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thebearer · 1 year

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baby blues |carmen berzatto x reader|

prompt: two blue lines change all your plans, and carmen doesn't take it well. or how you tell carmen you're pregnant.

read the entire dad!carmen berzatto masterlist here!

contains: language, pregnancy, angst, carmen's an asshole, alludes to past parent trauma, hurt/comfort.

"Shit."

The hiss of your tone bounced off the green tiles of your bathroom, an eerie echo that rang dully through your mind. A reminder that this was all too real, happening right now in front of you- to you.

After weeks of what you thought was a stomach bug- retching at almost anything, exhaustion, aches- you had come to realize it might not just be a virus when you looked at the unopened box of tampons under the sink.

You were late.

A frantic trip to Walgreens, an hour of avoidance out of pure fear, three glasses of water, and two tests later; you were here. Looking at the two mocking blue lines on both tests. You were pregnant.

You called your best friend, Alicia, unsure of who else to confide in. Scared, emotional, overwhelmed, you sobbed into the phone, hand holding your head on the edge of the bed. "Carmen is gonna lose his shit."

"Carmen is not gonna lose his shit." Alicia soothed over your heaving gasps. "He will be fine. You both will be fine. You're married. What's the issue?"

You shook your head, swiping your thumb under your eyes. "You don't... Carmen and I haven't, like, ever really talked about kids." You muttered. It was mostly true. You hadn't really, other than euphoric pillow talk ramblings where you both were just bubbly with love, spilling shared wishes under sheets.

"I thought you said you wanted kids?"

"Yeah, but not now." You sobbed into the phone. "I don't... I don't think I'm ready to be a mom. I'm not gonna be good at that. I don't-I don't know anything about kids! And-And I can barely cook, and- Alicia, I couldn't keep our cactus alive! I killed our fucking cactus, and you think I'm ready for a kid?"

Alicia laughed lightly on the other end. "Ok, true, but you won't kill your kid. You'll be much more attached to it than the cactus." She countered easily, calmly. "And you'll be a good mom, babe. I know you'll be. And Carmen knows too. You know he does. Call your OBGYN and get an appointment. Make sure this is legit and get your vitamins and let me know what you need from me."

Two days later, you were laid on the cool paper at the doctor's office, eyes wide watching her drag the wand over your tummy. Seven weeks. The ultrasound clutched in your hand had an arrow where the baby was, it was still so small. A blip, a splotch right on your plans.

You decided to tell Carmen that night. He knew something was off with you, starting to get more and more suspicious. It was only a matter of time.

"Hey, baby." You grinned as excited as you could when he came home.

"Hey," Carmen chirped, grinning back at you when you kissed him sweetly, a little longer than usual, not that he minded. "How are you doin', baby? Good day?"

"Yeah, it was." You quipped, throat tightening, desperately trying to keep your voice from cracking. "I, uh, I have a surprise for you."

"A surprise?" Carmen's brows lifted, dropping his bag by the door. "What kinda surprise, huh? Somethin' under this?" He teased, hand sliding up your shorts, palming at your ass and making you squirm.

You couldn't help the fleeting thought that he wouldn't be able to do that for long. Not when a baby was in the house. Your throat burned with tears at the thought.

"No." You shook your head. "Just... Here, sit right here for me and I'll be right back." You kissed his cheek sweetly, running to the spare bedroom for the ultrasound. You wondered if this would be the baby's nursery. Or maybe upstairs in the makeshift workout room Carmen used. It felt odd planning this type of thing, thinking about this.

Your hands were sweaty, trying not to wrinkle the printed photo. It was your first after all. The first picture of many. Ones you secretly hoped would line the walls of your house. Pictures of the baby, with you and Carmen.

You hoped Carmen would be in them.

That horrid thought always made it's way back into your mind, rattling you to your core.

"Close your eyes." You tried to sing-song, playful and light like you usually would. The kind of tone that was silly, left Carmen grinning and doing what you said. Instead, it sounded tired.

Carmen still covered his eyes anyways. You took a soft breath, placing the photo in front of him. "Ok, y-you can open." You whispered.

Carmen's brow lifted, looking at you carefully before down at the table. He stilled, face unmoving, body halted, eyes zoned in on the ultrasound.

"Wh-What-What is this?" Carmen's tone was hushed, tight, like his chest felt. He was sure this wasn't what he thought it was. It couldn't be.

"I, um, you know I-I've been feeling not great." You started, wringing your hands in front of him. "And I... I haven't had my period in a while, so I went to the store and... and I got a test, and it was..." You motioned down to the ultrasound. "I'm pregnant, Carmen."

The house was still. That same eerie stillness creeping back in, looming over both of you in such a sickening way, it had your stomach twisting.

Carmen blinked, shaky hands picking up the ultrasound, refusing to look at you. "Oh."

"Oh?" You repeated. "Carmen, I-I said I'm pregnant."

"No, no, I, uh, yeah, I-I heard you." Carmen nodded, leg bouncing under the table. "I just... I thought you were on birth control."

"Carmen, what?" You snapped. "I am."

"Then-Then how the fuck-"

"-Oh, don't you fuckin' dare, Berzatto." You hissed, rolling your eyes at him, snatching the ultrasound off the table.

"I'm not fuckin' blaming you, but-but how?" Carmen could feel his heart rate rising, ears ringing and head spinning with that old, familiar feeling of a panic attack coming on.

"How?" You gawked at him. "Carmen, it's not, like, a one-hundred percent guarantee, and-and... Come on, Carmen, we've been fucking a lot lately."

"I don't..." Carmen stopped himself, his hand rubbing over his eyes. Your heart skipped, chest aching with fear when you looked at him. Carmen pushed his chair out, standing and pacing around the kitchen, hands on his hips, lips in a thin line. "I-I need to think. Fuck, I need to think, just-just..."

You tracked him, your own heart hammering loud in your ears. Carmen snatched his cigarettes, hands shaking when he turned them over in his hands slowly. You could practically hear his thoughts, when the baby is here, he can't smoke anymore.

"I need a fuckin' second, ok? I need to fuckin' think!" Carmen boomed, voice thundering off the walls, making you jump. Carmen snatched his lighter and Spirits, stomping out the front door, the slam of the door the last thing you heard before the house settled and stilled again. Your worst possible scenario played out in front of you, becoming a reality too.

You were alone.

"Cousin, can I ask you, what the fuck your fuckin' problem is?" Richie grit, sliding beside Carmen. "The fuck are you being such a jagoff about, right now?"

"I'm being a jagoff?" Carmen snapped, slamming the knife down. His eyes were wild, hair even wilder. Curls matted and sticking out like they did when Carmen was stressed, when he'd ran his hands through them too much.

"Yeah, you're bein' a fuckin' jagoff." Richie countered, voice raising over Carmen's. "You look like shit, you smell like shit, and you're treatin' everyone here like fuckin' shit. So what's the fuckin' issue?"

"Fuck you, Richie, alright? Fuck you. Get the fuck outta my fuckin' face!" Carmen roared, the vein in his neck protruding when he did, sending the few chefs still in the kitchen retreating before they were screamed at next.

"Y'know why don't you just fuckin' calm down? Makin' everyone here fuckin' miserable with your bad attitude. No wonder-" Richie stopped, eyes flicking down to Carmen. His shoulders dropped, sighing heavy at his own revelation. "What'd you do?"

"What? What did I... Fuck off, I'm not in the-"

"-Nah, Cousin. What did you do?" Richie shook his head. "Why's she not here today, huh?"

"I'm right here." Natalie muttered, turning the corner, balancing two cups and a large work bag. "I had to take Chelle to Pete's office so he can take her to dance, and traffic was..." Natalie laughed cynically, shaking her head.

Carmen felt his stomach twist, jaw tightening. That would be you two before you knew it. All over the place, late to shit because of the kid. Just like Sugar and fucking Pete. That made him Pete.

"Not you, but I'm glad to see you. How are you?" Richie muttered, pressing a chaste kiss to Sugar's cheek. "Carmen fucked up."

"I did not-"

"-You fucked up? On what, bear?" Natalie blinked, frowning lightly. "Oh, before I forget, where's my favorite sister in law? I have her-" Richie gave her a pointed look. Sugar stopped, face falling in realization. "Oh, that's... Carm, what did you do?"

"Can you two just fuck off? Fuck!" Carmen roared, kicking a pot under the table.

"Wow, anger issues much?" Sugar rolled her eyes at his dramatics. "Is this what you did? Is that why she isn't here?"

"No, Natalie, you're pissin' me the fuck off-"

"Alright!" Richie clapped his hands, cutting them both off. "Family meeting. Ok? Meeting time. Right now."

"I don't have time-" Carmen started, Richie just clapping his hands on his shoulders, shoving him away from the table.

"Natalie, family meeting." Richie waved her in.

"Family meeting?" Fak turned the corner, eyes lit up hopefully.

"Not with you, you fuckin'..." Richie huffed, shaking his head. "Me, Nat, and Carm are having a meeting. Do your jobs, ok? Don't bother us, just... handle it, alright? Thank you. Every second counts and all that bullshit." Richie nodded towards the staff, shutting Carmen's office door behind him.

"Carm, you... Are you ok?" Natalie winced, looking at her younger brother.

Carmen ran his hands over his eyes, slumped in his desk chair, knees bouncing nervously. His breaths labored and ragged in his hands. Richie's eyes cut to Natalie's.

"Cousin," Richie's voice was softer this time. "What is goin' on?"

Carmen took a shaky breath in, Richie stilling at the sound of his emotions. "You... You were right. I fucked up." Carmen muttered. "I fucked up. I fucked up so bad." Carmen's voice was tight, thick with tears he was trying to choke back.

Natalie stepped forward slowly. "Carmen, what did you do?" She said as calmly as she could. "Just-Just tell us, and we'll... we'll try and help you."

"Did you cheat on her?" Richie asked, brows furrowed in disgust.

"No, what? Why the... No, no, no, I-I..." Carmen leaned back in the chair, hands knotted in his hair. "She's pregnant."

Richie and Natalie paused, both sighing slightly in relief. "Oh my God, that's great!"

"Yeah, I mean, Cousin, I thought you... I'm glad you didn't, but that's great!"

"Aw, is that why she's been sick? Poor thing. I knew it! You know Pete said that, and I-" Natalie started, Carmen's sudden jerk of his body, sitting in the chair with frantic eyes stopped her.

"I don't know!" Carmen blurted, shaking his head, refusing to look at them. At their furrowed brows of concern. He couldn't face them. Tell them what he'd done.

"You don't know?" Sugar frowned in confusion. "You don't know if she's pregnant?"

"I-I..." Carmen felt his chest tightening, burning with that familiar ache. He tried to breathe in, slow and long, counting back from ten like his therapist told him, but his chest still ached. "I left."

The room filled with that same eerie silence, the one that seemed to be following him around lately. The one that crept into the room when you showed him the ultrasound, the same one that followed him into the restaurant last night.

"You left?"

"You fuckin' what?"

Natalie and Richie gawked, eyes wide and frantic, looking down at Carmen.

"Cousin... What the fuck? You don't... Holy shit." Richie muttered, shaking his head.

"Carmen, have you lost your mind?" Natalie snapped. She was angry- no, furious. "You left your wife? You left your pregnant wife?"

"Yes, fuck, yes, I just... I needed to fuckin' think!" Carmen threw his hands out. "I can't think! She just... We weren't planning it and-and then... I just needed to think!"

"Then think at home! Or-Or with the person you're having a baby with, Carmen, Jesus!" Natalie roared back.

"Cousin, you... you fucked up." Richie said solemnly, nodding in agreement. "I mean, I've done a lot of shit. A lot, ok? Just ask Tiff. But I...I never fuckin' left."

"No, she just fuckin' left you, right? Tiff couldn't take you bein' an-"

"Hey, woah, take it fuckin' easy, Cousin. Watch it. This ain't about me." Richie snarled, finger jabbing in Carmen's direction. "I didn't fuck this up, ok? You did. This is your shit. We're just tryin' to fuckin' help you, so why don't you do all that de-escelatin' bullshit and take a fuckin' breath and relax."

Carmen's teeth ground tight, eyes flickering over to Natalie. "I'm with Richie on this." She snapped. "You did fuck up. Huge."

Carmen could feel the burn, rising in his throat. Was it fear? Vomit? Tears? Regret? All of the above?

"I know, I know, fuck, I know." Carmen muttered, falling back into the chair. "I just... I know, and-and now I don't know..." Carmen could feel his heart rate, waves of guilt and realization crashing over him, leaving him feeling sick.

Carmen stood quickly, hands tangled in his hair, pacing in the small area of the office. "Holy shit, she's gonna leave me. She-She's gonna leave me, and-and... Fuck! Why do I always do this? I always fuck up! Always! Like... What the fuck? Why-Why-"

"-Carmen." Sugar said slowly, hands on his shoulders, stopping him. "Hey, breathe. Breathe. Just... Just relax, ok?"

"No, no, no, I-I can't fuckin' relax. I-I got to-" Carmen rambled, his chest squeezing, burning.

"Carm, look, just... Just do the breathing thing. Listen to Natalie." Richie nodded towards Sugar. "And we'll get it handled, alright? We can't fix this until you calm the fuck down."

"Richie," Natalie hissed, rolling her eyes in irritation. "Carmen, breath in through your nose, out through your mouth. Innnnn and Out." She mimicked for him, slow pulls of air and soft exhales.

Carmen could hear you. Hear you in his head telling him to calm down, feel your hands on his cheeks, your soft praises and coos. His heart ached but it tricked his mind enough to listen, shaky rasps of air falling in and out until he was on sitting in the chair, knee bouncing with adrenaline.

Natalie shook her head lightly, looking over at Richie, then Carmen. "You need to go talk to her."

"I know. I know, Nat, but I got a dinner rush-"

"Carmen." Natalie sneered, in that tone. The tone she used usually with her own kids. A tone of finality.

"I got it covered, Cousin, alright? I got it." Richie nodded, patting Carmen on his back. "Just... Go figure your shit out."

"Yeah." Natalie huffed, eyes narrowed at her younger brother. "You better bring that poor girl some flowers or something. Better make it up to her, Carmen, that is so gross of you."

Carmen nodded softly, grabbing his back pack, shedding his apron. "I-I'll have my phone on me-"

"-Go!" Richie and Natalie yelled in unison.

"I got it, Cousin." Richie shook his head.

"Yeah, and you have other things to worry about." Natalie snapped. "More important things, like your marriage, and your kid."

Carmen's heart skipped at that. It sounded weird, unnatural. His kid. Mind racing back to images of you with his niece and nephew. How Chelle took to you so naturally when you first met her, cradling her in your arms while Natalie scampered off for a shower. Carmen's heart swelled at the thought, how he had watched you, how good you were at it.

He knew you'd be a good mom. Had no doubt about that. That wasn't the issue. No, the problem was him.

Carmen Berzatto, who's family was the epitome of chaos, and who's genes this baby would have. Would the baby have your eyes and his crippling anxiety? His curls and his coping skills? Your nose and smile, and his family's addiction gene?

You would be the perfect mom. You were already so perfect in every way to Carmen. Too kind and forgiving and funny and sweet to him, he couldn't understand why you loved him sometimes. You would be good no matter what.

You'd be better without him.

His mind screamed it over and over. He couldn't shake the thought last night, sitting on the steps of your home, chain smoking through half a pack while his mind raced, horrible voices mocking and sneering at him, telling him he wasn't good enough; that he wouldn't be good enough. That you would be better off alone.

Then he was walking. Walking as fast as he could away from your home, back to the restaurant, where he could distract himself. Where he could trick his mind to focus on anything else other than you.

It didn't work, of course. It never did.

His mind still raced, all the way back to your home- his home. The home he shared with you. The place you bought for the future; your future together. A future that now, looked like it would be a little fuller.

You gripped the porcelain of the toilet seat, stomach lurching again, spilling the contents of- you didn't even know what. How there was anything left, you weren't sure.

Your nose burned with tears, head drumming with a dull ache, throat burning with the acidity flare of bile. And worst of all, the only person you wanted was Carmen.

You were furious, hurt, just... confused with him, but your body still ached for him. For him to come in, rub your back and coo at you. Settle you and calm you, like he always did.

The front door closed softly, the thud of the latch echoing through the all too still house. Anchovy chirped and trilled, Carmen's soft, raspy greeting back to him making your body jolt.

You stayed still, waiting and quiet with each muffled footstep of Carmen's, his sneakers falling closer and closer until the door opened gently. Your gaze on his, watching him with wide, red rimmed eyes from the bathroom floor. His own reflecting down on you, hand still gripping the door knob.

"You... You're still sick?" Carmen asked, awkward and unsure. He didn't know what to say, where to even begin.

"Yeah." You sneered, hand slapping on the knob, flushing the toilet. "Guess that'll be happening for a while."

Carmen flinched at your tone. You were angry. No, you were hurt. The revelation made him feel like he needed to throw up next, the ache in his stomach rivaling the one in his chest.

You pushed up off the tub, Carmen's hands reaching to help you. You slapped them away with a menacing scoff. "Don't touch me." You snapped. "I've got it."

Carmen nodded, backing out slowly, giving you space to brush your teeth. He didn't miss the tremor in your hands when you held the toothbrush, refusing to meet his eyes in the mirror.

"I..." Carmen's voice shook, a squeak of a word that had wobbled when he spoke. "I, uh, I-I'm sorry."

Your eyes flashed to his furiously, lips pursing. "I know that's... fuck, that's not..." Carmen sighed heavily, a grounding breath to soothe his nerves, get the shake out of his voice. "I don't know what-what else to say other than... I'm sorry."

"You're sorry?" You sneered, turning to him, your tone unnervingly calm. "You're fucking sorry?"

"Yeah, I-"

"-You left me!" You roared, chest heaving with fury. Your fears and sadness had turned into rage, pure rage.

"I go outside to check on you, and you're gone! Who the fuck does that, Carmen? What the fuck is wrong with you?" You screamed.

"I-I don't know, I just..." Carmen's chest tightened, strangling his words. The pounding in his chest had returned, as had the queasiness in his stomach.

"You just? Just what, Carmen? Just don't want to be with me anymore?" Your voice cracked, tears brimming your waterline.

The silence was back. Uncomfortably loud and suffocating. Neither one of you moved, just stared at each other through heaving chests.

"I-I..." Carmen swallowed the bile rising in his throat. "How could you... You think I-I don't want to be with you?"

"Well, what else am I supposed to think, Carmen?" You scoffed, throwing your hands out in exasperation. "You left!"

Carmen winced at the harshness of your tone. "I didn't... I just needed to think-"

"-Think?" You scoffed. "Think about what exactly, Carmen? Huh? Whether you were going to stay-"

"-No! Fuck, no!" Carmen barked, mind racing and overwhelmed. Hands trembling, heart pounding, he stared at you. "About... About how it would be. About how I would be."

"How you would be?"

"Yeah, how I would be." Carmen snaps, a little too defensive even for his own liking. It was habit, even after years of trying to be better, it still crept out at times.

Carmen took a breath, turning to you. "I'm... I don't think I'm going to be a good dad."

Your own heart sunk, a dull ache in your chest, heavy with the weight of his words. The fall of his face, lips curling downward. "Carmen," You said softly. "Why-Why would you... We've talked about having kids before."

"Yeah, but not... I thought I had time." Carmen admitted, hands shaking when he crossed his arms over his chest to still them. "I-I thought I would have some time to-to get my shit together."

You paused, watching his face crumble. The deep breath he took to keep himself from crying- from breaking. "I don't- I don't wanna be a bad dad. I don't wanna fuck this kid up." Carmen whispered, eyes darting everywhere but your own. He couldn't look at you when he said it, sure when he saw the sorrow in your own eyes he would crumble at your feet.

"Carmen," You said softly, taking a step towards him. He took one back, distancing himself. He knew what you were going to do. Reach out and comfort him, make him feel better- he didn't deserve that.

"Carm, please," You begged lightly. "You... You know you're gonna be a good dad-"

"-No, no, I don't know that." Carmen scoffed, shaking his head. "I mean, my fuckin' dad was a piece of shit, so was his dad, so-so will I. And-And I don't wanna do that to this kid. I don't wanna do that to you."

"Stop." You snapped, lips pressed together, sniffling to keep your own tears at bay. "Just...Just stop. Ok? Stop. You're... Do you really think I would have married you if I thought that bad of you? Do you think I would have ever even entertained the thought of having a baby with you, starting a family, if I thought you'd be shitty?"

Carmen's own eyes shone with unshed tears. You blinked, wiping the hot tears that ran down your cheeks away. "I'm scared, too. I-I called Alicia over you because I didn't know what to do. I didn't know how you would react." You admitted.

Carmen nodded, you could see the hurt in his eyes. "So you knew I would react like this? You didn't tell me because you knew I'd be a bad-"

"-No, I didn't tell you because I know you don't like surprises." You snapped. "I know you don't like to be fuckin' blindsided and-and shocked. I don't either. I knew it would shock you. I knew it wasn't apart of our plan right now." You held his gaze, eyes hard when you met his.

"But I never thought you'd be a bad dad." Your tone was firm. It made Carmen's heart swell. "I still don't think you'd be a bad dad, for the record. I think you're an asshole, and I'm furious with you." You said pointedly.

Carmen nodded. "Yeah, yeah, I... I don't blame you f'that." He muttered, looking down at his hands, wedding band shining almost mockingly back up at him. "Sugar's pissed at me. Richie, too." He paused, eyes lifting to yours. "I'm mad at me too."

"Yeah? Me too." You sigh, looking at him. "You can't just leave-"

"-I know." Carmen nodded. "I-I know. I don't... I'm sorry." Carmen looked at you, shoulders falling slightly. "I'm so sorry."

You nodded gently, wiping your eyes with the back of your hands. "This is not how I thought this would go, honestly." You admitted with a small, wet laugh.

"Which part?" Carmen hummed, hesitantly reaching out to wipe your tear stained cheek with the pad of his thumb.

"All of it." You sighed. "But telling you. I-I always thought I'd do one of those cute, little Pinteresty things and surprise you."

"Yeah? 'm sorry." Carmen muttered, his heart fluttering with guilt again. "Maybe next time?"

You scoffed, rolling your eyes at him. Damn him, making you smile when you were supposed to be mad at him- you were still mad at him. But you were tired even more. Exhausted emotionally, physically- you just wanted to crawl into bed.

Carmen pulled you closer to him, his hand running down your spine. "Maybe you can do that cutesy shit to tell everyone else." He suggested. "I mean... Fuck, well, I-I told Richie and-and Sugar, but... Tina? Or all them?"

You bit back a smile, the curl of your lips betraying you. "Yeah." You hum, your body betraying you as you sunk into Carmen's chest.

"Here," Carmen muttered, pulling you close to him. "I'll get you in bed, and I'll go on the couch-"

"-No," You sighed, shuffled steps down the hall. "I don't... Just sleep in the bed with me."

Carmen hesitated. "No, I-I can stay on the couch. I know you don't-"

"-I can't sleep without you, Carm." You pleaded. "I didn't sleep at all last night, and-and... I just want to sleep."

Carmen nodded, following you into the shared bedroom. Stripping out of his jeans, trading them for sweatpants, before climbing in the bed with you. You stayed on your side, Carmen on his own. There was still tension, still lingering feelings of that familiar eeriness, but there was also comfortability.

Carmen would make it up to you. He'd be at every appointment, paint the nursery- be everything you knew he would be. Later. In the coming weeks as you two welcomed, embraced the baby coming. You'd get to tell everyone in your cutesy way like you'd dreamed. Tina's reaction would make you cry, and the baby shower would make you sob. You'd mull over baby names for hours with Carmen, going back and forth, testing each name tentatively until you found the perfect one.

For now, you were happy just to know Carmen was here with you. You were happy just to sleep. There was still so much ahead of you- of both of you.

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loriannbowman · 18 days

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Honkai Star Rail X Arknights | Yandere!Sunday X Sankta!Reader | Part Six

You purse your lips with confusion. Sunday was acting strange... or maybe not? You don't actually know him as you had only just met him, but you can't help but feel uneasy with his flittery movements. He's on edge, you seen that look thousands of times, you couldn't mistake it for anything else.

You hum slightly, lips pressed into a firm line.

"Mr. Sunday? Are you sure everything is alright?"

Sunday's attention refocuses on you. He gives a wobbly smile. His body feels like it's buzzing. His gloved hands tremble and his fingers twitch.

"Of course," he says, trying his best to sooth himself, "I'm fine, just a bit excited, that's all."

"Excited?"

Sunday hums.

"Yes, I'm excited to show you around more of Penacony."

You quirk a brow.

"What do you mean? Before, it sounded like you were going to kick me out!" you say with a nervous chuckle.

"Kick you out? We don't have such ways of doing that unless your body is within the Reverie, which it's not, might I remind you, my little stow away."

You gawk at his words, shocked by the sudden playfulness Sunday was sharing with you.

"Uh huh..." you say with a tilt of your head, "right. Got it... Actually, on the topic of getting kicked, how would I leave this place?"

Sunday's expression flattens, almost threatening.

"Well, there are two ways. First, you simply wake up, many people wake up by themselves naturally or by force."

You lean forwards.

"And the second...?"

"You die."

Your eyes widen to the size of saucers. All parts of you go on high alert, the same feeling you get when ready to proceed in combat.

"Die?!" you exclaim.

Sunday quickly covers your mouth, his gloves getting slightly wet from your partly opened lips.

What soft lips... I wish I could kiss them.

"Shh! You mustn't say things so loudly, you'll cause panic! Let me explain. One cannot really die in a dream, right? When you hit the ground after a fall, or get hurt by a weapon, the body forces itself to wake up by jumpstarting itself. We do not speak of "death" in the dreamscape, lest the people run into disorder."

Your eyes slowly close back to their normal size as your brain begins to process the information. What he says is mostly true. When hit with a sort of trauma, the human body's natural system is to jolt awake with adrenaline as the brain thinks you're going to die.

But death is possible in dreams, it's just not common.

Sunday slowly removes his slender fingers from your mouth, fiddling with them with his thumb. You pop your lips slightly, trying to shake away the foreign feeling away.

Carefully, Sunday brings his hands to his lips in a thinking gesture. He presses the fabric that touched your lips against his.

An indirect kiss is still a kiss... but I want a real one.

"Anyway, those are the ways in which you can force yourself awake. But those are crude and can cause quiet a disturbance in the peace. There's no reason to force yourself awake, right? You'll wake up on your own, so why not enjoy the atmosphere while you're here? Who knows if you'll ever get a chance to visit again, right?"

You purse your lips once again, debating on what to do. Sunday's offer sounds tempting, and he's right about you ever coming back. But there are people back home who need treatments, protection, a person to talk to... Even though you've only been here for a short while, you can't help but feel home sick.

"Doctor Loriann might just kill me..." you mutter to yourself, "but a little longer won't hurt, right?"

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the-fiction-witch · 11 months

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Now On Your Life

Media The Artful Dodger (Pre Show Release)

Character Jack Dawkins

Couple Jack X Reader

Rating Cute

I asked! and you little bats have answered! Jack is officially in!

And fun little celebration! this makes my 4000th tumblr post!

I hummed myself a little tune, as I strolled leisurely about the market from stall to stall. My Wicker basket in hand littered with items I had purchased and my small coin purse prepared to purchase more. Often I smiled at those working the stalls or other ladies like myself making their way around. I stopped to look over some eggs when a voice spoke up.

"Miss Y/l/n"

I didn't even need to glance over, I knew who it was, and unfortunately knew what he wanted.

"Dr Dawkins, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"You missed an appointment"

"I wasn't aware I had an appointment" I smiled picking out my eggs and handing over the money taking my eggs and adding them to my basket

"Liar. You had an appointment and you know you did. This is the sixth time you've missed this"

"Ohh how tragic" I said moving to the next stall and looking over some fruits and veg

"You can't keep ignoring it"

"I'm not ignoring it"

"Yes you are"

"No I'm not. I am simply not letting your butcher hands at me" I told him as I went on through the market with him following along behind me

"If you don't let my hands at you you'll die"

"No, I won't"

"Ughhhh must you be so stubborn"

"I do not need your madman butchering, I have my medicines"

"Ohh your herbal teas and lavender salt. That's not going to help you"

"It's kept me alive so far Dawkins" I said as I continued on with my shopping

"Will you listen to me. I've told you a hundred times you have to come and let me do something if you don't you're going to be in incredible pain"

"And?"

"And you know I don't want to see you in pain"

"Don't you? you make money from people being in pain" I snapped as I hurried through the market "It is quite literally your business, so why would I trust you do to anything? You want me to be in pain so you make more money I understand the business of it all." but he grabbed my arm pulling me close

"That doesn't mean I want to see it happen to someone I care about," He says "Now will you, Please come to the office and let me help you. It's a five-minute procedure maybe less."

"Not on your life." I snapped taking my arm away and heading away from the market through the town park to try and get home but he stopped me and turned me to face him

"Y/n! You're natural cures and herbal remedies do a lot I will not deny that, and you've helped so many people that I couldn't help, but they can't fix this why can't you understand that? I know you're stubborn, I know you don't trust me, I know you think I'm a butcher just after my money, but I can't bear to think of the pain you'll be in, it'll break my heart to see you die knowing I could so easily have prevented it," He explained, "I'm a doctor, you can't expect me to stand by and let you kill yourself."

"You know I can't"

"Free of charge then. Because it's you." he says "Please, I promise I'll take care of you. I'll be gentle, and make sure the office and all my tools are clean just for you. Just let me take care of you, Please y/n"

"And what if it goes wrong?"

"It won't-"

"But if it does?"

"then I'll never forgive myself." He says, "Please just let me help little one" He says stroking my stomach

"Fine" I sighed "But the office is to be cleaned from top to bottom, all your equipment is to be cleaned and sanitized, you are to be fast and gentle, and you are in charge of taking care of me until I'm better"

"I think that's agreeable" He nods

"And you're the one getting up every time he cries in the night for the first three months"

"One week"

"two months"

"One month"

"Deal"

"Good girl" He smiled kissing my forehead "Now you finish the shopping I'll see you back at the house and we'll take care of this alright?"

"Alright. Now go and clean that office or I am not letting you do anything" I warn "You are not touching me unless those hands are clean and there is nothing under your nails"

"Yes darling" He rolled his eyes, and he gave my hand a kiss and then my stomach "You take care of little one, I'll see you later" He said heading back home.

#tbs #thomas brodie sangster #thomas sangster #tbs smut #thomasbrodiesangster #tbs imagine #tbs imagines #thomas sangster imagine #thomas brodie sangster imagine #thomas brodie sangster smut #the artful dodger #theartfuldogger #jack #jackdawkins #jack dawkins

145 notes · View notes

philomenie · 1 month

Text

KILLING ME SOFTLY

Hitman!Jolly fic

CN murder, violence, sex, organized crime, blood, angst, 18+

@jilliemiw86 @nojoyontheburn @reyadawn @dsireland86

EIGHT

“What is it?” Alexei wants to know as Jolly storms out of the door.

“Where's the doctor?” hisses Jolly, stalling for time.

“Hmm, he should be here by now.....” Alexei explains, stretching.

“You after.....” growls Jolly.

Alexei raises an eyebrow, but walks off.

Good, Jolly thinks to himself, now all I need is the Cuban's fucking cell phone. A piece of cake, he sighs inwardly with sarcasm.

Jolly knows where their victims' private belongings are and that could be the problem. In a safe in the room next to Semjon's office.

Jolly quietly sneaks upstairs and makes it into the room unnoticed.

With shaky hands, he enters the combination and opens the safe. He hurriedly searches through it until he finds what he is looking for. He takes the cell phone, closes the safe again, peers through the crack in the door to see if the coast is clear and slips out again. Just as he is about to go back downstairs, his heart pounding, the door to Semjon's office opens and Artur storms out. His face is distorted and disfigured by anger.

When he sees Jolly, he stands rooted to the spot. His eyes seem to shoot daggers, at least that's how Jolly feels. He coolly returns his gaze.

“You'll regret this!” hisses Artur, barely audible, as he walks past Jolly and rams his shoulder into his side.

Expressionless, Jolly watches him storm down the stairs, heading for the exit.

A heated discussion can be heard from Semjon's office. Kolja seems just as unhappy with his father's decision as he is. Well.... If this works out, he won't have to worry about this tricky situation anyway, Jolly thinks to himself grimly and runs down the stairs, heading back to Ruffilo.

“Unlock your fucking cell phone!” he hisses in his ear.

Ruffilo unlocks it without looking up, “When Nobu picks up, tell him Bad Omens.....” whispers the man.

“What's that supposed to be?” Jolly asks, perplexed.

Ruffilo grins, “A code, then Nobu will know it's me!”

“OK, I'll be right back!” Jolly promises and storms out of the room, goes back to the first floor and looks for a quiet alcove.

With trembling fingers, he dials Nobu's contact and waits.... FUCK, pick up, you goddamn motherfucker, Jolly pleads in his mind.

After what feels like an eternity, the call is answered.

“Bad Omens.” Jolly gasps and waits. His breathing is intermittent, his heart is pounding in his throat, he has to lean against the wall.

“Where is he?!” a cold voice rumbles cuttingly into the silence, ”And is he alive?”

“Yes, he's alive... still!” Jolly hastens to say, ”Volkov's got him!”

“That's what I thought!” Doi hisses sarcastically, ”Who are you?”

“Someone who wants a favor for a favor...” swallows Jolly.

“Speak!” growls Doi.

“The life of Ruffilo, that of his family, the identity of your moles, info on Volkov in exchange for a fresh start, for me and one other person......” explains Jolly sternly, waiting.

“So you want me to manage your exit? WHO are you?” snorts Doi.

“The Swede!” hisses Jolly, who is getting restless because he knows that time is running out.

“So so....” Doi rumbles coldly, ”Then it was YOU on the tarmac.....”

Jolly has nothing to lose, only everything to gain, so he answers truthfully, “Yes!”

“And you think I'm going to help you? Seriously?” Doi hisses angrily.

“Jesus,” Jolly hisses back, ”If I really wanted to hit you, you'd be dead already!”

Doi seems to consider, “Valid point! I know your work!” he admits, ‘Why.....’ he begins, but is interrupted by Jolly.

“FUCK, we don't have time for this.... Ruffilo's going to be “questioned” any minute now... So, what now?” he growls.

Doi considers, “Fine, but how can I prove to you that I'll stick to our agreement?”

“Your word is good enough for me!” gulps Jolly, who has no other choice, but also knows that Doi is a man who places a lot of value on the code of honor.

“You have that! Let Ruffilo go and I'll take care of everything!” he promises.

“Not like this.... I can't just let him go!” Jolly shakes his head, ”Send men to the following address, the back entrance won't be locked. Enough men, by the way. Ruffilo is in the basement, the first door on the left...... Also, make sure Ruffilo's family is taken to safety. Volkov will have already sent men to them!”

“No games?” Doi asks.

“No games!” nods Jolly seriously, ”You have MY word!”

“Only fair!” nods Doi, ”I'll send my men.... What about you?” he then wants to know.

“I have something to do here.... I'll get back to you. On Ruffilo's cell phone!” explains Jolly.

“I'll wait for your call, your message!” Doi nods and hangs up.

Jolly feels like his legs are giving out. God have mercy on me, he thinks to himself, let it succeed!

He looks around again, makes sure no one is near him and goes to the back entrance. Unlocks the door and closes his eyes before unlocking the door. PLEASE, he pleads in his mind and turns the key in the lock.

When he goes back to Ruffilo, Alexei, Kolja and the Doctor are standing around the lifeless Ruffilo.

“WHERE have you been?” Kolja hisses at him.

“Pissing!” growls Jolly and looks at Kolja challengingly.

“Hmm,” he replies, turning to the doctor, ‘So, do something!’ he hisses at him.

The Doctor narrows his eyes, but then takes Ruffilo's head and feels the laceration on his temple, pulls his eyelids upwards and shines a small lamp into it, “Hmm” he mumbles.

“WHAT?” growls Kolja, whose nerves seem tense to the point of tension. Jolly has rarely seen him so excited.

“His pupils react.... Still.... Either he doesn't have a brain haemorrhage or it's still too early to tell exactly. How long has he been at this stage?” the doctor wants to know.

“No idea!” hisses Kolja, looking at Alexei, who shrugs his shoulders, ”A few hours....”

“Hmm” mumbles the doctor again and goes to his bag, takes out a syringe and an ampoule and opens them.

Smiling, he goes to Ruffilo, pulls up his shirt sleeve, “We'll soon see if he's in a coma or just unconscious!” and injects him with the drug.

Jolly feels sick.

The effect is immediate, Ruffilo's hands start to twitch, then he suddenly opens his eyes, his breathing becomes intermittent, sweat breaks out of his pores. He looks around in panic.

“There you go!” smiles the doctor and closes his bag, ‘I'll wait upstairs in case I'm still needed!’ he explains and walks out of the room.

Grinning demonically, Kolja turns to Ruffilo, “Welcome back!” he hisses, “We have a lot to talk about! First of all, you should know that we know WHERE your family is. Our men are already on their way to them!”

Ruffilo looks at him coldly, then raises an eyebrow, “I wouldn't know WHAT to discuss with YOU!”

Kolja may not look muscular, but he still is. The first punch snaps Ruffilo's head back and blood runs out of his nose.

Dazed, he shakes his head, snorts out the blood, which spreads in a fine red mist on his white shirt, next to the drops of blood.

Ruffilo stares angrily into Kolja's eyes, “THAT'S no good!” he hisses.

Kolja strikes again, then immediately turns to Jolly, “Make YOU deliver him to us!”

“You want my weapons?” chortles Ruffilo, ‘Oh heavens!’ he laughs out.

“WHAT's funny about that?” Kolja wants to know.

“Just EVERYTHING!” Ruffilo grumbles quietly.

Kolja angrily tugs at Jolly's arm, “Make him do it!” he yells at him.

Jolly's gaze flits to Ruffilo, who nods imperceptibly. FUCK, he thinks to himself and clenches his fist, punching the Cuban in the stomach, who then slumps down.

Just as he is about to lunge again, muffled sounds of fighting and muffled shots can be heard from above.

“What the fuck....” hisses Kolja in horror and stares at Jolly. Alexei is already at the door and rushes upstairs. The shots and voices are now clearly audible.

Jolly doesn't think twice, grabs Kolja by the arm, “Get yourself to safety!” he hisses at him, “GO, GO!”

When Kolja still doesn't move, Jolly simply pulls him with him, out of the corridor and pushes him further back, to one of the building's safe rooms, types in the combination and simply shoves Kolja inside.

“Lock the door from the inside!” he hisses at him.

“What about you?” Kolja wants to know anxiously.

“I can manage! Your father might need help.....” explains Jolly.

“Good!” Kolja is as white as a sheet, but does as he's told.

Relieved, Jolly goes back to Ruffilo and unties him.

As he stands, he looks Jolly in the eye and nods, “Thank you!” he mumbles.

Jolly looks at him seriously, “Our deal....”

“Stands! You have my word of honor! And Doi's!” Ruffilo replies immediately.

“Good!” declares Jolly and hands Ruffilo his gun, ‘Shoot me!’ he demands, ‘Graze shot... left arm!’ he adds.

Ruffilo grins at him and takes aim, pulling the trigger.

The searing pain starts immediately and Jolly holds his upper arm, swearing to himself in Swedish.

“It was an honor!” grins Ruffilo and hands Jolly his gun back.

“Me, too!” Jolly gasps as hooded men storm into the room and immediately set their sights on Jolly.

“STOP!” roars Ruffilo and stands in front of Jolly, ”Not him!”

The men lower their weapons and nod to Ruffilo, handing him a gun.

“See you around!” nods Ruffilo to Jolly and unexpectedly hits him on the temple with the pistol grip, ‘For safety!’ he explains with a grin.

Jolly has to lean against the wall, slowly slides down it, remains sitting on the floor in a daze, blood once again running down his face and he realizes how the world around him is going dark.

A merciless kick to his already maltreated ribs brings Jolly back to consciousness. Moaning, he writhes on the floor and looks up. Semjon is standing in front of him.

“WHERE IS RUFFILO? WHAT HAPPENED HERE?” he yells at Jolly.

There are countless splashes of blood on Semjon's shirt, but he himself seems unharmed.

“Away.....” Jolly gasps and scrambles to his feet, but is immediately punched in the face by Semjon.

FUCK, you fucking asshole, Jolly thinks to himself and spits out blood.

“WHERE WERE YOU?!” Semjon continues to yell.

“Get your son to safety!” Jolly hisses and gets to his feet, now standing directly in front of Semjon and glaring angrily at him. Semjon returns the glare at first, but then breaks it.

“Boris, go and see if Kolja is all right!” he sends one of his men off.

“What happened here?” he wants to know more calmly from Jolly.

“You tell me!” Jolly snaps at him, ”We were just working on Ruffilo when all hell broke loose upstairs. I took Kolja to the safe room and when I tried to get back, I took a bullet and someone knocked me out here... I don't know why they didn't shoot me straight away!”

“Hmm” grumbles Semjon and looks inscrutably at Jolly, who returns Semjon's gaze boldly and fearlessly. Everything now also depends on whether Semjon believes him.

“It's not Jolly's fault!” Kolja's voice is heard, “He helped me, then wanted to see you!”

“Hmm,” Semjon's gaze and voice soften.

“Clean up here!” he then waves to his men, ‘Upstairs too!’ and wants to leave, turning to Jolly once more, ‘Let the doctor deal with that!’ and points to Jolly's injuries.

Jolly nods silently so as not to give himself away, because his heart is pounding in his throat and he feels like he can't breathe. It can work, it races through his head and he has to pull himself together to keep from grinning.

When he leaves the nondescript building a little later, having received Semjon's blessing, he is brutally pressed against his car just as he is getting into it, which is parked in the backyard under a canopy.

FUCK, what is this now, it flits through Jolly's brain and he struggles against the grip.

A gun barrel pushes against the back of his head and Jolly goes quiet, stops struggling, waits.

“You fucking asshole!” it hisses harshly in his ear.

FUCK, Artur, Jolly closes his eyes in annoyance. He doesn't need this wanker right now.

“What do you want?” Jolly growls back.

The gun barrel is pressed even harder against the back of his head, “Kill you!”

Jolly snorts in amusement, “THAT has been tried by far better men than you!”

“Shut the fuck up!” Artur rages and punches him in the ribs.

FUCK, Jolly draws in a sharp breath, if this goes on, my fucking ribs will break through after all, he thinks to himself angrily.

“YOU'RE not ruining my life!” hisses Artur.

“So Semjon told you his plans....” nods Jolly.

“YES and YOU asshole are certainly not going to be Kolja's right-hand man!” hisses Artur, ”That's ME and I'm going to stay that way!”

“Hmm” mutters Jolly, which earns him another blow in his side and makes Jolly's anger grow, he then pushes off from his car and lets his larger body crash with full force against Artur behind him.

Artur, not expecting this, stumbles and just manages to catch himself and point his gun at Jolly again before he can knock him down or disarm him.

“Careful, Swede.....!” he growls, ”Or do you want your little bitch to die right now!” Artur grins demonically at Jolly, who has lost all color in his face and stares at him in disbelief.

“Your toy, the bitch you're fucking, that doctor from the hospital... I wonder how Nadja thinks that...... You're her toy!” he sneers.

Jolly is frozen, can't believe what Artur has just said to him.

Then he wasn't imagining it, the men in the car who seemed to be following him were Artur's men! FUCK.... How could he have missed it, he thinks to himself desperately....

“What....” croaks Jolly, unable to get another word out.

“What have I done with your bitch?” Artur wants to know with a sneer, ”Nothing yet.... But my local men are waiting for her. I think I'll have my fun with her..... then my men!” he laughs.

Jolly sees red!

Without thinking, he lunges at the now surprised Artur, who wasn't expecting it and before he can do anything about it, Jolly has pushed his weapon down and grabbed his throat, pushing him backwards against the wall. Jolly kicks Artur's kneecap away, causing the man to gasp and fall to the floor. Jolly kicks again and manages to kick Artur's kneecap out so that he can no longer stand and would sink to the floor if Jolly had not relentlessly clutched his throat and increased the pressure on it.

Artur's eyes bulge out and he drops his gun, clutching Jolly's hand at his throat with both hands and trying to free himself.

“Let.....” he gasps soundlessly.

But Jolly shows no mercy. This wanker, this human scum in front of him, has threatened Liv, no, is threatening her. That's his death sentence.

Without batting an eyelid and without saying a word, Jolly grabs his back, pulls one of his combat knives from the holster on his body and rams it full force into Artur's head. He lets go, so that the body in front of him, which was once Artur, collapses and remains lying on the floor.

He calmly wipes the blood off Artur's clothes, opens his trunk and heaves Artur's body into it, which causes him quite a bit of trouble as his ribs hurt like hell.

Panting, he closes the trunk after finally making it. To cover up the bloodstains, Jolly quickly pulls the boxes against the wall forward a little, concealing them so that they are no longer visible.

He gets behind the wheel and drives off, his gaze fixed straight ahead. He can't think about whether Artur's men already have Liv in their hands or not. If he did, he would go mad with fear, knowing what kind of men they are.

Jolly doesn't know exactly where Liv is.... Still in her apartment? Doing something? FUCK.... While driving, he presses her contact.... Speeding through traffic where he can. FUCK, FUCK, FUCK.... He just can't be late!!!

He dashes into the underground parking garage of her apartment complex and parks in the first available spot he sees.

He runs to the elevator, presses the buttons, everything seems like a fucking eternity. Finally the doors open and he gets in. When he arrives at her floor, he bangs on her apartment door as soon as he reaches it.

“LIV!” he yells, but she doesn't open.

Panicked, he opens his apartment door and gets his tools to open Olivia's fucking door. Again, seconds seem like hours before the lock gives way and he can push the door open. “LIV!” he yells desperately as he storms into her apartment, searching the rooms for her.

FUCK where the fuck is she?

The apartment is deserted, nothing to indicate a fight or anything like that...

Jolly feels like he's going crazy with fear for the woman he loves more than anything.

Where could she be?

Jolly thinks feverishly about where she could be.

What did Artur say? His men are on site, waiting for her.... If she's not here, where can Artur's fucking henchmen be waiting for her? Or have they already got her in the meantime?

FUCK!!!!!

Adrenaline rushes through his body.

He picks up his cell phone and is about to redial her number when his eyes fall on messages and he notices he's received new ones.

With shaky hands, he opens the messenger service.

LIV... she sent him a message about an hour ago....

FUCK... She's in the hospital. Had to step in, hopes she won't be long.

Jolly storms back into his apartment, grabs a second gun, holsters it as well and is already on his way to the parking garage.

The traffic is driving Jolly mad, and he angrily bangs his steering wheel again and again, swearing to himself in Swedish. When he finally arrives at the hospital.

He looks around, but the car he suspects belongs to Artur's henchmen is nowhere to be seen.

Jolly drives into a side street and parks. He pulls a sweat jacket that is lying on his back seat over his turtleneck sweater to cover his holster with the weapons and the bandage from his graze. He also pulls his baseball cap low over his face and starts walking towards the hospital, always keeping an eye on his surroundings.

Jolly slowly strolls to the entrance of the emergency room, where he would have preferred to run, walks in and looks around.

The emergency room is, as always, overcrowded. Nursing staff and doctors are rushing around.

With a petrified face, Jolly goes to the registration desk and waits impatiently until the nurse has time for him.

When she finally turns to him, Jolly has red crescent moons in his palms from his fingernails, which he has pressed into his flesh to stay calm.

“And what problem do you have?” she wants to know from him and lets her gaze wander up and down him, lingering on the injuries on his face. The bruises are fading, the stitches on his lip and eyebrow are healing, the fresh laceration on his temple has been stitched up and dressed with a plaster.

“Um, Dr. Knox, Olivia Knox... she stepped in at short notice today.... Is she still here?” he asks the nurse, who raises her eyebrow at this question.

“I'm not responsible for that kind of information!” she explains reservedly and looks at him again.

Jolly tries to remain calm and smile, which he fails horribly, “I know, I'm sorry, but it's important, really important, that I speak to her!”

“I'm sorry....” the nurse begins, but Jolly grabs her hand, ‘Please!’ he pleads urgently, ”I HAVE to speak to her, can't you quickly see if she's here!”

“Is there a problem?” another nurse wants to know, eyeing Jolly suspiciously.

“Dr. Knox... is she still here?” the first nurse sighs and turns to the second nurse.

“Olivia? No... I don't think so, she must have left a few minutes ago....” explains the second nurse.

“Where to?!” gasps Jolly, ”I mean through which exit?!”

“Side exit, she wanted to go to the parking garage!” replies the second nurse.

“Thank you!!!” Jolly presses out and is already on his way to the side exit, pushing his way through the waiting patients.

When he finally reaches the street and looks around, Olivia is nowhere to be seen. With a bad feeling, he walks towards the parking garage. Damn, he can't be late.... It's a shame that Olivia took the car. She usually takes the subway..... FUCK...

The parking garage is full, but deserted. God, she could have just parked anywhere, Jolly thinks desperately and runs through the first floor, looking for her or her car. After failing to find her, he runs to the second floor and searches everywhere there too. FUCK..... how many floors does this fucking parking garage have, and how many fucking parking spaces, he wonders. When he reaches the fifth floor, he realizes that he is slowly running out of breath and his chest and ribs are hurting more and more. But he can't take that into consideration, not as long as he hasn't found his Liv. Breathing heavily, he has to support himself against a concrete pillar and pause for a moment. His head is also pounding and his stitched temple is throbbing. Jolly feels sick and dizzy. FUCK, he doesn't have time for this now!!! Suddenly he hears a cry, which is stifled.

Feverishly he looks around again and again, FUCK, WHERE are they? Out of the corner of his eye, he sees movement and stops abruptly, peers into the dark alcove and can make out movement.

Without thinking, Jolly sprints towards the alcove, he hears muffled sounds of struggle, as if someone is fighting back vehemently and desperately, muffled screams, as if the person's mouth is being covered. Furious rage boils up inside him when he finally sees the scenario before him. Two of Artur's assholes are wrestling with Liv, his Liv, who is desperately trying to escape the brutal grips. Jolly rips off his sweat jacket, grabs one of his combat knives and grabs the first of the men standing closer to him, grips his chin from behind and pulls him away from Liv, who looks at him with panicked eyes. Without hesitation, Jolly plunges the knife into the man's back, below the ribcage, knowing he will hit the man's kidney and give him a certain death. Almost silently, the man collapses in front of him.

With a wild look in his eyes, he climbs over the corpse, the blood-soaked knife raised. The second guy now has Liv in his grasp and is holding a gun to her head, “Fuck off, Swede!” he hisses in panic, “Or she'll be dead in a minute!” Growling, Jolly walks on, the man stumbles backwards with Liv until a wall at his back blocks his escape route. He looks around frantically. “Listen..... Artur wanted her...... I'm just following orders!” the guy gasps. Jolly continues to walk towards him without a word, pure murderous lust glowing in his eyes. His gaze flutters to Liv, who hangs pale as death in the man's arms, her eyes wide with terror, barely daring to breathe. It's lightning fast, the man can barely follow as Jolly, in one smooth movement, brutally pushes the hand with the man's gun back against the wall with his free hand and rams the knife into his side with the other. A single shot, muffled by the silencer, goes off and fades into the silence of the parking garage. Panting, the man looks Jolly in the eye in panic as Jolly pulls his knife out of his body again and rams it full force into his head, right between his eyes. The man stares at Jolly in disbelief, unable to believe what has just happened, then rolls his eyes and collapses, dragging Liv with him as he still clutches her waist.

Jolly is quicker, reaches for her and saves her from falling, pulling her to him, “It's all right... you're safe!” he swallows hoarsely as he presses her against him. Olivia's whole body is shaking and she can barely calm down as she clings to him, sobbing and completely distraught, her fingernails digging into his skin through the thin fabric of his top.

#joakim jolly karlsson #joakim karlsson #jolly karlsson #jolly #bad omens #bad omens cult #bad omens band #joakim karlsson fanfiction #jolly fanfiction #bad omens fanfiction #fanfiction #fanfic

19 notes · View notes

wednesdayche · 11 months

Text

how to gain Minthara's approval and trigger her romance scene while being neutral:

Thanks 顾冼_ for all her Minthara videos and those kind souls in the comments.

I will update when I have time ❤️

--------------SPOILER-------------

Q1: Can I romance Minthara while keeping Wyll and Karlach in my party?

A: Yes! We're doing a neutral playthrough. As long as you don't kill tieflings or tell Minthara the location, they won't leave your party. And they're fine with your thirst for Minthara. You can ignore Minthara back in goblin camp and kill the rest. Just stay away from where she stands.

Q2: I can start her romance without the goblin party?

A: Yes, you can. Being neutral means there'll be NO party night. You'll miss this opportunity to start her romance, but you can still romance her in ACT2 and even in ACT3 as long as you get her approval high.

Another thing that you might wanna know is whether you sleep with her or not her approval point is the same, ZERO, after she joins you. So what's all the killing for? And she'll even question you why you killed those tieflings...

Q3: Can I romance other companions?

A: Yes and no. The party night is an important event where you can trigger your companions' romance scenes. So it's harder to start a romance when you are playing neutral. But yes you can romance others before Minthara joins your squad. Have an exhausting night with Lae'zel or offer yourself to the vampire, it's ok. The journey is long and tav needs company at night. Just try to avoid triggering the second romance scene. If you trigger that, turn them down. Since you're trying to woo our drow princess, show loyalty!

Seriously, it may cause bugs so you can't romance Minthara later. And she really doesn't like being cheated on. Like if you sleep with the devil mommy, she'll break up with you and threaten you.

Q4: Why does Minthara accusing me of cheating on her out of no reason?

A: Bug perhaps. Go to Sharess' Caress and talk with the drow twins. If she threatens you, then you are safe.

Q5：Minthara joins my party at the end of ACT2, how can I get her points?

A: Rearrange your schedule and save her ASAP, and take her wherever you go.

You can go the moonrise tower without lantern. There is a place at the bottom of the map where you can jump to the other side where the tower is. Use spells like enhance leap, dimension door or misty step, your squad can reach the light within one turn. You'd better find the portal in shadowed battlefield before this.

---------------------------------------

Here's a list of how to make her approval high in ACT2 to start her romance.

Before she joins your party, your choice will not affect her approval points. So don't worry that she will disapprove if you try to save her out in a peaceful, or in other words, coward way.

Last Light Inn:

refuse to drink Jaheira's wine (+1)

agree to help Marcus to kidnap Isobel (+1)

then tell Isobel that Marcus wanna kidnap her (+5)

before telling Isobel you can also use tadpole to reach deeper in Marcus's mind (+5)

The Waning Moon:

pass all the checks (+5)

you can also just choose to attack. She'll approve but I forgot how many points you can get.

House of Healing:

kill the doctor with silver tongue (+1)

Toolhouse:

kill Gerringothe Thorm with silver tongue (+1)

Moonrise Tower:

The narrator will remind you that you are taking a prisoner with you before you enter the tower with Minthara. Keep her close.

free Barnabus the gnoll from the abusolute (+1)

meet z'rell and talk about what you've done with the goblins (+1)

Shar Temple:

steal Balthazar's mother's urn and refuse to give it back (+1)

you'll be in combat but worth a try XD

talk with the displacer beast, call her slave, "in love with an orthon?", then "love is a disease" (+1)

kill Dame Aylin (+1) ...well it's an option

Necrotic Laboratory:

consume the waking mind (+1)

fresh mind-"you'll never wake again, little one" (+1)

purge the pods (+1)

After the final battle:

you can gain 16 points after talking with her on the throne. pick the options about power and revenge.

Camp:

tbc...

#baldur's gate 3 #bg3 #minthara baenre #minthara

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lostonehero · 7 months

Text

Ok fuck cannon for both series mech tma au

Also mech Martin as a treat

"W-wait." Jonny stopped holding up his hand before Nastya could set the dimension hop.

"The great Jonny d'Ville stuttering? Never thought I would see the day." Nastya rolls her eyes. "What's wrong? You want to get Martin, right?"

"I..." Jonny sighs and looks at Tim and then back to the rest of the crew and eventually Nastya. He fishes out a pair of glasses from his pocket.

"Smarts Jonny." Ivy raised her brow.

Jonny sighs and crosses his arms. "Tim and I have other versions of ourselves in that universe."

"So?" Raphaella quirks her brow. "Extra parts to experiment with."

"Not exactly." Jonny takes a breath. "Any universe or reality doesn't like copies and to remedy that well... we won't be able to stay here." He starts to motion his hands as his tail starts to lash back and forth. "The reality has a way to correct this, and that is to physically fuse myself with my alter, and the same will happen to Tim. I literally have no idea what that will even do."

Brian tilts his head. "So what you're saying that that there is a chance you'll both dissapear?"

"Not exactly, but kind of." Jonny shrugs, removing his glasses. "Eh, it's whatever just wanted to warn you fucks. Tim and I agreed to go through it. We all were already fucked around with the promise of actual death and waking up before, and who knows Martin's world goes through a literal apocalypse so that will be fun."

Tim nods. "We both have bets going on about how it works. I also get to go to a less advanced version of where I'm from. I really want to see what's that like. Also, I saved Bertie, and he got a long life, so I'm honestly fine with a true death."

Raphaella looks at both of them. "If both of you truly die, can I do an autopsy of your bodies to see what came over?"

"Why the fuck not? I don't give a shit I'll be dead." Jonny hums and raises a brow at Ashes. "What?"

"You'll be human." Ashes motions vaguely to his obvious status as not human.

"Huh." Jonny scratches his stubble. "I'll miss my tail if I remember any of it."

Tim snickers. "I'll be fine."

Ivy smirks. "What if your alternate has short hair?" She pauses. "Also, I want earth books."

"I have a new fear." Tim sighs.

Nastya pauses. "Are you sure?"

TS smiles. "I Think They Already Agreed. Bring Me Back A Earth Cat."

"You heard them let's fucking go." Jonny reached out and grabs Tim's hand. "I ain't living for the rest of time without Blackwood."

"Neither I am." Tim nods. "All speed ahead."

Nastya sighs. "This is a terrible idea, but if both of you still remain, I suppose stopping the apocalypse would please Aurora..... oh hmmmm." She puts the ship full throttle, and in an instant, Jonny and Tim vanish.

......

Martin woke up on his back, which honestly is the weirdest way he could wake up second to the alarm on his... he knew the word for the thing, but he couldn't recall it. He barely fumbled to turn off that obnoxious noise. What was a much more pressing manner was the fact his body was wrong, well correct but that was wrong. He can't recall when he had normal legs and feet... he could, but he would much rather forget the time before the good doctor got her hands on him. He was abnormal for a mechanism since his mechanism was organic in nature his lower half was that of a spider. Of course, he didn't hate it he wanted something different after that.

Ok, at the time, he thought himself a monster and tried to kill himself a multitude of times. He grew out of it. Obviously, it would have been a bleak eternity otherwise. He had a vague feeling of where he was, but the word peaches and worms came to mind. He kind of knew what that meant, but he was more so annoyed that this afterlife was basically before he became a mech. He had to figure out what he was doing.

Maybe if he went too... uh oh right the Magnus Institute, that's when he worked a normal job on earth. This was earth he hoped it wasn't in his head that this was some elaborate death dream because that would be a first. He should try to recall more of this if he is ever going to get through this weird afterlife. He hoped it was an afterlife because if not it meant that he wasn't dead, and he didn't want to do that without Jonny and Gunpowder Tim, and of course, the rest of the crew.

He got showered after figuring out the old-fashioned shower and got dressed in familiar clothes he didn't want to remember. He knew he had to remember, but he really didn't want to. He knew how this world worked. Public transport was easy, and soon, he arrived at the very institute that set everything in motion. What's that saying like a hover bike? Or a bicycle? He will remember what to do and go through the motions.

"You're late." A pretentious pompous voice sneered at Martin.

Martin paused, staring at the man studying him, and he reminded him of Jonny, and a name spilled from his lips. "Jon?"

"Did you hit your head on your way here? Of course I'm Jon." The short man shoved a stack of papers in his arms. "Get through these and try not to fall behind."

Martin frowns and takes the stack of statements. He knew they were statements. Some real some fake, and he had an unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach that this wasn't the afterlife. He sat at his desk and stared at a computer, which he didn't recall the password for, and just started to read. He couldn't think about who he saw by him.

"Geez Marto, you ok?" That was Tim, not gunpowder, but Stoker. He was rubbing his eyes, but it was still him.

Martin knew the moment he saw her not corrupted by a thing that wore her skin poorly he might add he knew he wasn't in the afterlife and his death was a fucking lie. He wanted his final death with the rest of them. Did they also wake up before they became? Before the doctor got a hold of them? He takes a breath and sighs. "I'm fine." He forced himself to say. He noticed Tim was bleeding around his eyes. He chose to get up and wet some napkins to help.

"Tim, you really should see a doctor for that." Sasha frowns.

"I'm fine it's probably from my contacts. I'll wear my glasses, and the problem should clear up." Tim gives finger guns as his eyes water.

Martin sighs. "Tim, you're crying."

"Not emotionally." Tim snickers at his joke. "I'm fine. I probably just need rest and to get new contacts." His eyes stop watering after a moment, but it doesn't stop him from rubbing them like they ached.

Martin wasn't convinced, but he knew better than to push it normally got him shot or someone crying in his arms. He knew that didn't matter here. This place wasn't.... he wasn't home. "I'll make some tea for everyone."

"Thank you, Martin." Tim smiles as he rubs his eyes.

"Amazing as always." Sasha smiles.

Martin nodded and distracted himself with making tea. It didn't last long enough as he gave out the tea. He stepped into Jon's office, and he raised a brow at the scene he walked into. Jon was sitting on his knees in a chair not built for that position. "I made you some tea."

Jon nods, rubbing at his chest. "Right."

Martin paused and decided to push his luck. "Why are you sitting like that?"

Jon scowls and takes his mug of tea, and takes a sip. "My lower back aches, and it is worse if I sit normally. My painkillers haven't kicked in."

"Ah, alright, just be careful, alright." Martin smiles, hoping he was acting enough like he did before.

.....

Tim groans as he stares at the bottle of eye drops the doctor gave him. It did literally nothing. His eyes ached and burned, and no matter what he did, the pain wouldn't go away. It's been two weeks, and it's only gotten worse, and he hasn't been able to do anything to relieve it.

He used the heels of his hand and pressed them into his eyes for any sort of relief that wouldn't come. Doctors couldn't find anything wrong and called him basically crazy because there was nothing wrong with his eyes. He knew something was wrong. He knew something was happening.

Tim was desperate. If the eye pain wasn't enough, he was starting to have weird dreams of a man with mechanical eyes. They would talk, and Gunpowder, the other guy picked that name. Don't ask him why it suited him. The memories... no dreams, he keeps having to correct himself. The dreams Gunpowder tells him are his memories, and he apologizes for them all the time. At one point, these memories became his own, but the only thing it did was make Gunpowder more solid in his mind.

Tim liked Gunpowder he was kind and a bit odd, but he didn't feel alone. He hasn't felt seen or known since his brother. Fuck he really missed Danny.

"You have his memories."

Tim nearly fell backward. That was Gunpowder, but he was awake if the pain was anything to say about that. His eyes scanned the small bathroom, searching for the source of the voice, but he didn't see anything. Maybe he was hearing things. The statements were probably getting to him.

Tim sighs and shuts the lights off, and heads to the couch. He just needed to sleep, that's all. Sleep came quickly these days, and he woke up not in Gunpowder's memories but to a futuristic bedroom. He knew this place from some more steamy memories from Gunpowder. Speaking of him, he was lounging in the bed holding a bottle that no longer had labels.

Gunpowder flicked his mechanical eyes to glance at Tim. His long hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and a pair of goggles was around his neck. He held up the bottle. "Shit doesn't do much in here but wants some?"

Tim shook his head as he approached and sat on the edge of the bed. "Did you say something?"

"When you started to spiral? Yeah." Gunpowder sits up, putting the bottle aside. "I'm not as well versed in this theoretical nonesense as Jonny is, but I think it's almost complete." He reached his hand out, and Tim allowed him to grab it. "Soon we'll be together awake and asleep, probably when my eyes finally form. Again, sorry about the pain."

"I don't think I'm able to believe you." Tim had that sinking feeling of dread that he knew Gunpowder was right. "Why?"

"We wanted to save our third to complete us." Gunpowder pulls his hand away. "Eternity isn't great when you're missing someone that helps complete you. We were also promised an apocalypse, and that did sound fun."

"Love is a good reason." Tim wanted to reach out again but refrained. "So would you be able to take over like a ghost?"

Gunpowder laughs. "I ain't no ghost, but maybe again, Jonny knows more about this bullshit than I do."

Tim nods and gets up approaching the door.

"Are you sure?"

"If what you say is true, I might as well know more about you." Tim opened the door and vanished into memories that weren't his own.

Gunpowder picked the bottle up again and sighed. "I wonder if Jonny is having a good time."

.....

Jon felt even worse, he however did not go to the doctor even at Martin insistent, he was acting odd more so than normal, and it made his work even worse. He stripped off his shirt and pants, then finally his binder and groans. The red spot on his lower back right on his tailbone he could pass off as bug bite, now ballooned into a throbbing red mass that was completely solid to the touch.

He really wanted to keep ignoring it, but he felt something move under his skin, and it scared him half to death. Every part of him felt wrong, to his privates they were extra sensitive more so then when he started T to his ears that were bright red and painful, to his head that he can feel growing bumps on his head. The worst of it was his chest, his heart was constantly beating erratically, and he could swear he heard a ticking like a metronome in his chest. Everything was wrong, and yet he just crawled into his bed.

No to Jon, the worst part were these dreams that were nothing but fiction, and this Jonny character was a idiot, a violent obnoxious idiot. Jonny talked to him. He purposely argued with him and teased him. That ass was crude and didn't have a fucking care in the world the complete opposite of himself. He was some vile creature that probably spawned from the statements he read.

Jon bit down on his pillow, he moved wrong, and his sensitive privates sent nerves and sparks through his body. He was asexual he shouldn't have these desires, and he shouldn't be thinking about his coworkers in this matter. Why the fuck was Martin a spider creature it scared him but also thrilled him and he hated these thoughts. Tim was mostly the same, but his hair was long, and his eyes were machines. He blamed Jonny for all of this. But he wasn't real his mind just wanted someone to blame.

That obnoxious crazed laughter rang in Jon's ears. He groaned, spitting out his pillow. "Leave me alone, you annoying hallucination." That only earned him harder laughter. He gave a frustrated yell into his pillow. He refused to listen to the just jerk off from Jonny and grabbed sleeping pills from his draw, and hoped for a dreamless sleep, which he knew was futile. He kept seeing memories that weren't his of some nonesense syfy fan wet dream. Jonny wasn't real, and what he saw wasn't real either.

.......

Sasha moved closer to Tim. "Eyes still bothering you?" She motions to his the dark sunglasses you couldn't see his eyes through.

Tim nods. "Yeah, doctors aren't helping. They feel like they're going to pop." He sighs. "Do you know what's up with boss man?"

Sasha shrugs. "I was going to ask about Martin. He seems more lost than normal, and he seems less jumpy but even more depressed? I don't know he keeps avoiding me every time I try to press."

"I can talk to him if you talk to Jon about his attitude. I watched him yell at Martin first 10 minutes, and Martin just took it with a smile like he didn't care." Tim frowns, rubbing his eyes his vision was getting blurry, and he could feel something wet drip down from his face.

"Eye drops first, you're crying again, and it's not clear." Sasha hands him a tissue. "I'll go talk to Jon."

"You're the best, Sasha." Tim smiles and rushes off to the bathroom. He barely makes it inside when his vision goes dark. He can only whimper in shock as fresh pain blooms where his eyes should be. A wet substance drips down his cheeks, and he barely registers hands on his shoulder, guiding him to sit on the ground.

Soft hands carefully remove the black glasses and a soft curse on his lips from a voice Tim knows, but he can't focus or see who said that. He could feel a wet cloth wipe whatever was on his face.

"Tim, you gotta breathe." That was Gunpowder. He sounded so clear, like he was right next to him. "I know it hurts, but you have to let the machines build themselves. It's actually really neat to watch."

The soft hands were done cleaning his face as he let out a sigh at the loss of touch. And a flash of light burned, and then he heard a soft click like that of a camera and a softer moving of machines like a soft roll. His vision came back way too fast, and suddenly, it was too perfect, and he saw too much. He saw a familiar sweater connected to a man leaning over him. "M-martin?" Of course it was Martin his hands were soft... he didn't know why he thought of them like a cat's paw.

"Blackwood!" Gunpowder gasps.

Martin takes the spoiled hand towel and puts it in his back pocket. "Tim, can you focus on me?"

The soft whirl of machines and Tim was looking at Martin. "What happened?" He could see the hand towel and had a few theories on what the stains were.

Martin smiles softly, and Tim feels calmer.

"Feels safe into the den of the spider." Gunpowder hums. "Do you mind if I just uh..."

Tim barely registered what happened until he was in the spot where Gunpowder was. He saw his body move without him, and he just watched unable to process until it clicked what had happened. "Oh." He watches Martin tilt his head as Gunpowder looks up at him, then he feels a stinging pain as Martin hits them.

Gunpowder holds his cheek and looks to Tim, realizing they both felt it.

Martin takes a breath. "You didn't heed any of my warnings."

Gunpowder smiles staring up at Martin.

Martin falters, and he moves and sits down next to him on the bathroom floor. "Is...?"

"Yeah, Tim's here." Gunpowder hums. "Don't think he made the connection yet."

"That is a given." Martin pulls his knees up. "I haven't.... yaknow, and I'm worried when I do..."

"You won't be able to hide." Gunpowder nods and reaches out to Martin. "Aha, he made the connection."

Martin smiles softly, interlocking his fingers with Tim. "Yeah, a lot of shit happened. Welcome to the madness of it."

"Oh, we're well past madness and circled back round to sanity." Gunpowder chuckles, taking the glasses back. "Talk later?"

Martin nods and watches Tim return to his body. "Are you ok?"

Tim blinks. Well, he thinks he blinks, but he's pretty sure he doesn't have eyelids anymore. "I uh... I think so." He paused. "So where's the spider parts? Don't tell me my shared memories and adult fantasies are a lie."

Martin chuckles. "Oh, you're both horrible. Ask Gunpowder, you ass." He gets up and holds out his hand. "Come on, we have to get back to work before Jon throws another fit."

Tim nods, getting up with Martin's help. "Seriously though, where are the spider bits?"

"I don't actually know, and I don't want to test dying to see if they come back." Martin sighs.

"Ah, fair enough." Tim continues to hold Martin's hand. "I uh...you know what happens..."

Martin frowns. "Tim, for me, it's been well over a few thousand years. My memory isn't perfect. I remember what my mind thinks are the important bits, but I've really tried to forget this happened. The ending isn't a good one." He sighs. "We can talk after work, in the tunnels."

"Tunnels?" Tim raised his brow following Martin, never unlocking their hands.

......

Martin pulled Tim back as emts rushed out with a stretcher. "Who got hurt?"

Sasha rushed over. "I went to check on Jon, and he... he was bleeding, and he was barely breathing. I called the ambulance, and they rushed him to the hospital."

Tim frowns. "Is he ok?"

"I don't know." Sasha gives a soft gasp as Martin pulls her into a hug.

"Hey, you did the right thing. Jon will be fine." Martin smiles softly. "We can visit him after our shift. I'm sure he wouldn't mind visitors."

Sasha hugs him back. "You're right. You're right. He probably knew something was wrong and refused to see a doctor."

Tim sighs. "That does sound like Jon." He paused for a moment. "I, uh yeah, back to work."

Sasha nods, wiping her eyes and pulling away from Martin. "I'm sure he'll appreciate a cleaner archive when he gets back."

Martin nods. "Of course, that sounds great." He grabs Tim's arm. "Tim and I can grab some boxies and start moving things around."

"Oh, that's great." Sasha smiles, watching them leave.

.....

"Why did you grab me?" Tim raised his brow.

"So I think I know what happened to Jon." Martin frowns.

Tim paused, and his demeanor changed, and he sags his shoulders. "Oh, this is not going to be good."

"No, it's not." Martin sighs. "Fuck everything has changed now."

"So, did we do it?" Gunpowder raised his brow.

Martin snickers. "Yeah, not even close. We both know that gods won't take this lying down even if it's Jonny."

"Eh, worth a shot." Gunpowder shrugs. "Blackwood has told me enough to know what Jon ends up as I'll explain later."

.....

Elias adjusts his tie and smiles, looking over his archivist. The unfortunate nature of the Flesh and Stranger working together does have this outcome. Of course, he can pull all the strings needed to have this little incident swept under the rug and tied in a neat bow. He smiles softly, watching him wake up. "Are you alright, Jonathan? You've given us all quite the scare." He stops seeing a scowl that isn't Jon's normal one on his lips.

Jonny's mouth felt like it was full of cotton, and his head was fuzzy, and Jon's nagging didn't exactly help him either. His gaze moved up to the man in a suit. He looked like a prick, an obnoxious wealthy prick. Jon was yelling at him that's his boss and don't fuck this up. Of course he wouldn't fuck this up he knew how to act proper and can copy Jon's boring ass. If he could just focus.

"Jonathan, are you alright? You may have hit your head on the way down. You're on some painkillers." Elias smiles, leaning over him.

Jonny furrows his brows. He hated painkillers and always took the fun out of pain and violence. "...fuzzy..." He managed to mumble. His tolerance to painkillers was null and void due to his affection for actual pain. Couldn't he just get Jon's tolerance and not just the fun new parts to explore. He scowls again at the man above his bed, he wanted to rip that smile off his face.

Elias chuckles softly. "Painkillers will do that, and you're not even on that heavy of a dose. I'm sure your coworkers will be visiting you soon. Hopefully, you'll feel better by then."

Jonny grits his teeth. He had a few choice words for that pompous ass.

"You can't kill him." Jon looked drowsy floating next to him.

At least Jonny wasn't the only one suffering in this cushioned hell. He huffs and turns his head.

Jon chuckles. "Don't be mad. You've got control." He was very out of it. He felt the same effects Jonny was. "What's.... what is uh...." He blinks, unable to form a coherent thought.

Jonny huffs and can't fight the feeling of sleep overtaking him.

......

"So Gunpowder Tim cut a bloody path...." Jonny stops, noticing that his head finally felt clear enough and reciting old ballads of his friends wasn't needed. He looked down at Jon, who was staring at him. He floated down to lay next to Jon. "What's with that look? I already explained our situation to you at nauseum."

Jon scowls, looking away. He then makes a vague motion, unable to explain why he suddenly felt wrong.

Jonny raised his brow. "You've got my dick. Ain't you special."

Jon scoffs, but his face is turning red because he feels that is true. "No..." He huffs.

Jonny paused, watching Jon get frustrated. He didn't feel like sharing in that. He learned early in that they shared emotions, and he had to get used to feeling things that weren't his own. It was honestly worse than Nastya, making him feel Aurora emotions. "I can tell you."

Jon felt himself be pushed out from his body as Jonny took control. He scowls but sighs, watching and feeling Jonny's own emotions. "So? What's wrong with m- us?"

Jonny scowls. "They cut off my fucking tail! It's a fucking bitch to grow that back." He raised his ands and feels around his forehead. "Good, they didn't cut them too short. Actually, I like them short, so this isn't an issue... I'm narrating for you Jon be grateful."

Jon raised his brow. "You can't hear my thoughts?"

"Can you hear mine?" Jonny spits back.

"Fair point." Jon sighs. "Are we ok?"

"Fuck if I know. Everything is new, raw, and sensitive. My dicks never been this fucked before." Jonny growls as he is forced back out by Jon.

"D-Dont do that." Jon pulls the blanket over his body.

Jonny shrugs, not understanding Jon. "Whatever, we just have to adjust." He pauses for a moment, pointing at Jon. "This is earth, right?"

"Yes?" Jon raised his brow.

"Tim and Blackwood always referred to me as a cowboy. What's a cow? I don't think I've ever seen an earth cow."

Jon blinks. "But you have parts like a bull."

"Wait, I thought it was called cows." Jonny returned a confused look.

Jon shakes his head. "Alien, right, you're an alien. You don't know human er earth animals. Cows don't have sharp teeth like you, but uh, bulls are basically male cows, but cows are the general term used."

"Can I see what they look like?" Jonny floated to lay next to Jon.

"Yeah, when I get my phone." Jon paused. "Are you upset I wasn't born a man?"

"Why would I care? You've got my dick now, and I have a new hole to play with. This is a win for me." Jonny shrugs and raised his brow feeling relief pour from Jon.

"Thank you." Jon says quietly.

"Ok?" Jonny shrugs floating to look around the hospital room.

......

Sasha slams on the breaks. "Tim what the fuck."

Tim's eyes clicked and whirled. He was told only he could hear this by Gunpowder. Well, both can hear since they share a body. He reaches for his glasses and realizes he took them off because his ears were bothering him. He could feel the look from Gunpowder and Martin on him. "It's a long story."

Sasha rocketed to a spot to park, and she twisted her body to the back seat. "Tim explain now!"

Martin bites his lip and blurts out. "It's my fault. I'm supposed to be dead, both me and Gunpowder. Promised an end to eternity, and it was a farce and I'm back here like this, and I really tried to forget about this part of my life. I mean for fucks sake you die and get replaced Sasha and none of us notice for a year because of how it worked. Tim dies in an explosion, destroying the circus, and that isn't to mention the fucked up paranoia from Jon and extreme levels of fucked up creatures that I mean now I can look back at and laugh but you can't you're mortal. I mean, these are fear gods, so I mean they will get to you eventually."

Gunpowder grabs Martin's hand. "Martin, that's enough. The only reason Jonny knew about my past was because he was playing soldier and was with me. You don't have to..." He stops as Martin waves him off.

"No, it's fine. Tim and Sasha deserve to know." Martin sighs. "I'll tell you what I can remember it has been a few thousand years since I've been through this."

.....

Sasha swallows. "I believe you."

Martin blinks. "Why?"

"I've had a bad feeling, and I knew Gertrude didn't just go missing." Sasha then points to Tim. "Also look at his fucking eyes Martin that's pretty good evidence."

Gunpowder nods.

Martin gives a nervous smile. "I'm sorry I've gotten used to things over the years. I like Tim's eyes."

"Yeah, yeah, don't boast his ego." Sasha puts her seat belt back on. "So keep your glasses on Tim. We're going to visit Jon if the same thing happened to him like you."

"It's equally as possible. Jon worked himself into a delusional state and just hurt himself." Martin shrugs.

Tim blinks back in control. "That's really dark."

"No, no, Martin has a point." Sasha starts the car again. "Remember that incident in research."

"I tried to forget, but I see your point." Tim sighs, putting his glasses back on.

Martin sighs. "Hopefully that isn't the case."

.....

Jon shifted uncomfortably as he sat up. Jonny wasn't lying. The tail thing was incredibly uncomfortable and annoying. He stared at the hospital food in front of him and was told he couldn't leave till tomorrow. He hated hospital food, and he hated hospitals.

"Stop pouting." Jonny rolls his eyes. "I can feel your emotions and pouting won't get you nowhere."

"Oh, then what can I do? Please enlighten me." Jon scowls taking a bite of his peas.

"For one, actually eat. How the fuck are you in such shit condition? Do you even know what fun is?" Jonny shook his head. "You can't do shit without meat on your bones, and you look half starved. You're a fucking disaster."

Jon continues to scowl, not saying a word.

The door opens to his room.

"Blackwood!" Jonny floats through him, trying to tackle him. "Fuck."

Martin smiles softly as Tim and Sasha follow behind him. "We wanted to make sure you're ok."

"You gave me a scare, Jon." Sasha crosses her arms. "You need to learn how to take a break, or at least see a doctor."

Tim was odd wearing sunglasses that completely hid his eyes, but he knew Tim was having trouble with his eyes. "You look awful."

Jon can't help but give a soft smile. "Just wasn't paying attention and hit my head." He motions to the bandages around his head and ears.

"Don't lie to Blackwood. That man can see through any lie you spit." Jonny crosses his arms. "Besides, I bet you control of my choosing that Gunpowder is in your Tim."

Jon ignores him. "Ah you didn't have to bring me anything."

Martin smiles softly as he pulls out a chocolate slice of cake. "It's just some chocolate cake. I mean, you don't have to have it..." He stops as Jon's demeanor changes in an instant as he pushes his food aside.

Jon was forced out and watched Jonny make grabby hands.

"Give it here, Blackwood." Jonny huffs. "Don't you fucking tempt me."

Martin's expression changed, and Jon could feel a shiver down his back. "You and your sweet tooth." He tisks, placing the slice down.

Jonny grabs the container. "Fuck you." He huffs and has enough decency to use a fork. "Your fucking lucky I have to fix this body or I would end you."

Jon watches Tim snicker. "You lost height!" His snickers turn to giggles.

"Piss off." Jonny scoffs.

Sasha raised her brow. "How did you know the cake would work?"

"d'Ville only has one craving he can't quit, and it ain't cigarettes." Gunpowder smirks, taking off his glasses, revealing his mechanical eyes.

Jonny scowls. "Oh fuck you. I don't deny myself pleasures like you."

"I have manners you lack." Tim spits back.

Martin chuckles and has a glint in his eyes and a sinister smile that again Jon can't tear his eyes from. "Now, both of you, that's enough." He moves closer and leans over Jonny. "How about you behave and finish all of your food, and maybe I'll convince the doctors to let you leave early?"

Jon can feel the tug, no the crashing wave of desire, and just pure love spill from Jonny, and if they had his tail, it would be wagging like a dog.

Jonny, for his part, nods eagerly. "It would be faster if you fed me." He purrs back.

Martin steps back. "Don't push your luck. I'm mad at you."

In a split second, that emotion was gone, replaced with annoyance. Jon had to shake his head from the whiplash.

"We agreed!" Jonny huffs stuffing his face with food. "It's not like you were there with your bleeding heart. You weren't there, I woke up after that bar in that... look, I'm not having this conversation."

Jon could feel a bubble of an emotion, one that he knew should leave unspoken. He remains quiet watching Martin.

Martin gaze didn't break, let alone change. He crosses his arms. "Did you do the same?"

Jonny swallows his final bite. "I can't say I wanted to change it, so I didn't."

Martin's gaze seems to finally soften. "Good, he didn't deserve forgiveness." He reached out and pat Jonny's shoulder. "That's my cowboy." He pauses. "What's with the frown?"

"They cut off my tail." Jonny sounded honest and small.

Jon was taken aback.

"I never said humanity was a kind species." Martin brushes a stray piece of hair out of Jonny's face. "It will grow back."

"Not the point." Jonny sighs. "How's your former mortal." His gaze shifted to Tim.

"Probably better than yours with the adjustment." Gunpowder slides his glasses back on. "You look like shit."

"Not my fault." Jonny mutters.

"Never said it was." Gunpowder muses. "Maybe you shouldn't have asked Martin for his story."

Martin rolls his eyes. "Just because you're bitter doesn't mean you get to drag me into this argument again." He walks by Sasha, grabbing her arm. "Would you like to hear more while they complain?"

Sasha nods. "Sure, why not." She follows Martin out of the room as he shuts the door behind him.

Gunpowder frowns. "Don't give me that look. I already got an earful from him, and to be fair, he warned both of us to wait. Now, why do you think this didn't happen the first time?"

"Aren't you just full of dumb questions." Jonny adjusts his glasses. "They were already dead and gone by the time we crossed the first time. This place was fine. I dunno Blackwood said it's been. I dunno fifty years since it ended and started again." He raised his brow at something Tim couldn't see. "You do know what apocalypse means, right? Right well that happened, and you died before I came here the first time."

Gunpowder waves his hand. "Jonny, stop, we both know what happened in the end. They don't know the full truth yet, neither of them."

Jonny frowns and stares at Tim. "How long do you think it will take till being the good guy gets old?"

"Who knows? We've never tried it." Gunpowder shrugs. "You should hold off on being honest about this world, as much as I know you like your stories and songs. Unless you want to deal with Jon."

Jonny waves him off. "Whatever, it doesn't matter now he'll learn as I will annoyingly to see his memories. Just let me figure this out, and as much as I hate to see you two on good terms compared to my situation. Just wait."

For what, Jon had no idea, but this Gunpodwer did, who nodded.

"Seriously though, figure something out with this Jon. You seriously look worse than when we were starving, as a competition." Gunpowder sighs. "Blackwood..." He looks through the door. "Yeah, he already convinced the doctors and nurses to let you go, and they are on their way. Enjoy your new home, alone." He smirks as he leaves.

Jon was flung back into his body, feeling Jonny fuming, but the other man was uncharacteristic silent. He had to think this over and what this actually meant. So he died the first time, but when and how? Before or after the apocalypse?

.......

He wasn't truly alone, not anymore. Jon sunk into his bed and opened his phone. "How did Martin even convince them to let me leave?"

"He's got a way of trapping people making them do what he wants." Jonny hums. "Now, show me a picture of a cow."

Jon wanted to press, but he quickly learned pleasing Jonny was the best way to get answers. He pulled up a picture of a cow and a bull and held it up.

Jonny was quiet studying the creatures he saw. He broke into a wide grin. "They look cute, don't they. Good cows."

Jon hums and sighs. "You said Martin told you what happens to this world. What happens? Why did he become one of you? What are you guys?"

Jonny frowns. "I rather not feel your stupid emotions." He scratches behind his ear. "You won't let this go. However, Blackwood warned me you were insistent, so I might as well spin you a tale." Suddenly, a harmonica appeared in his hands. "A tragic fate of star-crossed lovers doomed by forces beyond their control, and a man turned to a monster that was left in the ruins."

Jon listened to the haunting story on a soft melody. He learned how his coworkers, no his friends, died. How he roamed the wastelands the fears as the apocalypse he caused reigned, how Martin stayed by his side even though he caused this by being tricked. The story ended in a sharp blade.

Jonny stopped. "And you were no more as the pancoption crumbled the archive now, just a man taking his final breath. An ending driven by a man afraid of death and so willing to please a god who didn't care for him as nothing more than a tool. Blackwood crushed but was not dead. A familiar doctor just happened to be passing by the rubble. She wanted to try something new, just not machines anymore, something animalistic, something new. And so Blackwood became a monster a first of his kind." He stretches. "Immortality such a boring goal, isn't it? You would think you would want something more interesting."

Jon was speechless he couldn't string together thoughts.

Jonny frowns, feeling the rush of emotions. "Look..." He swallows and feels tears drip down his face. He was frustrated that he couldn't stop this. He hated emotions, and he hated being honest to himself, but Jon still viewed himself as mortal, and he won't be raw without his partners. He floated down beside Jon and let him cry. He couldn't stop it. The rush of emotions overwhelmed him.

Jon finally spoke. "How do I stop it?"

"Fuck if I know. I wasn't here. I heard the story from Blackwood." Jonny was purposely looking away from him. "You have to ask him, but we promised to play the good guys this time around, or well, until it gets boring."

"We're going to stop this." Jon tried to muster confidence he didn't have.

Jonny just sighs. "Go to bed. Watch some of my memories. If you don't start trying to fix your body, I will do it by force."

Jon pulls his blanket up and frowns. He falls into an unsteady sleep.

......

Elias raised his brow, watching his archivist return to work. "Jonathan, I did tell you to take time to rest after yesterday." He had a smile and a silver tongue.

Jonny scoffs. "He's worse sober."

Jon smiles nervously. "I'm fine, Elias." He adjusts his hat covering his new sensitive ears. His tail had already started to grow back, and Jonny said it's a side effect of immortality, which Jon didn't believe in. It's supposed to be much longer than a cow's tail and semi prehensile. He wanted to test it but knew better than to try anything in public.

Elias frowns. "Now, Jon, I don't need you working yourself sick again." He knew the effects of the stranger and the flesh it probably hasn't hit the man yet, and he didn't want him breaking down having him explain the truth.

Jon frowns. "I'm fine, Elias. I know how to take care of myself. I'm going to get back to work."

Elias frowns, crossing his arms and watching Jon rush off to the archives . He raises his brow, and seeing the start of a tail, he is informed that it is cut off. It shouldn't be growing back this fast. He had a few connections to pull to get more information. He had no desire to pick another archivist nor start again.

......

"We should kill him." Jonny floats next to Jon, his tail lazily flicking behind him.

"Elias is my boss. I'm not going to kill him." Jon scowls as he hears Tim snickers. "Tim, that's enough."

Tim hums, Jon can see his hair is curling and is getting lighter than the black he has. "I don't think so, bossman. We think it's quite hilarious Jonny's on a leash."

Jon was pushed out as Jonny took control. "Oh go fuck yourself you fucking cunt." Jonny stomps off to Jon's office making it a point to slam the door.

Martin snickers from the entrance and refrains from explaining Elias can see them. Oh, that would be hilarious. Does he know Jon and Jonny are sharing a body, or does he think that the fears changed Jon? Either way, things have changed, and he wants to see Elias... no Jonah squirm with the unpredictability. Martin will force him to realize immortality is not worth it, and death is a gift. He silently walks to his desk and takes a seat.

"Enjoying the show?" Tim smirks. "We are."

"Oh, I'm enjoying something else." Martin smiles back.

"Already knitting a web, I see." Gunpowder nods. "I always enjoy the finished project."

Martin taps his fingers against his desk. "You know I think it's not a Web I rather not get mixed up with that particular fear I think I can recall the avatar is kind of a right bitch."

"Really? You have to explain the fear thing better because some of them just sound fun or fun to kill." Gunpowder smirks.

"Later, and Sasha already made a list." Martin points to Sasha sipping her coffee.

"You two share a body. Did you not pay attention when Tim was reading it?" Sasha raised her brow.

Tim huffs. "I couldn't figure out how to turn off the Xray vision on these damn eyes until like an hour before I slept." He had a slight blush on his cheeks. "Then the damn things wouldn't stop focusing on objects miles away."

Gunpowder took back control. "To be fair, I still have trouble controlling them. Human biology and mechanical parts tend to fight until they get into a rhythm. Also, I have like a million years of experience, and Tim does not."

Sasha frowns. "That sounds actually awful. Does Jonny have these problems?"

Gunpowder shrugs. "He never complains, and if he dislikes something, he's quite vocal. I think he uses the ticking as a metronome."

Martin nods. "As boney as he is, he's very nice to sleep too. The ticking is quite soothing." He sighs. "Granted, I won't be able to enjoy any of that for a long while, I reckon."

"Shit, I remembered that this isn't a desert planet." Gunpowder pauses. "Jonnys going to be a little bitch."

"Why?" Sasha raised her brow.

"Jonny's originally from a mostly desert planet, so his tail ears and horns were basically made to keep him cool. Even the nights were hot, so he doesn't exactly have any defenses against the cold, and he makes his complaints known as Gunpowder said." Martin hums. "Although he loves the snow and rain."

"We never said the man made sense." Gunpowder shrugs, letting Tim back in control.

Sasha tilts her head. "What was the planet like that you're from?"

"Gunpowder is from the earth of a different dimension." Tim taps his pen against his desk and adjusts his glasses. "He did however blow up the moon."

"Now you're just fucking with me." Sasha rolls her eyes and heads back to her desk.

Martin chuckles. "Don't feel bad about it. In this time, we've barely had any people on the moon."

"See, I told you!" Tim huffs. "He wouldn't listen to me or the facts I provided."

"Tim, you have to understand where we're coming from. We lived on a spaceship." Martin hums heading to his desk to start working.

Tim sighs. "Still annoying."

.....

Martin stares at the bloody fingernails in the sink. He knew his luck was running out. His body wasn't going to wait till his first death. He could feel how tight his skin felt and how it was hard to walk to breathe. He wasn't scared to become what he was supposed to be, but it would make this so much harder. He flexed his hand, seeing the black claw nails start to poke through his flesh. He doesn't truly care he made peace ages ago with what the doctor made him.

Elias watched Martin with a curious gaze. He can feel the Beholder use his eyes to watch intently. He had a feeling in his gut something changed something twisted in the mere fabric of reality. He hasn't even checked on Jon since he arrived this morning, and the Beholder agreed that something more interesting was happening. Martin was unassuming and predictable, but this was new, and he wanted to know why. He wasn't an avatar, and that also fueled his curiosity. How is he changing without one of the fears?

Martin rubbed his eyes and sighed. He had time, and he had time to prepare. He wanted Jonny. He just wanted that soft ticking, Gunpowder could soothe his anxieties, but Jonny was a comfort. Sure, the man was brash rude and a devil, but he was his, and that was enough. Gunpowder wouldn't touch him till Tim was fully on board with him, and Martin respected that. Hell he was fucking happy with that. Jonny, however, was a mystery, Jon was tighter lipped, and he knew how long it took for Jon to even understand his emotions, let alone actually relie on others.

Martin gathered his fingernails from the sink and threw them out with a sigh. Maybe he could go to artifact storage to slow things. Well, that has just a likely chance to kill him. He doesn't care. Maybe he could convince Gunpowder and Tim to head to the tunnels properly. He finished washing his hands, not even flinching at the exposed nerves.

Elias's gaze intensified as he watched Tim enter the bathroom. More importantly, he removed his sunglasses, revealing new eyes. When did he get surgery? More importantly, how can he still see? He shut his eyes, and he was seeing from Tim's eyes.

Tim scratched his chin. "Martin, you alright?"

Elias saw a man in the mirror that wasn't Tim.

Martin sighs. "I'm fine." He stretches. "Just a bit achey, what about you?"

"I'm fine." Tim crosses his arms. "Ok, maybe not entirely fine, but I'm getting used to it."

The man in the mirror that wasn't Tim spoke and Elias could hear him.

"I know my scars aren't pretty, and I'm sorry." The not Tim sighs.

Tim shook his head. "Dude, I said it's fine." He turns back to Martin. "I'm more peeved about the hair than I am about the scars, and I still haven't agreed to grow it out."

Not Tim huffs.

Martin chuckles. "The two colors look good together, and if you don't grow it out, what else am I supposed to grab?"

Tim swallows, and Elias sees him in the mirror, and he figured it out that this not Tim was in control.

"Oh, don't tease the man. He doesn't understand the fun a simple act can do. Let alone one with those..." Not Tim stops staring at Martin's hand. "When?"

Martin huffs. "Gunpowder, it's fine. You know how you can't hide what the good doctor does to you. I'm fine. I just feel a bit stiff and uncomfortable, but it will pass."

Not Tim or Gunpowder, ridiculous name if you asked Elias. He smiles softly.

"Fuck the waiting, from what I've seen its going to be brutal and he shouldn't be alone..." Tim was speaking out loud now. "He shouldn't have to go through this by him....self... ah, you ass."

Martin raised his brow with a soft smile. "I appreciate the offer, Tim, but you're not exactly desensitized enough for my liking."

Tim huffs. "Then Gunpowder will watch and be out. You don't deserve to be alone through this. I know you have an issue with that, I uh well, Gunpowder knows, and I saw the memory."

"Fine, if you insist." Martin paused, and Elias shivers with that look. "I've shared things with Gunpowder in secret. I don't want you to share with anyone." He grabs Tim's shirt. "Understand?"

Tim swallows and nods.

Martin smiles again as his features soften. "Good, I'll come by your flat tonight."

Tim watches Martin leave with a shudder. Elias doesn't leave yet.

"I warned you about being caught in Blackwood's web. You're not close enough with him to get comfortable." Gunpowder clicks his tongue. "He's not the man you knew, so please don't underestimate him. I would rather not die before Jonny does. We've got a bet going on."

Tim swallows and slides the dark sunglasses back on, and Elias is shocked to see his vision didn't change in the slightest. "He's still a good person."

"That's... well, none of us are good." Gunpowder responds dryly. "It comes with the territory."

Tim didn't like that answer, but he remained quiet as Elias came back to himself. He had a lot to think about.

......

"At least you know how to tell a story." Jonny responds with a bored tone. "These statements still suck, I still suggest we burn the entire place down."

Jon scowls. "No." He stretches and pulls out the used tape. "Can you think of anything that doesn't involve violence.... or sex." He gives a glare.

"Now you're just plain boring." Jonny raised his brow. "Being serious all the time must be fucking exhausting."

Jon sputters. "Just because I'm not some guy who thinks he's immortal and some sex pest doesn't mean anything."

"I don't care what you think of me." Jonny stares directly at Jon. "We are stuck together for the rest of time, and whatever comes after."

Jon scowls. "I won't devolve to be on your level."

Jonny rolls his eyes. "I don't care."

Jon huffs and leaves his office.

"Jon, you ok?" Sasha smiles softly.

Jon stops and sighs. "I'm fine, just getting used to an unfortunate roommate."

"That's one way to call it." Tim mutters.

"You two should try getting along." Sasha hums. "You'll be stuck together forever, I guess. I think it would suck if you two were stuck together fighting for all of that."

Jon scowls. "Oh, he's a right ass only cares about violence and sex. He's nothing but a pest, and I abhor the fact that I have to share my own body with him."

"Oh piss off." Jonny huffs.

Gunpowder sighs. "His attitude comes with his age. He is the oldest of us besides the doctor, but we don't know about her, though, really." He kicks his feet up. "Jonny, I know you're listening. You should be cautious he's going to see memories that you've forgotten. Funny how the mind works even if we forget they still exist in there, just waiting for a trigger to pull them free."

Jon expected Jonny to kick him out and take control, but he felt fear grip his heart that no longer beat. He swallows the dread that wasn't his and doesn't look at Jonny. "I will keep that in mind for when I sleep."

The conversation dies as Jon leaves as the day has ended, and he doesn't want to linger.

.......

The rusty hinges creaked on the old shack the teen called a home. He made sure he tipped off his shoes before entering, and he saw his father passed out in a drunken stupor. He carefully made his way to the small kitchen connected to the living room. If you would call it, that and stumbled upon a note.

"Jonny boy, I've left to clean up after your father. He pissed off some old doctor at the edge of town. I've left old Bessie for you to make sure she's in better condition when I get back, boy. Now, if I don't come back, I know you won't end up like your father. You're too smart for that. Use your ears to find a target to shoot. We both know your eyes aren't the best use that good hearing of yours. Don't file your horns too short boy they grow for a reason, and I love you forever and always."

Wrapped in leather by the note was a familair old looking revolver, the name Bessie was carved crudely into the handle. The weight would become familair in the teen's hands. He took the note scowled at his father and then headed off to hunt for dinner since that lazy piece of shit won't do anything but gamble.

Jon woke up with a start. He could feel a rush of emotions that weren't his. "I..."

"Don't say a fucking word." Jonny scowls. "Don't go telling nobody about that."

Jon nodded he paused, squinting at the clock that glowed, showing it was 3am. He sighs. "I don't remember my mother, or my father, with died at different times, but I was too young to remember them. My grandmother raised me, bitter she had to raise another child. Never told me that directly, however."

Jonny braces himself and grits his teeth. "I don't remember what my mom looks like either."

"Then we have that in common. Maybe the next dream will be my memory, and you can pick apart that." Jon sighs and curls under his blanket.

Jonny nods. "Just go back to sleep."

......

Martin grits his teeth and groans in pure agony. He could barely register the hand going through his red curls. His legs hurt, and he couldn't move them. His skin felt like it was on fire, and he didn't particularly like burning to death. He was stripped down to his birthday suit, and it didn't help with the fact that he was in pure agony.

Gunpowder continues to run his hands through Martin's hair. "It's alright, you're ok. It will be over soon."

"Just fucking kill me." Martin groans.

"We both know that won't help." Gunpowder sighs. "Would you like to hear my story?"

Martin takes a deep breath. "Please distract me."

Gunpowder nods and begins to narrate his origins.

....

An obnoxious alarm pulled Tim from sleep on the floor. He was laying in something wet and the smell of iron... no blood filled his nose, which caused him to panic and flail completely awake. His eyes lock onto a large spider, half then blood, then flesh and bone. Gunpowder takes over before he can throw up.

"Yikes, I thought the shared emotions wouldn't be this strong. Man, you are super depressed." Gunpowder gets up, smearing the blood off from his body. "You're going to need a stronger stomach." He looked over Martin, who was out cold. "See, he's breathing.... please stop screaming. " he covers his mouth, feeling his stomach sour from the sheer fear and disgust from Tim. He swallows the bile rising in his throat, turns away from the scene, and heads to the bathroom.

Gunpowder barely makes it to the toilet to empty the contents of his stomach. He continues to dry heave for a moment before turning to face Tim. "Are you done?"

Tim was pale, and he finally caught his breath. He was still radiating fear and disgust, but he was stable enough to talk. "Is he still alive?"

Gunpowder wipes his mouth. "Of course he is. What part of we can't die, don't you understand?" He frowns, pulling back his frustration. "Sorry you can't control how you react yet. I didn't realize how much I would share when we feel strong emotions." He sits on his knees and sighs. "I'll clean up, just try not to get sick again, please."

Tim nods and shudders. "I.... I'm not desensitized to this stuff. I'm sorry."

Gunpowder gets up, feeling the soft twists of sadness and self-doubt. "Tim, it's not a bad thing, means you're still human. Don't be too hard on yourself." He pulls out some cleaning supplies from the bathroom cabinet. "Tell me about Danny."

Tim frowns and nods slightly. "He was my younger brother...."

.....

Martin wakes up to someone touching his hand. He furrows his brow, pulling his hand back, and skitters up to be his full height, staring down at Tim. He hissed and then blushed, finally realizing that Tim was, in fact, there, and he wasn't a threat. He covers his face and groans, playing out his legs to be shorter. "I didn't mean to hiss at you."

Tim looked over to Gunpowder giggling, and he felt a laugh bubble in his own throat, and wow, no wonder he got frustrated. He didn't exactly know how he felt about feeling someone else's emotions. He gave a soft smile and reached out again to hold Martin's hand. "Your hands are really like a cat's paw."

Martin smiles and lets Tim take his hand. "Spiders have padded limbs and toe beans if you actually look at them."

"That's actually really cute." Tim blushes slightly. "Oh shit how are we going to get to work?"

Martin shrugs. "Might as well scare Elias first."

"Really?" Tim snickers. "What is he scared of spiders?"

"No, he's scared of what they represent." Martin hums. "We're going to be late, and I need a shirt."

"Right, you brought a spare one, right?" Tim paused and rushed over to a bag Martin brought. "Also, you're going to have to talk to my neighbors because of all the stuff we threw out, and they probably think I'm a serial killer."

Martin snickers. "I think I'll scare them into silence."

"Man, I've seen too much of Gunpowder, and Jonny and you having fun together to remember that I'm supposed to be scared of you because you're a spider centaur." Tim tosses over a sweater.

"I suppose I don't find myself scary either. Honestly, the fear left pretty quickly once I realized how my new body worked." Martin smiles. "This will be obnoxious getting to work. I don't mind walking. You live much closer than I do, but being stared at isn't ideal."

"Maybe a blanket?" Tim stops and covers his face. "That wouldn't work."

Martin chuckles. "I appreciate the concept idea, but Jonny tried that once."

"Wait really?" Tim raised his brow.

"Yeah, ended up in a bar fight." Martin snickers. "Although it was fucking hilarious."

"Huh." Tim crosses his arms. "Just bite the bullet and head out?"

"After you." Martin hums and smiles.

.....

Elias blinks, and the scene doesn't change. What confounds him the most is the fact that this has nothing to do with the web. The Beholder is taking it all in, and he can feel actual confusion from his patron. He clears his throat and approaches. "Martin, I don't believe it's near Halloween unless you've got an event planned."

Martin hums impressed at how well Elias can mask his true emotions. "I don't think a costume would be strong enough to carry someone on." He motions to Tim who waves.

"He insisted that he carry me." Tim smiles.

"Well, yes, but I hope I don't cause you too much trouble." Martin smiles. "Why the surprise this is your institute, and shouldn't you expect the supernatural?" He has a smirk as he walks past a stunned Elias.

Elias doesn't have a response to that. His mind was completely blank, and the Beholder was eerily silent.

Tim was snickering. "Double boss man seems quite stunned."

Martin chuckles. "Oh, this is quite fun."

That thought came crashing down with a terrified scream and wide eyed stares.

Martin felt exposed, and he couldn't remember the last time he felt bad about his body until this moment. He knows Tim can feel him tense. "I..."

"Jon, seriously?" Tim huffs sliding off Martin's back. "It's not his fault he's like this."

Jon was trying really hard to keep his panic and fear in check, and he felt a growing bubble of white hot rage directed at him and feeling it. The feedback loop was really confusing. "I uh..." He was forced out by Jonny.

"Fuck off." Jonny took back control his tail was lashing and puffed out at the end. His ears were pinned back, and the hair on top of his head was puffing out. "Seriously fuck off I don't judge you for who you carnally desire. Blackwood is mine, and you have absolutely no right." He goes o continue his rant, but a tooth falls out. He blinks as confusion fills his features, and he crouched down to poke it.

Martin opens his mouth and closes it. "You know I remember now what he was missing, the teeth."

"The teeth." Gunpowder repeats with a nod.

"I'm sorry Martin, are you ok?" Sasha vaguely motions.

"I mean, it was painful, but it doesn't hurt now." Martin pauses. "I have to figure out how to use my desk."

Tim is getting back control, pulling his eyes away from Jonny, now messing with his teeth. "I mean, you can get rid of the chair and move from there."

"That could work." Martin hums and looks over to Jonny. "Are you ok?"

Jonny holds a handful of his teeth. "What do you think?" He scowls. "Well fuck you too. No, I'm mad at you. That's a stupid fucking question, I don't care about spiders let alone being scared of them."

Three pairs of eyes watch the one sided argument.

.....

A fog seemed to roll into Elias's office out of nowhere, and a tall, muscular man in a captains attire steps inside. The man stops and stares at Elias, who had his head down on his desk. "Elias?"

Elias groans. "Peter."

"Shouldn't you be enjoying your new archivist floundering?" Peter raised his brow.

Elias takes a breath. "Peter, I have called every avatar I ever had contact with to ask if they knew what was going on with my archivist and his assistants. I have no leads, and the Beholder is clueless."

Peter opens his mouth then shuts it with a click.

"Do you have any idea what's happening? Because I don't have a singlaur clue." Elias throws his hands up. "One of the archivist assistants is a half spider centaur, and he's not even aligned with the web. The other has mechanical eyes that still work as eyes. That technology doesn't exist, and the Flesh doesn't bother with machines."

Peter reaches out. "I think you need a vacation."

Elias slams his hands against his desk. "Peter, I'm serious!" He gets up and grabs Peter's arm, and drags him to the archives.

Peter stared stunned.

#the mechanisms #the magnus archives #jonny d'ville #jonathan sims #sasha james #tim stoker #gunpowder tim #martin blackwood

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cousmemes · 9 months

Text

dialogue starters from DOCTOR WHO SEASON 8. feel free to edit for context / continues under the cut.

"I'll wager you've not seen anything like this before."

"Listen to me. You need to calm down."

"I'm not flirting, by the way."

"What have I done wrong?"

"Are you judging me?"

"Just because my pretty face has turned your head, do not assume that I am so easily distracted."

"Whatever it takes, I will keep you safe. You will be at home again."

"I'm cold. There's no point in us both being cold. Give me your coat."

"Are you cross with me?"

"You were talking about me?"

"What is happening right now to you and me is more important than your egomania."

"Nothing is more important than my egomania."

"You've redecorated. I don't like it."

"You can't see me, can you? You look at me, and you can't see me. Have you any idea what that's like?"

"I was being funny. I just do that."

"How long have you been there?"

"Are you going to look that terrified when you take me out for a drink?"

"You were smiling at nothing. I'd almost say you were in love."

"I need you."

"An anti-climax once in a while is good for my heart."

"We cannot waste this chance. It won't come again."

"Isn't the universe beautiful?"

"I think you're probably nice. Underneath it all, I think you're kind and you're definitely brave. I just wish you hadn't been a soldier."

"I don't know if you're a good man. But I think you try to be and I think that's probably the point."

"Old-fashioned heroes only exist in old-fashioned storybooks."

"Do people ever punch you in the face when you do that?"

"Well then, draw your sword and prove your words."

"People are so much better at sharing information if they think the other person has already got it."

"Right, you do that again and you'll regret that."

"We can't just let them kill him!"

"She should not have told you any of that."

"Perhaps others will be heroes in our name. Perhaps we will both be stories. And may those stories never end."

"I wasn't making assumptions about you."

"You just have to squeeze through."

"How did you get in?"

"You know, you should have more than one chair. What do you do when people come round?"

"The deep and lovely dark. We'd never see the stars without it."

"I mouth off when I'm nervous and I've got a mouth on me. Seriously, it's got a mind of its own."

"Tell me the truth - because I know when people are lying to me."

"I am not going to leave you in danger!"

"Sorry, who put you in charge?"

"However this goes, whatever happens, don't let me end up like that."

"They have no power over you now. You can do exactly what you want to do now. Exactly what you've always wanted to do."

"Go and enjoy yourself. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"There's no way out of this. We're going to die here."

"Why are you being nice?"

"Every time I see you, it's like you're in a rush."

"The next few days are all about you. I promise."

"Human beings have incredibly short life spans. Frankly, you should all be in a permanent state of panic."

"How can you think that I'm her dad when we both look exactly the same age?"

"He's my boyfriend. I thought you'd figured this out."

"Why wouldn't I be okay? I was fine till you blundered in."

"It's funny, you only really know what someone thinks of you when you know what lies they've told you."

"Please, tell me how I fix this."

"I'm bored. Let's go somewhere fun. What do you say?"

"I know men like him. I've served under them. They push you and make you stronger, till you're doing things you never thought you could."

"Is there some sort of fancy dress thing on this evening?"

"I am so sorry. I've had a wobble. It's a big wobble, but it's fine. Forget about it."

"Where are you and are you in trouble?"

"Lying is a vital survival skill. And a terrible habit."

"Do you want the good news or the bad news?"

"We're in the bad news! I'm living the bad news!"

"Why can't you just say it? Why can't you just say I did good?"

"You are enjoying this just a little bit too much."

"Don't make me say it."

"I don't want to be the last of my kind."

"I don't want to see more things. I want to see the things in front of me more clearly."

"I just want to know the truth. I don't care what it is. I just want to know it."

"Shut up, shut up, shut up. I need to talk to you."

"Oh, everything is better when you're here."

"Please speak to me. This is - this is killing me.

"I love you. And you are the last person who's ever going to hear me say that."

"By now, I'm sure you've heard the rumours, and it is with great sadness that I must confirm them to be true."

"He was alive, and then he was dead and it was nothing."

"Don't. Be very, very careful with that."

"I know what you're doing. You're trying to take control."

"I am in control. Do as you are told."

"I was curious about how far you would go."

"You betrayed me. Betrayed my trust, you betrayed our friendship, you betrayed everything that I've ever stood for."

"Do you think I care for you so little that betraying me would make a difference?"

"Speak for me again, I'll detach something from you."

"This isn't possible. The dead don't come back."

"Be strong, even if it breaks your heart."

"Say something only you could say. Tell me something only you would know."

"Whatever it takes, I will be with you again, I swear."

"So you know who I am, right?"

"Look, are you going to help me? Because I can't do this alone."

"And didn't all of those beautiful speeches just disappear in the face of a tactical advantage?"

"I wasn't very good at it, but I did love you."

"There's something that I have to tell you and, er, it's not good news so just - just listen, okay?"

"Never trust a hug. It's just a way to hide your face."

"Thank you for making me feel special."

#sentence starters #ask meme #starter meme #rp prompt #sentence meme #*dw #*s8

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layce2015 · 1 year

Text

Supernatural (Dean Winchester x Female!Reader)

After School Special

Masterlist

*3rd Person POV*

Sam, dressed as an orderly, was sitting in a chair with a clipboard talking to April, a young teen that had killed a classmate at school by drowning her in the toilets in the girl's bathroom. "I'm not talking about it anymore. I already told the cops and the doctors. No one believes me. They think I'm crazy." April said, upset. "Well, I'm a little bit more open-minded than most. April, why did you tell the police you were possessed?" Sam asked her.

"It doesn't matter." April said, shaking her head. "It matters to me." Sam said and April sighs. "When I -- when I hurt Taylor, I was there, in my head, but I couldn't control my body. I could see what I was doing, but I couldn't stop. I just wanted to stop. I'm sorry." She explained. "You don’t need to apologize." Sam said and April looks down.

"April, some of the kids at school told the police that you and Taylor didn't get along." he said. "Well, yeah, but I never wanted to kill her. Never. Do you believe me?" she asked him. "Yeah, I do. Just a couple more questions. On the day this happened, did you...happen to smell anything?" he asked her side she furrows her brow.

"Anything...like what?" she asked. "Like rotten eggs or...sulfur?" Sam listed off. "Um, no." she said. "Okay. Um, did you notice any black smoke?" Sam asked and April looked at him like he grew a second head. "What are you, crazy?" she asked.

*(y/n)'s POV*

Sam approaches the Impala, where Dean and I were waiting for him, and climbs in the back door. "So?" Dean asked him as we turn to look at him. "I think she's telling the truth. I mean, the way she talked about being there mentally but not physically -- kind of sounds like demonic possession to me." Sam said. "Kind of?" I asked him.

"She didn't see any black smoke or smell sulfur." Sam said. "Maybe it's not a demon. I mean, kids can be vicious." Dean said. "Well, I mean, we're already here. Might as well check out the school." Sam said and Dean frowns a bit. "Right. The school." Dean grumbles.

"What?" Sam asked him. "Truman High, home of the Bombers." Dean said and I turn to him. "What's your point?" I asked him. "I mean, we went there, like...for a month a million years ago." He replied then he looks back at Sam. "Why are you so jazzed to go back?" He asked Sam. "I'm not. I just think it's worth looking into." Sam said.

"All right, well, what's our cover? FBI? Homeland Security? Swedish exchange students?" Dean asked and Sam smirks a bit. "Don't worry. I got an idea." He said. "Okay." Dean said and he starts the car. "Should I be worried, Sam?" I asked him and he shakes his head as we drive off. "You'll be fine." He said. "Famous last words." I grumbled.

FLASHBACK

TRUMAN HIGH SCHOOL

1997

Dad pulls the motorcycle up to the school and I look up at as I unlatch the straps on my helmet. "Do I really have to go here, Daddy?" I asked as I scrunch up my nose as I look up at the school. "I know, sweetheart, I know going around to so many schools is a pain but this hunt shouldn't take us long." Dad said as I remove the helmet and fix my pigtails.

I pout and sigh as I climb off of the motorcycle. "Hey, you won't be alone. Sam and Dean will be with you." Dad said and I bit the inside of my cheek to hide the smile but I wasn't fast enough to hide is as Dad took notice. "I knew that would get a smile from you. Would you like to tell me which of those boys I need to have a talk with?" Dad asked and I, quickly, turn my head to him.

"N-No. I-I just like to hang out with Sam." I said, quickly. "Oh, it's Sam I gotta talk to?" Dad asked me, grinning. "He and I are just friends, Dad." I said, exasperated. "Uh-huh..sure." Dad said, not believing me. "Sam is like a brother to me, Dad." I said. "And what about Dean?" Dad asked and I felt my heart jump up in my throat.

In all honesty, I kinda have...no, not kinda...I do have a crush on Dean. I do find him cute and I grew to like him more the older I've gotten. I also like how protective he is to the people he cares about (which is mainly me and Sam), standing his ground and how brave he is.

Pretty much the kind've guy any girl would love to have....minus him always flirting with any girl that he sees. Whenever I had to be with the Winchesters and we would go to different schools, while Dad and Mr Winchester went out on a hunt, I kept have this sick feeling every time I see Dean flirting with other girls.

But deep down I know that Dean would never see me in the way he sees the others girls. I'm four years younger than him and I just have a feeling Dean only sees me as a little sister. Which sucks.

Before I could reply, we hear the sound of an engine and we look and see the familiar black Impala. "Oh, speak of the devil." Dad said as Sam and Dean walk out. "Thanks, Dad." Dean said as he looks through the window then turns to Sam before they walk into the school. "Okay, honey, you have a good day." Dad said and I nod. "Love you." He said. "Love you too." I tell him and he turns behind him, giving Mr Winchester a thumbs up, and they take off while I go over to Dean and Sam.

"I'm just sick of always being the new kid." I hear Sam say, upset. "You'll be fine. If anyone gives you any trouble, you let me know. Relax. Dad said this hunt will take him and (f/n) two weeks, tops. As soon as they get back, we're out of here." Dean assures him. "To another school. Awesome." Sam grumbles.

"Hey, guys." I greeted and they turn to me. "Well, lookie here, it's Pipi Longstocking." Dean teased me, gesturing at my pigtails, and I scoff at him but I felt the heat on my cheeks and Sam smiles at me. "Hey, (y/n)!" He said and we hug each other.

"If it makes you feel better, Sam. I'm not really happy about this either." I said. "Hey, like I said, it shouldn't take them long to do this hunt. We'll be out of here before you two know it." Dean tries to assure us but Sam and I share a look of disbelief. Then we head inside the school and make our way down the hall and into the principal's office.

After getting our class schedules, we walked out of there and back out into hallway then Dean turns to us. "Well, good luck, you two." He said as he pats Sam's shoulder then he goes and ruffles the top of my head. "Hey!" I exclaimed and he chuckles as he walks and I couldn't help but feel my heart flutter when I see Dean smile.

Next thing I knew, Sam and I were standing in front of our class and the teacher, Mr Wyatt, begins to introduce us. "Ladies and gentlemen, please say hello to Sam Winchester and (y/n) (l/n)." He said. "Hi, Sam. Hi, (y/n)." Our classmates said while Sam and I stand there and I felt very uncomfortable.

"Is there anything you two would like to tell us about yourselves?" Mr Wyatt asked us. "Not really." Sam said and I shake my head, gulping. "Okay. Uh, grab a seat." Mr Wyatt said and both Sam and I walk down the aisle to a couple of empty desks that were behind each other. We place our backpacks on our respective desks and I heard a clank of a metal hitting the surface.

I look over and see Sam's knife had fallen out on the seat. He quickly grabs it and hides it, but not before I could see this one kid, dark hair and glasses, sees it. "Whoa, that's yours? Awesome!" he said as Sam sits down in the desk in front of me as I sit down in mine as Mr Wyatt begins his class.

"All right, gang...essay assignment." he said and all the kids began to groan, disappointed. "Yeah, yeah, my heart breaks for you." he said as he goes to write on the chalkboard. "Hey...I'm Barry." Barry introduced to us in a whisper. "Sam." Sam greeted. "(Y/n)." I said as Mr Wyatt continues. "Okay, now, I want three pages of your most memorable family experience. Just a reminder though, this is going to be worth half your final grade…" he said but then I look over to my left and noticed this bigger boy, with a mop of curly hair, flicking Barry's ear.

"Leave him alone." I said to the bigger boy and Sam turns his head to see who I was talking to. "Shh, I'm going for a record." The boy said as he continues flicking Barry's ear while Mr Wyatt continues on. "I don’t care what you write about, or even how you write about it. I’m looking for the brutal, funny, maybe even painful, truth. OK everybody, any questions? OK, let’s get started."

"Hey, she said, leave him alone." Sam said to the kid and the kid looks over at us. "You want to take his place...midget?" The kid asked with a sneer. Sam sits there then turns his body in his seat and glares at the kid. "Yeah. Sure." He said and I give a worried look at Sam.

Dean's gonna kill him if he gets into a fight. I thought as the kid looked taken aback by Sam's boldness.

Present Day

I walked out of the library and started to walk out into the hallway to find the boys as the bell rings to dismiss classes. I was wearing a black skirt, black heels and a white button up blouse and black rectangular shaped glasses, looking like a librarian.

After catching a few teen boys looking at me as if this was the first time they had seen a girl, I meet up with Sam, who is dressed as a janitor and pushing a cart. "Hey, Sam." I called out and he turns to me. "Hey, you find anything?" He asked me. "No, nothing. You?" I asked and he shakes his head.

"Hmm...maybe there's nothing here. Maybe Dean was right, kids are just vicious." I said, shrugging. "Yeah, maybe...hey, you remember, Mr Wyatt?" Sam asked me as we head to the gym. "Yeah...what about him?" I asked and Sam smirks. "He's still teaching here." He said. "Wow, shouldn't he be like...in retirement age?" I asked and he shrugs. "Guess not." He said as we come upon the gym doors. "Well, he was a good teacher for the short time we got with him." I said and we enter the gym.

At that moment, I stop in my tracks as I see Dean standing before the line of kids. He was wearing a white t-shirt, tight red shorts and a red headband on his head. Something about seeing him dressed like that made my heart beat go crazy, especially those shorts.

"Ms. Boudreaux never let us play dodge ball." the boy said. "Well, Ms. B's in Massachusetts getting married, so we're playing." Dean said. "She says it's dangerous." the boy points out and Dean blows his whistle that was around his neck. "Take a lap!" Dean shouts. "But --" the boy said but Dean blows his whistle again and the boy runs and Sam waves to get Dean's attention.

He looks over at us and I noticed that his eyes widen at my outfit then he throws the bag of balls to the class. "Go nuts." He said and he walks over to us. "Having fun?" Sam asked Dean. "The whistle makes me their God." Dean said, proudly, and Sam chuckles.

"Right. Nice shorts." I said, nodding towards his shorts. He looks down at them then over at me. "Nice skirt." He said as his eyebrow raises up in interest while his eyes look down at my skirt. The corner of my lips twitches up a bit then I said. "Eyes up here, horndog."

He looks back at me but before he could say anything, Sam speaks up. "Guys, I'm right here." He said and Dean and I get back to focus at the task. "Yeah, right, right....uh, Find anything?" Dean asked Sam. "I've been over the entire school twice. No sulfur." Sam replied. "Yeah, I've check as well. Nothing." I said.

"No sulfur, no demon. No demon, no case." Dean said. "I don't know. Maybe I was wrong." Sam said, shrugging. "Well, it happens to the best of us. I say we hit the road, huh? But after lunch -- it’s sloppy-joe day." Dean said, smirking, then we heard a loud thud. "Ohh!" The boy said and he runs by us, holding his nose.

"Good hustle, Colby! Walk it off!" Dean tells the kid and Sam and I shake our heads at this. "I met up with you guys later." Sam said and he grabs the cart and walks away. "Yeah, I better head off too." I said as I start to turn on my heels. I barely take a few steps when I hear a wolf whistle behind me. I look over my shoulder to find Dean staring after me with a lustful look, along with a smirk. I smirk back and decided to tease him.

"Like what you see, Coach?" I asked him did a little pose as if I were a model. "Oh yeah. You pull off that sexy librarian look real well. You should wear that more often." He said as his eyes roam my body. "I will...if you start wearing that more often." I said as I gesture to his outfit. He raises an intrigued eyebrow at me and I wink at him before I walk away from him, swaying my hips in a way I know would drive Dean crazy.

Minutes later, Sam leads me and Dean down a deserted school hallway, taking us to this room where he found this boy having ectoplasm oozing out of him after he grabbed another kid's arm and shoved it into a Cuisinart, after the boy bullied him.

"How's the nonviolence assembly going?" Sam asked Dean. "Apparently, shoving a kid's arm into a Cuisinart is not a healthy display of anger." Dean replied. "So, the kid had ectoplasm leaking out his ear?" I asked Sam and he nods. "Which only comes from a seriously pissed-off spirit. It's got to be ghost possession." He said. "Yeah, but that's pretty rare." Dean said.

"Yeah, but it happens. I mean, they get angry enough, they can take control of a person's body." Sam explained. "All right, so, what, we got a ghost in the building?" Dean asked. "Yeah, but where? I mean, there's no EMF." Sam said, exasperated, and I think for a moment.

"Maybe we could find out who it is, at least. You know, check and see if somebody died bloody around here or something." I suggested. "Way ahead of you. I had to break into the principal's office to get this." Dean said as he pulls out a paper from his pocket and unfolds it.

"So, there was only one death on campus. It was a suicide back in '98. Some kid named Barry Cook." Dean said and Sam and I share a look of recognition. "What?" Dean asked and I sigh, sadly, at this. "(Y/n) and I knew him." Sam said and I bite my lips feeling so horrible for Barry.

"How did he die?" I asked Dean, upset. "He slit his wrists in the first-floor girls' bathroom." He said and I close my eyes at this. "That's where --" Sam started to say but Dean finishes it for him. "Right where the chick got swirleyed to death, exactly. So, what? This ghost is possessing nerds?" Dean asked.

"And using them to go after bullies, yeah." I said as I open my eyes to look between the boys. "Well, does that sound like Barry’s M.O.?" Dean asked. "Barry had a hard time." Sam said, sympathetically.

Flashback

It was between classes and there were students in the hallway, all heading to their next classes. Sam and I were walking down the hall and saw Barry walking down the hall when another student bumps him and makes him drop his books.

Sam and I see this and we go and help him pick up his stuff. "Thanks, guys." Barry said. "Great school." Sam said qwqithq sarcasm. "I don't care. Three years, and I'm out of here. I'm going to Michigan State. They got the best vet program in the country." Barry said after we hand his stuff to him and began to walk down the hallway.

"Do you like animals?" I asked Barry and he nods. "They're a lot nicer than people." He said and I let out a small laugh. We were walking to class when closet door opens and out comes Dean and some pretty blonde girl, both looking a bit disheveled.

That sick feeling came back up and I bite my lips at this as Dean noticed us. "Yo! Sammy! (y/n)!" He calls out and waves at us. Sam and I wave, unenthusiastically, at him then he and the girl leave, the girl giggles as they run down the hall.

"That's your brother with Amanda Heckerling?" Barry asked Sam, who nods. "He's cool." Barry said, smiling. "Yeah. He thinks so." Sam mutters while I just look down and stare at my feet, fiddling with the straps of my backpack.

I don't know what this feeling is but I really don't like it. I mean when we were younger, I could at least talk to Dean but lately it's like I can't get words out when I see him and I sound like a stuttering idiot.

I wish I could be as confident as those girls Dean goes after. Maybe then, Dean would see me in a different light and not see me as this little girl he has to babysit along with his brother.

"Hey, tough guy." A loud voice shouts and Sam, Barry and I look over and see Dirk, the bully, coming over to us. "I been looking for you. Still want to take Barry’s place?" Dirk asked Sam.

"Get out of here, Barry." Sam warned Barry. "I'll go get a teacher." Barry said and he runs off while Dirk towers over Sam, I stood beside Sam. "You want to go?" Dirk asked Sam. "I'm not gonna fight you, Dirk." Sam said. "Why not? You chicken?" Dirk asked as he shoves Sam. "Hey, leave him alone!" I shout and Dirk looks at me then back at Sam.

"You're gonna let your girlfriend fight for ya? Come on!" Dirk shouts as he shoves him again. "No." Sam refuses then Dirk hits Sam, who falls to the ground. He stays there, looking up at Dirk, while I go over to Dirk. "Stop it!" I shout as I try to push him back. But he didn't budge and then he shoves me down, hard.

I yelped in pain as I land on my side while Dirk turns his attention to Sam, who looked over at me with worry. "Get up! Get up! Come on! Get up! Don't let your girlfriend fight your fights for you!" Dirk shouts at him. "I'm not his girlfriend!" I yelled just as Mr Wyatt comes in.

"Hey, get back! Get back. That is enough." he said as he grabs Dirk and they walk away. Sam watches them then gets up and walks over to me. "You okay?" He asked me as he helps me up. "Yeah, I'm fine. Probably gonna be bruised in the morning." I said as I rub my side.

Present Day

That night, the boys and I were standing at Barry's grave after we had dug up his coffin. Sam puts in the salt, I poured out the fuel and Dean throws in the lighted match. "So long, Barry Cook." Dean said and I frown as Barry's corpse was engulfed in flames and I couldn't help but feel awful for him.

Later, we were in the Impala, Dean driving, Sam in the backseat and I was in the passenger seat, and I leaned against the window, looking out at the dark woods. "You two all right?" Dean asked us but I don't respond, still feeling like utter crap.

"Barry was mine and (y/n)'s friend. We just burned his bones." Sam said, gloomy. "Well, he's at peace now, guys." Dean assured us and I felt his hand pat my leg, comforting. "If Dad and John had let us stay just a little while longer, maybe we could have helped the kid, you know?" I said, sadly.

"You read the coroner's report same as me. Barry was on every anxiety drug and antidepressant known to man. School was hell for that kid. His parents had split up. He just wanted out. It was tragic, but it's not yours or Sam's fault. To tell you the truth, I'm glad we got out of that town. I hated that school." Dean said. "It wasn't all bad." Sam said. "Yeah, probably one of the best schools I've been to." I said as I look over at Dean.

"How can you say that after what happened to you two?" Dean asked us and I start to remember that day.

Flashback

Sam, Dean and I were sitting on the small bleachers by the school. Dean had found out about our fight with Dirk and he was not happy as he paced across from us. "That kid's dead." Dean growls. "Dean." I said, in a soft exasperated voice, but he ignores me.

"I'm gonna rip his lungs out!" Dean yells. "It's not a big deal." Sam said. "Not a big deal? Sammy, look at yourself. If Dad was here --" Dean said, angrily. "He's not." Sam said. "Well, I am! And as soon I'm finished with that dick --" Dean growls, angrily, and I let out an annoyed sigh.

"Shut up, okay?! We don't need your help." Sam said as he gestures between me and him and Dean stops his pacing and stands in front of him. "That's right, you don't. You two could have torn him apart. So why didn't you?" Dean asked us. "Because I don't want to be the freak for once, Dean. I want to be normal." Sam said. "Me too." I said.

"So taking a beating -- that's normal?" Dean asked, annoyed. "It's better than being seen as the weirdo." I muttered and Dean gives me an unimpressed look. But before he could say anything, Sam changes the subject.

"Any word from Dad? Or Mr (l/n)?" Sam asked. "Dad called this morning, said he's going to be another week at least. We weren’t supposed to be here this long." Dean said, sounding a bit annoyed and impatient, and I look down. "At least you've got Amanda. She’s cool." Sam said and I felt the sick feeling again once hearing her name. "Dude, she wants me to meet her parents. I don't do parents." Dean said and that feeling started to leave. Dean sounded annoyed by this and for some reason this made me feel a bit better.

Later, class was dismissed and Sam and I start to leave with the rest of the class until Mr Wyatt calls out to us. "Mr. Winchester, Miss (l/n) can I talk to you two?" he asked and Sam and I share a look then goes over to Mr Wyatt's desk, Barry walks up behind us.

"Um...I'll wait for you outside." Barry said and he walks out of the classroom. "Look, if this is about the fight, we didn't start it." Sam said to Mr Wyatt. "Oh, no, it's not about the fight, kids. You know this assignment was nonfiction, right?" He asked us. "Yes, Mr. Wyatt." Sam and I said after we share a look.

"So you and your family killed a werewolf last summer? And, (y/n), you and your dad killed a vampire couple of years ago? Why would you two write something like this?" Mr Wyatt asked us and I shrug. "It doesn't matter." I said and Sam nods. "Yeah...as soon as my Dad and her Dad get back, we're leaving, so you can flunk me if you want to." Sam said and I nod. "Yeah, me too." I said and Mr Wyatt shakes his head.

"I'm not flunking you two. I'm giving both of you an "A." Now, aside from the werewolf, is that really how you'd describe your family, Sam?" Mr Wyatt asked Sam. "Yeah." Sam said. "Well, your brother is quite a character. And your father -- he seems, uh, driven. Anyway, it's good, Sam. It’s really good." Mr Wyatt said then he turns to me. "And, (y/n), this is also good. Your father...the way you write him, it's almost like he's Superman." He said then he looks between us.

"Have you two ever thought about pursuing writing?" he asked us. "I can't. I have to go into the family business." Sam said and I shrug again. "I don't think writings for me." I said while Mr Wyatt gives Sam a curious look. "Family business?" Mr Wyatt asked us. "Yeah, my, aah -- my dad's a mechanic. So I have to be a mechanic, too." Sam said.

"Do you want to go in the family business, Sam?" Mr Wyatt asked Sam, who seemed surprised by this question. "No one's ever asked me that before." He said. "Well?" Mr Wyatt asked. "More than anything, no." Sam said and I place a hand on his shoulder.

"Well...I don't want to overstep my bounds here, but...you don't have to do anything you don't want to do. Look, I mean, I know what it's like. I come from a family of surgeons, and that wasn't me. So, you know, I traded in the money and prestige of being a doctor for all the glamour you see around you." Mr Wyatt said and Sam and I chuckle before he continues. "But the point is...there may be three or four big choices that shape someone's whole life, and you need to be the one that makes them, not anyone else. You two seem like a great kids. Just live the life you two want to live."

Present Day

"We came back here so you could talk to a teacher?" Dean asked Sam as we pull up to the school. "He's a good guy." Sam said. "I second that." I said and Dean rolls his eyes. "Well, whatever. Go have your Robin Williams O captain! My captain! moment. Just make it quick." Dean said and Sam walks out of the Impala.

*3rd Person POV*

Sam is walking down a deserted hallway, running his hand through his hair as he walks while deep in thought. "Excuse me, sir, can you tell me find room 305?" A young woman asked Sam as she approaches him. Sam stops and shakes his head and responds to her. "Sure. Um...head down the hall, take your first right, and it’s the third door on the left." He said and the girl smiles. "Thanks, Sam." She said, smiling.

Then she takes out a knife and stabs him in the stomach. "You got tall, Winchester." She growls and she kicks him in the face. He falls to the ground then opens a small jar he grabs from his jacket pocket as the girl approaches him. Then he grabs her and forces the salt in her mouth.

The ghost looks like it is ripped from her body and flies out the door. She collapses, and Sam sits in the hall holding her, looking around.

*(y/n)'s POV*

"Trust me. This will help." Dean said to Sam as he hands him a beer after I helped fix Sam's wound. We were sitting on the Impala and Sam had just told us what happened to him when he entered the school. "That ghost is dead. I'm gonna rip its lungs out! Well, you know what I mean." Dean growls. "It knew my name, Dean. My real name. We burned Barry’s bones. What the hell?" Sam said, confused, while I go and review the file we got.

"Well, maybe it wasn't Barry. Maybe we missed something. We just got to go back." Dean said and I noticed something in the file. "No way. How did we not see this before?" I said, shocked. "What?" Both of the boys asked then I hold up a picture. "Check it out -- Look, Martha Dumptruck, Revenge of the Nerds, and Hello Kitty -- they rode the same bus." I said. "Okay, so maybe the bus is haunted." Sam said, shrugging.

"Well, that would explain why there's no EMF at the school, but not the attacks. I mean, ghosts are tied to the places that they haunt. They can't just bail." Dean said and I nod. "Exactly." I said. "Unless this one can. Guys, there's lore about spirits possessing people and riding them for miles, then whenever they leave the body, they're bungeed back to their usual haunt. But until then, the ghosts can go wherever they want." Sam said.

"So a spook just grabs a kid on the bus and walks right into Truman?" Dean asked. "It's possible." Sam said. "Ghosts getting creative -- well, that's super." Dean said with sarcasm.

Later, Sam is in the back of the bus with an EMF meter. Dean and I were up front, searching for some clue of the ghost. "Definitely ain't clean." Sam said. "Here, ghosty, ghosty, ghosty! Come out, come out, wherever you are!" Dean said and I look over at Dean. "It's not a dog, Dean." I said.

"Man, I don't get it. No one ever died on this bus, and it's not like there's a body hidden in here." Sam said. "Yeah, but a flap of skin, a hair, I mean, hell, a hangnail -- something's got to be tying the ghost to this place. We just got to find it." Dean said as I go to the front of the bus and look through the papers.

"Got a new driving permit. Issued two weeks ago." I said as I held up the papers. "Just before the first attack." Sam mutters. "Yeah. Name of the bus driver is..." I stopped as I read the name, recognizing it. "...Dirk McGregor Sr., 39 North Central Avenue." I said as I look over Sam and we share a look of realization.

"What? Guys, what's wrong?" Dean asked us and Sam and I turn to him. "We knew his son." I said. "Did you two know everybody at this school?" Dean asked us, exasperated. "Well, unlike you, Dean where you were trying to get laid, Sam and I were trying to have a somewhat normal life." I said.

Flashback

School was letting out and Sam, Barry and I were walking out of it as we talked until Barry was pushed down by Dirk. "Got to watch where you're going, man." Dirk sneered at Barry as I help him up. "Leave him alone, Dirk." Sam said to Dirk.

"You never learn, do you, midget?" Dirk asked Sam as he turns to him. "Get to the bus, Barry." I tell him and Barry runs off while Dirk pushes Sam. "Hey!" I shout and I run towards Dirk but he pushes me back as well.

"What's the matter? You two scared? Don't worry. I'll go easy on you two this time. Come on, Losers. Let’s see what you got." Dirk taunts us as Sam and I slowly get up while a crowd of kids start to gather around and watch us. "Come on, freaks! Freaks!" Dirk shouts at us and Sam and I stand up and, deciding we had enough, began to fight back.

Dirk was caught off guard by us fighting back and he tried to take a few swings at us but we ducked then we'd punch him, hard. Eventually, Sam knocks him down. "You're not tough. You're just a jerk. Dirk the jerk." Sam said and the kids began to chant Dirk the jerk and Dirk looks around at everyone, embarrassed and scared, before he runs off.

Present Day

"So, you were friends with Dirk?" Mr McGregor asked us as we walk in his living room. "Yes, sir, in high school." Sam said. "I don't recall Dirk having many friends at Truman. Here, sit. Sit down." Mr McGregor said and we sit on the couch across from him.

"When did, uh -- when did Dirk pass?" I asked him. "He was 18." Mr McGregor replied. "What happened to him?" Sam asked. "Well, there was, first, drinking, then drugs, and then too many drugs. And then he just slipped through my fingers. It was my fault. I should have seen it coming, you know? Dirk, he, uh -- he had his troubles." Mr McGregor said.

"What kind of troubles?" Dean asked. "School was never easy for Dirk. We didn't have much money, and, well, you know, kids -- they can be cruel. They picked on him." Mr McGregor said and I furrow my brow. "They picked on him?" I asked. "They called him poor and dirty and stupid. They even had a nickname for him -- Dirk the jerk. And after what happened to his mother, he…" Mr McGregor said before he stops.

"His mother?" Sam asked. "Yeah, Jane, my wife. She died when Dirk was 13. Cancer. I was working three jobs, so it fell to Dirk to take care of her. And he was a great kid. He made sure Jane got her medicine. He helped her, cleaned up after her. But, you know, you -- you watch somebody die slow, waste away to nothing...it does things to a person. Horrible things." He said.

"We didn't know about his mother." I said, starting to feel bad for Dirk. "He -- he wouldn't talk about her, not even to me. Lot of anger in that boy." Mr McGregor explained and I frown. "I'm sorry." I said and Sam nods. "Yeah me too." He said.

"Well, we'd really like to pay our respects, Mr. McGregor. Um, you mind telling us where Dirk is buried? Dean asked him. "Oh, he wasn't. I had him cremated." Mr McGregor said. "All of him?" Dean asked his brow furrowed. "Well, I kept a lock of his hair." Mr McGregor said. "Oh, that's -- that's nice. Where do you keep that?" Dean asked. "On my bus, in my Bible." Mr McGregor said and the boys and I share a quick look.

That night, the boys and I stay off to the side waiting for the Mr McGregor's bus come down the road after taking a sports team to a game. We had laid down spikes on the road and, eventually, it drives over them and the bus serves to the side. The bus door opens and the driver steps out of it.

Sam and I walk up and cock our shotguns. "Dirk!" Sam yells and the driver turns to us, smiling. The driver was possessed by Dirk. "Winchester and (l/n). What are you two gonna do, shoot me?" Dirk asked then Dean sneaks up behind him and wraps a rope around his middle.

"Don't need to. That rope is soaked in salt water, Dirk. You're not going anywhere." I said and Dean heads into the bus. "All right, everybody stay where you are. You'll be okay." Dean said to the passengers.

"Aren't you the P.E. Teacher?" I hear a kid asked and I smirk. "Not really. I'm like 21 Jump Street. The bus driver sells pot." Dean said and he goes to look for the lock of hair on the bus. "It's not here!" Dean shouts and Sam and I turn to Dirk.

"Where is it?" Sam asked Dirk. "No way you'll ever find it." Dirk said, smiling, then I push my shotgun to his chest. "Where is it?!" I demanded. "Sam Winchester and (y/n) (l/n). Still a couple of bullies. You, you jocks...you popular kids...you stuck up bitches...you always thought you were better than everybody else. And to you two, I was just Dirk the jerk, right? Now you evil sons of bitches are gonna get what's coming to you." Dirk growls.

"(Y/n) and I are not evil, Dirk. We're not. And neither were you. Trust me. (Y/n) and I have seen real evil. We were scared and miserable, and we took it out on each other -- us and everybody else. That's high school. But you suffer through that, and it gets better." Sam said. "We're just sorry you didn't get a chance to see that...you or Barry." I said and Dirk continues to glare at us. "Nothing is gonna get better for me. Not ever." He growls then he breaks out of the rope.

I fire salt at him, and his spirit flies back to the bus while the man he possessed falls backwards. Sam and I look around until Sam was attacked from behind by a student, who is now possessed by Dirk. "SAM!" I shout as Dirk knocks him down I go and aim my shotgun but Dirk knocks the gun out of my hands and starts to beat me up.

Dean runs out of the bus and fires a salt shot at him but misses. "Dean! Find the hair!" I shout as Sam gets up and helps me fight Dirk and I see Dean run over to the driver before Dirk goes to throw a punch at me but I duck and then Sam punches him behind his head and Dirk turns to him.

"Hey, buddy, this isn't what it looks like." Dean said then a few seconds later Dirk screams and flies out of the student and the student falls onto Sam. "Little help?" Sam calls out, strained, and I go over to him and help. "He's giving you the full cowgirl." Dean jokes and I shake my head at this. "Dean, please help." I said and Dean comes over and helps me.

Flashback

The hallway was full of students as Sam and I walk down the hall. As we pass, the kids say things like good job, guys, Sam and (y/n), great job with Dirk the jerk and give us high-fives. Sam and I smile at each other and I, honestly, felt good and confident for the first time in my life.

But then Dean comes up and he looked relieved. "Hey, Dad and Mr (l/n) are back." He said and Sam and I frown a bit but nod.

Later, we were waiting outside as the Impala and my dad's motorcycle pulls up. "I can't wait to get the hell out of here. This place sucks." Dean said as he gets into the Impala but Sam and I turn around and see Barry sitting by the window, looking out at us. Sam and I wave at him and he waves back at us.

"Come on, Sam." Dean yells and I turn to Sam. "See you, later." I said. "See ya." Sam said and we hug each other and I look over at Dean. "See ya, Dean!" I said, happily, and I run over to Dad's motorcycle while Sam got into the Impala.

"Hey, kiddo." Dad greets me as I get on the back of the bike and grab the helmet. "Hey, Dad. Guess the hunting job went well?" I asked and Dad nods. "Yes. How was school?" Dad asked and I looked back at the school and a small smile forms on my lips. "Actually, it wasn't that bad." I said, smiling fondly.

Present Day

Dean and I were standing by the Impala as we waited for Sam to talk to Mr Wyatt. I was leaning against the car as I look over the school building, thinking about our time we spent here all those years ago.

"Whatcha thinking?" Dean asked and I turn my head to him. "Just...reminiscing." I said and he stares at me. "Why do you and Sam like this place so much? This place sucked." Dean grumbles. "Oh, just cause you didn't get laid with...what was her name...Amanda? Doesn't mean this place was bad." I said. "Besides, Sam and I made some good memories here, even if we spent a short amount of time here before we moved on."

Dean huffs at this and I shake my head. "Well...you wanna know something?" I asked him and he turns back to me. "What's that?" He asked me. "I was jealous of Amanda." I replied. "What? Why?" Dean asked and I scoffed. "Cause she had your attention." I said.

“How come you didn’t tell me?” Dean asked, furrowing his brow, and I shake my head, amused. “Because I thought you only saw me as a sister since I’m the same age as Sam. And I just thought it was a stupid little girl crush. I kept thinking you'd never see me in that way." I explained and I let out a humorless laugh. "I do now." He said and we share a smile.

"So...back then did you have like...a diary and write my name with hearts written over it?" Dean asked, teasingly, and I scoff. "Oh, c'mon, nothing like Dear Diary, I'm gonna see Dean again. I'm so excited I might pee myself?" He asked me and I let out a small laugh then punch his arm, playfully. "Would it help you sleep at night if I admit it?" I asked. "Maybe...yeah." he said and I smirk. "Then no, I didn't." I said. "Oh, c'mon!" He said and I stick my tongue out at him.

"You can be such a weirdo sometimes." Dean said. "And you can be a jackass sometimes." I said and I take his hand in mine. "But I love you anyway." I said and he smiles. "I love you too." He said and we share a kiss.

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