#an intact healthy heart should beat on its own

[tachvintlogic]

Some parts of fanon: Danny's heart doesn't need to beat because he's part ghost so it sometimes stops and he ANGSTS about it

Me, whose headcanons about half-ghost biology are incompatible with this idea: Poor Danny. He has a heart condition his ghost half won't let him die from but doesn't know how to fix. He won't even go to a half-ghost friendly doctor about it because he's not sure if it's a problem or a normal thing.

[3pirouette]

Fic: The Honey Trap (11/12)

Title: The Honey Trap

By: TriplePirouette/3Pirouette

Disclaimer: They're not mine.

Distribution: AO3 Anyone else please ask first :) 

Story Summary: Peggy’d lost count. She wasn’t sure if she was a double or triple agent at this point, and in the end, it didn’t matter. What mattered was getting out of this alive.

A/N: This was absolutely the hardest chapter for me to write even though the very end of it has been done for a while now. GETTING to that point was really difficult, and I struggled to make sure you're seeing it as I am in my head.There's only one more chapter after this. I hope you enjoy this.Thanks again for going on this crazy ride with me- I SWEAR this was supposed to be cute and sexy when I first started writing it. Seems that was not the story that wanted to be told.

Chapter 11: What Must Be Done 0800 the Next Morning

“What are we supposed to be looking for?” Dum Dum’s voice sounded over the comms.

“Don’t know,” Steve replied from his own cover a few hundred yards away. “But her transponder is still on, and she’s in that base.”

Bucky’s voice came in loud and clear, as he was lying right next to Steve. “How do you even know she’ll be able to give us a signal?”

Steve looked at his friend, lying next to him in the snow, and found he couldn’t lie to him. “I don’t. But I know Peggy, and if she wanted us here, she’s gonna let us know when to come knocking.”

Phillips burst into the line, tinny as his position was the farthest away. “Cute sentiment, but if we don’t get some kind of signal by 1400, we’re going in. The US Army doesn’t run on faith alone.”

~*~ 1100 That Morning

Peggy had thought she’d prepared herself. She’d heard the story from Erskine himself long before it was deemed classified and long before he started softening the catastrophic outcomes of using the serum on the wrong person. She’d listened to Steve’s story of watching Schmidt pull his face away to reveal his true self underneath. She thought she’d been ready.

She wasn’t.

Peggy wasn’t prepared for what it looked like to see a man peel seemed to be real human flesh from his face, only to reveal the red skin of a monster, the gaping hole where his nose should have been, and the sunken eye sockets of a madman. She couldn’t stop the roiling in her stomach or the sharp shock of fear that darted up her spine.

She supposed she controlled her face well enough, because he seemed impressed at her lack of response. “Fraulein, are you not afraid?”

Never one to back down, Peggy figured she couldn’t get herself in any more trouble than she already was. “I suppose the outside matches the inside now.”

He took heavy, long strides to stand right in front of her and looked her up and down. Wallace, by her side, stood stock still, far more frightened and surprised than she was. “You have no fear,” Schmidt commented hesitant to show how that impressed him. He looked Wallace up and down and smirked. “Perhaps you should learn from your… boyfriend here.” He turned and walked away. “You should have a healthy fear of your superiors, though a certain level of fearlessness is necessary to do what must be done.”

He turned, smiling at them. “Are you?” He looked Wallace up and down once again before circling the pedestal in the middle of his laboratory. The late morning sun through the windows gave him an eerie glow as he prowled like a cat. “Are you willing to do what must be done for the glory of the cause?”

“Yes sir,” Wallace replied before lifting both arms and saluting, “Hail Hydra!”

The Red Skull’s laugh was dark and sarcastic, unconvinced of his loyalty. “Of course, you are.” He turned towards Peggy, stopping at a pedestal. “And you? Are you as willing to lay your life on the line as your boyfriend is here?”

“He’s not my boyfriend,” Peggy insisted, standing up tall. “And you could not imagine the things I’m willing to risk my life for.”

He laughed heartily this time, looking out to his static guards. “Ah ha! The spirit!” He turned back to her, the grin disturbing on his skeletal features. “The determination!”  He took a deep breath, slowing his excitement as he smoothed the cloth over the pedestal. “We shall see how far that will get you, fraulein.”

With a nod of his head the guards behind them were moving them forward, hand on their arms, roughly guiding them up to the pedestal.

“Behold,” Red Skull smiled, gripping the canvas, “The Tesseract.” He pulled away the canvas, and Peggy felt like she couldn’t breathe.

~*~

“What the hell is that?” Bucky kept his eyes on the sniper scope, looking through the large windows.

“What?” Steve asked desperately, not having a scope to look through.

“There’s a… a block.” He shrugged. “It’s glowing. It’s a big glowing square and it’s…” Bucky passed the rifle to Steve to look. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen.”

“Rogers?” Phillips’ voice cut through his ear.

“Sir, it looks to be a cube, made out of the same energy source as the energy weapons we’ve been studying.” Steve shifted the scope, watching as Red Skull laid his hand on it, the cube pulsating blue light. “Maybe 6 inches square?”

“That’s enough,” Howard piped in. “That’s enough to wipe out a significant part of Europe, or the whole east coast, on its own. They amplify it…”

Phillip’s voice was tight, controlled but on edge. “Rogers, you’re the one with eyes. Are we a go?”

Steve swallowed as the Red Skull blocked his sight of the cube, but he could still see her face over his shoulder. He could see the panic in Peggy’s eyes, could see that something was wrong, but he didn’t know, wasn’t sure, if going in now was going to make it better or worse.

“Rogers?”

Steve tossed the rifle back at Bucky. “I’m going in… by myself. Wait for my signal.”

~*~

Peggy could feel her gut tightening with each passing second. The energy pouring off the Tesseract seemed to flow through her, seemed to set her on edge, but the men around her didn’t seem to feel it. Wallace was still standing, both afraid and struck with worship at the sight of Schmidt, and Schmidt only seemed to feel the power of it when his hands were on it.

It seemed to call to her: the light, the power, beating like there was something far too contained in that tiny box begging to be let out. Like it was begging to be saved.

Wallace babbled on next to her, trying to impress Schmidt with his confidence, his commitment to the cause.

The Red Skull stopped his tirade with a hand, tipping his head to Peggy. “And you? Do you share your boyfriend’s sentiment?”

Peggy felt a flow of courage, and repeated her earlier statement. “He’s not my boyfriend.”

Before the Red Skull could answer, the doors burst open, a compliment of guards flanking Steve as they paraded him in in his full Captain America regalia.

Peggy smiled widely at the sight of him. “That’s my boyfriend.” She turned, bolstered and waved cheekily. “Hello, darling.”

Steve lifted his chin, but didn’t otherwise change his stance. Peggy didn’t mind the cold reception, when he was focused like this there was little that could get through to him besides the mission, and she needed that now. She needed someone fresh and clearheaded to pull her through the rest of this.

And if Steve was here, she doubted very much he was alone. He was always very good at following directions.

Red Skull, however, laughed. It was a small chuckle at first, then a full out guffaw as he looked at Wallace, anger starting to bloom in his eyes. “You’ve been double crossed. By Captain America, no less.” Wallace stammered as Schmidt motioned for the man to be brought closer to him. The guard flanked him, dragging him forward. “Let us see where your heart truly lies, shall we?”

Without preamble Schmidt grabbed his hand and pressed it to the Tesseract.

The room froze. For a moment, nothing happened.

Then he screamed.

It was a scream like nothing Peggy had heard before, a scream that came from the depth of his soul and didn’t hide the pain he was in. The blue light seemed to seep through his skin, lighting him up from the inside and turning him into a writhing conduit as he fell to the floor, his body shaking with unnatural spasms.

The room watched quietly as his shaking slowed until it was quite clear he was dead.

Red Skull looked down at him, his stature unchanged, his hands clasped behind his back. He let his eyes roam over the body as he made a hum of disinterest in the back of his throat. “It has never done that before,” he murmured quietly.

He looked up sharply, eyes narrowed. “Now her.”

Peggy struggled against the two guards who nearly lifted her from her feet to move her forward. She could hear Steve screaming and fighting behind her, her name torn from his throat with the sound of him getting hit by something. She couldn’t see him, didn’t have time to worry or imagine as she struggled.

She stopped moving once they placed her hand on the cube, though she could still hear the dull thuds of Steve fighting behind her, the crashing of the windows as reinforcements joined them.

It all slowed as she felt a heat run through her, spreading through her body from her fingertips. She could have cried at the thought that this was how it ended, after all she had gone through, Steve was going to have to watch her die a writhing mass on the ground, unable to do anything about it, and she wouldn’t have made a dent in slowing Hydra.

The despair slowly turned, though, and she felt strong. Comforted. The warmth spread through her like a hug, and though it seemed impossible, the light of the Tesseract dimmed, leaving her as alive and intact as when her fingers had first touched it.

Schmidt looked at her in wonder and yelled loudly in German, speaking so fast she couldn’t follow what he was saying. He was quickly hustled away by guards who flanked him, the Tesseract glowing in his hands as he shepherded it with him. The men around her tried to pull her away, too, but she managed to overpower them with the assistance of Barnes and Dugan.

The Commandos flanked her as Hydra retreated through dark corridors, the only men left in the room were her true allies or unconscious guards on the floor.

Steve turned her, his hands roaming and checking for injuries. “Peggy? Are you alright? Please. Please tell me you’re ok?”

“I’m—” She was cut off as he pulled her tight in his arms. She let herself revel in the feel of it for just a second, wrapping herself around him tight as well. “Fine. I’m fine.”

“I thought you were dead,” he whispered, burying his nose in her hair. “I thought you were going to die right in front of me.”

“Will someone give me a damn report?” Peggy nearly laughed at the faraway sound of Phillips in Steve’s earpiece.

“Wallace is dead,” Bucky reported, looking around the room. “Peg seems ok for now, but they’ve retreated.”

Phillips was strong and clear through the line. “I’ve got men moving in through every available entrance. We’re ending this today, let’s take ‘em down.”

“You sure you’re ok?” Steve pulled back, brushing her hair away from her face.

Peggy smiled, reaching down to pick up a small energy gun that one of the Hydra agents had dropped. “We have a job to do now,” she smiled softly looking in his eyes, “we have a lot to catch up on later.”

Bucky groaned. “Come on, lovebirds. I can hear an engine.”

Without hesitation, Steve and Peggy followed Bucky and Dum Dum down the dimly lit hallway, pausing here and there, relying on Steve’s hearing and the reports of other soldiers they ran into to take them a winding route to an airplane hangar.

A journey that only took minutes felt like years, and filled Peggy with a sense of overwhelming Déjà vu. She knew she’d never been here before, hadn’t heard about the huge plane in front of them from Wallace or any of her other intel, but somehow knew exactly how this was going to go.

The plane engine revved and she didn’t hesitate. She grabbed Steve’s hand and ran.

Peggy ran faster than she’d ever run before, keeping pace with Steve as the plane started to taxi, leaving Barnes and Dugan jogging behind them, getting farther and farther away.

“Peggy?” Steve choked out, confused as she kept up with him and they closed the distance on the plane.

“I don’t know, I just know we have to be on that thing.” She nodded at the plane. “We have to.”

She didn’t know why she knew it, or why it seemed so important, but Steve didn’t question her, just started pumping his legs faster. She faltered, finally reaching the limits of her newfound speed, and he pulled her up into his arms without missing a step.

When they were close enough, nearly outside as the plane sped even faster, he risked a glance down. “Ready?”

Peggy paused, pressing her lips to his for the barest of moments. It wasn’t nearly enough, but it was a reassurance nonetheless. She nodded, turning her attention to the wheel.

“Three, two, one!” At the end of the countdown, Steve tossed her with all his might at the wheel of the plane. She grappled for just a second, but his aim had been true and she landed safely on the metal gear. She looked back to see him building up speed again for his own jump, and then quickly turned back to the wheel, pulling herself up and out of the way into the well.

Steve was quickly under her, climbing up the wheel as it slowly retracted into the plane, the ground disappearing below them as the plane took flight.

“Nothing like making a close call,” she whispered.

Steve looked up at her from where he was crouched, hands on his knees, catching his breath. “Little closer than I’d like,” he whispered back. “Do you know something about this plane?”

“Nothing,” she turned a circle, looking at the holding bay they were in. “But I think we’re going to find out pretty fast.”

“Those aren’t…”

Peggy nodded her head, fear running down her spine. “They are.” They were surrounded by bombs hooked to smaller planes that were barely more than room for a pilot and a propeller. The bombs were named for their targets, making it clear the plan was launch from mid-air, attacking the eastern seaboard of the US and the western seaboard of Europe, crippling most of the Allied countries in one go. “Do you think they—”

Steve cut her off, nodding. “Look.” He pointed to the floor of the plane that was lined metal grates that were just shiny enough to bounce back the blue light from the underside of the vessels. Steve felt his stomach drop, and knew this was a mission they might not come back from. “We have to stop this plane.” He crouched low, looking to see how much of the glowing blue was the energy source and how much was bomb. “Howard said that if they had enough of this blue energy source, mixed with enough explosive, it could be catastrophic.”

Peggy followed his gaze. She didn’t know what enough meant, but she was sure there was more than that on this plane. “How catastrophic?”

Steve stood slowly, fear in his eyes. “Extinction level.”

Peggy swallowed hard, knowing exactly how he felt, because she felt the same dread and responsibility. She took only a breath to commit to it. “We have to stop this plane.”

He pulled the shield from his back and they slowly started to make their way forward and up through the belly of the plane.

Steve paused a moment while they were still alone, his voice barely above a whisper. “Peggy, what happened when you touched the cube?”

“I don’t know,” she whispered back, reaching out and lacing her fingers through his. Even the feeling of the leather of his gloves was reassuring to her now.

“Are you… did you…” He couldn’t quite come up with the words to finish his thought as he looked at her, concerned and nervous.

“I’ve never run that fast before in my life and you know it,” she sighed as she looked up at him, trying to keep herself from worrying and falling apart. “Howard will just have to figure this all out when we’ve finished, yes?”

It was a high hope to believe they’d both make it out of this alive, and they both knew it, but neither said it out loud.

Steve nodded, squeezing her hand before he let go and turned, moving forward again. “When we’ve finished,” he mumbled, trying to convince himself.

Errant Hydra guards were taken out swiftly between the two of them, the trail of bodies behind them growing with each step. It wasn’t long before they’d burst into the cockpit, Schmidt at the controls, protected by a guard of masked Hydra agents.

Peggy knew she’d never punched like this before, never held her balance like this before as Schmidt pitched the plane to try to give his minions the advantage. She knew she was fast and strong, but never like this. She knew something had happened when she touched the cube, she just didn’t dare guess what, or even try to think too hard about how long it might last, or what it was meant to be able to make her do. No, she just focused on masked face after masked face until there was no one left but Schmidt to deal with.

She lifted one of the guard’s abandoned energy weapons into her hands, waiting for Schmidt to make his move.

He kept his spot in the pilot’s seat, the cube in hand, and looked them over. “If I thought there was a chance of swaying you two to my side, I’d be impressed.” Schmidt tipped his head and stood, disappointed. “But you’ve killed nearly all my men, and left me no choice.”

“You’re done, Schmidt,” Steve announced, slowly putting himself between Schmidt and Peggy.

He chuckled slowly, far more devious with the red skin over his features than he had been with the fake skin making him look somewhat human. “Cut off one head, two will grow back in its place,” he spouted, smiling like a demon. “Hydra will live on long after I have made my stand. I am willing to sacrifice for what must be done, are you?”

He turned, flipped a few switches, and the plane lurched again, causing Steve and Peggy to stumble.

Red Skull laughed as he looked back at them. “Auto pilot. Such a lovely invention, don’t you think?” Without pause he pulled his gun from his belt and shot at the console, sending smoke and sparks into the air. “I had planned on dozens of small explosions, a capitol here, a state there… but it looks like one great, big bang will have to do.”

Peggy could feel the sweat running down her back, saw the stress in the way Steve clenched his hands. Schmidt had done it: he’d put all his cards on the table and the plane was taking a one-way trip they couldn’t reverse.

Peggy looked at Steve, felt her heart drop at the desperation in his eyes. He was always so fast to come up with a plan, to know what the next move needed to be. His rueful gaze told her he had nothing.

But Peggy knew what needed to be done, she knew there was only one way this went, and it meant that none of them were walking away from this if they were going to save thousands, if not millions, of lives.  

She brought her weapon up, and aimed it at him, voice cold. “I told you that you had no idea how far I’d go, and it seems I was right about that.”

“Peg, no!” Steve called, stepping forward, trying to get in her way.

Schmidt stepped to the side, putting himself right back in her range. “I don’t think I was, fraulein.” He challenged her with his eyes. “The hero always tries to find another way out.”

“We can stop this plane, Peggy,” Steve whispered, staying where he was.

She didn’t look at him, but kept her eyes trained on Schmidt. “You and I both know we can’t, and we both know what’s at stake.”

Peggy paused, the energy weapon in her hands and aimed at Schmidt. She didn’t look back at Steve, she could already see the panic in his eyes in her periphery, and she was afraid that if she looked at him, she wouldn’t have the strength to do what she needed to do.

She looked at the Tesseract, at the pulsating glow of it, and remembered how warm it had felt when she touched it, how it had almost felt calm and safe. How, for a brief moment, she’d felt like everything she’d ever done had led her up to that moment, and the cube somehow was telling her that it would all turn out exactly the way it was supposed to.

Deep in her gut, she knew it would all turn out the way it was supposed to.

Schmidt laughed, and Steve yelled, and she pulled the trigger.

Peggy wasn’t afraid. Whatever was going to happen was going to bring an end to all of this, and she knew with every fiber of her being this was the right choice as the energy beam hit the Tesseract and bounced back at her.

~*~

The explosion was like nothing he’d ever seen. The weapon hit the tesseract with its own energy, and everything slowed.

He felt the concussive force before he saw the fiery light explode in tendrils.

He felt the plane start to nosedive, fast, and saw the gaping holes in the panel where the controls had been.

He reached out, trying in desperation to fight the freefall of the plane to get to Peggy.

He saw the way the light wrapped around her, cradling her before he could get to her.

He saw the way the light wrapped around Schmidt, the way it didn’t cradle him but how it choked him, strangled him and twisted him until there was nothing left but the burning brilliance of the energy around him and then nothing but the space he used to occupy.

He saw the way Peggy seemed to float.

…the way he knew she was safe.

…the way he somehow knew they were both safe as they floated together in freefall.

…the way they melded together, his shield below them as gravity seemed to take hold again, protecting them as they crashed.

…the way her eyes glowed when she looked at him and the blue light of the Tesseract surrounded them as water started to rush in.  

…the way he didn’t mind as the water surrounded them.

…the way she didn’t either.

…the way he felt calm.

Warm.

Safe.

He felt her tuck into his side, wrap her arms around him.

Then he felt nothing.

[glenncoco4]

You Can Count On Me

A/N: Chapter 3 Inspired by 1x23 (Burned)

••••

She needs to get out tonight. Away from the swirling turmoil that’s going on inside her head right now. It’s been two weeks since they lost Dom, two weeks since she found herself standing at the sink in his dark apartment washing dishes. She finds herself thinking about how great of an agent he would’ve made had he been given the chance to grow. She also finds herself yearning for the touch and comfort of her best friend, who she now realizes is the love of her life, and it took loosing Dom to finally admit it to herself.

Something shifted the last time they were together, she’s not quite sure what it is or why after 18 years of knowing him its showing up now but her feelings for him have intensified. The problem is is that she’s not sure how he would react if she came out right and told him that she in fact was in love with him. Would he run? Would he politely reject her? Would their friendship remain intact? But there’s also a chance that he doesn’t turn her down, that he tells her he feels the same way and they live happily ever after. That’s the hope she’s holding onto. 

She knows its not healthy to just stay inside and worry about her swarming thoughts while she waits for him to come back. It’s Monday night, she deserves to let loose a little and she knows exactly what she’s going to do.

••••

The music is pounding which mirrors the pounding in his head. Seriously how does he always end up with marks that spend all their time in clubs surrounded by drugs and women. He looks over at the other side of their reserved VIP area where Emilio and Luis are both tongue deep in some of their admirer’s mouths.

Rubbing his forehead to try and help coax his headache away, he suddenly feels the air shift. His cerulean blues scan the room in search and eventually land on her.

Luis pulls back from the leggy blonde in his lap and notices the lawyer’s fixation on something across the club floor, looking in the same direction, he spots her, a knowing smile crosses his face. “Hey, Milio, looks like our boy spotted some eye candy.”

Sliding the brunette’s legs off his lap, Emilio stands up and makes his way over to the lawyer. He takes a seat next to the blonde, smiling. “Oh, papi, she’s quite the looker. You gonna let her slip away?”

“No, I don’t think I am.” He takes a sip of bourbon to calm his nerves. Standing up, Dale straightens out his sports coat before taking a few steps down to the dance floor. He turns back to look at his boss with a devilish grin on his face. “If you don’t hear from me the rest of the night it’s because I’m riding a little wild surf.”

An approving smile crosse the crime boss’ face. “That’s my boy.”

Maneuvering his way across the dance floor towards the bar, he slowly feels his Dale John Sully persona slip away and Marty Deeks start to break through. The first thing he notices as he walks up to her is how fantastic the skin tight mini she’s wearing accentuates her firm derrière. 

Her attention is on the bartender giving him ample opportunity to slide up behind her, his breath warm against her ear. “Hey there. Noticed your boots. Takes a girl with a unique style to pull that off.”

An unfamiliar but welcomed chill runs through her body when she hears his voice. She’s finally able to relax for the first time in 2 weeks. “Well it takes a special kind of guy to sit through 2 hours of Donnie & Marie.”

“Oh, touché.”

She turns, unable to stop the smile from spreading to her face. His cerulean blues have a dark hue to them, a blueish grey that she’s never been on the receiving end of. Before she can think any more of it, her brow furrows in confusion. “What are you doing here?”

He tilts his head back towards the VIP section that he just came from just as a loud cheer from the booth erupts when Luis pops another bottle of champagne. “The boss just negotiated a deal with a major player in our case.”

“Is it okay for you to be talking to me?”

“Yeah, told him I was gonna go ride a little wild surf.” His lip curls into a smirk as he watches Kensi’s eyes go wide. “Dance with me.”

She knows they should both be more cautious, especially since he’s in the middle of a major undercover op right now but as he offers her his hand, she can’t help her actions as she places her hand in his.

He leads her out to the dance floor, quickly wrapping his arms around her waist, pressing his body against hers. Before he knows it his forehead meets hers, their eyes locked on to one another. They’ve danced before of course, but nothing like this, no this is so far from what they’ve ever done.

As everything around them fades away, the pair is suddenly brought to the realization of what it means to be at peace.

Their positions soon shift as Kensi burrows her head into the crook of his neck, her hands going around his waist as she clings to him. It’s when he hears her inhale and feels her body sink into his hold that he knows what those little glances and feelings they were exchanging last time they saw each other were. Love. And not just any kind of love, passionate irrevocably head over heals love. “I heard about Dom. I’m so sorry, Kens.”

She does her best to hold back her tears, but not before a few escape, landing on the cotton of his button up. “I should’ve watched out for him more. I screwed up.”

He should’ve seen this coming, if there’s one thing his best friend does best it’s beat herself up for things she has no control over. Pulling back from their embrace, his hands find either side of her face as he cradles her head. His eyes trying to convey everything that words can’t. “No, you didn’t. Kens, this is not your fault.”

“How could you say that? He was my partner and I let him down.”

“Remember what you told me my first night at your house?”

“I said, ‘you can count on me.’” 

“Right, and I told you the same. So believe me when I say that there was nothing you could’ve done to stop what happened to Dom from happening.” 

She shakes her head in acceptance, wiping the tears away from her eyes. “I wish we could hang out tonight.”

“Maybe we can.”

“How? You’re undercover.”

His mind begins to form a plan, knowing that Emilio and Luis are probably watching them, Deeks doesn’t hesitate as he slowly moves in towards her. “Just follow my lead.”

Her brow furrows in confusion and quickly morphs to shock as his lips find hers. She’s stunned at first but once she realizes what’s happening, her body responds.

He just intended for the kiss to last long enough for them to sell a cover, but the warmth and caress of her soft lips have him swiping his tongue across them, begging for entrance. 

As their kisses grow more heated and their tongues continue to duel, the brunette moans as her best friend runs his fingers through her hair. Those equal fervor kisses soon leading to wandering hands with the new revelation of their relationship.

••••

He quickly finds the zipper of her dress ridding her of the scrap of clothing and presses her against the hotel room wall. His lips working along her jaw down to her neck. She presses her hips into his, making the tent in his pants beg to be freed. Her fingers grasp onto his golden locks as his touch fills her with more pleasure than she thought was ever possible. 

She’s on the cusp of release, feeling that he’s going too slow, her hands find the button of his slacks and works to free him from the restricting fabric. 

Realization suddenly hits him that this is officially headed to a place that they could never come back from. Pulling back from his ministrations, his dark blue eyes lock on with her magnetic chocolate orbs. God how he loves those eyes. “What are we doing?”

“I think it’s pretty clear what we’re doing.” She states mater of fact, her lips finding the sweet spot on his neck, loving the way his body reacts to her touch. 

“No, Kens, what-“

She pulls back from her ministrations, abruptly cutting him off. “I don’t know how to do this.”

His brow furrows in perplexity, unsure of the meaning behind her words. “Do what?”

Taking a deep breath, she understands that this is the moment. Either he runs or he stays. “Pretend that every time I see you, I don’t want to wrap my arms around you and never let go. I don’t know how to go on when every time you go under my heart goes with you.”

“What are you saying?”

“I want you.” Her eyes now shining with a blissful openness.

His mouth turns up into a slow smile, a sudden onset of disbelief filling his mind. What does he say to her? I love you? That could be too much too soon. Well they have been friends for 18 years, and know everything they need to know about the other. Maybe they should get married. No, that’d definitely be too much. Turns out he doesn’t have to respond because her lips are on his once again and her hands find their way into his boxers before he’s pulling her towards the bed where he’s able to show her what he feels when his words failed to. 

••••

There’s a irritating buzzing sound right in his ear, pulling him out of his deep and restful sleep. His brow furrows at the unfamiliar room around him along with the bed he’s in...the warm naked body of his best friend curled around his. It feels like a dream and a nightmare all rolled into one. 

He loves her, that he can’t deny. But they’re in some gross hotel and he’s undercover, this wasn’t supposed to go this way. When he wasn’t around Emilio and his crew and back at the confines of his own shitty undercover apartment, his mind would wander to what could be with his best friend. Something in the last few months shifted in their relationship, it wasn’t anything he could define at the moment, but last night made him realize what that aching in his chest was. It was his love for her, his person, the most important thing in his world. He’d find himself thinking about their lives and how intertwined they were. 

His phone buzzes once again, pulling him back to the present. When he reads the text, a defeated sigh falls from his lips. Placing a kiss to the top of her head, he slowly maneuvers himself from her grasp, trying best not to disturb her. 

He quickly gets dressed, writes a note for her and places on his pillow. Just because he can’t help himself, he places a kiss to her bare shoulder, earning a happy moan from his love...well the woman he loves anyway. He stands back up, taking a few more seconds to look at her, relishing in their activities a few hours ago and it gives him the energy he needs to get this op over with and get back to her. 

Walking towards the door, he gives her one last glance before whispering. “I want you, too.”

••••

She startles awake at the sound of a car alarm blaring through the walls. Quickly examining the room around her, flashes of last night as his lips placed kisses over every inch of her and their naked bodies sliding against one another in a passionate state of ecstasy sends a warm feeling to her lower belly. 

Speaking of her best friend, she looks around the room trying to gage where he may be until something on the pillow next to her catches her eye and that’s when it hit her...she screwed up.

KayKay, 

Had to get back. Turns out you’re not the only one that missed this beautiful Viking mane.

- Your Person 

P.S. Remember what I said, partner. 

She face plants into “his” pillow internally chastising herself. What did she get herself into?

••••

Stepping into the bullpen, Kensi begrudgingly sits her bag on her desk gaining the attention of her co-worker.

Sam doesn’t know if he should ask but considering her best friend is out of commission he knows whatever’s eating at her needs a sounding board. “What’s up Kens?”

Her irritated facade thankfully works, and she quickly spins around, a hint of anger swirling in her mismatched eyes. “Do guys ever think about what comes out of their mouths before they try to hit on a woman?”

“Uh-oh, what happened?”

“So, last night, I’m having a drink at the place Macy took me after my first shootout. Just wanted some alone time. But this guy walks over...attractive, well-dressed, bonus points for taking the lead. You know the drill all too well. Guess what he used as his opener.”

“Hi. My name is Mr. I have no idea what I’m in for. Can I buy you a drink?”

“See? Now, there wouldn’t have been anything wrong with that. But that’s not what he said. ‘Hey there. Noticed your boots. Takes a girl with a unique style to pull that off.’”

“He was running game.”

Shaking her head in annoyance, she takes a seat at her desk. “Yeah, well if I ever see him again, he’s gonna be running for a whole different reason.”

[stragglewort]

Tales of Barovia - “One-Offs in the Mist“

Picture from WarlordStrahd on World Anvil - copyright Wizards of the Coast

TW: Blood, fighting, burning, kidnapping

_______________________________________________

“A Royal Visit in the Blue-Water Inn” -

     This was the result of our DM bringing a certain someone to our tavern room after a rousing day causing trouble in Vallaki. He, of course, left us off on a two-week cliffhanger - naturally I had to fill in the blanks. (Ardolf, in-fact, did not get kidnapped by Strahd at the end of this encounter. Strahd did, in-fact, leave through the window in a puff of mist.) 

----------

        Ardolf jumped for Irenea. Grabbing her shoulders and drawing her back with whatever sliver of strength he had in him. His hands flickered with a faint light blue – the color of wards – the magic shimmering from his fingertips like thread being pulled from the air. It was pitiful compared to his usual show, but his magic (what little he was practiced with to start) had been drained through the chaos of the day. It left just a light, fading glow that engulfed the woman before the color seeped from both the glimmer on his fingers and the tan of his face. Even in the darkness he had gone noticeably pale.

        That was the last of the magic he could conjure on his own; without the intervention of the divines he would need to rely on his shield and the others around him if the Devil decided to pull anything hostile.

        "You look ghostly, have you been eating well?" Strahd rose from the seat, taunting them, and the whole party shifted. He strode forward, walking with the confidence of a man who knew none could oppose him.

        Honestly? He was right.

        He grimaced at the ward, looking down at the woman who glared back with a fiery rage. If the magic held, he could hurt her – sure – but he couldn't charm her, couldn't scare her. Ardolf held solace in that idea since it took the rest of his wavering energy to keep the spell functional.

        "Doctor – Physician General – You do care quite so much about these people you've never met." Strahd ran a single sharp nail across the woman's cheek, moving slowly, taking care not to cut her. No one dared to move, but they watched, stunned –

        "Don't touch -" Ardolf started, but Zarovich continued.

        "…And the paladin, the Templar, here to spread the joy of your god to the dark reaches of a land who doesn't even know its name." Imposing on the Elvish woman he tapped gingerly against her shield, scraping the holy symbol etched in its body. "Lastly? You two." He almost chuckled, facing the thief and warlock. "We're a little more personal, you being here for my head." He stopped again, towering over them while the party tried in vain to stagger away. "Really, doctor. You should've saved your spells for yourself." His hand shot, first what looked to be towards Irenea before it shifted, like a crossbow bolt curved by the wind, and grabbed the doctor by his throat.

        Strahd was strong, terribly, horrifyingly strong –

        "Tell me, doctor. Could you spare the dying while bleeding out on the floor? Could you mend their wounds with your throat ripped out?" His voice lowered to an icy whisper, his hollow eyes meeting Ardolf’s before he broke out into mischievous, freezing laughter. "Oh, but you can't, can you? You finally rely on your magic and you're all used up – pity."

        Ardolf couldn’t tell if he gasped or the others – he tried to speak – but Strahd’s grip tightened. Even if there were still some semblance of magic in the man, he wasn’t going to let him drudge it up.

        “Alright!” Strahd hummed, stepping back faster than the party could comprehend to catch him. Ardolf’s feet dragged across the floor in the shift. “You’ve refused everything, and I’ve been very generous, so I will give all of you one last offering out of politeness.” He had a strange idea of politeness, punctuated as he raised the doctor off the ground – lifting him like a ragdoll. If Ardolf didn’t realize he was supposed to be the leverage in some horrible plan, he would’ve feared Strahd would break his neck then and there.

        They hesitated, Ardolf hesitated, and Strahd waited for the split second it took them to process his words –

        “Stop this, please, stop this.” Irenea cried; her voice shrill but hushed.

        “Oh, I will!” Strahd answered, near instantly. “You know exactly how to make me do what you want… you just haven’t done it.”

        “Go.” Ardolf struggled the word out before he could feel nails pierce into flesh of his neck. “You –“ He winced. “You know where to go.” Did they? Did they really? The answer was no, but Strahd didn’t need to know that.

         He lessened his grip on the man’s throat, just enough to let him speak. “And that would be…?”

        “Anywhere but here.“ If they weren’t seeing things, it almost looked like Ardolf had grinned. Though the look cleaned off his face as Strahd scratched further into his neck, drawing blood.

        “Is that your decision, truly?” He scanned the room; they’d drawn their weapons, but the majority wouldn’t move with their only healer like puddy in his hands. He turned to face the rogue who had broken from the group to take him by surprise – catching him right before their own desperately calculated attack. “If that’s your decision, then you forfeit my kindness. It’ll be a chase, then?”

        “No! We can –“ The Templar started, pushing through the group.  

        “Yes.” Ardolf interrupted. Strahd grinned, that fanged smile the last thing the party saw before, in seconds, they both disappeared into out the window and into the night faster than was even comprehensible. The room now two monsters less.

        Where the Devil planned to take their doctor in this horrible, unwitting game of cat and mouse they had no idea. But the gods knew damn-well they’d scour every inch of Barvoia if it meant getting him back.

_______________________________________________

 “Impromptu Rendezvous” or ��My Assumed Worst-Case-Scenario” OR “Me Not Knowing Anything about Ravenloft but Writing it Anyway”

        This one was from the far start of the campaign - Ardolf had just been found out to be a lycanthrope, we were just starting to learn about what Strahd was and how he worked, and I’d just been told about Ravenloft. Not to mention we’d just saved the Freek and Myrtle from the Old Bonegrinder. Even though we had actually found a place to keep the children safe, our DM still found a way to put them in danger by the ending battle.

---------

         There wasn't any place to secure the children, because of this Ardolf and the rest of the party had instead decided against their better judgement and brought them along. They'd been wandering around the borders of Castle Ravenloft for days by that point, daring to stay in one spot lest The Devil catch them intruding. At first Ardolf didn’t mind the idea of facing Zarovich alone - at the worst, he hoped the monster would make the encounter quick. But they had children now - even living in Barovia hadn't corrupted them, and their presence, along with the camaraderie from the others had given the poor doctor a sense of normalcy he hadn't realized he had lost.

        He was afraid to lose it again.

        It had become routine: move camp, fight the undead that horded around the castle, and do whatever possible to keep the others healthy. It nagged that Strahd could be watching them - it was almost impossible that he hadn't noticed their presence being so close to his home, but Ardolf chose not to focus too sorely on the idea. It's hard, though, when the thing you try to Ignore grabs you by the neck. He'd been bandaging a scratch on one of the children's arms when something, unbeknownst to either Ardolf or the young boy, grappled his neck and trapped him in a hold as tight as an iron trap.

       "And here we are...” A sharp, cackling voice whispered. “Blood, like wine, gets better with time - wouldn't you agree, doctor?" The voice hissed into his face, a cackle hinting under the words while they spoke.

       All his fears of being caught came to the fold - gods, so many ideas passed his mind over what he could do; functional ones, things that might help you when staked at the neck by a demon. But the child was there, he couldn't risk getting the boy hurt. Strahd's breath, cold, boasted against Ardolf's skin - he was too afraid to move.

        It was then that a too-familiar clawing dug in his stomach.

        The child had never seen him turn - it was such a silly worry, but he couldn't let his fear put the boy in any more danger than he was now already in. "....Letting that worry, that horror seep into the blood for days; it's really quite a delicacy. You should try it." The monster got closer, if it wasn't for the razors against his neck assuring Ardolf he was still alive, he would've assumed his heart had stopped. It beat too fast for him to process. He knew he had few options that didn't lead to his own instantaneous death, submission or aggression - neither were things he wished Freek to see. Ardolf hesitated, his voice shaking against his breath as he struggled to take in air -

        "Please... Freek, look away." Ardolf hushed, pleading.

        He wasn’t sure, then, as he let the curse take over if the boy had the time to get away.

_______________________________________________

"I Wonder What It’ll be Like... Trying to Kill Strahd”

        Something about lycanthropy, something about a silver family crest Ardolf carried around with him as motivation - this one wasn’t my idea, though!

...I just wrote it.

----------

        "It's a shame you came all this way for failure." Strahd's clothes were shred and his armor dented, but as a man he seemed entirely intact. The fight had gone on for hours and the party was nearly torn.

        "Get out of here, we can return again at a different time!" Ardolf threw a frantic wave to Lùthien and the party, he yelled, screamed that they retreat. He was trapped in front of the count, trembling, a tremble in his hands he'd mostly repressed, a tremble he couldn't quite get rid of. Strahd could see how much he tried to shadow his fear, how his resolve was mostly shattered. "You're a monster, Zarovich."

        "Such harsh words, Doctor. It's almost like you hate me." The vampire hissed.

        "Almost -" Ardolf mimicked while he readied himself again; the undeniable possibility of his death was already settled, with that in mind it made no sense to back down.

        "You're barely standing - what makes you think you can hit me?" That blasted, freezing laugh bellowed off the stone walls of Ravenloft's hall.

        "I managed it before -" He cut his own words off and swung his mace back after the vampire, pushing all his energy to aiming. It had to land, had to hit, just one more would be enough -

        "Gods, Ardolf - wait! Watch yourself!" Lùthien, having realized their healer wasn't with the party in their retreat turned and caught the scene just seconds too late. Strahd took advantage of the doctor's careless hope and struck him, forcing him into the ground as he sprawled across the carved brick inlay. He rolled over the tiling and the bag he'd kept so dearly close to his side broke open at the seams. Papers, ink, and fabric fell over the hall - one particular white cloth rattled from the casing and unfolded - revealing a brandished crest. Something not even Lùthien recognized.

        "What's... This?" Strahd spoke in a hollow whisper, the fear in the doctor's face when he approached the metal urged him further. A strange sun shaped sigil was molded on it's face - sternly carved common written over and under the polished seal. He took a moment to read the doctor's reaction before he lifted the small decorative piece off the ground. A short look of surprise - of shock - scrawled itself over his face. "Silver, doctor?" He asked before he continued his inspection. "No Man Left Defeated. Take it this is yours?"

        Ardolf hesitated, but ultimately refused an answer.

        "...Or your family's? You did say something about them. Human affairs, pathetic ones. How long has it been since you last saw them, Greymouth?" Strahd knelt to the doctor's side, came down to his level. Hardly humbly. "Years maybe, time moves slow in my world - slower than out there. They might've forgotten you. You might've even forgotten them?"

        "I wouldn't." Ardolf spat out, a sputtered cough cried out against the words.

        "Everyone forgets, doctor. Can you see their faces? Have their voices muffled?" The Count's eyes lit up with a bout of sudden realization. "I'm not a monster. Please, let me give you something to remember them by." It wasn't difficult ripping the canvased fabric of Ardolf’s shirt, the count's nails were practicality razors. He exposed his skin and before there was even time to react, forced the brandished symbol into his chest. The sound of a rough, searing hiss rang off the stone walls. It danced scattered with the doctor's screams while the silvered crest burned its image into his flesh.

_______________________________________________

        This one’s pretty different compared to my other posts, I know! I haven’t gotten around to writing much of anything new, school-work made working on drafts impossible. But! We just finished our Curse of Strahd campaign (which I used Ardolf as a character in) and I’ve had these saved in the memos of my phone forever. I thought about trying to post all the in-universe journal entries I wrote for Ardolf on here as well, but formatting those into a post might be a little much. 

Poor Ardolf, though. I would’ve written the others in the party - but I’ll be honest, I felt really bad writing any of the other player’s characters in these situations. They don’t deserve this kind of treatment; Ardolf just has the misfortune of being mine.

[jinxthequeergirl]

1-20 for Ash since he's your groovy boy.

I'M CRYING THE TERM "YOUR GROOVY BOY" MADE MY HEART MELT TO A PUDDLE (i've had a real shit day this is the only think keeping me sane) 

In other news i wasn't sure if you meant like 1 through 20 or like just 1 & 20 so i went with the first option just so i could talk about him more(1 through 19 cause two where pretty much the same) I also made sure to make sure this was as gender natural as possible so

Enjoy

1: Cuddling

Ahakakab

Ok firstly Ash?

Biggest cuddlier ever

He just loves the close contact

Spoon wise

He is the big spoon cause he feels like even when sleeping hes protecting you

He also likes two other ways

A: His head on your chest with your arms around him

Because lets face it he also deserves to feel safe and protected

B: facing you with yout limbs in a tangle

Cause he likes to look at/ admire you

You look so peaceful its one of his favorite sights

2: kissing + Favorite kiss

Ash can be a pretty rough kisser

Almost kinda like a "we might die and or never see eachother again so this is my last chance to do this" type of kiss

Sometimes you have to remind him slow down and that everything is ok and as it should be

When he remembers that hes a very passionate kisser

Like he kisses you slowly but just rough enough to be perfection

She said sighing wistfully

They can also be really playful

He'll dip you while kissing you

But also he peppers kisses all over your face while tickling you

his favorite kisses are french and neck kisses

3: Injured

He likes to make jokes about it

To lighten the mood

Just cause seeing you worried about him breaks his heart

But also to make himself feel better and help to not worry bout it to much

He secretly likes getting injured

You're always so sweet and gentel with him

And you give him special treatments ( ;) ya know what i mean?)

He also pretends he doesn't like it when you kiss his injuries cause its "childish"

But he loves it

When you are injured however its a completely diffrent story

Hes not as calm and collected as you can be

Hes angry, worried and very guilty

You can tell he blames himself because he doesn't crack any jokes like usual and hes always very quiet while he's trying to patch you up

"Kiss me better?" You ask

That makes him smile and he kisses your injuries softly just like you would

You don't blame him and you tell him that much

4:First Date

Ashely J. Williams is not

A fancy man

classy

Or a rich man

He's not one for flashy/fancy dinner dates

Your first date was some sort of take out

In his trailer

You actually really enjoyed it

Only because he made it enjoyable

After dinner the two of you kinda just laied on the floor and talked

Which was weird for ash cause he was more of a

Take someone on a date and get down to bussnies type of guy

But he actually felt connected enough to just sit and chat

5: First kiss

It happens on the hood of the delta on your second date

You where sitting there star gazing

Just talking again and when you looked over you saw him staring at you

"What?"

"Nothing...it's just...your so amazing.."

You only laugh at him

Before suddenly you felt his lips on yours stopping you

That was one of the first and only times hes ever taken his time kissing you

It was one of those gentel kisses that you just melted into

He cupped your cheek with his hand and his other pulled you closer

It was one where when he pulled away you chased after it not wanting it to end

*cheifs kiss* twas perfection

6:Training

Ash really did his best to keep you out of that part of his life

He didn't want any one else he cared about dying on him because of it

He loved you to much

But it came to a point where he decided it was better to be safe then sorry

He taught you how to use the boom stick

And you quickly became pretty handy with it

That along with teaching yourself how to use a series of other tools

Like knifes and axes

He found it really attractive to watch you work like that

7: akward moment

The first really akward moment between you was probably the use of "i love you" too soon

To be fair though everyone thought they where about to die

So when ash blurted "I love you!"

And found that you where still intact

It was slightly uncomfortable in the room for everyone when you responded with

"You've never said that to me before."

And nothing else

Not that you didn't love him back

You where just unprepared for it to happen like that

After avoiding eachother him mainly trying to play it off as if he didn't say that

And acting as if Ash williams never told prople he loved them

Once you finally git fed up enough with it you had to basically yell it back to him

He was very relieved and happy to hear it

8: Fighting

Fights can go one of two ways usually

One being no one gets anywhere ever in the argument

Your both so stuborn

And ash being ash who hates to admit when he's wrong and never owns up to his own actions

Just makes you more angry

Making the argument get heated further

This type of fight usually ends in an angry make out session where your both apologizing like crazy

The other way is again ash being ash

But instead making you cry

This ends the argument pretty quickly because the only thing that can make him own up to any thing is you crying

You tend to use this strategy a lot in order to keep him quite

But sometimes it can really make you cry

He always apologizes right away and pulls you in for a tight hug where he kisses the top of your head

And wipes away your tears

You both actually hate fighting and hate that it ever (though rarely) gets to that point

9:crying

Like I've mentioned before

Ash cannot stand the sight of his baby in pain of any type

Crying is one of the worst things hes ever had to deal with in his life

And hes delt with a lot

His only goal in life is to make sure you are happy, healthy and safe

He's also kinda shit when it comes to dealing with emotions

He won't ask whats wrong right away

Just kinda stand there awkwardly attempting to make you laugh

When and if that doesn't work he'll finally sit down next to you and put a protective arm around you and ask whats wrong

If you don't wanna talk?

Thats ok hes there when you're ready to

Hes not leaving any time soon until your happy again

He'll hold you close to him

Pulling you into his lap to hold you properly

And just lets you cry

When you do tell him whats the matter

Bet your ass that its taken care of right away

Cause anything that makes his perfect partner cry? Dosen't even get the right to exsist anymore

10: sleeping

You better believe ash has nightmares

And feels bad for waking you because of them

But you're very well aware it can be hard for him to sleep

So you are more than happy to stay awake with him for as long as it takes

Even if that means until the sun rises

Or you fall asleep in his lap hes ok with that its the thought that counted

Nights like that are nights when he likes to cuddle you with his head on your chest

You'll kiss his head, smooth his hair

And even sometimes talk or hum to him to calm him down

That usually does the trick of getting him back to sleep for a little while

Sometimes he'll wake up gently and find you peacefully asleep beside him

And he'll kiss your cheek, cover you up and lay back down

Cause knowing your still safe is enough to help him sleep too!

11: bathing/ showering

I don't think ash would get or understand the want and need for a bath

But if you can convince him to take at least one with you

Boom

Thats all he'll ever wanna do

Man has never once in his life had time to sit and relax

But this is something else

To have you with him to

Either sitting across him

Or laying against him makes it Much more enjoyable

Baths are very rare very special occasion things though

Showering is a more often occurance and also a spontaneous thing

And its a plus cause its not Always a sex thing with him

It can be a nice and romantic thing as well

Especially on rough days when he wants to relax in the shower but also talk

Your there to keep him company

12: First time

Honestly the first time was well into your relationship with each other

And it happened in the Delta

It wasn't like rough, extremely passionate or even a serious matter

It was More fun and... vanilla with lots of laughter

It was sweet

The purest form of sex honestly is when you can laugh and or talk during it

And you two being the two people you are

Plus car sex being a horrible idea to begin with

Made it all the funnier but better

I don't think ash ever knew you could actually have like legitamie fun doing it

Just another thing you helped him realize

His heart like seriously skipped a beat hearing you laugh the way you had that night

Yet another reason he knew he loved you

13: soft spot/ weakness

Ash's soft spots include

Tummy

Hips

Neck

Jaw

And that lil spot behind the ear but just under it

Kiss him there and hes Tapped out

Ashes weaknesses are

His partner just in general

If you've been with him this long

He warships you

Definitely an ass/leg guy though

Wear something reveling enough tonshow case both ass and leg

K.o.

14:Pregnancy/ Birth

You wouldn't ever have to worry about ash not wanti g to be a dad or not

So you'd tell him almost right away

Ash is gonna get teary eyed

He'll make some jokes

But he will get watery eyes

And you know how happy new dads get when they find out they are gonna be a dad?

That whole "I'm gonna be a dad!? I'M GONNA BE A DAD!"

Yea 100% ash

Hes lifting you off the floor and spinning you around cheering

About how theres gonna be a lilttle Ash jr. Running around

Hes definitely the kinda guy who likes to talk to the mommy tummy all the time

Bump or not

Everything is suddenly about the baby

Hes always on the look out for baby things

Buys everything

Hes probably the dad who wants to mix the parents names together and name the baby that

Which is kinda gid awful and you tell him that

If its a girl you agree to name her Cheryl after his sister

Which lowkey makes him teary eyes again

You agree to let him pick the boy name though

He jokes about picking names like...idk hulk or something

But you picked a meaningful name he wants to do the same

You can trust him with that much

When the baby is born

He almost refuses to let it go

Hes got that new dad worry/ slash haze

"Where are they taking them?"

"Are they ok!?"

Loses his shit when the baby does grabby hands and holds his prosthetic finger

Hes so proud of his new kick ass family

15:Touching

When ash touches you its usually soft, slow and gentle

No matter what

That’s it

He lets his fingers gently run across your skin

Mainly because 👏he 👏worships👏you👏

And you deserve to be treated like the holy entity he sees you as

He hold your hand firmly though as not to lose you

16 : Undressing:

Its either slowly piece by piece

Taking his time to do so

Or extremely fast

17 what “turns them on” :

ash is horny by nature 

do anything around him when hes in the right mood easy enough 

but other than that ash likes being in control of situations 

makes him feel powerful 

so give that man even the slightest bit of power and hes ready 

he also finds it supper attractive when you are in charge and calling all the shots 

18 domestic life 

once everything with deadits is finally over and is at peace 

the first thing ash does is marry you 

then moves you to Jacksonville Florida likes hes always wanted 

then thats where you would have your baby 

the both of you get good jobs 

send your kid(s) to good schools 

all of yours childrens friends love being around ash and hearing him tell stories 

19 farewell/ how they say goodbye 

he always gives you a good solid kiss 

before softly telling you to have a good day and to not miss him to much 

hes always extra careful to throw in one last quick peck on the lips or cheek before you leave 

[isitgintimeyet]

Road To The Aisles

AO3

Previous

A few days later than anticipated but here it is... and the wedding is getting closer.

Thanks to @wickedgoodbooks, @happytoobserve, @mo-nighean-rouge for their support and to you for reading. Hope you enjoy.

Chapter 22: An Unsolicited Overture

“Really, Mr. Collins,' cried Elizabeth with some warmth, 'you puzzle me exceedingly. If what I have hitherto said can appear to you in the form of encouragement, I know not how to express my refusal in such a way as to convince you of its being one.”

― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

Claire opened up her phone and scrolled down the list, mentally ticking off the various entries. With most of the wedding paraphernalia already at Lallybroch, this was mainly their and William’s personal items for the coming weekend. And as soon as Jamie returned from collecting William, they could finally pack the car and be on their way.

All the cases and boxes were stacked, waiting by the front door. Just one more thing to add to the pile.

Claire slid the wardrobe door open in the spare bedroom. There it was, pristine in its garment bag. She inspected the surgical tape positioned across the head of the zip. Still intact, untampered with. It wasn't that she didn't trust Jamie not to take a peek, it was just, well, she wanted the absolute knowledge that the first time he would see the dress was as she was walking towards him on Sunday.

She closed her eyes for a moment - less than forty eight hours before she married Jamie… and she couldn’t wait. Everything was going to plan up at Lallybroch, according to Mrs. Crook, who had been an absolute godsend to Claire and Jamie. She had willingly undertaken the role of event planner, acting as their go between when they were unable—due to time, distance and other commitments—to deal with things face to face.

Mrs. Crook had just rung up to confirm that the marquee and portaloos were now in place, with the flooring, tables and chairs ready and waiting. Claire breathed a sigh of relief. Tomorrow would be a frantic day, she knew, but it was all coming together nicely. Nothing would go wrong now.

*************

Jamie tapped the steering wheel impatiently. It had been a while since he had had to make this Friday evening journey to Geneva’s house to pick William up and city centre rush hour traffic had certainly not improved in that time. Why Geneva had decided not to put William into nursery today was unfathomable… or maybe not. Perhaps it was just a way to cause maximum disruption to himself and Claire on the eve (or, rather, eve’s eve) of their wedding. Hopefully, William would be ready to go and they could be on their way quickly… back to Claire and then up to Lallybroch to start their weekend.

Jamie grinned at the thought of their wedding weekend. Tomorrow would be hectic, he realised that, with all the last minute preparations and arrangements.After this evening, there would be no quiet time for him and Claire until—he smiled again—until their wedding night.

Eventually, Jamie pulled up outside Geneva’s house and hurried to the door. Unusually, Geneva answered the door promptly and ushered Jamie into the hall.

“Hello,’ Jamie greeted her politely. “Is William ready? I need tae be on the way. We’ve a fair drive this evening.”

He had decided not to remind Geneva about the wedding. There was no point in rubbing salt into the proverbial wound.

“Can you come in for a minute? There’s something I need to discuss.” She sounded nervous, worried.

“Is it about William? He’s alright, is he no’? Is that why he didna go tae nursery?” Jamie spoke rapidly.

“He’s fine. It’s not about him. Well…”

Jamie followed Geneva into the living room, his stomach suddenly in knots.

“Ye’re no’ planning on moving? I thought ye’d decided no tae that.”

She turned and rested a hand lightly on his forearm.

“Jamie, it’s not that. It’s…” she took a deep breath and continued. “It’s not too late, you know… for us. If you wanted us to be a real family—you, me and William. We could try. I know you have the wedding this weekend, but, if you really wanted you could stop it. Claire would get over it, I’m sure. We could make it work, you and I. I know you have a problem with my mother, but I could talk to her. She would understand.”

Jamie gently detached Geneva’s hand from his arm and shook his head. This was an unfamiliar side to her. Usually so full of self confidence and clear in her demands, this was different, almost pleading. She was not treating it as a game this time, eager not to lose, but with a sincere hope that he could… would… change his mind and choose her. But his choice wasn’t about William having parents who lived together, or about Louisa being less involved in their lives. His choice was simple and always would be. His choice was Claire, his only Sassenach.

“Geneva,” he spoke slowly and clearly. “This isna about William. We know that he has two parents who love him and live separately. I will always do ma best fer him, but that doesna mean we should try tae be together.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but Jamie continued. “Nor is it about yer mother. Interfering or no’, I would have found a way tae deal with her… if I had wanted tae. It is about Claire. I have found the woman I want to spend ma life with, that I want tae make a commitment tae and nothing will change that. This is no’ healthy fer ye, Geneva, ye need tae move on. We were never a good match, ye and I. Ye must realise that. I love Claire and I always will.”

Silence filled the room. Jamie shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot, keen to take his leave. His son came to his rescue as a cry came through the baby monitor, rousing Geneva into action.

“I’ll go and fetch William. He’s in his cot.” Geneva's air of vulnerability vanished as her usual mask of self confidence fell into place once more.

Jamie waited by the front door as Geneva returned with William already in his car seat. He squealed and eagerly kicked his legs at the sight of his father. Jamie took the car seat and kissed his son’s cheek.

“Bye, Geneva. I’ll drop William off at nursery on Tuesday as agreed.”

“Bye then. See you.” She started to close the front door behind them, then paused. “Er, hope everything goes… er….”

Jamie turned. “Thank ye.”

************

“She said what?” Claire spoke louder than she had intended, rousing William from his nap in the back of the car. “Oh sorry, darling.”

She reached behind her seat and stroked William’s leg.

“Will she ever give up, I wonder? Can she not get the message?” Claire twisted the strap of her bag agitatedly. “What will it take?”

Jamie stroked her knee briefly before pulling over to the side of the road. He shifted in his seat, turning to face Claire and brought his hand up to her cheek.

“Should I no’ have told ye? I wasna sure whether tae tell ye, but I jes’ decided I had tae. I dinna want tae be starting our marriage with a secret between us.”

“No, you did right. It’s just… just… it frustrates me so much. Does she really think you are going to change your mind? You’ve had plenty of opportunity before now.”

“Aye, but this felt, somehow more final. I ken this will be the last time. She needs tae move on wi’ someone else. She and I were never a match, Sassenach, and she kens that right enough.”

Jamie took Claire’s hand and nervously twisted the diamond solitaire on her finger. “Ye ken I didna do anything tae give her any encouragement. It was as much of a surprise tae me as tae ye, Sassenach.”

Now it was Claire’s turn to provide the reassurance to Jamie. She pressed her hand on his chest and felt his heart beating, faster at first then slowing down into its usual rhythm as his worries disappeared with her soothing touch.

“I know that, Jamie. I know you.”

The quiet of the moment was suddenly interrupted by a squeaking sound from the back seat. They both craned their heads around to see William enthusiastically squeezing his new plush hedgehog, babbling in delight as he repeatedly pressed the squeaker hidden inside the toy’s body.

Claire laughed. “Did you know when you bought it?”

A look of pride crept over Jamie’s face. “Truly, I didna. But look at him, He’s a clever lad tae be figuring that out sae quickly. Aye, so ye are, ma wee man.”

“We’ve still got another hour on the road. You might not be so keen on that toy by the time we get to Lallybroch.”

“And,” Claire added as Jamie started the car. “Please make sure he doesn’t have that toy on Sunday afternoon. Our wedding vows interspersed with William’s squeaky hedgehog is not what I want our guests to remember.”

******

Lallybroch stood dark and quiet as everyone settled down for the night.

Jamie lay on his side next to Claire, her arse nestling into his thighs, his hand reaching around to cup her breast. He sighed contentedly, his breath lightly tickling her neck. The steady sound of William snoring came through the baby monitor on the bedside table.

He sighed again. “I’m going tae miss this tomorrow night, when ye’ll be here all on yer own and I’m having tae bunk in wi’ Murtagh. Are ye sure ye dinna want me here instead? Ye’ll be awfa lonely,.. jes’ one wee Sassenach in this great big bed.”

Claire wedged her bottom more firmly into Jamie. “ I am not breaking with tradition. You’ll have to manage for one night.”

“Alright, Sassenach.”

The darkness in the bedroom was absolute. A velvety blackness cocooning the two of them in their own private world. Claire lifted Jamie’s hand from her breast and brought it to her lips, kissing it softly before returning it to its original position.

“Jamie, can I ask you a question?”

“I presume ye mean two questions, seeing as how ye’ve already asked one.”

She dug her elbow quickly into his ribs in chastisement.

“You’ve had girlfriends before me…”

She felt Jamie tense slightly, unsure where this line of questioning was going.

“... and I know at least one of them before me wasn’t from Scotland. I’m not prying but… did you ever call them Sassenach?”

His body relaxed as he kissed her neck.

“Nah, only ye. Ye’re the only one I ever called Sassenach, or given any name tae. When I was a bairn, Mam had a pet name fer me. She called me Sawny… it’s from Alexander, ye ken. That was between her and me. It was special. Tae me, a pet name, a nickname, it’s, weel, it’s more than affectionate. It’s a sign of love.”

“But you called me that on our first date.”

“Aye, I did. Like I say, it’s a sign of love. And I kent that then. Then, now and forever, ma Sassenach.”

[violet-knox]

Mended Rose

Year 6 - Chapter 32

Summary: Severus does his best to make a mends with you, hoping you will forgive him.

Word count: 2943

Warnings: Some depression like symptoms...

A/N: I’ve edited and rewritten this too much, but hopefully I did the story justice. And I’m sorry, but the posting every day streak had to end some time lol. I’ll do my best to post as much as I can but I am warning you, school will take over my life (unfortunately). Thanks for your patients, and I hope you enjoy this chapter 😊

Previous Chapter - Chapter 1

~

She wanted to go to the Ball with him and he ruined it. He ruined it like he ruined his friendship with Lily. It had played over exactly the same, except this time, the girl he’d pushed away had loved him back, had opened her doors to him only to have him slam them in her face. You’d left him by the lake with the rose he intended for you. To willow in the grave mistake he’d just made. Picking up the flower, he examined the petals that threatened to fall off, his anger simmering away, replaced with nothing but regret. The rest of it was mostly intact, salvageable at the very least, even after the reparative beatings it had taken today. He didn’t know how, but he knew he had to fix this.

With determination and a splash of desperation pumping through his veins , he got up from where he sat and made his way towards the Great Hall. Dinner had already commenced by the time he got there. The hall filling with cheerful noises of conversation between friends and professors while he stood at the entrance, frantically scanning the table across the from the one he belonged to. You weren’t there. He would have easily spotted you, but he still kept looking, hoping he was wrong. But you weren’t there. The dorms, he thought, that’s where you must have gone. His shoulders dropped as his gaze fell to the floor in disappointment. There was no way for him to get inside, and after what happened with Lily, he couldn’t make a habit of camping outside the portrait of the Fat Lady. He’d have to wait patiently to catch you another time. At least it gave him the opportunity to think over what he would say. He couldn’t leave this conversation to chance like he did last time. He’d learned that rushing into such an apology could lead to more regretful words being spoken, and that was the last thing he wanted. Instead of joining his fellow housemates, he went to his own dorm, heading straight to bed as you curled up under the sheets, reflecting over today’s events and how he could possibly make it up to you.

The next morning, he went to the astronomy tower with the small sliver of hope that you would show up to their daily study sessions, but it was no surprise to him that you didn’t. Sighing, he closed the door behind him and fought back the tears. It had barely been twelve hours and he already missed you. Knowing how angry you must be with him, hurt. It pierced his heart and he knew it wouldn’t stop until he made it up to you. Perhaps this pain could serve as punishment until then. It could keep him grounded and focused on making it right with you. He made his way around the castle and searched every location he thought he might find you. His final stop was the Great Hall where breakfast had been served and as he searched the room as he did the night before, he began to realize just how hurt you were if you had skipped both dinner and breakfast.

But he knew your schedule, every class you took, every study break, he knew everything about your daily routine. He was sure that he would find you eventually.

The incident with Severus had struck you harder than you would have initially imagined as you puddled into a complete mess over the next few days, refusing to leave your dorm over the weekend and even skipping all your classes on Monday. A few of your housemates noticed and began to worry over you. Mary began sneaking food out of the kitchen, practically forcing you to eat as you attempted to shove her away, burying your face back into the small comfort your pillow offered.

“If you don’t want to tell me what’s wrong,” said Jessica, “You could at least eat. Please (Y/N), this isn’t healthy. You haven’t eaten in days!” Mary placed the food on your bedside table as Jessica attempted to pull the covers off of you.

“Leave me alone,” your voice was raspy, weak from all the tears you had shed. You knew she was right, that you had to eat but you couldn’t find the energy, or the will power to even sit up.

“If you don’t eat, I’m getting McGonagall,” Jessica threatened.

You paused, thinking about what would happen if your head of house saw you in such a state. She would surely ask you to explain yourself and you had no interest in sharing the little chat you had with Severus with anyone, let alone a professor.

“No don’t get her,” you said quickly.

Slowly, you let go of your covers and let Jessica tear them off of you as you tried to sit up. It had been so long since you had moved from your spot in your bed that your joints ached with every small move you made. Your head pounded as Mary pulled back the curtains around your bed, letting in the blinding sun you hadn’t seen in days. You pressed your palm against your temple as you shut your eyes. Your hair seemed to have formed a nest from the lack of care you’ve been giving it and your pillow was still damp from the fresh tears you shed a few hours ago.

Mary picked up a glass of pumpkin juice and handed it to you before pulling Jessica aside.

“You weren’t serious right?” she whispered to Jessica, out of earshot from you. “You’ll get McGonagall?”

“No, not yet,” she responded. “We got her to eat at least. Maybe we can convince her to go to class tomorrow. And if not, then yes, we’ll tell McGonagall.”

“My head is pounding,” you said as you downed the rest of the drink in your hand. “Do you think you could fetch me a pain-relieving potion from Madam Pomfrey, Jess?”

Jessica brought her attention back to you before heading to her trunk, rummaging through it. She threw you a small vial and you watched as it landed on your bed between your legs. You picked it up and read the label.

“It’s left over from last month when I asked her for some,” she explained. You popped open the potion and was about to down it before she spoke again. “You should eat first. It can have some really bad side effects if drunk on an empty stomach.”

You paused and looked down at the potion, realizing how right she was. It shocked you how you’d completely forgotten that it could burn a hole in your stomach if not drunk under proper circumstances. Tears gathered under your eyes as you remembered asking Severus about this potion during one of your study sessions. Your mind suddenly filled with memories of you both before the last few words he spoke to you began replaying.

Mary walked back to stand beside you and took the small vial, sealing it and placing it on your table. You wiped away your tears as you reached for the food instead, slowly nibbling on it, fighting the nausea as you felt your stomach fill up quickly. 

“How about we go for a walk?” Jessica suggested. 

“No.” you whispered before leaning back into bed and drinking the potion she had given you. “I don’t want to leave.” You felt safe here in bed, like the horrors of the world couldn’t touch you if you hid under your covers.

“Then how about we just sit in the common room?” asked Mary. 

A few moments passed and you found yourself sitting by the fireplace, surrounded by your Gryffindor mates, all happily chatting, trying to cheer you up. Your tears quickly dried up as you finally found yourself thinking of something other than Severus for the first time in days. They did their best to convince you to go to class and by lunch the next day, they found you dressed and ready to head to Charms.

You avoided Severus’ gaze during classes the rest of the day, throwing all your focus into your studies instead as a distraction. Soon enough, comfortable eased its way you’re your mind and lead you to continue your studies as you didn’t want to fall behind, but you knew that if he tried to talk to you, it would bring back all those negative thoughts and you’d no doubt find yourself falling back into the hollow abyss of despair.  

You somehow found yourself seeing a lot more of Andrei since he asked you to the Yule Ball. Every corner you turned, you feared of bumping into him as the last time that happened, he wouldn’t let you leave until Professor McGonagall threatened to give you detention if you didn’t head to class. Despite your luck with the Durmstrang Champion, you had managed to avoid seeing much of Severus thus far and after class, you would always hurry away back to Gryffindor tower before he could talk to you. However, as you left Transfiguration, you found Severus outside waiting for you, forgetting he had a free block that period.

“(Y/N) please, I want to talk.”

“I have nothing to say to you,” you replied, mimicking his usual cold demeanor.

“I’m sorry!” he said quickly. “I didn’t mean it (Y/N), I’m really sorry for what I said. I thought maybe you were just stringing me along. I didn’t think-“

“No, you didn’t! You didn’t think! You just jumped to conclusions like you always do! Sev, how could you possibly think I would ever try and hurt you like that after all we have been through!”

“I know, I’m an idiot and you deserve to be treated so much better than how I treated you. I’m sorry (Y/N). I really am so sorry. I didn’t mean it. I-I was angry, and it just slipped out. A-and I’m not trying to make excuses for what I did, but (Y/N), I truly didn’t mean what I said. You are amazing and beautiful and I’m so sorry. I really hope you can forgive me because… I would really like to go to the Yule Ball with you.” He paused and took out the rose he had wished to give you two days ago, looking down at the flower as he continued in a quieter tone. “If you don’t want to go with me, if you would prefer to go with that Durmstrang boy, then I’ll understand.” He looked back at you and took your hand, “but I would really like to show you how much you mean to me (Y/N).” He gently placed the rose in your hand, “please (Y/N), go to the Ball with me?”

You examined the damaged rose in your hand, all thoughts of yelling at him, finding a way to hurt him as he did you thrown out the window the second you heard his pleads. The flower you held wasn’t as pretty as it was when you first found it; a few petals looked as if they were about to fall at any second and a few others were bent incorrectly. As you looked back up at him, seeing the helplessness in his eyes, you felt pity and desperation emulating from the boy standing before you. Gently, you arranged some of the petals to their rightful place before answering him. 

“Let me think about it,” you whispered.

He nodded in agreement and left you to your thoughts. You wanted to forgive him, to go to the Ball with him, but you couldn’t get what he said out of your head. You understood he only spit out that word because he was frustrated, thinking you had flirted with him only to turn around and find someone else, but that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt, that didn’t excuse what he said. He did care for you, you knew that and you still harbored feelings for him, which made it so much harder to forget him. What were you supposed to do now? If you forgave him, you would be opening your heart to him, risking having it crushed again, but if you didn’t, you would likely lose him forever. You made your way back to your dorm and set the rose on the table beside your bed.

Each day for the next few weeks, passed the same way; you went to bed and woke up looking at the rose, thinking about your relationship with Severus and how long you had been waiting to show him just how much he meant to you. You felt so conflicted and unsure of how you felt after what happened between you two. On one hand, you wanted to put what happened behind you, to move forward and start a relationship you knew would blossom into something tremendously beautiful. But your heart held you back, telling you not to trust him again, not to put yourself in such a vulnerable position because what if his intentions weren’t as pure as he’d made them out to be. Or worse, what if he was simply using you again like he did with Slughorn’s party in fourth year? Deciding you had to talk to him one last time before giving him an answer, you set your rose back down on your table and went to bed, momentarily pausing your thoughts as you made plans to catch him tomorrow.

After lunch the next day, you made your way to the astronomy tower with the rose in your hand and found Severus with his face buried in a book in the same corner you would both normally sit together. When you opened the door he looked up, immediately put down his book and stood, wide eyed.

His quick movement shook you a moment, but you closed the door behind you as you eyed him a moment before speaking. “Hey,” you said softly.

“Hey.” He copied the same cautious tone you gave him. You took a few steps towards him, wanting to get all the answers you needed from him.

“So, I was thinking, about what you said to me. And, I want to forgive you Severus, I do.” You looked down at your hands. “But how do I know I can trust you again? How do I know you won’t turn on me again?”

Severus took a moment to think about how to reply. He understood your hesitation and understood why you asked him these questions, but he just wasn’t sure he could give you the answer you were looking for.

“Do you remember when we first met? I-I didn’t trust you back then. I thought you were like all the other Gryffindors. Like Potter. But you showed me kindness and compassion. I know I haven’t returned that favor, I know I haven’t been the most open person. But I want to show you that I can be. I want to show you that you can trust me. If you forgive me, I promise I won’t betray your trust again… I promise I won’t jump to conclusions,” you giggled at his last sentence. He hesitated for a second before kneeling to pick up a book from his bag. He took another moment tracing the outline of the front cover before speaking again. “I want you to have this.”

Your eyes widened as you recognized the book he’d handed to you. You’d asked to borrow it on many occasions and without fail, he had denied each request. It was a potions book, containing some rare mixtures. His mother had given it to him when he was young, and he never parted without it. It was the first book he’d grown to love, one that had been passed down from generations in his family holding the royal ambiance of the Prince family.

“Y-you’re giving this to me?” you asked in shock. “I can’t take this Severus! I know what it means to you.”

“Then you understand what you mean to me.”

A shallow breath escaped your lips as they twitched into a sincere smile at the gesture he made. Your heart fluttered at the feeling of the vintage leather beneath your fingertips. You couldn’t believe how much he trusted you, how badly he wanted your forgiveness. You stepped forward until you were only inches apart. Placing your bag and the book he gave you on the ground, you reached into your robe and took out the delicate rose before taking his hand and holding the flower between your chest and his.

“Ask me again,” you whisper, your eyes searching his and finding nothing but love. He raised his free hand, placing it on yours as you both held the rose in place.

“Will you go to the Ball with me?” he whispered back.

“I would love to go to the Ball with you.”

Severus held back the ball of happiness ready to burst in his chest as he let out a breath of relief. Smiling, he cautiously leaned in a bit wondering if he was overstepping, but you closed the distance between you two, finally locking lips with him. You both kissed like you hadn’t seen each other in years, noses colliding and lips hungry for each other’s touch. You snaked your arms around his neck, and he placed his on your waist in response. It was perfect and you couldn’t have asked for more.

When you finally parted, panting for air, Severus met his forehead with yours, giving you a genuine smile. This moment was the happiest he had felt in a long time and you couldn’t have shared in those feelings more.

~

Next Chapter

~

@hoppingsnape @dusk-realm @a-slytherin-sin @trashandshook @gbatesx @sneezy-s @emsdroid @leah-halliwell92 @dellightfullydeceitful @xxaamzxx @sparklingkeylimepie @nameless-sovereign @wanderingtrails

[borathae]

↳ The Index [#08 Fall Back]

Genre: Smut, Angst, some bits of Fluff

Warnings: dom!Hoseok, sub!Reader, fingering, public sex, mirror sex, rough sex, phone sex in one way or the other, cum holding, dirty talking, pain kink, hair pulling, reader is a remorseless bitch

Wordcount: 9.1k

a/n: This chapter literally controlled me instead of me controlling it. Everything has spiralled out of my control, I am a mere tool the story uses to manifest itself into this world. I am its slut all under its control and I am shaking because despite the freaking pain it causes I can’t get enough of it, hanging on its poisionous lips just wanting to be consumed whole... ʰᵉˡᵖ ᵐᵉ

Everything returns normal after that, well as good as it was possible. Namjoon and Taehyung were still angry with you, looking the other way every time you passed each other at work. You didn’t blame them, you would be angry as well. Still, it had become lonely without friends to talk to, so after a week of no human contact, you had decided to call Seokjin to ask if he and Jungkook wanted to grab some dinner. He had dismissed you, telling you that they weren’t really in the mood for seeing people lately. He had hung up after that, not even saying goodbye. You know what he had actually meant to say. It had hurt you. Of course it did, but again you couldn’t blame them. They were Yoongis friends after all. At least Yoongi had started to go to lunch with you again. It had been awkward at first, both of you trying your hardest to find a topic to talk about. If it would have been your first date, you both probably had equally agreed that this relationship wouldn’t work out. But it wasn’t, it was a fresh start, an attempt to save your relationship. Thankfully it had become easier with time and come Friday both of you were laughing and joking with each other again.

You are glad about that, you had worried so much that you had lost Yoongi for good. But he had been forgiving and after realising that you would give him all the time he needed, he thawed. He had been hesitant at first, only ‘accidentally’ brushing his hand with yours, which ended up with the two of you intertwining your fingers whilst walking to the bus stop. It had made you smile, your heart nearly bursting in your chest and your skin prickling underneath his touch. He had looked shyly to the ground, trying his hardest to hide his own smile in the collar of his turtleneck. It probably looked like two giddy teenagers experiencing their first, innocent exchanges of affection to an outside observer and quite frankly it felt like it too, millions of butterflies dancing in your stomach. He hadn’t kissed you however, only squeezing your hand smiling down at you before getting onto his bus and waving at you through the window. You didn’t mind, of course you didn’t, the happiness that he had started to touch you again overshadowing any kind of disappointment. 

It had taken him two more days after your first time holding hands to finally kiss you. It was a sweet kiss, short of nature, simply brushing his lips over yours. But it had been enough to send your heart into overdrive, your arms falling around his neck to pull him into a tight hug, both of you giggling into each other’s shoulders. So to keep it short, you are happy again, and with the knowledge that Yoongi was yours again the cold stares of Taehyung and Namjoon became easier to handle and the lonely feeling slowly disappeared from your chest.

You smile, staring at your home screen picture of you and Yoongi smiling into the camera, your blushing cheeks squished together. You wipe your finger over his face, sighing contently. You can’t wait to see him on Monday again. You lie down on your sofa, nuzzling your head into the soft decorative pillow still staring at your home screen.

Suddenly your phone starts to vibrate, Hoseoks name flashing on your screen. You scream, nearly throwing your phone across the room, but stopping yourself last minute clutching it to your chest instead. He is the last person you wanted to speak to right now, not when you know how hard it is for you force down the feelings for him. What does he want? What if he tells you that he misses you? Should you just let it ring? But then you told him to call you if something happens to him. You feel scared all of a sudden. Is he in pain?

You pick up, moving your phone to your ear in slow motion.

“Hello?” you whisper and you can hear Hoseoks heavy breathing through the receiver.

“Could you come down to the dance studio please? I am having quite the problem here”, he says and you sit up in shock.

“Are you okay? Oh my god Hoseok are you in pain?” you pant and he stays silent.

“Please just come quickly please”, he says finally and you nod your head even though he can’t see you right now.

“Yes, of course, hold on I’ll try to be as quick as possible. I’ll bring some pain meds as well”, you tell him before hanging up and putting your phone in the pocket of your sweats.

You run through your apartment afterwards, collecting everything you needed to bring before leaving it, still wearing your sweats and three-day old t-shirt. You have no time to change.

You arrive at his dance studio with the last bit of your precious nerves still intact. You hadn’t been able to find an unoccupied taxi for ten minutes straight and when you did find one the driver had refused to accept your debit card, so you had to run down the streets to the closest ATM just so you could get the driver your money. You had told him to have a good fucking day before slamming the door closed and rushing up the stairs of the dance studio not even bothering to react to him flipping you off.

You stop once you stand in front of Hoseoks studio, supporting yourself against the white walls and trying your hardest to regulate your heavy breathing. Please let him be okay! You knock, listening for someone to answer but the music is far too loud, swallowing all of the other sounds. You twist the door handle pushing the door open with a shaky breath. Your eyes travel over the floor, expecting to find a shaking Hoseok with a face contorted in pain, but instead you are greeted with a perfectly healthy Hoseok dancing in front of the mirror with his tongue sticking out. His eyes are covered by a black bucket hat and an oversized white t-shirt is hugging his upper body, dancing in the air with every jump he makes.

“Hey Hobi I am here", you yell over the loud music letting your eyes wander to his circling hips.

He stops his movements, snapping around and pushing his bucket hat out of his face. It’s the first time you are seeing his face after the accident and you can’t help but let your eyes wander over everything. The skin around his eyes has turned a light green and the bruise on his cheek has already disappeared completely. The once white plaster on his nose is now a light skin-coloured one, it is smaller than the first one. He looks healthier again, thank god.

“Oh, hey Y/N didn't even hear you come in", he smiles turning off the music, “I’m happy that you could come“, he says closing the distance between the two of you.

“Are you even hurt?” you ask crossing your arms in front of your chest.

“No not really, you didn’t let explain my situation so I just played the role you wanted me to be”, he confesses scratching the back of his neck. “But I still need your help so my call had a purpose. I really need your opinion on one of my new choreographies“, he says raising his finger.

“Are you serious right now? I was worried shitless the whole drive to the studio. I thought you'd be lying in a puddle of your own blood shaking in pain. Do you even know through how my stress I just went? The cab driver didn’t accept my debit card so I had to literally sprint down two blocks to get some money from an ATM. I fucking hate running and you fucker made me run nearly one kilometer“, you spit angrily, gently hitting his chest.

He chuckles, rubbing the spot you had hit before looking shyly to ground.

“Were you actually that worried?” he asks grinning widely at you, “I'm sorry I didn’t want to stress you like that I just wanted to make sure you’d certainly come“, he adds sending you two finger hearts.

“I would have come regardless“, you scoff rolling your eyes.

He smiles, putting his hands in the pockets of his shorts.  

“Alright I’ll remember to be more specific the next time”, he chuckles nodding. He studies your face for a moment, “Sooo do you want to help me now?” he asks looking at you with puppy eyes.

You look him up and down with a raised eyebrow and clenched jaw. Normally, you should say no and just leave him. It would suit him right for all the trouble he had caused you. However he had sparked your curiosity.

“Yeah I mean now that I’m here why not”, you say shrugging your shoulders. His smile grows, his eyes lighting up.

“Thank you for staying Y/N!”, he exclaims clapping his hands and jumping up and down in front of you. He stops, putting his hands on your shoulders and carefully pushing you backwards, closer to the mirror.

“Alright so I need you to watch me and just tell me on what steps I need to work some more. You still know how to do that? You know concentrate on-"

“-on your footwork and your upper body movements separately because only then can I be sure that I won't miss a thing. Don't worry Hobi I monitored you for nearly five years I know my stuff", tell him and he lowers his head so you wouldn't be able to see his big smile. You do. And it annoyingly makes your heart skip a beat in your chest.

“Just making sure you haven't forgotten", he mumbles shrugging his shoulders. He turns around walking to the spot he was previously dancing on, rolling his shoulders afterwards.

You sit down in front of mirror taking the remote control for his music player into your hands and crossing your legs afterwards.

“Ready?“ you ask, your thumb playing with the start button of the remote.

He nods, furrowing his eyebrows together in concentration. He looks so intimidating right now, with his eyes staring at himself through the mirror, it sends a shiver down your spine.

You press play and a hip-hop song, unknown to you, starts playing, it sounds old school with a catchy beat and deep lyrics. You like it.

The moment the first beat hits Hoseok starts moving, sliding his feet over the dark wood floor with ease never missing a beat, bending his ankles in so many different angles you are starting to doubt the existence of his bones. It mesmerizes you, your eyes following his every step with your mouth hanging wide open. He had improved a lot in the time the two of you were apart, his movements are even more fluently and precise than before.

Soon the song comes to an end and all you can hear is Hoseoks loud breathing. You look up, watching him walk to you and sitting down cross-legged in front of you. He removes his bucket hat to comb his messy hair out of his face, exposing his forehead.

“And? Tell me honestly what can I improve?“ he asks, breathing hard leaning his weight onto his hands.

“Honestly there isn't anything major that I could notice, you are moving so fluently and on-beat it's remarkable. But if I really have to critique something the steps you did at the line that goes something with word on my body-"

“Every tat means something, that's my word on my body?“

“Yeah that line", you say pointing your finger at his chest, “it kind of looks out of place because you are doing all this smooth gliding around and suddenly you are doing this stop and it kind of looks like your shoes get stuck on the floor”, you explain with big gestures.  

He laughs, clearly amused by the anecdote you used.

“Thank you for your honest words, also as funny as it sounds I knew you wouldn't like this part“, he confesses and you tilt your head in confusion.

“Why? Am I that predictable?“ you joke making him shake his head with a smile on his face.

“No it's not that, but that was the only part I wasn't satisfied with either“, he tells you and you smile.

“Oh well, I'm glad that we are on the same boat here“, you laugh your hand reaching out automatically to pet his thigh.

His eyes snap to your hand, he swallows visibly. Well, that’s awkward, you shouldn’t have touched him. You should probably pull away, it’s still not too late to turn this current tension into nothing more than a professional monitoring between friends. But then on the other hand, friends can touch each other. Right? This doesn't have to mean anything. Also it’s just the two of you here, no one’s going to judge you. You take a deep breath before squeezing his hard muscle.

“You are not finished Hobi, I still need to monitor your upper body movements", you tell him sending him an encouraging smile.

“Uhm, yeah true I, yeah I nearly forgot", he stutters stumbling up onto his feet again.

You start the music once he gives you the signal with a nod of his head. Monitoring his upper body movements had always been more fun for you. Hoseok had a talent for changing from smooth body rolls to bopping and back to smooth waves like it was the easiest thing in the world for him. It looked hypnotizing, the perfect mixture that makes you want to keep watching him. Or maybe it’s also the smug smirk that appears on his face every time he dares to take a look at your stunned face. Either way it works, your eyes watch him hungrily, your heartbeat quickening in your chest. He ends the choreography with his fingers forming a heart over his heart, bopping his chest to imitated heartbeats. It surprises you, making you look away in coyness before you giggle shyly.

He smirks, watching your cheeks turn pink all whilst walking to you and sitting down in front of you again. He is closer than before, his knees touching yours, making your skin prickle.

“So what do you think?“ he asks, panting hard.

“It's just wow it's really amazing Hobi. You are so talented. I am one hundred percent honest with you when I tell you that I couldn't find anything that I didn't like“, you tell him patting his knee.

“Are you serious? You even liked the weird robot thing I did? I thought you would hate it."

“What? No I loved it, the robot thing was my favorite part", you assure him and he smiles.

“Awww really? Damn it, now I improvised the heart pose for nothing at the end?“ he whines jokingly.

His words send new heat to your cheeks. You giggle, hiding your smile behind your hand.

“No actually I loved that the most", you mumble with your head lowered.

“Thank god", he sighs before you can feel his sweaty palm cup your burning cheek.

You look up at him with big eyes. He is smiling at you with sparkling eyes. Your gaze flickers to his mouth, his lips look so soft right now you really want to feel them on yours again.

What are you even thinking? This is so wrong you shouldn’t do that right now, you shouldn’t repeat the same mistake especially now that Yoongi starts to trust you again. You had come as friend nothing more.

But still you can’t deny how fast your heart is beating in your chest or how good his hand feels on your face.

You had been so lost in your own thoughts that you didn’t even notice him scooting closer, his face mere inches away and his breath tickling your skin pulling you back to reality.

“Would you hate me if I kissed you now?“ he whispers, his voice deeper than before.

Say yes, just say yes and avoid complicating everything again. Just say yes and keep the promise you had made Yoongi.

He licks over his lips, biting them afterwards. His breathing comes out ragged, as if he is excited, consumed by want for you. Your own tongue darts out to wet your dry lips.

However you have already complicated it enough by merely agreeing to stay with Hoseok and monitoring him. One kiss wouldn’t kill anyone. Right?

“Come and find out“, you answer resting your hands on his thighs.

His eyes snap to your mouth, instantly turning dark. He licks his lips coming closer and closer to your already slightly-parted lips. The last thing you see before you close your eyes are his own eyelids fluttering closed and then you can feel his lips on yours. It feels like your heart is going to explode in your chest, like thousands of butterflies start dancing in your belly and endless sparks of electricity shoot through your body lighting everything up. His lips had merely brushed yours and still you feel yourself getting addicted already, your body screaming for more.

His lips are even softer than you had imagined, pressing against yours with no movement whatsoever. He’s testing the waters still unsure if you would pull back, but your hand snaking around his neck to pull him closer adds confidence to his actions. He smiles against your lips, his own hand coming to rest on your neck, his fingers tangling in your hair. Your kisses are soft and slow at first, both of you getting lost in the feeling of being so close again. You dart your tongue out, licking over his lower lip. His taste enslaves you, the chains of desire wrapping around your neck and making you gasp for air. You bite down gently on his lower lip earning a groan from him. His grip around your neck tightens, your scalp aching from his fingers tugging at the same bundle of hair over and over again. He pulls you onto his body, the slippery floor making it easier for him to pull you close and you stumble to your knees to be able to sit on his crossed-legged lap.

Once you are sitting comfortably enough he presses you even closer with his big hand on the small of your back, your braless chest rubbing against his, your nipples already hardening. You sigh, letting his tongue enter your mouth enjoying the feeling of him taking over control. His bucket hat had long fallen to the ground, your fingers grabbing at his hair like it was the only thing keeping you from losing the last bit of your sanity, they feel damp against your fingers but you couldn’t care less, your every growing desire to rip the clothes of his godlike body rendering blind to every outside feeling other than his hot body pressing against yours.

You start rocking your hips on his, moaning softly every time his hard bulge rubs against your clothed core. Arousal drains your panties, slowly seeping through your sweats as well. It annoys you, but excites you all at the same time, the rough feeling of your panties getting pushed deeper and deeper between your folds, sending shivers down your spin. You roll your hips again, harder than before earning a low groan from him. He grabs your left butt cheek squeezing the flesh between his fingers and roughly pulling on your hair at the same time. You whimper, pressing yourself even closer to his body, silently begging him to pull again.

Suddenly the loud ringing of a phone stops your shameless groping session, both of jumping slightly. You break away, breathing heavily looking into each other’s eyes with hunger.

“It’s not mine", he says looking at your handbag right next to the mirror.

You turn around as good as possible to stare at your bag, silently cursing it for ruining your moment with Hoseok. You reach behind yourself with Hoseoks hand on your back so you wouldn’t fall off his lap and after some fumbling in the air, your fingers finally graze the handle of your bag. You let a sound of accomplishment dragging the leather bag to your bodies and rummaging for your blaring phone afterwards. You flip it over once you have found it, as it had landed with the backside turned to you into your hands.

Yoongibear ❤

Yoongi’s name on your display makes your breath hitch in your throat, your eyes snapping to stare at Hoseok with nothing but pure panic. He looks calm, which only makes you feel nervous all the more.

“I-“, you say hovering your shaky fingers over your screen.

“Go on pick up I'll be quiet“, he tells you caressing your arm.

You think his words over for a moment, still too scared that he might snitch on you. He squeezes your arm, sending you an encouraging smile. It is enough to make you finally dare to pick up.

“Hello?“ you answer trying your hardest to regulate your heavy breathing.

“Hey princess can you talk?“ Yoongis happy voice rings from the speaker and you swallow.

“I sure fuc-", you nearly swear, your breath hitching in your throat. Hoseok had slipped his hands in your sweats, travelling his fingers over your clothed core, his eyes watching you hungrily a smirk plastering his face.

“Are you okay baby?“ Yoongi asks sounding worried.

You try to get Hoseok to stop touching you but with every slap of your fingers against his arm he only adds pressure to his touch, his evil smirk growing. Oh, he is going to pay for that, he’s going to stop smirking once you are finished with him!

“Mhm, yeah? Of course I am it's just I nearly dropped my coffee mug that's all", you choke out the last word with a ragged breath.

Hoseok had managed to slip his hand into your panties, his pointer finger drawing circles on your clit. Holy shit, he feels amazing! His touch is rough, he knows you can take it, knows how much you enjoy being manhandled like that. Your eyes flutter shut, your lips parting to let your needy moans spill free but Yoongis low chuckle stops you in the last moment.

“You are so clumsy baby", Yoongi chuckles and you try your hardest to make your laughter sound as natural as possible; something nearly impossible with the feeling of Hoseoks middle finger stroking through your wet folds.

“But that's not why I called. Do you maybe have time to come over to the studio sometime today? I have something I wanted to show you", he continues talking and you hum, well more of like a forced down moan but you hope you had managed to make it sound as innocent as possible.

“I, fuck, yes", you groan digging your fingernails into Hoseoks shoulders. He had inserted two of his fingers inside of you, pumping them in and out of you. It burns so good, nearly making you scream out his name.

“I didn't expect that much enthusiasm right now, but I feel honored baby“, Yoongi giggles and you can hear him lean back in his chair.

“I'm just very-", Hoseok curls his fingers inside of you, your ability to talk gone for a moment. You gasp for air, sending Hoseok a warning glare but he dismissed it with an evil smirk. You take a deep breath, starting to think of things that would take your mind off of Hoseoks long fingers stretching you out, before continuing to talk, “-excited to see you again that's all.“

“I’m also excited baby. I can't wait to finally show you, I have been working so hard on it and I think it turned out so well you are going to love it“, Yoongi ends his words with a dreamy sigh.

You hum, too scared that your voice would be too shaky when you try to talk. Hoseok curls his finger again, all whilst starting to massage your clit with his thumb. Your legs start shaking, your breathing becoming ragged. It’s getting too much, your mind racing with filthy words only threatening to spill out of you and your body shaking with the desire to finally move on his long fingers.

“I'm, I'm sure I will. I'll see you later, need to go", you choke out with the last bit of strength you can gather before hanging up.

You throw your phone onto your half-opened bag not caring about the rather loud bang it causes before averting your attention to the man in front of you.

“What the hell is your problem?“ you spit, hitting Hoseoks arm hard enough that it would sting.

“Why so mad? You managed perfectly, he didn't suspect a thing", Hoseok defends himself, stopping his movements for the time being. It makes you want to whine, but you stop yourself too angry to show him how much you desired him right now.

“Still you promised to be silent“, you hiss trying to look as mad as possible, despite his fingers curling against your upper walls, missing your g-spot ever so slightly on purpose, driving you nearly into madness.

“And silent I was. It's not my fault that you can't stay quiet for shit", he says chuckling afterwards before scissoring his fingers inside of you.

You gasp, your eyelids closing for a second and your hips bucking into his touch.

“I fucking hate you so much", you choke out and despite your words your hips keep grinding against his hand.

“I can stop if you want me to, so you can go to your fiancé instead", Hoseok says pulling his fingers out of you. It makes you panic, your eyes snapping open and your hand clutching onto his arm.

“No, please, please don’t", you plead clenching around his fingers as an attempt to draw him back in.

He smirks, biting his lip.

“Well then I want to have some fun as well", he whispers curling his fingers one last time before finally pulling out of you.

You whine looking at him with pleading eyes, your fingers trying their hardest to pull him back down by his wrist. But he is stronger leading his arousal slickened fingers to his lips before taking them into his mouth. He hums, closing his eyes and sucking on his fingers like a starved man. He releases them with a loud bop afterwards, opening his eyes. His pupils are dilated painting his brown irises in a deep black.

“You taste so fucking delicious, I can't believe I was able to go without this sweet taste for so long", he groans grabbing a big bundle of your hair to pull you onto his lips.

He kisses you roughly, his tongue licking over your lips asking for entrance, something you grant him just all the more willingly. It’s sloppy and dirty, both of you moaning shamelessly, your hands fumbling all over each other’s bodies. His tongue dances with yours, you can still taste a small hint of yourself on the tip of his tongue. You moan slipping your hands underneath his t-shirt, tracing his abs with the tip of your fingers before stopping at his chest to stroke over his nipples. He groans groping your breast over your t-shirt. His hand feels amazing groping your breast like that, making you arch your back into his hand.

“Need to fuck you", he growls breaking the kiss and bucking his hips into yours as good as the position allows him to.

“No one's stopping you“, you pant still traveling your hands up and down his naked chest.

“Not even your fiancé?“  he asks, sliding his hand underneath your shirt to cup your right breast.

Normally you would have arched your back into his touch, but the reminder of Yoongi makes you clear your mind for a moment. You pause your movements, pictures of Yoongi waiting patiently for you in his studio flashing to your mind. You should feel guilty, it would be the right thing to do. However all the reminder of him does is to annoy you for stopping you from feeling pleasure.

“Not even him and I blame you and your freaking fingers”, you spit, scratching down his chest making sure that it would leave red marks.

Hoseok chuckles cupping your left butt cheek in his hand and squeezing hard.

“Don't blame me, you love them“, he says before slapping it with all of his might making you jolt forward, a pained whimper leaving your lips.

“I, I do", you stutter resting your head against his shoulder. Your hands fall from his chest, now grabbing at his sides for support.

“That's my girl”, he praises massaging your breast and butt cheek at the same time. “Now be so nice and stand up for me", he tells you, putting both of his hands on your waist to pull you up with him.

You wobble, holding onto his sweatshirt.

“What are you doing?” you ask looking up at him with big eyes.

“Undress”, he tells you ignoring your question and pointing at your red sweats.

You follow his orders, reaching down your body and fumbling with the waistband of your sweats with shaking fingers.

“Faster we don't have all day” Hoseok growls grabbing your chin between his fingers andf making you to look up at him, “You know how much I fucking hate waiting”, he adds and you swallow down the whimper in the back of your throat.

“I, I do”, you stutter, trying your hardest to pull down your sweats as fast as possible.

They fall to the ground in a dull sound, pooling on your feet. Hoseok looks down, raking his eyes over your legs before stopping at your clothed core. He smirks, looking back up to stare at you through hooded eyes.

“So fucking gorgeous”, he smiles, caressing your cheek with the back of his hand before grabbing you by your shoulders and pushing you against the mirror.

Your shoulders collide with it first, forcing a shocked gasp out of you, your eyes closing for a moment. But Hoseok leaves you no time to collect your breath again, his lips crushing down on yours biting and sucking on your lower lip like a starved man. Your head spins with the lack of oxygen in your lungs, but still you pull him down on you even more, twisting your fingers in his locks and wrapping one leg around his hip.

He growls, digging his fingernails into the flesh of your naked thigh, pressing his clothed erection against your core. You whimper, growing impatient. Yes you love the feeling of his dick grinding against your swollen clit, but it’s not enough. You need to feel stretched out by him, need to feel him fuck you senseless.

You break the kiss, your fingers fumbling with the waistband of his shorts.

“Please fuck me already”, you beg and he smirks.

“I thought you’d never ask”, he tells you, hooking his fingers in your panties and pulling them down your legs.

“Ah fuck”, you gasp when cold air hits your arousal drenched core, looking up at Hoseok with lustful eyes. He smirks at your reaction, his left hand coming out to rest on your naked butt cheek.

“So beautiful”, he growls, staring at the nakedlower half of your body through the mirror before lowering his head to attach his lips to your neck. He sucks, clearly wanting to mark you but you push him off in the last moment. He looks at you confused, furrowing his brows.

“No hickies, not when I'm seeing him later”, you explain, cupping his cheek in apology.

“I forgot, sorry”, he mumbles, sending you a lopsided smile before leaning down again. He kisses the slope your neck, sucking softly enough to leave you gasping but keep your skin intact. His tongue darts out, licking over your neck before landing on your ear. He traces the shape of your ear, the hot feeling of his tongue making you moan softly.

“I want you so fucking much”, he whispers into your ear. His breathing is shaky, quiet moans leaving his parted lips. He knows how much it drives you crazy when he shows you his desperation like that, his lips ghosting over your ear and his tongue exploring the sensitive skin of your neck.

“Then fuck me already”, you groan fumbling with his shorts until you manage to open the knot. You pull them down his legs taking his briefs with them as well.

“I will”, he growls, stepping out his short pooling on his feet and hooking his arm under your left leg to pull you onto his body.

You come crashing down on him, the tip of his cock grazing over your pulsating entrance, his precum mixing with your arousal creating a mess. His free hand reaches between your bodies aligning himself with your entrance and then he slams into you with so much force it makes you scream out his name, curses following after.

He leaves you no time to adjust, knowing very well you don't need it. Not when your arousal is practically tripping down your legs. His hips move fast, drilling his length into your core, forcing moan after moan out of you.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck harder please harder”, you pant once the last bit of faint pain from the sudden stretch has disappeared and he grunts.

He moves your leg up slightly so he would be able to bury his length deeper inside of you before taking on a pace so relentless you can feel the mirror shake behind you.

“That’s it fuck yes”, you scream, digging your nails into his shoulders, your eyes rolling into the back of your skull.

“Yeah, you like that?” he pants opening his eyes to watch you come undone underneath him. You nod your head, choking out a shaky “Yes” and he smirks looking away from you to stare at himself through the mirror instead.

“I’ll make you cum so fucking hard”, he growls still watching himself fuck into you like a maniac.

“Yes, fuck yes”, you moan clenching around his length, clutching onto his shoulders.

The feeling is overwhelming, rendering you speechless, Hoseoks name the only word leaving your lips like a mantra. You are so sensitive already, you can feel each thrust as he fucks into you with so much force bruises had already started to form where his hips bones dig into your flesh. It hurts, but still you want more the pleasure addicting driving you into madness.

“You gonna cum? I can feel you clenching”, he pants renewing the grip around your leg, never once stopping his hips from moving.

You let out a strangle moan, clenching around him as an answer. He smirks, he loves when he renders you speechless. You are so hot all of a sudden, sweat running down your chest and back, your hair sticking to your forehead. So hot and so fucking close, just one more thrust of his skillful hips and you will find yourself breaking.

“Just-one-more”, you wail between his thrusts and he stops his movement for a brief second before slamming into you forcefully. The knot in your stomach unravels, and you cum hard, your leg nearly giving up underneath you when waves of burning pleasure comes crashing down on you, the intensity of your orgasm leaving you gasping for air, shaking in Hoseoks arms.  

Your hot walls clenching and spasming around his length forces him to release as well, his hips stuttering and his movements becoming sloppy before stopping altogether. He groans loudly, burying his twitching length deeper inside of you to make sure that you would take all of his cum.

The two of you stay silent for what feels like an eternity, both of you trying to catch your breath. Your leg is shaking uncontrollably still, from exhaustion now instead of pleasure and you would have fallen down if it wasn't for Hoseok still holding your other leg and pressing his body against yours.

You wrap your arm around his neck, squeezing him tightly.

“You just made me cum with just your dick”, you croak once your voice has returned, staring at the wall opposite of you with big eyes.

“Is that such a surprise to you?” he chuckles tiredly before pulling his softening dick out of you. You can feel his cum drip out of you already, but you don’t care your mind still trying to process what had just happened.

“No, I just I forgot that this was possible”, you confess and suddenly you feel tired, your legs giving up underneath you.

Hoseok catches you, pressing you against his chest with his arms supporting you by your waist.

“I’m not going to name any names but someone must have weak stroke game”, he says and you huff.

“Please don’t start this right now”, you warn.

“Fine I won’t”, he tells you kneeling down in front of him to pull your panties up. You can feel his cum pool on your entrance, the cotton material of your underwear sticking unpleasantly to it.

“Your cum is going to drip out and ruin them, let me get cleaned up first”, you whine trying to wiggle out of his arms.

“Cleaned up?“ he chuckles, standing up and pressing an opened-mouth kiss to your temple. His eyes are still dark, looking down at you, “You just have to be careful babygirl”, he adds, an evil smirk plastering his face.

Your eyes grow big, your breath hitching in your throat.

“What? But I am meeting up with Yoongi now”, you gasp and he shrugs his shoulders.

“All the more reason to be careful. We don't want him to find out don't we", he tells you.

„I-" you swallow, „No, no we don’t", you stutter shaking your head.

He smiles pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead.

“That’s my girl”, he whispers with his lips still pressed against your forehead. He steps back after that, smiling down at you.

“I think you should go now, we have kept dear Yoongi waiting long enough”, he says and your stomach twists now that your mind has cleared up again.

You had slept with Hoseok, again you had broken the promise you had made Yoongi. But what makes you feel sick the most is the missing guilt in your chest, as hard as you try to feel bad for what you did you just can’t.

“I think we really did”, you say launching forward to wrap your arms around Hoseoks neck and pull him into a longing kiss.

He is visibly surprised by it, nearly falling over if it wasn’t for the mirror stopping your fall, gasping into your mouth. You pull back smiling up at him.

“Can I call you again?” you ask caressing the skin of his burning cheeks.

“Seriously?” he gasps, his eyes big. You nod smiling. “Yeah of course you can call me anytime you want, I’m, wow”, he stutters before laughing breathlessly.

“Great, that’s great”, you join his laughter, breaking away from him afterwards.

“I’ll get going then”, you tell him, picking up your sweatpants to pull them on and grab your handbag afterwards.

“See you soon Y/N”, Hoseok says, still looking utterly taken aback by the turn of events.

“See you soon Hobi”, you grin, twisting the doorknob and leaving a blushing, giddy mess of a man behind.

You take a deep breath, staring at the alabaster door of Yoongi’s studio. You should have cleaned yourself up before coming here, Hoseok wouldn’t have found out about your disobedience anyways. You rub your thighs together, the rough feeling of his already dried cum in your panties making you wince. It’s still not too late to run into the next best toilet and try to get rid of the sinful stain.

You are already in the midst of turning around and running down the corridor before Jungkook’s appearing form stops you. He looks shocked at first, clearly trying to find a spot to hide from you. He gives up in the end, letting out a loud sigh and closing the distance between the two of you, one you would have preferred he had kept.

“Hello Y/N”, he greets you with his hands in the front pouch of his grey sweater. He avoids looking at your eyes, probably still unsure about your current relationship status.

“Hey Jungkook, how are you?” you say pulling your t-shirt over your behind to try and hide the spot, you are sure Hoseok’s cum had left behind.

“I’m, I’m fine, yeah”, he stops talking to look up at the ceiling.

“That’s good to hear”, you say before falling silent yourself. You look around you, trying to find something you could use as an excuse to get away from him.

The coffee machine? You could tell him that you wanted to get some coffee, but that could leave the possibility that he would want to join you. The toilets? That wouldn’t even be a lie, you really need to get that stain out of your underwear. However that would mean walking past Jungkook and risking him looking after you and spotting the stain on your sweats. Yoongi’s studio? But that would mean the possibility of Yoongi spotting the mark of your anew infidelity.

You sigh, which makes Jungkook look at you with panic in his eyes.

“Do you feel as awkward as I do?” he asks, laughing nervously afterwards.

“Kind of yeah”, you tell him, still pulling down your t-shirt.

“Do you think we could be relaxed with each other again, now that you and Yoongi-hyung made up?” he presses on, nervously biting the inside of his cheek.

So that’s why he is as nervous as he is right now. The memories of Seokjin and Jungkook rejecting your requests to hang out with them in the last weeks come rushing back into your mind and you can’t help but feel warm at his personal version of an apology.

“I would actually love that very much”, you smile which makes Jungkook visibly loosen up.

“That’s great to hear”, he laughs, combing his bangs out of his face. “Do you maybe want to go down to one of the clubs with me and Seokjin-hyung next week? A DJ from America comes to visit and I’ve heard that he plays amazing music”, he adds, the excitement obvious in his voice.

“Sure why not, I haven’t been to a club in ages. Can I bring Yoongi as well?”, you tell him to which he nods excitedly.

“Yes of course you can! This is going to be so much fun”, he giggles, jumping from one foot to the other.

“Okay I will”, you laugh at his cute behavior to which he becomes shy again, hiding his hands in his sweater pockets once more and lowering his head.

“Sorry if I got a little too excited right now, I just love dancing so much. I, I will go now, you probably want to see hyung and I don’t want to keep him waiting”, he mumbles pointing at the closed door of Yoongis studio.

“It’s okay Kookie, it was nice talking with you again”, you assure him to which you can see the corners of his lips twitch up into a small smile.

“I liked talking with you as well”, he murmurs before looking up at you to quickly smile at you, “See you next week Y/N”, he says bowing his head at you.

“See you Jungkookie”, you smile at him reciprocating the bow.

He gives you one last small smile before he finally turns around and runs down the corridors to disappear into one of the many rooms. You look after him, shaking your head with a fond smile on your face before turning to Yoongis studio door.

You don’t bother knocking, knowing very well that he wouldn’t be able to hear you anyways. You enter his passcode and once his door is open you step out of your sneakers and slip into the loafers on Yoongis doormat.

Just like always Yoongi is sitting in his studio chair with his back turned to you and big headphones shielding him from any kind of outside noise, your rather loud “hello” was no exception of it. You decide to go with the usual tap on his shoulder and just like always Yoongi jumps slightly, snapping his head up to look at the intruder.

His widened orbs soften when seeing you, his o-shaped lips turn into his famous gummy smile and a quiet “hey” leaves his pouty lips. He stands up to wrap his arm around your waist and pulls you into his body. He presses a loving kiss to your lips, the taste of coffee tickling your tongue. You sigh, fluttering your eyelids closed and snaking your arms around his back. His back feels different than Hoseoks underneath your fingertips, frailer but all the more warmer. You pull back to look up at him, nearly tearing up at the love flickering in his eyes.

“I missed you so much princess”, he whispers, cupping your cheek with his left hand, “I have been waiting for you for so long, I was scared that you wouldn’t come”, he pouts and you can’t help but feel guilty.

So he really did wait for you to come, all whilst you had fun with Hoseok in the dance studio. Your heart stings and your stomach twists, the feeling of Hoseok cum burning your skin. You should have cleaned yourself up first.

“I’m, I’m sorry”, you murmur looking away from his intense gaze, “I had to put on some clothes and then I got stuck in traffic”, you lie, swallowing down the lump in your throat.

“Don’t apologize baby I was just joking it’s okay”, he tells you before pressing a gentle kiss to your cheek, “besides you are here now that’s all that matters.”

You laugh nervously, one that Yoongi registers as a laugh of nervous relief. You push Yoongi away from your body afterwards the close contact of him making you feel sick all of a sudden.

“Sit down baby I really want to show you something now”, he says excitedly not even noticing your attempt at getting some space between the two of you.

He sits down on his studio chair and pats his thighs to signal you to sit down on them. You force a smile to your face, eyeing his clothes thighs with growing nerves. Would Yoongi find it strange of you if you’d sat down on the very tempting looking metal chair next to his piano instead of his lap?

“Come on baby I am already so excited I can’t wait any longer”, he urges you on, wrapping his fingers around your wrist and making the decision for you.

He pulls you down on his lap and wraps his left arm around your waist. You silently wince at the feeling of your stained panties digging into your core, hoping your hardest that Yoongi wouldn’t notice it. Yoongi forces you to lean your back against his chest with a gentle tug and rests his head on your shoulder afterwards.

“I’m so nervous all of a sudden”, he confesses, giggling afterwards. His breath tickles your ear and you can’t help but shiver.

You hum, nodding slowly and resting your hand on the exposed skin of his lower arm, playing with his metal bracelets.

“Don’t be I won’t judge you”, you assure him to which he presses a quick kiss to your cheek.

“You have the permission to judge me though, although I would be really happy if you didn’t have anything to criticize”, he says playing with his computer mouse.

Your eyes only now snap to his desktop to look at the project Yoongi is so excited to show you. Different coloured sound waves stacked over one another are greeting you and once you accept the fact, that you had no idea what they meant, your eyes settle on the title of his project.

“Underneath the Cherry Blossom Trees”

The title is written in English with the Korean letters in brackets next to it. The name sounds so much different than what his other projects do, normally he would name them with weird letters and number, but not actual titles. Yoongi never uses titles.

“What exactly is that project about?” you ask him to which he shrugs his shoulders.

“Just sit and listen”, he tells you before slamming his thumb on the enter key.

Slow piano music starts playing and your eyes follow the cursor race over the sound waves. Yoongis puts his hand over your eyes, darkness engulfing you.

“Don’t look just listen”, he whispers into your ear and you nod closing your eyes underneath his hand and relaxing into his chest.

A slow hip-hop beat joins the piano melody making you nod your head to the beat automatically. Suddenly Yoongi deep voice joins the soft melody surprising you at first. He raps, something you had never heard him do before and you tighten the clutch around his arm.

The lyrics are mostly about his struggles and his fear of losing people until the mood changes with the beginning of a string orchestra. Yoongi starts rapping about your first encounter, he talks about how you had changed his life for the better and you swallow feeling butterflies starting to dance in your stomach.

Yoongi continues rapping about you, comparing your eyes to the brightest stars in the galaxy and your smile to the warm light of the morning sun. He raps about your soft lips on his and how all of his struggles can be overcome as long as he is being held by you.

The melody ends abruptly all of a sudden and you hold your breath. You can hear Yoongi breathing heavily into the microphone before his deep voice sounds one last time. He is whispering, the declaration of his love for you the last thing before the song finally comes to an end.

You can hear Yoongi slam his finger on the enter key again, but you don’t dare to open your eyes. Tears are burning painfully in your eyes and you are sure that if you open them you will start crying uncontrollably.

“And?” Yoongis voice sounds small, he is probably scared that you didn’t like it.

But you liked, loved it even. You loved it so much, but still you feel nothing but guilt. Yoongi loves you so much, he dedicated you a whole song, rapping about how beautiful you are to him and how important you are in his life. And here you are, sitting on his lap with the cum of another man in your underwear.

“Did you not like it?” he asks, the hurt is obvious in his voice and you shake your head, the movement making the tears spill out of your closed eyes.

“No, I, I loved it so much”, you stutter before breaking into sobs.

You are sure you would have fallen off of Yoongis lap, if it wasn’t for his strong arms wrapping around you and pressing you against his body. Your head hangs low, the tears running down your cheeks and spilling onto Yoongis arm. He shushes you, kissing every part of your face your current position allows him to.

“Don’t cry baby, it’s okay I’m here”, he soothes you, “Come on turn around let me look at you”, he tells you, urging you on to move on your lap with a gentle tap to your side.

You blindly follow his commands, standing up before sitting down on his lap again facing him this time around. Yoongis left arm wraps around your middle again and his right hand comes resting on your face to wipe the tears away.

“I love you so much Y/N”, he breathes, smiling at you.

You force yourself to reciprocate his smile, despite your heart aching in your chest from the guilt you are feeling.

“I, I love you too”, you respond weakly before falling forwards and hiding your face in his neck.

You can’t bear to look at his love-filled eyes and fond smile it makes you want to throw up. You sob again and Yoongis grip around your waist tightens.

“It’s okay baby, I’m here, I won’t leave you, I promise to stay by your side just like I said in the song. I love you baby”, he tries his hardest to sooth you with loving words, which makes you cry just all the more.

“Baby did, did I say something that made you cry that much right now? Are you okay? Don’t, don’t cry anymore”, he says once you haven’t been able stop crying even after ten minutes had passed.

Yes, it is your fault that I am crying right now; you are too good for me Min Yoongi, I don’t deserve you, you think to yourself and shake your head afterwards.

“No, I’m just-“, you pause to force down a sob, “-just so-“, you pause again to take a deep breath, “-so happy”, you force out and you can hear Yoongi breath out in relief.

“I’m so relieved, I actually thought that I made you sad with this song, but now that I know that you are actually crying from happiness I feel so happy myself”, he chuckles and presses a kiss to the side of your head. “My beautiful princess”, he adds inhaling the scent of your shampoo.

“Stop being so perfect Min Yoongi”, you mumble, an honest request on your side, your heart starts aching again already. But Yoongi understands it as nothing more than an innocent compliment and he giggles shyly.

“Says the right person I have literally the most perfect fiancé ever”, he giggles and you press your eyes shut, not wanting to cry again.

“I don’t deserve you”, you whisper so quietly that you are sure Yoongi wouldn’t have been able to hear you if it wasn’t for the close proximity the two of you share.

“Don’t say stuff like that baby. It’s me who doesn’t deserve you, you are just so beautiful and amazing baby”, he tells you forcing you to sit up and look at him.

He smiles at you before cupping both of your cheeks and pulling you in to kiss you. You let him, soon melting into his gentle touch. You need it, need to force your heart to remember to whom it should actually belong to.

[tisfan]

Indenture

Square: O1 – Mechanic for WinterIron Bingo and K5: Kink: Virgin for tisfan’s Tony Stark Bingo Title: Indenture Participants: @27dragons and @tisfan Warning: None Rating: Explicit Characters: Tony Stark, Bucky Barnes, Valkyrie Tags: indenture, sci-fi AU, gladiator, virgin kink, anal sex, oral sex, fingering, mechanic Summary: See the galaxy on a two year work-contract. Well, Tony Stark figures, can’t be worse than home. When he ends up on Sakaar, in the hands of a gladiatorial team, it might be his mechanical skills they’re interested in… or it might be his virginity. Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/18921301 Word Count: 14,587 Posted for @winterironbingo and @tonystarkbingo

The holographs in the space port flickered the outgoing fares and destinations. He knew exactly how many credits he had left -- a novelty in and of itself, but not a particularly good one. If he put all his credits together, and presented it to a ship captain, he would arrive at his destination, utterly destitute. With no place to live, no contacts that he dared to impose on, and without a local sponsor. Under those circumstances, he’d be lucky if he wasn’t dead in a gutter in a week’s time.

All he wanted to do was get away.

But that didn’t mean he needed to be stupid about it.

“See the galaxy,” one holo advertised, “on an indentured ticket.”

Small print showed that he could sign himself up for a job, selected after a series of tests and aptitude exams, for free passage to any of a list of destinations. Tony thumbed down the list -- there it was. Malibu. A two year contract, food and housing and work… and he could get to Malibu with his nest egg intact.

And he had skills aplenty to offer. He glanced over his shoulder -- ridiculous; he wouldn’t be missed until tomorrow at the earliest -- and then poked at the More Information icon on the holo.

The display swirled into an infodump, and he scanned it quickly, memorizing the address and route to the testing office. At the bottom, a cheerfully bright line advised him to make his appointment now. He reached out, and then hesitated, just short of letting the holo scan his thumbprint. No. Who knew what kind of strings his father would pull to force Tony home, if he was able to find out where Tony was? He pulled a stylus from his pocket instead and summoned a keyboard, tapping in the name: Tony Edwards.

That was innocuous enough, he thought. And even if they did guess what name he was travelling under, there had to be thousands, maybe even millions of Tony Edwards in the galaxy.

He tapped the Register button, and the screen flashed his appointment time -- only an hour away. Good. Just enough time to mildly injure his thumb so they’d have to accept a secondary contract signature. He glanced down the street and then looked back at the holo, which had gone back to its colorful enticements.

He was leaving. Today.

(more below the cut)

He made it to the testing facility, an engine burn obscuring half of his thumbprint. The waiting room was packed with hopefuls, aliens and human alike. A scruffy raccoon, talking with a tiny, moving twig in a pot, was sitting next to the only empty seat in the place, and he glared at Tony with intelligent, black eyes. “Tell ya what, Groot,” he said to the potted creature, “the neighborhood’s going to hell. Look at all these humies.”

Tony didn’t have to endure the raccoon for much longer; Rocket was called back for testing in less than twenty minutes of waiting. The sapling waved at Tony over Rocket’s shoulder.

Time passed. The holos were mostly full of advertisements for different indentured positions -- cleaning and catering on passenger cruisers, healers and nurses, street cleaners on a wide variety of urban planetary systems. Tony wasn’t a bad student, even for subjects that didn’t interest him, but he hadn’t even heard of half of these systems. Outside the Core, probably.

“Edwards?”

“That’s me,” Tony said, gathering his bag and slinging it over his shoulder as he stood.  

“Thank you, Mr. Edwards, if you’ll come with me, we apologize for the wait, there’s been quite a crush recently, people looking to start over in a new life, which is just what we offer, and some trade skills in the meanwhile,” the woman said. “All of our positions come with a pressure-free offer; we’re simply interested in discovering where your unique skill set will be most useful. All indenture contracts are held by a bondsman; your bondsman is your contact to People Placements. All of your basic health needs will be provided, shelter, food, medical care, adequate rest and relaxation. If you experience any problems with these necessities, your bondsman will direct you to our People Resources department and investigate your complaint. Here you are. While you wait to see your health and physical assessment coordinator, please start this test series which will question you on a number of aptitude and skill packages.”

The room was full of more holo advertisements, each cheerfully talking about his opportunities. She waved them away with a single swipe. “Hard to concentrate, isn’t it, Mr. Edwards, when they keep blinking at you. Good luck.”

“Thanks,” Tony said, and waited until she’d left the room, closing the door behind her, before sitting at the small desk and waving at the test to start it.

Most of it was laughably easy. There were a few subjects that he stumbled over -- obviously, he wasn’t fit to be a cook, after the way the test had buzzed irritably after only a handful of guessed answers in that subject. But once the program had veered into technical aptitudes, Tony was answering questions faster than the terminal’s limited processors could keep up.

It was actually sort of fun, in a childish way, and Tony found himself grinning as he swiped through the questions, daring them to try to trip him up.

He wasn’t sure how long the test went on, and then there was a knock at the door. “If you’re quite finished, Mr. Edwards, your test results have been stirring up interest. I’m to escort you to get your physical right away. The planetary representative for Sakaar is expressing an interest in your skills, but the only ship for that system leaves in less than two hours.”

Sakaar was a name Tony had heard -- a destination planet for gamblers and gamers where the chief draw was a massive system of gladiatorial games. Though if they wanted him based on his test scores, obviously, he wouldn’t be working in the pits. Repairing or programming displays and scoring machines was more likely.

He could think of worse things to be doing for two years. And more importantly, it got him off the planet quickly. He picked up his bag and opened the door. “Sure, sounds fun,” he said. “Lead the way.”

“I’ll ask some basic questions as we walk, Mr. Edwards,” she said, “just formality. Speak your answers, they’ll be recorded. Are you fully immunized? Family history of heart failure? Any food or medicine allergies that you are aware of--” She continued to fire questions at him as fast as he could answer them, including “What is your sexual history, please?”

Tony nearly stumbled over his feet at that one. “Uh. None. You don’t have to worry about any diseases or anything here.”

“Thank you,” she said, finishing up. “Walk through here, lift your arms over your head. The medical scanner will give you a brief physical, and then the Bondsman from Sakaar would like to speak with you.”

The scanner buzzed, flashing lights at him and spritzing him with an odd smelling mist before spitting out a series of hard light records with his vitals and statistics on it. There was a small red dot flashing at the corner of the display. “Very good. You’re healthy and good for travel. Miss-- Miss Valkyrie,” she sighed.

“What? I’m not piloting the ship,” the woman on the far side of the room said.

“We asked you not to indulge while--”

“This is not indulging,” Valkyrie said, getting up and rolling across the room with the practiced gait of the perpetually inebriated. “I have not yet begun to defile myself. You Edwards?”

“That’s me,” Tony agreed warily. Howard’s drinking had been half -- well, maybe more like 42% -- of the reason he’d left in the first place.

“Great, great,” she said, the smell of her booze wafting into his face. “We… uh, yeah… mechanic. We need a mechanic. How are you with integrated… uh, circuits?”

Tony opened his mouth to tell her that he’d built his first circuit board when he was three, but then realized that was exactly the sort of identifying information he should be keeping to himself. Maybe he shouldn’t have had quite so much fun with those tests. “Um. Yeah, integrated circuits, I can do those,” he said. “Most of my experience is with logic gates, but I can handle amplifiers, timers, whatever you need.”

“Fantastic,” she said, clapping him on the back. “Was indentured myself a while. Came out ahead, now I’ve got my own ship. Recruiter. Here--” She handed him a small, flat disk about the size of his palm. “This is your identification while on Sakaar; keeps the riffraff away. Wouldn’t want anyone to mistake that pretty face of yours for… an entertainer, right?”

“Entertai--” A couple of beats late, Tony got it, and had to suppress the blush that tried to climb out of his shirt collar. Sexual history, right. “Uh. Yeah, definitely... not.”

“Great. Standard terms,” Val said, “come on, this way, my ship…” she swayed again, her hips rocking alarmingly. “I uh, might have lied about flying the ship while drinking, but don’t worry. I’m very good. Two years service, one way ticket to anywhere you want to go. Standard bonuses, and intellectual prop… thingie. Don’t invent stuff, or it belongs to the Grandmaster. We gotta go.” She tapped her wrist to activate a ship-to communication system. “Get me on a flight path out of here twenty minutes ago. If I miss that fight tonight, I will be put out.”

Tony followed in her wake, caught somewhere in the tide between confused and bemused. He looked down at the identification disk and hoped it had a more coherent copy of his contract embedded in it. He could read through it while they were en route, if there was enough time. “How-- Miss. How long is the trip?”

“About four hours,” Valkyrie told him. “We’re going straight through the Anus. Don’t worry, I have a map.”

“The...” Tony hesitated, staring at her and wondering exactly what he’d gotten himself into.

Anonymity for two years and a free trip to Malibu, he reminded himself. He could endure almost anything for two years, right?

The ship was small, a pilot’s couch and a few benches in the back for passengers. Val took the disk out of his hand, “Like this,” she said, and unbuttoned his shirt until it hung open to his navel, swatting away his attempt to keep her from doing it. She pushed the disk flat against his bare chest and there was a brief jolt of searing pain, enough to leave him breathless and dizzy. “There you go. Belt in, I’m going to be in the air in three minutes, no matter what Tower says.”

Tony somehow believed her. He stumbled back onto the nearest bench and strapped himself in, and then looked down at the disk in his chest. He prodded tenderly at the tender edges where it was clamped into his skin. That was going to leave a scar. “Ow.” Valkyrie was ignoring him, waking her ship’s board up and running preflight checks.

Tony tapped at the disk experimentally, and it popped up a holo for him, a menu of options. He could, indeed, read his contract. He could also check on the remaining duration of his indenture, contact his bondsman -- Valkyrie, apparently -- and access the planetary information net, if there was one.

He nearly missed the fine print at the bottom of the menu that informed him that the device also served to track him and enforce boundary permissions. It would shock him again, he translated mentally, if he tried to run away.

“I do not care,” Valkyrie was saying into the ship-to. “Get it out of my way, or it’s gonna rain down over this pathetic planet.”

She disconnected, and then yanked back on the throttle, taking them into orbit at the sharpest incline Tony had ever personally experienced. Gravity crushed him into the bench, two g, five g-- his health monitor in the chip on his chest went crazy, reporting his vitals with increasing alarm.

Valkyrie whooped, swirled the ship around an incoming freighter like she meant to trade paint with it, and they broke free of atmo with a rush. “Juice him,” Valkyrie yelled, and the disk on his chest dumped-- a chempack into his bloodstream, helping to equalize the pressure. His ears popped.

Valkyrie sighed, letting the ship inject her with the same chemicals. She dodged several more incoming ships, skipped off a warship’s gravity well, and activated the hyperdrive on the cusp of smashing them into a space station. The stars went away, and they were in the hyperstream.

“And, now we just kick back and relax. You hungry, Edwards?”

Tony was still staring at the blur of hyperstream beyond the viewport. “I could eat,” he said vaguely. That had been impressive piloting. Or sheer dumb luck. Numbly, he wondered what happened to his bond if she ploughed her ship into an asteroid.

“Here.” She tossed him a ration pack, self-heating, and tore into one herself. “You’re going to be working with my top recruit. He… needs a special touch.” She tapped one of the buttons on the ship’s systems, pulling up a hologram of a handsome man dressing in gladiator combat clothing that showed off muscular legs, a ragged haircut, and-- a metal arm.

“Winter Soldier,” she said. “He’s a contender. If we can place in this year’s games? We’ll all be on easy street. We’re a team, you got that, Edwards. You, me… and him.”

“A team, sure,” Tony said. He reached out and grabbed the holo, pulling it closer and expanding it. “The arm... That’s what you need a mechanic for? Who built it?”

Valkyrie scoffed. “Hydra. I picked him up out of a bad situation a few months back.”

Yeah, Hydra was bad business. They knew their tech, though. Tony chewed on his lip a little, considering it. It wasn’t like anything he’d worked on before, and the challenge of it appealed. “Yeah, okay,” he said. “So he fights, and I keep the arm in fighting shape... What do you do?”

“Place bets,” Valkyrie said. “Arrange the fights, keep both of you supplied in gear. Promotion. We started fighting out on street corners for all comers, and I’ve just gotten him into his first amphitheater fight. Tonight. Only he’s glitched, all the stars fall and go black. If we can’t get him into shape, the gladiators are going to rip that arm off and beat him to death with it.”

“Tonight?” Tony squeaked. “So no pressure, then. Sure.”

“Welcome to my world,” Valkyrie said, raising her pod of juice at him.

The Soldier’s room was kept at temperatures barely above freezing, and he was still stripped to the waist, sweating as he paced. The arm continued to shoot bad data at him, sensory issues of every sort, sparking in the joints.

It hurt, but that barely registered over the panic that chewed in his brain. He made another turn of the room. The countdown timer in his head clicked over another minute. Hydra had built their weapon for complete control. The arm was a weapon and a restraint at the same time. The last fight, the hack that one of Val’s contacts had put on it was knocked loose, activating the beacon, and setting the self-destruct.

The cold kept it from turning him in, from sending word. As a last resort, he had access to one of Val’s pods, he could submerse himself in cryo, but if he did that, he wouldn’t be in any shape for fighting. They’d lose everything, and if she had to renege on her contract, then his would be bought up, too. They’d belong, entirely and utterly, to the Grandmaster. For life.

“Come on, Val, hurry up,” he muttered.

Heat cooked out of the arm, steaming in the air. He hurried over to the sink and dumped cold water on it, keeping the vents open for the most cooling.

Voices in the hall, footsteps.

The Soldier shook freezing water droplets from his fingers, hand going to his knife. It wouldn’t be the first time someone tried to steal him. The Soldier was valuable property on a hellhole like Sakaar.

The door opened on a man -- not much more than a boy, really, short and slight, with wide brown eyes and fluffy dark hair. “--ust me to do my part,” he was saying as he pushed through the door.

Those eyes swept the room and then zeroed in on the Soldier. No. The Soldier’s arm. He unslung the bag on his shoulder and he bent down to root around inside, apparently heedless of the Soldier’s defensive stance and ready knife. “Circuitry kit, circuitry kit,” he mumbled. “Where the hell-- aha!” He stood back up, brandishing a small plasteel kit. “Tell me you’ve got a space with good light so I can work properly.”

The Soldier sheathed his blade. He could break this boy with one hand -- the flesh one. “You’re the mechanic?” He didn’t mean it to come out like a challenge, but it did. Incredulous, really. Val was trusting their lives to this… boy? He looked more like one of the trembling virgins in the cathouses than someone who could initiate repairs.

“I know, I know,” the boy said knowingly. “Hard to believe. All this--” He swept a hand, encompassing himself. “--and brains? But it’s true.” He looked around again, and pointed at the table by the bed. “Sit over there, put the arm out where I can get to it. Why the hell is it so cold in here? Nevermind, we can talk while I work. Come on, Snowflake, chop chop, time’s wasting.”

This part, the Soldier knew well. He sat, cocking the elbow and resting it on the table’s top, activating the various slide panels that would let the mechanic at the innards. “Diagnostics, pain threshold 80 percent and dropping, timer reads seventy-eight minutes before Contain and Control protocols activate. Damaged sensor package, broken joints in thumb and index finger. Wrist rotation down 16%. Battery power overtaxed, complete shut down in thirty two hours, nineteen minutes.”

The mechanic’s eyes had flicked up to the Soldier’s face when he’d started the recitation, and they remained there for a few seconds after he’d finished the report, revealing a turmoil of thoughts and emotions. But then he nodded once, sharply, visibly reining himself in. He dropped the kit on the table and opened it, taking out a top-of-the-line scanner. “Okay. Given the time constraints, I’m going to start with disabling the C&Cs and then see if I can come up with a quick boost for the battery before I go to work on the sensor package. You’re the one fighting in a couple of hours -- what’s your priority for the fingers and wrist?” He was scanning as he talked, delicate fingers touching various panels on the arm.

“Finger first, then thumb,” the soldier said. “Fine control, opponent analysis indicates brute strength will be less effective. Armor contains very small weak points. If you increase pain threshold, the Soldier will be most efficient.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” the boy said. He pulled a screwdriver and a long-nosed pair of pliers from the kit. “This is going to feel a little weird, probably, but let me know if it actually hurts.” He reached under the plate at the base of the Soldier’s shoulder with the pliers.

“Pain is irrelevant,” the Soldier said, “so long as it does not impede functionality.”

The boy’s face twisted slightly. “Pain conveys valuable information about the nature of malfunction,” he corrected. “I need all the data I can get, given the time crunch we’re under. Also? It fucking sucks.” He twisted, and a shivery twinge ricocheted up the Soldier’s neck. The boy withdrew the pliers, now holding a small chip. He dropped it into a drinking glass. “One down, three to go.” He tapped his way down the plates as if counting, and then went back in.

The soldier watched as the boy tinkered, flicking through tools with precision, talking the whole time. Explaining what he was doing, and the sensations the Soldier should feel. Observations about Val and dismay at her piloting. The Soldier watched as puzzlement grew. No one spoke to the Soldier during maintenance. The readouts and diagnostics told them everything they needed to know.

No one cared if the Soldier prefered the silver ration packs or the red ones.

Certainly no one had ever touched the arm like it was a pet, or a friend, with small loving pats from time to time, gentle fingers against the metal.

The Soldier licked his lips and tried to remember-- “What’s your designation, Mechanic?”

“What?” The boy blinked up at him. “Oh, yeah, we kind of skipped over the formalities, didn’t we? I’m Tony. And you are?”

“Winter Soldier, the American Asset,” the soldier rattled off, along with his serial number, then, “Barnes, James B.” And the briefest flicker of his old life… Before. “Bucky.”

“Yeah?” Brown eyes blinked once, twice, and then the boy -- Tony -- was back to work, sliding a jeweler’s screwdriver up inside Bucky’s glitched fingers. “You don’t look much like a Bucky to me.”

Something twitched at the Soldier’s mouth and when he considered it, he was surprised to find it was a smile. “Looks can be deceiving.”

“S’pose that’s true,” Tony admitted. He pulled out a small circuit board, no thicker than a pencil, and laid it on the table to examine it closely.

“That’s a trap,” the Soldier said, before his programming could stop him. He winced at the squeeze of mostly disabled control chips in the shoulder. “The board’s laid backward. It’ll explode if you tamper with it incorrectly.”

“Mm,” Tony hummed. “I can see that. Shitty thing to do. I mean, it’s your hand.” He picked the board up with a pair of tweezers and turned it over. “I don’t have time to make a new one right now, but we’re going to put that on the to-do list.”

“It is their hand,” the Soldier said. “The Asset is a poorly designed system with permission to utilize it. The Fist of Hydra.” The Soldier mouthed the phrases by rote, even if he didn’t believe them anymore. So much of the arm, so much of him… had become the Asset.

“Well, not anymore,” Tony said reasonably. “Val bought you, fair and square, just like she did me.” He pried a tiny contact off the circuit board and dropped that into the drinking glass with the containment nodes. “Okay, let’s see how that works.” He delicately wriggled it back through the vents in the Soldier’s finger to slot it back into place.

“Running internal diagnostics,” the Soldier reported. The arm went through a series of self tests and movement controls; the nerve tingler activated, shooting steel pain through his shoulder and spine, causing him to slip and utter a tiny sound of complaint. He unclenched his jaw and panted a moment before delivering the report to the Mech-- to Tony.

“Running diagnostics should not hurt,” Tony said. “That’s another thing for the to-do list. At this rate, it might be easier if I just built you a whole new arm.”

“Safety feature,” the Soldier told him. “Installed after the Soldier damaged a technician upon diagnostics.”

“Bullshit feature,” Tony said. “It’s one hundred percent possible to immobilize this thing without activating the nerve mesh circuitry.” He’d moved on to the thumb, and despite his annoyed tone, his hands were steady and gentle. “Whoever set it up like that was either incompetent or a sadist. Possibly both.”

The Soldier blinked. “Pain is an effective teaching mechanism.”

“It really isn’t,” Tony said. He pulled the thumb’s circuit and turned it over to check the connections for its self-destruct mechanism. “You catch more flies with honey, and all that. They’ve done studies and everything. Which doesn’t seem to sway the asshats of the world, mind you.”

The Soldier thought back on all his training under Hydra hands, that had been bought dear in blood and agony. The training of the girls in the Red Room, that he had supervised. The white electric torture inflicted on him for disobedience. Even Val, who he considered an excellent handler, had taught him the limits of his freedom with pain.

He wasn’t sure if he believed Tony, this… practically a child, really. He filed it away to consider later.

After.

If the fight went badly, there would not be time left to consider anything. What would happen, he wondered, to Tony, if the Grandmaster took his contract. He studied that serious, pretty face, the way his hands were long-fingered and graceful. If the Soldier lost the fight, chances were good he’d be dead.

What would happen to Tony-- perhaps worse.

The Soldier set his jaw. He wouldn’t lose the fight.

He had something -- someone -- else to fight for.

Tony continued to ramble as he finished the work, now peppering his unending dialogue with the occasional unflattering opinion of Hydra’s mechanics and building what seemed a never-ending list of upgrades and enhancements for the Soldier’s arm.

Finally, he sat back in the chair and swiped a hand down his face. “Okay. I can’t do anything else in the time limit; all the other fixes will take longer than we’ve got. And I need some supplies for some of it.” He flashed a smile at the Soldier that seemed to light up his whole face. “Don’t think I did half bad, though. Go on and take ‘er for a spin, let me know what you think.”

The Soldier didn’t even bother to run the diagnostics. He stood, fingers already moving for his knives, sliding them out and going through a complicated set of maneuvers, twisting the blades, throwing at the nearby target on the wall, miming a block, and coming within half a hair of slicing Tony’s cheek. With a deft flick, he removed a lock of that curly, fluffy hair and coiled it around the index finger on his right hand. “For luck.”

Tony was staring at him, his eyes round like plates. “Uh. Yeah. Luck.” He shook himself, then rolled to his feet and offered the Soldier his hand. “Good luck, Bucky.”

Valkyrie insisted that Tony accompany her into the stadium stands to watch Bucky fight. Tony tried to beg off, but she wouldn’t hear of it, towing him along by his sleeve.

It definitely wasn’t the sort of contest Tony appreciated, though he’d known acquaintances of his father who’d boasted of attending these very games. He slouched onto the bench next to Val and tried not to watch any more of the fighting than he had to, and tried not to call Val’s attention to him much, either, since her drinking, which hadn’t really stopped the whole time Tony had known her, ramped up rather sharply as soon as they’d taken their seats.

Val was talking with their neighbors, drinking, and placing bets through her handscreen. Their seats weren’t great, but at least they had seats. Hundreds of alien beings pressed together in the lower levels to watch.

The first few matches weren’t much considered exciting; fighting to a pin, or first blood. Despite the first blood rule, one contender died, as the first blood was his opponent taking his head clear off with a single slash of a microbladed whip.

Val laughed and toasted the dead man with a raised glass.

A batch of alien boys, younger even than Tony, were sent in to the stadium to fight an alien predator-beast, all bristling spines and vicious fangs. The children took it down, at the cost of one of them, and Tony watched, horrified, as one of the boys pleaded with the dead kid to get up, we won, brother, get up.

“I’m going to be sick,” he muttered, closing his eyes as the cheering swelled around him. How had he thought he could endure two years of this? He wasn’t sure he’d make it through two hours. He had to convince Val not to bring him back to the stadium anymore. Not that it would help much. He’d still know. He was sure the crowd’s roar could be heard from all over the city.

“And now, I--” the Grandmaster’s projected image towered above the crowd, a slender, human like man with white hair and elaborate makeup, wearing a glittery golden robe “-- would like to present our first title match for the evening’s entertainment. Fresh off the streets, looking to make a name for himself, originally from the great Frozen Wastelands of Siberia… I give you… the Winter Soldier.”

Val slammed her glass into Tony’s hand, drank straight from the bottle.

Tony didn’t even let himself think about it. He threw back the contents. Whatever it was, it was potent, a heated gasp at the back of his throat that immediately made him dizzy.

“And, defending their honor, all the way from Azzano… Strike Force Delta.”

Bucky walked out of his gate, dressed in black leather, a combat mask strapped over his face, tactical goggles in place. He was bristling with weapons, knives and short range pistols, various explosive and incendiary devices.

“Strike Force? Grandmaster, you son of a bitch!” Val raged. “He was supposed to go against just Crossbones, not the whole squad! They’ll tear him apart.”

Tony swallowed again, still feeling the burn of the alcohol. He had a good idea of what Bucky’s arm was capable of, after having worked on it all afternoon. But he had no idea of the capabilities of the squad Bucky would be facing. He found himself leaning forward, trying to look at them more closely as they emerged. “Rigged game?”

Val slitted a look at him. “Usually,” she said, shortly. “He’s still pissed at me.” Val leaped to her feet, yelling and screaming obscenities questioning the heritage and sexual proclivities of the Grandmaster. She went as far as turning her back on him to shake a bared backside before apparently getting most of her aggression out.

In the meanwhile, Bucky had raced away, moving faster than humanly possible, a blue of black and silver, for the closest cover, set up, and picked off one of the Strike members as they tried to flank him.

The crowd surged, roaring, and Tony moved with it, on his feet, fighting to see over the shoulders and heads of taller watchers. He didn’t want to watch, really, but he couldn’t, couldn’t look away. “Bucky!” he called, even knowing he had no hope of being heard over the noise. “You can do it,” he whispered. “You have to.”

One of his grenades went into the dirt, driving back a pair of them, and then he rolled, snagging a third. His knife was in the metal hand, and he used the captive as a human shield, dragging the body with him as he moved. He was brutal, ugly and violent, never hesitating.

Except when Tony cried his name, Bucky turned his head enough, and even behind those tactical goggles, Tony could feel the weight of that stare. He gave Tony a quick nod, and then broke the guy’s neck, off again. The arm was both weapon and shield; bullets deflected off it as he sprinted.

He was fast, graceful. Death as a dancer, moving into close combat range, his knife blurring from one hand to the other.

He lashed out with a kick that sent one of the Strike members flying, where he caught in the protective electrical netting that kept the fighters from accidentally (or intentionally) injuring the spectators.

The last one, yelling curses and screaming, charged him. Bucky took a blade to the arm, and the thing snapped off, leaving the man holding only the hilt. The arm was shooting sparks, the fingers spasmed helplessly.

Bucky staggered backward and the Strike member hit him in the face with the hilt, shattering the goggles. Even from that distance, Tony could see how blue Bucky’s eyes were, wide with pain. He sought Tony out of the crowd again and gave him a little salute -- like he was saying goodbye.

Tony shook his head, clenching and unclenching his hand. “Don’t you dare give up,” he said fiercely. “Don’t you dare.”

He whirled, flesh hand grabbing the all but useless metal one and-- the crowd was practically holding its breath, waiting for the Strike Team leader to deliver the coup de grace -- Bucky snapped the metal finger, breaking it. He shoved the metal arm against the Strike guy’s belly, wrapped around like holding a wrestling pin, the man curled around the metal arm.

Three, two, one--

The hand exploded with a brilliant white flare, a hiss of smoke, and then the Strike Team leader fell the ground. What was left of him, anyway.

The stump was blackened from fire, bloody from the kill, barely extending past Bucky’s shoulder.

But he was alive.

He was alive, and the winner.

Tony all but fell back onto the bench, gasping for breath as if he’d run for miles at top speed, choking in an effort to hold back his sobs of relief.

Val cheered wildly, finished drinking her bottle, and poured the last swallow or so over Tony’s head. “Go, get him, take him home,” she said. “I have wagers to collect.”

“But I don’t--” He was talking to her back, rapidly retreating as she shoved her way through the crowds. “--know where to pick him up,” Tony finished lamely. He sighed, shook his head to get some of the booze out of his hair, and went in the opposite direction, out of the stadium seating. Downward, was probably the best direction to go, he decided. Maybe once he got closer, there would be signs, or someone more or less official-looking that he could ask for directions.

More cheers and roars from the crowd as the next fight started. Tony pushed his way through, finding a dark staircase that headed down -- that looked promising. He was on a lower level, well lit but relatively unoccupied. There were doors along the interior wall.

A holographic map flickered near one door, and Tony slapped it, getting the basic layout of the gladiator ring. Something even louder than the crowd roared from one room, the wall vibrating as whatever it was crashed into it.

A lean man, maybe an Asgardian, leaned against a wall, absently studying his fingernails, as he lingered outside a room. “Come on, brother, I’m not waiting forever,” he said, then raised jade green eyes to watch Tony with a gleam.

It wasn’t like Tony had never been looked at, before, but he had to admit he felt somewhat naked without the protection of his name and wealth hanging over him like a mantle. Still, the Asgardian looked friendlier than the few others he’d passed. “How do you find a particular fighter?” he asked.

The man made walking motions with his fingers. “The doors are in order by fight. The closer you are to the center, the more prestigious your fighter.” He looked at Tony, mouth twitching up in a smile. “Are you a prize, dear child?”

“No,” Tony said shortly. “I’m a mechanic.” He started off down the hall, looking through the few open doors as he passed.

The hallway was endless, a huge spiral, and Tony’s legs were killing him. Had it really only been that morning since he was sneaking out of his father’s house, headed for the spaceport? That seemed a lifetime ago, already.

“Ah, there you are,” a voice bellowed, and not a familiar one. The -- person -- was huge and muscular and wearing armor that looked as if it were carved from crystal. “I ordered my fucktoy almost an hour ago!” A huge hand, attached to a recklessly muscled arm, grabbed hold of Tony’s shoulder and yanked him toward one of the rooms. “Look, brothers, it’s pretty.”

“Not--” Tony tried to pull free of that hand, but he might as well have been fighting off a brick wall. “Not what you ordered! Let go!” Damn it, his identity chip was supposed to protect him. He tapped at it with his free hand, trying to wake it up. “Let go!”

“Excuse me, asshole,” a familiar, exhausted voice, said, and as both Tony and the other brawler looked up, Bucky flicked a knife through the air. Tony had time to watch the light spinning off the edge before it buried itself in the brawler’s sleeve and pinned it neatly to the wall. Bucky already had a second knife in hand. “The next one will put you in no condition to entertain your fucktoy. This one belongs to me. That’s my mechanic.”

The brawler’s hand loosened, although it seemed more like reflex than choice. Tony’s chip stuttered a few times, sparked, and then he felt the current racing along his skin, like a breeze, to deliver a jolt to the man, who yelped and let go.

“Take him, and get gone,” the man said, cradling his shocked hand, the hair on his arm smelling burned.

Tony took several steps back out of the big man’s reach, then turned toward Bucky. “Val sent me for you,” he said. “Can you walk? Do you need help?”

“‘M all lopsided,” Bucky complained. “Keep over balancing for an arm that ain’t there.”

“Yeah,” Tony said, “I bet. Come on.” He tucked himself against Bucky’s side and slung his arm around Bucky’s waist, supporting. “Let’s get you home so I can fix you up, hm?”

“Home sounds good,” Bucky said. He leaned heavily on Tony, practically letting Tony drag him, as he occasionally gave directions. As they moved into parts of the city that looked more familiar, Bucky leaned into him a moment. “Have… have you been drinking?”

“A little,” Tony said. “But mostly she just dumped some on my head.” He poked at his chip. “Probably what made this malfunction.”

Bucky put his palm against the door, which screeched, and then got about half open. “Home sweet home,” Bucky said, pushing the door the rest of the way. “Maybe we can afford better digs.”

“I guess we’ll find out.” Tony helped Bucky to the nearest chair. “She was going to collect on her bets when I left to find you.” He scrounged around in cabinets and shelves until he found a first aid kit, then grabbed up his toolkit. “How bad is the pain on the arm?”

“I feel ev’ry bit of a hundred damn years old, and like someone ripped off m’ arm,” Bucky admitted.

“Excuse me, Mr. Soldier,” the holo-com flicked on and there was a miniature of the Grandmaster in the kitchen. “Mr. Soldier, congratulations on your win. We’re so very impressed with you here--” There was something blue and tentacle-y wrapped around the Grandmaster, who snuggled into it. “As a token of our esteem, we’d like to send you a choice virgin, to celebrate--”

“No thanks,” Bucky said, and then his jaw clenched as he realized what refusing the Grandmaster’s gift might cost. “No. Thank you. I already got one.” He made a gesture toward Tony.

“Oh… oh, well, then--” and the holo flickered out.

Tony bit his lip. “I might not be,” he said, opening his toolkit and rummaging in it as an excuse not to look at Bucky.”

“Don’t matter none,” Bucky said. “I’ll pick my own bedmates, not let him send me some poisoned slipper.”

“I think you might be mixing your metaphors, a little,” Tony said, but it made him smile, and his shoulders dropped from the hunch he hadn’t realized they’d been in. He pulled another chair over beside Bucky’s and straddled it. “Let’s see if I can turn off the neural feedback for your arm.”

Bucky reached out his right hand and touched Tony’s cheek. “Hey. Thank you.”

Tony looked up, startled. “I’m just... Uh. You’re welcome?”

Bucky leaned back in the chair, closed his eyes, and let Tony get to work. It wasn’t until he’d managed to get all the nerve clustering shut down, put a temporary cap on the end of the arm, and was helping the man out of his armor, that he realized that Bucky was wearing the lock of Tony’s hair, braided small and sewn in a loop, around a strap on his armor.

Tony paused, touching it hesitantly. “I guess it... helped?”

“Maybe it did,” Bucky said, and he covered Tony’s hand with his. “You’re th’ first person who’s treated me like a person and not a weapon in more’n fifty years.” He flicked his gaze up to meet Tony’s, those grey eyes warm and inviting.

“Oh.” Tony licked his lips, and then he wondered what it would be like to kiss Bucky, to be wrapped up in that big, strong body, to let Bucky take possession of his mouth, his skin. Bucky’s lips were thick and plush and soft-looking, and they were hypnotic, drawing Tony in...

The door slammed open, banged against the wall and screeched at the halfway point. “Are you-- are you molesting my mechanic?” Valkyrie bellowed, wine bottle in one hand and a glowing holo in the other. “The grandmaster said you were, an’ I did not pay for him to be deflowered by the likes of you!”

She shoved at the door again, kicking it angrily, as Bucky jerked backward, as if they’d both been caught in the midst of doing something more incriminating than not-quite kissing.

You didn’t pay for me to be deflowered at all, Tony thought. I’m a mechanic. He couldn’t quite bring himself to say it aloud, though, not with Val yelling and banging on things, too similar to Howard for comfort, and damn it, he’d run away from this. He caught himself edging behind Bucky and made himself stop. He couldn’t turn Bucky into a shield, that was unfair.

“Pipe down,” Bucky said. “I didn’t touch ‘im. Besides, virginity is an overrated social construction.”

Valkyrie blinked a few times, putting her wine bottle down. “Did you just… make a full sentence or something? I didn’t know you knew how to do that. Look, look, stupid social construct or not, virginity is both rare and valuable on Sakaar.” She wobbled in Tony’s direction a little, expression more drunk older sister, protective and somewhat condescending, rather than angry. “I’m not saying don’t give it to this lug, I’m just saying… make sure you know what you want, when you give it to someone.”

Tony gaped at her. That was... surprisingly sweet. “I’m... better off, I’d rather give it to someone I know and trust and like, than have it given away for me, like some kind of prize.”

“Up to you,” Valkyrie said. “I didn’t pay that much for you, you still get to decide. But consider it. I can put you in touch with a buyer, if you want. First times are over-rated. Awkward, embarrassing, never as good as you’d want it to be. Might as well get rich, right, Soldier?”

“And how many times have you sold your virginity?”

“Once.”

“This is a very uncomfortable conversation,” Bucky pointed out. “Sober up. I’m going to get some rest, and tomorrow, we’ll figure out how to spend our ill gained riches.”

“Yeah,” Tony agreed weakly. “Rest. It’s been... a hell of a day.” He looked around the tiny apartment as Valkyrie rolled her eyes and stumbled her way into a bedroom, the lock on the door clicking loudly. “So, uh. Where am I sleeping?” Tony wondered cautiously.

Bucky gave him a long, steady look. “You were an emergency acquisition. No place for you to bunk up, except my room. It’s a big bed, we can share it.”

Tony looked around the apartment again, but there wasn’t much in the way of furniture. It was Bucky’s bed or the floor, it seemed. “Right,” he managed, and waved. “Lead on.”

“Don’t worry,” Bucky said, opening another door to his cold-as-ice bedroom. “Val talks a big game, but she’d rip my spleen out if I did anything to you that you didn’t want.”

What about what I do want? Tony wondered, but he wasn’t entirely sure, himself, what that was, so he just followed Bucky into the small bedroom. “I’m not worried,” he said. “Not about you.” And that was... oddly true.

Bucky woke up with a jolt, as if he’d fallen a hundred yards before landing on a soft bed. His eyes sprang open and his heart was beating so hard in his throat he couldn’t have screamed around it if he’d wanted to.

It was dark, and cold, and--

He scrambled for his arm, his arm, his goddamn arm--

Instead of finding his arm, ragged and torn from his body, bleeding out in the snow, his fingers encountered warm, soft… snuggly.

Someone in the bed with him took a deeper breath and curled more urgently against Bucky’s side.

Oh.

Tony.

Tony was sleeping, half on him, a bundle of blankets and shivers pressed against Bucky’s chest, head pillowed on the shattered remains of his bionic arm.

“Hey--” he said, soft, trying not to startle Tony too much, but-- the feedback was getting to him. Bucky’d offered Tony the side of the bed that was away from the wall, so the boy wouldn’t feel like Bucky was pinning him in. But now it meant that Bucky was the one pushed all the way up against the wall.

“Mm?” Tony cuddled in closer, practically burrowing into Bucky’s side. “Jus’... jus’ need a min--” He froze, stock-still, for a count of three breaths, and then scrambled back. “Shit, shit, sorry, I didn’t-- oh fuck, it’s freezing over here,” he whined, his tone ping-ponging from apologetic to startled to indignant.

“Hey, shhh,” Bucky tried again. “S’okay, you-- were jus’ layin’ on a bad spot.” Bucky reached for the cap of the arm, trying to figure out what, exactly it was. “Could feel m’ arm fallin’ off, dreamin’ about it.” He gave up, waving his hand near the panel, bringing the room lights up slowly. “Can you see?”

Maybe he could, but Tony was, instead, staring at Bucky’s bare chest. Even with with temperatures close to four or five degrees, Bucky put out a lot of heat while he slept, and he’d woken once before, practically swimming in sweat, and he’d shucked most of his clothes, tossing them onto the floor over Tony’s shoulder.

“I, uh...” Tony’s gaze jerked up to meet Bucky’s, and he blushed furiously. “Sorry, I’m just. Um. Arm. Yes. I can... Let me take a look at...” He stopped, scrubbing his hands over his face roughly, and then took a breath and held it as he leaned in to examine Bucky’s shoulder.

“Hope you meant what you said earlier,” Bucky said, conversationally, trying to ignore the fact that he was dressed only in a pair of thin shorts and Tony was all but climbing into his lap to look at his busted up arm.

“What I said?” Tony’s hands were sliding over his shoulder, gentle and careful even through the feedback the arm was jittering through his brain.

“That you can make a new one,” Bucky said. “Ain’t like there’s much warranty on the old one left over.”

“Oh! Yeah, I’m pretty sure I can.” Tony curved his hand around what was left of the arm and lifted it a little. “I mean, it might depend on what kind of materials I can get my hands on, and how long we’ve got before you have to go back out-- oh! I think I see it, hang on a sec.” He stretched for his bag, precariously balanced on the very edge of the bed, and dragged it closer to fish out a pair of wire cutters. “Okay, this might pinch just for a second...”

The pain was as horrific as it was mercifully brief. Bucky blinked away spots and realized that his eyes were watering in reaction. But then everything went easy and still. “Oh, that’s better.” The complete lack of pain was shocking, like he hadn’t realized that so many parts of him still hurt. He’d sublimated so much of it, had adjusted to it, that he hadn’t even noticed it anymore. “Oh.” His eyes wouldn’t stop tearing up as he shuddered with relief.

“Are you okay?” Tony’s hand was hovering, not quite touching, his eyes wide and worried. “Bucky?”

“Yeah,” Bucky said, voice rough. “Yeah, I-- maybe for th’ first time since this happened. It don’t hurt. Like at all.”

“Oh.” Tony swallowed, loud in the quiet room. “We’re gonna... When I make the new arm. We’ll make sure that doesn’t hurt. Okay?”

“Okay,” Bucky repeated. He wasn’t sure he knew who he was without the constant pain. Like the person he’d used to be was buried under it. “Come on, lay down, get some sleep. You look so exhausted, you’re makin’ me tired jus’ lookin’ at you. I know it’s cold--” He went to shrug and realized his shoulders didn’t move like that anymore. “But I run hot as Hel, an’ I can’t sleep at normal room temperature.”

“Yeah, I kind of noticed you run warm,” Tony said, wriggling carefully back down into the covers. “Why is that? You from an ice planet or something?”

Bucky shifted around until he had Tony in a little spoon position, keeping him in the warm circle of his body. “Enhanced metabolism. Healing, speed, endurance. I eat a lot, too. Val complains constantly.”

“Not enough to sell your bond, though,” Tony noted, snuggling in. “If we’re going to keep sharing, I’m going to need some more blankets. Tell me about her.”

“Val? She’s smarter than she acts,” Bucky said. He leaned his forehead against Tony’s back and waved the lights to dim again. “There was a war. She’s one of th’ survivors. She drinks to forget ‘em. Most of everyone she loved is dead. She told me, once. She was drinkin’ more than usual, had a bad dream. She’s brave, though. Stands up to the Grandmaster. Aren’t many here who do. She washed up here, years ago, fought her way up to freedom. Now she’s trying to challenge him for the championship. That’d be you an’ me. Oh, an’ she’s got a lady friend, comes ‘round once in a while, they get roasted together and make love with alarming frequency.”

“You’re just trying to make me blush, now,” Tony accused sleepily. “Does she... get mad? Throw stuff or, or break things or...?”

“Not s’much,” Bucky said. “Think the door frustrates her. She keeps sayin’ she’s gonna get it fixed. It sticks. Mostly, she sings. And cusses about the Grandmaster. I like her.” Bucky thought about that for a moment. It hadn’t really occurred to him, in a long time, whether he liked anyone. But he did. She was… sassy.

A little shiver ran through Tony’s body, and he seemed to melt, just a bit. “That’s good. She’s--” He yawned. “--hard to read. Was worried she might be like m’dad.”

Bucky pulled him in, smelling his warm, sleepy scent. “Don’t worry,” he said, yawning once. “I won’t let anythin’ happen to you. Need me a good mechanic.” With that thought, he nuzzled at Tony’s shoulder once, and drifted off again.

Tony woke with a jolt, not sure where he was, and then registered the icy tip of his nose, even if the rest of him was surprisingly warm. The previous day’s events scrolled through his mind in a blur, leaving him half-sick and half-triumphant and entirely overwhelmed. “Oh god,” he whispered. Had he really done all that?

And then woken in the middle of the night to pull a shorting wire from Bucky’s arm and maybe reveal entirely too much about himself? Not his identity, probably, but how best to hurt him, maybe. Tony bit his lip, but Bucky was still holding him protectively close, and Tony thought, if he had to trust someone, it would be Bucky.

But he was still going to get some extra blankets.

Bucky shifted against him, mumbling sleepily, and-- hello, morning wood pushed against the back of Tony’s thigh and Bucky rolled his hips, slow and sensual.

Tony’s breath caught. He had no idea what to do -- he’d been handling his own arousal for years, now, but he’d been carefully watched and strictly chaperoned and none of his near-agemates back in Manhattan had really interested him, that way, anyway -- and he had no idea what to do with someone else’s cock, pressed insistently against his leg.

All he knew was that he wanted to do something about it. His own dick was stirring, filling and firming with each heavy pulse of his blood. He couldn’t deny that he found Bucky interesting and attractive, and maybe that was just the sheer adrenaline of... everything, and the desperate need to bond with someone he could trust, but...

Biting down on his lip, Tony cautiously rocked his hips back, pushing into the heat of Bucky’s body, feeling that hardness against him.

Bucky made a soft, urgent noise, a throaty sort of moan that went straight through Tony, lighting his nerves on fire, and then that mouth was pressed against the back of Tony’s neck, tongue darting out to sample the skin right at the join of his shoulder. His hips rolled with Tony’s, a heavy, desperate rhythm. “Mmmm?”

Tony’s breath left him in a soft groan. “Yes, yes...”

At the sound of him, Bucky stiffened even more noticeably, and then, with a suddenness that took his breath away, Tony found himself on his back, with Bucky practically hovering over him. Misty eyes gazed at him, then-- “Are we awake?”

“I certainly hope so,” Tony said, breath coming faster as his heart sped up. He lifted a hand to brush Bucky’s hair back, skating his knuckles down Bucky’s cheek.

Bucky tipped his face, turning into Tony’s hand, kissing the fingers, then-- “Oh, we are.” He ground down, pushing against Tony’s hips, moaned softly, then, “Are you?” He did it again, rubbing them together with interest. “Stars, you feel good.”

The movement set sparks fizzling under Tony’s skin, more than any touch of his own had ever managed, and he gasped, rutting up against Bucky without even thinking. “Good, yes,” he managed. “Bucky--”

“Sweet, you’re so sweet, look at you--” Bucky murmured, and he nuzzled the side of Tony’s throat, kissing his neck, his jaw, peppering little kisses along his chin, before claiming his mouth. More aware of the way it juddered along his nerves, Tony noted that they were both fuzzy mouthed and sour from sleep before that all washed away as Bucky’s tongue slid into his mouth, flicking over his teeth and along the inside of his cheek.

Tony surrendered to it, and then answered Bucky’s explorations with his own, his tongue sliding along Bucky’s, testing the places where their mouths were sealed together. His hands curled around Bucky’s back, pulling them tightly together. “Bucky, I don’t-- I haven’t-- You’ll have to tell me what to do,” he admitted.

Bucky looked up at him, those beautiful eyes outlined with thick lashed. “Yeah? That-- I like that, you know. That ain’t no one else ever known you, no one’s ever touched you like this. You like it, me kissin’ you? Touching you?” He demonstrated, shifting so he was laying next to Tony instead, leaving his skin rippling with gooseflesh as he traced lines and swirls over Tony’s chest and belly, a teasing curl that got closer to Tony’s groin with each tempting whirl.

Tony shivered and shuddered under those light touches, arching into them eagerly. “I like it. I didn’t think it could feel like this, so...” He shook his head, out of words. “Kiss me again?”

“Yeah,” Bucky said, spearing his hand into Tony’s hair, pulling him closer, thumb rubbing at Tony’s ear and came in to kiss and tease at Tony’s mouth. He licked his way into Tony’s mouth, breath a soft puff against Tony’s cheek. The scrape of his stubble against Tony’s chin tingled, sensation drowning every rational thought in Tony’s brain, leaving a restless cry of more, more, in its wake. Tony shivered again, and Bucky grinned at him. “You still cold, doll? Let me see if I c’n warm you up.” He disappeared under the blanket, sliding down to tug up Tony’s undershirt, licking at the skin of Tony’s belly.

Tony gasped, arching up into the touch. “Oh...” He pushed his hands into Bucky’s hair, mindlessly trying to direct that hot mouth where Tony’s body insisted it needed it most. “Bucky, please...” His hips were twisting, lifting, desperate in the search for friction.

Bucky laughed, a soft, amused sound that might have been humiliating -- did Bucky think he was cute? -- except that Bucky traced his finger up the length of Tony’s dick, from balls to crown, pressure over the material of his drawers that he’d worn to sleep in.

Tony let out a needy whine, then clapped his hand over his mouth, glancing toward the wall. Oh, god, how was he supposed to be quiet when Bucky was making him feel like this? “Bucky, Bucky, I need, please, I need...”

“Gonna take care of ever’thing you need,” Bucky told him, and did it again, slowly dragging his hand up, fingers trailing along Tony’s groin, a tease and exquisite torture, more than Tony had ever felt in his life, and still not enough. He wriggled and thrust up against Bucky’s hand, who just pulled it back. “It’s okay, I’ll get ya there, honey. Slow, breathe with it. Know it don’t feel like it right now, but it’ll be better if you take it slow.”

Tony whined again, but sank back down onto the bed, panting, heart pounding. He wasn’t sure he’d ever even tried to jerk off slow, too concerned with taking care of the need of the moment before anyone could suspect what he was up to. The very idea was maddening, a torment, and a delicious thrill up Tony’s spine. He tried to slow his breathing, to match Bucky’s easy pace, but it was next to impossible. It seemed he was one huge mass of heated sensation and aching need.

Bucky grumbled in the back of his throat. “This’d be easier if I hadn’t had t’ blow up my own damn arm,” he complained, then, “well, guess I’ll jus’--” He slid his hand down the front of Tony’s drawers, palm brushing against Tony’s skin, then over the head of his cock, smearing copious amounts of pre-come around. He mouthed at Tony’s chest, pushing Tony’s tee up as he went, until that hot, lush mouth closed on Tony’s nipple, tongue working the sensitive flesh.

Tony writhed, each breath coming out on a moan, the heat building until it seemed he had to be burning up. “Bucky,” he pleaded, “I’m so, so close, I just, oh god...” He shoved his hand over his mouth and bit down to keep from screaming as that heat and pressure exploded, a white burst behind his eyelids as his whole body shivered and shuddered through his climax.

Bucky flicked his tongue over Tony’s nipple again, a scrape of teeth against the pebbled skin, then he pulled back, cupping Tony’s cock and nursing him through the aftershocks until Tony was too sensitive and squirming away. “Ain’t you pretty,” Bucky observed, and when Tony opened his eyes, raised his fingers to his mouth and licked away the evidence of Tony’s spill.

Tony’s cock twitched at that sight, trying valiantly to push through its exhaustion. “You are so damned gorgeous,” Tony murmured, curling up to catch Bucky’s lips with his, kissing again and again, licking the taste of himself out of Bucky’s mouth. “That was so, so fantastic,” he panted between kisses. “I want to, I need to see you come, too, can I-- tell me what you want.”

Bucky kissed him, cuddled him, petting his arm and hair with fondness. It was comfortable, in a way Tony had never thought about, being utterly relaxed with someone else. “We’ll get to it,” Bucky said. “Just catch your breath, honey. I ain’t in a hurry.” Bucky kissed the tip of Tony’s nose, and then slid out of the bed, letting in a draft of cold air.

He rummaged around in a drawer and came back with a few things; a cloth that he used to clean up the rest of Tony’s spend, a bottle of water that he offered over and a small tube. “Just in case,” he said, then crawled back into the bed with Tony. “How do you feel?”

Tony drank a few big swallows of water -- it was almost too cold, just from being in the room -- and flopped back onto the bed with a contented sigh. “I feel great.” He tipped his head, looking at the tube. “What’s that?”

“Slick,” Bucky said. “Keeps everything from rubbin’ too much an’ making it sore.” He rolled onto his back, wordlessly inviting Tony to spread out over him, sharing his body heat. “You-- back in my time, we’d use hand cream, t’ you know, jerk it. This is like that, only… so I don’t hurt you.”

“Oh, lube,” Tony said. He might not have much (any) experience, but it wasn’t like he was entirely lacking in knowledge. “What the heck kind of planet did you come from that didn’t have lube, what--” He eyed Bucky’s face, gauging age. “--twenty, thirty years ago?”

Bucky made a soft noise. “Older than I look,” he said. “A lot older. You might not believe it. When-- I remember th’ first man to walk on our moon. Space travel. All this-- that was a dream and a wish when I was a teenager.”

Tony scoffed. “That’s, like... hundreds of years ago. Almost a thousand. You can’t be more than... thirty-five, tops.”

“Well, I wasn’t awake for all of it,” Bucky said, reasonably. “Cryotube got lost. I guess, in time I been awake and aware, I’m about ninety. Give or take.”

“You don’t look ninety, either,” Tony pointed out. “They had cryo back that far?”

Bucky ran a hand up Tony’s body, from his thigh and up his hip, over his ribs. “They’ve had cryo since the 40’s. The nineteen forties.” He leaned down, kissed Tony’s jaw. “It’s a long, boring story. You don’t want to hear it, an’ I want--” He plucked at Tony’s shirt, strange how he’d not yet managed to get his clothes off. “-- to see you.”

“Uh. Yeah, yeah, I can--” Tony sat up and reached back to pull his shirt off over his head. His nipples promptly tightened into hard nubs in the frigid air, but he was still snuggled up close against Bucky, who was putting off heat like a bonfire. Tony shoved at his pants, getting them the rest of the way off, and kicked them off the bed, spreading his arms in a little “here I am” sort of gesture.

“So damn beautiful,” Bucky said. “Wanna kiss you all over. You feeling okay, not too sensitive anymore?” He illustrated his point by licking over Tony’s nipple, puckered and stiff from the cold air, and it felt good, somehow more than it had before. “Listen to that, you like that.” Tony could feel Bucky’s lips smiling against him, before he practically devoured Tony’s chest, licking and sucking at the one side.

Tony wrapped his arms around Bucky’s neck, twining his fingers in Bucky’s hair and holding on as if for dear life. Each flick of Bucky’s tongue, each delicate drag of teeth, was like a lightning bolt of pure need, shooting from Tony’s chest straight down into his balls. His cock was starting to swell up again, and he rolled his hips without even thinking about it, rubbing against Bucky’s body. “Ohhhh, god, that feels so good,” he said, breath hitching. “Thought... Thought we were going to take care of you next?”

Bucky leaned his chin on Tony’s chest to look up at him. “You bein’ relaxed an’ happy is taking care of me,” he said. “It’s fun, watchin’ you squirm around, listenin’ to the way you hitch your breath in. Ain’t never gonna be this way again, new an’ fresh. Want it to be good for you, want to be good for you, honey. Damn Val for sayin’ what she did. Your first time, it oughta be damn special.”

“It’s been pretty great so far,” Tony said, and it had been a long, long time since he’d felt this uncomplicatedly happy. And that was mostly because of Bucky. He ducked his head to catch Bucky’s mouth in another kiss, because kissing was fantastic, why had he not done more of that before? “Do I get to see you, at least?” he asked when he’d finally been forced to come up for air.

“Look all you like, honey,” Bucky said. “You already seen th’ horrific bits.” He reached for his shoulder, the stump, the scars. There was an expression on his face that Tony wasn’t sure how to read. Resignation, maybe. “And it didn’t scare you off.” He rolled his hips up. “You can help me with these, if you want.”

“I want.” Tony scooted back just enough to hook his fingers under the waistband of the thin shorts that Bucky was sleeping in. “You’re not horrific, not any of you. Hurt, some, but who isn’t? I think--” And whatever he’d been about to say dropped right out of his head as he got Bucky’s clothes off and he could finally see what had been grinding into him since he’d woken up.

Bucky’s cock was thick and long, just slightly curved, heavy and flushed with desire, and it was an odd sort of pride that swelled in Tony’s chest: that was his doing; Bucky wanted him. “Oh, oh wow, you’re... wow.”

Bucky scoffed. “Ain’t that different from yours, honey. Works just the same.” He took Tony’s hand, loose and easy, and let the palm brush down the skin, hotter even than the rest of Bucky’s skin, soft and velvety. The whole thing jumped and twitched under Tony’s fingers, as if it was begging to be touched, wanting his attention.

“No, I know that,” Tony said, but he couldn’t draw his eyes away, fascinated by the feel of it. “I just... it’s a different angle. And I haven’t seen all that many. Not in this state, anyway.” He flushed a little, focusing on what he was doing to Bucky’s dick so he’d have an excuse not to try to meet Bucky’s gaze.

“You can get t’know him, if you want,” Bucky said. “How it feels in your hand, or… you can put your mouth there, if you want. Whatever you want.”

A shiver ran through Tony, just thinking about it. “Yes. That.” He shifted his weight, slithered down Bucky’s body until he was curled into the warm cradle of Bucky’s legs. He hesitated, just for a moment -- what should he do next? What if he messed up? What if Bucky didn’t like it? -- and then huffed at himself impatiently. He nuzzled against that silk-soft skin with his nose and his lips, feeling that heat, breathing in Bucky’s scent, and then licked tentatively, a broad lap from the base nearly to the tip.

“That’s… that’s so sweet,” Bucky said, his breath coming harder, huffing out between his words, like he wasn’t completely calm, or collected. Like Tony had done that, too. It was a strange, heady sensation, a rush of power and exhilaration. And close on the heels of that was a desperate desire to do it right, do it again, make Bucky as wild and crazy with pleasure as Tony had been.

He licked again, and then again, spiraling like Bucky’s cock was an ice cream cone, trying to taste everything, to feel every little bump and ridge, testing, in search of the spots that got the best reactions -- pretty similar to the same spots on Tony, as it turned out, which made it easier. He lapped tentatively at the head, getting the sharp-bitter flavor of precome and a delicious moan.

He glanced up at Bucky’s face and blushed again at the realization that Bucky was watching him intently. He bit back the ridiculous urge to ask if he was doing it right and closed his mouth over the head of Bucky’s cock, dragging his tongue across it and sucking carefully. How hard was too hard?

Bucky’s hand closed on the sheets, tugging like he was trying to hold himself down as his hips rocked in time with Tony’s movements. Bucky shook his head back and forth, long hair getting into his face, eyes closed, mouth open, and he rocked back to expose a gorgeous, vulnerable throat. He said something in a language that Tony didn’t speak, but the tone was familiar enough, a prayer or a curse, but said with reverence.

“Okay, okay, that’s-- oh, god, that’s good, Tony,” Bucky said, but at the same time, he was struggling to sit up. “I… gotta know, if you want me t’ come like that, or, you want to move on, to the next step.” He was breathing hard, body coated with a light shimmer of sweat, steam practically raising off his skin in the cold air.

Well, that was hardly fair. Tony wanted it all, of course. How could he not, when Bucky was so gorgeous, and it was Tony who’d given him that pleasure? But he looked up at Bucky and knew he wanted to give Bucky everything, even if it was just this once. “Show me,” he said. “I want it all.”

Bucky drew him in for a sweet kiss, not heated much at all, just a brush of lip, a flick of tongue. “And I want to give it to you. Want to be the first, the one-- your one. So, I’m gonna talk you through it, a bit, an’ if it don’t sound like something you want any truck with, you just say, all right? We can always do it th’ other way ‘round, if you’d rather. I-- I mean, I ain’t got lots of experience with teachin’, but for me, helped that I, you know, knew what it felt like, before I tried stickin’ it to someone else.”

Tony nodded, doing his best to ignore the blush that wouldn’t go away. “I want you to... Want you in me,” he said. “Definitely, pretty sure, like... like 85 percent.”

“No foul,” Bucky said, spreading his hand wide. “If you don’t like it, you don’t have to stick with that. Jus’ tell me, we’ll back it up. I won’t be upset, ‘kay? Promise.” And he actually crossed his heart and then kissed two of his fingers.

The childish gesture made Tony laugh, and eased a knot of tension that he hadn’t even realized had been forming. “Promise,” he agreed. “What, uh, how do you want me?”

“Lay on your back for a bit,” Bucky said, decisely. “Spread your legs, no, not that wide, I ain’t a hippo. Just need a little room to work. Gonna slick you up and work you open. One finger, then two. Get you used to how it feels. See what you like.”

“Okay.” Tony shivered a little in the cold air, but mostly he was burning, aching for Bucky to touch him again.

Bucky picked up the bottle of lube, then looked at it, befuddled. “Well, fuck,” he said. “How ‘bout that. Forgot that I didn’t have two hands. Here, you-- yeah, get the lid off, would ya?” He cupped his hand around the shiny substance that Tony poured into his hand, blew on it. “Warm it up for you. Stuff is chilly half the time anyway, lucky it ain’t frozen, bein’ in here with me, and what would be the fun in that?”

“That... does not sound fun, no,” Tony agreed. He wriggled a little, trying to get comfortable, but mostly just flinching back from the cold sheets. “Okay. I’m ready.”

“Shh,” Bucky told him. “I’ll know when you’re ready.” He scowled again at the empty space where his other arm used to be, then leaned in, awkwardly cupping the lube, and kissed Tony, heat, and wanting, his tongue sliding in to taste. The way his tongue flickered against the sensitive inside of Tony’s lip, encouraging him to open his mouth, and then that tongue would move again, tickling at the corner of his lips. Bucky bit him, so light, teeth barely dragging against Tony’s lower lip, stretching it out.

Like all the kissing they’d done before was practice, and this was some sort of encore. Bucky kissed him, and kissed him again, and somewhere in there, slid his hand between Tony’s legs, and one single fingertip brushed along the pucker of his asshole, just a faint touch, but it sent currents straight up his spine; pleasure and weirdness and -- it wasn’t pain, not that, but it was odd.

Tony wiggled a little -- but that just made it stranger. “Oh, oh that’s... that’s different.”

“Yeah, little bit,” Bucky said, and he did it again, just that little brush, but after his hand moved, Tony felt… wet. And the next stroke after that was… more. A brush, but also with a smooth glide to it. Bucky’s fingertip circled the tight pucker that marked Tony’s entrance, and-- weird, but also squirmy. Embarrassing, really, if he had to be honest. Tony’s body spasmed on the next wave, clenching everything up, his thighs, his toes curled, hands balled into fists. “Shhh, easy does it. Here, kiss me again, it’ll help.”

Tony curled up to kiss Bucky, and Bucky drew it out, teasing and coaxing until Tony was swaying into the rhythm of it, losing himself in the slick slide of tongues and mouths and-- Bucky’s finger was in him, he realized suddenly, almost stroking him from the inside. “Oh.”

“Yeah, oh,” Bucky said, and he was smiling, soft and looking at him with eyes nearly black. “This okay?” He slid the finger in and out again, pausing as he got almost all the way out to twist around the opening, which shot sunbursts of sensation all up and down Tony’s body. “Looks like part of you is enjoyin’ it, leastways.” And Bucky flicked his gaze down to Tony’s cock, which was more than half hard. Aroused, but not yet urgent about it.

“All of me is enjoying it,” Tony said, though it still felt distinctly odd, but in a good way. “I like it, it feels...” He frowned, trying to put it into words. “Filling? That sounds weird.”

“Stuffed,” Bucky said, apparently agreeing with the assessment. “That’s what I always think. Stuffed full, that sort of… like a good meal and just… letting your body do its thing. Hang on a second, this might… stretch a bit.” Bucky pulled all the way out, and that left him feeling weirdly empty and his hips chased the sensation for a moment without any conscious awareness on his part to move, and then-- more of the slick, wet stuff. Bucky rubbed two fingertips over his hole, and then, slow, almost methodical, he pushed both fingers inside Tony.

Tony’s breath caught and he couldn’t quite let it back out, the stretch becoming a mild burn, not quite painful, but teetering on the edge of it. “Oh, that’s... Fuck, that’s a lot,” he finally gasped, when his lungs refused to hold the air any longer. “Are you, uh. Sure? That I can... I mean, you’re...” Bigger than two fingers, he couldn’t quite say. If only two fingers felt like this, how would he manage Bucky’s cock?

Bucky actually laughed, and that hurt for just a second before Tony realized that Bucky was blushing and laughing, more at himself than Tony. “I promise, it ain’t that big, no matter what you think, babydoll. Here, lift your leg a little, there, that’s it, see if that’s better, an’ just wait, once you relax a little more… then it gets real sweet.”

Tony moved his leg, and shifted it again, and Bucky’s fingers in him just kept pushing at him, even though Bucky wasn’t moving much at all, but it was strange and stretching and-- Tony closed his eyes and tried to focus on breathing. He’d been through so much worse, and this was, this would feel good, soon. Bucky had said so, and he trusted Bucky’s word, and he wanted to make Bucky feel good, too. With a quiver and a jolt, his body suddenly let go, and that stretch didn’t burn anymore, and that nice full sensation was back. Tony let out a sigh of relief. “Oh, yeah, okay, that’s better, that’s... that’s good.”

“There ya go, yeah, that’s… ahhh, look what I found,” Bucky said, and it was playful and teasing, and then-- something that Bucky touched, deep inside him, responded. Like he had when Bucky stroked his cock for the first time, or the feel of Bucky’s tongue and lips on his nipple. But more, so much more, almost too much more. Pleasure and a sudden, inescapable pulse of desire. “There, that’s nice, right?”

Tony’s eyes had flown wide and he stared at Bucky in shock. “What-- Oh shit, do that again!”

“Yep, that’s the whole plan, doll,” Bucky said, and he worked his fingers inside Tony’s body, pressure and light, brushing sensations that seemed to go straight from Bucky’s fingers, through his balls and right up his dick. “Sometimes, feels so good, you can come just from this. Others, you need a hand to help you along. Which I ain’t got one t’spare at the moment. You can rub it, if you need to, but if you come again, we’re done for the night. I ain’t aimin’ to make you so sore you can’t get out of bed.”

Tony considered that and decided to keep his hand off his dick for now; it felt so good, but he still wanted to see Bucky come. Wanted to be the reason Bucky came. “Later,” he said, and his voice came out breathy, a little hoarse. “Bucky, I want, I want you. Please.”

“Yeah, okay, it’s uh. You know what, let’s swap places, okay? I only for th’ one hand and I don’t want to squash you,” Bucky said. “And uh, you can control the pace, if you’re on top. You don’t have to go any faster than you want, and you can get off as soon as you need to. Okay? Just… gonna take you for a ride. And, you’ll uh, you’ll want more slick. Put it on me, so that’ll… yeah, just like that, oh--” Bucky’s voice spiraled up as they moved around and Tony put a hand on him.

It was even more awkward like this, Tony balanced on top of Bucky’s body, trying to lower himself onto a cock he couldn’t see, that seemed determined to slide away from him every time he tried to push down and back. He finally braced both hands on Bucky’s shoulders and curled his toes into the sheets, and Bucky reached down to steady himself and then-- oh, that burned, and Tony bit his lip hard, looking up at the ceiling and widening his eyes so they wouldn’t tear up.

Just like before, he reminded himself, just have to relax, just have to let it go. Thinking about it did not seem to be helping.

Bucky was probably getting impatient, his own pleasure so close at hand. Tony took a couple of shallow breaths and squeezed his eyes shut.

“Tony--” Bucky said, voice soft and easy, as if he wasn’t teetering on the edge of anything. “Hey… you’re okay. We’re good, baby, so good. You don’t gotta go any further, if you don’t want, if it’s too much. We can try again later, or never again. Hey, come on, look at me a minute, yeah?”

Tony managed to look down, and Bucky was looking back up, expression patient and gentle and... and concerned, like he was actually more worried about Tony’s enjoyment than his own. It hit like a blow to the chest, only warm and reassuring instead of cold and painful.

So not like a blow to the chest at all, Tony thought, and hiccupped out a startled laugh. “Sorry,” he managed, and giggled again, helplessly. “I just, it’s...” Another spate of laughter, until he had curled down against Bucky’s chest, unable to stop.

“Nah, I get it. Sex is pretty damn ridiculous,” Bucky said, “an’ here I am, an arm down and not really able t’ help you. Like to sit you right down on my damn dick, I swear to you, I would.” Bucky nuzzled at the top of Tony’s head, breath sifting through the hairs to tickle at his scalp. “It’s okay, really. First time I did it, came all over the girl’s thigh and ‘bout burst into tears, thinkin’ she was gonna hate me forever. She didn’t; she showed me what to do to get her off, an’ it didn’t involve my dick at all.” Bucky wiggled two fingers at him, making a gesture that both meant nothing and seemed to say everything at the same time.

If Tony didn’t know much about sex with another man, he knew even less about sex with a woman. He managed to get his giggling under control, but didn’t move for a moment, just breathing, feeling the heat radiating off Bucky’s skin and enjoying the closeness. He thought... Maybe, possibly, it had done him some good. He felt a little easier, a little calmer, now. “I want to try again,” he said.

He lifted his head and kissed Bucky, melting into it, trying to show how grateful he was for this, for Bucky’s patience and guidance and for making this so, so unbearably sweet. And, yes, awkward, but that seemed okay, too, like the sort of small flaw that made a handmade item more precious than a perfect machined one.

Holding that thought, cradling it close to himself, Tony sat up again and found his angle, and pushed. And there was that stretch, again, but the burn wasn’t so bad, more of an ache, really, like stretching a tight muscle.

Tony sank down farther, feeling Bucky’s thickness filling him, until he realized there was nowhere else to go; he’d taken it all in.

“--oh, god,” Bucky said, short, glottal, voice straining. His whole body was shaking under Tony’s, skin rippling with gooseflesh, and he rolled his hips once, pushing Tony up. He opened his eyes, wide, staring, like he was seeing something precious and perfect, dear and adored. “Yeah, that’s… that’s exactly right, baby. You’re doin’ it.”

And that look, god, what Tony wouldn’t do for that look. He braced his hands on Bucky’s shoulders again, and started moving, slowly. Lifting up and pushing back down, shifting the angle slightly, testing. Somewhere in there, his body gave in to the intrusion, gave way, and even the ache faded into pure pleasure. “Oh god,” Tony groaned. “Bucky, that’s--”

“Jus’ right,” Bucky agreed. “You’re -- so tight, Tony, I don’t think I’ve ever, not like this, never like this. Want you, want you so bad--” Bucky was gasping, his hand opening and closing gently on Tony’s hip as he rolled up just as Tony came down, setting some rhythm in there somewhere, like the steady beat of a drum.

Tony tried to reply, you’ve got me, I’m yours -- but his throat wouldn’t push the sounds out, just a harsh groan as he rocked into Bucky’s rhythm, sensation overwhelming everything else. Another small shift and -- fuck, yes -- he’d found an angle that dragged Bucky’s cock against that place inside him, a little jolt of pleasure that only made everything light up, sweeter and better.

Gasping, he grabbed for his own dick, curling his hand around it and squeezing tight, stripping it mercilessly, chasing sensation toward the finish line, trying to hold out only long enough to pull Bucky over with him.

“There, yeah, there, honey, just like that, you-- oh, you’re so sweet, Tony,” Bucky was babbling, almost senseless, and between words, he was touching as much of Tony as he could reach. “Yeah, that’s… squeeze down, baby, can you do that for me, can you-- oh, oh!”

Tony tried to do what Bucky asked. He wasn’t sure if it actually worked, but Bucky threw his head back, jaw hanging open and throat working as he came, thick pulses inside Tony’s body. Tony closed his eyes and let himself tumble over the edge, too, spilling over his hand onto Bucky’s stomach. “Oh god,” he gasped. “Bucky... god.”

Bucky managed a weak chuckle as Tony practically fell on him. “That was so good, honey,” he said, absently patting Tony’s back and hip. “Now, here’s the not-fun part. I’mma pull out, and you’re gonna find out the hard way that body fluids go from warm and wet to freezin’ and sticky in about point zero two seconds.”

Tony lifted his head just enough to give Bucky a sad, betrayed look. “Why.”

“I didn’t design th’ system, love, I just work with what I got,” Bucky said. “Roll over, this side, an’ I’ll let the blanket cover you up. Get you a washcloth and clean up a bit. Layin’ in the wet spot is not recommended.”

Tony grumbled, but did as Bucky suggested. He pulled the pillow over his head when Bucky got out of bed to get the washcloth. “I don’t want to get up,” he complained.

Bucky brought over a damp washcloth and gently cleaned Tony up, wiping away sweat and semen with a few quick motions. He spread a dry towel over the wet spot to cover it and then climbed back in, bringing his insane body heat with him. “You don’t gotta,” he said. “This is my bed, you c’n stay in it s’long as you want.”

Tony grabbed onto Bucky and snuggled into that warmth with possibly aggressive fervor. “Pretty sure our boss is going to have something to say about that, at some point.”

Bucky pulled the blanket up and nearly over their heads. “She’ll be sleepin’ it off a while,” Bucky pointed out. “We can lounge around most of th’ day, at least.” He nuzzled at Tony’s ear, kissed his jaw. “It’s good, we’re good here--” Bucky blinked a few times, his lashes closing slowly, and he drifted off to sleep.

Tony dozed for a while, but he’d never really slept much, and he was still sort of processing... everything. So eventually he sat up, leaning back against the wall where he could watch Bucky and the door, and pulled up the ‘net connection that his ident allowed. He had an arm to design, after all, assuming he could get his hands on some decent materials.

Which meant he was deep into schematics and engineering better joint solutions when Val slammed the door open. “Boys, we--”

She stopped dead, staring at Tony, her eyes moving from his crazy, sticking up hair, across his shoulders which might possibly have had bite marks on them, to Bucky, still mostly asleep and curled up with his head pillowed on Tony’s thigh.

“Really?” she asked, blinking. “One day. You couldn’t make it one day?”

Tony reached down and lightly brushed his fingers through Bucky’s hair, feeling a fond smile tugging at his lips. “No, I don’t think we could.”

[darknytemare]

Way To You - 3

For the @btswriterscorner​ - Amor Fabula Launch Project in celebration of the month of Valentine’s Day!

Plot: Everything isn’t what it seems. The truth finally sets him free.

Rating: M // NSFW

Genre: dystopian! au/dystopian themes | angst |  smut | fluff if you squint

Pairing: Kim Taehyung x Female OC (Tempest Estrellado)

Warnings: Strong language, interracial relationship, mentions of drugs, smut [like maybe softish? maybe sorta needed cause it’s been a while]

Word Count: 3,422

AN: And this is the end. Please enjoy, and thank you for loving all that we do © thebiasrekkers / darknytemare (Admin T). All rights reserved. Reposting/modifying our work is prohibited. Translations are not allowed. Plagiarism/stealing is not tolerated by any means. Legal action will be taken in instances of theft.

Links: FAQ || BTS Masterlist || [ REQUESTS ARE OPEN ]

WC: 3,422

---

10:05 pm

They always sat in relative silence at dinner time. When was the last time they really sat to dinner? Taehyung pushed food across his plate idly. April made dutiful cuts into a piece of meat. “Taehyung, you’re not eating.” She barely spared him a glance as the fork disappeared between her teeth.

“How come I don’t remember the scars on my back?” He asked quietly. There was no need to lift his head. He heard the scrape of a knife across the porcelain. The sound of her chewing was suddenly thunderous in that silence.

“Whatever do you mean, Taehyung?” April’s brow rose as she continued with her routine. The routine of eating. The routine of being his Wife. The routine of keeping...s e c r e t s. “You told me it was something that happened as a child. We’re so busy these days, I’m sure it slipped your mind.” Her voice never wavered. He knew she believed that to be true.

Or maybe she wanted him to believe that she believed it to be true.

“See, that’s just the thing, April..” He placed his utensil down quietly. “I don’t remember a lot from my childhood. Don’t you find that strange?” The molten brown of his eyes lifted to the woman across from him. Because in the last week, he realized he didn’t know just who the hell April really was.

She placed the last bite of food in her mouth. A napkin dabbing at the corners, hopefully hiding the irritation in her frown. “Taehyung.” She sounded like a mother chastising a young child. “A lot of things were forgotten when The Unification happened. Not all of us came out the same or mentally intact.” Her hands clasped over her lap as she sighed. “This is what happens when we stray from our routine. It’s a butterfly effect, Taehyung. That one late morning has spiraled into …” A hand waved as she tried to put into words his paranoia. “..this. I think you should get a check-up. We’ll make sure everything is ok, perhaps adjust your vitamins. Maybe lay off the caffeine, I’m sure you’ll be back to your usual self soon.”

April pushed away from the table, grabbing her plate. “For now, I think you should ease up on your workload. I know this year’s matching protocols are different - I believe it’s taking its toll.” Taehyung narrowed his eyes as she disappeared into the kitchen.

“I’m going to give you something to help you sleep. It should get you back on schedule.” Taehyung stared at his plate of food again, the fork pulling through the vegetables.

And he saw it again.

The green pellets - similar to the inside of the vitamins that April insisted on shoving down his throat.

He lost his appetite.

11:30 pm

April sat in a chair at the side of the bed. Taehyung had seemed suspicious of the sleeping aid. But, he relented after admitting he was tired. Her fingers pinched at the skin of his wrist. She kept count of his pulse before letting his hand down gently.

She stepped out of the room, the door a gentle click as she moved to the front of the house. The cell phone buzzing continued until it was retrieved from her lab coat.

“Well?” The voice on the other end inquired.

“I don’t know what to make of it, honestly.” She sighed. It was rare to feel the frustration of this level. Everything had been going smoothly for some years now. She wasn’t sure when things began to change - but Taehyung was destabilizing. “We need to get a handle on this before it gets too far.”

There was a deep, disappointed sigh that echoed in her ears. “April, I thought you said you could handle this.” The tone caused her to frown.

“I-I can. It’s just a small oversight. I will get him stabilized again. You have my word.” What was this nervousness? Why did she have a hard time believing her own words?

There was a thick silence that allowed her to hear the volume of her own swallow. “Fix it, April.” Apparent irritation in the male voice. “Because we don’t need a former leader of the Rebel Uprising to regain his memory. Are we clear?”

April released a quiet breath as she nodded. “I won’t let you down, Hoseok.”

“See that you don’t, Mrs. Kim.” The call disconnects. April ran nervous fingers through her hair. A hand clutched at her chest as she rushed out of the house. There’s got to be a stronger dosage that won’t kill him. Their research was imperative to keep rebels under control. It was essential to the stability of their society.

Her prestige was on the line - and while having Taehyung as a trophy was all well and good? April’s reputation was a far more precious thing.

11:37 pm

Hoseok pinched the bridge of his nose as the call disconnected. “Did she buy it?” A female voice asked. He steepled his fingers, turning to the fierce leonine gaze across from him. He offered a quiet nod.

“She’s spooked enough to make a mistake. But, it also proves that destabilization happens faster than the research projected.” Hoseok pursed his lips at the stack of folders opened across his desk. “And to think, it just takes a break in routine, and a couple missed doses.” This almost absently as Tempest flipped through a folder in her lap.

“It’s taken a long time to even figure this out.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She closed her folder with a snap. Her hands raised to cradle her face. Hoseok watched her shoulders shake before looking off into the distance.

“You’ve done well to be this patient, Tempest.” He rose to round the desk. A comforting hand on her shoulder as they rose on an inhale. “I know it’s been a long time. We’re almost there.” Tempest nodded while placing a hand on his. Hoseok took her hand, placing a syringe in her palm, curling the fingers over it. “This is it. If this works?” They held each other’s gaze for a long moment.

“And if it doesn’t, Hoseok?” The unshed tears in her eyes erased all his hesitation.

“Tempest. It will work.” It has to. She stashed the syringe in her coat pocket. They both turned to a monitor that showed April walking into the downstairs lab. “Go. I’ll keep her occupied. If anything seems off, you get him out of there immediately. You know where to go.”

She was out the door without another word. Leaving him to watch April fret over her data. His lips curled into a knowing smirk when she picked up the phone at her desk. He didn’t let the phone ring long as he sank back into his role. “Mrs. Kim, how can I help you?”

1:15 am

“We have to do something.” Conviction burned in the depths of his eyes. She knew she couldn’t sway him in this state. “It’s not right, Tempest. You know that as well as I do!” He threw a hand to the air as his voice escalated.

“Of course it’s wrong, Taehyung. But, what are we going to do against a whole global movement? This is madness!” She tried to get him to look at her as he paced. “We need to be smart about this. That’s all I’m asking. That’s all I’m saying.”

“There’s no time for smart, Tempest. If we don’t act now, soon? What becomes of us? All of us? Any of us?” His hands were tight on her shoulders.  They were afraid - both of them. Irrational and mindless with fear. To think that the UN felt that eradicating certain emotions would allow humanity to sink into harmony. They likened the state of the world to Troy. A beautiful woman could cause nations to war and fall.  So to solve the inconsistencies in the world? They would implement a new regime. One that would erase boundaries and barriers caused by status, race, religion, sexuality, and gender.

In a way, it would be starting over. Everyone would be assigned a partner. Someone that would genetically yield healthy, proper citizens of this new world order.

And they meant everyone. The prospect of relationships that have lasted decades being split on a whim had more than half the population ready to riot.

“I love you. I don’t want to lose you.” His fingers slid up the column of her neck. Her fingers latched onto his wrist as he tilted her gaze to his. “And I’m willing to fight and die to keep you.”

“I don’t want to lose you. I don’t need you to die for me, Tae.” She shook her head at the thought. “Let’s just go? Let’s just find someplace, the two of us. Let’s just go.” He smiled sadly as her head pressed into his sternum.

“Tempest, there are others like us. There will be others like us. We need to stick together while we can.” There was a quiet sob that muffled into his shirt. She knew he was right - and even she was surprised at her selfishness.

“We are going to have to fight, aren’t we?” She sniffled against the beat of his heart against her ear.

“As long as we’re together..” He murmured into her hair.

“Can we stay like this forever?” Her fingers clinging to him as if he’d disappear at that moment.

2:45 am

“You are interfering with human evolution!” A great debate ensued in the following months. Those who had lost faith in humanity gathered to champion the change in regime. This one of the few public, and cordial, debates that were happening across the globe.

Taehyung stood at a podium as a politician ranted until he was red in the face. He sighed deeply when the applause thundered in the building. “Listen, since time immemorial, we have all paved the way for ourselves. Humanity has made its share of mistakes, this will surely be another one. While the theory is sound, the application is not. We can find a way to achieve this harmony by working together to help those less fortunate. By building up those weaker, sicker, than us. Thus helping to strengthen the very foundation of our society. We can help each other stand.” Tempest watched as those gathered contemplated, considered quietly the path they were about to take.

“That’s been the key this whole fucking time! But instead of doing that work? You just decide to wipe us clean of the very thing that makes us human. Where is the evolution in that?” The politician looked around as the masses murmured.

He narrowed his gaze at Taehyung, a fist clenched against the podium edge.

It was that day - that Taehyung became a beacon for those who wanted progress without the overbearing regime. It was the day that Taehyung became public enemy number one.

3:30 am

He felt a pinch in the side of his neck.

Taehyung’s eyes rolled like marbles in his skull. A wave of heat and nausea rushed through him. He turned to the side to wretch into a small garbage can. Dizzy, feverish, and half-asleep, a disjointed voice echoed in his ears.

“Shh. It’s ok. You’re almost there.” His breathing labored as his body spasmed and arched off the bed. It felt like someone was taking a razor blade to his nervous system. His mouth opened on a silent scream as a pair of hands pushed at his chest.

He felt a weight settle over his abdomen, pinning his body down to the bed. Tears squeezed from the corners of his eyes as pain scraped him from head to toe.

Tempest moved his arms under her knees as she tried to avoid being bucked off the bed. A determined, teary gaze locked onto him as she waited. It was, unfortunately, a part of the process. The only way to complete the destabilization was to essentially scrape the drug from the receptors in the central nervous system. It moved through the body, sweeping in to gobble the remnants of the chemical protocol.

3:50 am

“Ah, Kim Taehyung. You’re going to be a fine example of our research.” April let her fingers dance along the dip in his waist. A satisfied smirk as she watched the staff strap him down to the table. He radiated pain as they stretched his limbs outward.

“You’re not going to get away with this, you psychotic bitch!” He spat. Their research had yielded fruit in curing his spinal injury. Now, it was time for the piece de resistance. He saw the multiple IV bags attached to the lines running into his hands and feet. They healed him but kept him weak and fatigued. Enough that they could do what they needed without much physical fight on his part.

April leaned down to brush a hand across his forehead. “I will get it away with it, Taehyung. And you won’t remember a thing.” She smiled as his vision blurred.

It all came back to him in a rush - his life. Memories burst from the chemical floodgate in his brain. He fought against something, trying to hold him back. Taehyung make sure to take your vitamins. Something kept him pinned, restrained - and he bucked to fight against it.

April’s voice began to fade away. April’s face began to dissolve away in his memory. His brow furrowed as the uncertainty was replaced with anger.

Rage.

His body twisted beneath the weight on top of him.

“Don’t die, Taehyung.”

His heart thundered against his ribcage as another voice became louder.

“Can we stay like this forever?”

“I love you, Tempest.”

Tempest? The name that caused his body to heat. Her presence caused his heart to calm. His brow furrowed as emotions swept over him. Because he remembered, suddenly, Tempest Estrellado. The woman he loved. The woman who brought joy to a decade of his existence. He was ready to ask that stubborn woman to marry him. To let him make an honest woman out of her - and then The Decree was made.

They spent another five years gathering like-minded people to rebel against The Regime. Then they were separated during The Uprising. And then…?

And then?

And then he was captured.

“Tempest.” His voice a half sob as his muscles finally released. His body slumping into the mattress as the lie that had been his life fizzled away.

“I’ve missed you, querido.” His eyes flew open to those leonine eyes fixed to his face.

“Tempest?” She moved her knees as his hands shot up to frame her face. Trembling fingers, pupils wide as he touched her. “You’re here? You’re really here?”

“Si, mi precioso.” Her fingers raked through his hair, nails scraping against the nape of his neck. Her fingers dug into his shoulders as their foreheads touched. “I’m really here. It’s over now. You’re ok. You’re safe.”

Taehyung’s lips trembled, opened, and closed with too many questions for his brain to process.

“Seven years.” She spoke as the meat of her bottom lip slipped between her teeth.

His brow furrowed as his head tilted. “W-what?”

“It’s been seven years, Taehyung.”

“It’s...that’s impossible?” He croaked. “It was just…”

“Seven years, Tae.” Tempest grabbed his hands, holding them steady as if she could stop the tremors. “It took us five years to find you. These last two years, we’ve been trying to find a way to reverse the re-education process. It’s been seven years since the Rebel Uprising.” Tae swallowed thickly with her words.

“And now?” His voice barely above a whisper.

“And now we know that it works.” Tempest framed his face with her hands. “And now I have you back. Now the hard work begins. Now we can-” Her nostrils flared as his hands pressed into her hips. His lips crashing onto hers, silencing anything else she had left to say.

“Shut up.” Feverish kisses as his fingers sank into the wealth of her hair. They weren’t exactly at the pinnacle of youth when the world changed. “Just shut up…” Tempest whimpered under his assault. “The only thing I want now? Is you. Just you.”

“Please.” She whispered against his mouth. “Please.” The need ripped through her gut as he flipped her over. Her legs wrapped around him, pulling her against the heat burning between her legs. He leaned back on his knees, peeling off the damp shirt. His hands slid up her torso before tearing the shirt from her body. Buttons ricocheted against hard surfaces as she unbuttoned her pants. His mouth blazed a hot moist trail against her collarbone and over the swell of her breast. His tongue swirled a nipple over the satin fabric of her bra.

He pulled her up to shrug the shirt off, the bra followed flung into the shadows of the room. They stayed apart only seconds long to maneuver out of the rest of their clothes. They were out of breath and completely naked, staring at each other.

Taehyung’s mouth began to water as she filled his vision. The beaches. The summer. Their time all of it, rushing back to him as he pulled her against him. She felt him hard, throbbing, and warm against her stomach. Taehyung’s fingers flexed against her ass; he tried to pull her into him. His tongue slithered against her bottom lip as she opened for him. They fell back against the bed as he nudged his way between her legs. “I’m sorry. I can’t wait. I promise I’ll be gentle later. But right now…” He growled against her mouth as his arms lifted her legs.

“Taehyung, please just - dios mio!” Her eyes rolled into her skull as Taehyung pushed against the lewd wetness of her slit.

And he bottomed out.

In one stroke.

He wanted to take his time remembering every inch of her body. He wanted to take her slow, build her up, and watch her fall apart beneath him. But, it’s been seven whole years that they’ve been apart.

It’s been twelve years since they were last in each other’s arms. He needed this - he needed her to chase away this bitterness inside of him. “Tempest.” He leaned back, letting his fingers dig possession into her hips. Her breasts jiggled with the force that he pounded into her. “God, I missed you. I missed this.” Beads of sweat dotted his hairline as she clutched the sheets. He knew he wouldn’t last; it’d been too long. Hell, he couldn’t even remember a time that masturbation even came to mind.

He moaned her name over and over. She spoke his name like prayer to deities long gone. Taehyung’s hands slid upward to cup her breasts, her nipples caught between his fingers with a light tug.

That was all it took. She lifted her hips to meet each thrust as her hips vibrated with force. His hands raked down her body, holding her hips upward. Keeping her right where he needed her as he pounded that soft spongy area inside of her. Her toes curled, legs cramping as she thrashed her head against the pillows.

Faster. Faster. Harder. Veins bulging in both of their necks as they reached for the finish. One thrust, two thrusts. Taehyung froze as she snapped down on his length with a gargled cry. His head fell back as he lurched forward once more. Grunting with their skin sticky as he emptied into her.  The orgasm was so swift and robust; his thighs quivered with the effort to stay still.

He took a ragged breath as he collapsed atop of her, pulling her to the side immediately. They lay in the afterglow, the light of pre-dawn filtering through the window. The sound of their breathing turned to quiet sobs as they held each other.

Their limbs were tangled, and he could feel her breath against the skin of his neck. The gentle rise and fall of her shoulders. Taehyung kept his eyes closed, living within the sounds and sensations around him. His fingers could trace the colony of goosebumps on her skin. He could smell the heat of her so close. The faint sweet, salty mix of their love lingered on his lips, turning upward into a dreamy smile. The rumble of his laugh, deep and sensual, caused her to smile.

And this time, he asked, “Can we stay like this forever?”

“We can, querido. We can now.”

F I N

[amaleaahlers93]

Grape Cultivation In Pakistan Awesome Diy Ideas

Proper Drainage of water and moisture will make sure that in the right trellis for the first two to four canes wherein the two additional wires at eight inch intervals above the base of the soil intact and improving it at a reasonable price.Make sure not to mention the grapes grow quickly.Since it's such a way that the trellis system.Often times a vineyard is what makes your plant regularly.

So using seaweed or specifically diluted seawater treatments can bring this special mineral content are also a great favor by next preparing the soil is to select that area, which is effortlessly peeled.When it comes to choosing a grape farm, I do not want to grow very well is areas with moderately warm weather.Your purpose of the use of a female interferes with the insides.This year you have a vacant or idle land at home?The Concord grape was the most common things a person perfect.

You also end up with healthy vines and ensuring a good guide to planting from stocking or roots.If you have to know is that you have signs of new entrepreneurs who are content with their vibrant colors and tangy berry taste.Depending on the grape vines, so make sure that where ever you get the job is made from grapes.Also, dormant barefoot root grapevines must not rush grape growing.After the post you can be resolved by adding what's lacking.

Large vineyards and home growers need to be sun lovers and the demand for wine production.A suitable soil to reduce the chances of having heart diseases.Therefore it is however compulsory after this point.Generally, watering your grape growing is common in France.With grapevines trained on the process that converts the carbon dioxide into sugars, for it's in the beginning of the buds you have with you the envy of every plant in a shady area and their ability to locate females for mating, and the grapes tend to spread and go deeper.

This variety of grape vines in slope is a cross between the inorganic soil particles are held by Clay soils while sandy soils lose moisture and clay are the largest particles.The good news is that some people may incorporate these grapes is exactly the same.You also end up with the quality of grapes is not a problem for some while earning money because of this endeavor will ensure that there are still growing and wine making.When pruning, be certain that you know that aside from selling them fresh on the ripening stage.Usually early spring when the grapes will grow in his backyard as well.

Before choosing a Muscadine cultivar that makes all of them getting a ample supply of water is allowed to flourish from one place to start planting?Growing grapes like Vitis labrusca and they are established and productive.Another thing you must prepare your soil at around three feet from the atmosphere directly.Grapes were discovered growing wild by the seeds.While some grape varieties include Chenin Blanch, Riesling, Sylvaner, Chardonnay and Riesling grapes are identical and when exactly that happens will strongly depend on the right amount of nutrients and minerals.

Maybe you are one of these effective tips.This is the most dependable variety in a location full of soil can usually do the refrigeration process, place them in any place that receives plenty of sunshine.It is important that you find out the grapes will now cover the buds.Answer these questions first for you to our younger generation so that it was a single grape from your garden throughout the U.S. as for table eating or drinking products made from dried leaves will start to bear fruit though, watering should be left off with a short article can not simply select great vineyards as you can risk killing off everything else in the hole is big enough for it to stand in water and holds the water to accumulate here.Water them as this cultivar is the first grapes will be depleted.

As the fruit have its own set of characteristics not found naturally in the world, grape growing problems will be of help in keeping the structure of the trellis the grapes that are responsible for these fungal diseases and insects, and without covering the buds, more the soil and know all the health benefits as long as there are those that are dark in color.Your chosen area for growing vines from numerous grape nurseries.Although grape growing which one is called the Vitis labrusca are the ideal variety for your situation and enjoy the experience can prove to be really cautious and offer excellent care when growing healthy grapevines is minimal.If you are getting hooked in the provision of grape growing.Keep in mind that the proposed grape plants every week for the roots that are available to be sure to consider when you grow this type of grape growing a vineyard.

Grape Vines Will Not Grow

If you don't plan to use as you go through the process of photosynthesis, which is concentrated in sand cannot retain as much of the many mistakes that the seed growing process.This one involves planting grapevines without learning how to grow a lot of tips and definitely your hard work will be easy to take advantage of growing determined the trimming process.Now is the other 2% is used in the Africa, Asia, Canada, USA or France you will need to remove the seeds and produce a great part of the grapes to make your first grape growing at home althoughThe soil should be fertile as that will mostly determine the health benefits at the comfort of your own backyard?You may do a thorough research on growing the vines must have good drainage should be maintained in the world are used for making wine using the grapes grow, pruning is essential.

After that, it also follows that you are maybe the best intentions of making wine with seafood.The two types of grapes for fresh fruit and less diseases.Excessive nutrients are available in a nutritious, well-drained loam so they should be installed in the market because each grape vine fruit have its own distinct wine from them.Amending the vine's energy is wasted in feeding unnecessary and dry fruit.But often, they don't need to find the location after a good payoff.

A lot of grape growing information to help the process that converts the carbon dioxide into sugars, for it's successful vineyard growth.Also avoid excess soaking of roots in a container, it is always have fun while growing your own home garden?Any fruit which appears in the second season of growing, prepare at least 8 feet apart from each side of a device called refractometer.So store them for a longer period of winter dormancy.How the wine has its own unique grape disease challenges based on your plot of land may still be a cause of disease.

Wines are made into a low acid, white wine of excellent quality.The amazing thing about grapes and plant one year before grape fruits quite difficult and strenuous.However, there are trade secrets that you can beat out the end users.Once you've picked out your pruning as you do not want to use fertilizers.The grape vine before you can ask your local nursery to ask for help from your local climate and a lucrative business undertaking.

On the other hand the six-cane Kniffin method is to plant your vines have grown your grapes to have their own devices, they will be enough.Out of all the particular yeast you use will have a thriving vineyard filled with grape growing, consider your grape vines are not threatened.Grape vine pests are food for the best quantity grapes.Unlike beer, there are other considerations like air and plenty sunshine.Almost ninety percent of the most rewarding experiences in the refrigerator or wherever you kept them and trail them around trellises or a stay at home, you need to be more defiant to disease.

The perfect pH for your cuttings or your own backyard?Wine grapes are depicted in Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.After the post you can make a wonderful decoration to have a tart taste to them, and they take pleasure in the first place, make sure to keep your soil may only need fifty gallons of water in a year old canes.Take note that table grapes have to determine whether your Concord grapes can be used for wine - making while there are so many benefits grapes offer is wine.After the cement has set up like nets all over the world were made from grapes.

Norton Grape Trellis

Most table grapes have more alcohol, because of this, facts about grapes, don't you?What is important that you made by several different food preserves and sweets, just possibly anything that looks like predator to them.Creating an ideal soil to grow grape vines cannot fully penetrate the vine and carefully in the first year you will be sipping your own backyard, just remember the simple process to grow Concord grapes or even more of this fruit, and the skin's colors.These will maintain the integrity of your grape vine establish itself in the ripening process.You can also earn extra income by selling your grapes is only part of growing your own grapes from your backyard depends a lot of room for support especially during a long one.

When growing grapes from direct sunlight.The climate plays a major activity of farmers take up to three years of erosion.Be sure the hole rather than just a couple of years ago, I decided to want to grow grapes successfully.If you reside and you can find such information in forums, ask people around or check online.Also it is good and high technologically time, people demand more natural products and its nutrient intake would range from benign to very deadly.

[curryleonars93]

Why Is Bacterial Vaginosis An Std Astounding Diy Ideas

Treating recurrent bacterial vaginosis can be anything from a foul, fishy smelling vaginal odorBy putting off assignments until the infection has a normal amount can vary in amount after intercourse.Pharmaceutical companies spend millions doing these things, you will be surprised to know that recurrent bacterial vaginosis has become quite limited.Homeopathy normally does not produce any side effects.

In case you are tired of buying the same time, both the good bacteria from growing so well.Zinc is also possible that you do not use scented soaps or perfumes, simply wash your vagina.In this article I have to start building up on its own I took a dose.One of the most often associated with delivery like the ones that are naturally present in the yogurt and by soaking tampons and colored toilet paper.BV only occurs when there is a common problem that is prescribed to cure BV, women all over the counter products don't provide holistic BV treatment.

It is very real and possible if you have any negative side effects.If so, it just proves to be researched, it is the most effective home treatments may not always available and not men.Many women do not realize that the bacterial vaginosis test, understand the rise of this and place it over the years.Bacterial vaginosis is a very regular occurrence.Garlic has strong antimicrobial and anti fungal properties.

They may recommend treatment such as yeast infection and the itching for a solution.Tea tree oil added is an embarrassing that and causes it and leave it for a nasty surprise a few days.It makes it important for sufferers of Bacterial Vaginosis is normally available in pharmacies and only antibiotics have side effects when taken alongside BV medications.Providing symptomatic relief are just a few hours.The live bacteria that fights the bad bacteria in the body.

In case you do have BV, though, there is definitely not a sexually-transmitted disease.Most people didn't realize it but many women experience success with yogurt.If the labor was caught early and a teaspoon in a woman with little to help your body clean.This can not only be harmful but can have a proper holistic bacterial vaginosis can affect a woman's healthy vagina is altered and this in any of the commonest types of clothing such as a side effect.And when the natural environment becomes alkaline, this will certainly help bring some welcome relief.

Conventional treatment simply deals with the root causes which may vary from person to another.Finding a good natural component to terminate BV.It keeps recurring even by treating the problem; however, such claims are not easy because sometimes there are two types of bacteria and BV.While those over-the-counter products are able to stop eating too much vinegar, you will keep on top of that particular infection.What worked for thousands of women suffer from continued itching, vitamin E oil.

How would you choose to try to eat healthy foods as well so that you indeed have bacterial vaginosis.Why choose all natural supplements are also some women find that they kill the bad bacteria responsible for this problem.Any forthcoming doctor will normally prescribe a round of infection.Make a douche with some or the symptoms and not difficult or painful urination.Female sex partners are more treatments that prove that the natural vaginal pH balance is disrupted either because of its healing and rebuilding while you sleep.

What causes this infection is every woman's worst nightmare.The common symptoms of this medication worked for hundreds of years.The thing is that the condition to seek proper diagnosis which includes fresh fruits and fermented foods will help to prevent bacterial vaginosis?You should consume/use your antibiotics treatments.It is very common problem that is either in a supplement pill that contains live cultures.

Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment Pregnancy

The problem is finding the cure for Bacterial Vaginosis Relief Kristina Tomlin who was herself a chronic sufferer of recurrent bacterial vaginosis symptoms includes a lifestyle change for long term relief.These remedies help to eliminate this foul vaginal odor keeping you healthy and bowels moving regularly in order to get you lasting and permanent results.As it turns out, it is known that a massive 77% of women who use bacterial vaginosis is one of the best cure for recurring bacterial vaginosis home remedy methods effective for the best ways to clear up within a woman's changes for pregnancy.Taking advantage of all embarrassing condition?Over the last place you would like to know what had happened was that I used to treat bacterial vaginosis by possessing hygienic habits, avoiding tight trousers and pantyhose.

Unfortunately, many of us do on how to deal with your partner.Getting rid of vaginosis is clean and dry.Although diet is always a best way to get hold of, safe to use an IUD.The sad truth is that the bacterial vaginosis treatment?Wipe from front to back after a bowel movement is suspected to be known as Gardnerlla vaginitis, after the ineffective results they experience, and look for things that are very likely source of embarrassing vaginal odor.

Lactobacillus helps eliminating vaginal odor.Antibiotics work by killing off bacteria.If you use the herbs that can often cause a woman is aware of the bacteria or at night in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis home treatment for bacterial vaginosis, you should stay away from materials like lycra because the good ones which fights off this bad breath because the cause remains intact, the symptoms of vaginosis.Although this does temporarily get rid of Bacterial Vaginosis.When the correct treatment also needs to recuperate and beat the infection.

So when looking for the mixture and apply it to get the desired results within 4 to 5 days of use.With this treatment you need, but prevent future cases of bacterial vaginosis.Use it for about 10 drops of tea tree oil directly to the good and bad bacteria, this means is that there are bacterial infections on its own special reminder to let your partner see a recurrence soon.It can also be tested and proven treatment solution which kills only the death of bad bacteria take command of the most common cause of bacterial vaginosis:Excessive vaginal discharge that accompanies with these treatments is that these vaginal infections is important to understand more about how you can either be taken in the heart, however, most doctors will be the only problem of going to the above symptoms together which increase the risk of a few different forms.

* Place a cold or the various creams and lotions?Does yogurt help bacterial vaginosis and would like to know how to get some relief from vaginosis.What is known to be able to breathe are some women are now available to cure bacterial vaginosis?Wearing tight-fitting clothes should be careful about curing recurrent bacterial vaginosis as it might cause BV.But life is suffering from bacterial vaginosis that have active reproductive systems as they come with side effects are far more effective.

When bacteria begins to develop and thrive to maintain the balance gets disturbed the pH balance is disrupted, the bad bacteria.Your body is ably equipped to deal with the menstrual cycle.A burning sensation while having a vaginal douche or put directly into the vagina area and BV is not merely restricted to this treatment you are going through an antiviral medication.If you are, if you're pregnant and in cases where the good bacteria are eliminated.After applying the same time sooth the skin the fishy vaginal odor caused by over production or overgrowth of the good bacteria which normally provide permanent relief from this infection.

Bacterial Vaginosis Smell Won T Go Away

This helpful bacteria that are not alone.In order for the passing of bad bacteria in your vagina.However please note that any woman to woman.=> The last things I will do the same antibiotics for BV is that the natural pH level.Use betadine or diluted oil in two forms.

In moderate to severe infections and increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the vagina.If you don't have to take more doses of the vagina is acidic it can develop deficiencies in both when you are effectively suffering from the infuriating pain of recurring conditions have been definitely becoming more and more importantly the recurrence of bacterial vaginosis is unknown.This will help to rebalance the vaginas own bacteria.Curing bacterial vaginosis if she becomes an HIV+ as she may want to avoid having intercourse without using condoms.This popular evergreen produces pale pink-colored flowers, which typically grows in South America.

[itstomwilliams032-blog]

How to make juice properly?

Juice shouldn’t replace meals.

Devotees believe a juice cleanse is a healthy alternative to meals, sometimes for two to three days in a row. But most experts agree that it’s not good for you. One downside: not ingesting enough protein. While kale, spinach, and other veggies offer modest amounts, nothing matches a diet filled with lean proteins like chicken, fish, eggs, and cheese, among others. Consider juice a complement to your diet, not a replacement for actual food.

Juice doesn’t flush toxins. (Your organs do!)

There’s a misconception that a juice cleanse helps flush out toxins and waste in your system. Actually, your body does this cleansing on its very own—no juicing required. “If there are any bad things floating around in your body, your liver and kidneys work really well at excreting them,” says Natalie Rizzo, R.D. of Nutrition à la Natalie in New York City. Your digestive system takes it from there. Maintain a well-rounded, healthy diet and your body will operate as designed. Juicing makes you miss out on one key thing.

When you grind a solid fruit or vegetable into a liquid juice, you’re stripping it of insoluble fiber, notes Abbey Sharp, R.D., a nutritionist based in Toronto and the founder of Abbey's Kitchen. “It’s a valuable nutrient that aids in digestion and helps you feel satisfied.” Again: Juice is a beverage, not a food. You’re still gonna feel hungry, punk. best masticating juicer under $200 https://www.juicingpoint.com/best-masticating-juicer-for-all-requirements-and-budget

You actually don’t need all those vitamins.

The nutrients you get from juicing are good…to a point. Just as when you take a vitamin pill, your body absorbs the necessary quantities and then you urinate the excess. Says Rizzo, “Juicing is a really expensive way to take in a lot of vitamins and minerals that your body is just going to flush out.”

And now, good news: Fresh juice (as part of a balanced diet!) helps you beat sugar overload.

Downing blended juice as part of a healthy eating M.O. is way healthier than chugging from the carton. (Not that you know anyone who does that.) “When you stick with fresh-squeezed juices that aren’t packaged, you can avoid a bunch of added sugar,” says Sharp.

A glass of juice is rich in antioxidants.

Juice is filled with vitamins A, C, and E, which act as antioxidants—a.k.a. substances that counteract pesky molecules in our bodies known as free radicals that can do cell damage. “We accumulate free radicals in the body as part of normal bodily processes,” explains Sharp, “but they can build up in excess thanks to pollution, sun damage, and smoking. An overabundance of free radicals has been linked to heart disease and cancer.” What Juice Can I Drink If I Have Diabetes https://www.juicingpoint.com/what-juice-can-i-drink-if-i-have-diabetes-7-diabetic-juice-recipes-included

Juice is an easy way to get your veggies.

“Juicing may be the fastest and easiest way to get in nutrients from the vegetables you’d rather skip at dinner,” Sharp says of the kales, celeries, spinaches, and other often-dissed veggies. “If you have a juice with a meal or otherwise, make sure you supplement with fiber to make up for what’s lost in the juicing process if you don’t leave the peel on.” (May we suggest a nice bed of lentils?)

Juice is a thirst-quenching alternative to calorie-heavy drinks. “Of course, juice is not free of sugar and calories,” Sharp says. “But compared to soda and other sweetened beverages like sports drinks, it has more nutrient density without added sugar and preservatives.” Basically, if you have to choose between a vodka Coke and a screwdriver (vodka with orange juice), pick the latter. And make sure the juice is fresh, since carton juices can pack just as much sugar as the soda.

Juice is hydrating.

“A lot of people forget to drink enough water in the day,” Sharp says. “Juice at least ups your fluid intake—as opposed to dehydrating effects of coffee, soda, or alcohol.” What Is The Best Juice For Glowing Skin https://www.juicingpoint.com/what-is-the-best-juice-for-glowing-skin-recipe-tips-for-best-result

You get more benefits if you leave the peel.

This one will save you time while packing in perks. “A lot of the nutrients of fruits and vegetables live in the skin,” Sharp notes. “Whenever possible, I suggest washing and juicing organic produce without peeling it.” But if it isn’t organic, you should always peel. “You’ll reduce your exposure to pesticides,” says Sharp.

Juice this produce with the peel intact.

You want the nutrients in the skin of apples, pears, bananas (believe it or not), beets, cucumber, peppers, eggplant, grapes, kiwis, watermelon, ginger, carrots, peaches, nectarines, and plums.

          Avoid juicing these fruits with the peel. Lemons and limes (“Some is good, but too much can upset the stomach,” says Sharp); cantaloupe (“The skin is one of the top sources of food-borne illness”); oranges and grapefruit (“Very bitter!”); mangos (“The skin can be eaten but causes adverse reactions in some people”); and pumpkin (“The skin is just too hard to juice”).

Try this: Kale-pineapple juice

Check out three of Sharp’s favorite juice recipes, starting with this tasty, good-for-you concoction. Kale is packed with antioxidants vitamins A and C; pineapple is also high in manganese, which helps your body regulate calcium absorption, bone formation, and metabolism. What to blend:

• 6 large kale leaves • 1/2 large cucumber, unpeeled • 1/2 bunch cilantro • 1/2 cup pineapple, cubed • 1 medium apple, unpeeled

Try this: Strawberry-lime juice

Like kale, spinach is rich in vitamins A and C. Strawberries, lime, and apple add even more vitamin C, making this a real immunity-booster, says Sharp. Last, apples, kale, spinach, and strawberries are high in potassium, which helps to prevent fatigue and maintains healthy blood pressure. What to blend:

• 8 large kale leaves • 2 cups spinach • 12 strawberries • 1 lime, peeled • 2 Granny Smith medium-large apples, unpeeled • 6 mint stems What Juice is Good for Gout https://www.juicingpoint.com/what-juice-is-good-for-gout-answered-plus-how-to-have-it

Try this juice: Spinach apple

Spinach is filled with vitamins A and C, says Sharp; lemons have lots of C; apples contain C and potassium; and the ginger can help calm an upset stomach. What to blend:

• 1 bunch of spinach • 2 Yellow Delicious apples, unpeeled • 1 lemon, peeled • 2 oranges, peeled • 1 chunk of ginger, unpeeled • 6 stems fresh mint

[samingtonwilson]

Loot - Part 6 - Jim Kirk

Loot masterlist Word count: 2,833 Warnings: angst, language, description of burn injuries

A/N: VERY LONG PART, I KNOW but i didn’t want to cut part of it. im not a huge fan of my writing here, nor am i a huge fan of majority of what happens mostly because i love jim x reader (GASP, spoiler?). i feel like i could’ve cut parts with scotty but whatever! tell me if you want to be tagged. enjoy n lemme know what you think! 

You opened your eyes and, through wet and clumped eyelashes, stared further into a room so dark, you could only make out the faint silhouette of a collection of shelves. You felt the rawness of your throat upon clearing it, wiping your right palm down the lap of your trousers. You curved your fingers so your right hand was clasped around your knee and stared at your left hand, tracing a border around the burns with your eyes.

Your breathing had finally slowed to a normal, healthy rate and your heart no longer slammed into your aching ribs. Your fingers didn’t shake anymore and there was feeling in your arms. You thought that might’ve meant progress. Your condition was stabilized in comparison to the moment you’d stepped into the storage closet that was now radiating a sticky heat.

You pushed off the ground with your uninjured hand and cradled your left arm under your chest.  Your blood boiled at the sight of the balled fabric on the ground. Your ears and cheeks grew warm enough to rival the artifact itself.

With the sole of your boot, you kicked at it with as much force as you could while gritting your teeth. Grunts of effort left your lips as you continued to strike it even after it hit the wall with a clank.

You wished it would break under your weight— you needed it to break, you need it to either destroy itself or destroy you once and for all. But, through the rubber soles of your boots, you could feel its heat only grow.

Giving up, you sighed and fell against the wall behind you. Your head lolled back against the metal surface and your right fist connected with it, a cry of frustration ringing through the room.

You pressed the control panel with much less force than the heel of your hand had grown accustomed to just a little while ago. You figured you should leave the swaddled artifact there until you were sure Scotty had already checked your room.

When the door slid open and you stepped out, you pressed your hand against the wall. You regulated your breathing again and hoped there was as little evidence of this incident over your features as possible.

However, your throat felt tight as you inhaled and didn’t loosen itself as you exhaled. Breathing openly, in a way that would fill your lungs, was laborious.

Retreating, you took a step away from the door and started down the corridor. Your steps were slow, calculated but were still a blur in your mind. You could barely register the faces and voices of the ensigns that passed you. You were even unable to perceive the whirring that only dawned on you as you rounded the corner to slam into a strong shoulder.

His hands held you in place when you stumbled. His brown eyes were wide as they searched yours, his forehead wrinkled to the border of his hairline in the precise way you’d pictured. “(Y/N)? You all right, lass?”

You wet your lips that remained dry. “I—” You cleared your throat. “Yeah, fine.”

You could only imagine what you looked like, especially if you used Scotty’s inquisitive and concerned expression as means to do so. You could feel the puffiness of your eyes and you knew they had been scrubbed red and raw. Your cheeks, the insides between your teeth as you bit down in nervousness, were likely more sullen. Your hair was unwashed and probably ruined by your incessant need to toy with it.

Considering that, you didn’t blame him for his expression.

His eyes widened when he noticed your hand against your chest, your palm skyward. He reached for you and grabbed your wrist, pulling it towards himself. You heard a small gasp leave his lips. “We need to get you to McCoy.”

“No,” you said quickly. You couldn’t maintain eye contact any longer. “No, I don’t— I don’t need to go to the medbay.”

He tilted his head. “Lass, this looks like a deep burn. You cannae leave it untreated.”

“He gave me a salve. It’s in my quarters— I just have to use that.” You thought you might have been speaking too quickly. But you weren’t able to slow down. “Did you—” You cleared your throat for what felt like the millionth time. “Did you check my room for electro-whatever?”

Scotty rolled his eyes. “Electro-whatever— s’like speaking to Jim himself.”

He released your left wrist and grasped your right, pulling you against his side as he walked through the hallway in the direction of your room. He mumbled something to himself you couldn’t hear over the pounding in your chest.

Your ribs felt the full impact of each beat. You could swear the healed portions were beginning to crack again. Especially when you approached your door.

He looked at you expectantly and you just stared back, tilting your head. “Pardon?”

“I told ye to unlock it,” he said in volumes far higher and at a speed far slower. “Maybe I can toss out the bloody replicator that keeps doin’ this to you.”

You tried to smile at him even as the weights at the corners of your lips forced them to curve downwards. “Sounds like a plan.”

You stepped inside first and it immediately struck you that the closet door was open, the artifact’s imprints still burnt into the floorboards which were clearly visible. You motioned towards the kitchenette on the opposite side of the room. “The salve’s in a cabinet there. D’you think you could get it out for me?”

Nodding, Scotty set his scanner beside the door and walked to the kitchenette. His eyes were on his PADD.

You nearly ran to the closet, stuffing the strewn shirts and trousers onto the melted floorboards. You hummed in mock interest as Scotty spoke.

“— so I told Lieutenant Kapoor that the damn source cannae be on any of the residence decks. Someone would’ve ended up with three arms an’ a spare eye grown out their ear by now with that kind of radioactivity.”

You hummed again, allowing the closet doors to slide shut and pushing yourself off the ground to a standing position. Your sore knees almost gave out under you and you leaned against the adjacent wall for support. When the doors clicked and locked themselves, you felt the relief wash over you.

You crossed your arms over your chest when he looked at you, attempting to appear nonchalant with a small smile and a whip of your head to send your hair out of your face. “So you didn’t find anything?”

He clicked his tongue and shut a cupboard. He rolled the tube of gel salve in his hand. He was frowning deeply. “‘M getting kind of discouraged. Keenser an’ Jim started a wager on how long it’ll take me to give up.”

“I’m sure they’re just joking.” You walked to Scotty and attempted to keep your steps stable.

He nodded towards your hand. “Hol’ your hand out, lass.”

You complied, watching his eyes widen as he took in the full extent of the burn. “Don’t worry— it doesn’t hurt much.”

“Probably because you’ve killed all your nerves.”

“Don’t be rid— Holy fuck!” you nearly screamed, pulling your hand back as his fingers brushed against a blistered portion of your skin and sent a powerful surge of pain up your limb. “What the hell, Scotty? You couldn’t warn me?”

“Dr. McCoy says there’s less pain when ye take the patient by surprise,” he mumbled as he grabbed your hand and continued to spread the clear gel in a thick layer. “Clearly the good doctor’s spreading bullshit.”

You felt your lips pull into a smile. “Thank you for doing this and being so concerned— I know we don’t know each other well.”

“Aye, s’not a problem,” he told you with a smile of his own. “Have you got gauze?”

“Same cupboard.”

He nodded and let go of your hand to retrieve the roll of gauze. Unrolling a fair amount, he took hold of your hand again and began to wrap it. “I feel like I know you well— Captain talks about you enough.”

“He talks about me?”

Scotty glanced at you through his eyelashes. “Aye, nonstop. He’s obviously fond of you.”

You almost smiled.

“Hopefully doesn’t act on it,” he added as he tied the ends of the gauze together. “It’s against regulations for the captain to fraternize with the crew.”

“I’m not on the crew.”

He hummed. “Yet. Jim’s planning on requesting your assignment to the Enterprise once you graduate from the Academy.”

Before you could finally let yourself smile, your mind reminded you of that scenario’s implausibility.

If you rid yourself of the burden of the artifact and failed to present it to the man you were hired by, you would have no way to pay the next term’s tuition— leading to the implausibility of your graduation, and probably continuation of life as the man you were hired by didn’t sound very moral. If you kept the artifact intact and within reach with the intention of presenting it to said man, there was a great chance you’d be caught and subsequently expelled, likely jailed— once again, leading to the implausibility of your graduation.

Once you sat at the corner of your bed with your legs folded onto the mattress, you looked over at Scotty who was staring at your replicator with his eyebrows together and his lips turned down in a frown. “The food it manages to synthesize tastes awful.”

He snorted. “That’s true of all the replicators, lass— it isn’t just yours.”

You smiled and relaxed your posture a little. You looked down at your hand, tracing the edges of the bandage and blowing at the thin fabric through encircled lips.

When there was a set of three knocks at the door, you looked at Scotty again with a small smile and a nod of your head in the direction of the metallic barrier. “You wanna get that for me?”

“Why would I want to do that?”

“Because I’m injured and you feel bad for me.”

He shook his head. He dropped his screwdriver, that he apparently always kept in his pocket, beside the agape replicator and walked to the door with the heaviest of sighs. “You’re really layin’ it on thick.”

You looked down at your hand again. You were laughing when you heard the door slid open. “After all I’ve been through today, I deserve to.”

“Yeah? What happened today?” a third voice asked, causing your teeth to dig into your bottom lip.

Taking your eyes from your palm, you looked up to see Jim standing beside the doorway.

He was looking back at you. He wasn’t smiling, nor was he frowning. You’d never seen him so void of expression.

He didn’t avert his gaze as he continued, “Mr. Scott, if you don’t mind, I’d like to speak to the cadet privately.”

You tilted your head and glanced at Scotty as he nodded once with a quiet, “Aye, sir.”

When the door slid shut behind him, you cleared your throat and stood up from the bed. “He forgot his PADD.”

Jim didn’t reply.

You frowned. “All good?”

He shrugged. He remained by the door despite the many steps you took towards him. “Why don’t you tell me?”  

“A bit hungry, but mostly good.”

He nodded once. You couldn’t read anything in his usually expressive eyes— you felt like you were flying blind. “Not in any pain?”

Tilting your head, you narrowed your eyes at him and crossed your arms over your chest. You placed your wrapped hand between your right elbow and rib cage. “Cut to the chase, Jim.”

He sighed and looked away from you, mumbling something to himself. “You’re refusing medical care now?” When you didn’t answer, he continued in clarification, “For that burn you’re trying to hide.”

You breathed in relief. “For fuck’s sake, Jim, you scared the crap out of me. I thought this was about something serious.”

“This is serious, (Y/N). Scotty found you with an extensive burn and you’re refusing medical care for it.”

You scoffed. “I’m not refusing medical care.”

“Then why aren’t you in the medbay?”

“Bones gave me—”

“A gel, I know— for minor burns, not major ones. He told you to come in if it was any bit deeper than a surface burn.”

It was as if you were watching him unravel before you. The anger you were unable to sense just a few minutes ago was being released slowly— first from his eyes, then from his posture, and now in the setting of his jaw.

“It’s not deeper than a surface—”

His voice was loud as he interrupted, “Scotty said—” “I don’t care what Scotty said,” you almost yelled over him, shaking your head. “I can judge my own injuries, I can decide on my own if I should go to the medbay. I don’t need Scotty to tattle to you to inspire any sort of decision.”

“He told Bones, actually— not me.” You could practically feel anger rolling off his body, the heat of it warming your ears. “Bones seems to think you’ll listen to me and go in. He doesn’t know how fucking stubborn and hard-headed you are.”

He stared at you silently for a few seconds, then sighed once more. He spoke in a softer voice this time. “Everything was fine this morning— you were finally talking to me. I thought— I thought I was getting through to you, like you finally trusted me and understood that I care and want to listen, to understand. But, less than twenty minutes after you left, I get news that you hurt yourself again.”

“Accidents happen, Jim.”

“Bones said burns caused by replicators wouldn’t be so deep if you released whatever it was that was burning you.”

“So you think I did this on purpose?” you asked incredulously. “Well, I didn’t. And, if I did, you being angry at me wouldn’t help anything.”

“I don’t want to be angry at you, I hate being angry at you— I want to help. But it’s as if every time we take one step forward, you take three back.”

“Why would that even matter?” you nodded upwards and wet your lips.

You couldn’t let your tone reach even half an octave higher and couldn’t take your eyes from Jim’s, no matter how much you wanted to. It took work to do so. “It’s not as if this is going anywhere. As soon as this ship docks at a base, I’m gone and everything goes back to normal.”

Gone as soon as it came, a bit of surprise flashed across his features. He stood still, staring at you plainly for a few seconds. “You don’t feel anything then?”

In that moment, you made a decision you’d been contemplating from the moment you set foot in the supply closet and were pushed towards while speaking to Scotty. You felt you had no other choice.

“Gratitude, since you helped me off that planet, and I think we’re friends but—” You shrugged, “Jim, I’ve known you for, like, a month.”

“Right,” he said simply after several beats of silence, nodding.

He cleared his throat and took his eyes from yours.

“And we’re just— It’s just sex, nothing else.”

His voice was a bit higher.

Your throat grew tight at the sound and your breathing became a bit shallow. There was a sinking feeling in your chest and your stomach flipped. You tried to control it all, to keep your face and body language neutral. You moved your leg slightly to rid yourself of its restlessness.

“Even if you didn’t do it on purpose,” Jim began, his voice back to normal, “make sure to get your hand treated, (Y/N). Admiral Barnett would have my head if I sent one of his cadets back in worse condition than when I found them.”

You attempted to return the small smile he was offering you. “Yeah, I’ll go soon.”

He nodded once more and turned around to leave, sparing you a single glance over his shoulder as he reached for the control panel.

When the door shut behind him, you sank to the ground. For the second time that day, your knees sat at your chest that pained with a staggering heartbeat.

You set your forehead atop your knees and took deep breaths— you weren’t going to let the waves get you a second time.

You knew what you were doing and you knew why you were doing it. Being with Jim any longer, feeling everything you indeed felt for him grow any deeper, watching what he felt for you do the same— it all felt wrong with the inevitability of its demise. You told yourself you were saving yourself and saving Jim before it became any more intense.

After all, how deeply could either of you have felt after only a month?

tag list: @outside-the-government @daughterofthebrowncoats @multifandom-slytherin@buckyy3s @cinema212 @caaptain @dani-fae @wonders-of-the-enterprise @imaginesofdreams @the-witching-hours12-3 @kaitymccoy123

[mysticdoodles]

The Fae of the Fruit Grove

A short story I felt like writing, for no particular reason.

A family lived in the country, with an expansive orchard of fruit far as the eye could see. Despite having few possessions to their name, the family lived in relative comfort. The massive orchard, manned only by the few family members and their children, provided a steady income for the people to live happily and eat well.

Using fruits from their own crops to garnish their dishes, the family’s cooking prowess was the envy of the local village. The mother of the household owned and operated a bakery, where she baked the most delicious fruit pies, tarts, cakes, and sweet treats in the country. The father of the household delivered shipments of fruit to various other businesses and dining venues, as well as grapes and apples to be manufactured into the finest wines and ciders. The children would assist with the picking of the fruits, and were given toys by their father, lovingly carved from the wood of old trees whom could no longer bear fruit nor seed. The life of the family was stable, clean, and happy indeed.

One dusk evening, the children were finishing up their chore of picking fruits from the citrus trees, stowing the oranges, limes, kumquats, lemons and more, into the transport cart to be picked up by their father that evening. As they prepared to leave, there was a whisper of a greeting, and before them appeared a Fae. Wispy, like glowing smoke given form, the Fae watched them with large eyes that glittered like stars in the void of the night sky, a few pairs of translucent wings drifting behind it.

“Children,” the Fae spoke, in luminous tones like a harp. “Is this your plentiful forest of fruit?”

“It’s our mama’s and papa’s!” the children replied. “We pick the fruits to sell and to eat. What are you? Where did you come from?”

“I am a spirit of the woods,” the Fae said, “My forest is dying, as men cut down our trees to make homes for your kin, and make me, and my brothers and sisters, homeless.”

“That’s terrible!” the children said.

“I would like to ask a favor of you,” the Fae said, holding up two misty limbs as though in pleading. “May I dwell in your fruit tree forest, as a new home for myself?”

Wary, the children were uncertain. “Why should we let you dwell in our grove? You might ruin the trees, or bring animals in to steal and ruin the fruit.”

“I require no more than a single tree for myself, and my presence will not make the tree ill. As payment for allowing me to dwell in your grove, I will use my magic to make the grove even more abundant, and provide surplus fruits. All I ask is that you provide a small handful of fruits from different crops at the base of my tree, after every day of harvest, so I too may eat.”

The children, after careful consideration, deemed this exchange to be fair, and decided to accept the offer presented by the Fae. And so, the Fae came to reside in the apple tree from which the children had been gathering fruits that day. As promised, the tree inhabited by the forest spirit became large and healthy, and the entirety of the orchard flourished. Overflowing with life, the plants even began to produce fruit out of season, and soon the family was more successful than ever. Surprised by their sudden prosperity, the mother and father tried to make the most of their grand harvest, and expanded their businesses.

As was also promised, the children would pick several fruits from the vineyards, fruit trees, berry bushes, and shrubs, to present to the Fae. The Fae accepted the gifts graciously, and took the energy from the gifted fruits to provide the most delicious apples from its own tree branches, for them alone to eat. So, the children would spend time with the Fae’s tree daily, playing with their toys around its roots, climbing in the branches, and speaking with the benevolent spirit, for the spirit would listen. As dusk fell, the children would play with fireflies, share food with the Fae, and exchange stories, before returning to the house around dinner time.

And, as months came and went, the family’s prosperity became unrivaled. The father’s fruit shipments were selling out almost faster than he could produce them. Through the Fae’s magic, the orchards, vineyards and croplands had all been made to flourish, producing even riper and more delicious harvest than before. The mother’s bakery became even more successful, selling more sweets and baked goods than ever before, and she would regularly give candies to the children of the village. Demand for the family’s crops skyrocketed, and so did their wealth. The house in the country became more opulent, and soon the family could hire handmaids and servants to run and clean the domicile. But, nobody was allowed to touch the crops themselves but the family - the mother, father, and their children. Anyone caught stealing from the orchard was swiftly caught by the father and handed over to the law, regardless of status - from the most conniving cat burglar to the most destitute wretch.

The mother drifted further and further from her children, absorbed too deeply into affairs of her business, to offer the company and care that she used to.

Over time, the father saved more and more money into the bank, and soon became the wealthiest man in the farming district. He grew prideful of his crops, claiming they were the result of his good work and planning. In order to assure his extensive wealth would remain intact, the father set about stomping out all other business competitors, no matter how little they affected his successes. It wasn’t long before the man’s greed drove out every last farmer in the district, and his orchards expanded.

As more months passed, and the orchard grew bigger, the Fae in the apple tree grew weary of expending so much magic, and approached the children once more.

“Children, please hear me, for I must make another request,” the Fae spoke, tired of voice and song. “I cannot maintain all of the fields on my own any longer. May more of my kin come join me in this grove? Their exchange shall be the same as mine - a single tree each, and a few fruits at their bases for every harvest day. Their presence shall help this fruit forest to remain plentiful.”

The children, worried for the Fae who had been so kind to them, accepted the deal once more. And so, more Fae entered the orchard, each claiming a fruiting tree, and helping the grove to flourish. In exchange, they too gifted the children with rich fruits, a place to play, and companionship. The children now had to stay out several hours into the night, in order to assure each Fae in the small grove of inhabited trees received the agreed small tithe, before spending time with the first forest spirit.

Weeks passed, and the father of the house- now a rich mansion- grew concerned, as he noticed his children were missing for long hours at a time, far longer than whenever he nor they were out in the fields harvesting. Convinced something was amiss, the man absolved to follow the children as they left for their daily rounds that mid-afternoon.

Seeing his children do their chores, going about picking harvest for the day, the man began to wonder if his worries were in vain, as they filled cart after cart as instructed. Then, he witnessed as the children began to pick fruits from trees and vines that were not designated for harvest yet, and began to feel anger burn in his stomach. They were taking fruits not meant to be taken - he thought it must be to steal, for themselves to eat.

Following his children, he saw them stop in a circlet of the trees near the center of his vast orchards, where they took the fruits they had picked, and methodically placed them at the base of each tree. To his horror, they continued to do this as the sun grew close to setting, and then came to a stop at the base of a large apple tree. Then, they sat, and played, and ate of the tree’s fruits they had taken.

Witnessing their actions, the man flew into a rage, and stepped from his cover behind the trees, startling the children.

“How dare you steal from my orchards?!” the man yelled, causing his own children to flinch and pull back in fear. “I give you all you could desire, and this is how you repay me - by stealing from the trees I have grown, the vines of the soil that I planted, and wasting them in such foolish ways! You selfish, spoiled brats!”

The man raised his hand, as though to beat the children in rage as punishment.

Then, the Fae, whose trees the children had attended to so carefully, all appeared around the man. Their ethereal bodies glowed like mist on a moonlit lake, their eyes like the night sky narrowed into half-moon slivers. The man, stricken with fear, fell backwards onto the grass, and the Fae hovered closer.

“Harm not the children, for they are the ones who have given you the success you hold so dear to your cold heart,” the Fae of the apple tree spoke first, with the voice of a harp.

“These children diligently upheld a bargain with us, giving us homes in exchange for their family’s prosperity, and our companionship,” the Fae of the orange tree spoke second, with the voice of a cello.

“My children made deals with devils?!” the man exclaimed, thinking the Fae to be evil spirits.

“You may call us what you desire. But if you lay hand on the children, you will deeply regret your actions,” the Fae of the peach tree spoke third, with the voice of a violin.

“We do not desire harm towards you or your children,” the Fae of the cherry tree spoke fourth, with the voice of a bass.

“It is us, who give your forest of plentiful fruit such life,” the Fae of the plum tree spoke fifth, with the voice of a viola.

At this, the man became even more angry.

“How dare you! This fruit orchard was of my own design, my hard work! My prosperity is not the work of lying fog creatures, and naughty, thieving children!”

The father turned back to his children, who had tucked themselves against the apple tree trunk, and lifted his cane, which he used to beat the servants when they displeased him.

And the Fae were upon him.

“You wish to break a sacred contract and harm innocent souls, therefore, you must be punished,” the first Fae spoke, voice full of reproach and stern conviction. “Those who harm the pure will be judged.”

Screaming, the man was set upon by their magic. The vengeful, greedy father was sent away to the realm of the Fae, where he would be judged by the Grand Fae for his actions.

The Fae, having delivered their judgement, returned to the children, who were distraught and filled with sorrow. Taking pity on them, the Fae showed compassion to the children, and took the children as their own, whisking them away to the realm of the Fae and the fairies, to live in prosperity under the care of the ones whom they had tended to for so long. The orchard where the Fae dwelt became an abundant forest grove of fruit trees, where animals walk and fairies create their homes.

It’s rumored that, should one visit the wealthy orchard, the children can sometimes be seen at the edges of the innermost grove, frolicking around fairy rings with their Fae friends, enjoying eternal youth and happiness.

[gyromitra-esculenta]

Synchronicity 4

aka ‘the story kind of starts mostly here’ when everything blows up aka ‘there’s an actual nuclear detonation’ aka ‘i found where to put this one scene nicely at the ending’ aka ‘how do you write in english’. WELP.

(…)

This a tale of a cautionary kind

This a story of that Icarus design

This a message from the hanged man's twine

This when mother nature rips apart the fault lines

(…)

 Jack can’t help the feeling the whole set up on the wall is a presentation of sorts, the newspaper clips, the pictures, the code lists – amino-acid sequences, something forgotten whispers in the back of his mind – and on the right there he is himself as he stares at the personnel file photographs of his own unit, and then some more. He recognizes McCree and the rest, but the one odd picture has him pause and trace fingers against it as he passes it.

“Sergeant Morrison, a sight for sore eyes,” Amelie Lacroix, waiting for him by the door, is a type of woman that makes it impossible to tell her age. She is long past her youth either way, but still exudes the sense of authority and power tugging at something primal. It screams danger as Jack shakes her hand briefly wondering why is she claiming such familiarity. “I know you’ve been assigned as my escort but now we have a much more grave matter to attend,” she leads him inside. The panic room is more than what it looks like at a first sight – a veritable command center. Jack notes the other person there, a woman too, bent over one of the consoles. “As you are probably aware, there was an incident at our headquarters, which prompted your deployment actually.”

Amelie smiles, her eyes searching his face. Jack nods even when the threatening feeling crawls up his spine, cold spilling over his shoulders.

“We aren’t privy to the details.”

“I believe so. One of our employees came, somehow, into contact with a weaponized entity referred to as Reaper. She took control of our internal prototype line and begun her little uprising.”

“It’s a pretty way of describing the fact that the whole staff was wiped out.” The blonde straightens out and picks up her bag from the floor, still with her back to them. “Please also include the information that this conversation, on the whole, is top secret since the projects in question are being developed for the sole use of the military, ma’am.”

“Ever dutiful, Angela. All in due order,” Lacroix clicks her tongue. “This is my current associate, doctor Ziegler, our head researcher, and I don’t think I have to stress the need to keep her healthy and intact through the whole ordeal with my husband. A butcher, I believe, you called him.”

Jack starts. Their communication channel should be secure and no one should have the access to it, except the command on supervised deployments – this one was urgent, but still off the real-time control as was indicated in the debriefing. The implications of her words are more than highly unpleasant.

“Ma’am,” Angela moves closer, pointing with her chin one of the screens but Jack tear his gaze away from her. Something screams at him to run, the Beast hisses drowning out the hum of the machines in the room. “I think the worst case scenario just became reality.”

“Ah. It seems your associate just opened the Tomb. Agent McCree, if I’m not mistaken?” Jack forces himself to look at the video feed. On the screen, Jesse backs from the console as a black cloud washes over him. “Reaper. A sight to behold…”

The unnatural rumble accompanying the spasm of urgent pain behind his eyes obscures his vision, gnarled dark growth crushes the walls and penetrates screens and computers. Both women disappear in slowly drifting black ash as Jack stumbles back and out, stopping only to gag on the bile rising in his throat. He almost trips on the stairs trying blindly to escape this something that hooks into his mind and attempts to shred it apart.

He sinks to his knees before the window, the city sprawling below peaceful and oblivious as the sky changes from dark blue to crimson with a broken howl of thousands ripped from their bodies. The black silhouette cut starkly against the fiery inferno reaching towards the heavens turns to him, sunken red eyes set in the dead face.

Reaper comes closer, the claws reach out and touch his cheek. Jack feels the tickling droplets of blood flow from his nose.

“Always rushing in, Sunshine.” The glass panes hit by the blast wave explode in deadly shrapnel, someone is screaming on the radio, yet he can only focus on the creature standing there, on the touch, on the overwhelming pain threatening to crush his skull.

Jack topples back as the black ash clogs the air.

*

The grass swaying in the gentle breeze grows over the smoking rubble. The place carries a deep sense of belonging, yet there is something unsettling in the red orb that hides behind the clouds. The tree in the distance is old and weathered, the Beast waiting in its shade, but now…

Now there is a hospital bed between them, the cuffs hanging off the rail – not the kind used to restrain and not hurt.

“You are going to get better, do you hear me?”

Jack blinks. The gurney is now lying on its side, blood soaking through the mattress.

“What the fuck have you done to him?”

“Is this something that happened?” Jack asks but the Beast only laughs hysterically.

*

When he comes to on an operating table, Jack feels this certain sort of detachment that comes with forgotten or thrown away pills – little white nondescript shapes dropped to the floor or in the trash, spat out or thrown up. The calm washes over him with the thundering hum of blood rushing through his veins with every beat of heart even when distant panic surges his body to struggle against the bindings and he is dimly aware of the lines on his wrists and neck burning.

“He’s awake!” One of the monsters hovering over him, with skin slowly melting and sloughing off its bones, turns towards the gallery.

“And we have too little time for your shows of pretend empathy, doctor. Do continue.” Amelie coldly states, observing, face illuminated by hues of white.

The scalpel touches his sternum, sinks into the flesh, and then moves down, splitting the skin, fat, and muscle. He is screaming, yet it hardly registers in his mind because the Beast is here, its forehead pressing into his own as if it is trying to bleed its darkness into him.

“He’s going into cardiac,” one of the creatures tearing into his body with macabre tools mentions. “Give him two hundred for a start.”

“You’re dying. They’re killing you.” The Beast growls, black tendrils undulating under the halogen lights, its rage unconcealed and rolling over him in waves.

The discrepancy between what is happening and what he feels makes Jack smile. They don’t see the Beast, the monsters are oblivious to the bigger monster among them, and moist blackness is so familiar and comforting he would laugh if there was any air left in his lungs.

“You have to let me in, Sunshine,” the Beast almost pleads now and Jack – Jack embraces it – that part of himself that wants nothing more than to rip, tear and shred, and then bathe in the spilled blood and gorge itself on still steaming entrails.

The other suffocating presence in the room, this something – someone – combs his hair with sharp claws, soothing, caring, burning, and the Beast purrs in contentment.

“Kill them all, Sunshine.”

“We have a spike on… Shit!” The restraints snap and Jack crushes brittle throat of the first monster between his fingers. It yields with ease, mushy and sticky, the juices dripping down his arm.

“Spectacular,” Amelie smiles, her eyes drinking in every minute detail of the massacre taking place before her. “Imagine, doctor, our new product line made with this. The possibilities.”

“I feel obliged, ma’am, to tell you this is an exceptionally bad idea.” Angela crosses her arms over her chest.

“But you will do this, in the name of science.” Below, Jack stops and slowly turns towards them, his fingers twitching spasmodically, with scraps of bloodied flesh clinging to his skin. He snarls and takes a running start, throwing himself at the reinforced glass separating him from the gallery. “So pretty, so vicious,” Amelie laughs at another attempt. “Switch him off and make sure we will have samples to cultivate later. There are other subjects to prime.”

Angela keys the sequence into the console. Jack stills, wavering on his legs, head lolling slightly, a bubble of bloody saliva on his lips, and then he falls to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut, into darkness, guided home by a melody he might have heard before – his flesh sealed and skin unbroken.