#blue lock chapter 115

[ryozeroswim]

Blue Lock chapter 115 page 15 coloring

DON’T REPOST | NO ROBAR | DON’T STEAL

art made by yusuke nomura, coloring made by me

Tw: Ryo_Zeroswim

Ig: Ryo_Zeroswim

Yt: Ryo_Zeroswim

[bluelockverse]

☆ 𝕀𝕥𝕠𝕤𝕙𝕚 𝕊𝕒𝕖 ℂ𝕠𝕝𝕠𝕣𝕖𝕕 ☆

》 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟏𝟓

[nagipops]

SWEET NOTHINGS, BITTER ENDINGS PART II.

SUMMARY: in which your precious life is ended through a cruel twist of fate by your beloved brother.

WARNINGS: blood, profanity + SPOILERS for KNY chapter 115

A/N: link to part one.

He heard a deafening roar cry out from a distance away as crows frantically flapped out of the trees and into the sky above.

A demon?

Sheathing his blade, the hashira began to sprint to the source of the noise coming from the east.

The first scent he picked up on was blood. It was faint, but it was there. But it wasn’t demon blood.

Human blood?

As he continued to travel east, heart racing, he heard crashing up ahead and quickly dove into a nearby bush to scout out the intruder. Narrowing his eyes, he spotted a flash of pink and green. Mitsuri?

He cautiously searched the area for any signs of demons before following after the pink haired girl.

“Kanroji!” he barked as the girl’s head perked up at the sound of her name. She whipped around, her green eyes lighting with relief.

“Sanemi!” She bounded over to him, grasping his shoulders tightly with shaking arms. "Sanemi, where did (Y/N) go? Did you meet up with her?"

His veins turned to ice. The human blood he smelled. The spine-chilling roar he heard.

Sanemi opened his mouth to speak, but all he could manage was a petrified shake of his head.

The light green eyes facing him widened with fear. "Oh, god... oh god oh god oh god..." She snapped out of her horrified trance as another pained howl pierced through the midnight air and her eyes locked with the wind hashira's once more. Steeling their gazes, the two pillars sped off to the direction of the noise.

If there was one thing Sanemi wished to erase from his memory forever, it would be the sight of his mother, a feral demon ripping her own children to shreds with her own fangs and claws.

If there was another thing Sanemi wished to erase from his memory forever, it would be the horrific scene splayed out in front of him.

Thick ash billowing into the air. The rancid stench of rotten flesh and blood.

The sight of his little sister crouching on the ground.

With pearly white skin.

With raking, hooked claws.

With red, watery eyes.

With glinting ivory fangs.

With the scent of a demon flowing from her body, her limbs, her breaths,

Her blood.

The wind hashira stood paralyzed to the ground, mortified at what he was seeing with his own two eyes.

His little sister.

A demon.

This couldn’t be happening. Not again.

“S-sanemi...” a soft whisper sounded from his right. He slowly turned his head to find the love hashira’s horrified gaze locked onto the demon in front of her. “She’s— she...”

Mitsuri began to collapse to the ground, but not before Sanemi could wrap his arms around her frail, trembling body, his mouth still agape.

“What do we do?” she whimpered weakly, still staring in shock at her sister— no, the demon in front of her. “Sanemi, what do we—”

“I don’t know!” he snarled, vengeance and frustration bubbling within his body. Not again. This was not happening to him again. Setting down the girl onto her feet, shuddering hands moved to the sheath of his blade. “She’s— she’s a demon. We... we have to.”

“No!” Mitsuri cried, tackling him to the ground. “Stop! She’s our sister!”

Sanemi clenched his teeth with such resentment that you could hear them scraping against each other. “You think I don’t know that?!” he shouted at his comrade, his harsh voice breaking in his throat. “You think I want to do this?!”

Tears spilled from the green eyes hovering over him, but no words escaped her lips. Her head shook softly, unable to grasp the fact that this was reality. This was real. This wasn’t some cruel nightmare. Her sister was a demon.

Mitsuri fell to the ground as the white-haired pillar shoved past her shoulder, drawing his blade as he stared down the growling demon in front of him.

“(Y-Y/N)...” His knuckles turned white as he gripped the handle of his sword, gritting his teeth. “You idiot...”

Just then, a flash of purple materialized in front of him and the scent of flora clouded his senses.

“Shinazugawa-san,” the lilting voice warned. “Please step back.”

Sanemi growled, his furious eyes clouding with the urge to shove away the small girl in front of him.

An iron grip suddenly clutched at the sleeve of his haori.

“Stop.” The wind hashira heard the voice he loathed so much speak resolutely into his ear.

“Piss off!” he barked, snapping his arm to release it from the water pillar’s grip. But it was no use, as the hashira’s hold stayed firm. “I’m the only one who can do this! None of you have had to kill your own family members before!”

Giyuu’s eyebrows furrowed with bitterness as he pinned his comrade’s arms behind his back. “That’s enough. We’re taking her back to headquarters to consult with Ubuyashiki. The mission is over.”

The rest of the hashira stared down at the demon in front of them in horror.

The determined eyes, the confident smile, the warm aura of a little sister...

It was all gone.

“A demon...” the stone pillar wept, clasping his hands together and sending a silent prayer to the heavens for their lost sister.

The youngest pillar narrowed his eyes at the demon. “She’s not human at all any more, is she?”

Giyuu pulled on the rope restraining her, shaking his head. “She was... she was trying to speak while we brought her here,” he said softly, recalling how painful it was for the hashira to hear her pained screams and cries as they carried her home. “It seems like... she isn’t able to fully speak yet.”

The demon with the rope around her neck thrashed and snarled, baring her sharp white fangs and clawing at the hashira standing around her. Her catlike pupils dilating, she lunged forward at the flame pillar with a roar. “Rrrahh! He— hckk...” Giyuu tugged on the rope once more, stopping her just a few inches from Rengoku’s chest as she went limp.

“Rengoku-san!” Mitsuri cried, tears streaming down her cheeks. None of the hashira knew what to do with their sister. This monster in front of them.

How were they, the pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps, whose duty is to slay all demons, going to kill their own sister?

Did they have to?

“H-he-lp...”

All heads whipped to their sister crawling on the ground, her mouth agape and her red eyes watering.

“H-hel-p... end... m—”

Something shifted in her eyes. As if she was finally able to see clearly for the first time.

Her crimson orbs widened, her claws reaching to her pale face as though she was making sure she was real. She sat there, knees folded underneath her, touching and patting her demonic body with wonder.

The hashira locked eyes with each other in concern.

Has she regained consciousness? Would she turn malicious? Will she recognize who we are? Does she know we’re her siblings?

A broken sob pierced through the air as all of the pillars turned to the center of the circle once again.

One gnarly claw sat over her heart, the other covering her pale mouth. A steady flow of tears poured from her glistening scarlet eyes as she kept her gaze trained on the ground in front of her.

“I-I’m...”

Giyuu gazed at her with sorrow. Shinobu’s eyes filled with sympathy. Mitsuri clasped her hands over her mouth, letting out a sob. Obanai lightly touched her shoulder. Gyomei’s tears began to flow faster. Sanemi stood paralyzed with shock.

“A... de... mon...”

The wind hashira raised a shaking finger, pointing at his sister kneeling on the ground. “O-oi...” he started, his voice trembling. “She can— she can talk...”

Moving to crouch in front of the demon was the insect pillar who tentatively reached a cautious arm onto her bony white shoulder. “My little butterfly... Can you hear me?”

Crimson eyes slowly slid over to meet violet ones, tears still trickling out of them. Her head nodded at an excruciating pace, seemingly sapping all of her energy.

“Good. I am your older sister, Shinobu, and these are all of your siblings, you see?” Her soft, kind voice unwavered, as though she had comforted demons like this countless times during her life. She turned and swept one arm out to the hashira standing before her, the other trained firmly on the younger girl’s back.

Staring before you were the nine pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps. Your nine older siblings locked their grief-stricken eyes with yours. You could barely hear your sister's voice over the thumping sound of blood rushing through your body.

You were so thirsty. You were so tired. You just wanted to sleep. Forever.

“... friends, okay?” the soft voice carried you out of your thoughts. “(Y/N)? Are you still with us?”

You felt your lips part, but no sound came out. Panic rose throughout your body as you tried and failed, and tried and failed again to speak.

The hashira before you looked at each other in concern before the one behind you piped up. “Use your body to speak if you can,” the calm voice spoke. “I’ll keep her on the rope just in case.”

Your stinging eyes moved to meet with pained dark blue ones as his pale hands wrapped firmly around the rope your frail body was attached to.

Nodding slowly— gods, it was so painful— you reached a hand over to one side of your rope-bruised neck and dragged it over to your other side, making a cutting motion.

The hashira gaped at you in horror.

“You... you want us t-to kill you?” The white-haired male yelled, the pulsing veins in his blank eyes straining as they peered into yours.

They were red.

Blood.

You needed blood. You craved it so, so badly. You could feel it bubbling in your gut and spreading from the tips of your clawed toes to your pale white skull. You couldn’t live without blood.

Human blood.

It was everywhere. In a quarter of a millisecond, it was everywhere.

Blood.

Gushing out from a white haori-covered shoulder.

Right underneath your glinting fangs.

Oh, it was delicious.

Terrified screams and the clink of metal cried out from all around you.

But all you could focus on was the taste of blood.

Human blood.

A crack.

You were thrown onto your back. A rope pulled tautly around your neck. The butt of a sword staked right onto your chest.

You cheeks were wet. Why were they wet?

Your eyes stung so badly. Why did they sting?

A strained noise escaped from your throat against your will. “Do— it!”

The voice wasn’t your own.

This body wasn’t your own.

Who were you?

"DO IT!" a voice shrieked from inside you. "DO IT! KILL ME!"

Who... who was saying that?

Nine horrified pairs of eyes stared down at you. Who were they again?

"Please!" the voice was hoarse now. "Please, before I hurt you again!"

The handle of the sword pushing into your chest trembled. You turned to meet the wide eyes of the man with the white hair...

Who was he again?

Oh right, he had the most delicious blood...

But there was something else about him...

Your vision grew red as you remembered the pure ecstasy of drinking in his blood, quenching your never-ending thirst for just a moment...

You craved it again.

Thrashing your body about underneath the sword, you lunged forward, clawing at the man's pale neck.

Petrified gasps sounded from all around you.

A searing pain flooded through your entire body.

There, piercing right through your neck, was a nichirin blade.

And directly in front of your eyes was the green sword hilt of the wind pillar.

Wind pillar.

Your eyes widened in realization as all of your memories of your human life came flooding back into your head.

Shinobu teaching you how to concoct various antidotes and poisons. Mitsuri helping you fit your official Demon Slayer Corps uniform. Rengoku helping you up after a difficult sparring session. Giyuu patting your head before sending you off to the Final Selection. Himejima giving you charms of luck before your first mission.

Sanemi, who had supposedly died to the demon who turned you, in front of you now, with his sword buried into your throat.

“N-nemi—” you managed to croak out, your vision growing dark. All you could focus on was the horrified gaze staring back at you.

"Fuck, (Y/N)!" Sanemi barked. "Why the fuck did you go and do that and kill yourself! Shit! You're gonna fucking die now!" You could see tears on his scarred cheeks.

A tiny, sorrowful smile spread across your face. "Don't cry, Sanemi..." All of your energy poured into this one smile, this one smile to say your goodbyes. "Hey— Nemi... remember, you always said... humans... always get the last laugh, huh?"

The last thing you saw before your vision went black was Sanemi’s frightened eyes.

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[nagiscap]

chapter 115 review!

i am late again with uploading this school is beating my ass sorry but i read this chapter instead of studying for my bio test lmao. there will be SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

sae looks so bored like this game probably is not challenging to him in the slightest 

very cool panel and sae’s talent seems to be vvvvv similar to rin but more refined and he has better touch then rin so i am curious how this will play out during the game

I KNOW THIS MAN!!! I LOVE THIS MAN!! anyway ikki niko stans have taste 

i rlly like how dif members of blue lock’s specialities are transferable to other positions and that’s why i really don’t think blue lock will end with one winner i think they will become a team of players who are all selfish and what to score regardless of where they are on the field but that’s just my theory 

bye rin is shook my sae’s talents they must not be that close but now i want context i demand to know about the itoshi bros dynamics bc their relationship seems odd but they both have such similar playing styles (high anticipation and good technical skill) and they both have similar attitudes and find everyone lowkey inferior to them i am vvv intrigued as u can probably tell abt their relationship 

idk why but i felt this panel like i can just feel the immense power sae has over not over the field but the whole stadium i can feel his aura like he is rlly dominating 

ok rin u show sae in the next chapter prove ur the baddest bro even tho atm i think sae is a better player than u at ur speciality and he has better technique and he is more willing to be a team player and pass the ball even tho he really doesnt care for the u20 team at all he still has a level of teamwork rin lacks atm like rin’s crutch is isagi exclusively but sae from what we can tell rn seems to be able to work with anyone of the pitch 

[artificialqueens]

Duality, Chapter 1 (Crygi) - Metaluna

chapter summary: On a night at the bar, Gigi meets someone who completely changes her focus, causing her to take a deep look at herself, as well as her own humanity.

A/N: Hey, everyone! I had some very positive feedback, which makes me very happy, since I am having so much fun with this. Follow my Tumblr for headcannons, drabbles that don’t fit, and me screaming about this fic at 4 AM

A huge thank you as always to juno for being the best beta reader, amazing brainstormer, and just an all around amazing person 

The entire fic is going to have a TW for blood/death/gore/violence, since it’s a vampire fic lol

93 year later

Visitations were Gigi’s least favorite part of her job. Normally, she made Jackie sit through them, because consoling humans in one of their most vulnerable states made them look even more pathetic than they already were. Anytime one of them would wail uncontrollably while looking at the body of their grandma, she had to hold back an eyeroll. If only they knew what the alternative to death was. 

Gigi hadn’t fed in a while, calculating mentally, she realized it had been five days since her last feeding. Normally she didn’t wait that long, but she had double the work since Jackie just had to take her wife on vacation. Again. For the third time that month. As she clenched her fist as hard as she could, she had to maintain laser-sharp focus, or she’d drain every individual in the room.

Without realizing it, Gigi was impatiently tapping her foot as she rubbed the smooth surface of her necklace with her thumb. When that didn’t distract her from her thirst, she clenched her fist hoping the sensation of pain would distract her. 

“Are you okay?” one of the family members, the daughter Gigi presumed asked kindly.

“Fine,” Gigi said through gritted teeth.

“I don’t know how you can do this job. I could never see death every day. You made her look really good, though. It’s like she’s sleeping.” 

Even though Gigi would love to suck the woman dry, she took pride in her work. “Thank you. Excuse me, I’ll be back in a moment.”

The second Gigi made her way into the prep room, she exhaled sharply. In the back of the cabinet containing embalming fluid was an insulated lunchbox with a thermos in it. Normally, the blood of the bodies made its way into the drain on the sewers. To a vampire, that was a complete waste of sustenance. Although blood from a dead body was the equivalent of drinking flat soda that had been left in the sun for three days after being dehydrated, it was enough to tide her over until she could hunt. 

Opening the lid of the thermos, she felt her fangs protrude. Greedily, she drank every drop she could manage. Examining her appearance in the mirror, she returned the lunchbox to the cabinet.

“Thanks, Mrs. Hollinger,” Gigi murmured as the door slammed shut behind her. 

“Everything all good?” Jackie, who was in the lobby, asked. 

As much as Gigi didn’t want to have someone work with her at the funeral home, she didn’t have a choice. Even a vampire couldn’t single handedly run a business. It wasn’t that Gigi didn’t like Jackie. She didn’t like anyone with a heartbeat. Of all the people who responded to her job listing, Jackie was the only applicant that wasn’t incessantly irritating. Plus, she was good at what she did. Granted, she wasn’t as good at Gigi, but no one was. 

Coming down from the wave of euphoria from feeding, Gigi said, “I left my phone in the prep room. Got it now.”

Jackie raised an eyebrow. “Okay. I can finish the visitation if you want to do the rest of the reports.”

What Gigi appreciated most about Jackie other than the fact that she did her job well, was that she knew that Gigi hated visitations. Never had Gigi been so thankful to be doing paperwork. 

Before she knew it, five o’clock rolled around, which meant the visitation was over, and it was time to close for the evening. Gigi was up to her eyeballs in embalming reports, she didn’t even realize until Jackie knocked on her office door.

“Do you want me to lock up?” Jackie asked.

“No, I got it. Go get dinner with your wife.” Gigi had worked with Jackie long enough to know that every Thursday, Jackie and her wife, Jan went to dinner. 

“Thank you Gigi. See you tomorrow!”

“Have a good evening.”

It wasn’t until Gigi looked down at her palm that she realized how hard she’d clenched her fist earlier in the day. Distinct marks were left behind by each of her nails, but disappeared as she rubbed her palm with her opposite hand. She needed to feed, and as soon as possible. Locking up only took a few minutes, thankfully, and Gigi’s apartment was within walking distance.

Right as Gigi unlocked her door, she was greeted by her cat, who rubbed against her legs. “Hi, Akasha.”

She stood in front of her bathroom mirror as she tried to make her makeup look a little bit more appropriate for someone trying to find company at a bar by lining her eyes heavily with liner, making her blue eyes look all the more brighter. On nights she wanted to feel good about herself, she’d wear tight dresses that left nothing to the imagination. Tonight though, she was so ravenous she changed into the first outfit that wasn’t business casual, a black flowing top with a pair of skin-tight jeans.

“I’ll be home late, don’t wait up for me, baby girl,” she said to Akasha petting her head. 

In her 115 years, there were few things she hated as much as bars. Watching couples grind against each other disgusted Gigi. The only thing that she found slightly entertaining was watching men shoot their shot with women, only to be rejected. If she could get headaches, she knew the pounding bassline from uncreative, manufactured pop music would cause one. Although, she had to admit, getting called sooo pretty by drunk girls was validating. 

Gigi stood with her back against the bar. Scanning the room, she tried to find an easy target. Some vampires had preferences between male or female victims. Gigi leaned toward men most often, as their vessels were larger, making it much easier to get the most blood possible the fastest, but tonight it didn’t matter. She’d waited too long to feed. In her hunt, she didn’t notice the most perfect target standing right next to her. 

The woman was unlike anyone Gigi had ever seen, which was really saying something. Her wild hair was wild, like a bright blue lion’s mane. Her makeup, while done well, was completely outlandish. It was although she tried to challenge herself to use every shade in an eyeshadow palette. The woman’s appearance alone was unusual, but it was her clothing that truly caught Gigi’s eye. Although Gigi wasn’t one for fashion, she was fairly certain no one should be mixing as many patterns as she was. 

“Hey,” the girl greeted.

“Hi,” Gigi said curtly. 

“Can I get you a drink?” the girl shouted over the music. 

Gigi shook her head. “I have to drive later.”

The girl leaned against the bar as Gigi did as she smoothly rubbed against Gigi’s hand, which she held. Never in her years hunting people at bars had anyone made the first move. Everyone was intimidated by her, which is something that she enjoyed. She had to admit, the girl’s boldness was endearing. To keep up with appearances, Gigi held the girl’s hand, rubbing small circles with her thumb.

“I’m Crystal.”

“Gigi.” 

  Shit.

 Every time she introduced herself to someone she was about to feed on, she never used her real name. That was one of the first things Nicky told her all those years ago. Why now was she making such a simple mistake? 

“Do you want to get out of here?”

If only this girl knew she was walking to her death.

Gigi took Crystal’s hand and led her to the alley behind the bar. Generally, Gigi used either the charisma she possessed naturally, or glamoured people into going back to the funeral home for quick cleanup. But, she’d been so busy with the funeral home she’d been relying on the blood of the dead for far too long. She needed to feel blood pulsating into her mouth straight from the vessel.

Immediately, Gigi pulled Crystal into a kiss, which took Crystal by surprise. She knew that leading into a kiss wasn’t necessary, but Nicky had always done it, and it seemed like a nice touch. Normally, the kisses didn’t feel like anything, serving more to gain trust of the human. For some reason, her kisses with Crystal felt incredible. She hadn’t felt this way since she and Nicky slept together when they were bored. 

In the span of her making out with Crystal, she could have easily drained the girl. Something about Crystal made Gigi want to take her time. As she trailed down to her neck, her fangs wouldn’t draw. Cutting her losses, she bit Crystal’s neck with her normal teeth, which caused Crystal to moan loudly. Her regular teeth weren’t sharp enough to draw blood in the way she needed. This set Gigi off in a way she’d never felt before. This wasn’t acceptable. Thiscouldn’t happen. 

Gigi broke the kiss and stared into Crystal’s eyes. 

“My apartment’s just down the street,” Crystal offered.

“Crystal, you seem like a really nice girl, and that was incredible, but I have to go.” Gigi walked away before receiving a response. 

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Gigi didn’t know what she was going to do. She couldn’t go back to the bar and find someone else. Never had Gigi found a human she actually wanted to be around. By this point, she was every negative emotion. Ravenous from thirst, confused about her fangs suddenly not working, and furious at herself that she’d made such a simple mistake. 

The ten minute drive from the bar to her apartment  lasted two. She had to get home, and fast.

On particularly bad nights, Gigi liked to have her fun. As much as she hated humans, blindly torturing them for fun wasn’t something she partook in. Someone who deserved the pain, however, she could get behind. 

It wasn’t something she’d done often. The last time was back in the eighties when Nicky left for the last time. 

Perched on the top of her couch, Gigi pulled up the sex offender registry. She found her target. A serial rapist, less than five miles away. Perfect. Gigi got into her car as she typed the address into the GPS. She grinned to herself, thinking about the fun she was about to have. 

After ringing the doorbell, a normal-looking middle-aged man answered the door. “Hello?”

“Hi!” Gigi began, making her voice sound ditzy. “I’m, like, so lost.”

“Oh no, dear, that’s no good. Come on in.” the man smoothed his thinning hair. 

Disgusting. 

“Would you like a drink?” 

“Oh, no thank you. I just need to find out how to get to the red line…. Chicago transportation is, like, so confusing, you know?” 

The way he smirked made Gigi want to snap his neck right then and there.. What a disgusting man. “It’s something that’s for sure.”

Gigi batted her eyelashes. “Any plans tonight?”

The man shifted in his chair nervously. “Nothing… Until now?”

“Wanna have some fun tonight?”

She felt disgusting, but the thought of killing such a vile man would be worth it. 

“Well, young lady, since you’re asking…”

“I”m into some weird shit,” Gigi began.

“Oh?”

“I like to fuck in my daddy’s funeral home right where the dead bodies get made up.”

“I don’t think I can–”

Gigi stared directly into the man’s eyes. “You are going into my car, you are not going to touch me, you won’t even speak to me. You won’t say anything. We are going to the funeral home.”

“We’re going to the funeral home…” he said dreamily. “Who died?”

Gigi didn’t reply as she shut the door. The entire ride to the funeral home, the man had a dazed look in his eye. Humans were so weak-minded. Glamouring people was fun for Gigi, there was nothing like watching a human bend at the knee, willing to do whatever she wished. She parked in the back of the funeral home and unlocked the door to the back. 

“Let’s go,” Gigi demanded. “Out. Now.”

The man did as he was told, and just as Gigi instructed earlier, didn’t say a word. “This way.”

“Uh-huh,” the man said.

“ Quiet. ”

Normally, the people she fed from were people who were around the same physical age as she was. The thought of kissing someone who looked like this man was enough to make her disgusted, that, combined with his vile actions, made it simply out of the question. 

“Sit on the table.” Immediately he did as instructed, and sat on the edge of the table. The obedience made Gigi smile wickedly. Humans really were pathetic. 

“Next, you’re going to tell me exactly what you did to those girls.”

“They were so beautiful… they were asking for it and–”

“Wrong answer.”

Baring her fangs, Gigi sank them into the man’s neck, breaking the skin but not going deep into the vein just deep enough to make the man cry out in agony. The euphoric feeling only occurred when blood was actively being drank. She pulled away, making sure to take in the man’s pained expression. His whimpering was pathetic. It was that of a puppy that accidentally got stepped on. 

“Please…” the man begged. “Let me live.”

Gigi exhaled looking at the man’s desperate eyes. His pleas meant nothing to her. There was something about human suffering that she relished. The suffering of a human who deserved it was even better. 

She laughed quietly. “No, no. I don’t think I will.”

Once more, Gigi sank her fangs into the man’s neck. This time, it was on the other side and the bites were much deeper. She made several bites, all avoiding major arteries and veins. The knowledge of human anatomy was quite useful when torturing humans. It was clear that the man wanted to cry out once more, but couldn’t. 

As soon as she was satisfied with the man’s suffering, Gigi sank her fangs into the man one last time into the carotid, her vessel of choice. It had been quite some time she’d fed on someone over the age of thirty. She forgot that the blood started tasting much more bitter. It was as though she was forced to eat her least favorite food out of sheer necessity. 

Shutting her eyes, Gigi imagined that the man was the girl from earlier, Crystal. Gigi was certain Crystal’s blood would be much sweeter in her mouth. She didn’t fantasize about feeding on Crystal alone. She fantasized about ripping her clothes off and seeing her curvy body and… 

She didn’t even realize she’d completely drained the man. Coming down from the euphoria from feeding, Gigi saw just how much of a mess she made. Blood was splattered all over the room, starting on the linoleum, all the way up to the cabinets. Thank God for industrial strength bleach. 

Normally, Gigi was methodical and calculated when she fed. Most times, she was so precise that the puncture marks from her fangs were barely visible, and only a scant amount of blood didn’t end up in her mouth. 

Effortlessly, she brought the man’s corpse into the basement and turned the retort on. The man was rather thin, so it would probably take about an hour and a half for him to be reduced to ash, which was about as long as it would take her to make the prep room presentable again after the mess she made. 

The entire time she cleaned, her thoughts kept going back to Crystal. There was something about the girl that intrigued Gigi. In nearly a century, she’d never felt any sort of attraction toward a human. 

Most humans she found disgusting. Why was she so drawn to a girl that she met once? She pondered as she collected the man’s ashes. 

“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, you’re a terrible human, burn in Hell,” Gigi muttered as she scattered the ashes. 

When she went back to her apartment, Gigi sat on her couch and patted the space next to her, getting Akasha’s attention.. Absentmindedly petting her cat, Gigi still couldn’t get the girl out of her head. With a groan, Gigi stretched on the couch and stared at the ceiling. Why was she thinking about a human? What was wrong with her? She smacked the back of her head against the couch hard enough that it would hurt a human. 

Never sleeping was terrible for a chronic overthinker. Gigi never got to shut her brain down, instead, it constantly ran like a neverending machine. There were not enough bad B-horror movies in the world to occupy her mind. 

Finally, it was 6 A.M., an acceptable time for humans to go on a run.  Even though Gigi wouldn’t explode or sparkle in the direct sunlight, if she was in it too long, she’d get the world’s worst sunburn, so she tried to go before the sun rose. Just to be sure, she always ran in long sleeves and pants.

 Five miles later, Gigi returned to her apartment, thankful she didn’t sweat anymore. Looking at the clock, she saw she had an hour to get ready for work. She had no idea why she always looked, at the time. It took the same amount of time for her to get ready, and she had her routine down like clockwork.  

The next step in her morning was to make herself look, well, not dead. If Gigi didn’t give herself ample time to get ready, she’d look like one of the corpses on her table. Her skin was so pale it was translucent, blue veins visible through the skin with heavy bags under her eyes. Half of Gigi’s makeup bag looked like normal, everyday products like eyeliner and mascara. The other half were products that belonged at the funeral home. It was the only makeup that could cover her veins.

It was a process to paint her entire body, so most of the time, she wore sleeves. On the nights where she wanted to look provocative at the bar, it was dark enough inside that she could get away with just painting her face and neck. Gigi would hardly call herself a makeup artist, but she had to admit, she was good. It was no easy feat to go from looking dead to looking human. To be fair, she was good at almost everything. 

By the time she got to the funeral home, Jackie was already there. Gigi reassured Jackie every time that it wasn’t necessary for her to arrive before 8, but she insisted. 

“Morning,” Jackie greeted.

“Good morning.”

“So, I was just checking everything over before we opened for the day… One of the prep rooms looked… off.”

Shit. 

“Off? How do you mean?”

All Gigi could do was think about the possible spots she could have missed cleaning. She triple checked to make sure that the room was spotless. But, as careless as she was last night, she wouldn’t be surprised if she left evidence. 

Jackie motioned for Gigi to follow her. When the lights to the prep room flickered open, Gigi looked around and saw nothing. 

“What do you mean?” Gigi asked.

Jackie pointed to one of the cabinets that was propped open. Gigi breathed a sigh of relief. Leaving the cabinet with the cleaning products open was hardly anything to worry about. 

“It’s just a cabinet, Jackie.”

“I just figured you’d want to know, considering that time I moved the aneurysm hooks, you lectured me for like fifteen minutes that things had their places, and that the rooms had to be left the way they were when I came into them.”

Jackie wasn’t wrong. Gigi liked everything a specific way. Everything had its place, especially in her safe haven. She had to admit, had it been Jackie who left the cabinet open, she would have been frustrated.

“Two completely different things.”

“How… Nevermind. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, Jackie,” Gigi’s tone was short.

“I’m sorry. I just don’t really know how it was open like that.”

Gigi shrugged. “Maybe I left it open. I don’t remember.”

“You? Leaving a cabinet open? Who are you?” Jackie laughed.

Gigi forced a laugh. “I suppose I was just tired.”

The day was uneventful at best, at least to Gigi. Any human would disagree. Seeing a dead sixteen year old boy hit by a drunk driver mangled beyond recognition would disturb most. Not Gigi. Thank God the family didn’t want an open casket; there was no possibility the boy would look presentable, despite her skill in her trade. 

Once she finished, dissatisfied with the boy’s appearance, she shut the door, where Jackie was standing. 

“You okay?” Jackie asked gently.

“Yes?” Gigi raised an eyebrow. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“He was so young… It’s sad.”

“Oh. Yes. Very sad.”

Jackie smiled. “You do good work. I’m sure you’ll bring the family a lot of closure.”

“It’s a closed casket,” Gigi said, walking away, feeling Jackie’s judgmental stare. 

As she sat in her office, fidgeting with the gold chain around her neck. Gigi couldn’t get Crystal out of her head. Not just Crystal, the entirety of the events that unveiled the previous night. Why didn’t her fangs draw? Why was she still thinking about a human? What was wrong with her?

All Gigi knew was that old man blood was not nearly as satisfying as the blood of a healthy young person. Biting her lip, she sighed. Feeding two days in a row was not something she enjoyed doing. It was a lot of work. Far too much work for a 115 year old woman. 

Gigi wasn’t sure why she was having such an odd couple of days. For some reason, Crystal made her think about humans as a whole. There wasn’t a single human that she thought of for more than a moment. Even thoughts of Jackie only came up at work, or when thinking about work. But, here she was distracted so much so that she couldn’t focus on her reports. 

Tapping her pen against her desk, she realized it wasn’t Crystal she was thinking about. It was her own humanity.

Humanity was something that Gigi struggled with since she was cursed with immortality. Her thoughts on humans changed drastically through the past few decades. When she was first turned, all she could do was feel jealousy toward them. They got everything she didn’t, they got to raise a family, they got to have a life without hiding, and they got to die. 

Eventually, her jealousy led to hatred, so much so that Gigi could barely speak to humans without an extreme urge to drain them dry. As much as she tried, she couldn’t remember why she began to hate them in the first place, other than the fact that she was on the apex predator. Humans were weak, merely a form of sustenance.

But what if they weren’t? 

[the-descension-inks]

Sojourn (Zutara Week 2020)

Summary: It's a strange fate that they have crafted for themselves; lines that don't quite meet, stars that circle each other, and stories that are almost written. (Or, glimpses into Zuko and Katara's lives, told in reverse, from the very end to the very beginning.)

[7/9] Affirm

He doesn’t mind it. He has had enough people looking at him over the last month with pity in their eyes – burned at thirteen, crowned at sixteen, widowed at thirty-one – and he can’t take it anymore.

A drop of sweat trickles down the side of his face, reminds him of how much he detests the sticky humidity of this city. His hair feels uncomfortable, and his crown has never felt heavier.

It’s funny, he thinks, how he misses the dry heat of Caldera City; misses the hot gusts of wind that lash at him without leaving behind a sheen of sweat, a constant reminder of its lurching discomfort.

Read the entire series here, and this chapter under the cut, or on AO3, or on FF.net.

[TRIGGER WARNING: Minor Depiction of Violence]

115 AG

Fire Lord Zuko returns to full-fledged political life a month after losing his wife.

(He’d heard the whispers, of course. Around the palace. In Republic City. Too soon to be coming back, they had said.)

The room in the City Hall feels too small today, the walls closing in, the prickly heat of Republic City crawling its way up Zuko’s skin while the Earth Kingdom representative – Saye, he thinks – goes on and on about how she believes bloodbending can be useful in the field of medicine.

Which, of course, is nothing but a ton of bullshit, but he perseveres through it all. For the sake of fucking diplomacy.

“You okay, buddy?” Sokka whispers to him, nudging his knee underneath the table.

He wonders if there’s anything on his face to suggest otherwise, but gives the other man a reassuring nod nevertheless.

Sokka returns the nod, gives him half a smile, and leaves him alone to his thoughts.

He doesn’t mind it. He has had enough people looking at him over the last month with pity in their eyes – burned at thirteen, crowned at sixteen, widowed at thirty-one – and he can’t take it anymore.

A drop of sweat trickles down the side of his face, reminds him of how much he detests the sticky humidity of this city. His hair feels uncomfortable, and his crown has never felt heavier.

It’s funny, he thinks, how he misses the dry heat of Caldera City; misses the hot gusts of wind that lash at him without leaving behind a sheen of sweat, a constant reminder of its lurching discomfort.

The Earth Kingdom woman – Saye – stands up at long last, and Zuko thinks that’s the end of it. They can hear Katara next, and she’ll shut up everyone who thinks bloodbending should even be allowed to exist with her precise logic and powerful voice, and then they’ll outlaw it, and they’ll just... go home.

(Another heir to the throne left without a mother, the whispers had also said. Zuko had wondered if it had something to do with his godforsaken heritage. Paying for the heinous crimes of his forefathers, or something along those lines.)

“With the permission of the honorary members of the United Republic Council, I’d like to bring someone forth,” Saye tells them instead. “A healer, if you will. I believe her demonstrations will help us reach a better decision.”

There’s something odd about how she says it, the way her eyes glint as she narrows them at him, and only him. He wonders if it’s all in his head, if he is truly starting to lose his mind.

“No harm in wasting a little more time, right?” Sokka asks him under his breath with a roll of his eyes.

“Of course not,” he bites out, an inexplicable feeling of dread settling to the pit of his stomach.

He watches as Saye saunters out of the room, still trying to place a finger on what it is that’s filling him with panic. Sokka turns to him, doesn’t help his thoughts one bit. “There’s something fishy about that woman.”

“You too?”

Sokka frowns, and then groans as he lowers his head onto his hands. “I can’t wait for Katara to shut down all her claims though.” A laugh bubbles out of the man clad in blue. “I’m sure my sister’s temper is already off the roof by now. She’s been waiting for what… an hour now, in this heat?”

Despite everything, Zuko finds a smile ghosting across his lips, and then instantly shakes his head to do away it. His skin crawls again, and it has nothing to do with the heat this time.

He hates it, hates himself for still feeling this way. For feeling, at all.

Saye returns, a woman in tow, a woman dressed in Northern Water Tribe colors. Sokka’s eyes meet his, brows furrowed, confusion apparent.

“Now, if I may,” the Earth Kingdom representative begins.

She looks at him one more time, a maniacal glint in her eyes, and Zuko feels himself stiffen, fists clenching at his sides, body hyper-aware of the stench of sweat and brine.

And then— and then, it happens too fast, the motions a memory – nightmare – etched in his mind.

A knife comes out of nowhere, glistening in the harsh glare of the sunlight— Zuko lunges forward, a word on his lips; no? Nyh?

But it all happens too fast, far too out of control for him to do anything about it— Saye plunges the blade into herself, and all Zuko can see is red and only red. He thinks he hears voices behind him, feels Sokka’s arms pulling him back, but it’s all too familiar, all too similar, till it’s not.

The healer holds up a hand, cradles Saye’s almost limp body, and then begins to move her hands in a movement he recognizes.

Fuck.

Realization dawns upon him, but his heart still hammers in his chest. The blood stops gushing out, held back by an invisible force, as the healer continues to control it; bend it.

The room starts to spin around him, solid lines blurring into shapelessness. There’s a droning; a loud, distinctive, ugly noise that gives him a splitting headache.

This is sick, this is perverse; he wants to yell, but his throat is like sandpaper, and his voice is lost somewhere in between memory and reality.

(The Fire Lady stabbed to death in front of the Fire Lord, and all he did was watch, they had said. It hardly mattered that the words weren’t true. What mattered was that they had been poured into the crevices of reality.)

“Zuko? Zuko?”

Sokka still has an arm around him, and he realizes he is trembling, and that he would have collapsed a long time ago had it not been for that.

“You’ve seen enough,” Sokka sounds incredibly calm despite everything that has unfolded. “Go outside. The rest of us will put an end to this.”

He thinks he nods, but his eyes refuse to move from the wound that is being healed, skin patching up under the healer’s touch, leaving behind only a thin tapered line.

“Zuko, go.”

He nods again, the remnants of blood on Saye’s clothes catching his eye, no longer sickly red, but a dried out brown, and—

She opens her eyes, blinks, once, twice, and locks her eyes upon him. Zuko freezes, feels his hands going cold, sweat sticking to his entire body, and— she smiles.

Bile rises to his mouth, stomach twisting with disgust, skin tainted and repulsive, and he wants to rip it all off—

His feet move on automatic, tearing his body away from Sokka’s solid grasp, and he runs.

Away from the room, away from the blood, away from everything, and when a hand reaches out to catch him as he flies through the sickeningly pristine corridors of the City Hall, brown skin and blue robes and entirely too close, he shrugs it off and just keeps running.

.

.

Sokka and Katara find him in the empty room where he hides till his blood stops thrumming in his veins, and his heart stops pounding in his chest.

Sokka hangs back a foot away, but Katara crouches in front of him. He can feel her eyes on him, but does not have the courage to look up.

“It’s done,” Sokka says finally. “It’s banned. We don’t have to worry about it anymore.”

Zuko wills himself to nod.

“Come on, let’s go,” Katara tells him.

It almost hurts to look at her, to see the way she looks at him, eyes helpless and teary. Her hands shift, and he’s suddenly afraid she’s going to reach out, but she pulls back before anything happens at all.

And that’s how he knows, that she knows too. She has heard them too.

(Threw himself in front of a lightning bolt to save a Water Tribe peasant, and he couldn’t even save his own wife. These were the worst of them all. The ones that kept him up at night.)

Sokka is awfully quiet, and Zuko wonders how much he has heard. He hates that he cares so much about what shadows hiss in the dark.

He hates there’s some truth hidden in all the lies.

Katara walks by his side, and Sokka walks a few steps ahead, and when his thoughts start to get too heavy one more time, she says, “It’s all talk, Zuko. There’s no truth in it.”

He wonders if she really believes that, but does not dare to ask, and lets the words die on his lips.

It’s not like it’s the first time.

.

.

.

A/N: Again, I have another chapter written for this prompt but figured I’d get this one out first.

@zutaraweek

[eeraygun]

Top 246 Sonic Releases of 2020

001. Perfume Genius - Set My Heart On Fire Immediately 002. Splash Pattern - Sentinel 003. Pontiac Streator - Triz 004. gayphextwin & Pépe - gayphextwin / Pépe EP 005. Various Artists - SLINK Volume 1 006. Echium - Disruptions of Form 007. Henry Greenleaf - Caught 008. Sega Bodega - Reestablishing Connection 009. Summer Walker - Life on Earth 010. Charli XCX - how i'm feeling now 011. Various Artists - Physically Sick 3 012. Autechre - Sign 013. Off The Meds - Off The Meds 014. Brent Faiyaz - Fuck The World 015. Luis Pestana - Rosa Pano 016. Reinartz - Ravecoil 017. pent - - 018. Mark Leckey - In This Lingering Twilight Sparkle 019. Various Artists - Sharpen, Moving 020. Vanessa Worm - Vanessa 77 021. Aho Ssan - Simulacrum 022. Lyra Pramuk - Fountain 023. PJ Harvey - Dry Demos 024. Felicia Atkinson - Echo 025. Arca - KiCK i 026. Space Afrika - hybtwibt 027. Ambien Baby - Mindkiss 028. The Gasman - Voyage 029. Inigo Kennedy - Arcadian Falls 030. 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Mads Kjeldgaard - Hold Time 084. Тпсб - Whities 031 EP 085. Network Glass - Twitch 086. a2a - A2A¹ EP 087. Wata Igarashi - Traveling 088. Joey G II - Pub Talk 089. Atom™ - <3 090. Valentina Magaletti & Marlene Ribeiro - Due Matte 091. Ewan Jansen - Island Diary 092. HOOVER1 - HOOVER1-4 093. Nazar - Guerrilla 094. Paradise Cinema - Paradise Cinema 095. Daisies - Daisies in the Studio with DJ Rap Class 096. Alloy Sea - Petrichor 097. Flørist - Intermedia 1 EP 098. Nandele - FF 099. Pro.tone - Zero Day Attack 100. Michael J. Blood - Introducing Michael J Blood 101. Various Artists - RV Trax, Vol. 5 102. DJ Plead - Going for It EP 103. Strategy - The Babbling Brook 104. Various Artists - surf000 105. Deft - Burna 106. Various Artists - WorldWideWindow 107. Lucy Liyou - Welfare 108. O-Wells - Ebecs 109. Special Request - Spectral Frequency EP 110. Anunaku - Stargate 111. Scott Young - Ket City 112. Various Artists - Stir Crazy Vol.1 113. Syz - Bunzunkunzun 114. Oozy Zoo - Sabertooth 115. Vanessa Amara - Poses 116. Carl Finlow - Apparatus 117. Al Wootton - Snake Dance EP 118. Oi Les Ox - Crooner qui coule sous les clous 119. aircode - Effortless 120. Tristan Arp - Slip 121. Andrea - Ritorno 122. Russell Ellington Langston Butler - Emotional Bangers Only 123. The Lone Flanger - The Photon's Path 124. SHelley Parker & Peder Mannerfelt - Decouple ]( Series 125. Esplendor Geometrica - Cinética 126. Casey MQ - babycasey 127. Gacha Bakradze - Western Arrogance 128. Fatherhood - Big Boy 129. Blawan - Make A Goose 130. Roza Terenzi, Roza - Modern Bliss 131. AceMo - SYSTEM OVERRIDE 132. Meitei - Kofū 133. Penelope Trappes - Eel Drip 134. Adult Fantasies - Towers of Silence 135. Plush Managements Inc. - Magic Plush 136. Further Reductions - array 137. Ben Bondy & Exael - Aphelion Lash 138. Pugilist - Blue Planet EP 139. Dylan Henner - The Invention of the Human 140. Cindy - I'm Cindy 141. Ulla - Tumbling Towards a Wall 142. EMMA DJ - PZSÅRIASISZSZ TAPE 143. 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Forest Drive West - Terminus EP 175. Glacci - Alzarin _ Lavvender Rush 176. Fergus Sweetland - Fergus Sweetland 177. Various Artists - C12 - Social Distancing 1.1 178. A-Sim - The Puppet Master 179. Chlär - Power to the Soul 180. Will Hofbauer - Where Did All The Hay Go 181. Protect-U - In Harmony Of An Interior World 182. Instinct & 0113 - Instinct 11 183. Ribbon Stage - My Favorite Shrine 184. Zenker Brothers - Mad System 185. 2Lanes - Baby's Born To Fish... - Impish Desires 186. Nebulo - Parallaxes 187. Martyn Bootyspoon - Lickety Split 188. Erik Griswold - All's Grist That Comes To The Mill 189. Alex Falk - Movefast 190. DJ SWISHA & Kanyon - Club Simulator EP 191. Happa - Ls14 Battler _ 36Th Chamberlain (Remixes) 192. Svreca - FRUE 193. Anz - Loos In Twos (NRG) 194. James King - rinsed - installed 195. Catartsis & Ōtone - Mechanical Gesture 196. Daniel J. Gregory - Life Is A Bin 197. Desert Sound Colony - Pulled Through The Wormhole EP 198. Floral Resources - TS00000? 199. Alex R - Last Attempt 200. Notzing - The Abuse Of Hypnosis In Dance Environments 201. Brain Rays & Quiet - Butter [SR081A, 2020] 202. Benjamin Damage - Deep Space Transit 203. BROSHUDA - Contemplative Figuration 204. Various Artists - Radiant Love IWD Comp 205. Paradise 3001 - Low Sun Archives 206. 011668 & S280F - Os 207. Kubota, Kazuma - Mind 208. HATENA - HANDZ 209. Leonce - Seconds & Fifths EP 210. Furtive - Sympathies IV 211. French II - Time / Tracker 212. qwizzz - slag ep 213. Gag Reflex - The Fae 214. Luca Lozano & Mr. Ho - Homeboys 215. CONCEPTUAL - Introspective Research 216. Xyla - Ways 217. Minor Science - Second Language 218. Fana - Karantina 219. Current Obsession - XXX 220. K. Frimpong & Super Complex Sounds - Ahyewa 221. Ali Berger - The Stew 222. Sleep D - Smoke Haze 223. Nick León - MAZE 224. DJ Delish - Khadijah Vol. 6 225. Sputnik One - Kerosene 226. OOBE - SFTCR 2 227. Burrell Connection - Breaks That Strung the Camel Back 228. 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[girlbosspower]

just realized i read all 115 chapters of blue lock in 2 days,, i have problems and issues

[treatian]

The Chronicles of the Dark One:  The Dark Curse

Chapter 115:  A Secret Plan

She was having a bad day. He could tell that just by the way she moved. In fact, that was nearly the only way to tell that she'd had a bad day because they rarely spoke to one another. What was odd to him was why she was having the bad day. It should have been a good day. He'd forgotten, last night, to lock her into her cell. It was purely by accident, but by the time he'd realized it, it had been too late in the night and he hadn't wanted to disturb her sleep, so he'd left the lock open. A trial run, he considered it. If she was to be here forever, perhaps having a bit of freedom to roam about wasn't the worst thing he could grant to her, so long as she could handle the privilege of it.

She could. Naturally. He'd come to find that the woman could handle just about anything that was tossed her way with impressive determination and grace. He'd let her have her freedom that night, and the next morning breakfast had shown up right on time. They ate in silence, a sort of unspoken truce between them. He pretended not to notice that she ate next to the fire instead of the kitchen, and she didn't disturb him as he ate. It wasn't ideal, but it worked well enough that it wasn't worth it to fight that battle with her. She was bold. It was the same boldness that he knew would one day be responsible for the windows opening again, or her attempt at least. He didn't understand strength like hers, but he could respect it, especially after all she was doing.

She worked like a madwoman. Funny, all his previous maids had been housekeepers and peasants, they'd all had some kind of idea of what hard work was, what it meant to be a caretaker, and yet this little princess, who he was certain had never lifted a finger before her arrival, worked harder than any of them. She was on a mission, it seemed, to purge his home of dust and dirt and clutter, and to make it into an actual home. For what purpose, he didn't know. He used only a handful of rooms, why she was so determined to keep the rest of them clean was a mystery. But she did it. In fact, she was so busy throughout the day that at night as she slept he'd had to cast a spell on all the fireplaces in the castle to light themselves when she entered a room just so that she didn't come to him and ask him to do it all the time as she moved about.

Somehow, without talking about it, they'd developed a familiar routine that kept them both amicable, but also busy. In the mornings, after breakfast, they separated until teatime. He went to work in his Tower, but kept track of her throughout the castle. At first, he'd done it to make sure she was working. Now he did it just to see what she was up to and where. She kept a tight schedule for herself, he'd noticed; one that didn't require him, thankfully. If she'd finished a book in the night, the first thing she did was exchange it so she had something to do while laundry was drying or water was boiling, and then the real work began.

Her average was about two rooms a day; sometimes if the rooms were bigger it was less, if they were smaller it was more. She was methodical about it. She would clean one room from morning until tea time, then fix them their tea, which they both now shared in the Great Room with minimal or no conversation, then back to work she went, cleaning out another room before she had to make dinner. If there was time in between, he might find her reading somewhere or doing some dusting as she hummed to herself. She fit his laundry in there somewhere before he saw her again for dinner, and that was their night. They ate, then she read by the fire as he spun at his wheel. When she was tired, she left for bed. When he was ready to work again, he went to the Tower or, if she was too distracting, he went to his bedroom, closed the door, and spun there, knowing that she wouldn't dare enter.

He hated to admit it, but they'd fallen into a comfortable schedule the two of them. It was a good way of life, one that worked for both of them, but didn't really require they go above and beyond to interact and that was just fine for him. Though he did wish she wasn't so distracting. He did wish that he hated the way the fire cast shadows over her as she read, or despised the company she afforded him during meals, or wasn't as interested in what she was doing throughout the day so he had to stop and use his cauldron and crystal ball to watch. He wished he could look into her mind and figure out why it was teatime and, instead of acting as she normally did, she was unhappy. Or worse yet…his suspicion about why she was upset was correct, and he wished that he didn't understand why.

There was another tear in her dress this afternoon. The frock was dull with fresh dust, missing another jewel, smelled musty. She didn't wash it as often as she should; probably because she had nothing else to put on. He knew what had happened, of course, he'd been watching her when it had, curious if she would get her morning room done in time for tea. Without her knowledge, he'd looked on as she'd pulled back the curtains in the room, unleashing a cloud of dust that caused her to sputter and fall and rip her dress…and then cry. That was when he'd looked away. She'd needed a moment to herself, and he felt like he was invading watching her like that. When she'd first served tea today, he'd thought she'd managed to pull herself together, but it was obvious to him that she hadn't. It upset her. He wished he could understand how she could cope so well with being captive, but a simple trip and some dust could knock her to her knees and bring her to tears. He wished so many things when it came to her.

"Servanthood not everything you hoped it would be?" he questioned, his voice higher than he'd expected it to be. She'd laughed at his jokes before. She'd smiled at his voices before. Perhaps it was enough to shake her from her stupor? Or maybe her fall had been worse than he'd thought and he should check her for injuries.

She didn't laugh. She didn't smile. Just looked wide-eyed and confused at him while his cheeks felt hot and he was grateful no one could see him blush anymore.

"You look as though you lost a fight with a dusty curtain," he added by way of explanation.

Still, no chuckle or smirk came to her. Instead, it seemed to have the opposite effect. She seemed to be even more upset than she had been before as her fingers tugged and pulled at the skirt of her dress.

"It's nothing I can't handle," she whispered, sitting back and looking away from him.

He didn't like that. He didn't like any of this. He didn't like feeling how much space was between them, he didn't like when she didn't smile, he didn't like the way she picked at her dress, or how it looked, or how he felt, or wondering why she wasn't happy, or thinking he knew, or wanting to fix it! The list went on and on.

He had to do something. The time had come to do something. Fortunately, he had figured out a way to do it so long as she wasn't too stubborn! Watching her there now as he drained his tea, he had the feeling that she might have reached a state where she wouldn't mind a little assistance. But he'd have to be quick about it. He knew her schedule and he knew the moment he set his cup down he'd have five, maybe ten, minutes before she was cleaned up and off to her next task. So he hurried…

He finished his tea and set the cup aside for her to wash, then strode out of the room. He didn't return to his Tower. He would in a few moments, but for now he went to the floor she was currently working on, to the next of the rooms that she would clean until it sparkled.

The question was how to give her something without her knowing that he'd done it. The answer he'd figured out a while ago was not to give it at all, but rather to let her find it.

In his mind, he recalled a memory he had of her from those times he'd watched her in the cauldron. In the memory, she sat behind a pile of books with her hair pulled back. She wore a blue dress. It had been intricate, there was lace on the bodice, a pattern he couldn't quite remember and he was certain there was a skirt with it, he just hadn't seen as she'd been sitting down. It didn't matter. He didn't want to recreate the dress, just the color and cut of the bodice. He wanted something familiar, something that she might look upon and remind her of home so that she'd be so entranced she'd have to put it on. He could have put a compulsion spell on it to do that for him, and he wasn't above doing that if necessary, but he wanted to try without first. He wanted to see what would happen.

Time ticked on. He had only a few moments left and with that time he worked his magic, spun a dress out of thin air the color of the sky with an undershirt white as snow and blue shoes to match. It was a simple dress; more than a peasant's scraps but less than what she wore now. He had no doubt it would fit her; magic was funny like that. But he did wonder if it was enough to make her put it on. He hid the clothes inside the closet of the room, next to some of the old moth-eaten ones that belonged to the previous owner of the room she'd be coming to any minute, then used his magic to take himself up to the Tower so that they wouldn't cross paths.

He hadn't run there, but he felt as though he had. His heart pounded inside his chest as he bolted for the cauldron and summoned the image of the room. His trap good and set, there was plenty to do, but he couldn't take his eyes off the cauldron, couldn't stop his curiosity. The moment she walked into the room, he forgot to breathe. He knew her schedule. He knew how she did things and moved about the room to clean, but when he saw her open the curtains first instead of last he began to hope that she might any second open that closet and see what he'd left her. But instead, she followed her routine perfectly, aside from those curtains. She stripped the bed, setting the sheets and blankets aside for the wash, she righted the furniture, arranging it so that it looked welcoming and inviting, then she did the dusting. The scrubbing of the floor was the last thing she'd do, right before…

He bit himself as she opened the closet doors. He didn't know what he'd expected, perhaps that she might open the closet and be awestruck by his experiment? That her eyes would water and she'd gasp with delight or wonder, that she'd smile again?! All he knew was that he felt disappointed the moment she opened the closet and nothing special happened. She rifled, just as she always rifled, preparing to air everything out and wash what she could.

And then there it was. The reaction he wanted. Her eyes didn't fill with tears, she didn't drop and shatter a teacup dramatically, and her eyes didn't go wide. But he saw her open her mouth in what had to be a gasp. She seemed to slow as she looked over what she'd found before her, looked suspiciously at the new garment surrounded by the old.

"Take it…" he muttered as she reached out to run her hands over it. And that was when the spell was broken. It was his own words that had done it, that made him pause to consider what he was doing and what he was planning on doing. He was watching her. In the midst of all the work he had to do, he'd just spent damn near an hour watching his maid clean a room and find a dress. And what was he going to do now that she'd found it? Was he going to watch her try it on? He could barely stand to watch her when she'd gotten upset of the curtains, was he really the kind of man to sit there and watch her undress and dress?

It was almost painful to wave his hand over the cauldron and watch her vanish. He wanted to watch. He wanted to see. Not to infringe upon her privacy, it made his stomach turn to know some wizards used their magic for those purposes. Dark One or not, he had some honor to him. But he did want to know if she was going to take it or not. He wanted to know how it fit, how it looked. He wanted to see her smile again.

And on that note, he turned away. He went to his worktable and began doing what he did best: magic. He rolled his eyes at his behavior, at the way he felt like she'd gotten him all twisted up inside and the way he kept thinking that he'd have to be surprised. His excitement over that was nearly enough to make him go back and start watching again. Damn thoughts…he practically threw the knife he was using onto the table as he rubbed his head. There was no way to win this. If he sat here and continued to work, it was because he wanted to be surprised by her. If he got up and went to the cauldron to watch it was to find out if he'd made her day better. No matter what he did he would lose…

So he wouldn't do either.

He knew her schedule. She had a few hours before she was done with her work and began to prepare dinner. He could remove temptation entirely just by going downstairs and sitting at his wheel and spinning. He could empty his mind, get these thoughts, the excitement, the panic he felt out, and just exist without her for a few hours. Yes, that was the best thing he could do now. Something for himself.

But his plan backfired. He expected to be alone in the Great Room, with her off cleaning or wearing her new dress or doing whatever it was she did…reading perhaps. But he was halfway to the wheel when he realized the fireplace was lit and sensed movement in the chair beside it. Unpredictable as ever, it appeared she'd had the same thought that he had and quit work early. And he should have commented on that. He should have made some statement about not paying her to sit there and read the book, but he felt himself break out into a cold sweat when he realized…

She was wearing the dress.

Cora would have turned for him to see it. She would have squared her shoulders and drawn his attention to her with a smile. Belle didn't need all that. She didn't need to stand and she didn't need to twirl. She just had to sit there, wearing a simple blue dress that brought out the color of her eyes; a ray of blue light against his red chair. He'd had an idea of how she might look in it from the memory he had. But it paled in comparison. His idea was nothing compared to how she looked. She was so beautiful she made his mouth go dry. It fit her just the way he wanted it to and yet not the way he'd needed it to. It followed her curves a little too perfectly, though her shoulders were now covered it dipped just a little lower than her gown had in the front and the parting of the blouse led his eyes down to the lace that held the bodice together, and he realized that with one pull of that string he could-

He jumped when the clock chimed. But he didn't need to worry that she'd noticed, it was the first time he realized that she'd been staring at him all the while he'd stared at her and she'd jumped too. And as she looked around, doing her best to get her bearings back, he took advantage of the opportunity to pretend as though nothing had happened, and went to sit by his spinning wheel. He wouldn't say anything to her. He couldn't. For the first time in a long while, he didn't trust what would come out of his mouth. Spinning was the proper outlet. It always had been. Temptingly beautiful as she was, he needed to get back to his work, and so did she.

But work for her meant dinner, and it was still too early. Whether he wanted to or not, as the wheel rotated before him, he found himself looking back at her as she wiggled deeper into his chair and pulled her book back onto her lap.

She was smiling again.

It made him smile too.

He wasn't being as careful with her as he'd planned.

[shaylybaby2032]

Let Me Be Your Lighthouse Chapter 2: Demons, Demons, Demons

Fandom: Supernatural

Rating: Explicit/18+

Pairing: Gabriel x OFC

A/N: Please do not copy my work to any platform without my written permission, even if giving credit. Reblogging is OK.

Overall Warnings: Eventual smut, physical/mental abuse, angst, fluff, language

Summary: A Duke of Hell wants to use Gabriel for his own nefarious plans and makes a deal with the Empty Entity to bring the Archangel back from the dead. But, when Gabriel escapes, the Duke must reach deep into his arsenal to try and track him down. Not long after Gabriel’s great escape, Sam and Dean race to save a fellow hunter who has been captured by demons and, after rescuing her, convince the woman to let them help her get rid of the demons hot on her heels. While the two occurrences seem unrelated at first, they may have more in common than any of them realize.

Chapter 2: Demons, Demons, Demons

Dean Winchester lounged on his bed in his room at the bunker, watching some mindless show on his TV. The program hadn't really held his interest but provided a background noise as he dozed off. Things had been unusually quiet on the hunting front and he welcomed the much needed break that he had received. However, his peace was short lived. A loud knock echoed through his room and he glared at the door as it opened and Sam walked in.

“Get your gear,” his little brother said. “We have to head to Jody's.”

“Why?” Dean asked, not ready to leave the comfort of his bed.

“She's got a string of murders that turned out to be demons. The latest victim is a hunter that she and Claire were working with.” Sam explained quickly.

Dean groaned as he pushed himself off the mattress. “I'll be ready in ten. Tell Cas to get ready too.”

“He's not here.”

“Where the hell is he?”

“He took off early this morning. Said he had something to take care of.”

“Well, that's vague.”

Sam shrugged as he turned to exit. “We'll hear from him soon enough. I'll meet you in the garage.”

***

Castiel pulled his old Lincoln Continental into the parking lot of a no star motel in the middle of nowhere Colorado, parking in front of one of the rooms down close to the end. He stared at the dingy green door with a rusted brass number 115 nailed to the surface diagonally. He shut off his engine as he tried to take a calming breath, but the uncertainty of what laid behind that wooden door had his anxiety at an all-time high.

He had tried to ignore the desperate prayer at first, thinking it was just his own mind playing tricks on him, because there was no way it could be coming from who he thought it was, and especially not in that ‘condition.’ The prayer had become insistent, however, and after almost a week and a half, he couldn't ignore it anymore. The angel had gotten in his car and sped toward where the call was originating from. After making sure his angel blade was posed ready to drop as soon as he needed it, he exited his vehicle and walked to the door. Taking another deep breath, he raised his hand to knock, but before he could make contact the door swung open.

Castiel was met with a pair of golden eyes that quickly darted around the angel to check their surroundings before they met his blue ones, taking the very breath from his lungs.

“It is you,” Castiel breathed.

“Hey bro,” Gabriel greeted.

“How..Why…What…?” Castiel stammered, trying to focus on which question he needed an answer to first.

“You should come in,” Gabriel replied as he moved to the side to allow his brother entry to the room. “We have a lot to talk about.”

***

It was close to midnight when the Winchesters rolled into Jody Mills’ driveway. By the time they had gotten there, Claire and Jody had, thanks to the use of GPS and cell phone towers, tracked down where the demons may have been holding their fellow hunter. As they prepared their rescue, Jody and Claire had told them what they knew about the case.

They had explained that nearly a week ago, people had started to vanish at various places in town and turning up with their throats slit the next day. Jody had thought it was a run-of-the-mill psycho, but when the third body had been found, Jody had also found sulfur at the crime scene. She had also discovered a woman claiming to be an FBI agent that turned out to be a hunter named Zora who had been tracking the demons committing these crimes for the past few weeks. They started working together, adding Claire to the team as well. On the day Jody had made the call to Sam, she, Zora, and Claire had cornered the demons, and a fight ensued that ended with Zora being captured. That was when they decided they needed back up.

Claire had discovered signs that led them to believe the demons were holding Zora in a new housing development that was still under construction just outside of Sioux Falls. The four of them had gotten there as fast as they could and were now making their way through the rows of half-constructed houses stealthily as they kept their eyes peeled for any indication of the demons or the huntress they were there to save.

Sam and Dean led the way with guns drawn and angel blades at the ready, the two women behind them armed in the same way. Screams suddenly pierced through the quiet of the night and all four hunters took off in a wordless agreement to follow the sound. They came to a stop in front of one of the cookie cutter houses when they spotted three men standing at the front door, eyes turning inky black when they spotted the hunters. The demons charged, starting a fight that ended with angel blades through their chests.

“Come on!” Dean exclaimed as he threw the third lifeless demon to the ground. “We gotta get inside!”

Before the words had even left his mouth, Sam was kicking in the front door and rushing inside with the other three hot on his heels. They had prepared themselves for another fight, however when they entered the house they were hit with a stillness that sent a shiver down their spines. A groan of pain punctuated the silence and four heads swiveled to find a woman lying on the floor of what would eventually be a living room.

“Zora!” Claire shouted as she and Jody ran to her.

They both dropped to their knees beside her as Jody pulled her into her lap. Sam pulled a flashlight from his pocket and shined it onto the huntress’ unconscious body. Claire gasped at the sight of her. Zora's blonde hair had so much of her own blood and dirt in it the young woman could barely make out the purple highlights in her golden locks. Her face was a bloodied mess covered in ugly bruises and cuts from where the demons had used her as a punching bag. Her arms held the same dark marks and slashes with blood that had spilled on to her clothing.

“We need to get her to a hospital boys!” Jody declared.

The Winchesters nodded their agreement as Dean handed his brother his weapons and scooped the beaten girl up into his arms. The four quickly got to their feet and turned to leave, but were stopped cold when they saw another man with black eyes standing in the doorway smiling at them. His long, shaggy red hair swayed in the breeze from the open door as his head slowly turned to take them all in.

“Well, well, well. It appears I've been discovered by the infamous Winchesters,” he said mockingly.

“Yeah, and who the hell are you?” Sam demanded.

“The name's Adonis, and unlike my idiotic co-workers, I know when I'm outnumbered.” Adonis inclined his head to the unconscious Zora in Dean's arms. “Tell the hunter bitch I'll be seeing her.”

“I don't think so!” Sam shouted, and he and Claire hurled forward to attack the demon.

By the time they got there, however, their blades sliced through open air.

Adonis had vanished.

***

Castiel sped down the almost empty interstate toward the bunker, every so often glancing at his cell phone on the dash and then to his brother sitting quietly in the passenger's seat next to him. He had yet to call Sam and Dean about Gabriel being alive and what had happened to him that made him human. He honestly wasn't sure how to even begin the tale, because as many answers as he had now, he had just as many questions. Telling Sam and Dean would just add more questions to the pile and he needed time to get his head straight.

“Seriously Cas,” Gabriel said in exasperation as he saw his brother's eyes flick to the phone again, “stop being a teenager and call them. I'm guessing it will be a lot better if they are prepared instead of me just walking into the bunker.”

“It's not going to go well either way,” Castiel snapped. “You have a Duke of Hell after you, Gabriel!”

“You don't think I know that?! I didn't rip my grace out just for the hell of it! Do you know how much that hurts?!”

Castiel sighed as he scrubbed a hand over his face. “We have to find where your grace ended up before Eligos does, because if he finds it and gets his hands on you-”

“I KNOW, CAS!” Gabriel huffed his frustration as he peered out his window. “Believe me, I know.”

***

Sam, Dean, and Claire sat in the ER’s waiting room at Sioux Falls General Hospital, not so patiently waiting for Jody to come back from speaking with the doctor about Zora's condition. They had arrived at the hospital two hours prior with the still unconscious hunter. The nurses had taken her back immediately and after a few minutes Jody had left in search of Alex to see if she could give her any information.

Just as Dean was standing, ready to go to the nurses station to demand some information of his own, Jody came through a set of double doors with a now conscious, and annoyed looking, Zora at her side. They walked quickly toward the brothers and Claire, bypassing them and heading toward the entrance. With the huntress’ wounds having been tended to and her hair and body cleaned, the trio that had been waiting for news was relieved that Zora's condition wasn't as bad as they had feared. She was still banged up with cuts and bruises on her face and arms, but none that wouldn't heal relatively quickly.

“Zora, please, stay!” Jody pleaded as they went through the doors with the other three following. “We can help you!”

“Help me?!” Zora exclaimed as she whirled around with her crystal blue eyes widening in disbelief. “Why the hell would you want to do that, Jody?! This bastard wants me! I'm not sticking around and letting anyone else in this town get hurt!”

“Now that we know what we are up against, we won't let that happen! We can do this together!” Jody tried to assure her.

“No! I'm doing this alone like I always do!” Zora said, visibly trying not to raise her voice at the Sheriff.

“Yeah, because that worked out so well for you tonight,” Dean snarked as he put two and two together and realized that Zora intended to go after Adonis on her own.

The huntress turned angry eyes toward the older Winchester. She may have had respect for Jody, but she didn't know him. “And who the hell are you?”

“I'm Dean,” he said, and inclined his head towards his brother. “My brother, Sam. I happen to be the guy that carried your unconscious ass out of that house tonight.”

Zora's brow shot up as Dean introduced himself and his brother. “Sam and Dean?” she questioned. “Last name wouldn't happen to be Winchester would it?”

Sam and Dean shared an uncertain look before they turned back to her.

“You've heard of us?” Sam asked.

“Any hunter worth their rock salt has heard of the legendary Winchesters,” Zora said with a chuckle and walked toward the brothers, extending her hand. “Zora Townsend. Nice to meet you.”

***

“So you really do pal around with an angel?” Zora asked Sam in astonishment as she watched him load the trunk of the Impala. “What's that like? Most angels I've met have been complete dicks.”

Sam chuckled as he shut the trunk and turned to look at her. She was perched on the hood of her 2015 maroon Chevy Malibu. “Most are,” Sam agreed. “But Cas isn't. He's family. I think you'll like him.”

It had taken more than a little bit of time, but with some help from Jody and surprisingly Claire, the Winchester brothers had convinced Zora to let them help her. She had tried to get them to change their mind, telling them that the demon had had a hit out on her for a few weeks now because she had ended up killing another demon that was apparently close to Adonis. Now he wanted revenge, and instead of deterring the Winchesters, it had sparked their protective side and each brother had been even more determined to help their fellow hunter. They even went so far as to offer a room at the bunker for her to stay in until they could track Adonis down.

She had, of course, refused at first. However, “no” wasn't an answer the Winchesters were willing to except. After a solid hour of going back and forth over the issue, the huntress finally conceded and agreed to follow the brothers back to their bunker.

“Cas?” she questioned with a raised brow. “The angel has a nickname?”

“Like I said, he's family,” Sam reiterated as he came around to lean on the back passenger's side door of the Impala. “You got any family out there?”

He immediately caught the way she tensed at the question.

“My dad,” she answered as she averted her gaze to the cement of the driveway.

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-”

“No, it's OK,” she reassured him as she brought her eyes back to his with a smile painted back on her face. “We all gotta get to know each other, right? We are apparently roommates now.” She paused as she thought on her next words. “Let's just say he's not the most supportive or friendly guy in the world.”

Sam nodded slowly, not sure what to say or even if he should say anything. He was saved from the awkward conversation when Dean came rushing out the front door of Jody's house. The younger Winchester was relieved to see his brother, that is, until he absorbed the frantic look in his eyes. The worry that had stolen over Sam's features had Zora focusing on the elder Winchester as well.

“We have to go. Now!” Dean said as he made his way to them.

“Dean, what's going on?!” Sam demanded.

“Cas just called. Sam, Gabriel's alive!”

The deafening and shocked silence that settled between the brothers for a moment had Zora jumping down from the hood of her car.

“Guys, who’s Gabriel?”

***

Zora stared ahead at the tail lights belonging to the Impala, both hands gripping her steering wheel as she worked through the story that Sam had told her. He glanced over to her from the passenger's seat of her Malibu, trying to gauge her reaction.

“You're pretty quiet over there,” Sam said cautiously.

She glanced over to him for a moment with an incredulous look before she focused back to the road. “Sorry, I'm still trying to work through an Archangel pretending to be a Norse god in an attempt at some insane witness protection program.” She paused for a moment. “Porn stars?! Really?!” She shot another fleeting gaze at him long enough to see him nod. “Then he's tortured for seven years, in hell...fuck, I don't even want to do the math on that one. He escapes, kills Asmodeus, then goes on some Kill Bill style revenge tirade against Loki and his sons just to end up getting killed by another world's Michael.” She saw Sam nod again out of her peripheral vision. “And now he's miraculously alive again and in yet another fucked up situation. Only now he's human? How did that even happen?!”

“Dean said Cas didn't really go into much detail over the phone, but it's not the first time we've known of an angel ripping their own grace out,” Sam explained.

Zora's mouth opened and closed a few times as her brain tried to choose an appropriate response. “Are you sure you guys want me and my baggage around? I mean, whatever is going on with this has to be much bigger than some demon after some random hunter.”

“We're good multitaskers,” Sam said, shooting her a grin.

“If you say so, but I don't think the angels will be terribly thrilled about the idea.”

“Everything will be fine,” Sam assured her. “Dean is filling Cas in on what went down in Sioux Falls as we speak.”

Zora chuckled to herself, deciding it was best not to argue the point anymore and just let it be. Soon enough, they would all see just how well things would or wouldn't work out.

***

Castiel and Gabriel had made it to the bunker long before the Winchesters and their guest, but when Dean had called to say that they had crossed into the Lebanon city limits the two had chosen to wait for them in the war room. Gabriel sat in one of the chairs with his feet propped up on the map table as he watched his little brother pace the length of the room. Castiel had voiced his wariness of the young woman that Dean had told them about and his concern had only mounted once they were about to meet her.

“Are you really that worried about her?” Gabriel asked as Castiel finally halted his movements and leaned against the iron staircase.

“You're not?” he grumbled in return.

“She's a hunter, Cas!”

“That just so happened to show up with demons after her around the same time you did! What if she's being watched?!”

“Do you really think Sam and Dean didn't take precautions for that? Hell, Dean had Sam test her with salt, silver, and holy water while she was unconscious on the way to the hospital.”

Castiel simply glared at his brother, to which Gabriel rolled his eyes and placed his feet back on the floor. “I'm not saying we give her the keys to the castle. By all means, keep an eye on her. I'm just saying, give her a chance before you smite her. From what Dean says, she just needs some help right now.”

Castiel opened his mouth to respond, however, as he did, Dean's voice rang through the bunker from the garage.

“We're home!”

“We're in the war room!” Castiel called back.

As Gabriel stood from his chair, Sam and Dean entered with Zora trailing behind them, almost like she was using their bodies to hide behind. When the brothers’ eyes settled on Gabriel they were both silent for a moment as they took in the former Archangel alive in front of them. Sam was the first to make a move and crossed the room to, much to Gabriel's surprise, embrace him. He briefly, and awkwardly, returned Sam's gesture.

“It's really good to see you, Gabriel,” Sam said as he stepped aside.

“Yeah, it is,” Dean agreed as he strode forward with his hand extended. “We can't thank you enough for what you did for us,” he continued as Gabriel accepted his handshake.

“Yeah, you're welcome,” Gabriel said, slightly taken aback by their appreciation.

When the brothers had moved to greet the former Archangel it had put Zora straight into Castiel's line of sight, and he suddenly had a pang of guilt for being so suspicious. The bruises and cuts that littered her body drove home that his brother may have been right about her needing their help. Zora looked up to meet the angel's gaze and gave an uncertain smile.

“Right!” Dean said, catching the nonverbal exchange between the two. “Guys this is Zora Townsend. Zora, Cas and Gabriel.”

Zora nodded her acknowledgement as Dean pointed to them in turn. “Nice to meet you guys,” she said.

Castiel walked up to her, and she visibly stopped herself from taking a step back. “Those bruises look painful. I can heal them if you want.”

She nodded her consent and the angel placed two fingers to her forehead. Zora gasped when she felt the tingling warmth spread through her body quickly.

“There,” Castiel said as he lowered his hand. “I also healed some internal bleeding in your abdomen. It appeared to be a bit older than your other wounds.”

“Uh..yeah,” she stammered. “Must have been from the last time I saw them.”

She quickly averted her eyes from Castiel's gaze to find Gabriel very obviously checking her out.

“Damn, Sugar, you clean up nice!” he said, causing the mouths of the other three men to drop open.

Zora narrowed her eyes at the former Archangel. “Is that supposed to be an attempt at flirting? If so, you kinda suck at it.”

“No,” Gabriel replied with a smirk. “That was just an observation. Trust me, if I was flirting you'd know it.”

“Alright then!” Sam interjected, taking his opportunity to diffuse the situation before it escalated. “Come on Zora, I'll give you the grand tour and show you where you'll be sleeping.”

Zora dragged her gaze from the former Archangel to meet Sam's and let him lead her from the war room with Dean following behind them. Gabriel chuckled to himself as he turned back to his little brother and was met with a stern look from the angel.

“What?!” Gabriel asked.

Castiel simply rolled his eyes and shook his head.

***

Once the Winchester brothers had shown Zora around and helped get her settled in, the rest of the day had been spent in the library behind laptop screens and in old dusty lore books. Sam, Dean, and Zora searched for any and all information they could find on Eligos and Adonis, and Gabriel and Castiel scoured for any signs of the grace the former Archangel had ripped from himself. The latter of the two proved much less fruitful.

Gabriel and Castiel had filled in the gaps of the lore books for the hunters on the knowledge they possessed of the demons. Of the four Dukes of Hell, Eligos was the only one who remained, and he was a demon of war. They had gone on to explain that the Duke had had a hand in every war that had happened on Earth since Lucifer fell in some form or fashion, and was rumored to have his own army of sixty legions of demons at his disposal. He also thrived on destruction and seeing soldiers fall in battle. His plan to bring Gabriel back and darken his grace would have given the Duke his own personal, and reusable, nuclear warhead.

Adonis, while still more powerful that your average demon, was nowhere near as high on the totem pole as the Duke. The information they held on him was much more sparse than the other, but they were not aware of any connection he had to Eligos. That didn't mean, however, that they could assume he didn't know about Eligos wanting Gabriel. They were positive that every demon in existence was aware of the hit on the former Archangel by now, and if they spotted him word would surely get back to the Duke.

Beyond that marginal amount of information, they had found nothing else on either demon. Hours passed and frustrations mounted until Dean slammed the book he had been reading closed, making the others jump in their seats.

“I need a break,” he grumbled as he rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands.

“I second that,” Zora said as she leaned back in her chair and glanced at the clock on the wall. “I haven't had any sleep in like two days. Well, other than being knocked out, but I don't really think that counts.”

“Definitely doesn't count,” Sam agreed as he shut his laptop. “I'm pretty beat too, to be honest.”

“Yeah, me too,” Gabriel said as he stood to stretch. “This being human thing sucks.”

“You all should get some rest,” Castiel suggested. “I'll continue here and catch everyone up in the morning.”

None had it in them to argue with the angel and, slowly, they gathered their things and headed off to their respective rooms.

***

Zora had decided last minute to shower before she laid down to sleep, and as she exited the bathroom she heard the faint, but distinctive, sound of soft snoring coming from three rooms near her own. Quietly, she made her way to the room Sam and Dean had given her and shut the door as she entered. As she placed her messenger bag full of her clothes next to her bed, the cell phone sitting on the nightstand buzzed. She picked it up to find a message from an “unknown number.”

We need to talk.

She sighed as she sat the phone back down and began to pull her shoes back on. She knew exactly who the message was from, and it caused a feeling of dread to settle over her. She had hoped he would wait until the next day to contact her. She knew better than to keep him waiting. As soon as her shoes were on, she slipped her phone into the pocket of her violet fleece pajama bottoms and made her way back into the hallway. Listening intently for any sign of Castiel, she made her way to the garage and slipped outside.

Despite the warmth of the summer night, she felt a chill settle over her as she walked to where Sam had pointed out that the protective warding of the bunker ended. She waited, standing with her arms crossed over her chest until she heard a twig snap next to her. She whirled around to see Adonis gazing at her with a smile on his face. A breath of relief escaped her as she returned his smile.

“You're not who I was expecting,” Zora said as her body relaxed.

“He's on his way,” Adonis told her as he stepped closer to her and gently reached out to take her chin between his thumb and pointer finger, carefully turning her head from side to side. “The angel healed your injuries?”

“Yes,” she confirmed as he let his hand fall back to his side. “Your goons got a little carried away.”

“I know. I'm sorry,” he said, guilt slightly lacing his tone. “Why do you think I made sure they were the first ones the Winchesters encountered?”

“He will be mad you let them get killed.”

Adonis shrugged off her concern. “We've already dealt with the issue. It wasn't that bad. You're OK and the Winchesters took the bait. That's all that matters.”

“Indeed,” another male voice said.

Both Zora and Adonis spun around to face the speaker, their postures stiffening as their eyes landed on Eligos. A cold grin was set into his features as he looked between them, finally settling his gaze on Zora and moving to stand directly in front of her. His face distorted in disgust and she dropped her eyes to stare at the ground.

“And I thought your human scent was bad,” he spat. “The smell of human mixed with the angel's magic is downright appalling! I thought I told you to shower if he healed you!”

“I did, sir,” she replied quickly.

“Take another!”

“Yes, sir.”

“Look at me!” Eligos growled.

Her eyes shot up to meet the Duke's.

“What do they know?” he demanded.

“No more than you assumed, sir.”

“Have they any indication of where the Archangel's grace landed?”

“No, sir. Gabriel and Castiel haven't been able to find any signs of it anywhere.”

Zora flinched as Eligos roared in frustration. “Sir, if I may?” she asked cautiously.

“What?!” he half yelled at her as his eyes turned black.

She dropped her eyes to the ground again, his intense and rage-filled gaze sending a chill up her spine as she fought to get her voice to work. “With...with all due respect...we have Gabriel. He's right inside. I'll get him out here and you can grab him.”

A yelp of shock and pain tore out of Zora's lips when Eligos harshly reached out to twist his hand into the hair at the back of her head. He roughly forced her to the ground on her knees and pulled her head back until pain shot through her body and she whimpered. She locked her arms to her sides, knowing better than to put up a fight. From the corner of her eye she could see Adonis fighting his urge to intervene.

“If I want your worthless opinion on what to do I will ask!” Eligos growled. “You will do well to remember your place, girl! I'm the one that raised your pathetic human ass, and you will do as I say and nothing more! Is that clear?!”

Zora did her best to nod in the position he held her as she fought back the tears stinging her eyes.

“ANSWER ME!” Eligos bellowed.

“Y-yes, sir,” she said, her voice strained.

“You will get close to the Winchesters, their pet angel, and the former Archangel! Make them trust you and keep me updated on their findings! If I need you to do something more I will tell you!  I, and the rest of my competent soldiers, will take care of the rest. Do NOT fuck this up, Zora, or that tiny internal bleeding issue the angel fixed will be nothing compared to what I'll do to you if you fail or get found out!”

“Y-yes, sir,” Zora choked out.

The wind was ripped from her lungs when Eligos threw her to the ground and landed a kick to her stomach. He glared at her defenseless form for a moment before he turned his attention to Adonis.

“Meet me at base. We have work to do,” he ordered, and then vanished.

As soon as the Duke was gone, Adonis was kneeling next to Zora, helping her to a sitting position.

“Why do you provoke him?” he asked gently as he brushed the dirt from her clothing. He paused when he saw the rip in her pants at the knee. She had obviously landed on a sharp rock when she hit the ground, and blood was seeping from the wound it had caused. “Are you OK?”

“I'm fine,” she said meekly. “I need to get back in there before anyone notices I'm gone.”

Adonis nodded reluctantly and helped her to her feet. After saying their farewells and him telling her to call if she needed him, Zora made her way back through the garage. She quietly shut the door that led into the hallway from the garage and turned. She then froze in her tracks. Her brain spun into overdrive as she looked into the whiskey eyes of the former Archangel standing in front of her.

Chapters 1 through 5 up on AO3. Link below.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/18542239/chapters/43948366

If you would like to be added to a tag list for this story or any other fics I post just let me know.

[shield-agent78]

Linguistics  Ch. 13 Cochon de Lait

Bucky X OC

Warnings:language, sexual situations (later in chapter), fluff

 (New Orleans, Louisiana- Safe house and Training Facility)

"Again!" Clint's voice boomed out to me. I ran and flipped over the obstacle again landing in a fighting stance with my fake weapon drawn. Clint gave a nod of approval to me. "Much better agent. Now what do you do if you fall but have an opponent in front of you?"

"Run," I teased. He gave me a mock scow. "Fine get off my ass if I can if not knee down in a ready stance take aim and evacuate."

"That's correct,"he said clapping his hands together. "Now let's try one more...."He stopped in mind sentence as Bucky walked into the gym. "Can I help you with something Barnes?"

"Just here for the view."

"Then go to the bayou we're working here." I wiped the sweet from my forehead. Yes this was the best Clint's training and team winter for missions only with Clint's team as he needed.

"She's getting better." Bucky started with a grin.

"Yes and stronger. In fact let me see how you can do against him." I turned and faced Clint.

"Only if I pick the manure" I mouthed to him. He gave me an approving nod. I turned back and looked at Bucky. Have pulled back black, jeans and tight shirt now ready to face me. Fine. Two can play this game.

"Come on doll it will be fun." He wiggled his fingers toward me to come and get him.

"I don't think that's a good idea James," I said walking up to him surprising him by strutting up to him and wrapping my arms around his waist while giving him a sexy smile. "You know the only reason I won the last time is because I had my gun. It wouldn't be fair to take advantage of me would it soldier." I stated why drawing circles onto his back. "Besides right now I'm not interested in fighting you."

"And why not doll?"

I leaned my head close to his ear. "Because I am very interested in fu*king you but not fighting you." He gave me a dirty smirk. His blue eyes locked in mine as they turned a stormy color and I knew I had him. I unlocked my arms and began walking to the back of him keeping one hand slightly touching him with my fingertips until I got to his back. I latched my fingers quickly onto his flesh hand and pulled his arm back hard kicking his legs from behind. He stumbled and fell onto his knees. I placed my knee to his back and forced him down with an uff. I pulled out my dummy knife and held it quickly up to his throat. "And your dead. Never underestimate the enemy," I said triumphantly as I kissed him on his cheek. He gave me a wide eyed look of surprise.

"Ok you got me let me up would ya?"

"Fine but only because we have to get ready for tonight you big ox."

Clint just rolled with laughter. "Correctly exacted Jones now get out of here."

An hour and a half later, I sat zipping up my knee high leather boots waiting for James to finish getting ready. "So where are we goin' again?" He asked as he looked into the mirror shaving. I gave a little huff.

"I hold you Buck. To the Hurricane for a Cochon de Lait that Gambit is throwing for all of us."

"And what is that again?"

"Ugh! You know for a man who can speak seven languages you know very little." I tried to hide the annoyance in my voice. Especially after being asked the same question now for the fifth time.

"Cajun isn't one of them Ema." I could tell he was grinning.

"Yes I know Sargent but French is," I teased. "Basically a pig roast. You know food booze and music. And knowing Gambit poker as well." I said giving myself one last glimpse in the mirror. Of course someone had walked out of the bathroom by than looking me over as well.

" Any chance of some beautiful dames being there?"

"Well maybe one or two." I said muttered before looking up and seeing him stand in the doorway with a towel wrapped low around his waist. God help me. That dang sinful v-line showing. My lips parted some as I tried hard not to stare.

"One for sure" he mumbled crossing the room before pulling me towards him holding my hands. "Do ya know what you are doing to me wearing that babydoll dress?"

"Why do you think I bought it?" I said looking into his eyes flirtation dripping from my lips. I wrapped my arms around him as he pulled me closer and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Not really what I was hoping for beautiful." His pupils blown. I knew that look. The one of I want you under me NOW.

"Well keep talking that way and maybe you'll get lucky later. We are going to be late if you don't hurry up. Now get dressed I said patting him on his chest." He just shook his head no.

BUCKY POV:

"Mumm come on Doll." I mumbled as I placed small kisses on her neck. Her breath hitched. I continued to place kisses and licks down her neck as I mumbled into it, " remember earlier you said you were more interested in fuckying me instead of fighting me, here's your chance."

"J-ames I ugh." She sighed and tighten her arms around my neck as she began running her fingers through my damp hair. I cupped her face with my left hand as I caught a glimpse of my dog tags around her neck.

"Does he know we're together?"

"No, why?" She said giving me a curious look. I tucked a pice of hair behind her ear.

"Because he doesn't need too. I don't want an . . ."

"extra target on your back." Ema repeated with me. "I get it but don't you think they will be able to tell that we are together?"

"Probably but at least we can keep them guessing some. I want you safe." I said looking into her hazel eyes.

" Fine. What do you want me to do Buck?" She asked as she ran her hands on the back of my neck massaging it.

"Just act like we're not together. That’s all." Ema gave me a huff and shook her head no.

“I can’t believe you are asking me to do this.” I gave her my task force look. “Fine, Sergeant Barnes if that’s what you want I will do it." She took her off the tags and handed them to me and I placed them on the dresser.

"Thank you. Now can I have a real kiss?" She placed a chase kiss on my lips before pulling completely away from me. “Still not what I had in mind when you said you were going to fuck me,” I grumbled. Ema bit her lip and just shook her head.

“We can talk about that later. I love you."

"I love you too."

"Now get dressed boy." I chuckled as she swatted me on my behind.

"Yes Ma'am." I gave me a playing smirk as she walked out the bedroom quickly closing the door behind her.

(Ema POV)

I came face to face with Steve. Dark jeans and a blue casual pullover. "You look nice."

"Buck in there?"

" Yes, he's getting dressed." I said walking to the dean to find Natasha.

(Steve POV)

I heard Buck's voice boom from the bathroom as he heard the door open. "Hey Doll you changed your mind on my offer?" I almost choked. That was what was going on in here.

"No don't think so hun." I said joking him. I walked in and stood beside the dresser noticing the dog tags laing there.

"Oh sorry thought you were Ema." He said as he tugged his shirt on walking into the bedroom.

"Buck everything ok?"

"Yep why?" He said slipping on his boots tieing them.

"Why is Ema's tags on the dresser?" I gave him a concern look.

He looked up clearing his throat. "Just trying to keep my girl safe Steve. Drop it." I knew I wasn't going to get anywhere with him on that.

"Fine. What does she say about this guy Gambit?" I leaned against the dresser crossing my arms looking at him.

"Just that he is a friend. Likes to gamble and a thief. He owns most of the bar."

"You trust that?"

"No not at all. But I trust her. I also know what We both read about him. Gifted SOB with a knack for getting into trouble. Plan on keeping him in arms length the left arm's length." Buck said flatly holding up his hand.

"Keep your head on Buck." I said calmly.

"I will as long as he doesn't try anything he will be fine. You know I have a bad feeling man about this but I know it's because we don't have a lot of intel." He placed his SIG Sauer in his jacket pocket and handed me his knife. "Just in case besides no way you bringing your shield." He mumbled walking out the bedroom.

Dusk had made it to the Big Easy. The evening was young and the street was still surprisingly quite. We parked behind 115 Bourbon Street. It was where I spent two years of my life working my way through grad school. It was a soldiers favorite hangout in the Quarter but also where a girl could have their pick of any guy as well as get the best tips if they chose to work here. Gambit had been a good friend to work with, he had made sure I was well taken care of while I was going to school and working long hours to pay my car note.  I was excited to be back home again and to see him.

The club door open easily to find a the familiar sight of round tables, dance floor, band area and of course my mahogany bar. It was the same bar and same smells but it was easy to spot new security system and posts that needed to be replace most probably from the unsuccessful turn of events. Hence the reason we were here.  "So where is this guy?" I heard Clint mumble as Sam grunted in approval as we walked into the empty room.  

"Remy LeBeau! What in the hell have you done to my bar!?" I yelled out to the empty space.

“Yours?” Buck mouthed to me.

"You never won half of it from me so Chere so it's mine to do what I like!" I heard his Cajun voice reply before I saw him walk from the back room.

"Chere?" Buck hissed through his teeth. I just ignored him and Steve shot him a glare that shut him up.

"Now come on and give Remy a hug would ya." His brown eyes sparked as I gave him a squeeze. His grip tighten as he picked me up and spun me around as I giggled. "Told ya you would be back for me Chere." He said as he put me down onto the ground.  Bucky stood watching the scene with a grimace on his face his fist clenched beside him. I just laughed."Only in your dreams Gambit. Come and let me introduce you to the Avengers.

"Welcome one and all to New Orleans and to the Hurricane."  No let me. You must be the one I talked to Clint right?" Gambit shook Clint's hand. "Thank you for comin."

"Your welcome." Clint said with a smile.

“And you are the wigged one so you gotta be Sam.”  Sam gave Gambit a nod as they shook hands.

" You must be Steve the Captain." He said shaking Steve's hand. “It is an honor to meet you. Thank you for takin care of my Ema for me.” Bucky’s jaw tighten. Nope he didn’t like that remark.

"That's right. It’s augh been no problem. Nice to meet you Remy."

"Oh Chere you are stunning. You must be the famous Black Widow." Remy said as he placed a kiss on Natasha's cheek.

"Yes, Natasha please."

"Of course Chere."

"And you my friend are?" He gave Bucky a questioning look tring to place him.

"The Winter Soldier. Bucky Barnes."  Bucky grumbled as he shook Remey’s hand tightly. Remey took back his hand and rubbing it some. I shot James a warning look.  

"Come let's sit. "Ladies get the drinks would you." Two waitress brought a round of whisky for the guys and gave Natasha and I both red wine. "Ema you look wonderful and it is so good to see you again."

"Thank you but your stalling Remy." I said with a little huff. The guys took a seat around on of the larege round tables with Buck taking one right across from Remy facing me. Natasha and I pulled up extra chairs. I sat by her not wanting to give anything away. I want you safe. Is this how you are doing it back acting like a jerk to my friend.

"You know if it hadn't been for that official mess I wouldn't have asked for help you know." His thick ascent hung in the air.  

"Yes I know, so what is the mess you are involved with this time?"

"Well lets just say that an old friend of Ema's and mines has sufficed his head again."

"Whatca' mean by that exactly?" Steve asked taking a slip of his drink. " I guess you all heard the name Chris Jackson from Ema?" Steve gave a nod. "Well his connections run deep in H.Y.D.R.A." I stiffen a little. Natasha sent me a sidewinders glance which I knew meant to calm down.  I took a deep breath.

"Ok Gambit, tell us what is going on don’t leave anything out. Every detail you can tell us could be an important one.” Buck commanded not giving anything away about me and him.

"For sure man I’ll tellin ya that this make no sense through. Several weeks ago me and this guy was plain cards. He was down by a thousand so I told him he could give me what he had. This guy pulls out this little red book with a star on it and puts into play. I ask him what the hell that was. He told me that it was worth more than all the money I had in that pile plus some. So of course I play to win. . .” Gambit stopped and began flipping a stack of playing cards nervously. Anyways I have this damn thing now than my bouncer gets killed cause these dudes in black come lookin for it. Of course he had no idea I had it You know how it is Chree.”

"No Remy I didn't know." My voice angry with past events and now at him. "And why are you involved with people like that?" He shrug.

"Bad voodoo I guess. That's why the NOPD to step in and try to help. When that didn't work I contacted Clint here. Just didn't know you were working for them." I shook my head.

"There's a lot you don't know Remy. A lot." He laughed and I received a cold stare from Bucky. What was his problem anyway. "Where is the book now?"

"Here.” He slid the red ledger to Steve across the table. My eyes widen. This was Buck’s trigger book. At least a copy of one. “Inside it is some type of mumbo jumbo and some formula. So is that it? That a fix it right?"

"Easier said than done.” Sam retorted as Steve handed the book to Bucky. He gripped it tightly before placing it his jacket pocket.

"Got that cajun." Buck mumbled. I stood up walking over and placed a reassuring hand on Gambit's shoulder.

“You help me right Ema? For all times sake?”

"We will do what we can to help, but I can't promise anything, and Gambit.” I leaded my hand closer to his ear,  “if this is a set up you won't have to worry about the bar anymore." My voice dripped with my treat I would make good on.

"How's that Cere?" He raised an eyebrow looking at me. "Because if I don't kill you, headshot probably will." I motion my head toward Buck as Gambit's eyes followed me.

"No set up. Remy wouldn't do that to ya'll." Bucky just gave Gambit and death glare.

"Come on enough talk music, food, and drinks." He declared standing up. I just shook my head. Same old Remy. And hour later  Nickleback's Get 'Em Up flooded bar and so did laughter.

"So show us you skills behind that thing Ema. Steve teased. he was more relaxed now and I wished that would rub off on Bucky.

"Sure why not. I walked behind the bar rubbing my hands on the mahogany top. I looked at one James Barns sitting there on a bar stool with an amused smirk on his face.

"Watch this." Gambit said to Natasha as they sat at the table playing cards with Clint. "This is why she is so good."

I stood behind the bar and with sassy sway in my steep and voice."So what can I get you soldier?" I said with a smile.

"Actually it's Sargent." He said with a mischievous look in them. Oh this was going to be good.

"Oh I'm sorry. Sargent. What can I get for you?"

"How about your number darlin'?"

"Well you can give me yours and I let you know at the end of the night where you stand I said giving him a napkin and a pen to write it down with. "Now how about a drink. Whisky?"

"How'd you know?" (Music change-Light Em Up by Fall Out Boy)

"I'm very good at my job." I teased. I took a glass and put a little ice in it before flipping the bottle into the air in front of me and catching it with one hand. He gave a chuckle as I poured the drink for him and then placed it in front of him.

"So now how about that number?" His voice now thick with lust.  

"Like I said Sargent give me yours and I'll let you know where you stand at the end of my shift." He handed me a napkin with a note on it. I know your game Doll. I folded it and just rolled my eyes at him before tucking it into my shirt.

"Yep that's where all the numbers went." Gambit's voice boomed. Steve just laughed.

"And how many of those numbers did you get and actually call Ema?" Natasha added.

"Oh probably got at least 100 on a good weekend and only called two. One took me out to dinner before he shipped out and the other took me to DC." I said looking at Bucky biting my lip.

A slight hiss came from him. "So what's my chance Doll?"

"Not good." I said shaking my head no leaning closer to him picking up his empty glass. The guys busted out laughing and I just smirked. I leaned over and whispered to him. "Stop acting like a jerk and they may improve." I said through my teeth with a slight smile.

One hour later: Bucky POV

 "I getting tired of this guy already. If he made another move on Ema I may just have too reach out and choke him." I said to Steve as we leaned against the bar.

"You're the one that told her you didn't want a target on her back and to leave her dog tags off and you haven’t given her the ring yet. How long are you going to keep it hidden in your bag? Man sometimes Buck I don't know what you thinkin."

"I'm thinking about her safety" I hissed.

"Yes but like I said she can take care of herself."

"So what's going on here boys?" Natasha asked as she walked up placing her empty glass on the bar. "Another alpha male contest?"

"What do you mean by that?" I asked placing my drink down.

"Well if you just take a look around you will see Ema having a good time and you  miserable." I gave her a glare but she continued. "Buck right now your mad because it looks like Ema is single. That's what you wanted. Not her. And you competition is right in front of you." I saw Ema and Gambit talking by one of the posts. She was leaning against it as she laughed.

"After all dis time you come back to me? I mean you can't be interested in one of them chere?" A glime had set in his eye that I didn't like. He motion to Steve and I as we made our way back to the table for poker.

Ema walked beside and turned to answer him as Gambit sat down and cut the cards  and placed them in the center of the table. However I spoke up before she could.

"I  can answer that for you Remy." I said giving him a smirk. I pulled Ema into my lap and placed one arm around her waist and one close to the higher part of her thigh. Her breath hitched as she wrapped hers around my neck. "You?" He questioned giving me a smug look.

"Yep me. Like she told you earlier. You don't know everything that's going on here.  And here here's another one for you friend," I said cockily, "She's my girl and has been that way for over a year so mind how you talk to her." I rubbed my fingertips up and down her back. She immediately relaxed.

"Ema is what he says true?" He asked dealing the cards.

"Yes. All of it."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted her safe." I said as I shot him a look. He gave a nod of understanding.

"With something that precious I understand." Gambit mumbled as I smiled in agreement.

"So I guess that means another round on the house some good nature poker and then of course embarrassing stories about Ema and you to my friend!"

She laughed.  Well maybe one or two I thought.  Ema kissed on my cheek with a smile.

"So you think I have a chance now with the beautiful dame behind the bar?" I whispered. She gave me a sweet smile and leaded to me.

"Maybe Sergeant if you're lucky." I picked up my cars and looked at them while I held Ema around her waist. A hand of pocket aces.

"Yes Doll I definitely think my luck is improving.

(Later On-Narrator POV)

"Oh this will be fun!" Natasha eyes were gleaming.

"Ya tell him about the time these two decided to go on an impromptu mission and got into truth serum." Steve hooped.

"Yes I want to hear that one for sure chi'."

" Oh no"  Ema mumbled as she blushed. Bucky pulled her closer to him his arms warped around her waist and hers around his neck.  He let out a chuckle.

"Well they had been dating seriously for about three months and no one knew they were officially an item." Steve said. "Nat and I had just came back from a mission and these two decide to go an do inventory."

" Yes inventory" Clint snorted.  "At least that was what Buck called it.

"Oh no," Ema giggled. She knew what was coming.

"No wait first they got caught in the supply closet." Natasha said as her green eyes glimmering.

" I still don't know how that exactly happen."

"So we could make out." Bucky said with a cheeky grin. He received a teasing hit on his arm from Ema.  He chuckled. "Well, It was inventory." Ema just hung down her head as she turned red.  "I just brought her along for company."

Steve looked shot his head back with a laugh before continuing.  "Anyway I go to see how they were doing and find powder floating everywhere. I call Natasha down for backup and find out from her it's the truth power we brought back with us." Gambit was now rolling with laughter.

"She broke the bag." "He broke the bag." Both Buck and Ema said at the same time pointing at the other.

"So we separate them and all he can do is range about all kinds of shit and says he is going to find Ema. I'm like why do you need to find her. Cause I've been with her for over three months now and I want to see her. By this time Natasha is taking care of Ema. Well, Ema decides she is going to train.

" And you know you can't shut her mouth up sometimes" Natasha teased.

"Yes I know." Gambit said in agreement.

"Never me." Ema said teasing.

"Yes you Doll." Bucky said giving her a deep kiss followed by cat calls.  

"So we end up in the gym a safe place at least I think. Wait I still have the video. " Natasha said as she pulled out her phone. " I kept it for times just like this one!" She prompt it up on the table to show Gambit as Clint busted into laughter.

"I don't think the gym is a good ideal right now Ema."  Natasha was following Ema right on her heels.

"Why? You always say that I need the extra practice." Ema said exasperated with her hands on her hips.

" Yes but that when you and Barns haven't been exposed to a truth serum powder."

" So now you are my babysitter," Ema said flatly.

"Yes, for right now," Natasha's voice was almost in amusement. Ema stood facing Natasha who was now in front of her just shaking her head as she crossed her arms trying to head Ema off.  

" Do you know how frustrating that man is?"  She waved her hands for emphasis. "We were in a closet for a little bit with him pulling me closer to him while he was flirting with me." Ema said pointing to herself. Natasha looked at her in amusement with a slight smile creeping upon her face. "I mean do you know how HOT he is?" Ema continued smiling. By now all watching the video were laughing.

"Bucky teased me," she pointed to herself "saying I had a smart mouth." Ema began talking with hands again. "It took everything I had not to tell him that the only way to shut me up was him to use a much better pick up line or put his tongue in my mouth. I really wanted him to do the second. I mean he is HOT." Natasha started to laughing.

" Ema you you really don't know when to shut up do you?" She said between giggles.

"No not really why?" Tasha shook her head to the right than to the left. Ema glanced to her right seeing Steve beside her. He shook his head in amazement trying not to laugh. "Oh crap! You know," Ema continued looking up now at Steve now "I can't figure him out sometimes."

"That makes two of us right now." He said with a slight laugh.

"I can't tell if he just wants to kill me," talking with her hands again now placing a figure closer to her lips biting on it some, "or take me to bed." Steve put his hands over his forehead over his eyes now almost in tears trying not to bust into laughter his face getting more red every moment. "Wait!" Ema said realization hitting her. "If you are here and that means he is over there," she moved her head emphasizing the left.

"Yep," Steve said beside her. Ema immediately blushed and looked straight ahead to Natasha who was now laughing her head off.

"You are no help Nat!"

"No not really but that is all on you girl."  Ema turned facing Bucky now who was standing behind her looking very cocky with his arms folded.

"You heard everything didn't you."

" Yes," he said smugly as he moved closer to her placing his left arm around his waist and his flesh one on her face tucking a piece of it behind her ear. His hungry blue eyes darkening. "And I plan on taking you up on the last part doll. You know your sexy as hell. I will be very pleased to shut you up probably leaving all kinds of marks on you so everyone will be able to tell that you are mine. Would you like that doll?" His voice husky now.

"Yes sergeant" Ema said innocently.  Cat calls followed from the ones watching the video.

"Please Turn it off now," Ema mumbled.

"Do something Steve. "Natasha commanded.

"What do you want me to do? Stop them. Ok Buck let her go and come on."

"Get your own girl she's mine." He huffed tightening his grip on Ema.

" See that's what I'm dealing with," Steve said in frustration.

"Come on doll lets go now."

"Where?"

"Back to my apartment."

"Steve!" Natasha called out again.

"Just chill Tasha they been together for a while now anyway.."

" What? Yes they were just keeping in quiet."

"Guess that's out now." ___END OF VIDEO

"Thank God." Ema mumbled. Bucky laughed.

"Got to love it Doll."

(Later-Save house/Ema's and Bucky's Room)

"I had fun tonight." I said walking out into our bedroom. I had put a towel around my waist. My hair was still damp from my shower. My abdomen stung with the sight of her in my black tee shirt.

"Yes you say that after you own 500 dollars." She smirked pulling back the sheets on the bed. Ema walked around to me as I sat down on my side of our bed.

"Sorry if it started out rough." I said looking at her lovely holding out my hands to her. She held my hands as I pulled her to me.

"I kind of expected such. You are both alpha males." Her eyes darkening as she teased me.

"I can show you alpha male darlin if you want."

"Oh, I don't know about that. You see I met a really cute Sergeant tonight." She stated with a flirty smile as her eyes shone brightly."Really what did he look like maybe I can help you?” I asked my voice low as I looked her up and down making sure my eyes lingered on some of my favorite places.

"Well he's tall and well built and cocky." She said smiling at me. "Oh and he has two strong arms that he loves to snake around me." I placed my arms around her and pulled her to me.

"Mumm sounds familiar think I may know him. What do you plan on doing with him if you find him?"  I mumbled as I kissed her forehead. She looked at me through her lashes making me want to take her right then.

"Well if you happen to see him let him know he's about to get lucky with a beautiful bartender." She pulled on my towel unloosing it. I chuckled. "Interested Sergeant?" I pulled her back as she slowly pulled my shirt off of her body. My throat hitched as I felt myself standing to get hard.

"Very interested Doll." I placed kisses down her body.

" J-ams" she muttered as I rubbed my hand against her.

"You already wet for me Doll. Lay down on that bed. I plan on taking care of you tonight." She crawled up on our bed waiting for me. I lowered myself in the bed and kissed her lovely and then began working my way down her body.

(Last Night)

Ema relaxed as she placed her head beside me stroking my arm with her fingertips as I held her against me. Several hours at the bar and now making love to her made me come to the realization that I didn't want her separated from me on missions. I wanted her with me, just like she wanted to be with me. She could rock me to my core in a good way by just one look from her. What had this woman done to me? The former Winter Soldier. "Buck get some sleep," she mumbled. "We got a long day tomorrow."

"I will Doll. Rest. I'm not goin anywhere meine Geliebte." (my love) She gave me a sleepy smile and soon I drifted off to a dreamless sleep holding her in my arms.

(The Next Day)

I hated waking up to an empty bed. Now I knew how she felt when I was on a mission. She had been at the Hurricane since around ten this morning and now it was noon.  I had woke up and found a note sain' where she was signed with an X O Ema on it. I had to ask Steve what that X O meant later.

The afternoon sun beamed down on us as we drove to the bar on bike. Natasha had hitched a ride with me so she could help Ema for the setup today. I had made plans to meet Steve, Clint, and Sam later to case the area so we could get the best shot areas near the club both inside and out. "Don't worry she can take care of herself you know. I trained her well." Natasha said getting off my bike.

"Yes and I trained you so I know she can handle it but that also means she can seduce a man within moments and then kill them within another." I was less happy with the first part than the second but I knew it was part of the gig. I just had to keep my jealousy in check.

"Exactly. My masterpiece!"

"Natalia, she is also mine." I hissed.

"Than you have nothing to worry about Buck." She turned facing me outside of the bar. "Have you seen the way Ema looks at you or are you old and blind?" Her words crisp. I shot her a glare as we entered the bar.

The song Rock You Like a Hurricane filled the bar. She stood leaning over the bar prompt up on her elbows with a marker in her hand. Her eyes concentrating on files and the board she was working on. She sawed and sung to the music as we walked inside. "Bar's closed." She said without looking up.

Natasha just smiled. "See focused and determined. Nothin to worry about." I cleared my throat and Ema looked up immediately locking eyes on mine and smiled. My heart almost stopped. Amy shirt tied around her waist with jean shorts. She rocked me just like a hurricane.

"Hi." was all I could mutter as I stopped dead in my tracks.

"Well Sergent you decided to come back and see me?" She teased.

"Ugh huh." Ema gave me a slight giggle and looked to Natasha as she joined her behind the bar.

"How's it coming Ema?"

"Fine. Look at this would ya?" pointing out the whiteboard to Natasha. "Drink specials for tonight. Gambit thought it would be funny to have a drink named for each of us. Want to guess who is who?"

"Let me see it." Natasha said as she pulled the board to her. By now I finally made my way to a bar stool to sit down.

"Widow is me, You are 40's Love, Steve is Cap, that leaves Clint and Bucky. Oh I know Clint is Arrow and Buck is White Wolf." She laughed.

"Not bad. It took me about 5 minutes. It only took you about two."

"White Wolf hugh?" I piped up.

"Well he might had had a little help on that one." She winked.

"So what else you got?" I pulled the file toward me flipping through it as she explained it to me.

"Sylvester Norris early 30's. White male. Speaks English and Cajun French is apparently our guy who has caused all of this mess. No pic available. Apparently he is is camera shy. Anyway his trademark is a white to tan suits. Really stands out in a bunch of alpha male soldiers. Been putting the screws on Gambit for while now. Basically set up the hit on bouncer and doesn’t play well with others. Says his last partner was killed in a explosion. Oh and likes to play poker, scotch based drinks and  bartenders."

"Well looks like someone has done her homework." Nat smirked.

"Also I was thinking the bug drops need to be at the poker table, back office, and the bar area. Live feed as well."

"And one on you." I said looking up from the file.

"Where would you like me to put it Sergant? As you recall you've seen my uniform."

"Hidden one on my dog tags."

"Oh, well in that case I guess I can start wearing those again." She said with a slight smirk as she rolled her eyes at me.

"Yes that's why I brought them to you. Come here." I demanded.

She leaned over closer to me as I placed the tags around her neck as I kissed her cheek gently. "Got time for a short lunch break beautiful?"

"Sure she does. Go. I got this setup and Clint should be here soon to help me. See you in a few hours. Get out of here you too. Shoo!" Natasha said as she pushed Ema from behind the bar and both of us out the door.

We stood on the sidewalk together hand and hand with her looking up at me and me looking down at her. "Hi. Doll."

"Hi. Sergeant," she said caressing my cheek.

"Need somethin' sweet from you."

"And what might that be?" She asked with a curious look.

"This." I leaned down and kissed her softly on her lips. "Now come on. Let’s go get lunch."  

@jewels2876     @averyrogers83     @songsaboutbuckyy @theonelittleone  @mysticalfairytales                                   @minerva1920              

@423paralegal @kombatfather1796

@patriciaprevedelli @dilaila95

@aaamandaaaz @igotkatiepowers​

@lovemesomeworlddomination @myeyesarenotblue

@babyinatrenchcoatlover @mxgicmoonz

@verygraphicink @tuhl @buckmesideways22  

@jewelofwinter @catsandbooksinafarawayplace​

@ nerd-in-a-galaxy-far-away

@teamcap4bucky

@hoewkeye

@marvelandotherfandomimagines

@dmn-dmn @littledarlinhavefaithinme  @shreddedparchment

@catsandbooksinafarawayplace @carryoncaptainrogers​

@kombatfather1796 @toxic-pineapple  @itsfabipro​

@jewelofwinter @babyinatrenchcoatlover @verygraphicink @teamcap4bucky

[zjennings91]

Internship Interviews

Entry 6

Throughout my studies, each semester has carried a theme. Whether it be the unknown of the first semester or the all-consuming third and fourth semesters, you can reflect on your experiences throughout this journey and title each period like chapters in a book. There is only one theme or title adequate for this semester, Unprecedented.

Like most aspects of everyday life around the world for the first half of this year, the Coronavirus pandemic has affected our studies. For our cohort, this has had a resounding impact on quite possibly the most important facet of the course, the internships.

While in the past the internship process has been sowed up by now, with students locked into placements, our official process is yet to begin. While this isn’t ideal, as I have mentioned in some of my other entries, it has provided essentially a free hit for us, with the mock applications and now the mock interviews.

Personal interviews and interpersonal skills are greatly important when it comes to securing a placement. It has been stated that initial interviews and interactions are the most commons factors when evaluating candidates (Hueston & Holloway 2016).

Personally, I used this as an opportunity to learn by failing. As mentioned before, the mock interviews where pretty much a free hit. Knowing this, I prepared the best I could (interviewing for a position I had no idea about) with the mindset this exercise could be used as a platform to base my future interviews off, as the feedback will highlight what I did well and not so well.

The experience itself was a little nerve racking. I doubt whether I am hitting the points the interviewee is in search of from the questions asked. Most of my experiences with job interviews have been in a blue-collar environment, which is a lot different to the job interviews I will encounter in this industry. Once the interview was finished, I was super critical of both my performance and the overall concept of how it was conducted. It’s not a criticism of the interviewer, it’s just that difference from a job interview on the tools to a more professional workplace. It’s foreign to me and I am still adapting to the process and its intricacies.

However, the feedback I got was extremely positive and quite a shock to be honest. My conduct and all of my answers where received really well and I was commended on them. As I mentioned before, this was to be used as test run for future interviews, and the feedback I received was very articulate in explaining how I can enhance my answers to make an even better impression. Two things I need to include in my answers is more industry-based examples of work and what I bring to the table as a potential industry employee.

It was a nice surprise to get such positive results, as I thought I had completely bombed in certain sections.

________________________________________________________________

Hueston, WJ & Holloway, RL 2016, ‘Medical Student Mock Interviews to Improve Residency Interviewing and Match Success’, WMJ : official publication of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin, vol. 115, no. 2, pp. 86-89, viewed 4 June 2020, EBSCOhost

[5hfanfiction]

A Way Back Into Love - Chapter 4

Camila gasped at Lauren’s last remark. “Are you b-breaking up with me?” She blurted the question with quivered lips. Her sight started to get blurry as the tears formed at the edge of her eyes. She didn’t know why she asked, but she was hopeful for a clarification after what she said.

Lauren turned around to face the petite girl before make an exit to the door. “Ask yourself. Unless that’s what you wish for. You’re the one with barriers around your feeling, not me.” She then slammed the door.

The loud sound caused Camila to flinch. As Lauren walked out from the apartment, she fell on her knees and started to cry. What was that supposed to mean? Did she just have another breakup with the same girl? Her chest ached so much; only tears could explain the pain.

She was crying her heart out and sobbing hard. After what just happened, it was hard to say what would happen next in their relationship. At one point, she thought they were just having a bad day in their relationship, but on the other hand, she felt like it was the end of them. She couldn’t process the whole situation especially when Lauren left her with an indirect ultimatum. Everything was so blurry at the time.

While she was grieving for the uncertain status of their courtship, she felt a great pain in her abdomen all of a sudden.  The pain struck just below her stomach, just as the same pain the felt a few weeks ago. The tears of heartache changed to the tears of the real pain. She wrapped her arms around her stomach, trying to stop the pain, but it got even more agonizing as the second passed. She tried to stand up, but her legs got weaker. She felt powerless to move; she thought she was paralyzed.

She slowly crawled to the coffee table, trying to grab her phone. She only got one person in her mind; Lauren. After seemed like forever of hard work, she managed to settle herself on the couch. She bit her lower lip hard as she tried her best to endure it. She got the phone in her hand, but the pain got more and more excruciating. No matter how hard she tried to bear with the pain, it was useless. Tears unknowingly fell at the corner of her eyes. “Oh God…” she cried.

After a few minutes of fighting with the pain in her stomach, she lost the battle. Her eyes felt so heavy and her body felt numb. She slowly began to lose her conscious. The number on her phone screen was left un-dialled.

****

Later that evening, after Fifth Harmony had done with their schedule of the day, Lauren walked to the apartment door with heavy steps. She didn’t plan to come home at first, but a tiny voice in her head made her. She didn’t even tell the girls about the argument she had with Camila. Although it was hard to put on a smiley face all day, she had to. She didn’t want to spill any personal thing to the girl or to the public.

When she walked in to the apartment, it was dark. For the minute she thought Camila might be locking herself in the bedroom. Once she turned on the light, she walked to the living room and instantly spotted the girl lying down on the couch in fetus position. Her long brunette hair covered her face. She must’ve fallen asleep, she thought. She was hesitated to approach the younger girl at first, but she did it anyway and sat next to her.

She was sorry for what she said and she hoped they could resolve the misunderstanding that happened. She brushed Camila’s hair softly that hid her beautiful feature, trying to wake her up. As she touched Camila’s face, she felt her body was heating and her plump lips were almost colorless. Her eyes were completely shut.

A sudden panic took on Lauren’s nerve.  She shook her girlfriend’s body, trying to wake her up, but the younger girl was not responding. “Camila, wake up!” She patted her face a few times, but nothing changed. “Camz…don’t do this to me. This is not even funny.” At one point, she thought Camila might be playing a prank with her, but as she looked intently at the feeble body in her arms, she knew her girlfriend was indeed unconscious. “Please wake up!” Tears started to form in Lauren’s eyes. “Oh my God, what have I done?”

For a brief moment, Lauren lost her sanity. She felt numb. She can’t think straight and she didn’t know what to do. The fear she had in her heart was greater than her rationality. She then took a very deep breath to calm herself down. She laid Camila’s head on her lap before took her phone out from her back pocket and pressing 911.

After giving the brief information needed to the operator, Lauren put down the phone and her attention moved back to her girl on her lap. Her hands trembled as she embraced up the love of her life in her arms. “Camz…please wake up…p-please.” She sobbed. “Don’t do this to me. You need to wake up. I love you so much, you know that right? Please don’t leave me.” She rocked her lover back and forth.

****

Three hours later.

Lauren sat on a couch at the waiting room of the hospital. Her eyes were puffy from crying and she looked dispirited. There were so many things running in her mind at the time. What happened to Camila? How is she now? Is she sick? Why didn’t she say anything if she’s sick? How can I be so stupid?

She checked on the time on her phone screen and heaved a sigh. She got more anxious as the time passed. “Fuck! What take them so long?” She mumbled under her breath and stood up from her seat. She paced back and forth in the room while her eyes kept looking at the nurse’s counter. If no one comes any minute, only God knows what will happen.

A few minutes later, a nurse in blue uniform walked in the room with a file in her hand. “Are you with Ms. Cabello?”

She swiftly turned around and approached the nurse. “Yes. How is she?” She was eager to know her girlfriend’s condition.

“Ms. Cabello is fine and now resting in Room 115. The doctor will attend her in a minute.” The nurse replied with a smile, assuring her that Camila was okay for whatever reason she was unconscious before. Lauren released a relieve sigh upon hearing the reply from the nurse.

After a brief walk from the waiting room, she finally reached the Room 115. ‘C. Cabello’ was written on the name plate on the door. As she stood in front of the door, her heart was thumping harder than it should be. She didn’t know why, but she was nervous. She took a deep breath to calm her heart rate before turned the door knob. Slowly stepped in to the room, she noticed the girl was sleeping. She quietly picked up the chair and put it closer to the bed; closer to her sleeping girl. She then took off her jacket and placed it on the back of the chair as she sat on it. Her heart sunk at the view in front of her eyes. The girl looked so vulnerable, with an IV drips attached to her. A lively and full of enthusiasm girl didn’t deserve to be on this hospital bed; lied down helplessly.

A moment later, there was a knock on the door. A Caucasian man in white robe entered the room. He was around 6 feet tall, dark blonde hair, athletic build and a look too good for a doctor. “I’m sorry for interrupting. I’m Dr. Reynolds.”

Lauren stood up as the doctor approached. “Lauren Jauregui. I’m Camila’s girlfriend.”

They both exchanged a comfort smile. He moved closer to Camila’s bed and flipped the clipboard file on the overbed table. He took out his pen and wrote something on the paper.

“How is she?”

“Well, so far she’s fine. Her vitals, blood pressure…everything looks normal here. We have to put her on IV since she’d been passed out over a few hours. It will help her gain some strength.” He slid the pen back in the front pocket of his robe before putting the file back on the overbed table. “If you don’t mind, maybe we can talk. I have a few things to ask you.”

“Sure.” Lauren slightly nodded. But her heart thumped a little faster at the request. Was there something serious happen to Camila?

“Let’s talk in my office.” He motioned Lauren out of the room and she followed him to his office.

****

The doctor’s room.

“Have a seat.” The doctor motioned her to the empty seat in front of him.

“What’s wrong with her?” She asked once she settled on the chair. The doctor’s room always made her anxious, especially now. The reason she was there because something bad happen to Camila. 

“Calm down Ms. Jauregui.” The doctor flashed a pleasant smile to Lauren as he can sense the apprehension from the lady. “May I know how long you’ve known Ms. Cabello?” He settled on his seat and opened a file in front of him.

Lauren took a breath and released it slowly. “I’ve known her for quite years, but we’ve been dating for about two years now.”

“I see. So do you two live together?”

“Yes.”

“Has she ever told you about the pain in her stomach or below the abdomen before? Like a cramp or something.” The doctor leaned back to his chair.

Lauren furrowed her eyebrows, trying to recall any situation as mentioned. “She used to have cramps quite a few times, but she said it was just a menstrual cramp. So I let it slide. But as far as I know, she doesn’t really have period cramps. Recently, she’d been having the same cramp.”

“Do you know about her period cycle?” He asked, but the sound of his voice changed.

“Her period cycle is pretty normal every month, I guess.”

“When you two get intimate, do you notice anything like she in pain or any bleeding after or during intercourse?”

Lauren got a little agitated with the question. Their sex life was quite glorious and adventurous. But how was it related to Camila’s condition?

Sensing the nervousness from Lauren, the doctor left a small chuckle. “Don’t worry Miss, I’m not prying your personal life. It’s just basic information I need to gather to match with our result.”

“Well, everything seems quite fine.” She paused when she remembers something. “But there were a couple of times when we get intimate, towards the end of the session, she had the cramp and couldn’t finish…you know what I mean. I’m not so sure about the bleeding, but I noticed that her period cycle was a little longer than the usual. But why you’re asking such thing?” 

He nodded and wrote something down on the paper. He stared at the papers briefly before moved his sight to the lady in front of him.

Lauren started to get more anxious of the brief silence. “Oh, come on Dr., can you just tell me what’s wrong with my girlfriend? What the cramp has got to do it?”  

The doctor leaned forward to the table and looked at Lauren with an unreadable expression. “Ms. Jauregui, your girlfriend is having a severe cramp in her lower abdomen; the pelvis area to be specific. And because of the extreme pain, her body is getting weaker until she couldn’t bear the pain anymore. So she passed out.” He then pulled out a piece of x-ray film from an envelope and put it up to the x-ray view box. “At first I thought she’s having ovarian cyst, but unfortunately the test came out differently.We’ve run a couple more tests and the result came out as what we called it as endometriosis.”

Lauren’s eyed widened upon hearing what he just mentioned. She looked at the x-ray film and waited for further explanation from the man in front of her. “Look here…” He pointed with his pen. “You can see some lumps…”

“Is it t-tumor?” Lauren stuttered. “Is it that serious?”

“Not really…” He smiled a weak smile to her. “These are pieces of tissue that grows outside the uterus, and it thickens, breaks down and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. Because this displaced tissue has no way to exit the body, it becomes trapped and cause pain to the person. And based on your answers to my questions just now, I can tell that Camila is having the symptoms for quite a while now. Some might have mild cramping that they think is normal for them. In other women, the pain and bleeding are so bad that they aren’t able to work or go to school.”

Upon hearing the explanation from him, her heart fell to her feet. She couldn’t believe what she just heard. Her dearest Camila had been suffering such pain for quite some times and she didn’t even know about it. She bowed her head and tried to hide the tears from the doctor.

Lauren tilted up her head while holding her cry. “Did she know about this?”

“We talked a little after she woke up and I’ve informed her about the condition when I checked on her after the examination. She was shock, but to my surprise, she took it quite calmly. But I’m pretty sure she was overwhelmed about the news as much as you.”

She pressed her lips into thin line, trying to digest the situation. “But she’s in her mid-20s. How can that happen?”

“Endometriosis varies from woman to woman. There are more cases of endometriosis are being diagnosed right now in a younger age group of women. It could occur to women in the mid to late 20s.”

“What should we do now?”

The doctor stayed in brief silence and gave her some time to process the fact. “Unlike cancer, endometriosis isn’t dangerous and not fatal. But it could lead to serious damage in the future if it’s not treated immediately. The best treatment is to remove the lumps by surgery. So I suggest you talk to her and persuade her to do the surgery. As the doctor, I’ll monitor her condition regularly, but she needs support from her loved ones more than ever now.”

“What worse could’ve happen if she doesn’t remove it?”

“If the condition is left untreated, the complications often occur with obstruction of the tubes which lead from kidney to bladder or trouble of getting pregnant in the future. It will cause more pain to the patient. There are a few cases where patients may have symptoms so severe that the uterus and ovaries must be surgically removed. However, that’s quite unusual especially to women around her age.”

Lauren nodded and wiped the tears with the back of her hands. She knew she must be strong for Camila, even though she wasn’t sure how to do it herself. Seeing the love of her life in such fragile state broke her heart. She stood up, excused herself and left the doctor’s room.

****

Camila’s hospital room.

As Lauren walked to Camila’s room, she felt like the walk had taken her forever. The hallway seemed too long. She stopped at the door of the room and leaned against it. Her shoulder felt so heavy. There were so many bad things happened in one day; she fought with Camila, then coming home to an unconscious girlfriend, now her girlfriend was lying in a hospital bed for a condition she never thought could’ve ever occurred.

She gathered all the strength she had left in her body and stepped in to Camila’s room. She sat on the same chair and as she leaned closer to the bed, she saw Camila squirmed.

“Lauren…” Camila’s voice was barely above a whisper. Her eyes were shut, but the line of tears at the corner of her eyes was visible.

Lauren jolted up from her seat and moved closer to the girl. “Hey Camz, I’m here.” She brushed Camila’s hair softly to let her know her presence. 

Camila slowly opened her eyes and when she met with a pair of green eyes in front her, she swiftly sat up and hugged the older Latina. “Lauren, please don’t leave me. Don’t breakup with me.” She cried in the crook of Lauren’s neck. Her heart was still wounded at the idea they might have broken up. 

A little taken aback by the sudden hug, Lauren couldn’t help but feeling sorry. She couldn’t say a word as her heart broke when she heard sobbing coming from the girl in her embrace. She wrapped her arms around the petite girl.

“I’m so sorry, Lo. You have all the right to be upset with me, but don’t leave me.” Camila said in between her sob. “I can’t live without you.”

Lauren’s eyes started to fill with tears while holding the shuddering girl. She’d be lying if she said the fight didn’t hurt her, but obviously the fight they had hours ago affected Camila real bad. She was crying hard like her heart was crushed into dust. She kept apologizing in her sob. She seemed to forget about her current condition or the fact that she was in a hospital. All she wanted was to be forgiven for whatever reason of fight they had.

Once the crying subsided, Lauren pulled away and cupped Camila’s face. Her eyes were still glistened with tears and she could only see sadness in the pair of chocolate orbs. “I’m here now and I won’t leave you.” She flashed a small smile to her to ensure the petite girl she didn’t have any plan to leave her whatsoever. Lauren then placed a soft kiss on her forehead and leaned her forehead against Camila’s.

Camila nodded in understanding. It took her quite a while to recover from the mess of emotion she just had. “Lo, I’m really, really sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. Whatever I said in the note-“

“Stop!” Lauren cut her off and shook her head. “We’re not going to have that conversation right now. All I wanted is for you to get better. You scared the shit out of me.” Lauren said as she looked into Camila’s eyes. The replay of the image of the unconscious girl in her arms was so terrifying.

“I’m sorr-“

“Enough already, Camila.” Lauren cut her off again while wiping the trace of tears on Camila’s cheek with her thumb. “Enough with apologizing. We both have gone through so much today. As for now, I just want to make sure you’re okay. So I need you to rest.”

“Can you stay with me tonight? Please?” Her voice was soft, but weighted with hope. Her chocolate orbs showed how badly she needed her girlfriend by her side.

“Of course, baby. You don’t have to ask. I’ll stay with you here for as long as you want me.” Lauren pecked another kiss to her forehead before slowly climbed up the bed. She lied down next to her girl as Camila snuggled up to her. “Sleep well, babe.” She tightened the embrace and gently caressed her back.

Camila stayed silent in her lover’s embrace; found a good comfort by listening to the sound of Lauren’s heartbeat. “I love you so much, Lo. I don’t want lose you. I rather have all the pain in the world than have to face this world alone without you again.” She mumbled in her breath as sleepiness slowly drifted her away from reality.

A pang of guilt shot Lauren’s heart upon hearing the muffle of words of her girlfriend. In merely 24 hours, she had to cope with an unexpected turmoil of emotions – from frustration to anger, shock, sadness, guilt and fear of losing the most important person in her life. She then glanced down at the sleeping girl in her arm. Listening to Camila’s steady breathing eased her messy feeling. The younger Latina meant so much to her. Hurting her was the last thing she ever wanted to do.

Lauren sighed silently while staring at the white ceiling. Hundreds of thoughts ran through her mind. Why did she act such way towards the girl she loved the most? Why there were many obstacles in their relationship? How long the relationship would last? Were they really meant for each other or this renewed relationship was just a sojourn before they meet the right one? After a few years apart, they finally found a way back into love, but were ‘forever’ written in their destiny?

AN: Thanks for reading. Let me know what do you think about the story and the chapter so far. Feel free to comment on my Wattpad @mistxz

[mrjeremydylan]

My Favorite Album #223 - Sarah Lewitinn (Ultragrrrl) on Interpol 'Our Love to Admire' and why they should have been 'the' band of the 2000s

Sarah Lewitinn's career has taken from writer to manager to DJ, self-described 'queen of beneficient debauchery' and the once and future 'Ultragrrl'.

In a personal and emotionally honest conversation, Sarah makes the case for Interpol's 'Our Love to Admire' as the band's best album and the deep, slow-burning relationship she has had with it. We talk about the efforts she's made to keep her personal distance from the members of Interpol, the legend and reality of Carlos D, and how the album feels like the closing chapter on an era of her New York life.

If you haven't yet, I recommend reading Lizzy Goodman's amazing oral history of the 2000s NYC rock scene 'Meet Me in the Bathroom', in which Sarah features, and listening to my recent podcast with Lizzy.

Listen in the player above or download the episode by clicking here.

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts here or in other podcasting apps by searching ‘My Favorite Album’ or copying/pasting our RSS feed -http://myfavoritealbum.libsyn.com/rss

My Favorite Album is a podcast on the impact great music has on our lives. Each episode features a guest on their favorite album of all time - why they love it, their history with the album and how it’s influenced them. Jeremy Dylan is a filmmaker, journalist and photographer. He directed the the feature music documentary Jim Lauderdale: The King of Broken Hearts (out now!) and the film Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins.

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[ffdoors]

Chapter 21

Why the Mode Summer Fashion Show was on a weekday, All Might didn't know, but he streamed Mode's pre-show interviews on his phone in a lounge during lunch. He enjoyed how low cut that dark blue dress of hers was. He dosed off, dreaming of her wearing one of his shirts, it being way too big for her body. His alarm went off a few minutes before lunch was over, the man wiping drool off his cheek when he saw the cloud of smoke in the distance.

"What the hell...?"

Yagi went to the window for a closer look. He was reminded of the news report of the Hosu city incident. Toshinori knew villains had been more active lately, inspired by Stain and the League of Villains - was this another attack? The man used his phone to view the news then felt his legs tremble, forcing him to sit back down on the green couch. The Endor Hotel was all over the news, police officers, firemen, and heroes at the scene, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Eye witness accounts were coming in of sightings of an explosion coming from one of the bottom floors, the entire building collapsing moments later. Everything was still in chaos, survivors being rescued as quickly as possible. Was this an isolated incident or was the entire area being attacked? He ran off to the teacher's lounge, looking for more information. All Might found Cenmentoss on the way, he explaining that the campus was on lock down and all the students were being gathered until they got more answers. He nodded and went where directed, trying not to think too deeply about what this meant. Toshinori knew he couldn't leave - he had an obligation to protect his students. The blond's heart didn't stop racing. Yagi knew very well that that was the hotel the fashion show was being held and bombings that looked like that didn't yield many survivors. In the past he wouldn't rushed over and helped rescue people, but now, with his quirk barely lasting over 30 minutes straight, he knew he couldn't do much to help even if he could leave. All Might stayed hidden at the school, pleading in his heart that Mode was okay. He constantly brushed off the constant negative scenarios blasting his brain. He would go there when he could; just not then.

After the bombing was deemed an isolated incident and all the students were released early, All Might and his fellow teachers ventured to the site, a hero greeting them as they arrived.

Night Vision began, "As far as we can tell, all the survivors have been rescued. We're still searching, in case I missed any. A lot of people on the guest list are still unaccounted for. We'd appreciate the help cleaning up the debris and retrieving bodies."

His quirk, "Infrared" could identify human heat signatures through most surfaces but it wasn't always accurate.

The new arrivals got to work, making major progress on sorting through the hotel's remains. All Might brought yet another body to the tent where they were being held temporarily, taking a few minutes to scan all of them. He didn't spot Mode or any of her family there. It could be that their bodies weren't found yet or they weren't in good enough condition to be identified or retrieved. Toshinori snuck away to return to his true form, glad there was a trashcan nearby to throw up in.

"Are you alright?" a familiar voice spoke to him.

"Yeah," he looked over to see his friend Naomasa, "The smell just got to me."

Few heroes could stomach such a gnarly scene - he wasn't an exception.

"Could you do me a favor? Could you check the tent with the injured and let me know if anyone from the Mode family is there?"

Yagi couldn't go there himself with how he was now - he knew asking Tsukauchi was selfish of him but he needed to know if she was alive or not. Asking about the whole family, the ones hosting the event, seemed neutral enough. The other man nodded and left, the blond wiping his mouth then sitting on the floor, catching his breath. All Might concentrated only on his breathing until the other came back, handing him a water bottle.

"They're all still on the tentative missing list, along with 115 others."

"Can you contact me if you get an update on them? She's..." he paused, "That family is important to me."

The other man didn't prod him for more information.

"I'll call you if we find them," the police officer responded.

The blond chugged down some water, "Thank you, Tsukauchi."

"I'll be in contact."

The officer walked off again, Yagi finishing up the bottle then throwing it away hard. There was nothing else he could do. He texted a few of the other teachers that he was leaving then wandered off. He felt numb.

Cold water startled him as it hit his feet, Toshinori looking up to see the ocean. It was night. This was Degobah beach. He didn't even remember how he got here. The man held his head with one of his hands, trying to remember what he had done the last couple of hours. There was a store in his memories - he could see himself using cash to buy something. His other hand was heavy. All Might realized he was holding a large bottle of Japanese whiskey that was mostly empty now. That explained a lot - he dizzily stood up then stumbled over to a trashcan by the stairs going back up to the park. He grabbed it for balance then drank what whiskey was left, grimacing at the taste. The man wasn't sure what burned more – his face or the liquid going down his throat. The bottle clinked loudly as he dropped it in. He doubted he could get up the stairs in the state he was in so he looked out at the ocean, despair invading his senses suddenly, his back collapsing against the wall dividing the park and beach.

Yagi pulled his body into a ball - she really was gone, wasn't she? Just like his mentor. Just like his parents. He didn't get to say goodbye to them either. One day they were here; the next they weren't. He hadn't gone to visit his family grave or Shimura’s in years. There probably wouldn't be anything buried in Mode's. The blond remembered his lover's smell, her taste, how every inch of her body felt. How expressive her eyes were - what she looked like when she was shy. Each tremble, each moan, every time she whispered his name.

"Maybe I'll see you at the coffee shop again?" "You have a nice face." "I had my doubts that a sexy man like yourself would be interested in me." "To match your bangs." "Look I'm...I'm sorry if I hurt you." "Can I call you by your first name?" "I feel so lost all the time, but I... I just know that when I'm with you, I don't feel so damn lonely."

Toshinori held his legs closer. He had always denied how lonely being the Symbol of Peace was. It was his responsibility to be confident in any and all situations - to intimidate villains and make victims feel everything was okay now that he was there. All Might kept his distance from everyone - he had to to be effective as a hero. He had to save with a smile to show the pressure of heroes and to trick the fear inside him. The man couldn't trick how he felt this time. His powers were almost gone - he couldn't save her from being killed. Soon he wouldn't be able to protect anyone. Everything he was was coming to an end. And Mode wouldn't be there to hold in the mornings. All Might smiled as tears streamed down his face. By himself, on this empty beach, he chose to be selfish and he cried. He missed his parents. He missed Nana. And he missed the woman he loved. When had this happened? When had he fallen in love? Yagi's heart ached; he grabbed his shirt tightly. It had taken too long for him to realize how he truly felt about her and now there would never be a chance to let her know.

---> Chapter 22

[wudanggongfu]

A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality (凡人修仙传) – Index

Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Martial Arts, Romance, Xianxia, Chinese Author: Wang Yu (忘语) Status: 2446 Chapters (Complete) Translator: Doubledd

Synopsis:

A poor and ordinary boy from a village joins a minor sect in Jiang Hu and becomes an Unofficial Disciple by chance. How will Han Li, a commoner by birth, establish a foothold for himself in in his sect? With his mediocre attitude, he must successfully traverse the treacherous path of cultivation and avoid the notice of those who may do him harm. This is a story of an ordinary mortal who, against all odds, clashes with devilish demons and ancient celestials in order to find his own path towards immortality.

Extra Info: Ranked 1st out of the thousands of novels on Qidian by recommendations, “A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality” will draw readers in with an epic tale of deception, betrayal, and love.

Deathblade from Wuxiaworld and Lingson has been so kind as to translate the Qidian charts that list the “top 50 all time most popular novels according to ‘recommendations.’ These are basically recommendations from unpaid users (书友推荐).”

Magic Power in RMJI

CHAPTERS:

Volume 1 - The Seven Mysteries Sect (1-99)

Chapter 1 – The Village by the Forest Chapter 2 – Green Ox Town Chapter 3 – Seven Mysteries Sect Chapter 4 – Bone Refining Cliff Chapter 5 – Doctor Mo Chapter 6 – Nameless Oracular Formula Chapter 7 – The Difficulties of Cultivating Chapter 8 – Entering the Sect as a Disciple Chapter 9 – Way of the Armored Elephant Chapter 10 – Mysterious Bottle Chapter 11 – Difficult to Open Bottle Chapter 12 – Breaking the Bottle Chapter 13 – Strange Phenomenons Chapter 14 – Mysterious Liquid Chapter 15 – Four Years Later Chapter 16 – Little Abacus Chapter 17 – Senior Disciple Li (1) Chapter 18 – Senior Disciple Li (2) Chapter 19 – Battle in Jiang Hu Chapter 20 – Essence Extraction Pill Chapter 21 – Painkilling Medicine Chapter 22 – Qigong Deviation Chapter 23 – Tests Chapter 24 – A Panicked Decision Chapter 25 – Interference of Success Chapter 26 – Medicinal Student Chapter 27 – Creating Legendary Elixirs Chapter 28 – Doctor Mo Returns Chapter 29 – Rising Conflict Chapter 30 – A Hero’s Final Road Chapter 31 – Insect Corpse Pill Chapter 32 – Heroic Spirit Chapter 33 – Private Exchange Chapter 34 – Blinking Sword Art Chapter 35 – Theft of Secret Manuals Chapter 36 – Shocked Chapter 37 – Three Restrictions for Cultivation Chapter 38 – Encountering a Midnight Spy Chapter 39 – Abnormal Requirements Chapter 40 – Origin of the Secret Technique Chapter 41 – Leaving a Message on a Night’s Departure Chapter 42 – Cloudwing Bird Chapter 43 – Fully Prepared Chapter 44 – Antidote Chapter 45 – Sneak Attack and Bared Teeth Chapter 46 – Cleaving a Body with One Blow Chapter 47 – Demonic Silver Hand vs Shifting Smoke Steps Chapter 48 – Lies Chapter 49 – Hidden Within Concealment Chapter 50 – Aromatic Coiling Silk Chapter 51 – Giant Man Displays his Might Chapter 52 – Seven Ghost Devouring the Soul Chapter 53 – Handsome Man Chapter 54 – Soul-Lock Talisman Chapter 55 – The Third Person Chapter 56 – Battle of the Light Globes Chapter 57 – Body Awakening, Enemy Perishing Chapter 58 – Immortal Cultivator Chapter 59 – The Three Big Inviolable Rules Chapter 60 – Poison Test Chapter 61 – Destroying the Spirit Chapter 62 – Deal Chapter 63 – True Appearance Chapter 64 – Crooked Soul Chapter 65 – Medicinal God Han Li Chapter 66 – Eccentric Rule Chapter 67 – Fireball Technique Chapter 68 – Poisoned Chapter 69 – Li Feiyu and the Young Lady Chapter 70 – Instigation Chapter 71 – Pure Spirit Powder Chapter 72 – Removing Poison Chapter 73 – Li Feiyu’s Thoughts Chapter 74 – Imperial Flight Technique Chapter 75 – Using Magic Techniques Chapter 76 – Negotiations and Eruptions Chapter 77 – Countermeasure Chapter 78 – Forest Massacre Chapter 79 – Questioning Chapter 80 – Encountering the Enemy Chapter 81 – Jia Tianlong Chapter 82 – Monk Golden Light Chapter 83 – A Huge Pitfall Chapter 84 – A Tremendous Battle Chapter 85 – Bloody Battle, Death Contract Chapter 86 – A Sudden Change Chapter 87 – Prominent Skill Chapter 88 – Golden Light Barrier Chapter 89 – Spear and Shield Chapter 90 – Flying Sword? Chapter 91 – Stealing Treasure Chapter 92 – Sword Talisman Chapter 93 – Raging Flames Burning the Enemy Chapter 94 – Complete Victory Chapter 95 – Demonic Name Resounding Famously Chapter 96 – Flaw Chapter 97 – Backhand Transaction Chapter 98 – Return to the Village Chapter 99 – Departure Volume 2 - The First Steps on the Path of Cultivation (100-171)

Chapter 100 – Jia Yuan City Chapter 101 – Troubles Brought Upon by Riches Chapter 102 – Murder on Arrival Chapter 103 – Subdue Chapter 104 – Information Chapter 105 – Shocking News Chapter 106 – Blue-Clothed Man Chapter 107 – Mo Yuzhu Chapter 108 – Entering the Mo Estate at Night Chapter 109 – A Visit Chapter 110 – Fox Chapter 111 – Beautiful Woman Chapter 112 – Hidden Message Chapter 113 – Winding Fragrance Pill Chapter 114 – Yan Ge’s Infatuation Chapter 115 – A Startling Change Chapter 116 – Falling Out Chapter 117 – Reconciliation Chapter 118 – Choose One Chapter 119 – Unexpected Information Chapter 120 – Scheming to Seize a Gang Chapter 121 – Clear River Brothel Chapter 122 – Kill by Poison Chapter 123 – Business Deal Chapter 124 – Fengwu Chapter 125 – Plans Chapter 126 – Great South Mountain, Great South Valley, and a Youth Chapter 127 – Knowledge on Spiritual Roots Chapter 128 – Great South Small Meeting Chapter 129 – Daoist Master Qingyan Chapter 130 – Becoming a Member Chapter 131 – Spirit Stones and Spirit Talisman Chapter 132 – The Harvest Chapter 133 – Thieving Skills Chapter 134 – Great Immortal Ascension Assembly Chapter 135 – Frightening News Chapter 136 – Yan Clan Chapter 137 – Golden Sincerity Brush Chapter 138 – The Skill of Creating Talismans Chapter 139 – Destroyed Magic Treasure Fragment Chapter 140 – Determination to Win Chapter 141 – Writ of Immortal Ascension Chapter 142 – Attack to Kill Chapter 143 – Beheading Chapter 144 – Dispute over a Foundation Establishment Pill Chapter 145 – The Unexpected Guest Chapter 146 – Closing a Deal Chapter 147 – The Particulars Within The Valley Chapter 148 – Old Man in Gray Chapter 149 – Chores Chapter 150 – Reluctant Consent Chapter 151 – Hundred Medicine Garden Chapter 152 – Two Years Later Chapter 153 – Yue Lu Hall Chapter 154 – Elder Xu and the Scripture Storage Chapter 155 – Depression Chapter 156 – Earth Lung Fire Chapter 157 – Murong Brothers Chapter 158 – Blue-clothed Woman Chapter 159 – Spiritual Medicines of Heaven and Earth Chapter 160 – Forbidden Trial by Blood and Fire Chapter 161 – Market City Chapter 162 – Ten Thousand Treasures Store Chapter 163 – Brocade Treasure Box Chapter 164 – The Secret of the Treasure Talisman Chapter 165 – Night Encounter Chapter 166 – Savage Chapter 167 – Fierce Battle (1) Chapter 168 – Fierce Battle (2) Chapter 169 – Fierce Battle (3) Chapter 170 – Spoils of the Battle Chapter 171 – Return

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