#been busy today packing orders and going through comms

[timethehobo]

Late night scribbly again. I just like drawing face touches.

[snowgoldwaylon]

And That's When You Came - Naga X Reader

So this is my first Naga x reader fic, I'm a bit nervous about it y'all. I hope you guys enjoy!

TW: Violence, kidnapping, murder, drugs, strong language.

This time around, druglords were swarming parts of the Jungles around the world. This sometimes made working with the CIA and Marines hard trying to tie up loose ends.

So, of course, you took a leadership role, and assembled a small, efficient team to head out to the Jungle, and clean up some of these businesses.

You had gotten word over enemy comms that there was a possibility of trafficking coming up, just a few days short of today. So you know today was the day to make the right move and head out.

You gathered the team up, and took off right there and then. You had to head Northeast until you reached the heart of the Jungle. The plan was to ambush whoever was doing this and make them lead your team right to the main compound.

After 4 hours of constant flying, your heli touched down a few clicks North of the potential location. You took out the evidence from the comm broadcast and looked around.

The druglords were smart around these areas. They communicated in code. Morse code, to be exact. Thankfully you could read and understand morse code like you could in your native language. Looks like some classes pay off!

You took a minute and looked over the past conversation between these unknown individuals. You read the morse code with ease, and quickly you understood what was said.

'TRIBAL VILLAGE, WEST OF THE RED STREAM. FOLLOW IT 5 CLICKS AND MAKE A SHARP LEFT BY THE SKULLS.'

You felt a sick, sinking feeling when it mentioned skulls. Now you knew that you were about to walk a thin line with danger, or possibly even death.

You looked back at your team who geard up. You turned your radio on and spoke to the one man you could trust.

"Lazar, I might not come back from this. If I don't, please send a search team. I'm about to broadcast you my current coordinates." You said calmly.

"Y/N, you will come back. I promise to come to save your ass myself." Lazar said.

"Appreciate that, I'll keep in touch. 2-3 out." And off your radio went.

You rounded your team up and stood upon a rock so they could hear you loud and clear.

"Okay Strike team, we are going in. You will follow me and my orders, we stay together at all times. This could potentially be a large threat, and I will not have any deaths today. Now, follow me. Keep an eye out for any potential harm. Form the formation we talked about. Always check those corners and look back!" You said, strapping your MP5 around you tightly.

You led your team off in the direction that the morse code told you about. You came to the red stream and decided to take a look around and see if you saw any possible movement or another break in the case.

You took your binoculars and scanned the area. In the distance, you saw a small, white building. It was covered by trees, well hidden if you didn't have good vision.

"Hey Houston, take a look over there, almost 3 and a half inches to the left. See the white building?" You said, handing the binoculars to your teammate.

Houston took them and looked, he turned back to you and nodded.

"I see it. Do you think we should go check it out?" He asked.

You thought for a moment. What if this was another building with possible evidence or even someone in there you could question? You looked back towards him and nodded.

"Yeah, I think we should. Let's get in there and at least check it out. It'll be worth it if we do I think." You reasoned.

He quickly gathered the team, and you made a slow but steady movement towards the building in question. There was no doubt you were nervous, you had a really bad feeling and you weren't sure why.

When you came up to the building, it was a garage. It had a large, retracting door and a small door for someone to walk into. But there was no house, just a garage.

"Okay Houston, we're gonna walk into this place very carefully, and slowly." You said.

After getting confirmation from everyone, you walked up to the small door. You carefully took the handle and twisted it. The door creaked open as if this was some sort of horror movie and the killer finds the person hiding.

You took a few steps in and checked all the corners. Your team followed behind and within minutes, the whole place had gotten a clean sweep. There was nobody to be found. So, you quickly gathered everyone in the middle.

"Okay, so this place is clear. What we are going to do next i-" You were cut off by a large bang.

BANG!

You drew your MP5 and took a protective stance. Suddenly, thats when a loud and frantic banging started to happen. What took you off guard was the cries for help that followed.

"PLEASE HELP, I'M DOWN HERE!" The male voice cried out.

You looked all over the room, and noticed a hatch to what looked like a cellar, the doors chained shut with heavy rocks on top.

"Commander, I don't like the feeling of this..." One of your team, Leon shuttered out.

"Cover me, we must save this man!" You said with no hesitation.

You ran over to the doors, and ripped the rock off with brute strength. You smashed the chains off with the butt of your gun, and yanked them off. You could now open the door.

"Houston, Leon, with me!" You commanded.

They stacked up behind you and took stance. You ripped the doors open, and out came a man fell out, wearing some sort of uniform. And behind him was a some of two dozen men, armed. You had been tricked.

"Commander!" Houston yelled, jumping in front of you as a bullet as shot. It ripped through his heart like a dagger. He fell to the ground, going limp.

"You fuckers!" You shouted.

You went to shoot, but a rock came flying and hit you right in the eye. You heard everyone else struggle and a few gunshots. When you came back from the hit, you were grabbed and restrained.

The man you first saw, immediately tied all your team up, but a couple of the guys had you in a hold, rather than tied up. You were so scared, for everyone. The first guy who came out grabbed his walkie and talked into it.

"Naga, this is Blade. I have their Commander. Waiting your order."

"Good, bring their Commander to me. Take the rest to the pit. We have work that needs done." The mysterious voice spoke over the radio.

"Got it."

When your team started to get taken away like cattle, you got pissed. You saw the bodies of a few crew mates and it made you almost get sick. Houston and Leon were dead, all because of you.

When you started to be dragged away, you began to kick and scream.

"Get off me you rat fucking bastards! I'll kill you all!" You shouted.

The men only chucked, and kept walking.

You were able to get an arm free and sucker punch one. The other, you kicked straight in the teeth, which made him double over. You took the opportunity and snapped his neck with ease.

The other man though quickly recovered and tackled you. You both fought for a minute until you somehow got on top, flipping him to his back. You restrained his arms with your leg and grabbed his face.

"I fucking told you, asshole. Now, join your friend." You said with anger. You quickly pulled his head back, killing him. You got off and took a rifle he wore.

You looked around and started to gather your surroundings. Now you were kind of confused. First thing first, you had to find your team. You ran back to the garage and went to the corpses of Houston and Leon.

"I'm so sorry you guys." You said, picking up their dog tags. This was the only way to identify them now.

You left and followed a blood trail to a nearby meadow. There, in the distance, you saw thick trees. You came up to a set of some, and in front of you was a 4-way split.

"Fuck! I'll be fucked if I go the wrong way...." But before you could even think, you felt a presence.

Like, somebody was watching you. You looked up into the trees, and that's when you saw a man wearing a strange cap, sunglasses, and a bandanna. He held a tube in his mouth.

Before you could run, he put air into it and shot out a dart at you of some sort. Luck was not with you today though.

It sucks right into your neck. And it felt like a rock had just dropped on you from a great height. You fell to your knees and collapsed. You tried to crawl, but the world went black around you.

The man jumped down from the trees and came over. He removed the dart and rolled you over to see your face. When he saw it was you, he picked you up and carried you towards his large camp.

"Finally got you."

Meanwhile, back at the safe house

Lazar came up to Adler and Sims.

"Doc, Y/N was supposed to come back 5 hours ago. I was even told if I don't hear anything, to come to find them." Lazar spoke with worry.

Adler almost brushed it off, until he heard your name.

"Wait, as in Y/N Y/L/N? Commander of Strike team?" He questioned.

"Yes, remember they went into the Jungle for the possible compound raid. I think something is wrong." He said.

Adler put out his cigarette and got up. He walked over to a plan made out by you. His eyes went large, and he immediately started to pack up and get ready.

"Lazar, you are right. There is a good chance they are in danger. We leave right now! Get everyone rounded up and locked and loaded." He commanded.

Lazar did as he was told, and got everything in line. The crew left within 5 minutes.

One day later, Y/N POV

You finally woke back up, but you were changed to a wall. Your clothes have scratches, and your head felt like a bobblehead. The room had a bright, uncomfortable light above the head. You looked around and saw so much drug paraphernalia.

You were about to pass out again until the door opened, and the same man from before stepped into the room. You both made eye contact, and you saw a slight smile behind his bandanna.

He came over to you and ran his hand over your face.

"Well, look who is finally awake. I thought you weren't going to ever wake back up, my precious little dandelion." He said in a creepy tone.

You revolted to his touch and tried to kick. But, you were held in place by the tough shackles.

"No no no, little one. You won't be leaving now. Do you know how long I waited for you? And here you fall right into my lap...." He trailed off.

You still kicked and screamed, until he finally walked away over to a projector.

"Oh Y/N, I've been watching you for months now. I knew you had been tracing people like me to raid their compounds. Well, I didn't want you fucking up my business." He said, pulling up the images on the projector.

You looked at them in horror when you realized they were of you, in many different states. You at your own home, on a date with Lazar, out with the safe house team for bowling and drinks, even you in the shower. The fucking shower!

You began to cry. You were very afraid.

The man only laughed upon seeing your tears and started playing audio logs of you calling your family on holidays.

"Don't cry, little one. I've always wanted you in my life." He spoke, slowly walking towards you. You began to panic, and started kicking and muffled screaming again.

When he reached you, he ran his hand up your side, and to your face.

"Don't worry. My name is Naga and I'm here to keep you forever. You are mine now, you know." He said.

He stepped back and turned on an older song. He kept the pictures up as he walked towards you with a knife. Your heart sank.

"Do you see this, honey? This is what you'll get when you misbehave. Understand?" He spat at you.

"I'm going to undo your gag. Don't do anything stupid." Naga said.

As soon as he did, he smiled.

"There. Now, why don't you tell me something with that gorgeous mouth?"

You looked right at him, and spit right into his eye. He jumped back in disgust. That pissed him off, and his gaze turned cold.

"You fucking bitch! You'll pay for that!"

But before he could even lunge, a man came from behind and wrestled him to the ground. That man was none other than Lawrence Sims.

You started to wiggle as you saw Lazar and everyone else behind him. He quickly ran over to you and got you free. Adler jumped in with Sims and restrained Naga. He put up one hell of a fight though.

You were carried away to the EVAC chopper, where Mason sat.

"Y/N!" Mason shouted, helping you get onboard.

You sat up and coughed. Your body hurt so much, you felt drained.

"Please Mason, clean up this cut on my leg. It's getting infected." You pleaded.

Immediately, he started to tend to every wound you had. It stung like hell but you were relieved it was over. Lazar sat with you and held your hand. You felt like you were in shellshock.

After about 10 minutes, everyone came back to the heli. Lazar didn't look happy.

"What the hell? Where is he??" He questioned.

Adler pulled out a cigarette and lit it. Sims just signed.

"He got away. The bastard is like a snake. Plus not to mention, he turned my balls into innies." Adler said with defeat.

You sat up and hugged the blanket tighter around you. You looked around at everyone as the heli flew off.

"Wait, what about my team? They still might be down there...."

Adler nodded at you.

"We sent in spec ops to recover survivors. But we are glad to see you back here safe."

You nodded with relief and lay back against the heli. You looked out over the dark skies and the now ominous trees below. You knew, deep down inside down there, this wasn't over.

Naga still roamed these trees. You looked down over the treetops and clenched your fist tight.

"I promise, this isn't over. I'll be back, even stronger."

[buckybarnesthehotshot]

iv: i hate you but i’m too tired for this shit (bucky barnes x reader)

i hate you but masterlist

summary: bucky and y/n can’t stand each other, but y/n needs help with her sister’s kids (enemies to lovers au)

word count: 2061

warnings: swearing, arguing, death, and this is not proofread

taglist is CLOSED

       “Do you know where y/n is?” Bucky raised a brow at Sam as he pulled a carton of milk from the now-replaced fridge.

      “Why? Are you gonna accuse her of burning the kitchen down again this time? I don’t think she burned down any kitchens today,” Sam chuckled, his gaze wandering around the newly repaired kitchen.

       “No, it’s not tha—” Bucky tried to explain, only to get interrupted by Sam breaking out in a fit of laughter.

       “Man, you’re in love with y/n! That’s why you’re always pissing her off!” Sam exclaimed excitedly, earning a smack across the shoulder from Bucky.

       “Why do you always assume people are in love with other people? Last week, you said the guy in front of us in the café was in love with the barista just because he took ten seconds longer than he was supposed to for ordering a drink,” Bucky rolled his eyes at Sam’s childish remarks.

       “You should’ve seen him! He was making heart eyes at her!” Sam exclaimed, holding his arms up in defense.

       “He was on the phone with his girlfriend, Sam!” Bucky pointed out.

       “Okay, that was a mistake on my part, but why are you looking for y/n?” Sam raised a brow at Bucky as he crossed his arms.

       “She borrowed my van four days ago and she never came back,” Bucky shrugged.

       “That’s because she went on an indefinite break from staying at the tower and all her Avengers duties. She even sent Fury an email about it,” Sam chuckled before pausing as his eyes widened, “wait, you let y/n borrow something you own?”

       “She was doing that weird thing with her eyes; you know the one she uses to get information when we’re undercover?” Bucky scratched the back of his neck, struggling to describe what exactly it was y/n did to get him to hand over his van keys.

       “You fell victim to her puppy eyes? Damn man, I thought it would take more than to get you to crack,” Sam broke out in a fit of laughter as Bucky scowled.

       “Yeah, well, she did this thing where she held onto my shoulders and started shaking me!” Bucky exclaimed defensively. Sam shook his head as his laughter slowly began dying down.

       “Man, so if HYDRA decided to capture you and gave you the puppy dog eyes, you would give up all the information they want you to give up?” Sam raised a brow at Bucky. Bucky, as though in deep thought, averted his gaze as he swiped his lip with his tongue.

       “Well, no but—”

       “Man, I should tell Fury to start looking for a replacement now,” Sam quipped.

       “All I’m asking is you know where she’s staying? I wanted to pick up a few things from the hardware store, but since y/n has my van, I can’t really do that,” Bucky questioned, pouring milk in his cereal bowl.

       “Can’t you have FRIDAY call her? Wait, she’s your teammate, you should have her number!” Sam pointed out as Bucky attempted to argue with a mouthful of cereal.

        “She banned,” Bucky paused to swallow his food before continuing, “from contacting her through FRIDAY or via her phone number.”

       “That’s all on you, Barnes,” Sam chuckled before grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and walking away.

       “FRIDAY, can I have a location on y/n?” Bucky requested as soon as Sam was out of earshot. To Bucky, talking to someone he couldn’t see was a little weird at first. Sure, when he was in Wakanda, he’d seen Shuri do it plenty of times, but he just assumed she had someone on comms. That was why the first time FRIDAY greeted him, he was startled—and whether or not he’d admit it, he pissed his pants a little too.

       “Unfortunately, Agent l/n blocked any requests for her information,” FRIDAY explained. Bucky groaned in frustration; he just wanted his van back. Was that too much to ask for? That was when he was struck by an idea.

       “FRIDAY, can I please have a location on my van?” Bucky requested, silently praying that his van did not somehow end up in another state.

       “Your van is parked outside an apartment complex in downtown New York. Shall I send the coordinated to your mobile device?” FRIDAY questioned.

       “Yes, please,” Bucky responded as he downed down the leftover cereal milk in his bowl.

       Bucky checked his phones from any notifications from FRIDAY and there it was on his lock screen: y/n’s home address.

       “FRIDAY, set my GPS on my motorcycle to the location of my van,” Bucky requested.

       “The GPS on your motorcycle has been set,” FRIDAY responded.

       Bucky left his bowl on the counter and headed into his bedroom to grab a pair of sneakers and a pale green jacket. He stared at the dark glove on his nightstand in consideration for a moment.

       Even after he’d been pardoned for his crimes under HYDRA, people always had that underlying fear that Bucky would revert to his ways with HYDRA and the Avengers would be unable to do anything about it. Luckily for him, the people of New York only ever recognized him when his vibranium arm was on full display. After all, not that many people in New York sported a vibranium arm and a perfected scowl.

        After careful consideration, he decided to ditch the glove for the day and hope the jacket would cover up the arm the way he wanted it to. After all, he was just heading to y/n’s apartment and he would head back to the compound.

       He pulled his—well, it used to be Steve’s before the old man gifted it to him—motorcycle keys off the hooks on the wall and headed to the parking basement where he kept his beloved Harley Davidson. He mounted the bike and sped off, following the directions in which the GPS directed him through.

       A grin found its way to the super soldier’s face. He was brought back to his younger days as he and Steve rode through the busy streets of Brooklyn whenever the Howling Commandoes didn’t have any missions to partake in—which was pretty rare. He felt young and carefree as his wind blew through his dark locks.

       He remained like that for a while; in a state of nostalgia and an uncharacteristically happy grin on his face as he dashed through the busy streets. He only broke out of it upon hearing FRIDAY’s voice announcing that he was at his location; a shockingly large apartment complex.

       “Shit,” he swore upon realizing y/n would be a bit tougher to locate than he thought. He didn’t think y/n’s life outside the tower would be as glamorous or at least not boring as it was. He was, of course, proved wrong at the sight of the massive building. Did y/n live in an apartment or a condominium?

       Luckily, as Bucky entered the buildings (after having some complications with the metal detector, of course) he noticed there was a concierge stationed at the front desk. He silently prayed to whoever was listening that the lady stationed there would tell him which floor and which apartment number he could find y/n in.

       “Good morning, sir, what can I help you with?” the lady—she couldn’t have been a day over thirty—greeted Bucky, a soft smile on her face.

       “Hi, uh, I’m here for y/n l/n. Do you know what unit she’s in?” Bucky questioned, leaning closer to the desk. He didn’t want to raise his voice; the whole lobby of the complex just seemed like such a peaceful place he didn’t want to disrupt.

       “Just a moment sir,” the woman smiled before dialing a number on the telephone and speaking to who he just assumed was y/n, “She’s in unit 8E on the eight floor, sir.”

       “Thank you,” Bucky smiled as he headed into one of the thankfully empty elevators. He didn’t know why, but since his first elevator ride, he always found riding an elevator—an enclosed metal box—with a stranger filled him with unease.

       Bucky arrived at the beige-carpeted hallway of the building as he passed by the abstract paintings hung on the wall and the doors with the unit number engraved in them. A, B, C, D; he passed by them all until he reached y/n’s door. He brought his fist up to the door before realizing there was a slight racket going on from within the door.

       That was when he panicked; was his teammate in trouble? No, there would’ve been more noise if y/n really was in trouble. Of all the times he’d worked with her, y/n was known to let out a battle cry here and there whenever she got into a physical confrontation.

       He relaxed, flicking his wrist against the smooth wooden door and waiting a moment for it to swing open and reveal a very tired-looking y/n who carried a wailing toddler in her arms.

       “You’re not the gelato guy,” y/n frowned, pulling a chuckle from Bucky.

       “And there’s no way in hell you’re y/n. You didn’t tell me you had a kid!” Bucky exclaimed, shocked at what he was seeing.

       “First of all, we aren’t close enough for me to disclose that kind of information with you. Second, she’s not mine. Well, she kind of is but not really,” y/n shrugged, “wait, why are you here?”

       “You borrowed my van,” Bucky raised a brow as he crossed his arms.

       “Oh yeah, you might want to take a seat, though. I know it’s somewhere here, but the past days have been pretty hectic,” y/n chuckled dryly, stepping aside and letting Bucky into her apartment. The action itself shocked him a little. In all his days living with y/n, she’d never once invited him into her room or any room she was in whenever he needed something. On a normal day, she would’ve shut her door for a while and opened it as she chucked the item right at him before slamming the door shut again.

       Bucky took in his surroundings; y/n’s apartment looked as though it was supposed to be a peaceful place. The spacious apartment’s furnishings matched those of the compound’s, yet it all felt more like an actual home compared to the compound.   However, it didn’t take him long to realize some things were placed where they weren’t supposed to.

       There were articles of clothing on the floorboards, a toy or two there, a pack of diapers in the corner of the room, and a child wrapping his arms around a sobbing teenage girl on the couch. Wait, a child and a teenage girl? How many people did y/n live with?

        He awkwardly took a seat on one of the seats by the plush velvet sofa, trying to avert his gaze from the two on the couch near his seat. His super soldier hearing, however, betrayed him as he heard every sob and every word that fell from the teenager’s lips.

       “I just can’t believe it!” the girl sobbed, her eyes red and puffy.

       “It’s gon be okay, Livvy. Mommy’s gonna go back,” a smaller voice came to comfort her. A smile found its way to Bucky’s face as he heard the child’s attempt to comfort ‘Livvy’. God, it had been so long since he’d seen that kind of innocence in his life.

       “I found your keys,” came y/n’s voice from behind him as she pressed the cold metal against his flesh hand.

       “Did you kidnap these kids with my van?” Bucky quipped, his brows furrowing as he watched the interaction happening on the couch.

      “Look, I’ll explain everything later if you end up sticking around. I’m too tired to even banter with you at this point,” y/n shook her head. As if on que, a knock came at the door and she swung it open to reveal the gelato guy!

       “So, you’re fine with me just, staying here?” Bucky raised a brow in suspicion.

       “Join us for breakfast if you want to. Just, try not be such a pain in the butt, Barnes,” y/n sighed. Bucky noticed how uncharacteristically tired she sounded. With a small nod, he took a seat at the dining table in her kitchen area. It wasn’t like he had much for breakfast, what harm could a little more food do?

i hate you but taglist: @sarcastic-britt​​ / @kmuir1​​ / @shower-me-with-roses​​ / @justab-eautifulmess​​ / @thomasthetankson​​ / @x-abi-sharp-x​​ / @intovert-gone-wild​​ / @brittanymcsharry​​ / @leaving-the-past-behind​​ / @xoxabs88xox​​​ / @mylifeiscrazy0423​​​ / @howliebucky​​​ / @i-cry-so-much​​​ / @witchything​​ /   @naimalove143​​ / @simplybarnes​​ /

Forever tags: @spatium-viatorem​​​​ / @sxphiiwrld​​​​ / @strangersstranger​​​​ / @nerdy-bookworm-1998​​​ / @cutie1365​​​ / @valeriiaaass​​ / @adorkably​​ / @whatinthyworld​​ /

MARVEL TAGLIST: @captainamerica-is-bae​​​

BUCKY TAGLIST: @missmidnightxo​​​ / @tinymalscoffee​​ / @howliebucky​​ /

[gumnut-logic]

Mosaic Beach

It has taken me since Thursday morning (it is now Saturday night) to write this goes-nowhere-piece-of-fluff. I had a low level migraine Wednesday night and felt awful Thursday morning, so the first 850 odd words are me visualising being in a better place other than outside my daughter’s school. Then Scott had something to say and promptly ate my fic. But then at least he was thinking about Virgil.

Also, Gordon is evil.

As always, many thanks to @tsarinatorment​ @scribbles97​ and @janetm74​ for the read throughs and support. You guys are amazing to me :D

I hope you enjoy this totally lazy fic ::hugs you all::

-o-o-o-

It was a lazy day.

Virgil suspected John, who had been kicked off Five the day before, had Eos routing all but the most dire situations to local authorities whether Scott authorised it or not.

There were days where Virgil wondered if Scott was really in charge, since John had so much ultimate say.

But that thought was for another day. He was tired and it was likely going to be a day off - please let it be a day off - and he was going to find a corner of the Island to sit alone and scribble in his sketchbook.

He ended up on Mosaic Beach, a personal favourite on the edge of the caldera. Gordon had mentioned it the day before regarding the quality of flotsam available after the last storm and Virgil thought he would see what he could find.

It was overshadowed by an ancient pokey tree brilliant in red blossom and the sand here was a mass of black and white swirls as the coral detritus fought the eroded igneous rocks – the reason they had given it its name. Gordon was right - there was all sorts of things tossed up the sand and Virgil spent the first half hour wandering along the strip of sea wrack picking up shells and whatever caught his eye.

One of the shells appeared determined to return to the ocean and it was with a small smile that he picked up the tiny hermit crab and watched it curl up into its shell.

Holding it gently in his palm, he sought the shade of the giant tree and sat down on the sand in its shadow. Here the breeze was gentle, the sand cool and, leaning back against a rock, he set the little crab down on a smooth patch of sand, along with his small hoard of shells and let it scamper across the little landscape that resulted.

Sketchbook out, he spent the next few minutes sketching the crab madly as it moved about. It shifted angle at random and he found himself increasingly switching from real life to a character sketch. A little personality sprouted from the page that reflected the little crab’s determination.

Ever aware of the crab’s needs above his own, he sketched fast, took a few photos and then gathered the little creature in his hands once more. He trotted down to the rock pools at the edge of the beach and found a spot he felt the crab would be happy.

Crouching down, he watched it scamper into the water.

His lips curved into a smile.

Gordon would know what species it was, where it lived and how to best care for it. Virgil was pretty sure he knew what type it was. Mel was pedantic about crabs and had given them a list of ‘these are endangered, tell me if you see them, kill one and I will kill you’. Fortunately or unfortunately, it wasn’t a long list, so Virgil had memorised it. This little guy...he should be happy here.

The crab found some weed and promptly hid under it.

The rockpool drew Virgil’s eye a little longer before he finally stood up and let the breeze cool his face. A sigh at the sun’s warmth and he wandered back to the shadow of the pokey tree and sat down again.

The little crab stared up at him from his sketchbook, spritely and determined.

Kind of like Gordon really, despite the claws.

That prompted a smile at the thought of his fish brother’s reaction to being compared to a crab.

He would squawk, but he would love it.

Virgil returned to sketching the shells and bits of coral he had collected. Rearranging them, repositioning for lighting. He picked one up and stared at the colours created by a little mollusc. He was ever amazed at what Mother Nature was capable of. Simple geometrics and chemical formulae made one of the world’s strongest and most beautiful substances in nacre. Another broken shell showed the rainbow of colour that he knew his paintbrush would never quite be able to capture, much less the pencil and stick of carbon he had with him today. He was left with a little snapshot from his phone...which was never quite the same either...and what his memory could provide.

Perhaps it was nature’s way of ensuring it was always the most beautiful.

He shifted to scribbling down the beachscape after that. It wasn’t the first time he had drawn this beach, but as with all beaches, it was different every day as the tide sculpted it.

His fingers grew more and more lazy, his lines wandering through more emotion than reality as the day drifted on. At some point, he ate the sandwich he had packed, quite happy to not care what time of day it was and refusing to look at his watch.

Eventually the sketchbook was set aside and he let himself just stare out at the ocean lagoon, eyes tracking the movement of the distant waves and the laps of the ripples against the shore.

And nature’s rhythms lulled him to sleep.

-o-o-o-

“Hey, big bro, you might want to drop by Mosaic Beach before the tide comes in.” Gordon waltzed past the desk Scott was sitting at with a smirk on his face.

“What?” Scott’s brain was still stuck in working out what the hell Simmonds meant by the ‘urgent memo’ that had interrupted his afternoon off.

“The snoring is scaring away all the wildlife.” With that Gordon grabbed a book off the shelf on the far side of the room and backtracked out the way he had come in...without another word.

Scott was left staring where his brother had been.

But then Gordon was worth ignoring some times.

He turned back to his display and continued to try and work out why Simmonds had ordered sixty plastic flamingoes and then memo’d him about it in a panic.

It took him a good few minutes more before throwing it back at Simmonds’ supervisor in Japan with a ‘concerned’ note.

What did Tracy Industries need with sixty plastic flamingoes?

He shook his head and forced himself to stand up and not invest any more in any comms from the business. Today was hopefully his day off and he refused to fall into the trap of losing himself in all the things that required attention.

All the things.

He paused mid rise.

But no. No! Vacation day. He forced himself away from the desk and out onto the balcony.

It was a beautiful out here. The afternoon sun was blazing in a brilliant blue sky without a single cloud. The sea was murmuring far below. It was an artist’s dream.

He blinked as certain Gordon utterings connected neurons together.

A frown. “Gordon!”

No answer.

Another frown and he strode back inside, following the recent tracks of his fish brother down to the kitchen.

Scott found him reading at the table, a phone that was most definitely not his in one hand and the book in his other.

There were lots of photos of crabs.

“What are you doing?”

“Confirming the identification of a crab.”

“Why?”

“Virg found one down on Mosaic Beach and I wanna make sure it is what I think it was so I can report it to Mel.”

The dots that had been connecting earlier fused into a solid line with an arrow pointing directly at Gordon. “And where is Virgil?”

“Snoozing on the beach.”

“And why do you have his phone?”

“Because his drawings were excellent, but I needed a colour shot.”

“Gordon!”

His brother didn’t even look up. “What?” But then he blinked and frowned at Scott. “He’s fine. Well above the high tide line.” A glance down at the book again. “There, that’s it. Oooh, Mel is going to be so excited.”

Scott glared at Gordon for a whole second longer before storming over and snatching the phone out of his hands. Without another word, he strode out of the kitchen and took the path that would lead him down to the reported beach.

Younger brothers were hard work.

The little beach wasn’t the closest on the Island. Probably one of the reasons Virgil chose it to get away from pesky younger brothers. Trust Gordon to find him anyway.

He fingered Virgil’s phone in his hand as he walked. The green leather case was embossed with an elaborate dragon design.

Looking at it, all he could really feel was fondness.

He must be tired. Grandma was right. He needed a day off.

Easier said than done. It wasn’t like he could park himself on a beach and fall asleep.

He grunted as he stepped over some rocks to start the climb down to the little cove. The path was thin and wove amongst several pōhutukawa trees – or pokey trees as Alan called them, their dark green leaves adorned with puffs of red blossom. Birds darted between them squawking at each other. That combined with the surf in the distance and the breeze rattling palm trees, it wasn’t the quietest of places.

Nevertheless, he found his brother sprawled against a rock under the largest pokey tree at the edge of the beach, snoring his head off.

Definitely noisy.

Virgil was dressed in an old pair of work shorts and a t-shirt with a hole in it. Both sported spatters of paint and clearly showed how relaxed his brother was trying to be.

Beside him on a rock, carefully placed, no doubt by Gordon, the brat, was a sketchbook and a box of drawing tools. Virgil’s artist backpack lay folded up supporting his head - again likely Gordon.

Virgil snorted and curled up just a little more against the rock.

Gordon was a shit, but he was a kind one. Virgil slept like the dead and would likely need one of those waves off in the distance to wash over him if he was going to wake up before he wanted to.

Staring a moment longer, Scott sighed, gave up and sat down beside his brother. He dropped the phone onto the sketchbook and looked out at the beach.

Virgil continued to snore.

His biggest little brother had always snored. Scott had cornered him and got him tested for a variety of sleep issues, but he was fine. Just loud.

The terrible two used to make a point of pointing it out as much as possible. But that was before the hydrofoil accident.

Gordon didn’t know it, but due to his injuries, he now snored, too.

The ribbing about snoring in the Tracy household had dropped to a minimum since, Gordon the only unknowing ribber.

But Virgil remained the major noise maker and the brothers worshipped the soundproofing in the villa.

Regardless of the racket, Scott did find it strangely quiet out here. Sitting on the sand with nothing to do was oddly relaxing. Of course, he wasn’t really one to do nothing and Virgil’s sketchbook was right there. Gordon had obviously already stuck his nose into it and Scott was pretty sure Virgil wouldn’t mind if he took a peek.

Would he?

Lifting the phone off the book, Scott carefully picked it up and nestled it in his lap...ever, ever so careful. Okay, so he had some respect and not a little fear of damaging Virgil’s artwork.

The pages were thick and stiff and likely designed to support wet media as much as dry. Most of the work in it was pencil, however, maybe some charcoal? The darks were so deep in some that they had to be.

But Scott was no artist and really only had eyes for the content.

The first page found him looking at himself. Virgil had obviously either captured Scott’s likeness on the sly or drawn from a photo or holoprojection. His drawing stared up at him in almost all three dimensions. The expression on his graphite face was thoughtful, almost wistful. He could see his rendered self was thinking or planning and totally distracted...which was likely why he had no clue his brother had captured this shot.

But the artistic strokes were strong and sure, simple in their complexity.

Scott blinked, moved that his brother was so talented and capable.

Though he really shouldn’t be surprised.

Turning the page, he discovered their grandmother.

He had to smile. The concentration on Grandma’s face was almost comical. A bowl and a recipe book sat in front of her and the very tip of her tongue stuck out of the side of her mouth as she frowned at whatever she was reading.

There was a touch of caricature in the drawing, a little exaggeration, but done with love and fondness, not mockingly. His grandmother was beautiful.

Scott swallowed and turned the page to find several detailed scribbles. They looked like pieces of machinery and the pages had notes written down the sides.

It was a spark moment. He knew Virgil well enough for that. One of those times when his thoughts all came together and saw him running naked out of the shower to grab whatever he could find and get it written down.

Several major equipment improvements had occurred exactly this way. It appeared that at some point, this sketchbook had been the nearest note book and had borne the brunt.

He stared at the diagrams, doing his best to work out exactly what they were. Sharp notation, numbers, that had to be the backend of a pod. It clicked. This was part of the pod assembly redesign from the previous year. Virgil had come to him with some major improvements, including a pod body redesign. What followed had been a massive overhaul of all the ‘birds’ assembly systems and a whole new set up, including colour changes according to which Thunderbird housed which pod. Virgil and Brains had been buzzing for weeks.

And it was possible it had all started here on this piece of paper. Now he could see the scribbled down inner workings of the assembly mechanism and the shape on the second page was a worked and reworked pod shell.

He glanced over at his brother who was still snoring peacefully. Virgil was amazing. Scott could not have been prouder of what his little brother had achieved. Yet Virgil never really boasted or bragged or even highlighted what he had done. He was just there. Always there, one step behind him ready to help.

He must be really tired because now he was getting emotional. There had been a few times in the last couple of years where he had come close to losing Virgil. He hadn’t, but there had been nightmares and many a night where he had spent reassuring himself that his biggest brother was still with him.

And yes, he could stand outside his brother’s bedroom door and listen to him snore.

It gave him comfort.

Gordon had caught him once.

That had been a heartbreaking moment.

Because his fish brother hadn’t said a thing, just reached up, squeezed his shoulder, dropped his forehead against Scott’s arm and just stood there for a solid moment. Another gentle squeeze and he left, not even looking up at Scott before he was gone.

It said more than any words.

Scott sighed and turned the page...only to come face to face with Gordon again. Though this time the joy in their fish brother’s eyes was lighting up the page. He was grinning at a shell and there was a speech bubble - ‘Virgil, come and see this!’

Scott had to smile. Gordon was notorious for sharing his beach discoveries. Virgil was usually the target because at least he knew a little bit about their little brother’s fascinations. Scott loved to see Gordon happy, but honestly, he couldn’t tell the difference between one shell or another. He tried. He honestly did, but Virgil had the patience of a saint and was much more engaging.

Scott loved to watch the two of them instead.

And yes, he saw Virgil sneak things into his pockets. Usually shells, but occasionally rocks and bits of coral. Those finds made their way back to Virgil’s studio and there was a whole corner devoted to marine still life.

Which was why it was no surprise when the next three pages of sketchbook turned out to be exactly that. A curly shell, a pile of cockle shells - Scott knew those at least - they were good for fishing. The third page had a plan for a reef painting. It had scribbled notes, much like the pod redesign pages, but this was based around a sketched layout. Scott frowned at it...it was vaguely familiar. He would have to ask Virgil about it when he woke.

The next two pages sported today’s efforts. The same beach he was sitting on emerged from the paper, along with some sketches of a crab. The first few were realistic, but the last one had the little hermit crab with an IR symbol on its side and one of Dad’s old uniform hats perched on top of its shell. It bore a sash that resembled Virgil’s despite the lack of green colour and one of its claws was bigger than the other in a very exo-suit-like way.

That had Scott grinning. This was no doubt the reason why Gordon had run for the crab book. Mel, in her position of Director of the Kermadec Expedition south of them on Raoul Island, was very particular about the endemic crabs on all the islands in the area.

He wondered what she would think of them inducting crabs into IR.

He wondered what she was doing today and if she might be available later for a nice evening together.

That thought was very distracting and had nothing to do with crab identification at all.

Virgil snorted, rolled over off his backpack and face first into the sand.

Scott startled, fully expecting a woken bear of a brother to surface from that.

But Virgil just kept snoring, now snorting sand as well.

He placed the sketchbook down, scrambled around his brother and gently shoved the folded backpack under his head again.

His fingertips brushed sand off Virgil’s face.

And he found himself sitting beside his brother again.

Why was he out here?

Because Gordon was evil and dangled the concept of Virgil drowning in the tide simply to aggravate him enough to do exactly what he did.

Gordon was a shit.

But a good one.

Another sigh and he lay back against the rocks and got comfortable, because, let’s face it, he wasn’t going back up to the villa without Virgil. His brother was safe, sure, but walking off and leaving him to the elements ran against his grain.

And Gordon knew it.

He would throttle, and possibly hug, his fish brother later.

Besides, it was nice out here, taking a moment to just be.

Virgil would approve.

Virgil would fake being asleep just to get him to do it.

Scott’s eyes darted to his now softly snoring brother, a sudden suspicion at the forefront of his thoughts. He would put it past either of Virgil or Gordon’s conniving ways to conspire to get him out here.

Virgil was drooling a wet patch onto his backpack.

Ugh.

Well, maybe not.

Perhaps he was just being paranoid.

Perhaps he just needed to relax.

Relax.

He closed his eyes and folded his hands in his lap. Kayo was good at meditation. So was Gordon. Virgil did some connecting with nature thing that seemed to work for him.

Exhibit A snorted as if in agreement.

He could try.

Out of all the sounds he could hear, only one really held his attention.

That same soft snoring. No waves or wind or birds squawking brought him any kind of comfort.

The sound of his brother breathing evenly beside him, safe and sound, was the most beautiful sound in the world.

What that said about him...well, he didn’t care right now. He was tired and worn out. Maybe Gordon was right. Maybe this is what he needed. He should care, should be annoyed, but the rhythm was lulling and, god, he was so tired.

So goddamned tired.

Virgil kept breathing and Scott followed him into sleep.

-o-o-o-

Hidden in the foliage of the grove of pokey trees behind his two brothers, Gordon just smiled.

-o-o-o-

[alyssawritesssfics]

Hounded [9] 9. Unity Day

Pairings: Bellamy x OC // Kane x daughter!OC

Word Count: 2.7k

Warnings: violence, mentions of blood, character death (canon), series spoilers

Summary: It’s Unity Day --and Athena’s birthday-- and the celebrations only bring Athena and Bellamy closer together.

Author’s Note: Hii, here is chapter/episode nine! This one is also heavily Athena/Bellamy, so I again had a lot of fun writing it. I hope you enjoy it! Please remember to note and reblog! It really helps me see interest and therefore update the story more often. Thank you!

Tag List: @topazy​ @no-damsel​ @lizlil​ (DM or send an ask to be added)

previous chapter // series masterlist

I had waited up late last night, anticipating the inevitable conversation with my parents. Luckily for me, both were too busy on the Ark to bother. Part of me was bitter, considering what today was, but I knew the chaos of Bellamy’s information stirred up a lot up there.

Luckily, today was Unity Day and Clarke and Bellamy had both agreed to pause work on the camp and defences until after the ceremony. This meant I had a chance to sleep in for the first time since I’d be locked in Skybox.

When my eyes finally fluttered open, I noticed Octavia staring at me from across the tent.

“Were you watching me sleep?” I asked, rubbing my eyes. Then, I smiled. “You’re such a weirdo.”

Octavia rolled her eyes, standing from her bed and rushing over to mine. “I found something I thought you’d like.” She leaned over, rummaging through her pack and pulling out a long knife, handing it to me with a smile. “Happy Birthday.”

My eyes widened. “I can’t believe you remembered.”

“Of course I did!” Octavia beamed. “You made my birthday in Skybox so special, and we weren’t even free at the time. I know it’s not much, but I figured it would come in handy.”

I felt my eyes swell with tears, though I quickly pushed them back. “Thank you, O. I really appreciate you even remembering.”

We hugged briefly, Octavia pulling away with excitement. “We are going to have so much fun tonight. Monty is cooking up some of his famous moonshine.”

“At least we get to drink it this time.”

“I’ll let you get ready for the day,” Octavia spoke, heading to the entrance of the tent. “Too bad the moonshine isn’t ready yet. I could use it to get through the Unity Day Ceremony.”

I laughed as Octavia headed out of the tent. After all those years of participating in the ceremony with Clarke and Wells, I could also use a drink.

…

I made my way to the center of camp, finding most had gathered around the monitor to watch the early portion of the ceremony. The camera panned to my father for a moment, a sharp pain shooting through my body. Despite lucking out and getting to avoid talking to him, of course I’d still have to see him.

“Missing being up there for this?”

I turned around, Bellamy appearing. “Definitely not.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Kane’s daughter doesn’t like Unity Day?”

“Kane doesn’t like Unity Day.” I whispered, earning a chuckle. “It’s just such an elaborate show, as if we came together peacefully for the good of mankind. The Ark only became the Ark after the thirteenth station was blasted out of the sky.”

“You’re even more pessimistic than usual.”

I rolled my eyes, turning back to the screen. “You’re one to talk.”

Bellamy let out a sigh, walking away to join the others.

Alone. As Always.

…

- Six Years Earlier -

I sat on the couch of our family’s unit, staring at the door. It was nearing midnight, and I had yet to see my parents all day. When I woke up they’d both been gone, my mother being called away for surgery and my father for whatever ‘official business’ Jaha needed him for today.

My birthday cake sat in the fridge still, awaiting an adult to stick some candles on it and light it for me. Part of me felt guilty for being upset about missing out on candles; I was one of the lucky few who could even afford to have a cake made. I had read in a book once that cakes were tradition for every birthday on Earth.

The sound of a keycard swipe yanked me from my thoughts as I quickly jumped over the couch. The hard metal door swung open, revealing my mother. She looked exhausted, yet somehow still so put together.

Her eyes finally landed on me, her tired eyes widening. “Honey, I am so sorry.”

“It’s alright, Mom.” I lied. “I spent the night watching movies after the Unity Day Ceremony.”

She frowned, placing her keycard on the table by the door. “You shouldn’t have to watch movies alone on your birthday.”

“I’m used to it.” My mother winced, her frown only growing. “I haven’t touched the cake yet.” I added, smiling.

My mother finally smiled. “Let’s bust out the candles then!”

“Really?” I asked. “We aren’t supposed to have any flames after ten.”

“Are you going to tell Jaha?” She asked. I shook my head. “Good. Neither am I.”

My mother marched into the kitchen, grabbing the candles from the drawer as I pulled the cake out of the fridge. She placed twelve candles neatly across the cake, lighting them all with a match. Before I could blow out the candles, she placed a soft kiss on my cheek.

“Happy Birthday, Sweetheart.”

My smile filled out my face as I closed my eyes and made my wish. Then, I opened my eyes, blowing out the candles as the clock struck midnight.

…

“My friends, this is a historic Unity Day.” Jaha spoke through the monitor. “Every year, we mark the moment our ancestors of the twelve stations joined to form the Ark, but this is the last time we do so while aboard her. Next year, on the ground.”

Cheers erupted on the Ark, but most remained silent down here.

“Right. After we did all the work.” Miller groaned. “Somebody shut him up.”

“You shut up, Miller. Nobody’s forcing you to watch.” Raven snapped.

“For ninety-seven years, we have eked out an existence, hoping that someday our descendants would return to Earth.” Jaha continued.

“Monty strikes again!” Jasper’s voice rang out through the camp. “Call this batch ‘Unity Juice’. Who’s thirsty?”

Many delinquents rushed over, grabbing makeshift cups while Jasper filled them all. I stayed put, for reasons I didn’t even understand, watching the ceremony instead.

“To our sons and daughters on Earth listening to this message, we will see you soon.” Jaha carried on. “The first Exodus ship will launch in under sixty hours, carrying you the reinforcements that you need, so stay strong. Help is on the way.”

As the words filled my ears, I could feel my heart stop. The first Exodus ship meant the second wouldn’t be far behind. How soon until my father was down here? Despite the constant threat, I was getting used to having freedom down here. I definitely wasn’t ready for him to bark orders at me again. At least my mother would be down here soon. Hopefully before him.

Children carrying flags danced around the screen for a while, a little girl finally stepping into the center of their circle.

“Long ago when the Earth was on fire, through space all alone. Then one day, Mir floated by Shenzhen, and they realized life would be better together.” The girl spoke. “The other stations saw this, and they wanted to be together, too. When all the stations were formed, they called themselves-”

A loud bang sounded through the radio, the video cutting to static. We all stared at the screen, waiting for the video to come back, but it never did.

…

The sun had gone down, work came and went, and now it was time to have some much needed and deserved fun. As I walked through camp I watched everyone drinking, laughing, singing and playing games. I’d never seen ‘unity’ like this on the Ark.

My eyes landed on Bellamy, and I felt a familiar sinking feeling in my stomach. I took a deep breath, marching over until I was standing behind him.

“Hey,” I spoke, causing him to turn around. “I was a jerk earlier. I’m sorry.”

Bellamy eyed me for a moment, before smiling. “Birthday blues, I get it.”

My eyes widened. “How did you-”

“Octavia told me a bit ago.” Bellamy cut me off. “I can’t blame you for hating Unity Day more than most.”

“My birthday was always a little overshadowed.” I sighed. “I can’t complain too much, though. My mother always found a way to make it special, even if it was just before midnight.”

Bellamy smiled. “Your mother sounds great.”

“Yeah, she’s pretty cool.” I smiled back.

I watched Clarke approach us, a frown on her face. “The comms are still dead.”

“Best Unity Day ever.” Bellamy smirked.

“Now you agree with me.” I joked.

“Do you guys really think now is a good time to have a party?” Clarke asked, looking around. “The Grounder is still out there.”

I shook my head. “Grounders.”

“By now, he's made it home. He's probably putting together a lynch mob.” Bellamy spoke, causing Clarke to shift her feet. “Relax. I got security covered. Why don't you go get a drink? You look like you could use one.”

“I could use more than one.”

“So have more than one,” Bellamy responded. “Clarke, the Exodus ship carrying your mother comes down here in two days. After that, the party's over. Have some fun while you still can. You deserve it.”

Clarke thought for a moment. “Yeah, okay. So do you, by the way. Both of you.”

“I’ll have my fun when the Gounders get here.” Bellamy smirked.

Clarke smiled, laughing slightly. “Alright.”

We both watched her disappear into the crowd, Bellamy spinning the apple in his hand. Finally, he turned to me.

“What about you?” He asked. “Shouldn’t you be celebrating?”

I shrugged. “I’m not even sure I know how to celebrate.”

Bellamy took one final bite of his apple, tossing it to the side. “Come on.” He said, marching away.

“Where are we going?” I asked, my shorter legs struggling to keep up.

“First, we get drinks. Then, I teach you how to celebrate.”

I laughed, causing him to stop and look back at me. “You’re going to teach me how to celebrate?”

Bellamy smirked. “Trust me, we used to have the best parties on Factory Station.”

“Right, I heard about those.” I smiled. “I always wished I could go.”

“Well, now you pretty much get to.”

We reached Jasper, Bellamy asking for drinks. Jasper poured them, eyeing the two of us the entire time.

…

We spent most of the night drinking, talking about our experiences on the Ark and playing different games. Finally, we came across a new group, Clarke among them.

“You’re not gonna get this one.” Clarke taunted Fox.

Fox smirked. “Yes, I am.”

“No, it’s not happening.”

Fox flipped the metal piece, landing it the cup of moonshine.

Everyone around the table cheered as Clarke admitted defeat, drinking from the cup and spitting the metal piece out.

“What do you know?” A boy spoke. “Her highness can actually party. I like it.”

“What are you gonna do when the guards come down here and commandeer Monty’s still?” Clarke asked.

“Build another one.”

“Right.” Clarke laughed, her eyes landing on me. “Athena! Come try.”

I shook my head. “I’m alright, thanks.”

“Come on, Athena.” Bellamy nudged my arm.

I sighed, stepping towards the table. “Alright, what am I supposed to do?”

Clarke explained the rules to me as best as her tipsy self could. I stood across the table from her, aiming my piece of metal towards her cup. I then tossed it, the piece bouncing off the table and landing in her cup.

Clarke stared down at her cup for a moment before looking back up at me with a frown. “I regret asking you to try it.”

“Beginners luck.” I threw my hands up, smiling. 

Clarke and I battled it out for a bit, her getting distracted before we could break the tie. She placed one of the metal pieces on her nose, struggling to balance it.

“Hey, can we talk?” Finn asked, appearing through the crowd and placing his hand on Clarke’s arm.

“Is everything alright?” She asked.

Finn looked around before gesturing for her to follow him.

With Clarke gone I stepped away from the table, realising I had sort of abandoned Bellamy. To my surprise he was still there, the smile on his face bigger than I’d ever seen it before.

“You were totally going to win that game.”

My eyes widened, my cheeks warming up. “You think so?”

He nodded. “I’m impressed, Athena.”

“It’s the birthday spirit, I guess.” I laughed, stumbling slightly.

“Woah,” Bellamy laughed, grabbing my arms. “You alright?”

I nodded. “I’m a little dizzy. Very tired. Too much birthday.”

Bellamy laughed again, helping me regain my balance. “Let’s get you to bed, alright?”

“That sounds like a good idea.”

Bellamy led me across the camp, stopping just outside of my tent.

“Octavia, are you in there?”

No response.

Bellamy pushed the flap to the side, stepping inside and helping me navigate my way through. I quickly sat on my cot, staring up at Bellamy.

“Alright, try to get some sleep.” Bellamy’s eyes shifted around the tent. “I’ll bring you some water in a bit. Drink it when you wake up.”

Bellamy turned to leave, but I quickly grabbed his arm. “Bellamy, wait.”

He stopped turning back around to face me. I stood from my bed, the alcohol taking over me and I tossed my arms around him.

“Athena?” He asked.

“Thank you, for everything today.” I spoke. “It was the best birthday ever.”

I felt Bellamy’s arms wrap around me, lingering there for just a few moments before we both pulled away. I stared into his soft brown eyes, and he stared back into mine. For a second, I thought he’d say something more. 

Instead, he smiled. “Goodnight, Athena. Happy Birthday.”

Bellamy turned to exit the tent, pushing the flap aside to reveal Clarke. Her eyes quickly darted to me behind him, before landing back on his face.

“Hey, I needed to talk to you both.”

“Been having fun, Princess?” Bellamy smirked.

Clarke glared. “I’m serious.”

“You always are.”

“Finn’s set up a meeting with the Grounders. I’m leaving to go talk to them.”

I stood up, my head spinning. “Like hell you are.”

“Do you think that impaling people on spears is code for ‘let’s be friends’? Have you lost your damn mind?”

Clarke rolled her eyes. “Now you two decide to agree on things?”

“Clarke, we have no idea what else these people are capable of. You could be walking into a trap.”

“I think it might be worth a shot.” Clarke shrugged. “I mean, we do have to find a way to live with them.”

“They’ll probably gut you, string you up as a warning.”

“Well, that’s why I’m here.” Clarke said. “I need you guys to follow us, be our backup.”

“Does Finn know about this?” Bellamy asked.

Clarke shook her head. “He doesn’t need to know.”

I eyed Clarke for a few moments, before finally letting out a hearty sigh. “Alright, I’m feeling up for an adventure this evening anyways.”

“Good,” Clarke nodded. “Bring guns.”

While I watched Clarke march away, Bellamy turned to me.

“You should stay here.”

I shook my head. “No way, I’m coming with you.”

“Athena, you were falling over ten minutes ago.”

“And now I’m worried about my friends.” I snapped. “Bellamy, We’ve all been drinking. I’ll sober up on the walk there.”

“Athena-”

“I can’t stay behind while my friends meet with the enemy. I’m coming with you, end of discussion.”

“No, not ‘end of discussion’,” Bellamy glared, folding his arms across his chest. “Who knows what kind of danger we’re gonna be walking into out there. I know you always feel like you have to risk yourself for your friends, but not this time. I can’t worry about you.”

I went to protest, his words finally sinking in and forcing me to stop. He was right. As much as I found arguing with him slightly entertaining, I knew this was one battle I would not be winning.

“Alright,” I sighed, slapping my hands against my thighs as I sat down on my coat. “Promise you’ll be careful?”

Bellamy nodded. “We’ll be back before you know it. Try to get some rest.”

Bellamy left the tent, and I knew I would not be getting any sleep that night.

~

next chapter

[aliceaddellheidde]

Fatum

A/N: This is for @the-ss-horniest-book-club Lucky in love. March 22 – Recognition.

WORDS: 2403 (without translation)

WARNINGS: swearing, sex innuendos, death, fighting

PAIRING: Bucky Barnes x reader (eventually) {Soulmates AU}

DISCLAIMERS: Endgame happened, but only Thanos and his peasants died. English isn´t my first language so sorry for mistakes.

Moi, Rai and Parca are genderless & are using they/their pronouns.

This is soulmates au. When you get tattoo, your soulmate gets it as well on same spot. It glows when you touch.

This is multi-chapter story. 13/19

Today would be my grandpa´s birthday. I hope he's celebrating wherever he is.

Gif from here

Divider by @rainbowkisses31

„All right, gather up.” said Steve when you walked into conference room at 3 a.m.. You sat down next to Bucky and opened green binder in front of you. „Your next mission is in Florence, Italy.” „Yes!” you screamed happily. Men in room looked at you like you were a bad kid. „What? I never been in Italy.” Steve sighted and shook his head with smirk. „Back to mission. In Florence will be big ball for all wealthy people from around the world. We got echo that Hydra´s clients will be there too. You have to infiltrate in and get more info. Names, pictures, audio. For that, you will have those special contact lenses. As we know, they want to, or already started, with experiments on humans. Tony and Bruce made tests and analysis. It´s a gas that makes people obedient and comply every order they get. Tony made you new masks. It can look like nose piercing or birthmark. You put it on your face or behind your ear. When you touch it, it will transform into full head mask.” Just now you realised Steve had small silver gem on right side of his nose. He tapped it lightly and in mere seconds he was hidden behind similar mask like Iron mans´. „Cool.” Bucky was amazed. „It´s also bullet proofed. Same as your new suits.” Steve's face appeared again. „We don’t want to risk anything.”

Then wall opened and there were two mannequins on small stage dressed as woman and man. „These are your costumes.” Steve looked at you both. „You will go as spokeswoman for some rich billionaire. Buck will be your translator.” „You speak Italian?” you asked him. „Yes. There are many things you don’t know about me yet, doll.” he smiled at you and you blushed. He still couldn’t touch you, but since that incident at the gym he changed. He did small pranks on you and you to him but it was harmless. He wasn't as annoying as before. There was more teasing and fun between you two. Even your friends saw changes in your behaviour and were mocking you about it. You both said nothing to that. Steve cleared his throat. „Ok, back to work. Y/N, you're going to wear corset underneath your dress. It transforms into your suit once activated. There are more missiles and bullets. Bucky, you gonna have watch for it. Tap twice and you have your suit. Don’t forget to tighten up you tailcoat by pulling string inside of it. That's for your clothes. Now weapons.”

Steve picked up a bracelet with oval-cut blue gemstones. „Those are small grenades. You throw it and it explode in five seconds. Earrings are as trackers.” He put little oval gem on himself and it camouflaged at his shirt and become invisible. „It can change colours?” you asked. „Yes. For now it´s blue to match your dress. Bucky has grenades as cufflinks and trackers in waistcoat buttons. Bow-tie can be used as handcuffs.” And me? I don’t have them?” „You have! There is this reverse necklace. You put it around someone's wrists and if they wanna get out of it, it gets tighter.” „Great. And what I´ll do with dress?” „Rip it off.” „What?! It´s for sure expensive!” „I'm sorry. Tony couldn’t make ones that turns into trousers and your suit will be on them. It´s only solution.” You sighed. „Ok. But it´s not fair. Bucky will be dressed underneath his suit and I´ll be naked!” „There are clothes hidden in your car. So you can change. I´m sorry Y/N.” „Yeah, yeah. I´ll have talk about woman clothing with Tony after mission.” Both men laughed. „If mission goes south, your car will be ready to take you to safe house and we will pick when it will be safe. Clint and Natasha goes as your backup. Any more questions?” You and Bucky shook your heads. „Great. You are leaving in an hour. Everything you have in those binders F.R.I.D.A.Y. has too. If you will forget something. See you later.” He left and mannequins disappeared behind the wall. You sat in silence while you were studying and memorizing informations from papers in front of you. Bucky stood up at same time as you. „I'm gonna pack my things doll. Catch you in quinjet.” You nodded and walked to your room, quickly putting some necessities in bag.

You were ready to step inside Quinjet when Steve came to you. „Y/N! Wait.” „What is it?” „We got new info. There should be one of Hydra´s main men. We need to capture him. Are you ok to do it?” „Like seduce him and then knock him off?” Steve blushed. „Yeah.” „I´ll see what I can do.” He nodded and let go of your hand.

„Y/N, you have to see that! Come here!” screamed Bucky when you walked inside the Quinjet. You went down the stairs and found him staring at white car. „It´s Rolls-Royce ghost! Can you believe it?” He was happy like small child. „It´s just a car Borky.” You rolled your eyes and went back to main floor. „I'm gonna take a nap. Wake me up when we will be over France, thanks.” You said to Natasha. You were happy Tony listened to his friends and put beds into one part of jet for long flights. Bucky walked in minutes later, but you were already sleeping and he could watch you as he was falling asleep too.

„Ok, your make-up and hair is perfect.” Natasha was satisfied with her work. „Thank you. How long is it?” „Around ten minutes.” You quickly put your attire on and went to the car.

Bucky was there, waiting for you. „Ready Miss Holland?” he asked. „Yes Mr. Tom Walton.” „Great. I have to say our fake IDs look amazing.” „I agree. You remember our story?” „Yes.” He looked at his watch. „Five minutes. You look stunning by the way.” „Thank you. You are not bad yourself.” You smirked at each other.

Back door of jet opened and car moved forward and touched road with no problem. „Good luck you two.” you heard Clint´s voice in your comm. „You hear how quiet this beast is? It´s amazing.” Bucky started talking about the car, but all you could say was that it was white inside and outside and it had stars on the inside´s roof.

After thirty minutes ride and Bucky´s talking you stopped in front of huge building. He quickly walked around the car and opened the door for you. „Thank you Tom. I´ll wait inside.” He nodded and went to park the car. You walked into ivory-gold hallway. Two huge men stood next to glass door and glared at you. You smiled at them lightly and almost jumped when someone touched your arm. „It´s only me doll.” Bucky whispered into your ear. „Thanks God.” Together you walked up to guards, showed them invitations and they let you in. „Now lets mix in and find those douchebags.”

You followed some couple into ball room. There was so many people already. „I need a drink” you said to Bucky. You ordered Manhattan and Bucky had Martini. „You shouldn’t drink when you drive.” „First of all doll, I can´t get drunk. Second of all, our car has auto-drive.” „I forgot about F.R.I.D.A.Y.. You can´t be drunk?” „Nope.” he laughed at your face. „Lucky you.” He wanted to tell you something, but was interrupted.

„Mi scusi signorina. Posso avere questo ballo?” {Excuse me Miss. Can I have this dance?} asked handsome young man. You looked at Bucky. „He wants to dance with you.” You nodded and man softly took your hand and kissed its back. „My name is Fabio.” he said with thick accent. „Vivienne.” You gave your drink and bag to Bucky and nervously walked to dance floor. You were in this house five minutes and you were already dancing. Fabio started small talk and you played along. Every time you looked at Bucky, he was staring right at you. He looked angry or maybe jealous? But you couldn’t forget at your work. After three dances you had to have a break and also look for Hydra´s scams.

„I found five agents on second floor. Nobody interesting. I guess big fishes will come later.” said Bucky to you when you sat down to bar. „Having fun with your new friend?” „Nah. He's kinda funny, but his cologne is killing my nose.” He laughed and finished his drink.

You ended up dancing with three other men before you saw group of man with proud faces walk in. They had women next to them and you swore they were dressed too risky. One in white dress, next one with whole leg revealed and last one had some see-through parts. Lady-less men were probably bodyguards. You looked at Bucky. He was looking at women with wide eyes. Suddenly you felt too boring in your navy blue, backless dress with high thigh slit. „I need another drink.” you told him, but you weren't sure he heard you. He was too busy drooling over those women. Fabio found you at the bar and asked for more dances. And you accepted.

While ordering a third drink some man walked up to you. „Ciao tesoro. Sei solo qui?” {Hi honey. Are you alone here?} he asked. „I'm sorry, but I don’t speak Italian.” You looked at him and were shocked when you realised he's your target tonight. „It´s ok Love. I asked if you are here alone.” You smiled at him sweetly. „Yes. No man in my life. Except for my driver.” you laughed and he chuckled. „Dance?” „Of course!”

You felt uncomfortable with his hand on your ass, but you were hiding it perfectly. He told you straight away he's working for world organization and they will make world better. You told him your fake story about your boss and his desire to help them with weapons. „Beautiful, young woman and she knows her guns.” „Oh, believe me. I know how to use my other guns as well.” you flirted and pressed your breasts into his chest. He looked down on them and back to you. „Can´t wait to find out.” He pushed you more to him and his hand slipped underneath your dress on your naked arse. „So firm. I bet it will bounce so beautifully as I imagine.” You almost threw up. „How about small appetizer before main course?” he asked slyly and squeezed your hip. „Can we dance little bit more? I love holding on your muscles.” „Baby, they are even better without that tailcoat.” he whispered into your ear. „Hmmm, but you can be a gentleman and wait, right?” You batted your eyes at him and smirked when you felt his bulge against your thigh. „Merda.” {Shit} You laughed, turned your back to him and pressed your ass to his crotch. His hand was on your hip, the other one was ghosting around your breast.

You survived another dance and then he was dragging you upstairs. „Where are we going?” „I can´t wait any more.” „Can we eat now? I´m bit hungry.” „No.” he growled. „You had your chance pretty face. Now it´s time for real fun.” He harshly took your face into hand and kissed you. „Those lips will be amazing around my cock.” He pressed you into wall but you pushed him back. His face turned angry. „I don’t wanna be seen by others and ruin this painting. What is it?” „Number 5 by Jackson Pollock.” You repeated it aloud. „I bet it´s expensive. But we have something better, right? Lead the way.” He roughly took your hand and walked you into big room. His bodyguards behind you. „I thought it will be only us.” You innocently touched his tailcoat´s lapel. His hand circled around your neck and he threw you on chaise. „You really thought I´ll not share slut like you.” He smiled wickedly and undid his belt. His bodyguards as well.

„Get ready doll.” you heard Bucky´s voice in your comm. Seconds later he kicked out the door. Bodyguards turned to him and he smacked them with his left arm. Man next to you took out a gun and aimed it on you. „What are you?” „Avengers, mother fucker.” You changed into your suit and jerked gun of idiot´s hand before he knew what's going on. „General Jacopo Abruzzo, you're under arrest.” „Not so quick.” He pushed some button from his pocket and you heard people screaming downstairs. „Shit! What did you do?” „What was our plan. You all will listen to Hydra now!” You angrily knocked him out and searched his clothes. Bucky was warning Natasha and Clint. To your surprise they already had ten Hydra agents. „He´s clean.” „We have to take him. Get down!” Bucky screamed when more men came upstairs in masks. „Nat, we have to get people out of here! They can´t breath that gas.” „Working on it.” There was big explosion and building shook. „Done.” She said proudly. „We have it under control here. Police coming. You two get out of here!” „Ok.” Bucky was fighting last man and you shot him. „Thanks Doll.” There were more coming from foyer. „I´ll take him. Cover me.” With that he jumped out of the window with General over his shoulder. You shot one more man and jumped out too. „F.R.I.D.A.Y. car!” you screamed. „Ready Miss Y/N.”

You had time to put handcuffs on General before Hydra´s agents were shooting at you. You quickly put him on back seat and Bucky started the car. „Safe house F.R.I.D.A.Y. and get them off from us.” „Yes Sergeant Barnes.”

There were cars exploding and some city property damaged, but you managed to escape and come to safe house. Bucky took General inside, you took your bags and F.R.I.D.A.Y. turned car invisible. There was small cellar under the house where you tied Jacopo to a chair only in his underwear, blindfolded and mute.

Tired, you didn't even realised you still have your dress and suit on. You walked into single bedroom and found Bucky standing in the middle of it. „There is only one bed.” he said plainly. „I'm taking left side.” you said fast and hurried into bathroom before he could see your red face. What you didn't know was that Bucky had same problem and his suit was too tight for him now when he realized he´ll sleep with you in same bed.

[flyingblackhawk]

Lists

Clintasha fic

1,359 words

-

The room isn’t exactly as he left it. Clint isn’t surprised, given that it’s been five years. Someone’s been through and picked everything up off the floor, neatened the shelves, even the long-forgotten clothes in the hamper have been laundered and put away. There’s only been one person at the facility for years now, so it’s not much of a stretch to guess that Natasha is the one who’s been in here. The thought twists his chest, and out of sheer instinct he shoves that emotion down, works it into a cold knot of anger. Then he stops. He doesn’t have to do that here. Not here, and not with her.

He showers, and gets into bed. After five years of sleeping rough most nights, it’s a pleasant feeling to be somewhere he knows he’s safe, and to be able to lie here without planning his next assassination. Without those processes, though, his mind drifts, and after an hour of tossing and turning Clint gives up on sleep and sits up in bed.

He flicks on the lamp, and reaches out to open the drawer in his nightstand. He has a vague recollection of a novel he was reading all those years ago. Maybe it’s still here. He grasps something book-shaped, and pulls it out of the drawer. It’s not a novel. It’s a notebook, and there’s a pen clipped to the cover. Clint blinks, trying to remember if this is his. He opens the cover.

The first page is a list of names, with his right at the top. Several are crossed out, some are circled. His own name is circled heavily and followed by three question marks. As he reads down the list, he realises that this is Natasha’s handwriting, and it’s a list of the dead. He turns the page, and the list goes on. It takes up the first eight pages of the notebook, front and back. She must have written this in the first days of the Snap, Clint realises. He imagines what it must have been like - writing out a list of all the important people in her life, and finding out one by one that they were gone. Each page of the list makes his heart sink further. He flips to the page after the list.

Canada??

Sighting at Montreal, report from Quebec border agent - matching description.

No fake passport reported.

Belarus Airport - CALL ALIAKSIEJ.

Kiev??

Where next?

He knows what this is too. She must have been charting his movements. There are no notes after Kiev, and he knows why. He dumped every fake document he had into a furnace, and walked across the Russian border at Nikanorovka. There would have been be no way to follow him after that, not even with the best technology the Avengers had access to. Clint turns another page.

Central comms room.

Move tables into storage & set up conferencing center against South wall.

Call Tony?

Reroute security feeds to CR.

That matches the changes Clint noted when he arrived earlier. He feels guilty reading this. It’s clearly Natasha’s notebook. So why was it in his nightstand?

Marigolds

Ox-eyes

Milkweed

Cardinal Flower (Laura’s favourite)

He knows he shouldn’t be doing this. Even if it’s just lists, it’s personal.

Ask Steve about moving everyone to the same building

Help Steve pack

Help Bruce pack

Call Rhodes?

Clint bites his lip.

I wish you were here.

Close off unoccupied block

Call Pepper

Baby shower present?

Conference call

Where the hell are you?

A couple of subsequent pages are filled with little shapes and doodles. Clint recognises them as the product of Natasha being on a phone call and not being able to say what she wants to say. Lots of the little drawings have been scribbled over so heavily that the pages underneath are indented.

5 7 mile run

SHIELD drills

Gym back room - pull up mats (could be a studio?)

He knows she only dances when she’s in turmoil. He knows that because he’s the only person on this planet she trusts to know everything about her. Reading these pages, and knowing she was doing all this on her own - it’s a lot to take in. He reads on.

Birthday present for Morgan

Plant out cardinals for Laura

Call Steve (Brooklyn cell)

Clint

2 years, Clint. Not one message.

Bring extra monitors up from Bruce’s lab

Order coffee beans

2020, then, he thinks. Three years ago. Even then, he was barely thinking of her. He hates himself for it.

This is the longest stretch I’ve had no visitors.

Steve called the city ‘home’ last time he called.

Rhodes has info on you- Korea, this time.

I miss you.

Clint blinks. For the first time in a long while, he has to swallow a lump in his throat.

The last time I could do this many push-ups, I was in the Red Room.

The cardinals are blooming. I checked up on the farm a few days ago. Everything’s fine.

You left clothes on the floor. I washed them for you. Your hoodie is mine now.

The next few pages are blank. Then-

18.6.21

Happy Birthday. You’d better come back before next year. I don’t think I could make fun of a man in his forties in good conscience.

I saw what you did in Riyadh. I probably would have done the same.

If you’re worried about what I’m going to think, don’t. I just want you to come back.

I’ve been the only one here for two years.

I miss you.

Clint blinks away tears. He knew he’d feel guilty if she caught up with him. He didn’t expect to feel so ashamed.

8.2.22

Security footage from a bank in Seoul. It’s only the back of your head, but it’s nice to know you’re alive. At least, you were alive four days ago.

He remembers Seoul. He wishes he didn’t, but he does.

29.7.22

I slept in your bed last night. Some nights I sleep in the lounge. It doesn’t matter. There’s no one here to worry about me. Steve still comes once every few months. He’s busy now. I call Pepper on her birthday, and on Morgan’s. Tony made me her godmother. How weird is that?

I realised today that I haven’t said anything out loud for three days. I only talk when the conferences are up and running, and we don’t have much to report these days. Rocket mostly emails. Carol tries, but she’s busy most of the time. I can’t ask anyone to come and live here. They’d be crazy to.

He wants to stop. This isn’t right.

17.10.22

Clint, I

Clint

If you knew how it felt to be alone in this giant empty compound, you’d be back here in a heartbeat.

He can’t change what he’s done. He wants to cry.

“Clint?”

He looks up. Natasha is standing in his doorway, frozen at the sight of the notebook in his hands. He sets it down on the nightstand, and gets out of bed.

“Don’t worry about it,” she says, but her voice wavers for a moment. Clint crosses the distance between them like it was never there at all, and wraps her in his arms. She doesn’t hesitate, and hugs him back as tightly as she’s wanted to for five years. It’s not over yet, and they have so much left to do, but just for a moment, everything is alright again.

“I’m sorry,” he says.

“It doesn’t matter now,” she tells him, finally pulling away enough to breathe. “We can talk about this after we’ve done what we have to do. Just… get some sleep, okay? We’ve got work to do in the morning.”

She goes to his nightstand and takes the notebook, then she leaves him alone in his room. She’s right. Tomorrow they will attempt what no human has ever done before, and if they succeed, well- Clint doesn’t want to think about that just yet. Hope is not a feeling he’s felt in a long time. He settles down to sleep. Nothing can go wrong tomorrow, not as long as Natasha is by his side.

[nrsranger]

2.8

Hosnian System

NRS Ranger

CAG’s office

2005 hrs

With the meeting over and all of the officers filed out of the conference room Alek Mauz went directly to his office. Every step to his office he felt the little black book in his front jacket pocket, he continued to fidget with it all the way to his office. Waiting outside of his office was Tripper who grabbed his shoulder and said.

“Alek, go easy on him, he’s already taking it so hard, his best friend just died because of something he could have done,”

“Taus, do you see this” Alek fumed holding up Yarn’s black book “Now I have do the worst thing in my job has to offer, and it's because he could not follow orders and rather go by the book”

“Alek I won’t pretend like I know what you have to do, but he has already been through enough” Tripper said as Alek walked past him and entered the room.

“Dorman Tarn, you disobeyed orders' ' Alek said as if he was sentencing a prisoner to death he then looked up and saw Books face, streaking with tears and red from crying, then in a single moment he understood.

“Dorman,” he began more gently, “I understand what you're going through but no one had to die today.”

“Well someone did,” Dorman replied more to himself as to his CAG “and it happened to be my sister’s boyfriend, you know he was planning on proposing to her, when he got back”

“And do you believe that you should have died?” Alek inquired

“It should have been me!” Dorman shouted fervently.

“Well news flash Ensign Tarn, in this life you can’t choose who lives and who dies, all you can do is save who you can, and leave the rest to the Gods” Alek said. He hesitated and let out a long sigh then said “I’m giving you two weeks off,”

“What? With the War starting, you're suspending me?” Dorman asked confused

“I’d rather give you a two week vacation now, before the First Order gives you a more permanent vacation because you can’t think straight.” Alek explained “and I need you to run an errand for me” as he said this he set down, Yarn’s black book

“Are you sure sir?” Dorman said

“Speaking from personal experience there is only one way to get over the death of a friend, and that's to make amends” Alek said. “We can’t afford to send a shuttle, so take your X-Wing as soon as possible, I have already alerted Chief Canton.

“Yes, sir, I’ll pack my things” Dorman said standing up

As Dorman walked out, Alek walked over to the comm unit on the wall

“Firebird Pilots barracks, Flight Officer Quarn, here” The Quarren said

“Squid, this is Firebird, gather all pilots in Ready Room One” Alek said

“Yes Sir!” Squid said hanging up the comm unit.

By the time Alek made it to the Ready Room all the pilots were assembled, all the seats were filled and the remaining pilots stood around hugging the walls in groups of twos and threes each with the same blank horrified expression, human and nonhumans alike. As Alek walked to the front of the room, all the pilots stood up and came to attention.

“At ease,” Alek said as he looked over the group silently counting all in attendance “Where’s Joker”

“Making moves on the Marine Transport Pilot in the Mess Hall, sir!” One of the A-Wing Pilots chirped up.

Just then Joker appeared in the doorway and said “Sorry I’m late sir”

“And just what were you doing?” Alek asked

“Umm, sir, well” Joker Stammered

“He was escorting me, sir!” Lila said, drawing the attention of all the pilots in the room. “What? your orders were for all pilots to come to Ready Room One, and last time I checked flying an SSAT (Ship-to-Ship Assault Transport) makes me a pilot”

“Ok, Ok Marine no need to prove yourself” Alek said defensively

Root and Mob gave up their front row seats as Joker and Wookie walked over and sat down, Lila’s Marine Uniform clashed with the StarFighter Corps uniform that every other occupant in the room wore.

“Now that, that's settled, let's get down to business,” Alek began “we have a dozen or so old scrap Star Fortress bombers that we are giving to the Resistance”

“They are scrap for a reason!” A Y-Wing Pilot heckled

“I know, I know Eel, but the First Order is going to attack their base and that is everything we can spare, the only problem is that we cannot risk our Star Cruisers. So the Mission is this; sneak into the D’qar system, deliver the Bombers and sneak out, without engaging the First Order. The Senior Staff believes that we cannot get all the way to the D’Qar system due to the high amount of First Order activity in that sector, so we are going to get as close as we can then launch the Bombers where they will travel the rest of the way on their own. Our fighters will provide long range recon and screen the cruisers. We will be on Red Alert for the duration of the Mission. Since we cannot risk the Curiser we have to clear each sector before each hyperspace jumps in. That means each Squadron will take 8 hour shifts patrolling the sector, while not on patrol each squad will be split in two; half of the pilots will be sleeping, and the other half will be in the ready room or in their ships standing by. The goal is; if we are ambushed I want all our pilots to be launched in under five minutes. Squad leaders, make the necessary division between your squads, and Blue Birds, you will have the first Patrol. The rest of you, get comfortable or get some rest.” Alek finished and left the room leaving the grumbling pilots to their fate.``

[neuroticphysiologist]

Quarter to Three

It sure took me a very long time to get me motivated to write...

Probably some sad old songs might help.

Man, this is one of the hardest fics I wrote. At least I made it.

My OC from my one shot "Itinerary" is back! But the setting of this is before Scott and Bethany are in a relationship.

Contains language.

Also available in AO3 and FF.net

***

He can't handle it anymore. He wanted to leave. He's fucking exhausted.

After a rescue mission in Alaska, he decided to stop by in New York. He switched into a full black casual outfit, fixed his hair, and grabbed his jacket with a few bucks, a pack of cigarettes, and a lighter in its pocket before he hopped off Thunderbird 1. He rode on a cab, heading to the main street full of bars.

He looked around the street. It's a gloomy Saturday at around quarter to three in the early morning. Few people walking, wearing trench coats, some of them having a smoke, just like those black and white pictures back in the old times.

He had been thinking about his life. With both parents gone, and now living with four younger brothers, one adopted sister, and his grandma. He's currently the head of the family, he had a lot to do, and now he's exhausted.

He had to leave for a while.

It started to rain, so he entered a small bar, sat near the bartender's table, and ordered a drink. He lit up a cigarette and took a drag.

Surely is a sad day. Quarter to three, a little quiet, few people in the bar, some are asleep because of drunkenness, the jukebox playing slow paced songs. Scott listened to the song currently playing. He thought about his situation again, but then, a young woman sat beside him.

"There he is."

He turned to the right to see who it was.

"Beth?"

"Hey, Scott, glad you stopped by," she ordered a drink. "I haven't seen you since the opening of the new building in Manhattan, which turned out to be a disaster. You wished to see me but your brother needed you for his next mission."

"You came in the same time as I did?"

"Nope, I've been here for hours. I almost ran out of cents for that jukebox right over there. The local standup comedians earlier were a bore. Ten minutes before you came in, I had a great talk with the bartender named Mick over there. He made the best margarita, gotta tell you that."

"At least we have the time to meet again."

"Yeah. I missed you, Scotty."

"Missed you too, Betty."

He had another puff.

"What brings you here?"

"Disadvantages of living alone. Got to pay the bills, my aunt seeking help, and now I only have a few bucks for the gas tank. And I left my boyfriend because he's being a dick. My second cousin responded to my call and she helped me out, which is a relief."

"If you need more help, you can always contact me."

"Of course I'll call. And what about you?"

"Been hella busy. Dad's business, taking care of my brothers, especially Gordon and Alan since they're still in school. I have a few weeks left before going back for the last semester but still I'm in a fucking mess. Sorry I didn't get to call you, Beth."

"It's alright."

Beth took her drink, and so did Scott.

"That doesn't taste like the scotch I usually have."

"Mick probably gave you the heavy one."

"But that helped, thanks, Mick."

"Hey Mick, next time I come back, you know my usual."

Mick gave them a thumbs up.

Scott sighed. "I'm tired, Beth. It's been a month since Dad left us. It's like I'm carrying this really huge backpack with a heavy load of tasks that I have to do, and I'm climbing this steep hill. Also there are boulders coming in to knock me over. I jump over them to keep going. At times, I feel like I wanna drop the backpack and give myself some time off."

Beth rubbed his shoulder. "They'll understand if you want to rest. Just ask for help."

Scott felt like he was about to tear up. Losing his father and now taking care of his business and the whole family, that's a double, and it's stressing him out.

"Beth, your hand..."

"Sorry."

He nodded. She rested her hands on the table.

"What about you?"

"As I said, I have my cousin. You're the one who needs it more. You're stressing yourself out. It's your health I'm concerned about, and it's not just me. Your family's gonna be worried about you if you don't tell them."

"You're right. I did put myself into so much stress."

He stood up, put his cigarette on the ashtray, and took his last drink. "Alright..." he paid for the drinks, and then puts his hand on Bethany's shoulder. "Thanks for the reassurance."

"Anytime."

"Maybe I could give you some money for your gas tank, or your necessities..."

"I got it. You don't have to worry about me much."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. I'll call you if this situation is fucking me up."

"Okay then. And you might wanna go back home too."

"I was planning to. I'll go back at 4:30."

"See you when I see you."

Beth smiled.

Just in time, the rain has passed. He closed his jacket and rode on a cab. He looked through the window to have a view of the night lights. He couldn't stop thinking about the same thing. He was close to crying in front of Beth earlier but he didn't want to get through it.

He entered the hangar and found his 'bird. He hopped in, went through systems check, and Thunderbird 1 flew off the city.

Thinking about his current situation made his emotions get worse, and again, he's close to crying, this time in the cockpit. His heart felt heavy and he felt tears running down from his eyes. He hurriedly wiped them off.

When he landed, he did not change to his usual clothes. He went back to his father's desk, supposedly to finish his report from his mission earlier. His footsteps woke Virgil up, who's at the sofa.

"You didn't turn on your comms since the time you rescued those workers, Scott."

"Sorry."

"Brains tracked down your last location. Did you have a drink?"

His brother nodded.

"Don't do that again, bro. Drinking then flying Thunderbird 1 isn't good."

Virgil sat up. "Why did you go somewhere without telling us, Scott?"

He did not respond.

"Scott?"

Virgil heard him sniffle. He approached to him.

"So this is how heavy Dad's job is like," tears fell from Scott's eyes again. "How does he do it, Virgil? I can't do this myself."

Virgil knew that Scott could handle anything, but this is the only moment that he'd say the opposite. Scott is the one who never gives up on anything, well, not only him but all of them, of course.

"It's building up every day. I have rescues to handle, I have to prepare for the last semester, and I have to take care of you all, and... I can't..."

"Come here."

Scott came in closer to hug his brother and cried.

"I was concerned about you, Scott. You're taking over Dad's job and I think it's hard to manage it by yourself."

"It's not just these tasks, Virg," he croaked. "It's just... I miss him. It's hard without Dad."

That last statement made Virgil tear up. The loss of their father has affected their lives so much.

"We all miss him."

"Oh, Virgil, I..."

The sound of him crying made his younger brother cry too. Virgil hugged him tight and rubbed his back.

***

The two elder brothers released from the hug. Scott wiped the tears from his eyes. Virgil glanced at their father's desk containing the files his brother had to finish.

"Alright," Virgil said. "I'll tell Grandma, I'll tell John. You need a day off, Scott. We can manage this without you."

"But I only oriented you a few."

"Don't worry, bro. I can handle it. Head back to your room, turn off your alarm clock just for today, and get some sleep. You deserve it."

"Thanks, Virgil."

"And then you'll come back strong again. Come on."

Virgil followed as Scott headed to his room.

Scott turned off the alarm clock. Before Virgil left his room, he hugged him again. "Thank you, little brother."

"You're welcome. Good night, Scott."

[incorrectly-quoted-queers]

Drunk Punch Love: Chapter 8

Pairing: FemShep and Garrus Vakarian (Shakarian)

Rating: PG-13 (with some tossed F-bombs)

Summary: Their awkward, badass journey through saving the galaxy and accidentally falling in love

The emptier the ship got, the more apparent it was that the ones left were avoiding her.

Chapter 8: Bloody Workout Gear

Quite a few of the crew-members from the Saren mission were taking shore leave on the Citadel, while the Normandy was hopping around the galaxy, taking people home. Tali had gone back to the Flotilla, despite Anya insisting that she'd buy a few junk ships and be her new flotilla if she wanted. And they were currently on their way to drop Wrex off on Tuchanka. He decided, after all their time together, that maybe he should head back and try to bring some order to his people. After all, there was a war coming and Krogan enjoyed a good war.

But it was a little awkward when Kaidan and Liara were still on board and she sometimes went days without seeing them. Liara spent most of her time in her science office, analyzing any Prothean artifacts they had and preparing for her next research position, which they were taking her to after Wrex was gone. And Kaidan was always spending his time with Chakwas, Joker, or working with newer recruits. Basically anything away from Shepard.

Even Garrus seemed to be avoiding her. He kept on saying he was busy with some calibrations, always under the Mako, or working on their guns. She thought they were finally good, actually more than good, after Ashley's funeral. But maybe they weren't.

Anya knew that Kaidan had a very good reason to avoid her; she broke his heart into too many pieces that night before Ilos, and she understood that. And she knew Liara was really overwhelmed by suddenly being the foremost researcher on everyone's new favorite ancient species. She at least apologized for continually ditching Shepard at every turn.

Garrus really was the confusing part; she had no clue what she did.

The only person left talking to her was Wrex. She'd have Joker, but Kaidan was holding her favorite pilot hostage as his own personal buddy, so that wasn't an option. It was kinda pathetic that the only person who would talk to her was about to abandon ship in a day or two.

At least the guy loved taking breaks to do some target practice.

"Your aim is shit today, Shepard."

Anya grumbled, took another shot at the target. This time, she hit a half-inch off. "It's not bad."

Wrex laughed at her, laying his own gun on his shoulder. He pointed a very accusatory finger at the target and said, "Yeah, sure. You and the turian can spend hours here waiting for someone to miss, but missing it every time today isn't that bad."

"Fuck off, old man."

Even though she put her pistol in the holster and tried to walk away, Wrex followed her. All the way upstairs to the kitchen, even. "So what's eating you?"

Anya didn't really want to hear it. "Absolutely nothing."

"You say that like a Varren gnawing off their own leg."

Turning around, Anya punched his chest plate. She was pretty over all his prying. The only good part of hanging out with him was their very short conversations. When did it suddenly need to get all serious? "What is it with you and comparing me to Varren?"

"I dunno, you're kinda like one. Vicious and badass, but kinda cute when domesticated."

"It sounds like you're calling me a dog." Shepard took her blueberry juice out of the fridge and poured herself a glass. It was hard not to notice how empty the mess was; empty enough that their voices kind of echoed.

Wrex sat down on a stool across from her. Mental note that if she wants to be bitter and alone, to remove all seating from the kitchen. "No clue what that is, but sure." He gave a pointed look between Anya and the fridge. She groaned, but maybe it would shut him up. She poured him a glass of some very dense Krogan beverage (non alcoholic) and slid it to him. Unfortunately for her, that didn't stop him from talking. "Hope you're not getting feeble on me. I'm expecting you to take care of the galaxy while I take care of Tuchanka."

"I wouldn't dare." When Wrex started drinking, Anya's prayers seemed to be answered. He was glugging down the- beverage? It smelled nice, but looked like sludge. She didn't really know what to make of it. The silent company was nice, reminded her she had friends but didn't remind her that she was off her game because of the other fickle crewmates.

Well, it was good until a certain pilot walked up. "Ooh blue juice? Pass me some of that."

Anya glared at him while she got out the juice, poured another glass, and then handed it to him. She hoped her annoyance seethed into the drink. "Joker, what the hell are you doing here?"

"We're stopped above Tuchanka. We got here early. No one tell you over comms?"

Looking between Wrex and herself, Anya shook her head. "Um, no. That's your job."

"Right... Well, I've taken to not broadcasting my location all over the ship. Sure, I may be at the pilot's seat 10/10 times, but a certain angsty biotic doesn't need to know that."

Shepard peered at Joker and crossed her arms. "Is that why you've been pinging everyone whenever you're in weird places around the ship?"

"Convinced Tali to give me a device that lets me say I'm anywhere without having to be there."

"C'mon, Kaidan can't be that bad."

"He's not, unless he's in a bug funk mood about a certain Commander rejecting him. Oh wait, he is." After frowning at her and rolling his eyes, Joker then turned to Wrex and said, "We told the drop ship that you'd be ready in thirty minutes."

The tall Krogan downed the rest of his drink. "Good thing I haven't packed yet." He waved at them before heading downstairs. Presumably, to do that packing thing. That left Joker, Anya, and the blueberry juice.

After a sip from his glass, Joker said, "So, haven't seen any cranky turians in your room lately."

Anya was about ready to throw her drink at him. Glass first, hopefully. "You shouldn't be seeing anyone in my room, because you shouldn't ever be there in the first place."

"A guy's gotta protect his bones, okay?"

"We're both nearly 30, Joker, maybe stop getting so drunk you need your old academy roomie to babysit you."

Joker took another sip, which seemed to be a sure sign of him saying something annoying. "So you are really bothered about not hanging out with Garrus lately."

"I'm going to break your dick, I swear."

"At least aim for a more impressive threat, Shep. Because that's not a hard thing for anyone to do."

Grumbling, Anya didn't want to dance around whatever stupid point he was trying to make. "Okay, fine. What do you want to say about it?"

"You two just seemed cozy, hanging out on that couch."

"We have a weekly movie night, this isn't exactly wild news."

"I know. Even more suspicious."

Anya was pretty over it. Joker was having too much fun dancing around what he really wanted to say, and she'd rather he just spit it the fuck out. Especially since she knew he was enough of a Kaidan beacon to need anti-lieutenant protocols. She didn't really want to have to deal with that right now, either. "Get to the fucking point, Jeff."

"All I'm saying is that you don't get very cozy with people. Exhibit A is literally stalking me around this ship out of heartbreak. I just want to get a feel on what's happening here. Mama bear would be interested if you're getting close to someone. She was pretty pissed you didn't tell her about Rike back in the day."

"One, why are you discussing my sex life with my mother? And two, there's nothing for her or you to be pissed or prying about. So shove off it."

"You say that, but I have eyes."

"Not for long if you keep this up."

"Fine, fine. I'm just saying, why aren't you talking to him?"

"I-" Before she could say anything, Wrex came upstairs, dragging Vakarian in tow. Garrus looked a little shell-shocked and Anya couldn't help but stare. Wrex didn't even let the poor guy wipe the oil grease off his face.

Then very loudly, Wrex announced, "Now, you two are gonna escort me down to Tuchanka."

While she and Garrus were just swallowing down the awkwardness between them, Wrex was shouldering his pack. Joker said, "I wish I could pack that fast. Damn."

Leaving her blueberry juice, Anya tried to get a handle on the very quickly changing situation. "I'll just go grab my armor-"

"No need, I just wanna show off that the so called "savior of the Citadel" has my back. Good way to start showing dominance and fixing shit up, right?"

Anya didn't even know how to argue. "I guess, sure. The workout gear will do."

He threw an arm around her and Garrus and then dragged them to the stairs. "Time to show my planet I'm back."

They followed him to the docking port in relative silence. Their next few minutes were spent entering a drop ship and watching the burning planet all the way to the surface. No one spoke. Wrex had this purposeful energy to him, and she didn't know what to say out loud that they hadn't already said the past few days.

But Garrus, across from her? He seemed like he was itching with something. He kept on fidgeting with his armor and checking the clips on his sniper rifle. Even that night she was a drunken idiot, he could look at her the next day. Albeit after a lot of awkward talking, but now he seemed a world away. What made it worse was that she had no clue how to reach him.

When they landed, Wrex was happy to walk out into the Krogan hub, with the blistering sun hitting his face. but when he exited into the harsh brightness, Anya suck it up and opted for the least tactful approach. She grabbed Garrus' arm. "I don't know what I did, but whatever it was, I'm sorry."

"Shepard, I-"

His answer was interrupted by Wrex calling them over to a group of nearby Krogan. The entire ship port experience was Wrex just dragging her around, telling slightly exaggerated stories of how badass he was to prove a point. She understood that for a merc coming home, this was the equivalent of networking. But with the turian on his other side, she couldn't help but feel like she had some things to say that were getting overrun by Wrex's posturing.

That is, until she felt a bullet whiz past her ear. She turned her head around and saw a trio of Krogan running their way. With a quick order to take cover barked at her companions, Anya dove behind cover as quickly as she could. From the looks of their armor, they didn't seem to have any merc gang affiliations, so her only source of information was the krogan in cover next to her. "What the hell, Wrex?! You told me not to wear armor!"

He shrugged. "I figured someone might come after me. Chances were low, but it definitely proves a bigger point if we kick their ass in no armor."

"You're not wrong, but I hate you for it. You owe me new workout gear if this gets bloody."

"I can do that."

Lucky for her, Wrex brought along the two best shots on the team. And even better, the krogan attacking were mostly relying on shotguns. They just had to shoot 'em out before they got too close. She just had to hope their durability wasn't great.

Just as they downed the lead krogan, she noticed a shimmer on the other side of Garrus. Any infiltrator knew what that meant. "Vakarian! Tactical cloak to your left." Garrus reacted accordingly and they shot the stealthy one down, but it made her a little more wary of what they were up against. Looking towards her krogan friend, she yelled, "Shit, Wrex, they must really want you dead."

"Great, huh?"

"Not the word I'd use for it."

Anya was about to peek out from cover and take some shots at the final krogan, but Garrus beat her to the punch. "Shepard, look out!" He was rolling from his cover to hers and dragged her to where Wrex was hiding.

And right after they got behind the metal crates, the final krogan barrelled through the box she'd been hiding behind. Her eyes met Garrus' and she said, "Thanks." The second she spoke, though, he released her waist like it was a ticking grenade and instead stood up, shot the krogan in the eye, and he dropped dead.

Wrex stood up and smirked. "That's the best welcome home present I've ever gotten."

"Bud, we're gotta have a conversation about what you find endearing." Taking a deep breath, Anya glanced down at her shirt and noticed there was a few drops of blood on her. They seemed to be coming from a forehead scrape from when Garrus dragged her away from the danger box. "Shit. And you definitely owe me new clothes."

"Technically Garrus did that."

"Yeah, but you're the one who made me come without my gear."

"Fine, I'll send the credits. But it was worth it."

When her omni-tool pinged with the money, she let out a sigh. It also emptied out any annoyance for putting her life in danger, since everyone always did that to her all the time. Including herself. "Tell us if you got too many assassins to handle."

"I think I'll be set after that display of quads." Then, Wrex turned to her and Garrus and pulled them into a hug. "Until next time." And when he stepped back, he gave Anya a wink. "Vakarian. Shepard."

She rolled her eyes, but played along. "Wrex."

And then he picked up his bag and walked off.

Anya should definitely be less surprised that they just had the most krogan goodbye in existence. But for now, she'd settle for getting off the damn planet. She just jogged her ass back to the drop ship. While Shepard wasn't one for running away, she also wasn't about to encourage any other krogan to try to fight her, not like this. If she was lucky she could rub out the blood and have two pairs of good workout gear.

Garrus followed behind silently and, in a few short minutes, they were closed up in the drop ship, her wound was bandaged, and they were heading back to the Normandy.

But that was when the real battle started. Anya hated to admit it, but Joker was right. She couldn't stand not talking to Garrus, and it had to stop. "Garrus..."

"Shepard, I'm leaving."

The words hung between them like a dead man. Her fingers felt numb. After too long of him not looking at her, Anya asked, "What?"

"When we talked, I figured out I wanted to do more for the galaxy. Like you do. And the next day, I got an offer to join the Spectres training program. I said yes."

Everything felt so dry and cold, the air, her skin, the energy between them. Anya didn't really know how to process it. But she did know what she should say, what was honest and true. "You'd make a great Spectre, Garrus." Then, she tried to add it all together, and still ended up lost and confused. "But then why were you avoiding me?"

"Because I didn't know how to tell you I was leaving. Or maybe I just didn't want to tell you." Garrus sighed and sat down next to her. "I know this is what I want, but that doesn't mean I want to leave you. I didn't want you to feel like that's why I did it."

"Of course not. I get it." There were a lot of feelings running around her head, but in all honesty? Few of them had anything to do with him. She was proud of him and admired him. He wanted to be a hero. How could she blame any of her fantastic team for wanting to make a difference, even if it meant leaving her?

The only real things making her pause were her own, irrelevant feelings of attachment to him. And they were her problem, not his. So, like a good friend, Anya shut up the feelings and added, "When do you leave?"

"Two weeks. We'll drop off Liara, check out Alchera for the Council, and then when we stop back to the Citadel to report, I stay."

Anya crossed her arms and gave him the most deadpan, serious look she could. "Well, we got a lot of movies to watch before that, then."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. You ever heard of James Bond?"

///

The thought of Garrus leaving literally cracks my heart so that’s fun. 

I’m sick an burning my tongue with warm beverages like a proper knob, but posting this stuff and being my weird creative self with you folks help make it better <3 

The true behind the screens drama is that I’m sick ALL THE TIME so sorry if that’s the narrative 50% of the time.

Anyway, thanks so much for reading, and double thanks to my lovely patrons:

Danyell Jones

Amy Connolly

If you'd like to support my writing and creations, please go check out my bio for more info :) (hint, I’m trying to buy a desktop to share more of my goon, fandom trash behavior with everyone. Any support is appreciated!) 

[mvssmallow]

ULTRAVIOLENCE: MERCY

UV OST: #1 Crush

“It was unnecessary.” Yongguk disapproves from behind the dark wooden desk. “Waste your own bullets in your own goddam time.”

Hanbin just sits there, body tense and high on adrenaline/guilt/whatever, silently screaming for Jiwon to keep his mouth shut and just take the berating their leader is dishing out to them. 

But he knows better. He knows his partner.

“He deserved it.” Jiwon spits out venomously, “He had kids packing Ice down by the docks. I put a couple of shots in his head. So what?”

Yongguk raises an eyebrow but never raises his voice, the deep calm timbre of his voice more menacing than any kind of shrill volume. 

“That deserves wasting time to execute him does it?”

Jiwon snorts. “Wasn’t an execution. It was mercy.”

Yongguk chuckles for some reason but it’s not because anything is really funny. It just gives Hanbin a headache now, sitting here debriefing about a job that should’ve been discrete, simple, neat but turned out to be loud, messy, complicated and personal. 

“Mercy?” Yongguk echoes quietly, as if to test that word out. “That what you’re calling your methods these days?”

“I should’ve let him bleed out. The headshots were a mercy.” The way Jiwon says all this, matter-of-factly, conversationally, with all the remorse of a cold-blooded killer, should set alarms going off in anybody’s head but well, it’d be hypocritical for Hanbin to judge him on his intent.

He’ll judge him on the execution. And his lies. 

****

Today’s job was the conclusion of a week-long mission to take out one of the drug manufacturers still operating (unauthorised) on their turf. Hanbin had done some groundwork by getting to know the guy running the operations, who only went by the name PK. Apart from the essential information he’d manage to extract during a particularly drunk night out (he faked it, he never gets drunk on the job), he doesn’t tell Jiwon anything else. 

And it would’ve been an easy job if they hadn’t spotted all the homeless kids being abused and then used as free-labour to pack all the boxes for shipping. They thought it’d be easy to convince the kids that they were the lesser evil but turns out, there must’ve been a strong case of stockholm-syndrome because a 12yo pulled out a handgun with shaky hands.  

They’d both seen it and the shot went somewhere into the ceiling because that kid looked like he’d never shot a gun in his entire life.

Then all hell broke loose. Kids scatter everywhere, confused shouting from guys they hadn’t seen come or go during the recon-stake outs, gunfire raining from every direction. So much for stealth. So much for discreet.

June and his team get the kids out, Hanbin set the charges and goes to find the head of operations and it’s right at that time he realises that Jiwon, who was meant to be covering him, was already way ahead in the distance, standing over an angry bleeding mess on the ground. 

Hanbin should’ve stopped him. Stopped him from killing like this, in this needlessly psychopathic and dissociated way, but he didn’t. Maybe it was shock. Maybe it was.....he doesn’t even know. All the does know is that Jiwon has a particularly vicious brand of justice he reserves for those who abuse kids and those who take what’s his. 

He always knew this would end up messy.

“You deal with kids now huh?”

“Fuck you.” 

There’s a muted crunch that Hanbin recognises as Jiwon’s boot stomping on a rib cage. It’s always followed by a breathless groan. 

“Oh I will.” 

They all know to expect a lot of things about each other by now, like how Jiwon prefers fists and knives to guns, but since the Accident, things have been violently unpredictable and that even though the crew talk about it hushed tones, it terrifies the shit out of Hanbin. 

He doesn’t expect to see Jiwon pulling the gun out of his thigh holster. The silencer muffles two quick shots into each kneecap. 

Too bad there’s no silencer for the screams. They should’ve gagged this idiot before he calls out to the calvary.

It doesn’t stop there. There’s another quiet shot into a shoulder that’s followed by an even louder scream. 

When Hanbin finally comes to stand next to him and brushes against his shoulder, Jiwon barely moves his eyes and his gun from the bloodied pulp on the ground. PK looks up and even with the black mask covering the bottom half of his face, recognises him straight away and for a split second, Hanbin thinks how it’s a bit of a shame that such a smart guy like PK ended up in this line of work.

“Hey, pretty-boy, you owe me...a date.” There’s a wet wheezy cough and even through all the blood, Hanbin can see the twisted leering smirk. 

“What’s he talkin’ about?” Jiwon asks in a cold voice. 

“Nothing. Doesn’t matter. We’re done here. Leave him, I’ve got the chargers lit.”

But Jiwon doesn’t leave it. Neither does PK. 

In some other world, in some other situation, Hanbin might’ve rolled his eyes at this obvious pissing-contest between the two of them for his honour but right now, he just feels the nausea in his gut. Not because of the violence or the blood, he’s used to those things by now, but the way Jiwon gets so caught up in revenge that nothing is going to snap him out of it. 

“Ohhhhh,” PK starts, reading something on Jiwon’s face and then seemingly enjoying all this despite his predicament. “You think you’re the only one....who knows what his mouth.... feels like? You’re not-ARGH, motherfucker!”

PK slumps on the left as a shot pierces through his collarbone. There’s a groan but they also hear the quiet laughter of a madman who knows his time is up but will make everything hurt on the way down. There’s really no honour amongst thieves. 

“I want...you to know that... I got to him too. Remember that next time you fuck him-”

The headshot is so fast Hanbin almost didn’t see it coming. It’s followed by two more.

Just in case. 

Then another. 

June’s clipped tones cuts through his earpiece, telling them the kids are all out and all the charges are in place. It’s only his training that gets Hanbin jolted from this haze. 

“B. Let’s go. We’re done here.” He orders. He’s still running Alpha on this job, they still follow his plan but Jiwon’s never really been just another subordinate. He’s never been just a team member. He’s always been some other dangerous category. 

Jiwon is stuck in his bloodlust: his eyes dead and black, his mind tunnel-visioned with a singular focus, his body nothing but an obedient and deadly machine. Hanbin places a firm hand on his shoulder and feels it reacting sharply, like it stings. 

“Let’s go. That’s an order.”

Jiwon doesn’t move. 

June is still shouting in his earpiece so he presses the comms to send back a message.

“Got it, get Gamma squad out. We’re coming.”

Hanbin knows June’s still in the middle of saying something but he quickly cuts off the comms and goes to disable Jiwon’s as well. The action does nothing to move the bigger man, who is still has his finger on the gun as he stares at PK’s dead body.

Jesus. It’s going to be one of those nights. 

Hanbin sighs inwardly, coming to stand between Jiwon and the dead body. He pulls off their face masks and reaches up to holds Jiwon’s face in his hands, forcing his vision from the ground. 

“Hey? Baby?” 

Baby.

It usually works. 

It’s a trigger word if anything and Hanbin knows he shouldn’t use it like this, shouldn’t abuse his own power like this, but desperate times call for desperate measures and this is a fucking desperate time. 

“Baby....look at me.”

Silent seconds tick by but eventually Jiwon slowly looks up and his eyes tract across Hanbin’s face, reading something, searching for something, before the vision clears, he leaves his bloodlust behind and pushes the hands away from his face. 

The kiss isn’t really a kiss. Jiwon grabs Hanbin’s neck roughly and smashes their mouths together so violently that there’s a dull ache of teeth hitting teeth. Just as Hanbin gets sucked into Jiwon’s heat, he’s released and pushed away. 

“Let’s go.” 

They blow the charges on the warehouse. An anonymous tip gets the kids sent to the local police station to be dealt with and re-homed hopefully. Hanbin knows most of them will end up back on the streets within the year. It’s the circle of fucking life around here. 

Jiwon says nothing the entire ride back to HQ. He says nothing when they surrender their weapons to the armory. Says nothing when Soo questions the empty magazine in the guns. Says nothing when Donghyuk asks if they need any injuries checked out. Says nothing when he goes to shower off the blood and shove his dirty tact-gear into the incinerator. Says nothing when they’re in debrief. 

It’s not part of his job anyway. Hanbin runs Alpha team and it’s his responsibility to give the reports. Yongguk’s always been a good leader to them and trusts them enough to run their team as they see fit but he does have his limits and has never stood for unnecessary and wasteful personal vendettas. This is a business and businesses should never be personal.

And that’s when Jiwon says something. 

****

“Gamma said you stalled. Why?” 

They’re sitting in Yongguk’s office, facing him from behind the large dark desk. The cup of tea sends soft wisps of steam into the air and for a few tense seconds, it’s the only thing that moves in the room. 

Hanbin takes a breath to speak but Yongguk holds up his hand to silence him. 

“No. I want to hear it from you.” 

It’s directed at Jiwon, who shifts in his chair, before shrugging.

“You wanted the operation shut down. We did it. That PK asshole is dead. How is this a problem?”

Yongguk hard stare bores into Jiwon’s face and maybe there’s a brief second of defiance before Jiwon backs down. 

“You didn’t answer my question. You stalled, why? Gamma were out, the charges were set, you planning on staying inside the building to get blown up? Was that the plan too?”

Jiwon looks away but Hanbin can tell from the way his knuckles grip the arm rest that he’s livid on the inside. That body nothing more than something to contain his rage. 

Please don’t have an episode here. Not tonight. 

“I wanted him dead. I took my time. He deserved it.”

Yongguk sits back in his chair and takes a sip of the tea. “You make it personal?”

“No.”

“I can tell when you’re lying you know.” Yongguk smiles, a rare thing in itself. “You think you can act without me knowing? You think I’m not already two steps in front of you? You forget who took you in? Taught you?”

Jiwon hangs his head now. Out of shame or tiredness or just trying to calm his thoughts down. Or maybe all the above.

“I know how you think. I know how you act.” Yongguk continues, resting the tea cup on the desk gently. “I’m taking you off Alpha for a month.”

“WHAT?!”

Jiwon whips his head back up to protest, words dying when Yongguk shakes his head that he doesn’t want to hear it. 

“That’s final. Hanbin will still run Alpha, we’re sending June over to run point.”

“What about me?” Jiwon asks, sounding for once, like a how normal 23 year old should. “What am I doing?”

“You’re back on wheels.”

“What?!”

Yongguk gets up then, a signal that this meeting is over. Hanbin rises from his chair, bones aching from the entire week, and watches as Jiwon stays seated, glaring at Yongguk.

Come on, don’t have an episode now. Please.

“Jiwon.” Hanbin says, voice both an order and a plea. 

The hand on Jiwon’s shoulder is warm and firm. It reminds him of something, grounds him back to something, something good and safe. But this entire week was turning out to be a nightmare so what is the point of something good and safe anyway?

Jiwon shakes the hand off his shoulder, curses under his breath and stalks out of room without looking any of them. Hanbin watches him leave. The guilt setting in like a slow stain. 

“You sure you want this? A whole month?” 

Hanbin looks across at Yongguk and nods. “I can’t have him out there right now. He’s gonna get me, him and the entire team killed.”

“Hate to think what he’d do if he knew you asked for this.” 

“Blame it on you as usual.” Hanbin says with a smirk. “You act like you disagree.”

Yongguk chuckles and punches Hanbin lightly on the arm. “Go. Sleep. New assignment in 2 days.”

****

Jiwon gives him the silent treatment, just grabs a pillow from the bed and walks back out into the living room to sleep on the couch. Hanbin wants to roll his eyes from the melodramatics because it’s not like all of them haven’t been benched for other reasons too, but he knows this is something else.

Jiwon’s not injured. Nothing is broken except for his mind. 

“Hey? It’s cold out here, come back to bed?”

“No.”

On most days, Hanbin would just leave this alone and let Jiwon work out whatever chaos he has running through his head but that was before the Accident. These days, he hates how responsible he feels for everything going in Jiwon’s life. Hates how it feels like neither of them have control of it.

“Come on. I can’t sleep properly without you there.”

There’s a scoff that he can hear, even through the pillow. “You don’t have a problem fucking other people to get what you want so why don’t you just find someone else to sleep with you?”

Jesus. This again.

“I didn’t fuck him.”

“He said you did.”

“I wanted information. I didn’t fuck him. I barely kissed him. He was talking shit.” Hanbin says with a weary sigh. “We talked about this. You know this is what I need to do sometimes. It doesn’t mean anything.”

There’s a hand that rests on Jiwon’s leg but he shrinks away from it, curling into himself under the blanket.

“Don’t fucking touch me.”

Hanbin growls in frustration despite himself. A week’s worth of sleep deprivation wears down his patience and softness. He tries but he’s running on empty. 

“What do you want me to say?” He asks Jiwon’s turned back. “You act like you don’t do the same thing if it helps the job. I’ve seen you do it. How is that different?”

Jiwon turns over with irritated rage etched all over his face. “I don’t want them to touch you like that! Just shoot them! Why do you have to let them touch you like that?”

Hanbin isn’t even surprised by the outburst. He’s heard 100 times already. The Accident made Jiwon’s possessiveness worse, even when there’s never been any reason for it. 

“It doesn’t mean anything. I can wash them off.” Hanbin says softly now, sinking down onto the floor and resting his head on the couch next to Jiwon’s. 

“You remember any of it?”

“No.”

“You enjoy any of it?”

“No.”

“I hate it. It’s fucked up.”

“I know, baby.” Hanbin reaches out to run his fingers through Jiwon’s faded brown hair and counts it as a victory when his eyes close with a sigh. “Come back to bed with me?”

It’s easier after that. Some nights are like this. Hanbin hates how messed up they are, like prisoners of Jiwon’s erratic mind, but he can’t hate the reassuring warm weight of Jiwon’s body on top of his as they fuck slowly in the middle of the night. 

He can’t hate how Jiwon looks right into his eyes as he thrusts hard and deep, can’t hate how full he feels, can’t hate how Jiwon bites his neck like he’s claiming him forever. 

Can’t hate being claimed. Because that’s what he is. 

[sirro85-blog]

Dark Horses 4

Becca jerked awake as Kovac tossed in his sleep, he was drenched in sweat and as she reached out for him Kovac sat upright with a gasp, he looked around wildly and then a shudder seemed to pass through him. Becca reached a hand out to touch his shoulder, he flinched violently and stumbled out of the bed, there was a crash as he overturned a bedside table.

"It's ok, it's ok, baby it was only a dream," Becca hurried round the bed to his side, Kovac turned to her, nude and gleaming with sweat, his eyes were wide and he was still shaking.

The door burst open and Knickers was in the doorway, a pistol in her right hand supported on her left wrist, in her left hand was a long bladed knife. She scanned the room and on seeing Kovac, his back to the room his muscles taut and his breathing heavy she lowered the weapons and hurriedly crossed the room.

"Same dream big man?" She asked softly.

Kovac blinked and looked down at her, He nodded mutely and let her reach up and hook her fingers round the back of his neck, she pulled his head down so their foreheads touched. They paused like this for barely a moment and then pulled apart, Knickers nodded to Becca and turned for the door.

Becca stared after the soldier for a moment and then turned to Kovac who looked calmer again. "You alright?" She handed him a glass of water.

Kovac took a drink and nodded, "I'm sorry, did I scare you?"

"One of these days you're going to explain to me why I have no problem with you and Knickers sharing a naked cuddle in our bedroom...does she know what your dreams are about?"

"Yes."

"Then why don't I? Look I love the woman but I've known you longer, we go back to the academy."

Kovac closed his eyes for a moment and then turned to face Becca directly, "When you and Wolf and all our old friends were settling into your first commands I was burying a wife and child and when she..." he pointed after Knickers and then paused, "we've been through a lot together and we've helped each other out."

"Ok, are you alright now? Do you want to talk? Look if the dream keeps happening maybe we should retire, you've been through enough surely."

"I sleep fine after battles Bex, that has never been my problem, I'm alright," he kissed her, "Thank you, I might go down to the gym, not going to sleep much more tonight."

Dawn found Becca sitting with Wolf watching Kovac in the ring, "didn't fancy facing him yourself today?"

Wolf shook his head, "No fear, not in this mood, I'll stay out of his way."

In the ring stood Ty a soldier from Captain Dorman's 3 Troop and probably the largest man in the squadron, nearly equal in height to Kovac's 6 and a half feet, he was bigger in build, the Major and Trooper had enjoyed a competative sparring rivalry since their days in the 88th.

The two men circled one another, and locked up, Ty's dark black skin contrasting against the white of Kovac's hair as the Major was forced to one knee. The watching crowd stood and roared it's approval as the Major had to break free.

Becca could barely see as she heard the shouts of the soldiers.

"That's it Ty batter him, don't let him out of the corner, keep the pressure on,"

"He's gone southpaw Ty, look out!"

"No, move quicker, don't let him circle you like that!"

"No stop him moving, lock it up, use your strength."

Wolf who was standing on his chair looked like he was close to joining in he was so animated, "god Kovac is quick, COME ON TY!, GO ON SON PIN HIM IN THE CORN....OOooooh."

Becca clambered onto her chair to look over the heads in front, Ty was staggering backwards but unloaded a thunderous right hook that Kovac ducked under before straightening and with a jump bringing his own left cross into the side of Ty's jaw. Ty dropped to his knees clearly dazed and Kovac applied a sleeper hold, it was over moments later.

When the two officers reached the front Kovac was shaking hands with Ty who was in full flow explaining the origin of the term "southpaw".

That afternoon in Kovac's office after Staff King had been by to reprimand the Major for injuring himself and a trooper Kovac delivered the news everyone had been expecting.

"We've been back for long enough, time to go out to Fo-ro-shall and deal with the Bartuq. Gilly is content with the set up out there although he would like some bigger guns...wouldn't we all."

"The sergeant-major has been briefing the sergeants so stay out of their way, let them do their jobs and look closely at the new info Gilly sent back."

"Bartuq pirates are a nuisance out there but isn't it more of a concern that any troop movement out there is going to stir up the Xhost? Do we need permission to carry out our operation?" Becca asked, it was a question she had asked before.

"That's being handled." Kovac replied.

The exact solution to the issue was revealed the day after the Dark Horses had deployed en masse to Fo-ro-shall the Towoli planet. Kovac was sitting with Wolf when Capt ain Gillespie arrived with two others in tow.

Wolf saw them coming and stood, Kovac turned and copied his Captain.

Gillespie stopped and turned to introduce the man on his right, "Major I'm sure you're pleased to make the reacquaintance of Staff Sergeant Sam White, call sign 'Ugly', Gunner extraordinaire of Griffin Battery and," said Gillespie turning to his left, "needs no introduction but I like saying it; Brigadier-General Michaela Jones."

The four officers shook hands, "Major, how are my soldiers?" The general asked.

"Well ma'am, it's good to see you," Kovac said to the small heavy set woman opposite.

"Your soldiers ma'am?" Ugly asked.

"Oh not anymore, not since Kovac stole them," Michaela replied with a grin.

"Still your soldiers ma'am, like their OC they'd follow you anywhere, I'd have invaded Hell if you'd led the way"

"I think with two more of you I could conquer it, but I think the day this lot were anything but yours is long gone, gone up in Aprasi smoke," the general said taking a seat.

"That's right I heard about this, you were on Doltoi-4 when the Korlax attacked and you received orders to retreat," Ugly said leaning out of his seat to point at Kovac.

"The Aprasi had declined membership to the Galactic Council and so were not entitled to our defence was the decision, so when the Korlax Dominion struck and were systematically wiping out whole villages we were told to retreat to Council space." Kovac said.

"The Major here, fresh from whatever heroics he'd pulled in the Reinax system decided he wasn't going anywhere." Michaela said with a faint smile.

"We'd been there as an envoy, a good faith mission, 1st batallion the 88th Combat Engineers had been constructing some new planetary docks as a hearts&minds effort," Gillespie said, staring into the night, "we saw first hand what the Korlax were doing."

"I saw the parents of the Aprasi young form a living wall between the Korlax and the creche...mothers and fathers facing down war machines, so I decided I was going to have their backs." Kovac said a little harshly.

"And you pinched a batallion of combat engineers to do it," the general teased.

"I ordered my men off the planet and then I went about my business," Kovac said calmly.

"To a man, the 88th followed Kovac," said Gillespie proudly.

"I heard that because a whole batallion defected they couldn't hold all those courts marshal so they just let you all go as a band of mercenaries?" Ugly queried.

"With the help of a sympathetic Brigadier," Kovac said nodding to the general, "it was bad press, hero humans save the day and get charged."

"Human pack-bonding is how it was sold to the media," said the General.

"It wasn't, was just the right thing to do," said Kovac, "We were engineers, ubique, quo fas et gloria ducunt and all that, seemed the right thing to do. So I reformed the survivors into a squadron and we became the Dark Horses, the Brigadier as she was then made sure we were looked after."

Michaela waved the comment away and gave a gesture to the darkness, "what is the situation here Major? What are you dealing with?"

"Short version? The Towoli are getting raided by the Bartuq and the presence of the Xhost border is stopping any involvement of the GCDF, nobody wants to rile up the zealots. We've been approached to deal with the raiders."

"It's unlikely the Xhost will take offence at the presence of a mercenary unit but I'll do what I can to ensure them we have no intent to increase our presence here."

"And the presence of the EDC near Thresh?" Kovac asked.

"Is not the purview of a mercenary leader nor of a Combat Engineers Squadron leader," the general replied a little abruptly.

Kovac and Gilly shared a glance and Gilly turned to Ugly, "you know Kovac is with Becca? Uhh Captain Hayward?"

Talk moved away from the past to the present and the future, and thoughts moved away from the violence that was to come.

Dawn broke on a cold grey morning, the Dark Horses shivered through stand to, and then broke camp and the three troops were moved into position.

Captain Gillespie looked through his omni-goggles and called positions through his comms, 1 troop advanced quietly as 3 troop pushed forward hard, racing to get in position.

For a minute there was peace and then the silence of the morning splintered as Griffin Battery opened their first volley, directed to their targets by Captain Gillespie one more time, in the years since they had worked together Ugly and his men had lost none of their skill and in the 10s flight time of the first shell the guns sounded twice more, in less than a minute the 18 targets were reduced to rubble and Griffin Battery fell silent.

On the sound of the first gun Captain Dorman led his men out, the guns sounded their last retort as Gray led his men through the new breech. The outer defences reduced to rubble Wolf led his men forward into the killing ground and as the Bartuq defenders opened fire 2 Troop started to hammer their position. Gillespie directed howitzer fire to the centre of the Bartuq defences, many of the shells were deflected off but they were enough to limit the Bartuq defence.

Inside the Bartuq fortifications Captain Dorman and his men were hard pressed, Dorman knelt over the wounded trooper Ito shielding him from further harm. He shouted orders and directed fire as the defender's numbers started to count against his men. Aware he was being flanked Dorman pulled some of his men back and raced round the edge of a building.

Attacking a group of armed aggressors with hand to hand combat was not wise or logical but it was unexpected and would hopefully buy his men the time they needed to receive the back up from Wolf. Besides Dorman was a human and that counted for something, the Bartuq would be more afraid that humans were attacking than they would by superior numbers, or so he hoped.

Hearing the approach of the Bartuq unit Dorman closed his eyes and repeated the only prayer he thought might work, "God I hope I live through this."

As they rounded the corner the Bartuq were met by a single human, armed with a knife and a side arm he dropped the first three amphibians before the creatures could react. Dorman did not have the skill of Wolf nor the speed and power of Kovac but he was a human, powered by human adrenaline and fear and he was frantic. By keeping in their midst he neutralized their weapons but he couldn't do much about their numerical advantage, his attack lasted nearly 30 seconds and he injured over a dozen before they knocked him off his feet and the shots rang out.

Dorman had his hands over his head when Fluke reached him, "sorry sir, couldn't open fire till you were down or we may have hit you. We're in sir, Captain Wolf asks if you can regroup your men and move to the west post for the next advance to contact."

Dorman thanked the sergeant, took a moment to ensure he was bullet free and turned to find his men, Sergeant Webb had them in position when he joined them, the career soldier gave his commanding officer a nod and dropped back.

The Dark Horses pushed through the defences of the Bartuq meeting stiff resistance but only suffering minor casualties. Wolf and Dorman used their troops to good effect, capturing choke points and stopping the enemy from organising.

The humans didn't have it all their own way, the Bartuq rallied and counter attacked cutting off a small group of soldiers, the attack itself was stopped by Captain Becca's 2 Troop who were moving behind the two advance troops for precisely that reason. Communications relayed the situation, Kovac had been cut off with three soldiers, Ty, Costa and Butlanska.

"We can't cut our way out, but we can hole up till you push through, over" Kovac assured his concerned Captains.

"Wolf is going to hold position, Dorman and I will push through together and get to you, over" Becca said, she lowered her communications device and gestured at her Sergeant "why was Kovac that far advanced!?" Knickers gave a shrug.

"Negative, maintain the advance, this is what they want, they want to break us up and big us down, maintain the advance, Wolf must keep pushing forward. We can hold until Dorman gets to us, 2 Troop must maintain the screen, acknowledge, over" Kovac's voice came over the communicator.

Becca swore, "confirmed, continue advance, over,"

"We're secure here, we're able to..." Kovac cut off.

"Kovac!?" Becca sent the call repeatedly.

"Wait. out," came the terse reply.

Kovac and Costa flattened against the wall as the Bartuq hurried past, Kovac growled in irritation, "these counters are going to keep happening unless they keep the pressure in and we'll end up just rescuing people all day."

"Can we not fight through sir?" Costa asked.

"Not bloody likely, we can still be a thorn in their arse though, god knows you and Ty have enough practice..." Kovac broke off as two Bartuq rounded the corner.

Costa raised his rifle but lowered it as Kovac sprang into the gap, he drove his body into the Bartuq on his right and stabbed out with his long bladed knife at the amphibian on the left. He rounded on the winded Bartuq and stabbed it through the skull.

The two humans fell back to the room Ty and Butlanska were concealed in, both were nursing injuries, neither life threatening but enough to put them at risk if attacked. Kovac checked them both and returned to the doorway.

"Listen Costa, the only way we stop them from clearing us out is by making them think we are more than two non-injured soldiers. That means no extended firefights, get in close and personal. Side arm and that damn kukri I'm not supposed to know you carry," Kovac clapped a hand on his shoulder, "you're quicker and faster than the Bartuq but remember they outweigh us, a frog your size will have significant weight on you so avoid a wrestling match."

"Sir I'm not sure I'm up to this, I'm not you or Captain Wolf or Sergeant Knickers." Costa said weakly.

"You're afraid? Good, fear makes you quick, human adrenaline is a black market drug in the outer rim," Kovac turned to face Costa, "stick a collar on that beast in your chest and ride it till we're done. If you want to keep waking up with Ty and sneaking back to your own room then you'd best fight to keep them away from that room, and trooper while we're on the subject, it's been 3 years, you're a couple just accept it." With that Kovac leapt out on three Bartuq.

For the rest of his life Costa remembered that afternoon as a blur, the Bartuq seemed to move at quarter speed and all the while he battled a fear that threatened to overwhelm him.

When Sergeant Knickers led a sortie into the tunnels they found dozens of Bartuq dead, Kovac was covered head to toe in the purplish blood of the Bartuq, Costa imagined he must look similar. The Major gave him a nod before heading off to meet with his captains.

The Bartuq had suffered heavy casualties and lost much of their equipment, their heavily defended compound was captured but two more bolt holes had been found and would need clearing before they could go home.

It's a subject of much debate wether humans are the galaxy's best warriors. Many would say the Flet are superior and it's accepted that the Rhul are both stronger and faster, certain other races like the Frell possess weapons of mass destruction to rival the human's.

In my experience humans don't all possess an affinity for war, but those trained to do it can tap into a level of ingenuity and physical capability that no other race possess.

[lacklusterswirl]

The choices you make Ch.5

Ayyy, look who finally finished writing something new! lol. Here’s chapter 5, which you can find on AO3, or here, under the cut. As always, comment over on AO3, or send me a msg here! Otherwise, hope you enjoy, and maybe (i’m hoping) the next chapter will come out faster :P

.

“Wait for his signal.”

Maverick’s eyes narrowed, but Buck had to turn his attention to the house.

One minute passed. Then two. Then Maverick started shaking his head. “This is wrong. The windows are open. We should be able to hear something – anything.”

Buck frowned. He was right, but the order was given, so if they couldn’t…

A car screeched down the street, and the crack of gunfire sounded down the quiet street. Buck and Maverick dived behind the leftover vehicle, but neither could return fire.

“Fuck,” Buck muttered, signalling for Ramer and Jordan to enter the house. He and Maverick busted open the van door to uncover… nothing… There was nothing. No papers, no radios, no phones, not even a stupid footprint.

“Buck!” Ramer was on comms now. “House is clear. There’s nothing here anymore. Jordan has set up a flank watch, you can come in and help search now.”

There had to be something. Something to let him know that he made the right call – that he put his trust in the right people…

That he didn’t send someone to die.

“Control, we need you to run a plate.” Buck looked at Maverick.

“Copy, ready.”

“X-ray, foxtrot, zulu, juliet, whiskey.”

“No numbers,” Maverick added, after bringing forward a USB key. “This was on the kitchen table.”

“Extract is coming by. We can give it then,” Buck murmured. “Let’s get packed.”

.

“Frost, we have an update.”

“Copy. Standing-by”

With a quick signal, Rook rotated so he was supervising Ryan and the entrance.

“Buck is extracting to base with a USB. It’s being checked now, but from what I understand, it might take an hour or so, more since they need to travel here.” Frost nodded along. That would be a great break-through… But… “But we have a situation. Avoledo is now missing and undercover. We don’t know what his situation is, or if he’s even in danger, but keep an eye open. Try talking to the other undercover agent. See if you can get any clues.”

“Copy.” Frost walked back in and watched as Rook hurriedly stand up as if he wasn’t just talking to the man on the bench.

“Sorry, I was uh…” Maybe he was finally learning how to tell if someone was actually angry or not. “I’ll go back to my post. I’ll tell people you’re busy.”

Frost smiled as Rook took up his position outside the emptied shop, and check-up on Clash. That smile didn’t last when she turned back to look at Ryan. “I need answers. If you were an undercover cop, why can’t we find your record?”

“Probably protected – look – that was never my issue to worry about. I just… What do you want to know? I can tell you?”

Frost sniffed, immediately regretting it as dust flew up her nose. “How can you tell me anything you haven’t already told Sauer?”

“She wasn’t asking the right questions, and when I tried to speak, she told me to shut up, I don’t know what else you want me to say.”

Mhmm… Sure… “Look, let’s start now. How long were you undercover for?”

“I was a low-level drug dealer for six-months, and then I went through a bunch of promotions, worked my way up to be the personal detail for one of the gang bosses after a year. Then, when they teamed up with the terrorists, it was too late. My extraction couldn’t happen in time, and the police force just didn’t have the man power to do anything. Something about another conflicting mission from the JTF 2.”

“What do you know about today other than that assassination attempt?”

“They’re training bombers. That’s what today’s for. They’re gonna have a couple run into the crowds, but that’s all I know. I wasn’t given a time or location, they just told me to be ready.”

“You know,” Frost dragged an empty box to the spot right in front of his bench, “For someone who was apparently on the personal detail, I would’ve thought that you would know more.”

“I get that, I do. But these protests were a sudden thing. In such a short time, it seemed like everyone got angry at the same time. It’s not like they planned the protests.”

Frost shook her head. That’s a fair point, yes, but it does shit to help them out now. “Do you know anything that will help us here? Anything about their plans or patterns, or even a rough time?”

“They were waiting on a new contact. A guy I never heard about before. They said that he’s been here before – a hero. They wouldn’t even let me know the name!”

“So say they’ve already collected the guy. What would be next?”

“Make and smuggle Molotovs. Something about a training course. Mostly low-leveled grunts. They have a hideout near here, you know? There’s a sewer here that leads straight to a secret pre-world war cavern under the park. The police keep track of it because it’s a popular drug bust place. It’s why I was sent there.”

Frost paused, taking a deep breath. That was about a five-minute walk away, not the worst, but if Clash was still getting over whatever knocked her out, they’d be low on manpower here, should they need it. She craned her neck to look outside the shop. The manhole was on the ground yes, and while it would take some effort to open, it would be time wasted, and too many resources were required.

“Intruder!” Frost looked up to see Jameson get tackled to the ground. Rook, the one who shouted, immediately fired a few rounds into the stranger’s chest.

Frost ran out to help Jameson up while Sauer momentarily left Clash to check in on them. “What? Happened?”

“Secure the perimeter,” Frost barked at both Rook and Sauer. “Sauer to Laurier, and Rook to Slater.”

The two walked off, exchanging a few last whispers, but Frost couldn’t afford to pay attention. “Jameson?”

“I…” he gave his head a shake. “I’m good. Just caught me off guard. Serves me right for not checking my back when I was going to relieve Rook at the shop. Give me a minute, and I’ll be ready again.”

Frost, with Jameson looking from where he sat, patted down the body. As her hands dipped into his pocket, she brushed against cool metal. With a triumphant gaze, she pulled out a fancy looking key. In the other pocket, she found another crumpled note. She quickly snapped a photo and sent it off to control.

“It’s a different cipher this time…” Control was sounding frustrated. Frost could relate.

1: ITNOOIHRO

2: REAAHDENS

3: DCAYFWTTS

4: STYURLEYU

5: AMYNEOSI

6: THWCSLRAR

Time to use our “Rook.” Remember, life for cause. Caesar

“Control? Jameson just got jumped. No serious injuries, but the guy had a key on him and another note. Did you crack the last one?”

“Yes, and it’s being sent to your phone now.”

“That’s…” Frost raised her eyebrow. “What does that mean?”

“Unknown.”

“Ok, keep this one between us, and I need you to…” Rook. There should be now way… he was part of Rainbow, not some liability. “Decode it as soon as possible, I need to know who I can trust. And if Buck’s done with his mission already, can you send reinforcements?”

“Copy, I’ll send them over now.”

“Control, Frost, the streets are secure, and I’m heading back now,” Sauer spoke, breaking Frost from the glare directed at her phone. “Rook should be about done too.”

“Yep, coming back now.”

“Ok,” Frost sighed, as she watched the sun climb higher from her right. Sauer’s figure was getting closer and closer until they were facing each other. “Control—”

There was a squealing of tires as a van sped past the street. Frost nodded at Rook to check up on their prisoner, and jogged to the street to see the checkered van turn a corner.

“Frost!” the panicked voice shouted over coms. “Ryan’s gone!”

This was getting to be too much. She had never been lead on a mission and have it go this… wrong. “Well what do you want me to do?” she snapped, marching back to Rook. “Check the surroundings. Didn’t I send you to secure Slater? That van must be the one we’re looking for then.”

“Frost,” the warning voice came to her ear, and her ear alone. “Deep breaths. That was Slater, so North of you. We saw it go East, probably near Confeder— yep, it’s pulling up to the park now, caught on traffic cams.”

“I’m going to pursue them,” she muttered. “When Buck gets here, put him in temporary command until I get back. In the meantime, have everything go through Jameson. It’ll have him out for a bit. So he can rest.”

“Where are you going?”

“Into the sewers,” her fist tensed, and she was reminded of the key in her hand. She quickly stuffed it into her pocket. “There might be a secret cavern under the park. Our man Ryan is there, and that might be a good place for where Avoledo could be held.”

“You sure you wanna test your source? If you do, you should bring one of them as backup. It’ll leave enough people back here to defend if necessary, and you won’t be completely alone in case something happens. As for the note, I’ll get a team on the code again.”

Frost paused. It would be safer to stay here. Plus, it was just Ryan. If he was truly the traitor, this could be a trap. Sauer was talking with Jameson. With her shotgun and professional, business-like attitude, plus their shared history, it would be easy to take her. Rook would also be possible, and since he was also Rainbow, they’ve trained together multiple times together in more recent memory. “Well, who would you suggest?”

Here we go, Frost is going out on a solo recon mission… maybe! You can either order her to stay put at her station, or recommend either Rook or Sauer go with her!

[hiddlepiddlewiddle]

A Favour (Loki x Reader)

Request from @clairese1980 : Loki is in love with the reader but has never told her.   He was going to but then a mission comes in and it's all hands on deck.   He decides he will tell her his feelings after the mission.  The reader is injured on a mission and almost dies.  While she is in medical Loki sits with her and she codes (heart stops) while he is there.   They revive her and Loki is a complete wreck but begins to tell her of his life on Asgard.   A few days later Loki is at almost at his wit's end and starts telling her he needs her to wake up because he loves her and doesn't want to lose her.  The reader hears him as she is walking up and her first words are I love you too.   End in fluff

Relationship: Loki x Reader

Warning: Fluff, angst, a little cursing?

Words: 3775

“Good morning, Loki!” you shouted down the hallway. Loki jumped and spun on his heels to face you.

“I told you to not do that ever again! It’s 8 a.m. in the morning for God’s sake.” Loki groaned, putting his hands on his hips before walking towards the kitchen.

You giggled at how adorable he looked. Oh, how amazing it’ll be if you could take a picture of him right now. You’d gladly put it as your wallpaper everywhere. You had a crush on this man since forever but the both of you were so busy with missions and everything that it seemed impossible to even suggest a date. Be it a dinner at a fancy restaurant or a movie, your schedules were too packed to even fit these few hours in them. Besides, the both of you would usually be completely exhausted after a day’s work and would be too tired to even step out of the Avenger’s Tower.

“Are you coming?” Loki waved a hand in front of your face.

“Oh-” You snapped out of your thoughts, “u-uh yea! Right, breakfast. God, I’m starving.”

You ran to catch up with him and grabbed his ass.

“Ehehehehehe!” Loki giggled and smacked your hand away.

“I can’t believe you pour milk first then cereal!” Loki watched as (Y/N) bickered with Thor.

“I can’t believe your pour cereal then milk, Lady (Y/N)! The cereal is gonna get soggy, you moron!” Thor retaliated and banged his fists on the table.

“Who taught him the word ‘moron’? Did anyone tell him that no one else is a moron but him?” (Y/N) sneered and shoved a mouthful of cereal into her mouth.

Loki sat opposite (Y/N) and watched the drama ongoing in front of his very eyes in amusement and happily ate his chocolate drenched pancakes. It was hilarious watching them bicker with their mouths full with cereal and milk spluttering out of their mouths as they argued. 

How unladylike, he thought. But I guess that’s why I love her.

Loki pulled out a necklace from his pocket, careful to not let (Y/N) see it. It was a simple amethyst crystal hung on a black string. According to Midgardian beliefs, amethyst protects one from evil forces and poison and considering how (Y/N) is so susceptible to poison and being attacked by HYDRA agents, he thought this gift would be perfect for her.

“Today will be the day I win her heart and call her mine.” He muttered under his breath.

“Avengers assemble!” Steve’s voice rang throughout the entire room. (Y/N) and Thor froze.

“S.H.I.E.L.D has found another abandoned HYDRA base. We might be able to retrieve some of their files there. All in the quinjet in 5 minutes.” Steve instructed before everyone dispersed, scrambling to get their weapons and change.

“Bless me for having magic.” (Y/N) chuckled and in a shimmer of purple, she changed into battle clothes. A dense purple smoke pooled around her before it spilt, covering the floor with its dense clouds. Most of it was so thick it was impossible to see through.

Thor stomped his feet, upsetting the graceful blanket.

“You’ve got to stop being extra whenever you change using magic, my love.” Loki chuckled at (Y/N)’s furrowed eyebrows and pout. 

“Me? Extra? Have you seen how Thor changes? He burnt an entire patch of grass just changing into his battle armour!” (Y/N) scolded playfully before scooting - or rather, flying - off to the quinjet.

You sighed and slumped down onto your seat. You never liked being in the quinjet especially before a mission. You’d feel uneasy and nauseated, thinking about how terribly injured some of you would be after the mission. You just wish it wouldn’t be Loki.

You are a healer - though not the best, just the second option. If anyone gets injured on the team, you’d be there to heal them first before they receive any professional medical attention from S.H.I.E.L.D’s medical team. However, this time it was different. They wanted you to be the one retrieving the information. You didn't protest though, fighting is definitely the best you can do.

However, being a healer also meant that you put others before yourself - a healer's instinct.

“You alright there, (Y/N)?” Tony snapped you out of your thoughts. “You look more terrified than you would normally be.”

“I’m fine.” You lied. Seriously though, you were terrified. You had this gnawing feeling in your gut that just kept telling you to not go. You brushed it off, you were probably just overthinking. 

The quinjet’s landing was abnormally bumpy. All of your heads bobbed during the landing and yours, unfortunately, hit the wall behind you. You cursed under your breath.

The quinjet stopped a few meters away from the HYDRA base which means that you had to sneak your way through the rest. Your main role was to download the information you find into the thumb drive given to you that was disguised as a huge pendant that hung around your neck. Ugh, a disguise that is so obvious to the eye.

The way everyone was hiding behind their respective trees was hilarious, almost comical. You would’ve laughed if this wasn’t a mission.

“Alright, all clear. Let’s go.” You heard Cap over the comm. All of you crept towards the main entrance.

All of you stood away from the entrance, leaning against the wall beside it while Bucky keyed in the code. 

“Funny how an abandoned base is still lo-”

An alarm blared.

“Loki and Thor, stay by (Y/N)’s side at all times. DO NOT let her go out of sight.” Tony ordered while Steve threw out orders at the rest. You, Loki and Thor ran as fast as you could towards the right, to the room where they keep all of their information.

A man stopped you.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” He chuckled lowly. You blinked to adjust to the darkness, hoping to see the man’s face.

The man stepped into the light. He was fully clad in black - black suit, black tie, black pants, black shoes. Hell, even his hat was black. He removed his hat painfully slow, revealing a badly scarred face. His face was so unrecognisable that he didn’t seem human.

“Scary, isn’t it?” He scowled. 

“You,” he pointed at you. “You caused this. You caused ME to look like this. I’ve been waiting for so long, setting up this whole trap for S.H.I.E.L.D to fall into and make ALL of you walk right into my very own trap.”

Your brows furrowed in confusion.

“I don’t know you.” You stated flatly. “I don’t remember hurting anyone this badly.”

He burst out in laughter, like a maniac. His laughter echoed off the walls and you flinched. How does one laugh that loudly?

“ ‘I don’t know you’.” He mimicked you. “UGH, what a load of lies! It’s all fucking LIES. Come on sister, can’t you even recognise your own brother?”

You gasp. Aiden. Your lovely little brother who died in a house fire 10 years ago.

“I thought... I thought you were dead." Your voice cracked, "I tried to save you I swear I did! I got dragged out of the house by mother before I could even reach yo-”

“LIES! I hate you and your little lying mouth. All you ever did since young was to lie, wasn’t it? You pushed every single blame onto me and Mother loved you so much. She loved you more than me, she hated me and that was why she didn’t want you to save me. I was always the outcast. I was never Mother’s favourite no matter what I did. She left me to die and so did you!” He screamed, “you could’ve saved me, you bitch. If you saved me, I wouldn't be like this - ugly, unrecognisable and a monster. Now I’m leaving you to die, just like you did.”

You watched as he pulled out a controller and pressed the red button.

“You have one minute to escape, just like I did but oh, you’re too far in the base to even escape within a minute.” Aiden smiled before pressing yet another button and disappearing into thin air. “It doesn’t matter though. I lied; everything’s collapsing instantly.”

The ground beneath you began to shake and soon, the ceiling threatened to fall on all of you.

“Everyone get out of here immediately!” You shouted into the comm. You whirled around to face Loki and Thor, “we can only run, I’ll hold the ceiling up as much as I can.”

You held your hands up into the air and reached out for your magic. You felt a surge of magic flowing through you and you pushed it out, holding onto the ceiling while it threatened to fall.

Oh, my God, it’s heavy.

You ran with all of your might, holding the ceiling up. Grief, loss, anger, and sadness was surging in your system, generating more and more power. Thor’s right; these emotions are great motivators.

The exit was glowing right in front of your eyes. Light at the end of a tunnel, literally. You cried tears of joy, you were nearly there.

“After you guys!” You shouted, gesturing for the brothers to exit first. Thor swung his hammer and grabbed a protesting Loki, flying at a high speed towards the exit.

Who knew the last thing you heard was an explosion, the last thing you felt was the impact of the explosion hitting your back and the last thing you saw was the ceiling collapsing on you.

“(Y/N)!” The whole team screamed, scrambling towards the collapsed building. Thor desperately pulled out debris with his impressive muscles, his faced scrunched up in concentration as he struggled to lift every debris out of the way where you were standing.

Loki stood in shock. He felt numb. He shouldn't have left you behind, he should have protested against Thor and (Y/N)'s wishes and stayed with her. He could've saved her, at least.

"Loki. Loki! LOKI!" Thor bellowed as he shook Loki's shoulders violently. "(Y/N) needs our help, she's trapped underneath and who knows how long she can last. You've got to snap out of it and help us to get her out. Now's not the time to grief, we haven't lost her yet. There's still hope, brother."

Loki shuddered at the thought of losing you and snapped out of his grief. He ran over to where the team was, pulling out concrete after concrete. Beads of perspiration dotted their foreheads, trickling down their faces.

Not long after, Thor pulled out a huge piece of concrete wall and underneath was (Y/N)'s body. “I’ve found her!” He bellowed, pulling her body out from beneath the concrete and debris and out onto the grass.

Everyone grimaced at the state (Y/N) was in. There were nails and all sort of tiny metal scraps that pierced through her skin, some were so deep that it’s only possible to pull out with tweezers or through surgery. Her several parts of her body were charred but her face was, thankfully, untouched.

Thor carried you into the quinjet with Loki following suit, careful not to aggravate (Y/N)’s injuries any further. 

Once Thor put her down, Loki ran towards her and pulled her limp body into a firm yet gentle hug. He grabbed her wrist to find a pulse and thankfully, there was a faint and slow heartbeat but he knew that it will stop anytime soon. Tears threatened to fall as Loki fought to swallow the lump in his throat.

Loki’s heart ached at the sight of (Y/N) in such a critical condition. His hand held hers so tightly as if her life was about to slip out of her any second. The Avengers just.... stared, shocked and unable to comprehend the situation, let alone Loki showing affection towards someone for the first time.

Loki placed his hands on your back where most of the nails hit you and reached out for his magic, pulling out the bits and pieces of metal in you. The nails were obviously in the bomb that exploded. Aiden seriously wanted you dead and it is a miracle that you survived that explosion.

“She’s alive but dying.” He croaked as it dumped all the nails he managed to pull out onto a metal tray, “I can only heal her so much.”

“We’re reaching soon, don’t fret. We got Fury to call in a team of medics. One she’s in the hands of the team, she’ll be fine.” Natasha spoke up in the midst of the silence when no one replied Loki.

“Loki, you cannot follow us into the surgical room.” Dr. Cho placed her hand on his chest and pushed him away gently.

“I need to see her. I want to know that she will be fine. I want to be there.” Loki’s voice cracked. There were so much pain and despair in his eyes it was impossible to resist.

Dr. Cho sighed, turning to one of her assistants, “let him into one of those rooms.”

That’s how Loki got into the Operating Room Observatory which was only accessible by doctors who are overseeing surgeries that are taking place in the operating theatre.

All Loki could hear was (Y/N)’s slow but steady heartbeat from the beeping of the heart monitor. That was all he heard through the 12 hours he sat there, staring while the doctors worked on almost every part of her body.

The sound of the very last and final piece of nail clanging against the metal tray rang through the room followed by the long suspirations of relief from the doctors and Loki themselves.

Her condition is finally stable.

The doctors stitched (Y/N) up and left the room, exhaustion taking over the adrenaline rush they felt during the surgery. Loki rushed down to meet the doctors while (Y/N) was being sent to a private ward.

“Ah, there you are. She’s still in critical condition but we’ll be monitoring her condition closely.” The doctors explained, “she may be in a comatose state for at least a week but it’s only an estimate.”

“Understood.” Loki breathed, “thank you.”

The doctors hesitated, not used to Loki’s politeness before they muttered a ‘you’re welcome’ in unison.

Darkness. That was all you could see.

“(Y/N), love?” You felt Loki put your hand in his and placed a soft kiss on the back of your hand. “Could you do me a favour? Just this once. This is the only favour I’m asking for.”

I’m listening.

“Please wake up. The doctors said you’d be in this state for at least a week and I don’t want that, darling. That’s all I’m asking for. I just want you to wake up, please.” Loki begged, his voice cracking at the end.

It broke your heart seeing (or hearing) him like this. You wanted to just squeeze his hand to tell him that you are okay. You will be awake soon.

That was when you realised how tired you were. All these years working for S.H.I.E.L.D and fighting alongside the Avengers, you never really took a good break for yourself. Maybe you should wake up later or maybe 4 days later. You just need a good proper rest before you go back to saving lives.

Just a little... while. Just... a... short... nap.

And you couldn’t hear Loki’s pleas anymore. No sound woke you up, not even a pin drop, not even Loki’s sobs.

Not even deafening beeping of your heart monitor.

The doctors’ break was cut off by an agonising scream. Loki.

They dashed into the ward, nurses were already there attempting to pull a flailing Loki away.

“Blood pressure is dropping, she’s going into cardiac arrest!”

“Epinephrine injection into the left ventricle.”

“Her heart is fibrillating.”

“220 Volts. Stand back. Charging.”

The sound of their voices was echoing through the room but Loki couldn’t hear anything. He froze where he sat, unable to comprehend what’s happening. All he could see was you and all he could hear was the deafening beep of the heart monitor.

You were dead, just like that.

How cruel could you be just ignoring his one favour from you? He didn’t manage to confess, to say how long he has been trying to court you. He didn’t get to know whether you felt the same towards him. He didn’t even get the chance to say ‘I love you’ for the first and last time. There were so many things he wanted to know and find out but all he did was to wait for the right time and opportunity, only to have it slip from his fingers from time to time. Now it’s too late.

He wanted a future with you; he wanted you to be his girlfriend, his wife, his queen and the mother to his future children. He wanted to rule Asgard by your side or at least be the princess of Asgard with him, the prince. All those dreams are now crushed and ruined with just a single indication from this stupid Midgardian technology that you are dead.

“Since you rejected my previous favour..” Loki slowly got up, “you owe me another one and that is to not be dead.”

Granted.

The steady beeping of your heart monitor sent relief through the room. Loki choked on his tears of happiness and glided towards you to sit beside your bed. He took your hand into his again, pressing his lips against it. He felt the warmth of your skin on his lips and he savoured it, appreciating every inch of warmth you gave him and the power he could feel surging in you again.

The next few days felt more and more painful. The Avengers took turns to look after you although it was mostly Nat and Loki fighting over who’s gonna go next, wanting to be the first person you see when you wake up.

“Asgard is a beautiful place. Maybe when you finally wake, I’ll take you there to see Frigga. She’ll love you.” Loki sighed. “You know, my favourite place in Asgard would be the royal gardens. I would take a short walk there whenever I got mad at the Allfather and Frigga knew that. She’d always know where to find me.”

“There was once I got so angry I ripped out all the golden roses in the garden because they reminded me of that stupid golden eye patch and all the gold the Allfather wears. It was a stupid and petty move and Frigga got really upset. The roses were her absolute favourite.” He chuckled at the memory, though a slight hint of anger hung in his words.

“She punished me by making me plant new roses and taking care of them until they fully bloom but I wasn’t allowed to use magic to aid in their growth.” Loki fiddled with his hands and bit his lip. “Golden roses are the most difficult to plant and I don’t have a green thumb, only a blue one.”

His laughter echoed through the room, bitter and cold.

“Enough with my life on Asgard. The Avengers’ Tower is silent without you and missions were tough without your support.” Loki started. He conjured a new book in his hands. Sherlock Holmes; your favourite. “I brought a new book for you today. It’s the one you’re currently reading: Sherlock Holmes. Let’s start off from where you stopped, shall we?”

“A Study In Scarlet. Chapter One. In the year 1878 I took my degree of Doctor of Medicine at the University of London, and proceeded to Netley to go through the course prescribed for surgeons in the army.” Loki started, his voice incredibly soothing.

“.. considerably interested in my new acquaintance.” Loki read the very last sentence of the chapter before slamming the book shut. He was clearly bored by the introduction.

“This book bores me terribly. I’m so not going to read it any further. You know what you should do, (Y/N)? You should wake up and read the book yourself.” Loki let out a frustrated groan. “It has been 7 days, (Y/N). Seven days! How long more do I have to wait just for you to wake up and be back to your normal cheery self? I’m upset, I’m frustrated, I’m in absolute despair and the only way you can help me feel MUCH better is to wake up.” 

Loki buried his face in his hands. “I love you, (Y/N). God, I love you so much and I just want to know whether you feel the same and I..If you feel the same, I want you to say it back.”

Something wet and cold dripped onto your palm and you jerked at the temperature difference. Loki was too busy trying to wipe his tears away to notice your movement. Your eyes slowly cracked open, adjusting to the bright lights in the room.

Your face scrunched up at the brightness and Loki still didn’t notice.

“I love you too.” You croaked and grabbed his hand. Your throat was incredibly dry and you were parched.

Slowly, Loki’s frown grew into a grin and he didn’t hesitate to pull you into a hug, planting a kiss on your forehead. You couldn’t stop smiling but gosh, you need water desperately.

“Loki?” You squeaked, pointing to the jug of water beside you. Loki immediately understood and fumbled to pour a glass of water for you, his elegant facade completely forgotten.

“You have no idea how much I missed you and how much you’ve missed these few days,” said Loki as he passed you the water.

“I’m so glad you’re feeling better, love.” Loki pulled you close to him and you leaned on his chest, inhaling the smell of his bare chest.

He insisted on sleeping with you just in case you needed help in the middle of the night. You didn’t complain and in fact, loved his company. He often smothered you in tons of kisses before you slept and gave you so many pillows to support your legs and back while you slept.

He loved pampering you and honestly, who wouldn’t love a happy girlfriend?

“It’s time to sleep, love. Get off that Sherlock book of yours.” He chided playfully and snatched it from your hands before vanishing it into thin air.

You whined but was cut off with a peck on the lips, on each of your cheeks, on your forehead, on your chin, on your nose and on your lips again.

“Sleep tight, darling. I love you.”

“I love you too.” You giggled, snuggling closer to him.

I love you so much.

[feenyreadscomics]

Rosaries, Part 2

Part one has been published! Rosaries is a fanfic feat. Steve Rogers (MCU) and Matt Murdock (comics adjacent). In this they exist in the same world, no dimension hopping required. Enjoy!

Matt was having a bad day.

No, bad day was an understatement. It was terrible. The worst.

Firstly, yesterday involved fighting the Hand. Which always sucked. (It would be so much easier if the ninjas would just. Stay dead.) During that fight, Matt got stabbed. Nothing major, but ya know, Matt didn't like feeling like a jelly donut. And the Ramirez case was turning pear shaped. And Karen called in sick. Which. Ugh. It would mean Matt needing to do more research, which...if the courts were actually willing to be ADA compliant, it would be far easier than it actually was. And Matt can't exactly sue the entire justice system.

Then Stilt man showed up. Stilt man isnt exactly a problem, just...Stilt man. Like, Matt has to stop him, but Stilt man doesn't do damage. Today he was attempting to rob a bodega. A bodega.

And just when Matt thought today was done, that maybe he could get a good night's sleep for once, frog monsters, and consequently, the Avengers, showed up.

Tall, blond(?), and handsome(?) included. Or at the very least, tall and loaded with muscles. Which possibly posed a problem. Matt doubted saying he had a twin would work, if Steve put the pieces together. So it goes.

The frog monsters themselves were giving him a hard time. They had quite the jump, and Matt's best hope of killing them was to grab onto a leg, and smack it with a billy club.

This was slightly more effective then hitting them with a pool noodle.

The day of suckitude culminated with Matt losing his grip on one of the frogs, and falling into a dumpster. With Hawkeye. But at least Hawkeye was useful, and just using the dumpster as cover, and "could one hundred percent get out, I just prefer to have protection on all four sides." Clint's heartrate spiked a bit. Lies from the archer man.

On the other hand, it's not like Matt was being super helpful as is. So he sat and waited. This is dumb. Why can't the Avengers keep their intergalactic weirdness to themselves? Matt was snapped out of his sulking by Hawkeye.

"Hey, Diablo! Can you check and see if Stark is coming over here."

"Can't you?"

"I'm a little busy!" Hawkeye fired a few exploding arrows.

"Fuck my life," Matt muttered.

"Is Stark coming in or not? Cuz I'm almost tapped out!"

Matt grabbed Hawkeye by the waist and threw him out of the dumpster.

"What the shit, Daredevil!"

Matt didn't respond, but vaulted himself over the side of the dumpster, grabbed Hawkeye's wrist, and ran.

The duo zigzagged, narrowly avoiding being squashed, when Matt smelled a distinctive smell. One of radiation, testosterone, and bananas. One of... a rare smell. But unmistakable. Steve.

Matt turned around, nearly ripping Hawkeye's arm out of his socket. Steve had a shield, and would most likely be able to direct them to safety. Assuming Steve wasn't in the middle of a fight. Or got hurt. Matt tried not to think too hard about the second one.

Matt, of course, had the luck of a broken mirror. Steve was down, unconscious. "Hawkeye, can you support Steve's head while I pick him up and walk?"

"On it." Steve was picked up and draped over Matt's back. Hawkeye cradled Steve's head.

"Can you contact anyone?" Matt hissed.

"Nope. Comms are down."

"Ok, I've got a burner phone in my right pocket, can you grab it?" Hawkeye obliged.

"Dude I think your phone is broken. The screen won't turn on."

"Take Steve, be careful not to jostle his ribs, he has a few broken ones on his left, give me the phone, I'll make the call."

"How do you even..." Hawkeye grunted as Steve's weight was placed on his shoulders.

"Phone." Hawkeye handed it over.

"Hey Claire, I have an injured friend- no we cant get to a hospital, there are mutated frogs- he has broken ribs and a sprained ankle- I know you have to work the night shift, I don't know who to ask- see you in a few." Daredevil moved his attention to Hawkeye. "Follow me."

--

After some finagling, a two block sprint, and a long multi floor walk, the trio arrived at Claire's apartment.

Clint knocked.

"Come in!" The door swung open. Inside were two women. One of them was extremely pale, with shoulder length black hair. The other was dark skinned, and had her hair pulled back.

"Lay him down on the couch," one of the women instructed Matt. "Linda, can you get the icepacks?" She must be Claire.

The pale skinned, dark haired woman, hurried to the freezer, and grabbed the ice packs.

"Ok, now tell me, what were his injuries again?"

"Cracked ribs, dislocated shoulder, probably a concussion, and a sprained ankle."

"When you found him, was he conscious?" Claire asked.

"Nope," Daredevil responded.

Linda, Claire, and Daredevil settled around Steve. Claire would give orders to Daredevil and Linda, moreso to Linda. Daredevil was able to give a large amount of information on Steve's injuries to Claire, which Hawkeye was both grateful for and disturbed by. Daredevil shouldn't be able to tell Steve was injured (especially the twisted ankle...how the hell could he tell Steve twisted his ankle? they didn't see him walk or anything) but could.

Once most of Steve's injuries were treated, Linda turned to Clint.

"Is he injured?"

"Nope," Daredevil replied.

"Ok. Since I'm not going to get an answer as to wheather or not you are injured. Shirt. Off."

"My dear, I save that for the second date." Daredevil smirked.

"Fine. Go die in a ditch. See if I care." Linda began making tea. "Tea?"

"Sure." Daredevil responded.

"I'll take one as well," Hawkeye also said.

"A tea here," came a voice from the living room. "I'm also want to try to wake your friend up. How would I do that?"

Clint piped up. "I'll do it." He walked over to Steve. He gently shook Steve's shoulder. "Steve, wake up. We need you up Steve. Steven! Steve!" Clint gradually got louder, and the shoulder shaking more violent. Clint then had an idea. "Can I get a glass of cold water?"

Linda got a glass. "Ok everyone, stand back." Clint threw the glass of water over Steve's face. He woke up violently with a shudder, and was just about to smash Clint when he looked around, and stopped.

"Where am I?" Cap slowly lowered his fist.

"You're safe, you're in one of Daredevil's friend's houses. We carried you over after you got concussed."

"Ah. And who are the two fine ladies here?"

Claire stepped forward. "My name is Claire. I'm a surgeon. My roommate, Linda, is a nurse."

Steve moved to stand up, but Claire quickly walked over and shushed him down. "Steve, you have a concussion. You are not getting up from this couch until I know you have somewhere to go. I, or possibly Double D, will fight you." Steve laughed.

"As if either of you can take me," Steve countered.

"Considering I dragged your ass here, and you have a concussion, I think I can take you," Daredevil smirked.

"Language!" Steve paused for a bit "I'm so...tired."

"That's why we gotta stay here, and you have to stay awake!" Hawkeye interjected.

"Can I get Tony to pick me up?" Steve asked.

Claire sighed. "Look, I would prefer to not have a bunch of superheroes knocking on my door. I know Linda dosen't care, but we already have Double D and Luke Cage coming through here, and now a few of the Goddamn Avengers have shown up-"

"I typically get treated at Stark Tower-

"And I would like some privacy, please and thank you. So no official Avengers, please."

Steve snapped his fingers. "Sam? Would he be fine?"

"Who's he?"

"Falcon?"

"Fine."

"Ok. Can I borrow someone's phone? I need to make a phone call."

--

About fifteen minutes later Daredevil started helping Claire and Linda clean up. Thirty seconds later there was a knock at the door. Linda opened it.

"Hello! You must be Sam! I'm Linda. Your friend is back here. She started guiding him to the couch. Hes gonna need help walking for a bit, but should be fine. Talk to Double D if you need help. He will be able to contact us if needed."

"Steve, ya ready to walk?" Steve grunted back.

"Ok. Hawkeye and Sam are going to help you, ok?" Steve nodded, then grimaced.

Clint and Sam took an arm each, and lifted him to his feet. "Thank you so much. We wont bother you again," Clint said.

"It was no trouble," Linda replied.

"Daredevil, ya coming with?" Sam asked.

"No. I'd prefer to stay off Tony's radar."

"Understandably. Have a good day!"

Sam, Clint, and Steve shuffled out. They loaded up, and Sam started driving.

"That Daredevil is a weird one," Steve proclaimed.

"Yeah. I think he's a religious nut. He had me go for his phone when he was carrying you, and I think I felt a rosary in the same pocket. Also, his phone was kinda broken" Clint chimed.

"Wait... what?"

"No way. The Catholic church tends to frown on pretending to be the devil."

"I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. I felt a crucifix and everything."

"Huh. If he is Catholic, I wonder what kind of priest he has, considering he seems to think that dressing up like the devil is ok, morally speaking." Steve continued to ponder this. Daredevil looked familiar, but he couldn't tell if he had actually seen Daredevil as a civilian, or if it was based on those YouTube videos.

But it's not like Steve had gotten a good look at Daredevil's face. Still...Catholic?

Steve wondered if he could invite Daredevil to Mass. Daredevil couldn't be practicing, as no priest would condone that costume. And what was with the phone?

Steve pondered it, as he started to nod off.

Thank you for reading! A few things for explanation: 1. Claire Temple in the TV show is a mashup of Claire Temple, doctor and love interest to Luke Cage, and Linda Carter, nurse and aid to various superheroes. I figured having the comics version, where they are two separate people, made more sense, as a. If someone got stabbed, a surgeon would be able to treat it. A nurse wouldn't. And b. Having two people on call would be easier on them than one person. (I made Claire specifically a surgeon, as far as I'm aware that isnt canon). 2. The broken phone thing. Since Matt is blind, he has accessibility features on his phone. He also doesn't need the screen to be on, so he turned it off in his settings. This saves his battery, but makes it inoperable for Clint. Tommy Edison has a video on how he uses a touch screen phone, and Matt has the same features enabled (Matt likes having his phone like this also because sighted people struggle to use it. Foggy can, but that's pretty much the only sighted person Matt has instructed on how to use his phone.) There will be a part 3, and Steve will eventually figure it out.

[zrtranscripts]

Radio Abel, Season Six

Part 4 of 6

The following section takes place after S6M20, "Peacekeeper"

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Hello, ci-ti-zens! Have we got a treat for you.

ZOE CRICK: He's using the word "treat" very loosely.

JODY MARSH: Thanks!

ZOE CRICK: My pleasure.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: With us in the studio is Abel's very own Jody Marsh! Former interim commander-in-chief, and now... um...

JODY MARSH: Just another Abel runner.

ZOE CRICK: Oh, there's nothing just about being an Abel runner. And anyway, you've got a scheme or two of your own going on, haven't you? A little birdy tells me about a certain transmitter you've been building?

PHIL CHEESEMAN: [laughs] Which makes sense. Transmitters make good perches for birds.

ZOE CRICK: It wasn't a literal bird, Phil.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: No, I know. I'm just saying, actual birds would also be well informed about Jody's transmitter.

JODY MARSH: Now that you mention it, we did have a seagull nest in it.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: See?

JODY MARSH: Only we had to get rid of it because it was interfering with the signal.

ZOE CRICK: Oh, but nothing happened to the chicks, right? You definitely rehomed them in as untraumatic a way as possible?

JODY MARSH: Yeah, because I knew you'd never speak to me again if I didn't. And I picked this next song especially for the baby seagulls!

ZOE CRICK: Aw!

PHIL CHEESEMAN: I've seen the plans for that transmitter of yours, Jody. It's an impressive bit of kit.

JODY MARSH: Thanks. I mean, it's a real botch job, but it does the trick. It's let us set up UK-wide comms with a whole bunch of settlements that were cut off from contact before.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Such a weird thought. You know, there are people out there who've got no idea what's been going on in the rest of the country. I mean, yeah, they've probably noticed the zoms. But the Minister and all the rest of it?

ZOE CRICK: Yeah. And as soon as we fill them in, they'll probably decide she's the best thing since sliced bread. Everyone else seems to think that.

JODY MARSH: It's just the cure. You can't blame people for wanting it.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: I do a bit. Wrong's wrong, whatever it's got to offer you.

JODY MARSH: But they don't know it's wrong. That's the thing. That's why my transmitter's so important. If we could just talk to people. That's what it's all about in the end, talking. You can fight your enemies from dawn until dusk, but until you change their minds, they'll just rise up again in the morning.

ZOE CRICK: Hm. A bit like zombies, in fact.

JODY MARSH: It's not just the UK, either. I'm hoping to get a booster that will let us speak to other countries. The whole world! If I can manage it.

ZOE CRICK: That would be amazing. We could find out what's going on in... well, I don't know. Outer Mongolia!

PHIL CHEESEMAN: We could broadcast the show to them.

JODY MARSH: Lucky Outer Mongolia. Oh! They'd get to listen to something like this!

ZOE CRICK: It must be weird, though.

JODY MARSH: What?

ZOE CRICK: Being in charge and then having Janine come back and suddenly you're [laughs] taking orders again.

JODY MARSH: Not really. I mean, I'd probably do what Janine said even if she wasn't officially in charge. She's just got that sort of personality.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: That's true. She made some comments about my hair getting long the other day and Zoe had to talk me out of getting it buzz cut. Just didn't want to disappoint her.

ZOE CRICK: I'd hate to have had your job, though, Jody. I mean, all that responsibility! [laughs] I can barely take care of myself, let alone half the country.

JODY MARSH: It's funny. I thought I'd find it dead stressful, and it was, but I kinda liked it.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Inner control freak coming out?

JODY MARSH: No! Well, yeah. I'm not saying I'm not a big old bossy boots, but it was more than that. It made me feel good knowing I was helping people.

ZOE CRICK: You've always helped people, though. You've saved more lives than I've had hot dinners, and I like my food.

JODY MARSH: I've done my bit, but it's easy doing what you're told, isn't it? Making the decisions, the hard decisions, that's a whole different thing. When you do that so other people don't have to, it's like you're... I don't know, uh, lifting this huge burden off them, and they don't even know it. So I'm glad I did it, but I'm glad Janine's carrying it now, as well.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Well, this one's for you, Janine De Luca. We all owe you one.

BERNARD PRIOR: Fairest listeners, good morrow to you! And what a zippy tune! Did you bliss out? I believe that's the lingo. You might think ruddy old Bernard has never been to a right old rave-up. And you'd be right. But I have been to a concert or two where the bass drums were off the hook. [laughs] Just my little joke. I'm actually very fond of The Smiths in my more soft-shoed moments. More tunes, vicar?

BERNARD PRIOR: Now, as those delicate notes fade away, let's get down to business. Careful listeners, as I am confident you are aware, I, your humble host, doth occasionally attempt to bring a tot of political philosophy to the old airwaves, investigating how ancient ideas of governance and legislature apply to our savage realpolitik red in tooth and claw. However, it is with a heavy heart I must tell you that, as a mere radio presenter, I do have to abide by the diktats of my superiors. More on those diktats after this.

BERNARD PRIOR: So, word from on high is -

AMELIA SPENS: You need to be more accessible to the great unwashed, B.

BERNARD PRIOR: Oh, Amelia. You're here. And could you please watch your phrasing? Many of my listeners have suffered through soap rationing.

AMELIA SPENS: Now Bernard, we have always had soap in Fort Canton. The people who said there was a soap shortage were not to be believed. Who would believe anyone who was so poorly groomed? Anyway, your show going forward. I like to think of it as a sympathetic refurbishment of a well-loved classic. A stylish new jacket on a saggy old body.

BERNARD PRIOR: My show hardly needs refurbishing, or as I suspect, completely demolishing and replacing with a shopping arcade.

AMELIA SPENS: You need to be accessible! Enough of this political philosophy claptrap.

BERNARD PRIOR: One does wonder what could be more accessible, dear hearts, than the machinations of our very systems of governance.

AMELIA SPENS: One word: ratings. Ratings are the powers that be in this game, and Fort Canton Today needs to be more populist, reach a little further than the metropolitan elite. You need to lower your common denominator. Which is why from now on, this show will be mainly movie reviews.

BERNARD PRIOR: Film reviews. I think you'll find in England, we call them films.

AMELIA SPENS: Oh, whatever. Good grief. And stop sulking! This reboot comes with perks.

BERNARD PRIOR: I'm delighted to let you know, listeners, Amelia is referring to a glittering stack of old VHS cassettes and a top-loading player supplied to old Bernard precisely for such noble pursuits. [sighs] So stay tuned, fragrant listeners, for Bernard's government-sanctioned thoughts on flicks.

AMELIA SPENS: Oh, cheer up, B! You might enjoy it.

BERNARD PRIOR: Could it not at least be the high arts? Opera, ballet, classical music. Something to delight the senses, something I can bring a bit of my special Bernard magic to. A sprinkling of wonder.

AMELIA SPENS: Oh, I think this will be magical enough for anyone.

BERNARD PRIOR: And there's no, I don't know, conflict of interest here?

AMELIA SPENS: Whatever do you mean?

BERNARD PRIOR: Are you, Miss Spens, using your political position to influence the media in a way that benefits your personal business interests?

AMELIA SPENS: Bernard, you need to stop listening to the haters.

ZOE CRICK: So, a little birdy told me that you went on a date last night.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Is this the same birdy that kept you informed about Jody's transmitter?

ZOE CRICK: Yeah. [laughs] It's a birdy with a wide and varied range of interests. A renaissance birdy, if you will. So, how did it go?

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Oh, it was lovely!

ZOE CRICK: Really?

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Yeah! It was so funny. When she saw me, she flung her arms straight around me.

ZOE CRICK: Wow. Quick worker.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Turned out I looked just like her brother who's been missing since Day Zero.

ZOE CRICK: Oh.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Yeah! So then she had a bit of a cry, and then she took me back to her room.

ZOE CRICK: Oh. More promising.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: To look at all these family albums she'd managed to save. It was really moving.

ZOE CRICK: Right. Then did you shag?

PHIL CHEESEMAN: What? No! I look like her brother. That would be weird.

ZOE CRICK: So when you said it was lovely, you actually meant it was a complete disaster?

PHIL CHEESEMAN: No, she's a really nice person! I hope we can be friends.

ZOE CRICK: [laughs] Philip Cheeseman, what am I going to do with you?

BERNARD PRIOR: Hail, gentle listeners. Ahoy-hoy and aloha and welcome. Barricade those windows, sit back, crack open your ration packs, and get ready for muster. Point of interest, your intrepid raconteur Bernaldo has received many a missive about our upcoming change of tack. I am of course delighted to report that I've had a fair number of angry screeds lamenting the loss of my political insights.

For example, "Are you being silenced?" writes Heartbroken in Radial. Oh, Broken, I can assure you, Bernard will never be silenced by the Man! Or the Woman.

STEVE SISSAY: Hello, loves. Welcome back to A Guide to Effective Problem-Solving and Conflict Resolution, an audio series with me, your explosive host, Steve Sissay. I'm going to be talking to you about one of my two favorite things, explosives. And perhaps you can have a guess at the other one while you listen to this.

TEVE SISSAY: So, time for a few basics. There are three ways to make an explosion. There's a chemical reaction. That's your old nitroglycerin, your Semtex, your C-4, all based on reactions that release a hell of a lot of energy. That's why we like to make sure we stand well back. Never return to a bomb once the fuse is lit. [laughs]

Then you have your pressure releases, gas canisters and so on. And of course, finally, we have nukes. Eh, fair enough, when that's the effect you want. But for my money, they lack intimacy. I don't like to be reckless. Well, I do like to be a little reckless sometimes. But when I do blow something up, I do like to feel the heat on my face. That's a lot less fun with a nuke.

STEVE SISSAY: I know what you're thinking. All right, sunshine, nice talk, but how do I get my paws on them? And for that, you're going to have to consider an age-old question: shop bought or homemade? Give it a ponder.

STEVE SISSAY: Okay, so you've decided you want the ready-mades first. Sensible choice for the busy saboteur on the run. So where are you going to get them? Everyone's first thought: Army bases! Only trouble with that? It was everyone's first thought. If you can find an Army munitions store that isn't cleared out or occupied, you're a better forager than me. And trust me, you're not a better forager than me. Besides, come a little closer. Let uncle Steven tell you a little something. There's someone out there who had a lot more explosives stock-piled than the Army. See if you can work out who it is during this.

STEVE SISSAY: [laughs] Okay, okay. No more suspense. Where's the best place to hunt down explosives? Well, loves, it's mines. Old mines! The mining industry used more explosives than anyone, and a lot of mines are abandoned with fully-stocked storerooms. So grab yourself a hard hat and go mining for your own treasure.  Fill your boots with lovely, lovely ammonium nitrate emulsions. Now be careful none of the cartridges are leaking, and maybe don't actually put them in your boots. Bring a metal box with you.

ZOE CRICK: Are those bags I can see under your eyes?

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Mm. [sips coffee] Maybe.

ZOE CRICK: They definitely are. And that's your third cup of coffee. Was someone out late last night?

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Yes, fine. I was on a date last night.

ZOE CRICK: Ooh, and it was a late one!

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Well, the weather's been so nice, I thought we could go for a moonlight picnic.

ZOE CRICK: Nice! You've got game.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Yeah, but I think the game in question might be Ludo.

ZOE CRICK: Oh God, what happened?

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Well, I thought it would be slightly less romantic if any zombies joined us for the picnic, so we did it inside Abel grounds.

ZOE CRICK: So far, so sensible.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: I took Christine around the back of the strawberry fields. Only no one told me Janine had been using it as a training ground for new runners.

ZOE CRICK: Your date's still alive, right?

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Yeah, but we stumbled over this, uh, trap Janine had put on the path.

ZOE CRICK: Oh, bloody hell.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: It's okay. I saw it in time and shouted at her to mind out.

ZOE CRICK: Oh, thank goodness.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Only me shouting gave her such a shock, she tripped and fell in one of Janine's camouflaged pits. She broke her collarbone and her left leg. 

ZOE CRICK: It's like you've got this special talent for disaster.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Mm. Maxine says she's going to be fine. She's in quite a lot of pain, though. I swapped all those Ordnance Survey maps I've been hoarding for enough morphine to see her through. But understandably, she's not that keen on seeing me. So, um... [sips coffee] this one's by way of an apology.

BERNARD PRIOR: And I have another communiqué here that begins "Mon Cher Bernard." Oh. Excuse me, listeners. This is perhaps my first frisky fanmail. I was warned this would happen, but it had actually been a longer wait than I understood was usual. Of course, in the interest of chivalry, I can't share most of it, but I will say thank you to – oh, let me see who it's from.

Oh. Goodness. Margot. Margot, I... Gosh. Listeners, I must inform you, in the interest of radio transparency, that I am blushing. Oh my. And there's a P.S. here. "I must tell you, Bernard, that although I suggested we should meet, it will be difficult as I am currently in Chalk Valley." Oh. Oh no.

STEVE SISSAY: You're listening to Steve Sissay, and this is A Guide to Effective Problem-Solving and Conflict Resolution. That wasn't my first choice of title, by the way. I wanted to call the show Going Kaboom! With Steve Sissay. But um, yeah. Some people thought that was a little frivolous.

STEVE SISSAY: Now before I move on to talking about DIY explosions, I've had a letter from a listener. I'm broadcasting from a highly secret location, so there are really only a handful of people this could be from, listeners. I know who I hope it's from. [paper rustles] Ah yes. "Dear Steven, what is your favorite kind of explosion?" Well now, [laughs] I think that's a rather personal question, but I'll see if I can think of an answer suitable to broadcast during this song.

STEVE SISSAY: There is one kind of explosion I love maybe more than all the others. It's not one that has a lot of practical applications, but it is glorious. Say it with me: dust explosion. Have you ever seen a great pyrotechnic effect in a movie? The way the air seems to catch fire. That's not actually what it'd look like if you planted Semtex. But to get that beautiful effect, they often use the technique of suddenly igniting a high concentration of flammable particles in the air. 

Ever heard of a grain silo explosion? Same thing. Dust in the air suddenly catching light all at once. Beautiful. And often fatal. Not something you're often able to use to your advantage, but if there's a high concentration of organic particles in the air and you've got a suitable source of ignition, it could be time for a light show.

STEVE SISSAY: Back to DIY. Of course, it used to be that if you tried to leave your local DIY store with a trolley full of fertilizer and drain cleaner, you'd get your credit card details passed to GCHQ. Nowadays, it's easy pickings. Life's a lot simpler when you don't have to queue at the checkout. DIY downsize, or of course, fighting zombies in the aisles. Although I always feel if I'm going to fight zombies, a shop that sells chainsaws is the place to do it.

ZOE CRICK: So?

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Don't.

ZOE CRICK: How did the date go?

PHIL CHEESEMAN: I know what you're asking. Don't.

ZOE CRICK: Oh, you can't tell me this one went badly. I spent weeks finding Lulu for you. She was your perfect woman. For God's sake, she even likes The Alan Parsons Project. Do you know rare that is in a person who's otherwise sane?

PHIL CHEESEMAN: I know. That was the problem. She was too perfect. Started worrying I was going to mess it up. So I chickened out and canceled the date.

ZOE CRICK: Okay. Well, that's pathetic, but not disastrous. You just need to arrange another one.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Yeah, but the thing is... when I was radioing her to tell her I couldn't come, I couldn't think of an excuse, so um... I told her I had – [whispers] genital warts.

ZOE CRICK: You what?!

PHIL CHEESEMAN: I panicked. It's the first thing I thought of.

ZOE CRICK: You needed an excuse, and that was the first thing that came to mind? No, don't tell me why. I don't want to know.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: So obviously I can't ask her out now.

ZOE CRICK: But you don't have - 

[speaking simultaneously]

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Don't say it! 

ZOE CRICK: - genital warts!

[speaking in turn]

ZOE CRICK: Okay, but you don't have the thing you won't let me say.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: I know.

ZOE CRICK: So tell her. Or I'll tell her. I mean, that's not a conversation I ever wanted to have, but for the sake of your love life, I'll do it.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Oh, thanks, but there's no point. My name is now indelibly associated in her mind with... that. It's bound to be a bit of a passion-killer.

ZOE CRICK: [sighs] I despair. All right, listeners, this one's for anyone out there who really is suffering from... that

BERNARD PRIOR: You know what I miss about the old days, listeners? Ah, so many things. The Times crossword. Not that old Bern completed more than a clue or two, and that was on a good day. But it was a comfort to know it was there. A stroll though the woods in autumn. A pot of cocoa with nutmeg on top. And call me a nostalgic old fool, but I do miss being able to visit long lost true loves without several sets of travel papers. You know, the simple things.

BERNARD PRIOR: Dearest friends, I have to confess, Bernard is no movie buff. I can enjoy a night at the flicks as much as anyone, of course. I have a soul. I can be moved. But I would not call myself a connoisseur of the art of the motion picture. However, I watched Jurassic Park last night, and I did find it rather jolly. And surprisingly, full of practical tips. Stay tuned. My full review after this.

BERNARD PRIOR: So, fateful friends, Jurassic Park. Quite the survival guide. Are there so many differences between a Tyrannosaurus rex and a large zombie? Maybe not. Should we all take the time to learn how to reboot a Unix system? Perhaps not all of us. That would surely be overkill.

But never underestimate taking a nerd of some description on your raiding party. Who knows when you'll need to break into a computerized system or reconfigure the power grid? Mr. Spielburg sending a worthwhile lesson to us all, I think. And as for philosophy, there was much to muse on. Life will find a way, eh, Mr. Goldblum? But whose life, ours or theirs? 

Jurassic Park was quite the timely reminder that our world has been a home to great change already. The seasons turn, as do the dominant species'. Bernie's rating: four shining stars. Heavens above. Now Amelia Spens, our glorious benefactor, tells me it's imperative I inform you that the VHS cassette of Jurassic Park is available to rent from Fort Canton General Stores for a modest fee.

STEVE SISSAY: I've had another letter. From the handwriting, this is from the same person, and uh – [paper rustles] Ah, yes. [laughs] You want to know about the explosions that aren't fit for broadcast? [laughs] Excuse me, listeners. I'm going to have to take this one off-air.

AMELIA SPENS: How's it going, Mr. B?

BERNARD PRIOR: Oh! A surprise visit, dear heart. How thoughtful. I reviewed a film. Did you hear?

AMELIA SPENS: I did. Excellent job. There is really no need to reference zombies so much. It's not like we're going to forget about them as we run from hordes of them, have to kill our loved ones who've turned into them, and scavenge for food in an unimaginable hellscape.

BERNARD PRIOR: I've not noticed you doing any of those things.

AMELIA SPENS: Well, of course not. I have no loved ones.

BERNARD PRIOR: Shrewd as ever.

AMELIA SPENS: Thank you. But please try and remember, people tune in to Fort Canton Today for escapism. Bread and circuses, B.

BERNARD PRIOR: That's all very well, but how about subjects relevant to peoples' lives?

AMELIA SPENS: Oh, like what? Another lecture on the thoughts of Desmond Hume?

BERNARD PRIOR: David Hume.

AMELIA SPENS: People have enough mortal threats to worry about without you boring them to death.

BERNARD PRIOR: How about some investigative journalism?

AMELIA SPENS: [sighs] What do you have in mind?

BERNARD PRIOR: A deep dive into the free movement of people.

AMELIA SPENS: I can't do anything about the wall.

BERNARD PRIOR: How about Chalk Valley?

AMELIA SPENS: Chalk Valley voted to take themselves out of our free state coalition. And if they don't want people from Radial moving there, we can't really let people from Chalk Valley go wherever they want, can we? They've made their position clear, and if they like isolation so much, let's leave them to it.

BERNARD PRIOR: Ahoy-hoy to thee, fragrant listeners. It is I, your genial host and humble servant, Bernard Prior, bringing you all you need to know about life in New – Fort Canton. Welcome once more to Fort Canton Today.

And hark, fellow Cantonians. I've had another missive from a treasured listener. In this particular case, the rather improbably named Quiffy Boy. Well met, young Quiffy, who writes, "Dear Bernard, are you really a fan of The Smiths, or were you joking? If it was a joke, please do not joke about such things. Morrissey and Marr were a genius combination, the like of which we will never see again. On the other hand, if you are a fan, please tell us your favorite track. Regards, Quiffy Boy."

Well now, young Quiffy, perhaps this tune will answer your plaintive query.

BERNARD PRIOR: I am, of course, just joking. I adore Manchester's finest export, [?]. My favorite track... well, what difference does it make? [laughs] And you know Quiffy, as a boy, I had a pet rat called Morrissey. And handsome black and brown fellow he was, and so smart, he could have been a city stockbroker. Quite the furry adventurer, always mounting bold escapes from his cage and going to terrify Father or other such derring-do. Quite the devilish rogue, he was.

So named because on several of his bids for freedom, he was caught snacking on Mother's gladioli. I gave him a Viking burial on the local pond when he finally passed. Such a sight. That flaming shoebox sinking beneath the pondweed brought a soulful tear to the eye of your genial host's teenage self. [sniffs]

BERNARD PRIOR: And you know something, patient listeners? I threw a nubbin of best-aged Stilton into that pond every year until I left home for the big bad world. Good night, sweet Morrissey the rat, wherever you are now. This one's for you.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Hello, citizens. Thank you for tuning in to us today when we've got the beautiful and talented Jody Marsh back in the studio with us. She can knit a jumper like you wouldn't believe and has clocked some of the fastest times for the Macks Pharmacy run of any Abel runner.

JODY MARSH: Uh, thanks!

ZOE CRICK: [laughs] Don't worry. He's been practicing compliments. [whispers] For his dates.

JODY MARSH: [whispers] Oh, I see.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: [clears throat] Jody's here to talk about the political situation in our country today.

JODY MARSH: Am I?

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Uh... yep. We're a nation divided along complicated social and political lines, and you're here to give Abel's perspective on the current situation?

JODY MARSH: Oh. Um, well, Zoe said she'd just run out of good jokes, and would I mind coming on the show and spouting any old nonsense for a few minutes until she thinks up some more?

ZOE CRICK: To be fair, that is actually a direct quote.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Right. Well, I don't think that's really a great use of Radio Name Pending's airtime, so we'll be back with some serious discussion right after this.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: That song was chosen by Jody Marsh, former commander-in-chief of Abel Township, who's with us in the studio right now.

ZOE CRICK: Jody's here to talk about the current socioeconomic situation, apparently.

JODY MARSH: Uh, actually, I was thinking. I can bang on about Abel's side of things and Abel's version of the story until the cows come home, but the only people who'll believe me are the ones who already do.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: That's not true.

JODY MARSH: No, I think it is. So maybe I could just answer peoples' questions on Rofflenet? You can do that, right? Get people to send in questions?

ZOE CRICK: Oh, definitely. Although... if they're anything like the name suggestions we've had -

JODY MARSH: Well, I'll take the chance.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Okay. Yeah. Yeah, I like that. All right, citizens. If you've got a question for Jody Marsh -

JODY MARSH: Any question at all, really.

ZOE CRICK: Any question broadcastable on a family show.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Uh, send it to us on Rofflenet, and Jody'll answer you. In the meantime, have you got another tune for us, Jody?

JODY MARSH: Yeah. This is one that – actually, this one always makes me think of Runner Five, Abel's head of runners. Hope you enjoy it.

ZOE CRICK: Welcome back, listeners. And some of you have been very quick off the mark because we've got our first question for Jody Marsh, Abel Township's former commander-in-chief.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: And the first question is... oh. Uh, I'm not sure I should read that.

JODY MARSH: I said I'd answer anything.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Oh it's, well... Okay. "Where do you get off fighting the Minister when all she wants to do is unite the country and get us back on our feet? You should be ashamed of yourself."

ZOE CRICK: I'm not sure there's actually much of a question in there.

JODY MARSH: No, there is. And it's a good one. Because what we're doing is creating more chaos than if we weren't doing it. If we just surrendered, the country would be more peaceful, but the thing is, it wouldn't be more free and it wouldn't be more fair. The price the Minister wants for peace is much too high. She won't settle for anything less than total obedience. And once she's got it, once she can do whatever she wants, you'll find out what she's really like.

Whoever you are that asked that question, you've only seen her nice face because right now, you're not a threat to her. But step out of line and you'll see the Sigrid we here at Abel have known all along: the monster who can kill and torture without conscience. That's why we don't surrender, why we'll never surrender. We want to save anyone else from having to face that monster.

ZOE CRICK: Yeah. Yeah. That's exactly right. Jody'll be back to answer more questions right after this.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Ah, thank God. This is a much nicer question. "Jody, if you could go back to the world before the zombies for just one day, what would you do?

JODY MARSH: I'd spend it with my family.

ZOE CRICK: Oh, that's a rubbish answer.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Zoe!

ZOE CRICK: No, but I mean, we'd all spend it with our families. Of course we would. I mean, apart from people who had really awful families, and they'd probably spend it with their friends. But what would you actually do? One day, the old world, no zoms. The world's your oyster.

JODY MARSH: Okay. I need to have a think about that.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Don't go anywhere, citizens!