnings: Mentions of abuse. Injuries. Black Dahlia Masterlist | Masterlist | Links

“Can you stop?” Xaden snaps at me as I fiddle with the strap of my sword. “You’ve been fidgeting non stop for nearly two days.”

”Can you fucking blame me? You were just as bad till we realised they were both in RSC.” I throw back at him as we walk towards the flight field.

”Something they are both trained and equipped to deal with.” He adds.

He wasn’t wrong. But something just felt wrong. They usually weren’t gone this long for interrogation though. Least not for their first one. It had now been two nights since they’d been gone. And we had no clue when they’d taken them on the first day. It was only when we got to battle brief and had noted the rest of the second years in her squad were gone that we’d realised what had happened. It was odd for them to take them on a day with classes though. Usually trying to keep it to weekends so that the first years weren’t suspicious of what would be coming for them next year.

And I so desperately wanted to talk to her after that damn look she’d given me when I’d stood on that dais with Xaden as he’d outed Amber for what she had done. She knew something was up. We’d fucked up that night. I’d fucked up. I knew as soon as I walked into my room in the very early hours of the morning that I’d fucked up. I’d gone to sneak into her room to try get around it, but it was too late. That mixed with her being gone for RSC was getting to me more than I’d like to admit. But I knew Xaden could tell.

”I’m more than aware but you can’t deny something feels wrong about all this. They never take them for this long the first time round. It’s usually one night and they’re out. But we’re coming up to night three if they aren’t out already. Something is wrong.” I tell him sternly as I pull him to a stop in the middle of the courtyard.

He lets out a sigh as he runs his hand through his hair. “There is no point worrying about it till they’re out. They can’t keep them for too much longer or it’s going to get suspicious. Austin’s sister is already asking if anyone’s seen her. For all we know they’re still there because none of them have cracked. They’ll be fine.”

I nod. He’s right. If anything was wrong they’d already be out of there. And with Bodhi and Dahlia in the same group, they were probably giving them hell. I could imagine her giving them sassy remarks and driving the interrogators crazy. They’d probably have given up on her almost immediately. My girl was stubborn as hell.

”Yeah, you’re right. Guess this mixed with the night Violet got attacked has been getting to me. What the hell do I tell her?” I ask as we continue to the flight field.

”Say we were out for another training operation, and ran into Bodhi who was on a late night patrol. She can’t really question that. We can’t risk her knowing j-”

Xaden’s head snaps to the other side of the Quadrant. At first I have no clue what he’s looking at, but then someone bursts through the door to the courtyard that connects us to the rest of the college. Their head whips around before focusing on us. Even from here in the dimly lit courtyard, there’s no denying it’s Bodhi. Instantly he’s rushing over to us, and at first I’m relieved to see him what I think is unharmed. But as he gets closer my blood runs cold. He looks like he’s been through hell. And he’s covered in blood. Lots of blood. Most of it fresh. And with how he rushes over to us, I already know it’s not his. Instantly my eyes look behind him, looking for her. But she’s not there. No, she’s fine. Probably with whoever's blood Bodhi is covered in. She’s fine. She has to be fine.

”Shit, what the he-”

”You need to come with me. Now.” Bodhi says, looking directly at me as he cuts Xaden off.

No. She has to be ok. No. That’s not her fucking blood he’s covered in. It’s not hers. It can’t be hers.

”Is she ok?” I ask.

Bodhi sighs. “Just come with me.”

”Bodhi I swear to the fucking gods, is she ok?” I yell at him, my voice echoing in the courtyard.

”Garrick j-”

”Don’t you dare say be calm.” I snap at Xaden as I hold a hand up to him before stepping towards Bodhi, looming over him as I look down at him. “Where. Is. She?”

”Follow me.” He says before turning and jogging back the way he came, Xaden and I right behind him.

No. She was fine. She had to be.

”Can you ask Proth if she’s ok?” I ask Chradh as we rush across the bridge.

”It’s better if you see for yourself.” He says in the most monotone voice I’ve heard from him since we bonded.

Chradh’s words have me pushing past Bodhi and sprinting as fast as I can over the rest of the bridge to the Healers Quadrant. I hear Xaden and Bodhi pick up pace behind me, our loud foot steps echoing down the bridge as we barrel towards the infirmary. I burst through the doors, startling all the healers in the room, one of them dropping something they’d been carrying as the contents smashes on the floor.

”Sir I’m go-”

”Dahlia Aetos. Where is she?” I demand, cutting the healer cadet off.

”I can’t le-”

”Garrick. Over here!” Austin, Dahlia’s executive officer calls out from the end of the room.

I push past the healer cadet who tries to get me to stop, but I don’t care. I need to see if she’s ok. Fuck it if I get in trouble or written up. They can do whatever they fucking want to me. Austin unlike the healer steps out of my way quickly, knowing better than to try stop me. As I round the curtain my heart fucking drops. My hands ball into fists as I take her in. Take in Nolon leaning over here, trying to mend her. And from how tired he looks, I can tell he’s already been at it for a bit. But the fact he’s mending her, means she’s alive. Even if she looks like she’s on the brink of fucking death. There’s no denying the blood Bodhi is covered in is hers. She’s covered in it herself. Her face is swollen and bruised. Multiple cuts on her face and lips as if she’s been hit over and over again. She’s been stripped out of her uniform, wearing a tank top and shorts provided by the healers. And the sight of her body and how bruised it is has me rushing to her side and sitting in the chair Liz vacates for me. Her body is also covered in bruises. There’s no denying her right arm is broken, the fingers of her left hand shattered, and definitely a bruised rib or two. Just like her face, her body is littered with cuts, some varying for light scratches to more purposefully done cuts. I don’t even realise I’m shaking till someone places their hand on my shoulder.

”What fucking happened?” I ask, turning to face Liz, Austin and Bodhi.

Who all besides a bruising and a few scars, look like they’ve barely been through anything compared to her. It’s like she took the brunt of the torture. As if they’d targeted her to get the others to break knowing she wouldn’t give up anything herself. I swear to the gods if any of them cracked, I’d make them pay. But where was the other member of her Squad?

”It’s probably best we don’t say here.” Bodhi says as he hangs his head.

”What the hell is that suppose to mean? What happened down there?” I bark at him.

”Keep your voice down cadet or I will kick you out.” Nolon warns as he raises his head to look at me before returning his eyes to Dahlia.

I nearly snap at him before the hand squeezes my shoulder and I turn to see Xaden behind me. And the look he gives me says I better do as Nolon says, otherwise I won’t be seeing her till she’s fully healed and mended. And that could be days with how bad she

“Let’s just say I don’t think we got the typical training scenario for this.” Bodhi says as the two girls nod in agreement.

As I take them in it’s clear they’ve been through something. RSC is really what makes or breaks you as a rider. And it’s clear that there’s something different about them now after going through whatever happened down there.

“Maybe we should talk about this outside.” Xaden suggests.

“I’m not leaving her. Not till she’s awake.” I snap at him.

“She won’t be awake for a while. Between her injuries and the sedation we had to give her, she’s going to be out for a while.” Nolon informs us as he continues to focus on Dahlia.

“We’ll come get you if anything changes.” Austin tells me as she walks over to me.

With a sigh I look back to Dahlia and nod. It’s clear she’s not going to be awake until Nolon is ready for her to be. And I need to fucking know what happened down there to make her come out looking like she’d actually been someone’s prisoner for the last few days.

Bodhi leads Xaden and I out of the healers quadrant, and I nearly protest at this, not wanting to be far away from her. But what ever this is can’t be good if he’s taking us away from where someone can hear us. What the hell had happened out there? What the hell had caused her to look far worse than the others to the point they had to sedate her? A thought crosses my mind, but I shove it to the side. There’s no way he’d do that to his own daughter. Not in front of others. But there’s part of my that knows her father would go as far as he deemed necessary.

Eventually Bodhi leads us to our usual spot under the tree. The only spot we openly discuss the things we shouldn’t be doing.

“You better start explaining why she’s lying in that bed looking like she was someone’s prisoner and not just a cadet in a scenario.” I snap at Bodhi as I start pacing back and forth in front of him and Xaden.

“Her father.” Bodhi says glumly.

I stop at his words, turning to see him leaning up against a tree as he hangs his head, fists balled at his sides. Even from here I can see him shaking. The thought had passed through my head on the way down here. But I didn’t think it was true. But maybe he just instigated it, made the actual riders who conducted the interrogation do it. But I swear if her father laid a hand on her I’d make sure his death was at my hands.

“What do you mean her father? Leadership don’t oversee interrogation training.” I point out.

“Well he did. All those injuries are because of him.” He spits out as glares at the ground before turning his head to me. “All because he thinks she knows something. He did this to her because of us.”

Fuck. No. They can’t know what we’re up to. Surely not. If they did we’d be down there being tortured ourselves. They wouldn’t waste time on her. Meaning they didn’t have anything. They were just looking for something. Anything. And they’d tried to use her to get to us. To me.

“Shit.” Xaden mutters as he runs a hand through his hair. “What did they ask her?”

“I don’t know. I only caught bits and pieces before he put up silencing wards after he killed Kai.” Bodhi hangs his head again as he squeezes his eyes shut. “She… she thought Kai was me. He purposefully picked him because he knew in that dimly lit room after what he’d started inflicting on her, she wouldn’t be able to tell. I heard her scream. Heard her fucking break as he snapped his neck.”

It takes everything in me not to march up to that fucking Administration Building and inflict what he had on his daughter to himself. Who does that to their own child?

“I know she doesn’t know anything. But did she break? Say anything that could put us in danger?” Xaden asks after a few moments of silence.

Bodhi looks up at him, a fire in his eyes I’d never seen before and shakes his head. “I don’t think so. The last thing I heard her say to him was how if she did know anything she wouldn’t tell him anyway. After that the wards went up and the next time they dragged us in she was slumped over in the chair. Used her state to try get us to break for the actual scenario once he left. But that was after almost a day of her being in there on her own.”

“We need to tell her.” I tell Xaden as I turn to him.

He shakes his head. “Absolutely not. They’re looking for something. Anything to get us thrown into one of those cells. And this just proves that.”

“She went through hell because she didn’t know anything.” I growl at him as I step towards him. “She’s barely alive because we kept her in the dark. Us not telling her anything still got her harmed. What are you going to do when they drag Violet in there?”

“And not knowing is what kept her alive. If she knew something, told them something, she’d probably be dead right now.” He tells me as folds his arms over his chest. “They won’t. Because I won’t tell her anything. All that matters is keeping her alive, and they wouldn’t harm her because of the General. And if they did I’d just go get her out of there myself.”

I shake my head at him. “No. Dahlia is what kept her alive. Even if she had known something, she wouldn’t break. Gods, I’d even bet she smirked at her damn father while telling him she knew nothing before torturing her again. She deserves to know.”

“He’s right Xaden.” Bodhi adds, turning to his cousin. “She needs to know. And even if we don’t tell her, she’s going to be suspicious after us saving Violet, and her father torturing her about us. She’s going to have figured it out. You didn’t see the way she looked at Garrick and I when we stood on that dais. You didn’t sit at that table and watch her give away a secret she took over a year to tell Garrick and I. She knows something is up.”

If what Bodhi said is true and not some way to guilt Xaden into agreeing, then there is no doubt that she knows. She barely wanted to tell Bodhi and I. And to tell her squad without hesitation, she did that to get to Bodhi. To prove a point. Gods, she was going to be pissed with us.

He sighs and shakes his head. “Let’s see what happens when she wakes up.”

”She just went through hell Xaden. She might have passed out, but she’s not going to forget what fucking happened. I need to tell her.” I plead. No, I can’t be pleading. Even if he didn’t agree, I was going to tell her if she asked.

He looks at me for a long time, as if pondering my words. I had to tell her. I’d love to think she’d wake up, completely forgetting the hell her father put her through. But I know she wouldn’t. She was one of the toughest people I knew. Her mind wouldn’t have broken down there. She was going to remember everything.

“You need to go to class.” Xaden barks at me as he walks around the curtain that separates Dahlia from the rest of the infirmary.

”I’ve only missed two days.” I point out with a shrug. Two days of them lying to everyone's faces. Not like I was missing much.

”Yes, but you’re a section leader. You need to be setting an example. And I don’t think I can cover for you being absent another day.” He tells me as he stands at the end of Dahlia’s bed, arms crossed over his chest.

”I will leave this chair once she wakes up. I am not leaving her alone.” I tell him, turning my head to glare at him.

”Which could be days. I’m sure Chradh can get Proth to tell him when she’s awake. We have things to take care of.” He tells me, hinting at the other things we do.

We’d already delayed the supply run we were meant to go on the night they came back from RSC. And we really couldn’t delay it any longer. And now I was the only one that could really go do it. It wouldn’t take me long. But it was longer than I wanted to be away from her. Nolon said she could wake at any moment now. They’d stop giving her a sedative last night, and all her injuries were mended. She still had some minor bruising, but she looked far better than we she came in. I now felt comfortable to touch her and hold her hand, which I hadn’t let go since Nolon had said he’d mended her crushed fingers fully. I just wish she would wake up. Open those brown eye’s I’d missed seeing over the last five days. Open her mouth and speak to me. Respond back to my touch. I just needed something. Anything from her to show she was ok. Show she was still in there.

”Can we hold off one more day? See if she wakes up?” I ask as I turn my eyes back to her.

He sighs and shakes his head. “Not really. To make it quicker I can get the others to prepare and get everything ready.”

”I am not letting another rider climb all over me and secure the supplies.” Chardh growls in my head, causing my to chuckle.

”Probably not the best idea.” I tell him as I stand, reluctantly letting go of Dahlia’s hand which falls to the bed with a soft thump. “If they can get everything ready, I’ll do it. But if anything happens, I want Chradh informed immediately.”

Xaden nod firmly. “I’ll make sure it’s done. You know I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t desperate. But I can’t delay this anymore.”

I sigh and nod. “Yeah, I know. But you fucking owe me for this.”

”Well the fuck aware.” He says with a smirk, before his head snaps back to the bed.

I turn around to see Dahlia, awake and sitting up. Awake. She was awake. She looks around the enclosed area before turning her attention to Xaden and I. I rush over to her, taking her hand in mine and open my mouth to ask how she is. But despite just waking up, being out for the last few days and being tortured she’s far quicker than me to speak.

”You two have some explaining to do.”

@imtoanonymousforyou @simplyme-fornow @omalmal @lalaluch @wolfbc97 @leptitlu @fullmoon-94 @the-fandom-ness @fan-of-many-bands @awkardnerd @heeseungthel0ml @acourtofsmutandstarlight @fairchild06 @freyagallileaevans @pit-and-the-pen @hannraumari @elliot-rain @thestarseternaal @stupid-and-contagious01 @hyperfixation-train-station @lxnvmvrzx @thebreadisthetruevillian @red0202 @fangirling-galore @craftytrashprincess @taliyahvermillion @xadenswhore @fenixyrie @lagrandeourse @hellodarling1357 @iambored24601  @thegiftofacreativemind @fanfictionjunkie1112 @mysticalfuncollectorus @ohlookitsasinglepoeceofpopcorn @emoravenwolf @imheretobeinvisible @pvrkacciosan @fuckingsimp4azriel @clarewinchester @i-am-infinite @prettylittlewrites

[angstywaifu]

"I swear to the fucking gods, is she ok?”

”Garrick j-”

”Don’t you dare say be calm.” I snap at Xaden as I hold a hand up to him.

“Where. Is. She?”

@imtoanonymousforyou @simplyme-fornow @omalmal @lalaluch @wolfbc97 @leptitlu @fullmoon-94 @the-fandom-ness @fan-of-many-bands @awkardnerd @heeseungthel0ml @acourtofsmutandstarlight @fairchild06 @freyagallileaevans @pit-and-the-pen @hannraumari @elliot-rain @thestarseternaal @stupid-and-contagious01 @hyperfixation-train-station @lxnvmvrzx @thebreadisthetruevillian @red0202 @fangirling-galore @craftytrashprincess @taliyahvermillion @xadenswhore @fenixyrie @lagrandeourse @hellodarling1357 @iambored24601  @thegiftofacreativemind @fanfictionjunkie1112 @mysticalfuncollectorus @ohlookitsasinglepoeceofpopcorn @emoravenwolf @imheretobeinvisible @pvrkacciosan @fuckingsimp4azriel @clarewinchester

[angstywaifu]

Black Dahlia - 58. Tell Me What You Know

Summary: Dahlia's RSC takes an interesting turn when her father makes an apperance. Just how far will he go to get what he wants from her? A/N: Damn, another follower milestone! You guys are smashing it. Enjoy your bonus post!

Warnings: Violence. Torture. Death.

Black Dahlia Masterlist | Masterlist | Links

I can’t tell if time slows or if he’s taking his time to saunter into the room, but his steps echo around the now deadly quiet chamber. Why the hell was he here? He shouldn’t be here. But he was. And his presence scared me more than the training we were being put through.

”I can see why you enjoyed War Games so much last year. Quite satisfying being on the other end of this.” He mocks as he stops in front of me, taking in how I’m shackled to the chair.

Of course he’d be getting a kick out of seeing his own daughter strapped into a chair and being tortured. Fucking bastard.

”Sure you don’t want to swap? It’s quite enjoyable.” I try and say cheerily.

He doesn’t even hesitate as the back of his hand flies out and snaps my head to the side. The ring he wears on his finger cutting across my cheek. And there’s not denying the blood that rolls down my cheek from it.

”She’s your daughter.” Kai snarls.

”No. She’s a prisoner for interrogation.” My father says calmly as he keeps his focus on me. “I don’t have a daughter.”

Somehow his words hurt more than him hitting me. It’s not the first time he’s said I’m not his daughter. Though he’s probably hoping the others see it as him playing a long with the scenario. Little does he know they all know the slight truth behind his words now. But this feels like the final nail in the coffin.

”Have they said anything?” He asks, turning his attention to the two riders.

They shake their heads. “No. They’re a tight nit group. But we’ll break them. We always do.”

He turns his head, taking in my squad mates chained to the wall. And I don’t miss how his attention stays more focused on Bodhi than the others.

”Cuff those ones and take them to the other room” He commands the other two before turning his head back to me.

”But si-”

”Now!” He commands, cutting off the female with a stern look.

She nods before they both turn towards my squad mates, all of who look nervous as hell to be taken from the room. This wasn’t normal. This much we knew. And out of all of them Bodhi looks the most unsure of what’s about to happen. He’s the last to leave the room, and they have to literally shove him out to get him to move.

The two riders go to come back in, but my father waves them off. “Stay with the others.”

They both share an unsure look, but quickly nod and leave the room, not wanting to disobey a direct order. And with that, they leave me alone with my father as they close the door behind them.

”Finally worth your time am I?” I ask him. Probably not my smartest move, but it’s not like my situation could get any worse.

”Don’t flatter yourself.” He snaps at me as he circles my chair. “You’re just lucky you’re some what useful now you’re in with that lot and dating him.”

My heart drops. Shit. He’s going to use this as a chance to get back at me for being with Garrick. Being friends with Bodhi. And I can’t help but wonder, does this have anything to do with what I’ve noticed recently?

”His name is Garrick.” I point out.

For the first time since being in here, I cry out in pain as his fist connects with the side of my face. I try to blink through the pain, but only one of my eyes wants to open and close. Great, my eyes swollen. Just what I need. But I know it’s going to be the least of my worries.

”I don’t care what his name is. All I care about is what he’s told you.” He says as he stops in front of me.

I spit out the blood that’s started pooling in my mouth, barely missing his boots as it hits the ground. “Y-you’re going to have t-to be more specific.” I grit out as I slowly raise my head.

He steps forward, grasping my jaw as he angles my head back and glares down at me. ”Don’t play dumb girl. I know he’s told you something.”

I scoff at him, causing him to shove my head to the side as he steps back. “Oh he’s told me plenty.” I drawl as I spit out more blood. “H-How he doesn’t care about what happened. How he k-knows you’re a manipulative bastard. Hell, even said he’s proud of me unlike my own father.”

I scream as a sickening crack echoes around the room. Not just any crack. Bone breaking. My bone breaking. I struggle to stay conscious as my arm throbs with excruciating pain. In the distance I can hear someone yelling. But I can’t tell who it is over how much fucking pain I’m in.

”Don’t play with me girl. Tell me what I want to know.” He demands.

I force my eyes open, seeing my father stand there with the fucking hammer he used to break my arm. Fucking bastard. My body shakes as I try to calm down. Get my body to relax. But I’m not sure how much more I can take before my body gives in. There’s a ringing in my ears, black dots starting to plague my vision. I had to hang on. Otherwise he’d move to Bodhi next. I knew he’d be able to hold on. But I couldn’t be the reason he went through this. But there’s no denying this is more than just me dating Garrick. More than me being friends with Bodhi. No, there’s more to this.

”S-starting to feel l-like this is p-personal and not the s-scenario C-colonel.” I get out between heavy breaths.

He crouches down in front of me, swinging the hammer down to my opposite arm, the hammer crushing my fingers as I scream in pain. I’m pretty sure I black out for a few moments. Because when I open my eyes my father is no longer crouched before me, the door to the chamber wide open. Panic sets in as I hear yelling, the unmistakeable sound of a fist connecting with someones face before they hit the ground. I try to pull on my restraints, but it makes my vision start to fade to black. Shit. I look up to see my father dragging someone into the room, my heart lurching into my chest at the sight of black hair. But he turns them so their back is to me. I have no way of knowing if this is Kai or Bodhi. Both of them similar height and build. And the same damn black hair. Shit. Please don’t be Bodhi. Please don’t be him. Xaden and Garrick would never forgive me.

”You want personal Dahlia? Now it’s personal.” He says as he twists his hands and the sound of bone breaking echoes in the room again as he snaps their neck.

I don’t even know if I scream as I watch the body fall to the ground. My heart stopping as I watch it crumble into a heap at my feet. All I can do is stare at the body in the dimly lit room. Stare at the messy black hair.

”You fucking bastard.” I growl out at him, not giving him the satisfaction of yelling or screaming at him as I continue to stare at the body at my feet. A body that is definitely not breathing.

”Tell me what they’re up to then. Tell me what they’re planning. Tell me where they do. Tell me and all this stops. I’ll even say you escaped so those left of your squad can get that silly little patch that no one’s gotten in years. Tell me and this is all over. Tell me and no one else has to die.” He tells me in a calm voice that sends shivers up my spine.

With my fathers words, it’s clear he’s noted what I have. Confirming my suspicions that they haven’t been going to outposts for training operations. They’re up to something. Something he’s scared of. Something leadership would be scared of. And the only thing that could be was another rebellion. Something Xaden wouldn’t risk without good reason.

I slowly raise my head and look at him. Knowing with what I say next I’m not going to be able to stay conscious after. Offering him a smirk I know is going to do me no favours. “I don’t know anything. And even if I did, maybe you should have treated me like a daughter. You’re not my family and I owe you nothing.”

And with one final hit everything fades to black.

@imtoanonymousforyou @simplyme-fornow @omalmal @lalaluch @wolfbc97 @leptitlu @fullmoon-94 @the-fandom-ness @fan-of-many-bands @awkardnerd @heeseungthel0ml @acourtofsmutandstarlight @fairchild06 @freyagallileaevans @pit-and-the-pen @hannraumari @elliot-rain @thestarseternaal @stupid-and-contagious01 @hyperfixation-train-station @lxnvmvrzx @thebreadisthetruevillian @red0202 @fangirling-galore @craftytrashprincess @taliyahvermillion @xadenswhore @fenixyrie @lagrandeourse @hellodarling1357 @iambored24601  @thegiftofacreativemind @fanfictionjunkie1112 @mysticalfuncollectorus @ohlookitsasinglepoeceofpopcorn @emoravenwolf @imheretobeinvisible @pvrkacciosan @fuckingsimp4azriel @clarewinchester

[angstywaifu]

Garrick: So what’s for dinner? Ridoc: I can’t tell you, it’s a soup-prise! Garrick: … Garrick: Is it soup? Ridoc: I soup-pose it could be! *winks* Garrick: Please, enough with the soup puns! Ridoc: Wow, you’re soup-per mean. Garrick: STOP! *one hour later* Garrick: It’s tacos?!?!?!

[angstywaifu]

”She’s your daughter.”

”No. She’s a prisoner for interrogation.” My father says calmly as he keeps his focus on me. “I don't have a daughter.”

@imtoanonymousforyou @simplyme-fornow @omalmal @lalaluch @wolfbc97 @leptitlu @fullmoon-94 @the-fandom-ness @fan-of-many-bands @awkardnerd @heeseungthel0ml @acourtofsmutandstarlight @fairchild06 @freyagallileaevans @pit-and-the-pen @hannraumari @elliot-rain @thestarseternaal @stupid-and-contagious01 @hyperfixation-train-station @lxnvmvrzx @thebreadisthetruevillian @red0202 @fangirling-galore @craftytrashprincess @taliyahvermillion @xadenswhore @fenixyrie @lagrandeourse @hellodarling1357 @iambored24601  @thegiftofacreativemind @fanfictionjunkie1112 @mysticalfuncollectorus @ohlookitsasinglepoeceofpopcorn @emoravenwolf @imheretobeinvisible @pvrkacciosan @fuckingsimp4azriel @clarewinchester

[angstywaifu]

Black Dahlia - 57. Questions

Summary: Post execution of Amber, Dahlia has some questions she needs answered. And there's only one person she can trust to give her the answers she needs. But before she can confront the person she really needs to, life decides to throw something else her way. Warnings: Physical abuse where character cannot fight back (punching/hitting). Mentions of blood.

Black Dahlia Masterlist | Masterlist | Links

I should give her more time. She’s been through a lot in the last day. But I have to know. And going to Bodhi or Garrick is going to be no help. I need to hear it from her. Need to hear it from an unbiased opinion before I confront them. I need to get my facts straight in case I've gone down a rabbit hole that I don't need to.

I’d seen both Garrick and Bodhi make a move towards me as they’d descended the dais after formation had been dismissed, but I’d slipped into the crowd before they could get close to me. I know they could tell I thought something was up. Xaden I could understand making it to Violet’s room and being alerted of what was happening to to Sgaeyl’s bond with Tairn. But Garrick and Bodhi also being there didn’t add up. There wouldn’t have been time to grab them. And I know Garrick hadn’t been at his room till at least the early hours of the morning. But I needed more confirmation before I approached them.

I catch up to her just as she’s about to cross into the Academic Wing, tailed by her new bodyguard Liam. “Can we talk?”

She looks at me with narrowed eyes, clearly unsure as to why I’d want to talk to her. For a moment I’m worried she’s going to tell me no and to go away. But she doesn’t. Instead she looks up at me and nods. Which honestly surprises me.

I motion for her to follow me towards the Library, and she quickly obliges. Liam turns to follow, clearly hell bent on going where ever she goes. I hold out an arm, stopping him in his path. “You can wait outside. And don’t you dare try and sneak in.” I warn him. He quickly scans the area, clearly looking for Xaden. When he see’s he’s in the clear he nods and steps back. Seems being his Squad Leader for the last few months still accounted for something.

I follow Violet into the library, quickly closing and locking the door behind us which causes her to turn and look at me with panic.

”I’m not going to hurt you.” I tell her, which doesn’t seem to ease her worries much as she keeps her eyes focused on me.

”What do you want?” She asks as she folds her arms across her chest and looks at me.

”What time were you attacked last night?” I ask her.

She furrows her brow. “It was late. Early hours of the morning I think. Why do you need to know?”

I ignore her question, moving onto my next one. “What were they wearing when they turned up to help you?”

”Um... Flight leathers I think. Why does that matter?” She asks, more demanding than last time.

So they had been out. Xaden and Garrick I could almost pass off as being out with the other third years. But Bodhi… Bodhi I couldn’t. Second years didn’t get called out. And if so, it meant shit had gone royally wrong. But this was now the second time that I knew of that those three had been out together at night. The first one I could potentially pass off as a flight to just get away from here. Or to do some training together. But this one, they’d been out late. Very late. And I couldn’t think of any reason Bodhi would be out that late. Not fully kitted out if Violet was remembering correctly. Which I knew she would be. That girl remembered every little detail, even if she didn’t realise she was. She took in everything.

”Are you going to tell me why you’re asking me this? You could just go ask them. They’re your friends aren’t they?”

“Just curious about something is all. Just wanted to see what you knew was all.” I tell her before turning back towards the door.

”That’s all you’re going to give me?” She barks at my back.

I look at her over my shoulder. “Yes, because you’ve barely given me anything since we were kids. So when you earn the right to get more out of me, you will as I see fit Sorrengail."

I briefly catch her glare before I unlock the door and walk past a waiting Liam who has not moved an inch since we walked off despite the fact he was late to class now. Though I knew that fact would not phase him in the slightest. Where the hell could they have been last night that would have them out that late? Though I couldn’t put it past them to actually just be out on a flight to get away from here. It’s not like any of them were bound by curfew. They were all leadership. And even with that, I knew they wouldn’t give a crap about curfew if they weren’t leadership. So why can’t I shake this damn feeling that there’s something up about last night and that night I’d seen them walking into the courtyard from the flight field?

”Do you know anything?” I ask Proth as I make my way towards my class.

”As I said last time you asked me this, they’re you’re friend and mate. Ask them yourself.” He tells me pointedly.

”That just makes me think you know something.” I point out.

”Your question is more suited for them than for me. I am not getting in the middle of these human matters. You’re more than capable of asking them yourself or figuring it out on your own. You know enough to piece it together if you thought about it.” He tells me with what I swear feels like an eye roll down the bond.

”What is that suppose to mean?”

”It means exactly what I said. Ask them yourself, or sit down and think over what you’ve noticed and the things you’ve questioned all these years. And when you do, we'll talk.”

I go to respond but a figure steps into my path, halting me in my tracks. Professor Lee. Who drags along a cuffed Austin. Followed by Infantry who haul Liz, Kai and Bodhi who are also cuffed. Shit. It’s our turn.

”There you are Aetos. Was wondering where you’d gotten off to.” He says way too happily for someone who is about to drag me off to be tortured.

”Sorry, had to deal with some Squad and Wing issues with some movement of some first years by Riorson.” I say before giving him a tight lipped smile.

Bodhi instantly looks at me. He knows I’m lying. He was probably with Xaden after he couldn’t get to me after formation. But due to our current situation he can’t ask me anything. And now I can’t ask him anything either. Or Garrick. Shit. So much for figuring this out.

”No trouble, we found you eventually. Now, if you don’t mind.” He holds up a pair of cuffs before nodding down towards my hands.

”Don’t mind at all Professor.” I say way too sweetly, causing Kai to mask his laugh as a cough as I hold out my wrists.

Lee locks one of the cuffs on my wrist before stepping behind me and pulling my other arm behind my back and securing it. He tugs on the chain, clearly satisfied I’m not getting out of them. Not like I had a choice in what was about to happen.

It can be found in the room down the third corridor. My assigned phrase to keep secret for the next few days or till we escaped. Easier said than done. But something about this didn’t sit right with me. Something felt off. Like this was going to be more than just training to see how much it took us to break. Maybe it was just the cold feeling of death that had washed over me as they lead us down here, stripping us of our weapons and belongings which now sat spread across the large table taking up the centre of the room.

”Welcome to your interrogation training. You’ve all been given your classified information to protect.” Lee tells us as he guides us into one of the two chambers. Inside the chamber is a table with six chairs situated around it, along with five beds that have mattresses missing along the wall. “Please take a seat.”

All of us cautiously take a seat at the table the best we can with our hands still cuffed behind our backs, Bodhi taking the seat directly across from me. I’d felt his eyes on me the entire way down here, even now he doesn’t take them off me as if he’s trying to read what’s going on in my mind. But whatever they’d been up to last night is the least of my worries.

”For now we are still in a classroom setting. You are not being graded as of yet, and you can ask questions before we change over to the actual scenario.” Lee informs us as he stands behind the only empty chair at the end of the table as one of the Infantry personnel still with us stars uncuffing us. “This scenario is to teach you how to survive capture. How to make sure you can survive what ever is thrown at you. The next couple of days are instructional only, and for your education. But how you respond and react is being assessed.”

”So you’re testing us to see how we’d go when we get to the real thing?” Liz asks as she rubs her now free wrists.

Lee nods. “Yes. And by no means will this be fun. We might be assessing to see how you react, but make no mistake. We will not be going easy on you. This is going to push and test you. So use this time to prepare yourselves as best you can.”

As my wrists are uncuffed, the door opens, a rider walking in with some food and drink. Probably some of the last food and drink we will get before this is over depending how long we’re in here for. Usually it’s only two days, maybe three from what we’d been told. But there was no way to tell. They made it different for every squad so we couldn’t be prepared for what was to come. We could be here for only a few hours, or a few days. And that just added to the suspense of it.

”I’d recommend eating and drinking what you can. I can’t promise you’ll get food again before you’re out.” Lee tells us before turning to leave. “Oh, and you all need to share a secret with each other. Something no one else knows. When I come back the scenario will begin. Just remember, every rider has sat here and made it through this. You’re a strong squad.”

And with that we’re left alone with the pitcher of water and bread. Not the most appetising last meal. But it was probably in case we couldn’t handle what they did to us and it ended coming back up. Bland food was better for that. We all reach forward taking a piece of bread and a glass of water. All of us sniffing it to see if it’s been laced with something. Once we’re all satisfied it is just bread and water we sit back and look around the room.

”So who wants to go first?” Liz asks after a few moments of silence.

I turn my attention to Bodhi. He already knows what I’m about to say. But if I can use this situation to get something out of him. I will. ”My father blames me for my mothers death.”

Bodhi’s winces at my words. He knows that’s not something I’d normally say. He knows I’m trying to make him feel bad by freely giving out a secret I'd only told him and Garrick. And do I feel bad for doing it? Yeah, I do. But I know he’s keeping something from me now. Can I blame him? No. But does it hurt just a little bit? Yeah…. it does.

”Why?” Austin asks, the first to break the silence after I reveal my secret.

”I can’t say why. But he’s always blamed me for it. Never forgiven me for it.” I tell her as I look away from Bodhi.

She gives me a nod and a small smile. Lee never said we had to go into detail. And the confession is still something Austin, Kai and Liz didn’t know. And something they didn't know either. I just hope none of them broke and revealed it. If word got back to my father, I’d have some explaining to do.

”I’ve been keeping something from someone close to me. I want to tell them so badly. But I can’t. I know it’s not a proper secret, but it’s all I can say.” Bodhi says suddenly as he cuts off Kai who had opened his mouth to say something.

I look over at him, see him looking at me still. He offers me a soft smile. And I know the confession is meant for me. His words make me nervous. Whatever is going on, he wants to tell me. Wants to bring me in on whatever is going on. But can’t. And I feel like that reason is Xaden. It has to be. But what does Xaden have to do with me questioning things? What had Proth meant by that? There was plenty things I’d questioned over the years. Was it everything I’d questioned? Or just one of them? I’d have to talk to Bodhi after this. But would he even tell me? Yes he’d confessed he knew something. But it didn’t mean he was going to tell me. And Garrick… would he tell me? Whatever it is had to be big. I don’t even realise the others had revealed their secrets, completely lost in my thoughts till the door swings open again.

Lee guides us to the other chamber, this one far emptier than the other. All that sits in this room is a singular chair in the middle of the room with restraints, and chains hanging on one of the walls. In the dim light I can easily make our dried blood and various other stains on the stone floor and walls. Remnants of what our peers had experienced in this room. Lee leads everyone over one by one, chaining them to the wall. Everyone but me.

”Take a seat Dahlia.” Lee instructs me.

I hear some of the chains move as I turn and assess the chair. Noting the drain that also sits under it that I’d missed before. I can’t help but feel nervous as I take in the chair. I could do this. As I sit down he locks arms into the shackles before doing the same to both my legs. Before he stands he looks up at me and offers me a soft smile. And somehow that makes me more nervous. The point of this wasn’t to show us kindness. But he was. And it unsettled me.

”And now I leave you.” He announces as he stands. “Remember everything I’ve taught you. Whoever walks through those doors till the assessment is over with try to separate you, turn you against each other. Stay strong. You’re probably the strongest squad in your year. I will be outside the entrance. If you manage to escape and make it to me before the scenario is over, you get a patch. Good luck.”

As he leaves that uneasy feeling gets worse and worse. I knew this was coming. We’d had months of lead up and preparation. But somehow my nerves had nothing to do with this scenario. Something wasn’t right. The door slams open revealing two riders. They looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place from where. From living at various outposts and being stationed here, I’d seen hundreds of riders. So I could have seen these two anywhere.

”You have been selected for interrogation.” The male announces as he circles my chair, the female leaning up against the wall as she looks at me. I turn my head to follow him, his eyes completely focused on me just like the females. “You all have some information that we want. So make it easy. Give it up now. Tell us what you know and you’re all free to go. Simple.”

”So what’s it going to be Aetos?” The female sneers as she walks over and crouches in front of me. “Just tell us what you know. Save your squad from all that pain and suffering. One little secret and you all go free.”

”I know a lot of things. Have a lot of secrets. Might need to be more specific.” I tell her with a smirk.

Not even a second later a fist connects with the side of my face, my head snapping to the side as pain bursts through my head. I hear the chains holding my squad mates to the wall rattle as they pull against the chains as if they can come to my aid.

”Being a smart ass is going to do you no favours.” She snarls at me as the male who punched me comes into view. “You know what I want to know. So just tell us.”

I turn to look at her as I blink through the pain. “I think I’m good.”

Another fist, to the other side of the face. And this time I detect the metallic taste of blood in my mouth. Fucking fantastic.

”Leave her alone!” Bodhi growls out. I open my eyes just enough to see him looking at me as he struggles on his chains.

”Oh we found a weak link.” The female drawls as she stands up and walks over to Bodhi.

Instantly I see red. But I can’t give in. This isn’t real. It’s just a scenario.

”Stay strong little flower. Do not break.” Proth tells me calmly.

As if knowing what Proth said the male hits me again, this time higher on my face, my vision blurring from the hit. Fuck.

”I won’t tell you anything either.” Bodhi snaps at them.

”Not even about your charming cousin?” An all too familiar voice drawls, suddenly making me more alert despite the ringing in my ears.

Not him. No. I slowly lift my head, wincing as my head throbs with pain. And now I know why I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong about this scenario as I meet the eyes of my father.

@imtoanonymousforyou @simplyme-fornow @omalmal @lalaluch @wolfbc97 @leptitlu @fullmoon-94 @the-fandom-ness @fan-of-many-bands @awkardnerd @heeseungthel0ml @acourtofsmutandstarlight @fairchild06 @freyagallileaevans @pit-and-the-pen @hannraumari @elliot-rain @thestarseternaal @stupid-and-contagious01 @hyperfixation-train-station @lxnvmvrzx @thebreadisthetruevillian @red0202 @fangirling-galore @craftytrashprincess @taliyahvermillion @xadenswhore @fenixyrie @lagrandeourse @hellodarling1357 @iambored24601  @thegiftofacreativemind @fanfictionjunkie1112 @mysticalfuncollectorus @ohlookitsasinglepoeceofpopcorn @emoravenwolf @imheretobeinvisible @pvrkacciosan @fuckingsimp4azriel @clarewinchester

[angstywaifu]

I have to say, you guys are devouring with the Kinktober requests. A lot of you are matching boys to prompts I thought would suit. And also throwing me some ones I didn’t expect but honestly love the idea of.

Please keep them coming! Would love to see some ideas you guys have outside of the prompts too! And don’t worry if they’re a little unhinged. That’s what kinktober is for, and this is a judgement free zone.

Kinktober 2025 Requests

I am happy to announce my requests for Kinktober are officially open. I had so much fun last year and you guys gave me some great ideas and inspiration. And I'm excited to say I already have two ideas brewing and ready to go for you guys. If you would like to request something for this please send it to my asks. Please specify it is for Kinktober in your request so I know to write it for then. I cannot promise I will be able to do all the requests that come in depending how many there are, and I may combine them if they are similar to another or the idea works. Please read below for who I will be taking requests for and some prompts that have peaked my interest, but feel free to send me your own ideas you might have brewing in your brain. Kinktober Requests.

Who I am taking requests for.

Fourth Wing.

Garrick Tavis. Bodhi Durran. Aaric Graycastle. Dain Aetos. Xaden Riorson. Brennan Sorrengail.

Head Canons.

ACOTAR

Azriel.

The above is who I am comfortable writing for. You are more than welcome to send requests for other characters. But I cannot guarantee they will be written.

Prompts.

"Use your words."

"You look so good underneath me."

"Beg for it."

“We’re really going to fuck here? What if someone sees us?”

“I had this dream and- fuck- you couldn’t keep your hands of me.”

“Keep your eyes open, look at me."

“You know I’m holding back from fucking you over this kitchen counter, don’t push your luck.”

“It’s my thigh or nothing, I’m not helping you get off.”

“You look so good with my hands around your neck.”

[angstywaifu]

Violet: You really put aside everything and came all this way for me? How did you even get here so fast? Bodhi: Several traffic violations. Xaden: Three counts of resisting arrest. Ridoc: Roughly thirteen cans of energy drinks. Garrick: Also, that’s not our car.

[angstywaifu]

Kinktober 2025 Requests

I am happy to announce my requests for Kinktober are officially open. I had so much fun last year and you guys gave me some great ideas and inspiration. And I'm excited to say I already have two ideas brewing and ready to go for you guys. If you would like to request something for this please send it to my asks. Please specify it is for Kinktober in your request so I know to write it for then. I cannot promise I will be able to do all the requests that come in depending how many there are, and I may combine them if they are similar to another or the idea works. Please read below for who I will be taking requests for and some prompts that have peaked my interest, but feel free to send me your own ideas you might have brewing in your brain. Kinktober Requests.

Who I am taking requests for.

Fourth Wing.

Garrick Tavis. Bodhi Durran. Aaric Graycastle. Dain Aetos. Xaden Riorson. Brennan Sorrengail.

Head Canons.

ACOTAR

Azriel.

The above is who I am comfortable writing for. You are more than welcome to send requests for other characters. But I cannot guarantee they will be written.

Prompts.

"Use your words."

"You look so good underneath me."

"Beg for it."

“We’re really going to fuck here? What if someone sees us?”

“I had this dream and- fuck- you couldn’t keep your hands of me.”

“Keep your eyes open, look at me."

“You know I’m holding back from fucking you over this kitchen counter, don’t push your luck.”

“It’s my thigh or nothing, I’m not helping you get off.”

“You look so good with my hands around your neck.”