Part 7 is finally here! I only gave this a quick look over so if there are any glaring issues (like a random cut off sentence) please let me know! I was just so excited to get this one out.
Content:
Brandon.
For all the power and influence it has amassed, SpecGru is a notoriously discreet and secretive operation. Mind, no one’s ever strolling down the street shouting their criminal affiliations for God and everyone to hear, but even by criminal standards, SpecGru is like a collective boogeyman. By the time most anyone knows they’re there, it’s already too late – and the rare (verbal) survivors only ever see masks and guns.
Granted, no small part of SpecGru’s prestige comes from whispered stories and unconfirmed rumors. Criminals are locker room gossips, the lot of them. Not that it’s completely unfounded. An execution is an execution, whether someone died with all their teeth and nails or not. (Usually not)
Few people know Price as more than a shadowy theoretical. (Someone must be in charge, that’s how the mafia works.) Even fewer know his face, never mind his name. It’s just good business that way.
In fact, SpecGru’s entire inner circle is shrouded in mystery. There’s not just the gray silhouette of the Don looming over their enemies’ heads. There are the lieutenants to contend with as well, acting on his direct authority, speaking on his behalf (with permission, of course) in his absence.
And then there’s Price’s right hand, the de facto boss should something happen. His heir, for all intents and purposes.
For those that have met Price in person, and by extension his few but devoted confidants, there’s always debate.
Is it Soap, loud and brash, but sharp as a whip? A decisive man, affable with a hidden mean streak?
Or is it Ghost, the quiet and calculating figure always at his side? A deadly and brutal enemy, shrewd and observant?
Kyle lets them stew in their assumptions and reminds himself that they’ll learn eventually – or they’ll be dead. He’s not fussed either way. It would suit SpecGru just fine if a few of those knobs keeled over sooner rather than later.
If only they knew that the hand that would one day grip their leashes was currently holding your purse so that you could pet a cute dog.
Not that Kyle minds; you have good taste. In purses, that is – though the dog isn’t half bad. A fluffy white and grey thing with a stumpy tail, practically crawling onto your pretty blue skirt as you coo and fawn. He started recording the minute you handed him your bag. (Price owes him for this.)
“His name is Mister Beans,” the uni girl enthuses to you.
You practically sob. “Mister Beans!”
He’s loath to hurry you along, but he’s supposed to meet up with Price for a Business meeting in only a half hour. Thankfully, you’re a considerate sort and don’t linger for long.
“Thank you so much, have a great day!” you cheer to the young woman. Then you turn back to Kyle, smiling huge. “Wasn’t he so cute?”
He chuckles. “It was. Wish I could have pet him, but white hair on this suit…”
You hum sympathetically. “I have a lint roller in my apartment.”
“I’ll scratch the next one,” he promises, offering your purse back.
You take it with your far hand and another mumbled “thank you,” then loop your closer arm through his. Don’t even seem to think about it, just accept the escort automatically. Kyle tries not to beam with pride. He used to have to prompt you, holding his elbow out at an awkward angle for you to get the hint. Now, you reach for the arm of whoever you’re with on instinct – as you should. (Another thing Price owes him for.)
“Do you like little dogs?” you ask, strolling with him for your apartment.
In the office, you’re a speedy little thing. Zooming from your desk to Price’s and back at velocity deserving of a ticket. Soap calls you a busy bee and it’s apt. Fluttering to and fro with stacks of papers or your tablet (“Reginald” you call it) everyone knows to make way at the click-click of your smart heels.
Outside, though, your purposeful stride slows to something less awe-inspiringly machinelike. Little Miss at work is a much different creature from Little Miss off the clock – but Kyle quite likes both.
“My mum had a little white dog while I was growing up. Crusty old thing,” he explains. “Prefer medium sized myself. Like a corgi.”
You giggle. “Like the royal family?”
“Oi, I liked ‘em before that.”
You just laugh harder at his defensive tone, patting his arm. He’s always impressed by how fearlessly you joke and tease him and the others. Have taken everything in stride from the beginning, didn’t even flinch when you first met Simon. If he didn’t know better, he’d almost think you had no idea just who you arched your eyebrows at this morning because of a “scheduling disagreement.”
“Speaking of dogs…” you mutter, mirth disappearing.
He follows your gaze through the clear glass of the building’s entry vestibule. Your ex is standing inside, already spotted you and fluffing up like the cock he is.
“Mind keeping back, doll?” Kyle murmurs.
You make a noise of protest even as you hand him your keys. “He’s not going to do anything after what Soap did.”
There’s an ugly black cast around his hand and up his wrist. Kyle smirks at him through the door.
“Rather not take any chances,” he replies.
You huff a bit, but quietly slip your arm from his, letting him take the lead into the building. (He still holds the door for you of course – he’s not a numpty.)
“Get the fuck out, mate,” Kyle says as soon as the door opens.
Brandon looks downright taken aback. “And who the fuck are you?”
“None of your business,” you interrupt, stepping up beside Kyle.
“The hell it’s not!” Brandon replies, taking an angry (stupid) step forward. Kyle mirrors him, making a point of loosening up his shoulders. In a surprising display of good sense, Brandon stops there. “Look, bunny, a high-value man needs a high-value woman.”
Your voice comes out flat and unimpressed. “And that’s you, is it? A high-value man?
Brandon rolls his eyes but sighs, as if he’s trying to be patient with you. Kyle’s fingers twitch. His piece is burning a hole against his back.
“Obviously. I have a degree, a six-figure salary, and two properties – all under forty. I’m objectively attractive, work out regularly, don’t smoke. I’m a good catch, don’t kid yourself that you can do better.”
At Kyle’s elbow, you go very still. The type of still that precedes blood and screaming. He’s seen it in Ghost before.
“Then why are you here?” you ask, tongue dripping acid. “Since you’re such a catch.”
Brandon sighs and shakes his head, trying for fond exasperation and only achieving constipated.
“I’m not willing to just throw away two years. I’ve invested a lot in this relationship, and we can still make it work.” It actually starts to make Kyle nauseous, the way he talks about you like a business decision. “I mean, you have some things to make up for but eventually, we can go back to the way we were.”
“And what,” you say through gritted teeth, consonants sharp enough to pierce skin, “do I have to make up for?”
Kyle listens, flabbers absolutely gasted, as Brandon answers.
“You ran off to play desk bunny for a man I don’t know. God only knows what ‘favor’ you did to land that job. You’ve lowered your value as a marriable woman but there are ways to make it up to me—”
“Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to?”
Kyle’s ears ring like the first time he heard his mum curse.
Brandon looks taken aback too. You don’t give either of them a chance to respond.
“I know it’s not fucking me. Because if you were talking to me, you’d be stupider than you look.”
Brandon’s face flushes with anger. He takes another step forward. Kyle takes two in return, shaking his head in warning. Unfortunately, Brandon doesn’t know how to read his face any better than yours.
“C’mon, mate, it’s common sense. A lock that opens for any key and all that.”
Kyle’s heard it before. “Women ain’t locks, mate.”
“If you don’t get out of this building right fucking now, I will ruin your life,” you snarl.
Brandon does a double take. “Is that a threat? You can’t—"
“You bet your pasty ass it is,” you reply without missing a beat. You raise your voice every time he tries to interrupt, barreling through his weak protest like a train. “Fifteen fucking minutes. That’s all it would take to destroy you, your stupid sister, your bitchy mother, your pervert father, and that fucking slag you got pregnant twice.”
Kyle’s eyebrows rise with each word until he’s fairly certain they’ve floated up to the ceiling somewhere.
Brandon, though… Brandon’s face is ashen.
“How… how did you…?”
“Get. The fuck. Out.”
Kyle doesn’t give him the option to refuse. He scruffs Brandon by the back of his bland suit and shoves him out the first door of the vestibule. It closes and locks just as he turns around, a rebuttal finally juddering to his bloodless lips. You haven’t even turned to watch him go.
Kyle approaches you feeling a bit like he does coming to Price with shit news when he’s already pissed.
He almost says, you sure know how to pick ‘em – but thinks better of it. There’s practically frost forming beneath your feet, the air around you is icy.
“Walk you up, little miss?” he asks, offering his arm.
You gently take his arm and exhale heavily. “If you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.”
You invite him in at your door. Your hands are shaking a bit. He politely accepts, shooting Price the others a text that he’ll be a bit late. He’s not about to leave you in a state.
As usual, you step out of your shoes at the door, leaving you in your shimmery stockings, then pad to the kitchen.
“Tea?” you ask as he follows.
“I haven’t the time, doll, I’m sorry. I just want to make sure you’re alright before heading out.”
You turn, expression softening. Just like that, you’re back to your usual self, sweet as honey.
“I’ll be alright, I think,” you reply, sighing. “That was a long time coming.”
He leans his shoulder in the doorway, unable to help chuckling at the memory of your ex’s gobsmacked expression. The corners of your mouth curl up in shy amusement.
“Seemed like it,” he replies. “We should weaponize those f-bombs you dropped.”
That coaxes a giggle out. “Graves would be first on my list.”
“The boss’s too.” And oh, Kyle can’t wait to tell Price about this. (As if he needed another reason to hate Brandon and adore you.)
“Christ,” you groan, “you’re going to tell him about this, aren’t you?”
He’s at least able to muster an apologetic grimace. “You know I have to, sweets.”
“Suppose I’ll get the really good tea tomorrow,” you muse.
“He liked those pistachio scones from the corner café, too.”
You light up. It just so happens that they bake your favorite muffins too. “Good idea.”
“I’m full of ‘em.”
You snort, but there’s a fond smile on your face. Regretfully, he notes the time on the stove clock behind you.
“You’re sure you’re alright here by yourself?” he asks.
“I’m sure,” you promise, crossing to give him a warm hug. “I lock the door and windows like Simon told me.”
“Atta girl,” he says, pressing a chaste kiss to your cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning, yeah?”
“Seven sharp!” you chirp.
He pauses at the door, “You call if there’s any trouble.”
You poke your head around the corner. “You don’t sign my paychecks; you can’t tell me what to do.”
He points right back at you. “That’s from the bossman direct.”
“Then he can tell me himself.”
He arches his brows. You blink.
“Don’t tell him I said that.”
He chokes back a chuckle. “Sweet dreams, little miss.”
“Get home safe, Kyle!”
As far as business meetings go, one with Los Vaqueros is almost pleasant. Sure, they always try to overprice their products, but haggling them down is practically a game between Price and Vargas by now. The shipping agreement between them and SpecGru is long established by now, a major link in the international arms market.
“Negotiations” are relaxed enough that Rudy and Valeria are playing cards with Ghost and Soap at the sitting table, whiskey glasses at their elbows. The plan for the next six months is all but set when Price suddenly jerks. In an instant, his face goes dark, shoulders tense.
“Something wrong, hermano?” Vargas asks.
“I’m getting a call.”
Soap and Ghost snap to attention.
There are only a handful of people that can reach Price during a meeting. All but one is in this room.
As he brings the phone to his ear, Kyle sees your name on the screen.
“Yes, love?” he answers.
Even from a couple feet away, Kyle can hear your voice through the receiver – high and panicked. Kyle’s already reaching for his keys.
“He fucking what?” Price barks.
Soap and Ghost jump to their feet, cards and drinks forgotten.
“Barricade the door, get a knife. We’ll be right there.”
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Ohhh you got any Christmas headcannons for your aus? To get into the holiday spirit😂😂 Tinies are just perfect elves or i just imagine borrowers with humans unware of their existence get tiny presents from the tinies in their house, finding and returning something they lost as like a christmas miracle for angst/comfort😌😌
christmas headcannons for my aus you want, christmas headcannons for my aus you'll get :)
christmas vacation 2(?) but it's crashed au!! the three of them have a pretty good idea of when they crashed (tommy & tubbo both have phones that survived (they're dead by now) so they kept track of the calendar for a while until it just became a thing they wrote down elsewhere
SOO naturally they got very excited for christmas time :] while everything was pretty much shit in the three of their lives, tommy and tubbo were persistent in at least trying to make it festive >:D
also the cooler weather makes a greeeeeat setting for noms to happen : )
i seriously don't talk about this au enough but SOMETHINGS BREWING AU AT CHRISTMAS
potions and magic to make christmas decorations and the two of them putting away the fact that they're stuck just for a day so they can decorate >>>
and also wilbur has picked up the hobby of cooking so baking doesn't come far after idk i think that them making christmas desserts together is a cute thought :']]
also the two of them totally make cool potions for each other for presents >:)c
the easiest to think of it tiny workers au!! the park is all decorated, the tinies are all dressed up it's FESTIVE >:D
also wilbur would definitely rent out tommy for a few days so he can spend christmas w/ the three of them (bonus if beeduo comes along <3<3)
HMMMM WHAT OTHER AUS DO I HAVE
that is it for now because something happened and my brain shut down and my responses are becoming terribly slow </3
come back tomorrow i may be a bit more into everything :D /lh /nm
OKAY ONTO YOUR IDEAS !!!
uhm YES i love the idea of this
but something rlly sparked from your elf idea so have this!!!:
wilbur is extremeeeeely lonely. he's like classic fucking depressed shit who lives in a tiny apartment all alone with no social life and a standard lifestyle of work eat sleep repeat :D
tommy is a borrower, who's always been oddly intrigued by human stuff, collecting tooons of random shit when he finds the time to. and alongside this interest in human things, is human traditions !! in fact, he's very aware of the fact that christmas is less than a week away, and can't help but notice that while the city and other residents are preparing for it, his human is just continuing like normal.
he finds a box of christmas stuff in the small attic in the apartment, and takes it upon himself to try and slowly hint to wilbur that he should at least try and be festive
so he tries, and tries, and tries. for days, until christmas eve arrives and still, wilburs apartment is still just as it was.
so, while wilbur is asleep that night, he makes sure that his needs are met and does his absolute best at decorating (which he actually does a pretty good job at, considering the alone time and the fact that he's fairly creative)
wilbur wakes up, comes out, sees the decorations, and is at a complete loss of words.
much to tommy's dismay, turns out wilbur was completely aware of the fact that a borrower was trying to get his attention. he just thought that the guy had grown hungry or something close to it, and ignored it for a while. until christmas day, where he now engages in conversation with tommy and ends up meeting him :D
also it's very important that you know tommy gave wilbur a gift, which was a box full of a TON of crap he'd lost over the year and tommy had collected :) safe to say that wilbur was thankful and did take some things back, but ultimately ended up giving the majority of the things (like paperclips and random notepads) back to the borrower so he could push his curiosity and creativity along nicely :)
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