#I was so shook when everyone started getting killed off by the king of spades

[blues824]

Hello may I request twisted wonderland 1st years reacting to ciel! g/n reader calling Sebastian to fight overblots?

Yes you can! Btw, Ciel is 13 I believe, so reader will be 13 and all of this will be platonic.

Ace Trappola

You were always very rude to him, especially when he ran his mouth longer than he should have. Plus, you never covered for him. How could you have this much audacity? To be fair, you were 13. Ouch, you just slapped him for making that comment.

You eventually get closer through the unbirthday parties and bond over some tea. He always pours it for you and makes sure you get some sweets. However, he likes to act as your older brother and doesn’t allow you to have too many sweets. You act like you’re constantly annoyed by him, but you actually are fond of the idea of having a ‘normal’ sibling for once.

When Riddle overblots, his first instinct is to protect you. You, however, had a smirk on your face. It made Ace think that you had seen this coming and were prepared for it. You whispered, “Sebastian, I am here.” The first year was about to ask what you said when a demon appeared out of nowhere and started fighting Riddle.

You sat on a chair, crossing one leg over the other while propping your head up with your arm on the chair’s arm. You had a devious smile on your face, and in the matter of a few seconds the demon was right by your side again and Riddle was on the ground. Ace, trembling, asked the question, “who are you and how did you do that?” to the demon.

You and the demon had similar expressions. He responded with, “I am the butler of the Phantomhive household. These types of things are within my repertoire. I am one hell of a butler after all.” Welp, Ace is now out cold on the ground. Congratulations.

Deuce Spade

Mans would probably ask you for help on his homework. You’ve been in Twisted Wonderland for a very short time and you still knew more about the material than he did. He was struggling for real. You didn’t have a problem with it, as long as he didn’t belittle you for being so young like Tweedle-Dumb (Ace) did often.

You actually become close very quickly. Again, he acts as a very protective older brother. He will make sure that you know your way around, that you have an inhaler on your person, and that you always have your cane to help you around. If anyone makes fun of you for it, he will gladly give them a knuckle sandwich.

When Riddle overblots, he goes to pull you behind him. What he doesn’t notice is that you go back even further, grab a chair, and sit down gracefully as you watch the chaos unfold. If Deuce had looked back, he would have been reminded of a king on his throne by the way you were sitting.

You had a confident smirk as you whispered Sebastian’s name. Said demon emerged out of thin air and greeted you calmly. The entire battle was paused out of pure shock. After serving you a cup of tea, your butler grabbed a few silver utensils off the tables and threw them at the overblotted victim.

Within a few seconds, Riddle was defeated. Sebastian had to introduce himself to everyone, and Deuce was just shocked. Since when have you made a deal with a demon?? You explained that you had made a deal with your current butler so that he would help you find whoever killed your parents in exchange for your soul. A 13 year old had to go through so much? 

Jack Howl

You both didn’t get to really know each other until you figured out that Leona and Ruggie were the ones sabotaging the other teams and getting their star players injured. You brought your suspicions to Jack, and he confirmed them.

Alongside each other, you both worked to spoil the lion and hyena’s plans. However, everything went downhill. Diasomnia was in the lead by a multitude of points, and Savanaclaw was in second place. That pissed Leona off, to say the least.

When Leona overblots, Jack’s first response is to jump in front of you since you had no magic. However, you shook your head in pure amusement and whispered something to yourself. He was about to ask you to repeat yourself when he saw a silhouette in the sky, going straight for his Housewarden.

Once the lion was defeated, Sebastian (the silhouette) introduced himself properly after making a small scene about forgetting his manners. The expression on your face made it seem like this was normal to you, and that was very concerning to Jack. This guy even smelled shady, but you made a deal with him anyway?

From then on, the three of you got closer as a ‘friend’ group. You didn’t really put a label on your unexpected friendship, you were more acquaintances that would call upon each other for help. Plus, you both are the only ones at NRC with common sense, so have fun!

Epel Felmier

You didn’t get the chance to become close, but you both related to each other. You both were constantly called ‘adorable’ and it pissed the both of you off. However, you had a more sophisticated approach, while Epel always solved the problem with his fists.

You are invited to Pomefiore from time to time, so that is how you grew closer to Epel. You were a positive influence on him, deemed so by Vil himself. You knew how to act elegantly and like a person of status, so the Housewarden was glad to have you around. 

When Vil overblots, Epel is scared. He has never witnessed this and had to face it in person. However, you seemed to be confident. In fact, you sat yourself in Vil’s throne and whispered the name Sebastian Michaelis while reaching up and taking off your eye patch. The purple-haired first year is very confused until he sees a figure packing Vil up like he was taking him on vacation.

Within a few moments, Vil was on the ground and the figure was making sure you were alright and unscathed. Epel came over and asked who the heck he was, at which you rolled your eyes and Sebastian ‘smiled’ and gave his classic and iconic introduction. 

You made a deal with a demon?? Oh, hell no. He has seen too many horror movies for this. You, however, being as smart as you are, assured Epel that it was a very fair deal. You only wanted to catch your parents’ killers and Sebastian would get your soul. Like Ace, he faints out of shock.

Sebek Zigvolt

How did Crowley think letting in a literal child was a good idea? Let’s not forget about the fact that you don’t have magic either. You were also sickly. It’s literally the worst case scenario for you. The amount of times you have had shouting matches with each other is unfathomable.

He is that annoying older sibling who leaves the door open, and you can’t tell me any differently. He acts like he’s the boss simply because he’s older, until he realizes that your wit rivals even Malleus’s. Even Lilia has a hard time competing against you. That’s when it clicks: maybe you weren’t totally horrible…

When Leona overblotted, he was there on the field with everyone else. He spotted you standing still in the midst of people much bigger than you running past you. You took a seat on a nearby bench that was on the field and whispered something. The half-fae was too far away to hear what you had said, but he can see the smirk you had.

Within a few moments, Leona was brought to his knees and a man dressed in a suit was standing above the overblot victim. Sebek was just shocked. Then, you called out to the man (who he now learned is Sebastian) and you talked to him as though he were an employee.

Sebek walked over and asked who or what the guy standing next to you was. After Sebastian’s magnificent introduction, you explained that he was a demon that you had employed under a Faustian contract. You even removed your eye patch to show the mark. The poor crocodile was on the verge of fainting.

[writer-akihiko]

TW First year students x fem! MC who's secretly a demon princess, who will they react to her powers when they found her in her demon form?

First Years + DemonPrincess!MC

I had fun with this prompt in general, and I hope I made some fun scenarios that you like!

Warnings: Bullying from other students and hurtful words, Epel is censored because Vil doesn't allow it

Sebek Zigvolt

He forgot to give you back your notebook from class, so he had to go in the evening

If Sebek remembered correctly, in his 'I'm A Good Boyfriend' notebook, you said you usually rested in the evening

"YN, I'm here to deliver your notebook!-"

"Go away Sebek!"

He was appalled. You've never scolded him in such a way before!

He quickly fished out his notebook, and he flipped to a page where Lilia had lectured him on what to do when you were feeling down

"Here it is…" He muttered

He barged in your door, breaking down the rickety door, "YN! I am here to comfort you!"

"S-Sebek?!"

He almost dropped the notebook. He was surprised at you appearance, as he saw horns on your head, as well as tattoos on your skin that he's never seen before

"YN… You're…"

You sighed. "Yes Sebek, I'm a dem-"

"You're a Fae! Like me!"

Before he got too excited, you settled him down and explained your appearance

He felt ashamed of himself for his initial behaviour when you explained that you were a princess. He doesn't really mind that you're a demon, in fact, he understands you more as people of his world usually misunderstands Fae-kind

In general, he's quite amazed anytime you demonstrate your powers

He lowkey wants to see you and Waka-sama have a showdown with magic, but his heart knows it'd hurt to see you in danger

Ace Trappola

He got held back by Professor Crewel due to some argument he got in with Grim

He asked around if anyone else saw you, but much to his shock, he found you surrounded by some other students. Again

He wanted to pummel their faces in, but now looking at you, you seemed calm…

In the blink of an eye, a net of dark magic appeared underneath the students, trapping them at their ankles

Ace had his mouth open as horns and wings similar to the colour of your hair started growing from you. What freaked him out more was that the wings weren't made of feathers… They looked ripped apart and made of the same magic he couldn't identify

"A-Ace!"

Upon seeing your boyfriend, you flung the students away into the Garden with your magic. Someone would find them later…

"U-Um… This…" You got embarrassed, feeling shy in your demon form

"THAT WAS SO COOL!"

Ace then pestered you to tell him where you learnt such magic, although he might've accidentally grabbed your horns the wrong way

He listened carefully, since it caused you such discomfort when he touched your horns

He didn't think you'd be a princess…

"Wait… Does this mean you have a demon father?"

You nodded your head. "But my brother's the Demon King at the moment… Why?"

"I need to mentally prepare myself if your demon family want to kill me since I want to propose to you after graduation…"

Deuce Spade

You and Deuce were nervous, since it was a magical mana exam. It would dictate certain classes you'd be able to take next semester…

You were the last to go, and your boyfriend cheerfully waved at you as he gave a thumbs up. He must've passed the test…

You had to remind yourself to control your mana, otherwise you'd have some explaining to do

As you let the teacher examine you, you couldn't help but notice that there was some kind of barrier around the orb you were practicing with

As you removed the barrier, you realised that it was a trap by the teacher!...

You couldn't help but pour your normal amount of magic into the orb, which, put on a show around the students as they marvelled at the dark magic

"Well," Principal Crowley announced, after you were done with your examination. "You'd best be coming with me."

After a long talk with Crowley, you were surprised that Deuce and Grim were at the door, eavesdropping at your conversation

"I overheard… I was worried about you…" He admitted

Deuce however, was quite curious about your appearance, so after his and your dinner, you allowed him to see you shift into your demon form

He did ask if it hurt, to which you shook your head

He admired your wings and your bigger, claw-like hands as you felt heat in your cheeks by the way he was intensely staring at you

"Y-You're adorable…"

Even though you towered Deuce's height in your demon form, it didn't stop him from giving you your usual goodnight kiss on the forehead

Jack Howl

He always wanted to show off his skills to you, so he invited you to a practice match against the Diasomnia dorm

He was against the first years of the dorm, so you silently cheered for Jack

As you were continuously impressed by Jack's speed, you couldn't help but notice a strand of magic tagged on him…

Your magical vision traced it to one of the students on the opposite team, who was passively reciting a spell to jinx Jack's next move

There was only the seniors… So it should be fine to stop that student this once…

You were too slow, as the spell had already whizzed through the field. You could still stop it from hitting Jack!...

You felt everyone's gaze on you as you interrupted the spell. Knowing that your appearance had changed, you shied away

Some students ran away, but Jack didn't. He picked you up, horns, feathers and demonic body parts, all of it and embraced you

"Hey! Stop looking at my girlfriend like she's a monster!" He growled

The seniors quickly punished the student causing tricks on the field, but some were still weary of you

Jack put you down, kissing your forehead. "Thank you precious for saving me there."

Eventually, you had to explain to the teachers what you were

Some dorm leaders grew afraid of you, but Jack didn't care. You were still his precious girlfriend

So what if you both were seen as monsters? He thought. The big bad wolf and the terrifying demon princess could live in peace and quiet, in their own space in the forest…

Jack thinks the whole thing is cool, but he is a little jealous that your magical abilities are so much better than his. You tell him he makes up for it in his physical strength

Epel Felmier

You and Epel were taking a stroll, on the way to the field for the MagiShift club

You promised to cheer him on, and you decided it would be a cheeky way to take some photos with your Ghost Camera

You comfortably sat next to Jack as you got ready to take some photos

Unfortunately, you weren't sure of the exact details, but a student decided it was a perfect opportunity to set off a prank near you and Jack

You weren't exactly in control of your own powers, so the impact caused you to scream and lose control of your appearance

The other students screamed in turned, seeing a 'monster' transform in front of them

Epel saw the prank beforehand, but he couldn't run fast enough to get to you

He couldn't think straight, he just had to make sure you were alright. So when he overheard the students yelling at you, he threatened them

Everyone was freaking out at your changing body, since your skin had different markings, almost like carvings etched into it and a pool of dark magic flooded below you

"I-I'm sorry I-" You tried to apologise, but others constantly berated you

"She's a freak! Someone seal her away!"

Epel couldn't stop himself from whacking the student who said that on the head

The other seniors managed to calm the students down, sending them away

You briefly explained everything to Epel, repeating your apologies to him

"Don't aplogise YN. Those idiots don't understand."

Epel, in all honesty, didn't care if you were a demon princess or a human or a fairy

Whoever got in the way of your relationship on the other hand, he'd pick a fight with them even though you were the one who could easily clean the fight up

"Hey YN, don't listen to em. They don't know how cool you are. As long as I'm the one you love, I'm okay with anything."

[keelywolfe]

FIC: Gentle Sins ch.3 (BAON)

Summary:   Edge is heading back into work, but since when do his days ever go smoothly?

Tags: Spicyhoney, kustard, Established Relationships, Hurt/Comfort, Aftermath of Kidnapping

Part of the ‘by any other name’ series.

~~*~~

Read it on AO3

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Read it here!

~~*~~

It was entirely too soon for him to be returning to work by Edge’s measure. Two days off after a kidnapping was a paltry concession and he would have preferred at least working from home for the rest of the week. The Embassy wasn’t particularly far from New New Home, but depending on traffic and stoplights, it could take nearly half an hour to drive between them, not including the time it took to get to his car.

Time enough for so many things to go wrong and for Stretch to be alone when it did.

But despite his preference, two mornings after he’d brought Stretch home, Edge was pulling into the Embassy parking lot and ignoring the shouts of the protestors on the other side of the street as he walked in, though he didn’t extend his cane until he was inside the front entrance.

The issue at hand was not with his employment. Stretch was the one all but pushing him out their front door and he’d done so with a massive spew of words coupled with wild gestures, all of which boiled down to him not needing a babysitter while he was at home.

Edge didn’t have the soul to argue with him about it, particularly since he was right. There were already enough new violations of his boundaries, and past experience taught that he would start to chafe under them soon enough. Perhaps it was already beginning; exhausted as he was, he’d still slept restlessly the night before and while Stretch often tossed and turned, this time it was enough to disturb Edge’s own sleep, his subconscious crying out that this was not a familiar level of thrashing.

He’d still been in bed when Edge left though not asleep, muttering something about heading down to his lab to check on his experiments. Edge hoped that he did; if he could get absorbed in his own version of mad science, it would be a good distraction for the day, one that was very much needed. Red was supposed to stop by at some point about the bodyguard assignment and while Edge asked his brother to wait for him to get home, there was no telling if he would. If he deemed Edge’s presence unnecessary, Red would do as he liked and to hell with waiting for his brother.

With that in mind, Edge’s plan was to work as swiftly as he could today without sacrificing accuracy so that he could leave on time, perhaps even early, in an effort to thwart anything Red might attempt for his own amusements. But as so often happened, plans had a way of changing and in very unexpected ways.

When he’d arrived at the Embassy that morning, he’d been hyperaware of the stares that followed behind him from the moment he came through the door. From the security guard at his station to the interns to the janitors, eyes and whispers lingered in his wake. Whatever hopes he’d had for discretion about the kidnapping incident were quickly dismissed; it was obviously the talk of the office though no one was bold enough to confront him about it directly. As Red often said, ‘the only way to keep a secret is if ya kill the guy who told ya’ and considering how many witnesses were at the bar that night when Stretch and Jeff were taken, that option was not exactly feasible, if it ever was.

The local news was plastered with stories, some sticking with the one provided by the Embassy and others filled with wild speculations. Monsters were hardly immune to gossip and Stretch often featured on both sides of the rumor equation.

As for his usual partner in crime, Jeff was taking the week off and Antwan with him, and while Edge could appreciate the urge to get back to some form of normalcy, he couldn’t help a twinge of jealousy to think the two of them were probably curled in bed together sleeping while he was fending off the glares of his co-workers.

He deliberately kept his limping pace normal on his way to his office, refusing to give the gossip any further fuel. That worked well enough until he went inside. Janice was already at her desk and she looked up when he entered, her long ears swiveling in his direction and her pink nose twitching as she gave him a narrow look.

He wondered if she was disappointed in him for coming in today. The thought made him want to look away from her direct gaze and he forced himself not to, saying crisply, “Good morning.”

But perhaps he was only projecting his own troubled thoughts because Janice only replied with a certain gentle concern, “Good morning. How is Stretch doing?”

Yes, the gossip traveled quickly, indeed. Edge hesitated, then said with cautious honesty, “He’s doing better.”

She nodded and didn’t press. Absently, she reached out to straighten the picture frame on her desk of her two children. Edge understood the impulse. “If you need anything, either of you, please do let me know.”

“I will,” Edge said. He meant it. Somehow in the past year their relationship had gone from a strictly working one to something akin to friends, a change that came about right around the time he’d married Stretch. Another way his love had changed his life for the better.

Still, it was a relief for her expression to change in a flash from motherly concern to businesslike briskness. “I’ve already emailed your agenda for the day, nothing particularly robust, but you do have a meeting in an hour with Toriel.”

“Toriel.” Edge blinked in surprise. Technically, Toriel didn’t work for the Embassy in a similar way to Stretch. She acted as Frisk’s guardian, and while she certainly handled things she likely shouldn’t at her own discretion, they were the diplomat, not her. What could she want to discuss that she couldn’t have come to their home?

He set his laptop case down and dug out his phone, opening the email app and scrolled to his daily agenda to scan the list. The schedule said only, ‘Meeting with Toriel, 10am’ and gave no clues. “Did she happen to say what it was about?”

Janice shook her head. “I’m afraid not, she only contacted and asked for an appointment. I couldn’t think of a reason not to, so I gave her the first available timeslot.” Her voice uplifted at the end, turning the statement into a question.

“Of course you should,” Edge said, belatedly, “I’m perfectly willing to talk with her. I’m simply confused as to why.”

Janice offered him a faint smile and raised eyebrows. “I suppose in an hour you’ll find out.”

“I suppose I will,” Edge sighed. He picked up his laptop and headed into his office, already considering whether to brave the gauntlet again for a cup of coffee or to relinquish is pride and ask Janice to retrieve one. He wasn’t particularly in the mood for any surprises and a meeting with the former Queen would likely offer them, in spades.

~~*~~

If there was one thing to appreciate about meeting with Toriel, it was her promptness. At precisely 9:59 am Janice buzzed him that she’d arrived.

Edge took a moment to drain the last of the lukewarm coffee from his cup, brought to him by Janice without any prompting from him, further proof of what an excellent assistant she was. He saved the document he was working on before he replied, “Send her in.”

He’d hardly finished speaking when his door opened, Toriel’s bulk filling the entryway. She had to duck her head to fit through the entrance, barely missing bumping her horns on the trim.

“Please, come in,” Edge said. He ignored his cane where it leaned against the side of his chair and instead walked cautiously as he came around it. He gestured to the sofa rather than the chairs at his desk; Toriel was not a small Monster, but his office was designed for visits with everyone, up to and including Asgore himself.

“Thank you,” Toriel said. Her voice was soft enough that it seemed one should strain to hear it, and yet it still carried clearly through the room. She seated herself where he’d indicated, folding her lightly furred hands into her lap.

Edge hadn’t spent a great deal of time with Toriel outside of Embassy functions and the few times he’d traveled along with the diplomats. Even then, he’d kept a cautious distance from her. Despite the small glasses perched on her muzzle, her soft purple dress and motherly cardigan she wore, as a Boss Monster, there was a certain aura of power that she carried that no casual outfit could stifle. Her status might be simply as Frisk’s guardian, but even Humans couldn’t fail to notice it. Adding in that Edge had no basis of comparison with her counterpart in Underfell, put simply, she made him faintly uncomfortable, despite the common interest in puns she shared with several members of his family.

“Would you like a drink?” He barely caught himself before asking if she’d care for tea, already knowing the answer to that. She and Stretch should be closer friends, they could bond over their mutual dislike of the King. “Water? Fruit juice?”

“Water would be lovely,” Toriel said. The words were merely polite, he sincerely doubted she’d come here for refreshments.

From the small fridge in the corner, he retrieved a bottle of water. He set it on a coaster rather than hand it to her and took the seat across from her, folding his hands into his lap in an unconscious mirror of hers. “What can I do for you?” Edge asked.

Without preamble, Toriel said, “You saved my child’s life, and mine.”

That was far from any topic he’d expected she wanted to discuss. If anything, he’d supposed she might wish for more personal information regarding the kidnapping and rather than trusting the gossips, she’d gone to a reliable source. That she might want to talk about their last meeting hadn’t even occurred to him.

The incident in California was not so long ago and yet, despite his lingering scars, the event itself had mostly left his mind. Yes, it was traumatic and yes, he’d certainly be feeling the aftereffects for some time. But it wasn’t his way to linger over such things; it happened, it was over, and now there was only to move onto introducing new safeguards to keep such a thing from happening again.

He considered Toriel’s statement with care before offering cautiously, “Anything I could do to keep you and your child safe, I was willing to offer.”

“I’m sure you were, and are.” Toriel’s eyes were a shade of red unlike his own eye lights. In a way, they were more like Red’s and his way of seeing things deeper than should be possible. “And I am willing to offer my own gift for that kindness. I’ve noticed your leg is still troubling you.”

Edge struggled against shifting uncomfortably, forcing himself not to look down at the leg in question. He was wearing the brace today as he always did in the office, not because he thought he particularly needed it, but due to his suspicions that Janice would discreetly tattle to Stretch if he didn’t. It was a tradeoff for leaving their strictly business relationship behind. “It’s healing, it simply takes time.”

“Indeed,” Toriel inclined her head in agreement. “I’d like to help you, if you’ll allow it. It wouldn’t begin to pay my debt to you but—”

“Your Highness,” Edge interrupted gently, “you don’t owe me anything. I’m well aware that you saved my life after the explosion.”

“I’m no longer the Queen, Toriel is fine,” Her interruption was less gentle and for one who claimed no title, her tone made him want to straighten his spine and come to attention, a habit he’d thought gone along with Underfell. “And your life wouldn’t have needed saving if you hadn’t saved mine.”

“Toriel,” Edge said deliberately, “if you’re offering to heal me, I have a doctor, they’ve done as much with healing magic as they can.”

“I’m sure they have. Which is why I’m offering. My skills are somewhat more…” she hesitated, settling on, “Robust, than other Monsters.”

As a Boss Monster, that was surely true, and Edge couldn’t help considering it.

She’d used her magic on him before, and while that was an emergency, he could hardly protest her doing it again. And what she was offering was gift unlike any other. The opportunity to be healed, to be able to return to his normal activities was tempting to be sure, but what irritated more was his brother keeping him at arm’s-length during the kidnapping. If he’d been more capable, if his leg wasn’t slowing him down, would Red have forced him to stay home instead of allowing him to provide some real assistance? There was no way to tell now, but if he could keep it from happening in the future…?

But Edge also knew that things that seemed too good to be true often were and that there was little in life that came without some sort of price attached. He’d gotten such a gift from the Angel already, if one believed in such things, in the love given to him by Stretch. Asking for more seemed greedy.

Toriel only waited serenely, perhaps understanding his inner turmoil.

“There’s no chance this could have a negative effect,” Edge said slowly. “I’ve made a great deal of progress already, I won't have it set back."

“None at all,” Toriel assured him. “I wouldn’t offer if there was even a chance.” She shifted in her seat, briefly looking away as if his bookcases had suddenly caught her interest. “I would have offered sooner but you must understand, this sort of healing is very draining. If it got out I could do this, Monsters would be lining up at my door, begging for treatment.” She shook her head, her mouth pulling downward unhappily, and suddenly she seemed older and weary. “I can only do as much as I can.”

“I understand.” He did. It was the same reason they’d chosen to keep Monsters’ ability to heal from the Humans. There were limits to the care anyone could provide. Still, his immediate impulse to agree warred with his cautious reluctance. “Then why now?”

“Why not now?” Toriel countered. She spread her empty hands in something like a plea. “I can’t heal every Monster, but what point is it for me to have these gifts if I can’t use them to help someone who was injured by helping me? I owe you a debt, Edge, and I mean to pay it.”

The steel in her voice resonated and the determined need to repay a debt was certainly something he could understand. Edge straightened and inclined his head formally, “I accept your offer.”

A smile lit Toriel’s face and that melancholy fell away as she clapped her hands together like a child rather than the powerful, centuries-old Monster that she was. “Wonderful! Let’s get started, then, shall we?”

“Now?” Edge said, surprised. He’d expected her to need to make some preparations, perhaps arrange for a secret meeting someplace out of the way and not well watched. If there was such a place when one considered his brother.

But Toriel only nodded. “Oh, yes. It won’t take long.”

She rose from the sofa and crouched down next to him. A bit nonplussed, he helped her unbuckle the splint and remove it, and as always, there was a slight, uncomfortable twinge with its support gone. Worse was the awkward intimacy in the way she settled her hands on his leg, even over his trousers, her fingers shifting into precise positions as she closed her eyes and summoned her magic.

Edge had been healed before, too many times to count. Rarely in Underfell, healing there was usually scoffed at and often considered a weakness as it was a difficult skill for those with LV. But in this universe, Stretch, Blue, even Toriel herself had healed him in the past, little wounds mostly, except for California.

He hadn’t been in a position to pay attention the last time she’d used her magic on him, drifting in and out of consciousness, but here there was nothing to distract him. Her magical signature was a deft one, not the brusque force of his brother or familiar honeyed languidness of Stretch or even Blue, who managed to somehow be both forceful and nearly timid at the same time. The greenness of healing came at a delicate trickle at first, seeking and finding the places in his leg that still ached with cunning skill, sinking in. In tiny increments, that trickle became a flood, and then a torrent, and the sensation was indescribable. Not pain, that was far too simple a word, but the deep power that carried healing into his leg and further, seeking out his very essence. Edge shied away instinctively as it sought out his soul, trying to escape that implacable, almost ethereal touch, but it didn’t invade or violate, only swirled briefly through his ribcage in a sort of greeting before returning to the task at hand, or rather, at leg, before it slowly withdrew into empty nothingness.

Edge opened his sockets, hardly aware of closing them, to see Toriel closing her own eyes as she wobbled on her feet, sinking back to sit on the floor with her legs tucked under her and her skirt demurely covering them.

“Your Highness,” Edge said in concern. He reached for her automatically, hesitating before touching her. Even though his gloves he could still feel the aura of roused magic surrounding her.

She opened her eyes. “Toriel,” she corrected with a slight smile, waving his hands away. She retrieved the bottle of water from the table, opening it and taking a long drink, then sighed out, “I’m fine. How are you?”

In answer, Edge stood, striding across the room and back again. The lingering weakness and frustrating ache of the past weeks were entirely gone. The urge to tests his limits was strong and he wondered giddily what anyone would make of it if they caught him racing up and down the stairwell with his coattails flapping behind him.

As if reading his thoughts and perhaps she was to some extent, they wouldn’t be difficult to guess, Toriel cautioned, “I suggest you wear the brace for a little longer. It might keep the curious from asking questions.”

Edge was about to agree, then amended it, “I won’t lie to Stretch. If he asks.”

To his surprise, Toriel let out of a peal of soft laughter and shook her head. “I wouldn’t worry about that. He’ll know the moment he sees you.”

That he hadn’t expected and Edge could only stare at her, aghast, “What?

Her smile turned incredulous. "You have my magic clinging to you, do you truly think he won't notice? Papyrus of all people?"

He wasn’t quite sure what she meant by that and he wished he'd known before he agreed. Well, it was too late to change anything now, wasn’t it, and that was a meal he’d have to swallow when it came to the table.

Belatedly, he realized Toriel was attempting to climb up from the floor and he hastily leaned down to help. Her weight was easily triple his own but between the two of them, they managed to get her back on her feet.

“Well!” Toriel said with a soft sigh as she dusted off her dress. “I’ll leave you to your duties, then. I need to get back to Frisk, they have a meeting this afternoon with the Prime Minister of Japan, and I wanted to brush up on the agenda.”

“Yes, of course, your—Toriel,” Edge correctly hastily. He couldn’t help flexing his knee again, still giddy with the pain-free movement of the joint. “Thank you, Toriel. This means a great deal to me, past simply healing.” She’d already turned to the door and paused, turning back to him.

There was a certain familiar impishness to her smile as she said, “If you truly wanted to thank me, you could try calling me Tori.”

In answer, Edge only bowed deeply to her and said, sincerely, “I’m afraid the attempt would be too much for me and might undo all the damage you healed. I would hate to be the cause of ruining all your hard work.”

Her soft laughter washed over him in a gentle wave and she shook her head. “Well, we wouldn’t want that, would we.” Her amused expression shifted to seriousness, “And Edge? Anything I could do to help you, I was willing to offer.”

Edge inclined his head in wry acknowledgement and with a last smile, she went out the door, leaving him alone in his office. Alone with his leg in perfect working condition and itching to be used.

A jog up the stairs might be out of the question, but there was no reason he couldn’t walk down to get another cup of coffee. With the brace on for now, and by next week? Perhaps he could risk going without, at least in the morning, if the stares died down by then. Time would tell.

He sat down to strap the blasted thing back on, its lack of necessity making it all the more annoying.

Soon, he told himself, soon.

Despite the events of the past few days, Edge felt lighter than he had in weeks. He only hoped Stretch’s reaction would be as pleased as his own.

Once the brace was properly on, Edge retrieved his cup from his desk and went down the hallway to the breakroom to fill it, giving Janice’s curious glance a sedate nod and careful to keep his steps slow and measured so as to not rouse any suspicions.

On the leg brace he would concede, an annoying necessity to be sure. But the cane? That, he left behind.

tbc

[isbus]

The City

Summary

Adam begins his adventure at the main spot for Greedy demons.

Chapter 2: All Bets Are Off

“What else do they have here?” I ask before regretting my decision as I knew, they have everything... don’t they? I groaned as he started listing off things such as clubs, restaurants, museums, casinos, wait, casinos? That sounds fun! Let’s go to the casino! I hope I’ll see King Dice or someone like that! “Let’s go to the casino!” 

“Which one? The Bettigan Casino is the most popular but if you want the least popular then...” he trailed off as I fake-snored. “Soo... you want the Bettigan Casino?”-I nod-“Alright, basic bitch casino it is.” He took my hand and dragged me out of the club to the packed streets, looking for bright lights and loud sounds as if he was a zombie. “This way, sidekick.”

Sam walked over to the right and over through an alley filled with moans, and groans, and lascivious noises just to be in front of a very bright building that was covered in multiple different lights. We entered through the velvet doors and saw multiple crazy sights- beautiful people playing outrageous games, many creatures with instruments playing on a stage, and people watching the music being played. 

“Wow... this place is huge!” I shake Sam with excitement and energy. I could hear Rock It For Me by Caravan Palace being played by the band but it quickly ended and soon Trouble by Cage the Elephant started. A girl with blonde hair and a red dress with a card skirt began to sing. “What should we do?” I was out-of-my-mind excited. 

“Haven’t you been in a casino before?” he asked, sounding curious as if the sights were new to him as well. 

“No, I died at 19.” I say matter-of-factly. He groans in response. 

“Shit, I died at 21 and didn’t get a chance to go to a casino so... I guess we’re both fucked on the thought of doing something here...” he looked down at his shoes before hearing the clicks from the shoes of someone who stood over him. He looked up when seeing his shadow overlapped by another man’s shadow. 

“Hello there, I’m Spade Clubs, but please, call me one or the other.” He smiled with pearly white teeth and pale rose lips. He had a brown quiff, a blue vest, dark blue slacks, a green club tie, a club mark next to his mouth, a green and blue top hat, and dark forest green dress shoes. His smile, which was directed towards Sam, suddenly became a grin when seeing me stare. “Are you curious, Adam?” 

“How do you know my name?” I ask. He chuckles back at me and pushes my fringe aside to look at me in both of my eyes. 

“I can see your horns, Adam.” I stare into his club and spade pupils as his face gets close to mine. He immediately backs up and laughs. “I’m kidding! I know it because I have my own Dead Encyclopedia!” I look awfully scared as he asks what’s up. 

“Oh, you got me, that’s all.” I felt the top of my head for safe measures. He laughs some more at my reaction, making me sound a little irritated at his annoying laugh. I bet some girl in the audience thinks it’s sexy. I laughed along with him before continuing to talk. “So, What should we do here?” I ask. 

“What do you feel like doing? Playing games? Listening to music? Having fun?” He whispered the last question just to wink. 

“None of that, we’re not fags!” Sam tried to defend before saying another word. “You’re not gay, right?” I shake my head. 

“I didn’t say you had to have me, you could have Diamond if you wanted to. But that’s not the point... you can do anything you want down here including eating broccoli soup with belladonna leaves! So, do what you wanna do, eat what you wanna eat, play what you wanna play, and so on and so forth.” His hands done weird gestures as he spoke about what happens down here. He laughed after he was done explaining. “So, I’ll help you out with what you can do down in Mr. Bettigan’s Casino of Fun and- well- fun!” 

I smile as he begins to push us towards a table by a window. We sat down and watched as the star of the show sing the final parts of the song. She vocalized at the end before exiting the stage. I noticed Spade walk over to the backstage but I couldn’t tell what was happening from there. Suddenly I saw them both walk out from backstage and walk towards our table. Women were vocalizing and once I looked on the stage, I saw a bowl of clam chowder sat on a stool behind the microphone. 

“How do you do? I see you met my faithful waiting-man.” She sung to the beat. I noticed that the clam chowder, as anyone would expect, wasn’t singing. She smiled. “Alright I’m done with the jokes. I’m Diamond Hearts. What’s your name? Isn’t it Adam Vil?”

I nearly shouted in rage from how pretty much everyone I met knew my name. “Yes, how’d you know?” I asked, sounding a tad annoyed.. 

“Oh, this is simple, it goes a little like Spade-told-me-everything.” She laughed. “Now, what would you like to do? Eat, drink, play, or all of the above?” I was hungry so I told her that I wanted to do all of the above starting with food. Spade moved over to the a door which I presumed lead to the kitchen and came out with menus in the crook of his arm. Diamond took one from Spade and then passed it over to me. Spade gave the other one to Sam while looking over at Diamond with a sincere smile. 

“Touch the button in the middle whenever you’re ready to order and I’ll be rushing to your table in a matter of time.” He directed his smile to us before strutting over to the entrance where he began to wait for the next people to enter. I pulled up the menu that was handed to me and searched the menu for something that suited my fancy. 

Sam on the other hand, looked over the menu then put it down with the speed of Usain Bolt. He looked over at me as I gave him a questioning stare. “What? All I want is a bottle of whiskey and some chicken tenders.” He nearly shouted. Spade heard that and rushed over to our table. 

“Didn’t I tell you that you have to press the button? But never mind your mistake, I presume you’re ready to order?” He asked sounding kind to cover up his anger. “You,”-he pointed to Sam-“ordered whiskey and chicken tenders; couldn’t forget that for the world. So, Adam, what would you like?” He looked over at me— was his spade pupil always on the left side? 

“I want vodka and Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes.” I simply stated while Sam glared. 

“Oh! How exciting and different that is! I’ll get my cooks to make it the best just for you as you ARE the prince of Hell.” He giggled like a girl then ambled over to the kitchen. I stared at Sam as he glanced back at me from time to time.

He sounded irritated as he asked me the most boring question. “What?”  

“Nothing but one question; why whiskey and chicken tenders?” I didn’t know what to ask so I just asked a question that was in the back of my head and should have not been asked. It was awkward cause I knew what his response was, “Why should I tell you”, or “It’s because my family liked it”. But I never would guess anything like what he said. 

“I ate that when I died,” I assumed that his food was poisoned or something until I was fully aware of why their was a noose around his neck and a shirt that said ‘Beer Pong Champ’ in black sharpie on the blank canvas of a shirt. “Before I killed myself, I was drinking and eating that same meal. But then I got so drunk, I must’ve hung myself.”

My heart was tugged at as he spoken about his death. “That’s depressing...” I mumbled. I thought about my death and realized that we had similarities. "Wait," 

"What?" He quickly responded. 

I thought about it some more before continuing the conversation. "I had a friend when I was alive who committed suicide while intoxicated. Could that have been you?" I looked at him in the eyes. 

"I- Maybe... But my Adam didn't know his dad- Wait. That explains everything! No wonder we get along so well!" He reached over the table with his arms out for a hug. I rejoiced in my head and done the same as him. Our arms wrapped around each other as we smiled.

When we were in the middle of said hug, we heard someone clear their throat. "Hot food and cold drinks are here!" We stopped hugging, sat back down, and looked to see Spade with a tray of food. "Thank you." He smirked with a singy-song voice. Spade sat the food down in our respective areas along with the drinks towards the tops of our knives. 

"Thanks, Spade!" We both conveyed to him. 

He laughed since we were synchronized when speaking. "It's nothing as long as you pay the bill." Spade howled with laughter. "Now let me leave you two lovebirds alone." He began to walk away before we could start protesting against his words. Sam shook his head. 

"Never really liked the king, or the queen, or any of the card demons. They're all just bad people." Sam mumbled under his breath. 

I was very confused. "Who and what are you talking about?" I asked him like if I didn't know I was gonna die... again. 

Sam glared at Spade as he sashayed away. "Don't you know? He's the king of black cards, Diamond is the queen of red cards, there's two more but they don't go with the suits. They're just jack and joker. The people who run this place are card demons. They suffer from the sin of greed. Like Spade's death; he used to bet his life for a abundance of money." 

"Wow... I didn't think of that..." Then I started to think of the other sins. 

If they suffer from the sin of greed then there must be at least six other sins to deal with in my venture through The City... 

"Uh, hello? Ya there?" Sam snapped me back into reality with his rough voice that makes me- wait. I nearly said something I might regret... oOpS 

"Oh! Uh.. yeah just thinking." I responded awkwardly. 

"Don't think to much; those demons of Lovers Land really like a man who can think without his dick." He laughed. I didn't laugh until I came to realize that maybe the demons there might be strippers. I bet they work at a club like 'Satan is my Daddy'. 

"Haha, yeah." He was really funny for a guy with such a tragic backstory. Although, that makes sense since that one comedian said something about funny people being depressed and stuff. I can't remember the exact quote. But instead of dwelling on his sadness, I decided to eat. 

Once he remembered that he had food, after seeing me dig in, he took a few bites. "It seems they put a little bit of hearts hormones on my chicken tenders..." he told himself. 

"Of course we did!" Spade loomed over Sam and smiled with closed eyes. Suddenly opening them to see his pupils switched from what we were used to. "What better way to knock out the prince of Hell's friend?" That sincere smiled changed to a sinister grin. 

"Good thing that chef of yours put in only one shot." Out of fucking nowhere, the glass shattered leaving us with, surprisingly, no cuts? Once our eyes opened from the shock, we looked over to our right to see (insert LoZ Chest Opening Music here) a man with messy blonde hair, a decorative mask, and a Vega-like* costume. 

"Prince Adam," He began, his words muffled by the mask since it had no mouth holes. "It's time to meet your fate... AGAIN!" He shouted while drawing his sword, a blood stained katana. 

"Who in (censored)'s name are you?!" His eyes, which you could barely tell, widened. 

"How dare you speak the un-lord's name in vain?! No wonder the king sent me here to kill you... again." You could barely tell but he began glaring at me. "I wonder how many cuts it'll take for the Devil's son to officially die..." 

Sam throws a bottle down to get the guy's attention. "I bet you won't be able to cut him at all!" 

The man, about to cut me, stopped at the word 'bet'. "What are you going to give me in return?" 

"This!" He holds up a hand grenade which was covered in rust and had an upside down cross. 

It was clear that he wanted it, by the way he stared in awe. "The 'Unholy Hand Grenade'?! How did you get your hands on that?!" 

"Does it matter? It's yours if you manage to slice him at least once." Sam winks at me. 

"Did you just wink at him?" 

"Of course not. Why?" 

"I swore you did..." 

"If you keep it up I won't give you it." 

"Ugh!" The man rushes towards me with his katana. "Give me everything you got, Adam!" He begins by jabbing at me, which I avoided by backing up. I tripped over a table, but I immediately got behind it. Once I thought I was safe, he stabbed through the round table. If I was any closer, it would be through my head. 

I thought he would pull it out and try stabbing in a different area of the table, but he actually lifted the table with his sword. What is his sword made of?! 

I tried running away but, before I could, he grabbed my shirt. Then I remembered Sam's wink. I thought quickly about what it meant, then I saw him about to slice my neck. My first instinct was to put my arm in front of my neck. 

I looked at my arm, and there was a deep, bloody, cut. I was about to scream in fear and pain, but I realized something very weird. There was no pain. I didn't feel the cut or anything. I might be imagining things, but, it looked like it was beginning to close up. 

"I did it!" He shouted. "Now, give me that Unholy Hand Grenade and I will end this!" 

Sam slightly grins. "Alright," he starts taking the pin out. "I will." The masked man's mask falls off and shows his terror. 

"NO! PLEASE, NO!" He yells in a plea. Once the pin was nearly out, a man with blonde hair, a yellow shirt and sneakers, and a jacket with pants (both black), snatched the hand grenade out of Sam's hand- pin and all. 

"Yoinked!" He grins. "Buh-Bye!" He throws his hand down as if he thrown a smoke bomb, then yellow smoke filled the room, and he was gone. 

Everyone who was still here, coughed and gagged on the smoke. People opened the windows to air out the yellow fog, and saw something that kids shouldn't see. Where the man was standing when he 'Yoinked' the Unholy Hand Grenade, was a mini slot machine which had a dancing stick figure*. 

"Damn. My most expensive item." He looked down. 

I quickly changed the subject. "Sam, where are we going next, anyway?"

- NOTES -

*1: Vega is a character from the Street Fighter franchise who I inspired the Masked man Jack O. Trades off of. 

*2 The Dancing Stick figure is a reference to Henry Stickman (GET DISTRACTED)

[shnuggletea]

Hey, hey, hey, look what I finished yesterday! Finally done, here is the epilogue to Slave to your Heart. Which, you know since you clicked on it...

Anyway, so I have a few fics to chose from for next and I was assured these were wanted to be heard. Or rather read. Please keep in mind, the sequel to Bad Karma, Terrible Fate, and Cell Mates isn't on this list because they will be posted next along with the ones I'm listing here for consideration. I like to do a cannon based fic and an AU in tandem when posting. Or try to anyway, I'm also still posting for SM and working on originals so this might get a back seat from time to time.

So here's what I got (none of these are finished yet but close):

The Shogan's Daughter: Kagome agrees to marry a man, sight unseen so that her village falls under his protection. With a steady rice supply and a few soldiers to protect them, she leaves home and enters the house of one Inuyasha Tenoe. Married life is made so much more difficult with enemy threats hoping to take Tenoe's title from him, ex-lovers weakening Kagome's resolve, and falling in love with your husband no matter how hard you try not to. Set in a Feudal Japan.

Beautiful Hell (working title): She was free. It almost killed her but she had escaped and now she just had to stay out of the dark clutches of her former king. And not be discovered for what she was by the new one. Too bad the Prince is a glutton for punishment, meeting the fiery Kagome, and doing what? Putting her in his harem of course! The setting is a made-up world but hints at Arabic tones.

Hidden Demons: Kagome was doing as commanded, going deep into the Vragoli territory and entering the fabled Crnac Mountains. But she is there to ensure peace, wanting nothing more than to keep her home, Fatamorgora from any more attacks. Her first time in Nema Dusa and yet, the King feels so familiar. Confused, she'll have plenty of time to figure it out, or will she? Her mind slipping all around with dreams that feel more like memories of a past she never had! The setting is made-up here as well but similar to The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings kind of vibes.

All of these are romances and have lemons btw. Let me know what you guys think?

Thanks @lemonlushff​ for the pointer. Loving this new cover and the Canva app! 

Links to fanfiction click HERE for AO3 click HERE

Resolutions

Trudging off the elevator, I let my irritation roll off me in spades. Inuyasha's secretary didn't even try to stop me. Maybe he had already warned her of my coming? She knew better than to try to hold me back.

I took some of my anger out on the door, his door, and enjoyed how he jumped a little from my entrance. "Alright, I'm here. Where is it?"

He pointed and I went straight for it, quickly finding Moroha's much-needed school book. "I had hoped you'd bring the baby with you." I stopped, only to flash him a look then grabbed up Moroha's large French book. "She's doing this on purpose you know."

I sighed because he was right. "I know."

"She doesn't want to leave me."

"I know."

"We should probably do something…"

"We are doing something about it!" I fumed.

Inuyasha sat back, a grin pulling at his lips, "You're really upset being here? Forced to see me?"

"Right now I am!" I softened at that because it wasn't his fault. "We're doing what's best for us and that's best for the kids. This is what I want."

His grin faded and he lifted a dark brow. "What you want?"

"You gave me the choice…"

"You're right." He conceded, quicker than he used to. Maybe he was finally giving up? "You can always...stay. Here. With me."

Or maybe not, "Thank you, but no."

His smile was small as he nodded. "I'll see you this weekend then?"

"Of course. I do have plans. Big ones."

"I know. I'll be waiting to see you and the kids again."

He would always wait for me. Two years later and that would never change, I was certain.

The apartment was small. Especially for four people even if three of them were very small.

"Do we have to stay here?!"

"Moroha, it's a few more days. Now finish your broccoli."

With a frown, she did as told. Sota was morose as well. At this point, I was mostly used to it but it still ate at me. Haori was busy getting her peas all over herself while we all sat together at the small table just off the even smaller kitchen. "It's just until the weekend. Then you'll be back at Daddy's"

Nothing more was said but I knew she had more. Waiting until bedtime, I came to tuck her in last. Sitting on the edge of her bed, I leaned my back against the headboard. "Alright, Haori could wake any second now so make it quick."

My toddler was teething, sleeping through the night was impossible these days. Moroha stared at her fingers a moment longer, twisting them in the sheets before throwing her head back to look at me. "You're really going to marry him?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

I huffed, wrapping an arm around my firstborn. She took after her father with her mood swings. "Because I love him. And it will be good for us. All of us."

"Everything is going to change."

"No. Nothing is going to change. Other than us moving out of this place."

I glanced around at the half-filled suitcase. Moroha still needed to pack. "Things will change! I just know it!"

She was pouting and I couldn't help but laugh. "Okay, so some things will change. But they'll be for the better. I promise."

"So...this really is what you want? What Daddy wants? Being apart like this?"

I couldn't speak for Inuyasha but I knew he would lie and support me on this if need be. "Yes. It's what we both want."

oOo

Sango entered in the door right behind me as I stood staring at myself in the full-length mirror. "Do I look stupid?"

Her mouth was still dropped to the floor so she shook it instead of saying anything.

"I look stupid," I answered for her, pulling at the long white gown.

Quick to my side, she slapped my hands away. "Stop it! You look gorgeous!"

"I shouldn't have picked white. Everyone knows I'm not a virgin!"

"Who cares! You still look as pure as the day I met you."

"Sango. I had already lost my 'purity' when you met me."

"Exactly." I released a nervous giggle and she laughed, twisting a fallen curl behind my ear. "You do look beautiful. And ready."

"Yeah. I am. I've been ready for this for months now."

"He's a great man," Sango said with a sad smile.

"Oh god don't you start!"

She was dabbing at her eyes but the tears were still coming. "Sorry. Hormones."

A few tears of my own threatened, "Just because you had twins doesn't mean you beat me when it comes to 'mommy tears'. You're going to make me ruin my makeup!"

Sango quickly sobered at that, coming in close to fluff my dress. "How is Inuyasha handling all of this?"

I focused on my reflection instead of the skip inside my chest. "Don't know. But I'm sure he's doing the same as when we spoke about it last. He's not pleased about it but he wants me to be happy. It'll all be over soon and he will move on from this. "

"I guess that's as good as you're going to get," Sango said with a small chuckle.

Kanna, the wedding organizer, appeared in the doorway. "It's time, Kagome."

With Sango my maid of honor and only bride's maid, it was a short procession. I walked alone down the aisle, the rows of pews of the small church filled on both sides. On the groom's side, I mostly recognized faces while forgetting names. But on my side, I saw all the faces of the friends I had made throughout my life smiling back at me brightly. Most I had made in the last two years, gaining my freedom from Inuyasha's home. Then there were ones like Kaede and the girls from the home that I knew from long ago as well.

I looked to the front of the church, my groom waiting for me. He had his hair freshly cut, the shaggy short locks something I had gotten used to after having long ones draped over me night after night. A good change, I had told myself from the first time.

His hand out, I took it with little hesitation, glancing back at my three children seated in the front row. Moroha gave me a small but happy smile while holding little Haori tight. Sota was just happy I was happy, my little momma's boy. If I had chosen anyone else, I think he would have been more protective but he couldn't find fault in my new husband and neither could I.

Wrapped around his arm, I was led by my hand to stand fully in front of the preacher. Neither of us were truly religious but wanted a real and official wedding in front of everyone. As the man spoke, I stared at my mate, my husband. Inuyasha could fuss all he wanted but I would never regret this choice or the other choices I had made years ago.

I was happy.

oOo

Two years ago exactly...

The day was waning and Inuyasha's words were still ringing in my brain. Of course, they were, it was a lot. Inuyasha had been there the night my family died. He considered himself responsible.

In a way, he was.

And he had been watching over me as best he could ever since. I suppose that made him my guardian angel of sorts.

He took me in when things were the bleakest, loved me, cared for me even if it was done in the strangest manner possible. He was the only man I had ever known, my entire life was spent waiting for him without me even realizing it.

He had married someone else; he had more experiences than I had. That left a bitter seed in my chest, small and unkempt. It was why when I was 'sold' I believed it, because I didn't know why he ever married Kikyo. Now, knowing he did it to protect me, that seed withered quickly and died.

It didn't change the fact that there was much in this life I had little experience in. Or that he had lied to me for as long as I had known him.

Inuyasha surely expected me to take days to answer him. But I knew what I wanted by the time the kids were in bed asleep.

It didn't take long to find him, expecting him to be in bed but instead he was in the bathroom. The soft buzzing sound coming from it quickly gained my attention. I walked into a massacre.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

He jumped a little but luckily not too much, an electric razor in his hand against his scalp. His long mane was in a bundle, tied and cut off, lying on the counter next to the sink. While he cut the rest off with his razor, short sprigs all around.

"I thought… it was time for a change?" My mouth just hung open and he turned his eyes back to him in the mirror to finish. "I'm almost done."

"But..but...why?"

He shrugged and buzzed the remaining longer hairs off. "Long hair was a family… statement so I had it this way for most of my life. Then I kept it to help with the Naraku case whenever I could, as long hair was still a family trait and would get me into places for evidence. Now that Naraku is locked away… I don't want it anymore."

I picked up the discarded mane off the counter. It was still warm from when it rested against his back. "I've only ever known you like this though."

"Should I have asked you?"

Finished, he faced me, covered in white hair. "No, but you could at least have gone to a salon! Aren't you a millionaire or something?"

He chuckled, taking a step closer but keeping his distance at the same time. "I didn't want to wait."

"Really?" I asked, twerking an eyebrow up at him. "Busy waiting for something else?"

Reaching out a brave hand, he ran his fingers down my arm from my bicep to my elbow. "I'll always wait for you, as long as it takes."

"Then… can you wait a year? Or two?" Fear and confusion mixed on his face and I giggled, quickly closing the gap between to be taken instantly into his arms. "I want to have this baby and lose the weight before we get married. And I want Naraku firmly locked away behind bars so my family is safe…"

"But… you want to marry me?"

He was still confused and I found it adorable. "I love you, Inuyasha."

"What about… your family?"

"You can blame yourself all you want for that but it was your father, not you. If you had been there, you never would have let it happen. You're not that kind of person. Yes, I miss them but I also let go of their deaths long ago. So, even if I was to blame you, I've moved on. I've forgiven you and all those responsible." The tension in his shoulders released as did his fear I imagine he'd had for years now. "Plus, you have more than made up for it; you've given me a beautiful family."

His forehead pressed heavily to mine and I tried not to mourn the missing locks that used to drape over us when he did this. "You're the one that gave me a beautiful family. When you got pregnant with Moroha… I was so happy I thought I would die. And then terrified you would get taken along with her."

Kissing the tip of his nose, I stayed on my toes, closer to him. "You've been afraid for a long time, haven't you?"

He was rubbing my back as if to make sure I was real. "Yes. And I almost lost you so now I know my fears were well-founded."

"Inuyasha… all of that is over. You have to let it go, let me go. I don't want to spend the rest of my life stuck inside this house."

"I know," he said but still gripped my shirt tight as if he would never let go, "but it will be hard."

"You can come with us, we'll all go out together. As a family. Until you're comfortable with it."

"And with bodyguards after."

"Inuyasha…"

"I love you so fucking much, Kagome."

I pushed his head back with mine to suck his bottom lip into my teeth. The action got me crushed to him, the arms already around me tightening and pulling me hard. I responded, wrapping my arms around his neck, his shorter hairs sticking into my skin with each twist of his head to get more of my mouth. Like the animals in heat that we were, we lapped at each other, our tongues twisting together between our mouths. My ass hit the countertop, Inuyasha lifting me and setting me down on it for more use of his hands. They grabbed the hem of my shirt and ripped it up and off.

Topless, I sat in nothing more than my cloth shorts, my legs around him as I pulled his shirt off in response. I was looking at his skin, running my hands slowly over his muscled stomach, chest, and arms, enjoying myself thoroughly. "I should take a shower. Get this hair off of me."

Looking up from his adonis shaped body, I looked right back into his burning eyes. Turning like the molten lead as they always did when I was even the slightest bit naked.

"Let me help you with that." I offered, popping the button on his jeans off and working them off his hips.

He chuckled, the first in what felt like forever as the last of his worry melted away with our heat. "I do love how horny you get when you're pregnant."

"This has nothing to do with that. I just want you. Always."

He bent me back with his kiss, my back gently hitting the mirror behind. My shorts and underwear between, he ground his hard shaft against my core, throwing gas on my flames. I dug my nails into his shoulders, showing my appreciation that was mixed with frustration.

Okay, so some of this might have been hormones, feeling like I would burst into ash if he didn't fuck me soon.

But Inuyasha never made me wait, lifting me up and off the counter to take us to the shower. My shorts were wet inside and now out as he held us under the spray. Pressing me against the wall of the shower now. His long, hard cock rubbed painfully against me and I could take no more, pushing him back. My shorts and panties almost hit the tiled floor before my feet, if that were physically possible.

I was spun less than a heartbeat after, my hands on the tile before me as Inuyasha bent me over and thrusted in. His pelvis was flush with my ass in an instant and I cried hard, arching my back to give him more of myself. He was slapping my ass with his hips, the sound echoing off the walls as were my cries. I listened intently, wanting to hear his grunts and groans in kind. They were loud and made me swell with pride. I loved making him lose his mind.

An arm wrapped around my ribs, pulling me upright while another lifted my legs. Now, both hands were under my thighs, bouncing me. My hands-free and my legs held apart, I reached down and rubbed my clit, a loud groan from Inuyasha in appreciation when the action had me tightening around him.

My head fell back on his shoulder, calling out his name in reverence as I came. He was slow to stop, lowering my legs back to the ground but not pulling out, not yet. His body was wrapped around me, arms around my ribs that I held in place while his chest covered my back. His head on my shoulder, he had his lips pressed to my ear, whispering so he could save his breath as much as possible.

"I know you might be mad… but I never cared about protection with you. I wanted you almost all my life. And I wanted a family with you just as long."

I patted his arms around me. "If it ever bothered me, I would have said so long ago."

"Then why do you always hide it from me? Were you scared?" I slowly nodded. "Each time?"

"I didn't know what to say with Moroha. We were just… I thought we were just fucking. That I was your slave. With Sota… well, not telling you worked out so well the first time. I was going to tell you about this one but then you told me about your wife…"

"Ex-wife."

"It just didn't seem like the time…"

"You didn't want me to know. Either of the times. But I guess that was my fault." His hold tightened a little, running a hand over my belly that was still too flat to notice. "Will you tell me next time? Before you're months along?"

"Next time?!"

He pressed a hard kiss to my neck and pulled out, spinning me in his hold so he could press an equally hard kiss to my lips. I ran my hands through his remaining hair, acclimating myself to the new length. It was different, one of the many changes that were coming our way. But we would be facing them all together.

And I was happy.

oOo

Taking a break, I sat at the table assigned for the bridal party and watched the crowd around me. Mostly, I watched Kagome as she went around from friend to friend, letting them congratulate her and then sticking around for a few more moments to talk and laugh.

God, she was beautiful. And mine, the gold band I twisted on my finger only a symbol that I felt we really didn't need. But we both wanted it.

Moroha was dancing with a few other kids she invited from her class. She was just as beautiful as her mother even with my hair. Sota was getting another piece of cake and little Haori was currently getting bounced on my lap. She really did look like her mother, big teal eyes that stared up at me with wonder as dark curls framed her round face. I quickly wiped her chin of drool for the thousandth time in what was a losing battle. Poor baby was teething, which was why I let her gum my finger, a few small sharp teeth just starting to peek out and pressing into my bone from time to time.

Kagome's eyes found mine, catching me staring but I didn't care, she was glowing with happiness. I felt no shame in watching my new bride sway her way to us, Haori holding out her hands for her mother to take her as soon as Kagome was near. Now on her mother's hip, she gurgled a 'mama' and I watched from my seat in awe.

I was so damn happy I could die.

"I think I should put this one to bed soon."

Her eyes on Haori's face, I watched as Kagome cooed towards the toddler. "You going to cave and just nurse her to sleep? I don't blame you but you'll never get her weaned if you..."

"I wasn't talking about the baby." She said with a smirk that she soon turned towards me. "I've been ready to leave this place since we got here."

I chuckled, even as I got hard from her words and my imagination. "Funny, I've been ready for a week now."

Her smirk turned into a grin at that, "And now tonight is going to be special."

"Kagome, it would have been special regardless. Forget what you in that dress is doing to me, you pledged your life to me today, of course, I'm going to go crazy. But we'll be high in the sky tonight."

She shrugged, turning her attention back to Haori. "I don't regret my choice. The week apart made this feel more real."

"And how did you find it? Living on your own with the kids?"

Her smile faltered for a second but shook it away quickly. "Well, that wasn't fun. They missed you a lot."

There was sadness in her tone so I jumped to my feet and wrapped my arms around the two of them. "They still saw me every day. And even Moroha was clever enough to force you to see me this week."

I was laughing but Kagome wasn't pleased. "I probably should have just brought us all home after that. Kinda defeats the purpose of not seeing one another until the wedding if I have to go into your office in the middle of it."

"Do you know how hard it was not to bend you over my desk when you walked in? I didn't get any work done before or after you left. I was thinking about it so much!" Her cheeks turned a slight pink at that. I loved how she still blushed when I talked dirty to her. "It doesn't matter now, Kagome. The week is over. We're married and will never be apart again."

"None of us," she cooed to the baby, "even Haori missed her Daddy."

"And I missed her," I said, leaning over and giving the baby a kiss.

Then I leaned down and gave my wife one. Seconds away from reaching down the front of her dress and grabbing a breast, the crowd burst into applause, reminding me we weren't alone. Even though I felt like I was always alone with Kagome, her putting me in a bubble that made it easy to forget the outside world.

I released her, the crowd clapping for our kiss when we hadn't done it for them, not at all. Out of my stupor, I quickly found my other children, Moroha still with her friends while Sota had returned to the seat next to my vacated one, shoveling in cake. The kid was going through a growth spurt and was always eating these days.

Kagome released a frustrated sigh, shaking with her need as I was. I couldn't help but grin. She was the one who wanted a week apart before the wedding, taking the kids with her to stay in Sango's old apartment. So, it was her own fault really and I just had to laugh as she shifted her weight and it wasn't to accommodate the baby on her hip.

"You guys dropped your stuff back at the house, right?"

"Yes. We're all ready to go as soon as we are released."

I chuckled again, making it sound like a prison sentence. "We could leave anytime we want, it's our reception."

She glanced around and then back at me. "I am feeling a bit… tired."

I caught on quick, "Oh yeah, so tired."

I had my arms around her again, praying people didn't applaud us again just for touching. Kagome was so far gone, she moaned when I squeezed her hip. "Inuyasha…"

Just to be a dick, I leaned in and nipped her neck. She gasped and for a second, I worried she'd drop the baby. Instead, she reached around and grabbed my cock through my slacks. Now I was the one moaning and it wasn't nearly as soft as Kagome's had been. Shit, I wanted her but that was nothing new. My desire and need for Kagome would never change or falter. If there was one thing I had learned all these years, it was that.

I carefully pulled her hand away after I let her stroke me a few times because fuck it felt good. "We should go say our goodbyes."

I could care less about letting people know we were leaving. But the kids needed to get ready, Moroha telling her friends bye and Sota washing his sugar covered face. He had a few friends here too that he left to find. Kagome went around, Haori on her hip, and hugged each person she came across. I went to the one person that I truly liked the most.

Helping greatly in putting Naraku away for seven consecutive life sentences, he was my best friend. "Well, we're off."

He turned long black ponytail currently in the hands and mouth of his six-month-old, the youngest. The twins had to be around here somewhere. "Already? Party is just getting started."

"Yeah, well, there's another party I'd much rather be attending, currently, in my pants."

Miroku chuckled, shaking his head, "I don't blame you. If Sango cut me off for a week… actually she's done that a few times and it's not fun."

"Kagome never cuts me off. Not like this."

His free hand clapped my shoulder, "You're a lucky man, my friend. Not many would have a situation like yours turn out so well."

"My situation…"

"I was there remember? Did you think I missed your 'purchase'? You must think I'm a terrible detective…"

"I just thought you were a better one, focusing on the case instead of the auction like I was."

The smile Miroku wore was broad, "Thanks. The highest of compliments coming from you." He took a step closer and leaned in to whisper. "While I have you, I thought you'd like to know that Interpol arrested Kikyo last night."

"What?! On what charge?"

"Drugs. Turns out, without Naraku backing her, she's a terrible drug mule."

I shook my head, "I still can't believe the two of them were… well, it makes sense and it doesn't. How else would Kikyo have known to look into me when she hadn't given a shit in years?"

"And then know to send Kagome to Naraku. Did you ever figure out you gave you up?"

I laughed but it was hollow. "Yeah, it was Moroha actually. Phone records showed Kikyo calling the house a few times over the years when I wasn't home. Sota was too young and Kagome never answered the phone. When Moroha was three, she had a fascination with anything that made a noise. She used to steal my cell phone all the time and play with it. Best I can figure, she answered Kikyo's calls a few times and talked to a stranger just like any other kid her age would, babbling on about her life and family."

"And then Kikyo set up that 'sale' with Naraku…"

"I'll get in contact with Interpol when we get back, set up a few more charges for Kikyo like kidnapping. And endangering a child, she scared the shit out of Sota. I couldn't get him out of the closet for hours!"

Rage swelled in me at the memory but I forced a few deep breaths to calm down. Today wasn't about this, it was a happy day.

I glanced around at my family, the four of them slowly coming together. Moroha played sweetly with Haori while Sota held tight to his mother. Such a beautiful family, it was hard to believe they were mine sometimes and this was one of those times.

Now instead of anger, I was fighting back joy because I was close to tears.

The crowd was sending us off, finally free as the sun slipped below the horizon. A quick change of clothes and we were off again, all of us on our way to the airport. The kids were all sound asleep by the time we were in the air. Which allowed me and my wife to slip off to the small bedroom inside the private plane. A wedding gift from Sesshomaru, allowing us to use his. It was a bad look, the DA using a known mobster's plane but I would regret it later. Now I was busy being balls deep in Kagome, pressing a hand to her mouth to muffle her so she didn't wake the kids.

She was so fucking wet, I struggled to contain myself, nearly coming as soon as my tip hit her womb. We weren't naked in case one of the kids woke up but we were on the bed, allowing me to hold her tight to me. Moroha and Sota had their own room at the hotel so once Haori was asleep, I would pound our naked flesh together hard every night on this honeymoon/vacation. That allowed me to be okay with the clothes between us now, her panties the only thing fully off our bodies while my shorts and briefs wrapped around my knees.

God bless nursing bras, pulling her stretchy neckline down and unhooking the cup of her bra like a pro. I had to move the pad she had pressed to her nipple for leaks but I didn't care, this was far from the first time we fucked hard enough to make her milk-filled breasts leak a little.

Careful not to suck, I got as much of her mound in my mouth and licked, tasting a little of her milk. Extra sensitive, she threw her head back but must have bitten her lip to keep from crying out like she normally would.

Her hands were around my head, digging into the short strands I now rocked, and trying to tug. Two years and she still hadn't gotten used to my shorter hairstyle. I was pretty sure it was her way of telling me to grow it back out.

Didn't stop either of us from coming. Fast and hard, it had been a week, she moaned out my name as quietly as possible. I watched for a moment as her eyes rolled back and her mouth parted wide before I lost myself and my load.

Panting, we held each other tight, knowing we would have to get our asses back out front in a minute. Kagome took less than that, pulling from my hold and picking her panties off the floor. "How… many children do you want?"

The question threw me. It wasn't the first time we had this conversation but I had a habit of keeping my answers vague. "Shit, I don't know. A bit early for that isn't it? We haven't even gotten to the honeymoon yet…"

"I'm serious. Because you keep coming inside me with no protection between us…"

"I didn't think it bothered you. You said you would tell me if it did…"

"I'm just getting a little tired of getting knocked up all the time. I feel like a baby factory!"

The moment of euphoria, finally having sex, was over so I pulled my pants back up and got off my ass. "Alright, fine. I'll start pulling out until you go on birth control.."

"Why do I have to go on birth control? Why don't you use condoms?"

"Seriously?"

"What?"

"Condoms suck! You can't feel shit!"

Her arms crossed over her chest. For some reason, she was now in a pissed off mood. "I wouldn't know. We've never used them!"

Well, shit I walked right into that one. "I'm going to need a drink if we're going to continue this conversation," I said, rubbing my temples as I passed.

She grabbed me before I got far, remorse on her face. "I'm sorry. A few hours in and we're already fighting."

"We're far more than a few hours in, Baby." She kissed my cheek and then walked before me. I followed her, forever her lap puppy. "If you want me to wear a condom, I will…"

"There's no point now."

"I meant next time…"

"No, I mean… I'm pregnant."

Shock didn't even cover it. I was lucky my ass landed in a chair instead of the floor. "I'm never going to be able to retire." Her mouth twisted into a frown and I hopped up to grab her hard. "I'm kidding! How far along are you? Two months? I'm surprised you lasted a week, it's far more impressive now…"

"I took the test yesterday." A smile, I was unable to contain, slowly broke out on my face. "You said you wanted to know. But I honestly didn't think we would have any more. Not this soon, I'm still weaning Haori off!"

She was flustered, spiraling quickly and I had to hold her up from the floor. "Baby, it's fine. So we're having another kid, more to love."

"I don't think I want more to love."

"Don't say that you're just in shock."

She shook all over and I had to tighten my hold again. "Three is already a lot. Four sounds like… death. Death of my body, our time, rest, and our sex life."

"Hey hey hey, our sex life will survive everything. I'm sure of that. You being pregnant again proves it."

"I just kinda thought… we'd take some time. Be a married couple. But that was a ridiculous thought anyway, we're not a normal married couple."

I got her into a seat just as we hit some turbulence. Her nails dug into my skin, reminding me that this was also her first time in an airplane. Once our world stopped shaking, her head flopped to the side, looking at me. I did the same.

"You know that... no matter what happens, I got you Kagome Tenoe?"

A tired smile stretched on her mouth, closing her eyes. I took in her beautiful, slumbering face for the thousandth time, knowing I would never tire of it or find it any less stunning. "I know. You always have my back. Always."

"Always."

The End

Sorry if I had you worried there! I kinda like doing that, messing with my readers lol. Happy ending though! In more than one way!

Thanks again @inukag-week! This was the best week writing challenge I’ve been apart of. 

[endlessflame]

Waves of Trouble (Slater x MC, Adam x MC, NSFW)

Summary: Before leaving the mansion after the go-kart accident, the AME contestants play strip poker, and Randi gives in to temptation.

Rating: MA/NSFW

Author’s note: Finally, my first AME fic is finished! It’s longer than most of my fics (over 3,000 words), so I guess I have another excuse other than life getting in the way. It takes place between chapters 10 and 11 of America’s Most Eligible, Book 2.

Tags: @cora-nova​ @mfackenthal​ @brightpinkpeppercorn​ @desiree-0816​ @ritachacha​ @lizeboredom​ @boneandfur​

Randi reached for the bottle of whiskey and poured herself another drink. She was still feeling shaken after witnessing Eden and Kiana's accident. They could have been killed in the crash. The go-karts had actually gone up in flames. Thankfully, they were alive when they were pulled out of the wreckage, but they were in the hospital, and she didn't know how seriously they had been injured. Filming had been suspended, and everyone would be leaving the mansion tomorrow.

She held up the bottle. "Anyone else want some?"

"Sure." Adam held out his glass, and she poured him another drink.

"Pass that over here when you're done," said Slater.

Randi handed him the bottle. "I guess we're all in the mood to drink. Maybe it'll help get our minds off everything."

"Or we could try something else." Vince took out a deck of cards. "If they send us home, no one wins any money. But one of us could win tonight. Let's play poker."

Mackenzie glared at Vince. "You want us to risk our own money? Hell no."

"We don't have to play for money," Slater smirked. "How about we play strip poker? Nothing to lose but the clothes on our backs."

Although Randi was involved with Adam, she couldn't help finding Slater attractive. On the snorkeling date, she snuck off with him to explore the island. She'd told herself that it could be to her advantage to get to know him better, but when they kissed, she had to admit that had just been an excuse. After they were partnered with each other, they had gotten even closer. After they danced together at the prom, she couldn't control her desire for him any longer, and they got a hotel room and slept together. Adam would be so hurt if he knew. She had feelings for both of them, but Slater had never given her any indication that he wanted anything serious. He seemed to just want to be friends with benefits, but Adam wanted more than that. Her choice should be easy. Still, she couldn't resist the thought of getting another look at Slater's hot body. She grinned at him. "I'm in."

Adam's eyes widened. "Seriously, Randi? You want Slater and Vince looking at you?"

"They'll only be looking at me if I lose. Besides, if you've got it, flaunt it!" She had been the flirt last season, after all. And it wasn't like Slater hadn't already seen it all anyway. Not that Adam knew that, of course.

Adam shook his head.  "This is a bad idea."

"You chicken?" Vince laughed. "You don't want everyone to see how small your dick is?"

"Screw you," Adam replied. "I'm in too."

"We probably shouldn't do this right here in the living room," Derek pointed out. "We don't need anyone walking in on us. Let's go out to the balcony."

Mackenzie picked up the whiskey bottle. "We'd better bring this too. Actually, we may need more."

After getting more alcohol, they walked out to the balcony. They lit candles, poured more drinks, and made themselves comfortable.

"This needs to be fair. No cheating." Mackenzie glared at Vince and Slater. "We should start off with pretty much the same amount of clothes on. No unnecessary extras."

"Yeah, Adam, take that jacket off!" ordered Vince.

Adam removed his jacket, then looked to Vince. "Give the cards to someone else. You're not dealing. I don't trust you."

"Fine." Vince passed the deck of cards to Slater.

Adam glared at Vince. "Oh, come on, he's no better!"

Randi reached out to Adam and gently touched his arm. "It's OK, we'll all take a turn."

Slater began to shuffle the cards. "We'll play five card draw, jokers wild."

After the cards had been dealt, Randi looked at hers: two of clubs, five of hearts, seven of diamonds, ten of clubs, and jack of hearts. Nothing at all. She decided to replace the lower two cards. After taking two new cards from Slater, she saw that he had given her the four of spades and the seven of spades.

A pair of sevens was better than nothing, but it wasn't enough to win the round. Slater held out his cards, revealing the king of hearts, the king of spades, and a joker. "Three of a kind. Take 'em off!"

Mackenzie picked up a cushion and hit Slater with it. "You cheater!"

Slater glared at her. "You have any proof?"

"Yeah, the cards. You expect us to believe the first hand you got was that good, when you were the one dealing?"

Randi picked up the bottle of whiskey and handed it to Mackenzie. "Here, have another drink. Don't worry, he won't be dealing all night. Nothing too exciting is coming off this round anyway." She took off one of her sandals, then stuck out her foot. "Unless someone has a foot fetish!"

"You have very nice feet," Adam told her. "Although I wouldn't say they're my favorite part of your body."

"Aww, thanks." Randi leaned closer to Adam and rubbed his arm.

As they continued playing, more clothes came off. Randi and Mackenzie were down to their bras and underpants. Adam, Derek, and Vince were shirtless. After discarding three cards, Randi had a pair of fours.

"Two pairs!" Vince grinned as he showed his hand: a pair of sixes and a pair of jacks. He looked at Randi and Mackenzie. "Lose those bras, girls!"

"Shit!" Mackenzie drained her glass of whiskey, then reached for the bottle to refill it.

Slater pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it aside. Randi glanced in his direction, her eyes roaming over his body. Finally his clothes were coming off too. Slater's eyes met hers, catching her checking him out. Randi reached behind her back and unhooked her bra, then took it off and flung it across the balcony. Slater lowered his gaze, taking in the sight of her newly exposed breasts.

"Nice tits, Randi!" shouted Vince, ruining the moment.

"Shut up, you asshole!" yelled Adam. He took off his jeans and threw them at Vince, hitting him in the head.

Vince shoved the pants aside. "What's your problem? I gave her a compliment!"

"Don't be a dick," said Derek, tossing his own pants at Vince.

"Enough already!" Vince threw Derek's pants back at him.

While they were arguing, Mackenzie reached for her drink one more time, then removed her bra, taking advantage of the distraction so that Vince wouldn't focus on her while she undressed.

Derek gathered up the cards, then shuffled them and dealt everyone a hand. With four people in nothing but their underwear, at least three of them would be getting naked this round. After exchanging cards, they revealed their hands.

Slater held out his cards. "Two tens!"

"Not good enough!" Adam held out three fives. "Three of a kind!"

"Guess these are coming off!" Slater pulled off his shorts and flung them in Randi's direction. They sailed over her head and landed behind her.

"I've got nothing." Vince unzipped his jeans and slid out of them.

"Same," said Derek. "Time to get naked!" He yanked off his boxers, baring it all.

Adam turned to Randi. "You have a good hand, right?"

Randi shook her head. "Nothing."

Mackenzie frowned. "Me too."

Vince cheered. "Panties off, girls!"

"Shut the fuck up, Vince!" Adam snarled.

"Rules are rules!" Randi slipped off her underpants and spun them around on her finger, sending them flying across the balcony. Mackenzie wriggled out of her underwear as inconspicuously as possible while Randi was the center of attention.

Randi could feel Slater's eyes on her. She opened her legs a little wider to give him a better look at her pussy. Slater grinned and licked his lips. Images of their night together flashed into Randi's mind: Slater's head between her legs, devouring her like a starving man. The heat within her burned just thinking about it.

Adam stared daggers at Slater. "Watch it! She's mine!"

Randi picked up the cards, shuffled them, and dealt them to Adam, Slater, and Vince. "Come on, guys. We still have one more round."

After exchanging their cards, Randi looked at the three men in their underwear. "Moment of truth, guys. Show us what you've got."

"Pair of threes," said Slater.

"Nothing." Adam set his cards down.

"Two aces!" Vince smirked. "Strip, losers!"

When Slater removed his boxers, Randi could see that she wasn't the only one who had been getting excited. But her focus shifted when Adam and Vince began arguing.

"Come on, take them off! Afraid we'll see how small you are?"

Adam stepped out of his underwear. "I'm not small! I bet I'm bigger than you!"

"Yeah, Vince probably has a micropenis!" shouted Mackenzie.

Randi laughed. "He's probably small even when he's hard."

"You think you're funny, Randi? Well, I've got the last laugh, since I've got my boxers on, but I've seen all of you!" Vince leered at her.

"Go ahead and look. You're just seeing what you'll never touch. I'll never be that desperate." Randi looked down at Vince's crotch. "I probably couldn't find it even if I wanted to. That's how small you are."

"He has no balls, either," added Mackenzie.

Randi looked at Adam, Slater, and Derek. "You're all bigger than Vince, that's for sure."

"Bullshit!" Vince pulled down his boxers. "See, I'm not small!"

"OK, I'll give you that," Randi said as she looked at his cock. "But you're very average."

"Definitely," said Mackenzie. "I'm not impressed."

"Well, I know how to use it! But you'll never find out. Your loss!" Vince grabbed his clothes and stormed off.

"In your dreams!" Randi yelled as Vince walked away. She refilled her glass, then held up the bottle of whiskey. "Who wants more?"

"I'm going to bed," Mackenzie replied as she got dressed.

"Good idea. I think we've all had enough for tonight." Adam took the bottle of whiskey away from Randi. "Haven't you had enough to drink already? And put your clothes on!"

"Gotta find them first!" Randi giggled.

As he put his clothes on, Adam glanced at Slater, then turned back to Randi. "You know he's getting off on looking at you."

"Can I help it that I'm hot?"

"You can cover up!" Adam picked up Randi's shirt and handed it to her. "Put that on."

Randi tossed the shirt aside. "Don't tell me what to do!"

"Fine!" Adam walked off, and Derek followed.

"You OK?" Mackenzie asked.

"Yeah. Go on, go to bed."

Soon Randi was left alone with Slater. "Hey, want to go for a swim in the ocean?"

"Sure, but give me this first." He reached for her drink and took it away.

Randi pouted. "You're telling me not to drink too?"

"No, I'm telling you to share. If we bring this on the beach, it might spill, and that's a waste of good whiskey." Slater lifted the glass to his lips and took a large gulp, then handed it back. "Here, finish up, then let's go."

They made their way down to the beach. Randi grabbed Slater's hand and ran towards the ocean. As they reached the shoreline, he pulled ahead of her. "Ready to get wet?"

"Oh, yeah!" Well, wetter, anyway. She had already started to get wet before going anywhere near the water.

They waded into the water until they were submerged almost up to their waists. Slater turned around and watched the waves rolling in. "I wish I had my surfboard with me."

"Did you ever surf naked?" Randi asked.

"Occasionally. That's called 'hang eleven.' Bet you can guess why," he smirked.

"Yeah, it's not hard. Or is it?"

Slater laughed. "Not if the water's cold."

Randi began to swim further out. "We could bodysurf. Teach me how."

"It's dark, and we've been drinking. So we can't really bodysurf. It wouldn't be safe, especially since we're alone." Slater swam out after Randi. "How about we just catch the waves as they come in?"

As the waves rolled in, Randi and Slater drifted along with them, until a larger one knocked Randi completely underwater. Slater grabbed her and pulled her upright, holding her close.

"You all right?" he asked.

"Yeah. Thanks." She looked into his eyes, and then his lips were on hers. As he deepened the kiss, she rubbed his back, feeling his toned muscles. Their bodies pressed together, and she could feel the hardness between his legs.

The temptation was too great to resist. She moved her hands lower and squeezed his firm butt. Her nipples hardened as Slater caressed her breasts. She shouldn't want him this much, and yet she did. When she grasped his hard cock, there was no doubt that he wanted her too.

Slater pulled her thighs apart and vigorously massaged her pussy, then lifted up her thighs. As Randi wrapped her legs around Slater, he thrust himself inside her. Randi cried out at the sensation. Damn it, he felt so good. She moved her hips rapidly, wanting him deeper inside.

"That's it. Ride my cock!" Slater called out. And Randi was more than happy to obey, keeping up with him as he increased his pace. She could feel the waves rolling in, crashing over their bodies as they moved against each other. The water splashed around them as Slater kept thrusting.

Randi could feel that she was close. She rode the waves of passion until they crested and broke through her whole body. "Oh God, Slater!" she cried out, clutching onto him tightly.

With one final thrust, Slater spilled himself into her. He pulled her hair as he groaned loudly. Once he had finished, he lifted her off him and set her down.

"Wow. That was incredible," said Randi.

"Yeah, I had fun," Slater replied. "But now that we've worked up a sweat, it's time to cool off." He stepped back a little and splashed her.

"Hey!" Randi splashed him back in retaliation. They swam for a little longer, then got out of the water.

Randi wrung some of the water out of her long hair. "Wonder where we'll be going tomorrow."

"We'll know soon enough." Slater began walking back towards the mansion.

They returned to the balcony and picked up their clothes, then walked inside, dripping water all over the mansion floor. They walked up the stairs quietly, not wanting to wake anyone. They didn't need the showrunners finding them naked and wet in the middle of the night, especially after such a horrible day on set yesterday.

As they approached their rooms, Slater turned to Randi. "I'm sure will get back to filming eventually. And I'll beat your ass in the next challenge." He pinched her butt. "Nice as it is."

"Good night, Slater."

Her feet were covered with sand, so Randi headed for the shower. As she rinsed away the sand and sea salt, she thought about what had happened between her and Slater. Now that she'd fucked him twice, there was no doubt that he was good in bed. But he'd never given her any indication that he wanted something serious. Adam, on the other hand, definitely had real feelings for her. And she cared about him too. After winning last season, she had taken him with her on her trip to Paris, and it had been so romantic. She had been happy to reconnect with him this season, but had also felt an immediate attraction to Slater. Still, she wasn't ready to throw away everything that she and Adam had just for a hot fling. Adam knew she was a flirt, and she had been drinking. Although he had gotten angry, some of that anger was directed at Vince.

Randi put on a silk robe, then knocked on Adam's door. If she didn't talk this out with him, she might not get any sleep. It was late enough already; she didn't need insomnia keeping her up.

The door opened, and Adam stood before her in his boxers, his eyes half open. "Randi?"

"Sorry to wake you. Can we talk?"

"Sure." He closed the door behind her, and they sat down on his bed.

"You're probably still mad at me. I'm sorry. I just wanted to relax, have some fun. After the accident, I needed it. But I didn't mean to hurt you." Randi was glad that he didn't know the full extent of what she had done to hurt him.

"Thanks. I got jealous, seeing everyone looking at you." He put his arm around her and pulled her close. "I want to be the only one that sees you that way."

Randi cringed. If he only knew. Not knowing what to say, instead she responded by leaning in and kissing him. His grip tightened around her, and he deepened the kiss.

Adam untied the strings of her robe and slipped it off her. He began kissing his way down her body. As he reached her breasts, he took a nipple into his mouth. Randi pulled off his boxers and began stroking his cock, feeling it harden at her touch.

Adam pushed her down on the bed, and he kissed her stomach. Realizing where he was headed, Randi panicked. The ocean water and the shower probably weren't enough to wash away everything that Slater had left behind. If Adam tasted him on her, all hell would break loose.

"I can't wait. I need you now." Randi rolled him over and straddled him. She sank down onto his hard cock and began moving up and down. Adam reached up, playing with her bouncing breasts as she rode him.

"Oh, you're so wet," moaned Adam.

Although Randi was feeling aroused, she suspected the wetness wasn't all hers, and a wave of guilt washed over her again. She could never let Adam know what she had done. She began moving faster, trying to focus on the physical sensations and wipe the thoughts from her mind.

Adam gripped her hips and groaned loudly as he came inside her. Randi rolled off him, and Adam reached between her legs. He rubbed her clit until she followed him over the edge.

Afterward, she kissed him gently. "We should get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning."

She reached for her robe, put it on, and walked out of Adam's room. Once she was back in her own room, she got into bed. Before long, she had fallen asleep.

[missyslittlepet]

Truth or Dare

So I'm gonna try a thing...

Adding gifs throughout a fanfiction isn't something I've really done but we could all use a little more Louis in our lives, right? Here it goes lets hope the gifs stay in the right order because Tumblr really likes jumbling my stuff up.

((Summary; Louis and you are bored as hell and decide to play some truth or dare until the others come back from their daily tasks.))

"Come on (f/n), what's wrong with a little bit of truth or dare? It's a game played by man and beast alike. A game played before our time and a game that will be played long after. The only game there is... Come on I'm bored." Louis leant against the back of his chair as he watched you expectantly, shaking the deck of cards.

Louis had been itching to get you to play this with him ever since you had arrived. So far you had avoid it for two weeks due to work duties but tonight was a different story. Everyone else had left after dinner to finish up their tasks leaving you and Louis alone for the evening. You were ready for a peaceful couple of hours but Louis was having none of it. He must have been at it for at least half an hour trying to get you to play cards with him.

"Oh, so I'm just here to entertain you then? And here I was thinking you enjoyed my company." You chuckled.

"I think we all know I'm the entertainer in this group. Come on, please? Don’t get me wrong, totally digging the whole mysterious thing but..."

You snorted and looked away.

"What?" Louis' eyes widened. "I want to get to know you." He flashed you a toothy grin while batting his eyelashes.

You looked from him to the cards in his hand and let out an exasperated sigh.

"Ugh fine, do your thing card master." You smirked.

Louis' grin widened as he began shuffling the deck.

Louis expression became serious as he shuffled. "Card master? You should feel honoured to be in the presence of such a powerful cards-man."

"Shuffle the cards, Lou. Before I get bored." You laughed.

He placed the now jumbled up deck in between the pair of you and waited for you to take a card.

You took the top card and flipped it over revealing a four of clubs. Louis then took his card and flipped it.

"Boom! Ace of spades baby! Truth of dare?" Louis asked grinning again.

"Truth?" You raised an eyebrow questioningly hoping he would go easy on you.

"Hmm," Louis paused for a bit. "since it's your first game of this I'll not get too personal... yet. How about... what's your favourite instrument?"

"Umm, guitar? It's the only thing I ever really learnt. I knew a few tunes on the piano but I'm not great at it or anything I just dabbled."

"You see," Louis smiled again. "we're getting to know one another. Bonding, if you will. Mine is piano by the way, in case you hadn't already figured it out."

"You play that out of tune piano almost every night. I caught on fairly quickly, don't worry." You laughed. "Despite the tuning you're good at it though."

Louis takes a bow from his chair and you smirk at him.

"Guess that means I have a new duet partner." He seemed hopeful.

"Maybe... it's been a while." You muttered playing with your card.

"Well," Louis said taking your card and putting it to the side with his. "a maybe is better than a no, so that's good enough for me."

He flipped over a new card from the original deck. "Ten of hearts, nice."

You followed suit and got the seven of spades.

"Aha! I win again! Truth or dare?" Louis chuckled.

"Truth again please." You sighed.

"Okay, we're going to step it up a little bit. Have you ever had any close calls? Like with the dead or someone living?" He wasn't smiling anymore and he seemed genuinely concerned.

"Who hasn't?" You asked.

"What was your worst one?" Louis frowned.

You stood up and lifted your shirt slightly revealing a large jagged scar on your stomach.

"What happened?" He raised his eyebrows at how painful it looked.

"I was part of a supply run that went wrong with an old group." You started. "Half of the people in it were injured so they turned to me to help out despite me being only like 14 at the time. Someone got spooked by a Walker and stumbled backwards pushing me into a broken rail. The metal sliced clean through and I got off supply runs for a while. They weren't sure if I would get an infection from the rust so it was basically a waiting game."

"I bet your parents were pissed."

"They weren't around to see it. They died in the beginning." You lowered your gaze and fixed your shirt before sitting back down.

"I'm sorry." Louis muttered grabbing the cards and putting them in the used pile.

It was silent for a while and then you took another card.

"Come on, I'm determined to win at least one." You chuckled trying to lighten the mood.

Louis' smile slowly returned as he took another card from the deck.

"King of diamonds." Louis smirked. "What did you get?"

You threw your card down on the table and crossed you arms. Louis looked down and laughed.

"Three of clubs. Damn."

"Three out of three? This is ridiculous... Are you cheating?" You frowned.

Louis' mouth fell open and he placed his hand on his chest in mock shock that you would even ask that question.

"Oh, you didn't know? I am the greatest card player of all time. You never stood a chance really... So, (f/n), truth or dare?"

"Truth again." You laughed. "I don't trust you enough to pick a dare yet. I don't know what you're capable of."

"Beware this is your last truth. The next one is a date. It's the rules." He took your card and his and put it on the used pile. "Okay, we need something more light hearted but still a little personal..." He thought for a moment and then smiled shyly at you.

"Have you ever umm..." He looked away briefly. "had a boyfriend?" He regretted asking as soon as he had finished.

"Why? You asking?" You laughed.

"You'll only know if you answer it." A small smile tugged at his lips.

"Not really, there has been people I've liked in the past but never anyone I'd consider dating."

"Interesting. I haven't had a girlfriend by the way. Just if you were wondering."

"Oh come one... I don't believe that for one second." You weren't blind, you knew he was an attractive guy. That paired with his charm, well, he must have had girls throwing themselves at him.

"What? I haven't." He laughed. "When all of this started I was way too young. Hey, I still thought girls had cooties. Now that I'm older my opinions have changed drastically. Just, not exactly many people left in this world to 'like like' y'know?"

"What about the girls here? Surely you have your eyes on someone? Violet?"

Louis laughed and shook his head. "Oh I have my eyes on someone but it's definitely not Vi. She doesn't exactly swing my way if you get what I mean."

"Oh... I didn't know." You chuckled. "Who do you have your eyes on then?"

"Oh no, you've asked more than enough questions for someone who had the lower card." Louis smirked picking up a new card from the deck.

You picked your third card and looked up at Louis.

"I'll show you mine if you show me yours." He felt himself blush instantly. "The cards I mean- obviously the cards."

You laughed despite the way you could feel your own face blushing and flipped over your card.

"Queen of hearts." You smiled.

Louis flipped over his card and frowned. Five of diamonds... His winning streak had been killed.

"Ouch, you've defeated the great and powerful card master." He clutched at his heart dramatically and chuckled.

"Your reign is over. My turn." You rubbed your hands together and smiled.

"You'll find I'm an open book. Go ahead, ask away." Louis smiled at you.

"Okay, truth or dare?" You asked.

"Well there hasn't been many dares happening for a game that has it in the title, so dare I guess." He looked worried but smiled nevertheless.

"I dare you to go and kiss the girl who you have a thing for. Ruby will freak."

"What makes you so sure it's Ruby?" Louis raised one of his eyebrows with a smirk.

"Well, Marlon and Brody seem pretty close, Violet isn't into guys and you barely know me so that leaves Ruby."

"Huh." He laughed. "I think you'll find Aasim would kick my ass if I tried anything with Ruby."

"Better make it fast so he doesn't see then." You whispered.

"I'm not kissing Ruby." Louis laughed shaking his head.

"You picked dare and that is the dare. Go kiss her."

"Think you'll find the dare was to kiss the girl I like. I don't like Ruby like that."

"So, it's not Ruby. Brody then. Think she's helping Marlon with plans for the next run so that will be super awkward for you but funny as hell to watch for me."

"Wrong again. Not Brody." Louis sighed.

"Well who then?"

"Look I pass. Next turn." Louis felt himself blushing again.

"No way are you chickening out. You picked dare so you do the dare."

"Fine, fine but you aren't going to like this?"

Louis took a deep breath before leaning forward and capturing your lips with his. The kiss started off slow as you tried to make sense of what was happening. Louis sighed into the kiss and you instinctively wrapped your arm loosely around his neck and gripped his coat collar.

"(F/n), Loui- woahhhhh! What's going on here?" You heard Violet begin laughing hysterically.

Both you and Louis jumped apart.

As the other got closer and realized what was going on they all started laughing too.

"Two weeks and you're already making a move on her? I'm impressed." Marlon chuckled.

"What can I say, I'm irresistible." Louis winked.

"He finally did it huh?" Said Aasim with a smile.

Louis locked eyes with Aasim and smirked. "Why don't you go tell Ruby?"

"Nice try Lou, but you aren't getting out of this one." Aasim laughed.

You shook your head and chuckled to yourself. You liked having these kind of moments, they were few and far between in this world.

Slowly you leant in close to Louis again.

"Thanks for the game Lou." You kissed his cheek. "Stop by my room later... We'll talk about this more then." You whispered in his ear.

Louis paused for a moment and let out a breathy laugh.

"Hell fucking yeah we will." He was so giddy.

You stood and made your way back inside the school ignoring the wolf whistles coming from Willy, Marlon and Violet. The rest giggled madly like the school children they were.

Louis watched you leave in disbelief, a wide grin covering his face. Maybe he had finally found someone who liked him back. His stomach was filled with butterflies and he suddenly found himself really excited for later that night.

[notalwaysthevillian]

Lost and Found

Beta Readers: @hi-disappointed-im-daughter and @infinitesimalsolemnvow

Word Count: 2.6k

Pairings: Logicality, eventual Prinxiety

Warnings: Manipulative Deceit, revenge, disguise, mention of labor, knife, kidnapping, babying

Masterlist

Chapter 2 | Chapter 4

Chapter 3

Over the years, Dorian had become addicted to the flower. It was the only thing that reversed his wretched curse. The only thing that kept him human.

If only he hadn’t been caught as a spy. His master had been furious, insisting that if he was going to act as a snake, he may as well be one. If he hadn’t already begun his escape incantation...he didn’t want to think about how far gone he would be now.

He took extra caution with his flower, making sure to hide it after each use. No one would take his flower away, he would make sure of it.

It would’ve been easier if he stopped using the flower, and figured out the counter-curse on his own, but it was far too late now. Nothing would stop this curse. Nothing but his flower.

He couldn’t resist the euphoric feeling the flower gave him. The feeling of life, a feeling he hadn’t felt since his youth. It was too much, giving him withdrawal symptoms too quickly.

But he never expected the royals to find his flower. Certainly not so soon.

Hearing someone powering through the brush on the beach, Dorian threw the basket haphazardly over his flower and darted off into the trees. He stayed close enough to see his flower, but far enough away that he wouldn’t be seen.

As he watched, a mage stumbled onto the beach, looking around frantically. The man dove into the sand, digging with his hands. He pulled out a coin and looked devastated. After a moment he leaned back, hitting his head on Dorian’s basket.

Dorian’s eyes flew wide as the man tossed the basket away. The man started crying and conjured a spade. Dorian could only watch, pained as the man took his beautiful flower away. The mage then shouted something and disappeared.

Ad regum.

The king.

Of course. He’d heard a rumor that one of the kings had been locked in the castle. He must’ve had a serious illness that only the flower could cure.

Dorian charged through the forest, making a desperate plan. That mage was going to regret taking his flower away. He would cross any line to get it back, even if it meant killing the king.

He disguised himself as a servant just before entering the gates. The guards waved him through with ease, causing Dorian to hold in his laughter at their stupidity. He entered the castle, picked up a duster and stalked toward the king’s chambers.

“Did you hear? King Patton is saved!”

“That means the heir is too.”

The heir.

A grin spread slowly over Dorian’s face as a much better plan formed in his head.

He would get his flower back.

Over the next two months, he successfully managed to infiltrate the palace staff. He kept his head low and did as he was asked, occasionally calling upon his own magic to help him.

As more days passed, more of his scales came back. If the baby wasn’t born soon, he would be lost to the curse, having spent his last days as a servant.

It disgusted him.

Finally, finally, the day arrived. King Patton had been whisked off to his room in the early hours of the morning. Dorian hovered as close as he dared to the king’s chambers. He was nearly run over by the mage at one point. Luckily the mage didn’t spare a second glance.

The idiot.

After that encounter, Dorian stayed a floor below the kings. He could hear everything in the room below, which happened to be a storage closet. He’d taken it upon himself to relieve the servant stuck with organizing duty. She had thanked him profusely, as she much preferred dusting, and couldn’t stand the cries of the king in pain.

As the day neared its end, the screams above stopped. Dorian listened hard, but he could hear no more.

The heir had arrived.

Biding his time, he waited for the kings to retire to their bedroom. He found the doctor, the one called Lynette, feeding the baby.

“Pardon me, miss, but one of the servant girls has asked for you. I’m afraid that she has eaten some bad fish. One of the other girls tells me that she’s been in the washroom for the better part of an hour.” He rasped, disguising his voice.

“The cook warned everyone that the fish was bad.” Lynette shook her head, looking down at the baby and back at Dorian. “Sir, I’m terribly sorry, but could you finish feeding Virgil? I will make sure that you do not get in trouble for shirking your duties.”

“Of course, ma’am. Anything for the heir.” Dorian just managed to keep the smirk off his face as the heir, Virgil, was handed to him.

“Thank you,” the doctor said, before rushing out of the room.

Dorian conjured a knife, slicing off the barest hint of hair.

To his horror, the silver color faded immediately, replaced with brown.

“No. No!” He whispered, throwing the knife at the wall. It stuck with only a small thud.

The gears turned in Dorian’s mind and gave him a solution. He snapped his fingers, conjuring his basket, and placed the heir, Virgil, inside. The baby’s eyes were sliding shut as he did so.

Dorian covered him with a blanket, before rearranging the pillows in the bassinet. He would be out the front gates before they even knew Virgil was gone.

He scurried down the servant’s hallway, nodding to the others. No one suspected anything from the loyal servant who’d been at the castle for months.

As he neared the gates, his heart began to beat faster. Almost there. Almost-

Shouts of alarm rang through the castle as he opened the gate. Fear filled his chest as he disappeared into the forest, heading for the old, crumbling tower he had lived in as a child.

Locking himself in the tower, he put the basket down and lifted Virgil out. If this didn’t work, at least he had ruined the lives of the kings who had stolen his precious flower.

The baby squirmed in his arms until Dorian opened his mouth and began to sing. The man prayed to every deity he could think of that his plan would work.

“Flower, gleam and glow. Let your power shine. Make the curse reverse, bring back what once was mine.”

As his deep baritone rang hauntingly around the room, Virgil’s hair began to glow. Dorian’s eyes widened as he watched, forgetting to continue until the glow started to slightly fade.

“Heal what has been hurt. Change the fate’s design. Save what has been lost, bring back what once was mine.” Dorian paused, taking in a deep breath.

“What once was mine.”

The familiar euphoric feeling returned. Dorian felt his scales receding as his skin smoothed out. He looked out the window, toward the barely visible castle in the distance and grinned.

As the years passed, Virgil grew into a fine young man with a beautiful voice. When he reached the age of 5, Dorian taught him the song. He requested that Virgil sing it once a day, otherwise thieves would come and steal him right out of the tower.

Virgil grew up absolutely terrified of leaving the tower, just as Dorian had planned. When Virgil was 13, he asked if he could simply head down to the creek. Dorian had taught him all the dangers of hypothermia, and Virgil never asked to leave again.

Instead, Virgil stayed in the tower. Dorian bought him a few books-one on botany, one on geology, and one on cooking.

Virgil read through the books carefully, learning which flowers were poisonous, which types of rocks were the hardest (and were therefore more likely to hurt him), and how to cook everything perfectly so there was no chance of food poisoning.

Dorian continued to have Virgil sing to him daily as he got older. After nearly 18 years of singing, he figured out that he could leave for up to 4 days now before the curse took hold. Over those years, Virgil had taught himself all sorts of skills, such as cleaning, sewing, ballet, and many others.

Virgil had also taught himself art.

Dorian had noticed the walls start to become covered in paintings, but he said nothing. His flower needed to rely on him so that he would stay in the tower.

In fact, he criticized the art, despite the fact that it was breathtaking.

“Father, what do you think?” Virgil asked biting his lip. He didn’t make eye contact with Dorian, something the man had ingrained into him.

Dorian’s eyes raked over the painting, searching for a flaw and finding none.

“Your colors are muddied.” He deadpanned, running a finger through the still drying paint. He heard Virgil gasp behind him as he smeared the paint. “And the creek is flowing the wrong way.”

Virgil made a noise of protest behind him.

Dorian whirled around, sending Virgil scrambling toward the wall. The young boy tripped over his hair, falling to the floor.

“Do you doubt me?” He asked, his tone icy.

Virgil shook his head. “N-no, sir.”

Dorian gave him a nod, before grabbing the stool. “Good. Now sit.”

Virgil did as he was told, handing Dorian a brush. “F-father, there is something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

“Oh?” Dorian began to run a brush through Virgil’s long flowing hair. Virgil hadn’t asked for anything since he was 13. “Sing for me first, Virgil.”

“Flowergleamandglow,letyourpowershine,” Virgil sang as quickly as possible. Dorian protested, but Virgil continued. “Makethecursereverse,bringbackwhatoncewasmine. Healwhathasbeenhurt,changethefatesdesign,savewhathasbeenlost, bringbackwhatoncewasmine. Whatoncewasmine.”

Dorian barely managed to run the brush through Virgil’s hair, sweeping the magic into himself. Virgil turned to face him, a smile on his face. It morphed into a grimace of fear as Dorian frowned at him.

“Next time, you will sing at a regular speed. Understood?” Dorian threw the brush at Virgil.

It hit the boy in the chest, hard, and he scrambled to catch it. “Y-yes Father.”

“Now, what was it you were going to ask me?” Standing in front of the mirror, Dorian began to examine his face, making sure the scales weren’t coming back.

Virgil darted across the room, pulling back a curtain, revealing another impeccable painting on the wall. It showed Virgil, sitting on the windowsill, gazing out at blobs of yellow that floated through the sky.

“I-I was hoping that-could you-”

“Virgil, you know I hate stuttering. Out with it.” Dorian turned back to the mirror, keeping an eye on the boy’s reflection.

“I want to see the floating lights!”

Dorian turned around, examining the blobs in the painting once more. “Virgil, I thought you knew better than this. Those are stars.”

“I’ve charted stars,” Virgil started, swinging his hair up to open the skylight. Beams of sunshine lit up a star chart on the opposite wall. “They’re always constant. These lights, they only appear once a year. On my birthday. I just-I can’t help but think that maybe they’re meant for me. I need to see them. In person, not from the window. Please.”

It was rare for Virgil to stand up for himself.

Dorian hated it.

“You want to go outside?” He moved towards the window and closed it. Virgil wouldn’t be content to simply sit and listen to him lecture, so Dorian began to sing. “Why, Virgil-

“Look at you as fragile as a flower, still a little sapling, just a sprout. You know why we stay up in this tower-”

Virgil cut him off. “I know, but-”

“That’s right. To keep you safe and sound dear.” Dorian interrupted, running his fingers through Virgil’s hair as he moved toward the window.

“Guess I always knew this day was coming.” He sang, closing the curtain. “Knew that soon you’d want to leave the nest! Soon, but not yet-”

“But-”

“Shh!” Dorian made a grabbing motion with his hand, and Virgil fell silent. “Trust me, pet. Father knows best.”

He punched one of the wooden beams, activating the pulley that closed the skylight. Virgil gasped as the room plunged into darkness.

A light filled the room as Virgil lit a candle. Dorian crept up behind him.

“Father knows best, listen to your Father, it’s a scary world out there.”

Virgil let out a yelp and scrambled backwards as Dorian appeared in the light, his hands held above him like claws. Dorian vanished into the darkness again, tugging on Virgil’s hair before looping it around a hook.

Virgil began to tug back on his hair as Dorian snuck around to his back.

“Father knows best, one way or another, something will go wrong I swear!”

He caught Virgil as he fell into the one spot of light in the room, before darting back into the shadows.

“Ruffians, thugs,” Dorian sang, using his magic to make shadow puppets realistic enough to terrify Virgil. “Poison ivy, quicksand.”

“Cannibals and snakes,” he flipped a voodoo doll in a frying pan, emphasizing his point, before snapping his fingers and changing it into a lantern with an eerie green glow. “The plague.”

“No!” Virgil cried out, starting to sink into his hair.

“Yes.”

“But-”

“Also large bugs.” Snapping his fingers again, a portrait of his true self appeared on the floor. “Men with pointy teeth. And stop! No more, you’ll just upset me.”

Virgil wound his hair around himself and lit another candle, quaking with fear. Dorian grabbed the boy, afraid that he would catch his hair on fire, and pulled him to his feet.

“Father’s right here. Father will protect you.” Virgil threw his arms around Dorian. Disgusted by this, Dorian quickly switched places with a mannequin, appearing at the top of the stairs, summoning lit candles for effect. “Darling here’s what I suggest! Skip the drama, stay with papa. Faaatheeeer knows best!”

He let out a low chuckle, sweeping his cape around himself to plunge Virgil into darkness once more. He continued to sing as he walked behind the boy, putting out the candles behind him.

“Father knows best, take it from your popsy, on your own you won’t survive.”

He saw Virgil heading towards the mirror and grabbed the back of it, tipping it downward.

“Sloppy, underdressed,” Dorian moved out from behind the mirror, tugging on Virgil’s hair once more, “immature, clumsy. Please, they’ll eat you up aliveeeeeee!”

He rolled Virgil up in his hair tightly, keeping the boy tied up. “Gullible, naive. Positively grubby.”

Grabbing one end, he yanked. Virgil spun around as he unraveled, stumbling around the room. “Ditzy and a bit...well, hmm, vague.”

“Plus, I believe, getting kinda chubby. I’m just saying cuz I wuv you,” Dorian sang, pressing Virgil’s cheeks together, treating him like a child. Virgil’s face flushed with embarrassment as Dorian let go and walked back into the darkness.

“Father understands, Father’s here to help you.” Virgil looked around, whimpering. Dorian took pity on the boy and opened the skylight, standing where Virgil could see him. “All I have is one requeeeestttt.”

Virgil looked relieved and sprinted over, throwing himself into Dorian’s arms. Though he looked at the boy with disdain, Dorian let him have his moment.

Dorian petted Virgil’s hair. “Virgil?”

“Yes?” Virgil said, his eyes bright with hope.

Dorian put his hands on the boy’s shoulders, squeezing them tightly, before looking at him with complete sincerity. “Don’t ever ask to leave this tower again.”

The hope fled from Virgil’s eyes in an instant, replaced with tears. He looked down to the floor. “Yes, Father.”

“Oh, I love you very much, dear,” Dorian said, tilting Virgil’s head up to see if any tears had fallen. He’d discovered early on that Virgil’s tears also contained magic.

Virgil’s face was clear as he looked up, repeating what had been conditioned into him. “I love you more.”

“I love you most,” Dorian said, kissing Virgil’s hair.

“Don’t forget it. You’ll regret it. Father knows best.”

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[alwayslilmisstreated]

Chapter 1, Part 2 Past Reunions

*(The thing about writing from Mari’s POV, is that it could easily run away with me. I could be descriptive as hell, but I don’t know if anyone likes that stuff so I tone it down. Proceed if you wish.)*

“Are we almost there?” I knew I sounded rude after everything this man had went through to bring me here just because my sister was a friend and she had asked him to, but the longer we rode in silence, the more nervous I got. The more nervous I got, I wanted to smoke a joint. The conversation Blanc and I had just had didn’t make me feel any better either.

Blanc stuck his head out the window, studying the terrain around us. “We’re already over the Black Bridge, so yes. It should only be a couple more minutes or so.” He smiled softly at me and went back to studying something on his pocket watch.

I nodded, gripping the straps on my bag tighter. After talking to Blanc about Cradle, I was growing apprehensive about the whole thing, but it was too late to go back now; I was stuck for a month.

I swallowed hard as I saw what he was talking about, Black Headquarters loomed ahead, behind huge gates. Butterflies were in my stomach, which only worsened as the carriage pulled to a complete stop alongside the gate. “I’m afraid this is where I’ll have to leave you, the Ace of Spades and I got into a spat of sorts and now.. well let’s leave it at that.” He smiled brightly, straightening his jacket before opening the carriage door for me.

“He’s afraid he’ll get his stupid ass shot.” Oliver declared from above them, sounding highly amused.

Blanc glared at the other man as he helped me down, and even further, helping me strap the enormous bag, once again, to my back. He then proceeded to hand me my small leather satchel. “It was nice meeting you, Major Maddox. I look forward to seeing you at the reception.”

I cringed shaking that particular thought from my mind for the moment. “The pleasure was mine, Mr. Lapin. Thank you for helping my sister.” I turned and nodded up at the driver’s box to where the strange man sat, looking bored and impatient. “Good night, Oliver.”

Straightening he snorted. “Bye idiot. Don’t kill anybody.”

Blanc rolled his eyes at me and whispered one last remark before departing. “Don’t tell anyone else that you were magic before.” He cautioned.

I shook my head and chuckled lightly as Blanc got back inside the carriage and they rode back the way we had came, turning to the gates in front of me. As soon as the carriage was out of sight, footsteps started toward me from the other side of the fence. Instinctively, my free hand rested on the handle of my pistol.

“It’s rude to shoot your host, you know?” The voice came from Fenrir Godspeed, who stepped forward out of the shadows, grinning from ear to ear. “But it is nice to see someone else with a love for firearms.” He was beaming as he came to a stop in front of her, holding his hand out. I slowly took my hand away from my gun to shake his hand. I think I squeezed too hard, but he didn’t say anything about it.

“Do you speak? Because I have no problem standing here staring at you all night.” He laughed, leaning a little too close to my face for my liking. I backed up, curling my lip at him.

“Yes.” My tone was glass, eyes hardening. “Where is my sister, Ace of Spades?”

“Wait, how--”

“Mari!” A loud scream rang out from beyond the gates, making Fenrir and I both shrink back. The gates started to open, and a purple streak jumped at me, knocking me to the ground. Arms were wrapped around my neck so tight, I felt myself getting a little light headed. “I missed you so much! I can’t believe you’re here!” Alice hugged me tighter.

Choking a little, I tried to push her off. “Alice-- I love you, but get the fuck off me!”

“Oh!” She jumped up, returning my air to me. “I’m sorry!” Footsteps were approaching in the dark behind her. “Sirius! I found her!”

Fenrir was smiling, but muttering. “I found her first.” He reached out a hand to me, helping me back to my feet, hindered by the weight on my back.

“Thank you,” I smiled at him, a real one this time, surprising him. Hoping that would distract him from my little slip up just before Alice came barreling into me.

In that moment four more men came to join them. The one who must be Ray Blackwell, King of Spades, stood furthest away from me, eyeing me warily, just like I was doing to all of them. The one who must be Sirius came to stand next to Alice, taking her hand. “I see.” He smiled down at her, then he looked at me, now covered in dust and grass. “I’m glad you made it safely.” His amethyst eyes were warm, and bright. Despite me not being happy about my sister being seduced by an older man I had never met before, I could see why she had, he truly was kind.

I nodded, flashing, what I hoped was an inviting smile to all of them. “Thank you for having me.” Fenrir had taken my smaller bag when I fell, beckoning me forward, closer to them. I already knew who they were, but I let him introduce us anyway. “I’m sure you’ve guessed, but this old man is Sirius.”

“I’m only thirty!” Sirius sputtered, glaring at the younger man.

Narrowing my eyes confused, “Don’t feel bad, Sirius, we’ll have an old person club and nobody else can join.” I smiled and winked, making him chuckle a little.

“No way!” A sing songy voice, met my ears as a very attractive, almost pretty man with long teal hair stepped forward to cup my chin in his hand unexpectedly. I almost flipped him, but the panicked look in my little sister’s eyes stopped me. To her, I would be the monster. So I gently let him touch my face, trembling at his gentle touch. “You are way too gorgeous to thirty, Sweetie! I wouldn’t put you a day over seventeen.”

I chuckled softly, feeling my cheeks heat in embarrassment. “Um thank you Mr.--?”

“Just call me Seth,” He purred, turning to look at the quiet man at his side. “And this cutie is Luka Clemence.”

Reluctantly Luka’s amber eyes came up to meet mine, sweeping over my face and over my dusty appearance. For the first time, I felt self conscious and almost naked.

Ray cleared his throat, stepping forward finally, to get in my face, our noses almost touching. Something about the fire in his eyes, left me rooted in place as we stood toe to toe in silence. After what felt like minutes, though I’m sure it was nowhere near that long, Ray finally spoke. “Welcome to the Black Army. If you have any weapons, I suggest you turn them in when we get inside.” He turned and left us standing there.

My face was hot with anger, but I said nothing, just shook like a leaf, wanting to hit something. Hit him. Slowly Sirius led Alice back through the gate and the rest of us followed suit.

Seth fell into step next to me, trying to take my bag from me, since I hadn’t let it off my back once, but I refused. It was the only thing holding me in place. “Don’t mind Ray, some of Alice’s stories just made him nervous,” he whispered in my ear. My eyes narrowed once again. Everyone probably thought I was a hot-headed, foul-mouthed, gun-crazed bitch thanks to her.

“What did she say?” My teeth were clenched, I silently reached for the flask, strapped to my thigh, taking a larger swig this time.

Fenrir was walking next to Luka, still holding my bag, and the lovebirds were in each other’s arms ahead of all of us. But somehow, I felt more comfortable with this angelic stranger, who was the only one not walking on egg shells around me.

Seth smiled, our eyes meeting since we were the same height. “She told him about your life growing up, you raising her and all.” He blushed a little at the last part and I knew why. Being young, there weren’t many job options for a woman to feed her pre-teen little sister. So I’d started dancing for money. Just dancing. Until I was old enough to enlist in the Army. I had sent Alice most of my wages so she could go to confectionery school.

“Which part makes him nervous?” I was feeling bolder, not sure if it was fueled by my nerves, or the alcohol I kept sipping on diligently, but I kept going to everyone’s dismay. “The fact that I was a stripper or the fact that I’m the most feared woman in London?”

I heard Alice’s gasp of embarrassment, and a loud laugh from Fenrir, who got slapped on the back of the head by Sirius. Luka looked back at me, confused, slowing his pace to walk next to us, far out of Sirius’ father like hands.

Seth chuckled softly, “Both. I think he’s afraid you’ll seduce one of us and kill us.”

I laughed a little too loud at this, covering my mouth, strangled sounds still escaping. Luka’s lips twitched around the edges, fighting a smile. “What is a stripper?”

That stopped me. Was he serious?

Seth sobered. “Don’t worry about it, Luka. I’ll explain it to you when you grow up.”

“Seth, I am a grown up.” Luka’s eyes were narrowing into slits.

I didn’t see why they wouldn’t let him in on the joke. Innocently, I slipped out, “I used to dance naked.”

Seth gasped, looking at Luka with wide eyes, waiting for his reaction.

Luka seemed to think about this, “Oh.” His cheeks were dark red, like apples. His reaction brought an involuntary smile to my lips. He was adorable.

Ray had disappeared inside headquarters, Sirius and Alice right on his heels with the rest of us bringing up the rear. Seth held the door open for me, gesturing that I should go first. No sooner had I stepped over the threshold and the King of Spades was in my face, again. “Come with me.” His tone did not suggest that I had an option.

I turned to Seth who shrugged, nodding that I should follow.

“Leave your bag,” he called over his shoulder. “Seth will put it in your room for you.”

Reluctantly I handed it over, feeling as if a piece of me was going with it. “I’ll take good care of it,” Seth whispered with a soft reassuring smile before he whisked it away from me.

I silently followed Ray up to the second floor where he led me into an office, closing the door behind me. Alice and Sirius were already seated, waiting and Fenrir was sitting in the corner, looking extremely bored with my small leather bag at his feet. I strode and stood next to my sister, studying everything in the room.

“First,” Ray started, meeting my gaze evenly. “Welcome to Cradle, Major Maddox.” He seemed to stumble over the Major part. “Your sister tells me you’re quite the soldier.” He was waiting for me to say something, I realized a second too slow.

“I’ve seen my share of war.”

“As far as seniority goes, just how far up this ladder are you?”

I thought it over. “Well, I just answer to my Captain, but he answers to our General. Other than that, everybody else in our unit is under me.”

Sirius seemed to appreciate this, but didn’t say anything, wiping the smile from his lips before Ray could see it.

Ray nodded, keeping his eyes trained on me. Almost as if he were waiting for me to start going wild right here in front of everybody.

His next question was interrupted by Seth and Luka, casually joining the meeting.

“Did you bring any weapons with you?” He asked, his tone changing again, this time unreadable to my trained ears.

I saw no reason to lie to them. “I have my issued pistol,” I nodded down to my hip. “My arsenal is in my bag, with my own collection that never leaves my side. And..” I hesitated. “I guess you could count my shoes, but seeing as they’re all I got, I’d appreciate it if I could keep them.” I kept my tone even the whole time.

“Your shoes?” Sirius asked, staring at my combat boots, which I self consciously slid into the shadows of the desk I was standing next to.

I sighed and stomped my foot, applying the proper amount of pressure to release the switch blades from the toes, careful to keep them from slicing any ankles.

Ray’s eyes widened as I gently slid them back in, out of view.

“Being the only female, Captain Rodriguez thought it was better if I had extra backup.” I said this almost quietly, but they all heard me. “So,” I started, staring at Ray once more, “If you need to take anything from me, please do it now.”

Ray blinked rapidly, trying to collect his thoughts once more. Who was this woman? “That won’t be necessary.” He cleared his throat. “If I thought you were going to murder any of us, I would have had you apprehended at the gate.” He ignored the audible gasp that escaped Alice’s lips. “My main concern is that none of your belongings from the Land of Reason are to leave the barracks, we can’t have anything that can be used against us that would put us at a disadvantage.”

I nodded. I did understand that, and I was glad he wasn’t taking anything from me. But I did have to wonder about several things. “Why are you so nervous then?” The question was out before I realized I had asked it. All shocked eyes turned to me. “I’m highly trained to read body language,” I went on, trying to mend what I had ripped open. “I can always tell when someone is lying to me, so please do not offend me by trying.”

The army brat was coming out to play. Alice’s hand smacked my arm, but I didn’t feel it.

After a long pause Ray started laughing, breaking the tension building in the room. “You make me nervous,” he admitted, “but it’s not because you’re a soldier. Or because of your past.” He added that last part, glaring at Seth silently. He must have heard us on the walk up here. “You make me nervous because you’re not on our side.”

“What?” Seth asked, shocked. “You mean the whole time Alice was begging you, you--”

“That’s right.” Ray smiled. “ I had already decided. I am interested in recruiting our new lady friend. She poses a triple threat, and having someone like that on our side, should the need arise, we’d be unstoppable.”

“Triple?” I asked, wetting my suddenly parched lips.

“You’re combat trained, a seductress and you can manipulate magic.” He explained.

“Seductress?” Luka looked at Seth for help, explaining this further to him. Seth whispered something softly in his ear, both their eyes lingering over me. It wasn’t my choice for a title, but I guess it was impressive to them.

That got me thinking about Blanc’s parting words, but I didn’t dare bring them up right now.What would they think of me if they knew I had magic before I came to Cradle? What would that even mean?

I actually felt a little relieved. Maybe this would be the answer to my problem and I wouldn’t have to say goodbye to Alice after the month was over. But I still had to think about this. This wasn’t a regular battlefield. I had never believed in magic before, much less ever had to dodge a magic attack. This would definitely require some serious thinking.

“So... how long do I have to think about this? I mean, is it really okay for someone like me, to just... join you? Is this really okay with all of you?”

No one seemed to object, but I couldn’t really read what any of their eyes were saying. It was Ray who spoke up. “Anyone can join the Black Army. The Red Army inherits their positions through family and birthright. They value luxury and prestige above all else, but we,” he gestured to all the leaders in the room, “all joined for a different reason or another. We fight for freedom and what’s right. You have the month to think about it.”

This brought a real smile to my lips. This actually made sense to me. I slid my flask from the strap on my thigh, unscrewing the lid to take another sip. “Thank you. All of you.”

“For what?” Luka asked.

“For... everything?” It came out sounding like a question. “Whether I join you, or not, thank you for taking care of Alice and  letting me come see my Little Bird.” I stroked Alice’s hair, lovingly, until she started swatting me away.

“I’m not a baby anymore,” she huffed. Her face was red, and it didn’t seem like Sirius was going to save her from this. Not from me.

“You are to me,” I whispered. Shivers ran up my spine as I thought about never seeing her again. It could still happen. My time could still be running out.

Their expressions softened as they watched us. We were similar, but more different than anything. She was a princess, and I was a jar-head.

“I’m sure you’re tired,” Ray went on, pulling me back down to reality. “Seth has your room ready for you.”

I wasn’t tired at all, but I was ready to get out of the cramped atmosphere. “May I smoke in my room?” I asked, batting my lashes at him. “I don’t smoke cigarettes so it won’t make anything stain or stink.” I added quickly.

Alice turned to me. “Don’t tell me. You still get high?” She curled her lip at me, making me laugh.

“Actually I have a prescription now. A lot of things have changed. And don’t act all innocent. You know very well you used to smoke all the time.”

“That’s fine.” Ray answered. “May I ask why though? What happens if you don’t?”

I slid the card out of my pocket and stepped forward to handle it to him. His eyes widening as he scanned the explicit notes my doctor had written.

“If I don’t,” I said meeting all of their gazes, “Cradle will have a monster on her hands.”

Ray nodded, passing the card around so everybody could read it. “What causes PTSD? That’s my last question and I’ll let you all go, do whatever you like.”

“Things that have happened to me, things I’ve had to do...” I trailed off, flashing my eyes at Alice, so he understood. “I’ll tell you about it sometime.”

“I’m looking forward to it. Welcome to the Black Army, Mari.”

“Wait a minute, Ray!” Fenrir’s voice was louder than I expected it to be, but I stood my ground. “I say we have one final thing before we just offer her a spot.” His smile was grinning, but I didn’t really know where he was going with this. “She has to spar someone. If none of you are up for it,” his eyes scanned over the other men in the room. “I’ll fight her.”

Now I knew where he was going with this.

“Fenrir--” Ray started towards his partner, but Fenrir cut him off. Not rudely, but all the energy in the room was focused on his words.

“I think we’re dealing with a quadruple threat here. I’m not complaining, but I’m itching to find out what she’s capable of. After all, if she were to ever fight with us, we have to know her strengths.”

“That’s true.” Sirius mused, getting elbowed gently by Alice who was looking apprehensive.

“How do you want to do this?” I spoke up. That was the amazing thing about my voice. It has been a joke my whole life that I only have two volumes. Meek and Loud.

“That’s enough!” Ray finally got between us. “We can do this tomorrow, Fenrir. She’s been in Cradle a whole of two hours.”

“Alright.” I agreed. “Name the time and place. I’ll be there.”

“O’ eight hundred. The courtyard.” 

[velasnyx]

Emaziska 007 AU Sequel: Vindicta Chapter 9

I ran to the car and found Fran passed out in the passenger seat. The wire for the leed wasn't plugged in. I plugged it in and pressed the defibrillator button when it was charged up. It sent shock to her chest. She gasped for air. I let out a sigh of relief. “Jesus Christ,” she said. “You alright?” I asked. “Are YOU alright? You look like hell”. “Speak for yourself,” I said. She flashed a smile. I sat against the car to catch my breath. “The game starts in fifteen minutes,”  I said, checking my watch. “Let's get back to the room and clean up,” Fran said. I nodded in agreement.

I took off my shirt and washed the blood off my face. Looking in the mirror, I noticed just how bad I took a beating. The cut on my stomach was still bleeding a bit and I had bruises all over my midsection and back. Fran walked out of the closet. “Christ, I didn't think it was this bad,” she said. “Neither did I,” I said as I began cleaning  the wound on my stomach. “Let me help”. “Don't worry. The game starts soon. Besides, mission first,” I said. Fran shook her head. “Screw the mission right now”. I sighed. I knew she wasn't going to take no for an answer so I had no choice but to give in. “Alright”. She cleaned the wounds and patched them up. “You saved my life… again. Thank you,” she said. I smiled and caressed her cheek. “Anyday, darling”. I leaned in to kiss her cheek. She moved away. I sighed. “Listen-”. “Why? So you could further emphasize that there is, in your words, “no us”?” Fran said. “It's complicated,” I said. “How? After everything we've been through; after everything we've said to each other and you just say that it's nothing”. I frowned. I felt guilty. I led her on. She thought that there could have been something. Honestly, so did I. “I didn't mean that,” I said. She slammed her fist on the bathroom counter. “Then why'd you say it?!” Fran exclaimed. I looked away. “Don't look away. I want you to look at me and tell me why,” she hissed. I looked her square in the eye. “It'll only hold us back. We are MI6 00 agents. We need to be quick, we need to be relentless, we need to feel nothing when we pull that trigger, and we need to finish the job. I can't have anything else on my mind. It'll only get me killed and it will be the same for you,” I said. “That's bullshit”. “It's the truth and you know it. We are always in danger. If one of us gets killed it'll be easier in the end. I don't have to mourn a wife”. “Jesus Christ, I can't believe this. What the fuck happened?! Was it something I did? Did I do something wrong? Something must've happened because just yesterday you were fucking flirting with me. We've kissed. I've held you in my arms. You flew thousands of miles to bring me back. You gave me a place to stay. You've helped me beat addiction. You helped me during my withdrawal. You've seen sides of me that no one, absolutely no one, has ever seen. Now tell me what the fuck happened!”. “I can't lose you again!” I blurted out. She just stared at me, devoid of emotion. “You can’t lose me again. Well, that’s a rather stupid way to not lose me because you’re definitely going to lose me now”. “Fran, please. You have to understand-”. She cut me off. “No, I understand completely. You are the one who has to understand. There’s no coming back from this,” Fran said. “I didn’t do this to hurt you”. “Well, you did, Ema. I opened myself up to you. I don’t do that with just anyone and there’s a good fucking reason why. I knew this would happen,” she said. What does she mean by she knew. She knew I’d hurt her? What fucking indication did I give that I’d hurt her. It seemed more likely that she’d hurt me in the end with her tendency to sleep with any woman she comes across. “Then why the fuck did you bother opening up? Huh? If you knew you’d only get hurt then why?” I asked. “Because I-” she stopped before she could finish. She looked away from me. “Forget it. You’re not worth it,” she said. She shot me a cold stare and walked out. I stood in the bathroom by myself. “Fuck you! I should’ve never brought you back!” I yelled. I didn't mean what I said but I was so angry. I just wanted to hurt her. Hopefully she had already left.

“Fuck you! I should’ve never brought you back!” Ema yelled. I was halfway through the door. Her words stung. I didn’t want to feel it but I did. I care about her. I thought we had something. I wanted us to be something. For once, I hoped for something that was more than sex. All of it was flushed down the toilet. I suppose I’ve learned my lesson once again. I can’t open up. I can't trust anyone with my feelings.

I went back downstairs. “007!. Zak rushed over to me. “You’re alright!” he said. Well, just barely. “Yes, Ema got to me just in time,” I said. “She was really worried. We thought you just had a bit too much to drink but she knew something was wrong”. “She has keen senses. So, has the game started?” I said. Zak shook his head. “You got back just in the nick of time. You got two minutes. Make ‘em count,” he said. I nodded.

Everyone was at the table but the dealer hadn’t started yet. “Are we going to play or what?” one of the players asked. “We are waiting for Mr. Swallow,” the dealer answered. “But he lost all his money,” I said. “He seemed to get a bit more funds for the game”. Just then, a man sat across from me but it wasn’t Swallow. This man had huge stitch scar that split right down the middle of his face. “Excuse me, sir. It is too late to enter the game,” the dealer said. “Oh, my apologies. I am taking over for Mr. Swallow. He became rather ill during the break,” the mysterious man said. “What? He can’t take over for him!”. The dealer looked uneasy. “Well, due to the high stakes, if a player cannot play due to certain circumstances, they can have someone else take over,” the dealer replied. Shit. That means we’re not in the clear yet. On top of that, I’m almost sure the reason Swallow isn’t here isn’t because he’s ill. He’s dead. Ms.Hawthorne along with him. “Welcome to the game, Mr…”. “Doe. Mr. Doe,” the man said.

There were three of us left, including myself and Mr. Doe. This guy was different. He's better than Swallow. Much better. I've been playing much more carefully than I've had to. “Mr. Galactica raises $700,” the dealer said. We all looked at each other. Mr. Doe placed all his chips forward. “Mr. Doe goes all in”. I looked at him. He had the same expressionless face. I can't get a fucking read on him. It's too much of a risk to call his bluff. “Mr. Galactica goes all in”. My turn. I have good cards but not good enough for this. “Fold,” I said. I looked over at the other's. They looked nervous. Except for Ema. She stared right at me with a stone cold glare. She looked away and took a sip from her glass. “Mr Galactica gets a full house. Kings, pair of aces”. Mr. Doe placed his cards down and flipped one. A three. Mr. Galactica smiled. Doe flipped the other. A king. Galactica's face dropped. Son of a bitch! I had a pair of aces. Mother fucker! I should've called his bluff! “Four of a kind. Mr. Doe wins the round. Thirty minute break before the final round between Mr. Doe and Ms. von Karma,” the dealer said.

I went after Doe. Someone stopped me. It was Ema. “What do you think you're doing?” she asked. “Don't worry about it”. Just let me go. I don't want to talk to you. “Don't worry about it? If you go after him and something happens-,” she said. “What do you care if something happens?” I sneered. She sighed. “You idiot,” I heard her say under her breath. “What did you say?”. She grabbed me by the collar and pulled me down. “I said you're a bloody idiot. You're going to fuck up this entire mission,” she hissed. I pushed her away. “Listen, I get it. You're angry with me. But you need to think. We can't risk the mission,” she said. I groaned in annoyance. She's right. If I approach him, there's a good chance one of us would start something. I started walking back with her. We stayed silent. After a while, I noticed the absence of her footsteps. I looked back. She was leaning against the wall. I walked over to her. “Hey, you alright?” I asked. Her breathing was labored and she had her hand over her ribs. “Yeah…”. She groaned in pain. “Yeah, I just need a minute,” she added. “You need help?”. She chuckled. “I'm surprised you still care”. “I don't. But we're on the same team,” I said. I was lying but let's hope she doesn't she through me. “Give me a second. Just make sure I don't die,” she joked. I leaned on the wall, next to her. “You should rest for the night,” I suggested. “And miss you win? Not a chance,” she answered. I chuckled. “You going to be my cheerleader?” I asked. “You wish”. We were silent again. “Did you mean what you said? That you should've never brought me back,” I asked. She frowned. “No. Of course not. I was just angry. I was hoping you had already left,” she said. “So was I”.

“This is the final round. Ms. von Karma, you have the big blind. $2,000,” the dealer said. I put in the chips. Doe put in the same amount. I stared at him. He looked back, unwavered. “All in,” I said. “Ms. von Karma, we just started the game. Are you sure you want to go all in so early?” the dealer said. “I'm sure”. I pushed my chips forward. I only had a high card so this was super reckless. “Well, I'll have to call you on that. All in,” Doe said. “All in. That's 12.3 billion dollars in the pot,” the dealer said. I showed my cards. A six of clubs and 8 of diamonds. He placed his down. A two of spades and five of hearts. I beat him. “Ms. von Karma, Lady Luck was generous to you tonight. You win,” the dealer said.

“You are one crazy son of a bitch,” Zak said, patting me on the back. “I took the chance and hoped for the best,” I said. “That was reckless,” Gavin said. He wasn't happy with what I did. “Oh, loosen up, Kristoph. It worked out so quite being such a party poopin' bitch,” Ema said. Gavin groaned in annoyance. “Good job, 007,” she told me with a smiled. I smiled back. “Thanks”.

I walked back into my room. Before I could even turn on the lights, I heard a muffled scream. I turned the lights in to find Ms. Hawthorne gagged and tied to a chair. I stepped forward and felt a knife at my neck. It was Doe. “He's dead, isn't he?”. He chuckled. “Why not her too?” I asked. “Well, she's connected to you now. You wanted to save her. Now she's leverage since you decided to play hero,” he answered. “Are you going to kill me now?” I asked. “You'll see”. “I suppose we will. Ema, now!”. Ema hit him and I knocked the knife out of his hand. He recovered quickly. We surrounded him. Two against one. We can take him. I threw a punch, which he caught. I was just the diversion. Ema swung her leg at his head. He ducked and sweeped his leg to trip her. He then flipped me. I guess this won't be as easy as I thought. I heard a crash. He had swung a bottle, hitting Ema in the face. He threw her into the glass table. I looked around and grabbed the knife from the floor. When I looked up, he had Ema in a chokehold. I stabbed him in the ribs, causing him to cry out in pain. Ema broke free. “Ema, get Hawthorne!” I said. She ran over to her. I grabbed our assailant from behind and suplexed him.

I ran over to Ms. Hawthorne and began untying her. Fran and Doe were fighting. Even after being stabbed, it barely affected his abilities. He grabbed her and threw her over us. Fran crashed into the mirror. He walked over to us. I got ready to defend myself. A vase was thrown at him but he caught it. Fran ran at him and he swung the vase, colliding it with Fran's face. She kicked his knee and he staggered. She tackled him to the ground. I continued to free Hawthorne. I removed the rope. “Thank you,” she said. “You alright?” I asked. She nodded. She pulled me close. She wanted to tell me something. I leaned down. “You couldn't satisfy her like I did,” she whispered. What the fuck? I felt a sharp pain in my stomach. I looked down. Her hand gripped the knife that was plunged into my stomach. I looked at her. She wore a wicked smile. I felt weak. I tried to grab her but she kicked me back. “Ema. Ema!”. I looked over at Fran. Doe had her pinned down, the knife at her throat. The door was kicked open. It was Zak and Kristoph. Zak kicked the man off of Fran and aimed his gun. The bitch held the knife at my throat. “Don't even think about it. I'll kill her,” she said. “Go ahead”. I struggled to even talk. “I'm not afraid to die,” I added. “Oh, how stoic. For England?” she said. I glared at her. “Place the guns on the ground. Do it now or she dies”. They dropped their guns. Doe took them. He aimed the guns at Kristoph and Zak. “Get into the corner”. My vision was fading. I was getting weaker by the second. Hawthorne was distracted. I noticed the knife wasn't at my neck and her grip on it was loose. I quickly took it from her and swiped. She fell back with her hands covering her face. She screamed in pain. “You fucking bitch!”. I chuckled. “Fuck you,” I said. She grabbed the knife and brought it down on me. She aiming for my chest. I hit her hand, causing her trajectory to change to my shoulder. The blade plunged into me. I groaned in pain. “Ms. Hawthorne, we have to go. Now!”. “Burn in hell,” she told me. She left my field of vision. Fran ran over to me. “Ema! Oh, shit. That bitch fucking played me,” she said. I chuckled. “She makes me look like an angel then,” I joked. Fran put pressure on my stomach. I yelped. “Zak, keep pressure on the wound,” she said. “What? Where are you going?” he replied. “I'm going after them”. “007, it's too dangerous,” Kristoph said. Zak applied pressure. “Stay with me, kid,” he said.

I ran outside. They sped off in a car. I sprinted over to mine and quickly went after them. Opening the special compartment and I grabbed my gun. I shot through the windshield and broke an opening in it. I shot at the car. It wasn't long until the started to return fire. We continued to race through the city until we reached a rural area just outside the city. We continued to exchange fire. A bullet hit my tire and I lost control of the car. It flipped multiple times until it skidded to a stop, upside down. I crawled out, barely conscious. I heard faint voices. “Look at you. How pathetic. I thought I trained you well enough. You shouldn't have thrown it all away”. That stupid old bastard. Why can't he leave me alone?

I woke up in a bright room. I looked around and figured I was in a hospital. Zak sat at the table, playing solitaire. “Zak”. He looked over at me. “Good morning, sleeping beauty,” he said. “What happened?” I asked. He walked over to me. “They found you at a car crash. You've been out for four days,” he answered. Four days. Shit. They're gone then. “What about… what about Ema?” I asked. I hope she's alright. Please, let her be alright. “She was in critical condition but she's alright now. She's real tough, that one,”  he answered. I let out a sigh of relief. “We lost those two. We don't have a clue where they are”. Dammit. “But we can rest easy, knowing they don't have the money,” he added. I nodded. There was a knock at the door. “Yes?”. Ema walked in. She was hooked up to a portable IV. “You woke up. ‘Bout time you lazy bum,” she said. “I'll leave you two alone,” Zak said. He left, closing the door behind him. We were silent. She sat in the chair next to my bed. She looked bad. She had cuts and bruises on her face. I probably looked just as bad. Maybe worse. “When I fully recover, I'll be going on a mission in Poland. I don't know how long I'll be there,” she said. I nodded. I didn't really have anything to say. Maybe this was for the best.

[thornstocutyouwith]

Karma:

Tristan gave her a look before nodding “ I don’t know about any of those things.” He gave a soft smile as he dropped his head a little bit.  Tristan hadn’t been likely to be a good house keeper, or any good in the kitchen. Perhaps he could craft weapons, with his natural born abilities of course. But other than that he figured he wasn’t very much use in the department without them. Glancing to one side then he nods “ I am normally employed to do stealth missions, Shay. The Hearts used me to do shady business deals. Then when I was captured by the Diamonds they used me to gather information and, we…you know, ruin the chances of potential suitors for their son, in their attempt to secure you as his future wife.” Tristan gave a shrug then “ I don’t think I would be very good keeping a house or being in a kitchen.” As he listen to Shay’s explanation of Sean’s decision he shook his head a bit “ Right. Sure. But…I thought I was his best friend. Why would I be hurt by him finding someone to love. I am not as selfish as that makes me seem, you know.” He felt like that had made him seem selfish because who would get hurt over someone else’s love life, just because they weren’t the love of their life? Tristan could only imagine a selfish person would. And the fact that Sean had done that itself had made him feel worse than Tristan could have ever possibly felt if he were to be upset by Sean getting married to Seti. Tristan hadn’t even met Seti, yet “ Well, it’s not a nice feeling, I hope he knows. Being left out of all the special events in his life, and being a good friend of his.” Letting out a breath then he shook his head “Though I might be the only one of us that still considers us to be as close as we all once were.”

[9:35 AM] Karma:

“How could it be the best thing to do if it managed to still do the one thing he was wanting not to do.” It made no sense. But again, he was going to chalk that up to the fact that perhaps Sean didn’t know him all that well anymore, and that they weren’t close anymore. It only made sense. Tristan however, still had felt hurt because he felt like he was the only one holding on to such futile hope that at the very least, he and Sean had still been very close. But upon hearing about the wedding and how he had not been invited, it had hurt. And hearing Shay say that Sean didn’t want to hurt him, made him think that that wasn’t Sean’s real intention at all. The reality of it just made it seem like Sean had simply forgot he had existed for a moment and despite that had carried on about his life. Which Tristan figure was absolutely fine. But it still hurt to be forgotten and then made to seem so fragile that he would be hurt over what Sean was doing with his life “ I am not that sensitive.” When Shay spoke of Darius he nods “ Yeah, well, I should know. Sometimes he would look at me like he wanted to kill me. Even though we spent much of our time together, the three of us.” Giving a shrug however he looked up “ I think he’s always been a bit of a messy kind of guy anyway. Maybe,… Maybe not having parents, we only connected briefly over that.  Perhaps that’s all it had ever been.  I think this may have affected Darius’ the most. He just never learned to love anyone, the way you would with Family. Running off with Alice was something…new to him. Perhaps he did have a small feeling. A new one, and he liked it, perhaps felt like he had finally found the piece that had been missing from his heart. But– who is to say what he really feels.” Tristan cleared his throat “ Maybe he is being the same with Asher, thinking he loves Asher…But he’ll get bored, just like with Alice, and go chasing after that next emotional high.”

[9:35 AM] Karma:

Listening to Shay talk about how she was touching him, his brows furrowed a bit before she dropped the sponge “ Ah. Well, yes, I can definitely clean, there.” Laughing a little bit he moved to take the sponge into his hand and watched as she was standing over him “ Can you not watch? I don’t feel comfortable with that.” He waited for her to leave, watching her before turning his head away, narrowing his eyes a little as he went back to thinking about Darius and Sean thinking how they were both pretty terrible friends. Though he figured they weren’t technically friends anymore, he just needed to accept that and move on. That hadn’t been very hard, except he just didn’t want to. Cleaning himself and stepping out of the tub he shook his body to get the water off before slipping back into his clothing once again.

[8:03 AM] Soup:

“I remember. I think it is for the better for everyone involved that the plan for Asher and I to marry fell through. Is that what you want to do for the Spades? Our... shady business?” Truth be told, it was the red suits that were more into the shady business than the black suits were. It was almost ironic. Shay had never been the shady underhanded ruler, she found no honor in it. When she wanted things done she tackled the problem head on in a true warrior style – with fists and weapons. There was -one- person she could see benefit to having Tristan spy on, and that was BB, but it didn't seem a very good idea to have a Dormouse spy on a Cheshire cat. The point was, Shay had wanted Tristan to be happy. She wanted to feel involved, so that he realized that he -was- important and that he -did- matter. To her, he wasn't a -supporting character- and he certainly wasn't just a meek little dormouse. It had been at that moment that she realized... she was falling in love with Tristan. In that, however, were many complications. Far too many to even think about and at that moment she had also shaken the thought away and turned her attention back to him. “I'm sorry. Sean tends to... make things more complicated than they really are. His powers are tied with his emotions, -the- emotions, it isn't any surprise, really. But I think that is something that you should talk to him about.” Shay, unlike Tristan and probably more like everybody else, had thought they had all drifted apart. Just like people tended to do, from what she had heard in the oyster realm many people did, it was rare that people after leaving a job or going to school together actually stayed as good of friends as they were when they were younger.

[8:03 AM] Soup:

“So what you are saying is that you aren't so sensitive that you would have been hurt he was marrying someone else, but that you are hurt he excluded you from one of the biggest events of his life because he thought it would hurt you more to be invited?He made the wrong decision but he doesn't know that he made the wrong decision. In trying not to hurt you, he actually hurt you more than if had invited you. This is heartbreaking and Sean doesn't even know what he had done.” She really needed to sit down and have a heart to heart with her younger brother. Shay had known one thing – Sean was as important to Tristan as Tristan was to Sean, if Sean wasn't careful he risked losing the friendship they had by not even realizing the friendship was fraying at the seams. “I'll talk to him Tristan. He needs to know. He can't fix what he doesn't know.” Nobody could.

[8:03 AM] Soup:

Shay had shifted almost uncomfortably as the conversation switched to Darius. It was no secret that there was a time that Darius had a crush on Shay, that crush never went anywhere because Shay didn't even acknowledge it. She had remembered when Alice came into the picture, she also remembered that Darius had completely changed who he was to be with her – which was why the relationship was doomed from the start. She had a theory she never told anyone – and that theory was that Alice never actually died, but that Darius realized he didn't actually want to be with her and left once the novelty of a new world died off. “---I don't know. I've seen Asher and Darius together, I think he has real love for him. You have to remember he stayed with Alice for years. Well, for us it seemed like years. For him, maybe it was only an actual year. I've never quite believed his story that he returned to Wonderland because she died – I think she left him, or he left her. Darius changed purposely for Alice, but the Darius that she knew wasn't the Darius he actually was.”

[8:03 AM] Soup:

Shay's face had flushed when Tristan asked her to look away, swallowing heavily she hastily stood up and made her way out of the bathroom. Shay, in the mean time, had gone off to the kitchen to prepare a light snack of crackers and cheese, her mind still wandering to Darius before it was back on her brother and Tristan's failing friendship. It wasn't the first time Shay had acted as the glue to keep two people together – and it certainly wouldn't be the last.

[10:27 AM] Karma:

Tristan nods at that then glances down " I suppose." What, was he going to now question her about it? No. Tristan new his place, and it had been far below Shay's station. When she asked he had wanted to continue to do shady things in the background he glances away " Well, I'm pretty good at it. I think. I have kings and queens wanting me to work for them." Tristan grins before watching Shay as she appeared to be thinking of something. Clearing his throat then he waited for her to go on. Though the silence between them had gone on, however. He noticed a small change in the woman's look as she had glanced to him for a moment, only to remain silent. Tristan guessed she must have been thinking of something she enjoyed. He didn't want to ruin that moment then, if it were the case. But then, it all seemed to end quickly as Shay started to talk once more. He listened to her, then laughed a little bit " Yes, I know. Remember. I've been his friend since we were small." Tilting his head a little then he continued on smiling as he thought of the other male's nature.

[10:28 AM] Karma:

"Oh, I plan to. I just don't exactly know what to say. He's not easy to talk to since... he left to go on his adventures." It was hard because Sean had never been around, and had often been too busy when he was around, to talk to. However when Shay mentioned talking to Sean, Tristan gives a small nod "If he would stay put. I would talk to him..." When things went to Darius and Shay commented on it he glanced away before nodding again " Yes. I think he does too. Asher's parents didn't care much for him, do to not being a woman." Tristan then went on to take his shower. Enjoying the serenity of the moment he had found himself in. His life had been very hectic most of the time. He was very young when he had begun to work for people. Then he didn't even get paid well. Tristan couldn't even remember having taken many baths up until now. Any other time he washed himself it had been in a shower. They were cheaper, and dirtier. Holding out his arms around the edges of the tub he dropped back and closed his eyes, continuing to soak in the moment. However, in doing so he had accidentally fallen asleep, from how comfortable he was.

[dimension-heroes]

Sovereign Chapter 1

What’s this? Another story? Why yes, as I’ve been in a collabrative work alongside a few members of the game Transformers Earth Wars. Its thanks to them that we’ve created a story. Anyways, enough of the rambling, onto the story!

Figures walked down a hall; Shockwave turned his helm to the mechs behind him. Various Decepticons, Starscream among them. “Remember what our plan is.” Shockwave stated. (The Decepticons nodded; Shockwave gave them one nod before pushing a door open.

    Greeting them were bright lights, showing rows and rows of Decepticons. The far back having members of different Combiner teams. All showing various emotions on their faces. On a raised platform stood Megatron, Soundwave, Mega Empress, and the 4 Guards. Starscream passed Shockwave, giving him a smirk before jumping onto the stage. Shockwave and other soldiers sat in the front row alongside other elite Decepticons. Megatron stepped forward)

    “Fellow Decepticons, its been a long time since this war began.” Megatron started. “Indeed, things are still complicated yet, we're getting closer to ending the Autobots.” Starscream continued. (Megatron glared at his SIC before returning to stare at his soldiers.

    Among the Combiners, was a four member team. One which lacked the Gestalt leader stared at Megatron. One of them grasped a camera, taking photos of the Decepticon leader) “I'm getting pretty good shots.” A Seeker said. (A red Construction mech looked at the Seeker)

    “I'm certain that we'll be able to get better shots once he's done.” The red mech said. “We need to show how powerful he is for our Gestalt leader.” The Seeker said. “How can photos prove his actions?” The construction mech asked. (The Seeker sighed) “Photos can tell a lot of things. Appearances can be deceiving, although I can sense that power. Raw power able to take down the mightiest of Combiners.” The Seeker paused. “Hey, calm down, Megatron doesn't need to know of our leader. He's still resting, although I do wonder if he laughs at our choices.” The construction said. “Enough you two.” Someone said. (The two mechs turned their helms to the sight of an orange colored Soundwave) “Alright, time to getting better shots.” The Seeker said. (He returned focus to his camera.

    Megatron lifted a servo, his Fusion Cannon pointed upward) “This marks our anniversary since declaring war upon the Autobots. With what I have planned, it will be their end.” Megatron said. “What are the plans, Megatron?” Starscream asked. “Easy to explain, Starscream. Shockwave assisted in creating new weapons that will turn the tide. The ways the Autobots will fall, it will be a beautiful sight.” Megatron replied. (Cheers filled the room, Megatron's red optics glowed.

    Shockwave stood up; staring at Megatron) “I applaud your speech, Megatron, yet your words are empty. You fulfilled none of what we are to have, this war is never ending. Till now!” Shockwave said. (He fired at Megatron, sending him to the ground. Various Decepticons stood up, firing at the crowd behind them. Parts of the walls fell apart, as other mechs rushed in; shooting upon the shocked Decepticons.

    Megatron stood up; a snarl on his face. Starscream and Soundwave stepped in front of him, firing back at Shockwave. A part of the wall behind the platform ripped apart; blaster fire greeted the various mechs. Trick rose her Quake Shield close to Mega Empress, Flow walked up to Megatron. Mega Empress glared as she fired shots from her Rail Fusion Cannon.

    Moon and Luna hit the ground, attacked by Starscream. Megatron glared at his SIC before raising his Fusion Cannon, ready to fire. Starscream rose a servo; a smirk on his face. Former Decepticons shoved through Empress, Trick, Flow, and Soundwave. All traitors rose their weapons, the combined fire hit Megatron. He crashed to the ground. Empress looked as the leader hit the ground. Starscream kicked Megatron; a grin on his face) “Pity.” Starscream mused.

    (Empress yelled; her ladder slammed into the traitors. Sending them crashing into the chairs. Flow, Trick, and Soundwave stood up) “Get him out of here, now!” Mega Empress yelled. (Her Rail Fusion Cannon aimed at the floor, she fired, creating a large hole. Soundwave grabbed onto Megatron as the he, Megatron, and Trick entered the tunnel. Flow stared at the Decepticon femme) “Your highness.” Flow whispered.   “Goodbye.” Empress whispered. (She grabbed the ninja, pressing her into the tunnel before a shot hit her back. She hit the ground, mechs grabbed her, trying to shove down the ladder. Empress shot it, sending debris crashing, covering the hole she made.

    Flow hit the ground; she looked up, finding dying lights) “Flow!” Someone yelled. (The purple femme moved her helm, finding Trick and Soundwave holding onto Megatron) “We need to escape.” Soundwave stated. “Lets find out where this tunnel goes. I don't know how long Empress can hold them back.” Flow said. “Hurry up then!” Trick ordered. (The group started to run.

    The Combiner members ran through the streets. Former Decepticons firing at the escaping gestalts. The Combaticons firing through the enemy forces) “We cannot stay here!” Onslaught said. “Then where are we to go?” Breakdown asked. “Home.” Someone said. (Among the teams was four members, lacking a leader) “Back there?” Scrapper asked. “Yes, now we must hurry before Shockwave finds out.” The Seeker said. “Our King is awaiting our return.” The red construction said.

    (More Decepticons appeared; firing at the Combiner teams. They continued to run, heading towards the city's gates. Unaware of what echoed beneath the ground they stood upon.

    Ravage leaped over a fallen part of a ceiling. Landing onto a rough part of the ground. He turned his helm to find Soundwave and Trick still carrying Megatron. Flow jumped above the three still conscious mechs and ran) “I may know of this place.” Flow said. “How can we be certain?” Trick asked. “These are old tunnels created to be shelters when the war started. Empress and I explored them. We found a path that could help us escape.” Flow explained. “Where, the outskirts of Kaon?” Trick asked. “No, I know a place where we can hide.” Flow said. (She ran forward, leaving the others to catch up.

    Empress struggled, the grip on her captors strong enough to force her to stay still. Starscream smirked, looking at his Null Rays) “A pity their going to die.” Starscream said. (The Decepticon femme's ladder started to move. A few former Cons grabbed onto the ladder, holding it down) “Starscream, remember what we planned.” Shockwave reminded. “Oh yes, now stay still your highness. It will be painless.” Starscream smirked.

    (The Seeker's Null Ray hit the back of Empress' helm. One blast forced her to fall. Some guards walked away, carrying her frame. Starscream brushed away smoke marks on his weapon) “Hurry.” Shockwave said. “Now, get to finding Megatron before I do the same to you!” Starscream barked. (The soldiers rushed up to the broken part of the ground, ripping through it and allowing some to squeeze in.

    A part of the city's street collapsed. Flow looked out, finding them empty. She moved her helm, nodding to Trick and Soundwave) “Its safe, we need to hurry.” Flow said. (The two Decepticons below her lifted Megatron. His frame limp as Flow grabbed him. Lifting him up allowed Trick and Soundwave to get up. All looked around; still nothing) “We must go.” Soundwave said. (Flow pointed to a nearby building) “There.” Flow stated. (She started to run towards it. Trick looked at Soundwave) “I hope this works.” Trick sighed. (Soundwave nodded, lifting Megatron up)

    (The purple femme knocked on the door. It opened to reveal Sixshot) “Flow Spade?” Sixshot asked. “We have to come in.” Flow said. (The Ninja Consultant stepped back, letting everyone enter) “What happened?” Sixshot asked. “Do you have any hiding places?” Flow asked. (Sixshot nodded) “Why do you need one?” Sixshot asked. “Did you hear anything outside? We were almost killed.” Trick growled. “We'll explain it later, for now, please hide us.” Flow said. (Sixshot started to walk around; Trick looked at Flow) “You think Empress and the sisters made it?” Trick asked. “I fear they didn't.” Flow replied. (Trick frowned)

    “Found it!” Sixshot yelled. (The two femmes looked at the Ninja Consultant; finding him near a bookshelf. He tipped one book and stepped back.

    The bookcase swung open, revealing a plain wall. Sixshot lifted a part of it from the ground) “How big is this space?” Trick asked. “Big for you, now get in here.” Sixshot ordered. (Flow ran up to Soundwave and Megatron) “We need to get going. Need help?” Flow asked.

    (Soundwave shook his helm, lifting the unconscious Megatron off the floor. The two began to walk to the secret passage, watching as Trick entered. Sixshot nodded as Flow and Soundwave followed. He placed the wall down and pushed the bookcase back. Tipping the book back to its regular spot) “Now comes the waiting game.” Sixshot thought.

    (Silence filled the room, Flow stood close to the entrance to where they hid. Trick sat close to Soundwave and Megatron) “How long will we stay here?” Trick asked. “I wish I knew.” Flow sighed. (She looked at Megatron's frame) “How did we let this happen?” Trick asked. “It slipped right through us, Shockwave, he reduced our grand celebration to ashes.” Flow growled. (Soundwave nodded, readjusting Megatron's frame.

    Time passed, seeming like forever. Everyone stayed together. All optics focused on where the voices echoed outside. Those screaming of their existence. Sixshot remained silent after all that happened)

    “Have you seen any Decepticons running around?” A former Con asked. (Sixshot leaned against a wall) “No, I quit my rank long ago. I didn't see any Decepticons, I've stayed in my house so I'm unaware of the situation.” Sixshot said. (The soldiers whispered things, Sixshot stood still, trying to listen to the conversation)

    “No Decepticons are in here anyways.” Another former Decepticon asked. “Yeah, I looked everywhere in here.” Another soldier said. (Sixshot sighed as they ran out of his house. He walked outside of his room and looked outside. They were chasing some escaping Decepticons. Sixshot closed the door, running up to his bookcase.

    It opened, shedding some light into the dark room) “They left.” Sixshot said. “Good.” Soundwave replied. “So, now what?” Trick asked. (All turned their helms at the sound of a faint groan.

    Megatron cracked open his optics; Soundwave knelt down) “Master, how are your systems?” Soundwave asked. “Painful, and Shockwave?” Megatron croaked. “His soldiers are searching for us, we've managed to escape from them with Flow and Sixshot.” Soundwave explained. “Where are the others?” Megatron whispered. “Killed or missing; I saw the gestalts escaping first as the others fell.” Soundwave answered. “Who are among the dead?” Megatron asked. “A few soldiers, I couldn't see the killing as I busy on protecting us.” Soundwave replied. “How could this have happened?” Megatron asked. (Soundwave didn't say anything; Trick stood up)  

    “I need to go.” Trick said. “What?” Flow asked. “I need to find Moon and Luna or any other survivors, they escaped and I'm willing to risk it.” Trick said. “Where are you going to start?” Flow asked.  “I'll find out.” Trick said. (She walked away, Sixshot watched as the femme left) “So sorry.” Sixshot apologized. “For now, we need to focus on Megatron.” Flow sighed. (The remaining Decepticons looked back at Megatron.  

    Shockwave walked into a room; Starscream behind him as soldiers killed various Decepticons. The two continued to walk further down the hall) “So, how far are we in conquering Kaon?” Starscream asked. “Almost done, still, Megatron and Optimus will all fall in our power.” Shockwave replied.

Credit goes to Devastator15, SlenderBen, Megatronus, and MookMook. For assisting me with the story and helping bring this story to life.

[voltage-vixen]

Kidnapped by the Kings---Part X

The Conclusion

Part I    II   III   IV   V  VI  VII  VIII  IX

Prologue: “Hey, Taki,” she began, “About before….I wanted to say y-.” MC didn’t ever get to finish her response, because Taki aggressively shushed her. “Forget about everything that happened before,” Taki replied in an aloof tone. He stood up and avoided her gaze. “I’m glad you’re feeling better, but I need to run into the office and take care of some things. I’ll be back to check on you later.” He abruptly disappeared from her room, leaving behind a very confused MC.

“D-Did he decide that he didn’t want to marry me anymore?” A single tear trickled down her cheek. The lone tear was soon followed by another, until eventually she was left sobbing feeling more alone than ever bewildered by Taki’s hasty change in behavior. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A couple of days had gone by and Taki kept true to his word about visiting MC while she was in the hospital. MC was starting to grow concerned, considering that Taki’s moodiness had only continued to escalate. She was sick of the awkward tension between them, and MC decided that she was going to confront Taki when he came to pick her up for her discharge in a few hours. There was a knock on the door, and MC assumed it was one of the nurses, so she invited them to come in. Her jaw dropped when she saw that her unexpected visitor was not a nurse, but in fact Yosuke wearing scrubs and pushing a wheelchair. “MC,” he not so quietly whispered, “MC! It’s me! Yosuke! I’m pretending to be a nurse right now!” Sighing, MC couldn’t help but roll her eyes at Yosuke’s eccentric antics.

“I know who you are Yosuke! The question is, what are you doing here?” MC wondered. A visit from Yosuke was never ordinary, and she was starting to get a bad feeling about his “disguise” that he was wearing. He ignored her question and instead gestured to the wheelchair. “Per the king’s orders, I’ve come to kidnap you and take you away my lady,” he signaled toward the chair, “Just be careful sitting down, so you don’t squish the baby! Taki would actually kill me if that ever happened.” “That’s not even possible,” she muttered. Despite her hesitations, she followed Yosuke’s instructions and made herself comfortable in the chair. Her nerves started to get the best of her, and she became anxious. What in the world could Taki be thinking? He couldn’t be considering breaking up with her, could he?

“Yosuke? Do you have any idea why Taki would be acting so weird? I’m worried about him, and I’m concerned that he may not want to be in a relationship anymore,” MC painfully admitted. Her thoughts soon were running wild in her head. What if he didn’t want her or the baby? Maybe he no longer wanted to live with her? MC was about to get stuck in her vicious cycle of overthinking, until she felt Yosuke’s hand on her shoulder. “Just relax,” he reassured the nervous woman, “Stress isn’t good for you or the baby. I promise everything is going to turn out just fine.” She bit her lip and restlessly played with her hands. They were soon on the hospital’s rooftop, and she gasped when she saw that Shun and Kiyohito were already inside a private jet waiting for her.

“I’m glad to see you’re looking much better MC,” Shun kindly offered. “Hurry, or we’re going to be late!” Kiyohito reminded the two men, and Yosuke helped MC into the jet. Once she was settled, Shun gave the orders to the pilot, and they were soon off to their destination. A destination that MC was still clueless about. “I don’t suppose you guys would tell me where we are headed to now, would you?” The three friends exchanged a look and burst out into laughter. “You know us so well MC,” Yosuke chuckled. MC shook her head and pressed her forehead against the cool window of the jet. Her body was now heavy, and she drifted off into a deep sleep.

“MC, it’s time to wake up!” Kiyohito’s voice snapped MC out of her slumber. She rubbed her eyes, and she saw that he had a large makeup case next to her. “I need to start getting you ready for tonight,” he informed Taki’s puzzled looking girlfriend. Kiyohito didn’t hear any complaints from her, which he took as a sign to work his magic. MC was already naturally pretty, and it didn’t take long for Kiyohito to finish glamming her up. He showed her a new dress, and by the time the jet landed twenty minutes later, MC had been completely transformed from head to toe. Shun and Yosuke assisted her down the stairs, and MC immediately recognized they were at the airport closest to the city her and Taki grew up in. A limo was waiting on the runway and Shun opened the door for her. “Have a wonderful evening MC.”

MC entered the limo and waved goodbye to the other guys. She slowly was starting to put the pieces together, when she looked out the window and figured out her destination. The limo was taking her to their special place where they viewed the firework show together. Could Taki really be preparing to propose to her? It would explain everything, except the reason for his recent cold attitude towards her. Her phone began to beep, and she saw a message from Taki pop up. I can’t wait to see you. His words soothed all the nerves that she had, and MC started to relax. Still unsure of what was happening, MC knew in her heart that everything was going to work out in the end. Taki always had that ability to calm her when she needed him the most. Smiling, she sat back and enjoyed the rest of the ride.

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Taki checked his watch for what felt like the millionth time that evening. Yosuke had called to tell him that MC was on her way, and he was impatiently awaiting her arrival. The ring was in his pocket, and the fireworks were all cued to go off once she said yes. If she said yes? Of course, MC was going to say yes! He wasn’t one to ever really doubt himself, but the nerves were causing Taki’s heart to race. MC was the most important person in Taki’s world, and he refused to let his proposal be anything less than perfect. The day MC was kidnapped, Taki had planned on taking her back to their old town to their special spot. While this was the place, he had his heart broken in, this was also the place where him and MC overcame their pasts and reunited with each other. There was no doubt that this place held a significant meaning to the couple.

Taki couldn’t believe that he almost blew his perfect proposal by asking MC at the hospital. After that slip-up, Taki purposely began to distance himself from her. The truth was that Taki was desperate to ask MC to be his wife, and he refused to let his over eagerness ruin this moment. At that moment, Taki heard the limo pull up, and trotted over to meet MC. He opened the door, and his breath was taken away when he saw MC. She was dressed in a modest pink dress and her soft curls rested on her shoulders. What really stood out was her radiating smile, and the way her eyes lit up when she saw him. MC bashfully grinned at him, and Taki grabbed her hand to lead her over to the ledge. Both were expectantly staring at each other, and Taki was the first to break the silence. “Hi,” Taki said. “Hi yourself,” MC giggled in response. Taki internally groaned at how lame he was acting.

Attempting to regain his composure, Taki pulled her closer into him and held one of her hands, while he got down on one knee. “MC, I’ve always known this, but the recent situation has made me really realize how grateful I am our paths crossed again. You’ve changed my life for the better, and I wouldn’t be the man I am today had it not been for you. You’re my rock, my world, and my everything. I promise to always cherish and love you, so MC will you agree to stay by my side forever and be my wife?” He waited for an answer, but MC had started to cry happy tears. “Just so you know, I won’t be taking no for an answer,” he arrogantly informed MC, in hopes of calming her down. “Why were you acting distant when I was in the hospital?” MC asked, while trying to dry her wet eyes.

Taki’s cheeks were now flaming red, still feeling taken aback by her counter question. “W-Well, you deserve the absolute best of everything. I didn’t want us to look back on this moment in the future and think about how lame my bedside proposal was.” MC softly stroked his head and squeezed his hand. “Taki! That’s the stupidest thing I have ever heard! I don’t care where you say the words, just as long as you are the one that says them.” She knelt to be eye-level with him, and MC finally gave him her long-awaited answer. “Yes. Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you Taki!” He wasted no time putting the ring on her finger and smiled while admiring it. “It’s beautiful Taki,” MC happily sniffled, “We’re going to be a family. I can’t wait to tell Sydney she is going to be a big sibling.”

Taki embraced MC from behind and placed his hands protectively on her stomach. “I can’t wait either.” MC turned around to face him, and they nuzzled their noses together. Both were happier than ever, and the fireworks were now being set off in the background. The scene was perfect, until out of nowhere, they heard a familiar voice call out to them. “Hey, guys! I have something for you,” Yosuke panted. He was running up the hill, waving an envelope in his hand. Reluctantly pulling away from each other, Taki began to scowl when he saw Yosuke. “This had better be good,” Taki snapped at Yosuke. Yosuke ignored Taki’s comment, and handed him the envelope he had been holding. “That Ichinomiya had this delivered with instructions to make sure you read it.” Ripping the paper from Yosuke’s hand, Taki tore it open, and frowned when he read it. “Enjoy your honeymoon at the Tres Spades,” Taki muttered as he read the letter out loud.

Shocking everyone, MC grabbed the letter from Taki’s hands, and tore it into little pieces. Without a care in the world, MC tossed the remnants in the air and leaned back into Taki’s body. “I think I’ve had enough Tres Spades to last a lifetime.” Yosuke had started to sniffle at the scene. “You two are such a gorgeous couple. I just want you to adopt me, and then I can come live with you guys and Sydney. I think we would be a happy family, don’t you?” Taki just shook his head, and Yosuke missed the point completely. “Also, can we pretend that you actually proposed at the hospital first? At least in front of Shun? Shun and I had made a bet and-.” “SHUT UP YOSUKE!” Taki roared, which caused Yosuke to flinch and run back towards the limo.

MC giggled while Taki rest his head on hers. Soon her and Taki would get married, and then welcome their child into the world. Knowing that Taki loved her, MC knew that they would always be able to overcome any obstacles that get in their way, as long as they had each other.

Fin.

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