#doin something a lil different with the formatting here | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

honeybeeespeaks · 5 years ago

Text

Room 205

gif by @pedropcl

Part Three

Word Count: 4842

Warnings: Smut (18+), alcohol consumption, adult content, lil age gap

Summary: Nell and Javier begin to spend more time together. Their friends put pressure on them.

P.S. Sorry if the formatting is weird, I usually post from mobile!<3

——————————————————

It had been four days since Javier’s impromptu visit to Nell’s room. Since then, it was hard to keep his mind off of her. The vision she was as she stripped down in front of the pool, the moments they shared just staring back at each other, looking away before it was too long. She didn’t expect anything of him. He hadn’t felt like that....his whole life, if he thought about it. The words she used when she talked about life were ones he’d never think to use to describe his or any life for that matter. It was like she’d been on Earth before there was life, like she was there when it started. She appreciated it in a way he didn’t recognize, in a way he couldn’t. She fascinated him completely, like no one had before.

So he found himself here. Standing at the door to the back of her classroom, lunch bag in one hand while the other was closed in a tight fist, nails digging into his palm nervously. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door and stepped in as quietly as he could. His gaze found her standing at the front of the room with a circle of at least eighteen 5 and 6 year olds sitting around her, listening intently. She wore a pale pink short sleeve sundress and teal flats. He took a seat in the back corner, a smile growing on his lips as he watched her.

“Doesn’t that sound fun you guys? You’ll each get a seed to plant in one of these little pots and they’ll live on the windowsill. During the weeks, we’ll water them and we’ll be able to watch our plants grow.” Nell’s eyes caught Javier in the corner and she tried stifling a smile when he waved lazily. Truth be told, she hadn’t stopped thinking about him since that night either. He surprised her right out the gate. He didn’t judge her, even though their lifestyles were vastly different. She thought he had kind eyes and a warm smile, something rare for someone who had seen what he saw and she appreciated that. There was something special about Javier. It felt silly saying he gave her butterflies as soon as she saw him in the classroom but she didn’t know how else to describe the feeling. She let her smile break and shook her head, giving him a small wave before turning her attention back to her kids. “Okay kiddos, the bell is going to ring for lunch any minute so why don’t we get all our things together so we can be the first ones in the lunchroom huh? We can start our project after recess.” The kids all stood up with a cheer and ran over to their cubbies to gather their things for lunch and recess. She had them line up and another teacher appeared in the doorway to escort the kids to the lunchroom when the bell rang. Once all the kids were out of the class, Nell shut the door and turned her gaze to Javier. He stood, making his way over to meet her in the middle of the room.

“Well, you certainly clean up nice, Agent Peña.” she teased, a small smirk danced on her lips as her eyes followed up his body until she met his face. He huffed out a short laugh, setting his hand on his hip. His head fell for a moment before looking back up to meet her eyes.

“I could say the same to you, Miss James.” Nell curtsied and fluttered her eyelashes, an over exaggerated smile playing on her mouth.

“Oh why thank you.” She giggled a little bit as she stood up straight, running her hand through her hair. “What are you doin’ here? Finally come to arrest me?” she raised her eyebrows at him as she moved to begin cleaning up leftover craft work from an earlier lesson. He shook his head, chuckling softly as he watched her move. She moved like water. Flowing gracefully through the tiny tables and chairs.

“Maybe later.” he teased. “What are you doing for lunch?” An eyebrow raised as his hand dropped from his hip and he shifted his weight to his other foot. Nell stood up straight after filing away a few papers in her folder. She hummed for a moment, tapping her chin a few times as she tried not to burst into a smile.

“Nothing...why?” she eyed him curiously. A smirk grew slowly on Javier’s mouth and he bit down on his lip for a moment. He wet his lips and stepped closer to where she stood at her desk.

“Can I show you something?”

----

Javier led her down a path that was next to the elementary school, a canopy of green enveloping them as they made their way. After about five minutes, it opened to a small pond surrounded by a few benches. The way the sun hit the water made it look like there were flames coming up from its depths. There were wildflowers surrounding the banks of the pond, blowing softly in the breeze as it passed. It was breathtaking. Nell let out a long exhale as she looked around, shaking her head a bit before looking up at him.

“I never knew this place was here....it’s beautiful.” he watched her eyes return to their surroundings and a soft smile formed on his lips.

“Not a lot of people do.” he held his hand out for her and nodded toward one of the benches. “Come on.”

----

“Woodstock?” He laughed a little bit after he’d finished the last of his food. “Your middle name is Woodstock?” he turned to face her where they sat. The sun shimmered against the water in front of them. She nodded a couple times, swallowing her bite of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich she’d brought with her.

“Yeah, what about it?” She giggled a little and shrugged. “My parents thought it fitting, considering I was born there.” Javier looked at her in surprise.

“You were born at Woodstock? Huh..” he nodded once and huffed out a small laugh. “God, I’m getting old.” She smiled at him and shrugged nonchalantly. It never even crossed her mind that he was so much older. He was far more interesting to talk to than anyone around her age anyways. She looked out at the water with a fond smile forming on her lips.

“I was born at 2:24 in the morning. The moon was barely a sliver in the sky, mom used to tell me..” he watched her intently as she trailed off, then leaning forward to rest his forearms on his thighs, intertwining his fingers between his knees and following her gaze to the water.

“So you’ve really been traveling your whole life..” he started. “...have you ever had a home anywhere?” Her eyes were almost sympathetic as she moved her gaze to his back. Taking a small breath, she shook her head slowly.

“Home isn’t always a place, Javier.” she replied simply. He turned his head to meet her gaze and nodded after a moment, his lips melting into a tiny smile as he considered her words.

A familiar silence fell between them, insects buzzing and bird songs replacing their words. Nell glanced at her watch after a few minutes. “Damn, I gotta get back.” She flashed him an apologetic smile before beginning to pack up her things.

“Hold on a second.” He interrupted and reached over. “You’ve just got a little something.” Her breath hitched in her throat as he used his thumb to wipe leftover grape jelly from the side of her mouth. She bit her lip a tiny bit as she watched him bring his thumb up to his mouth, cleaning off the remnants. She gulped and let out a shaky breath.

“Thank you..” she flushed a little and shook her head with a nervous giggle. “Let’s go.” He smirked softly before he followed her actions and packed up his leftovers, dropping his water bottle in his bag before standing with her.

They took their time as they made their path back to the elementary school, stopping when they came to the double doors. Nell turned to face him and smiled softly.

“Thank you for this.” He shrugged a bit with a short laugh.

“Least I could do after keeping you up until almost 7 in the morning.” Nell laughed a little bit as she glanced to the concrete beneath them before lifting her head back up to meet his gaze.

“Oh that was nothing.” she waved it off with a small smile. They stood for a few moments just looking at each other before Nell swallowed and nodded her head back toward the double doors. “I’d better go.” Javier nodded a few times, flashing her a soft smile before he started to step backwards toward the parking lot.

“Right of course, I should get headed too.” he stopped for a moment. “Hey, um...do you wanna do this again next week?” She bit her lip as a smile began to form on her lips, nodding a few times slowly.

“Yeah, I’d like that..”

——————————————————

Their lunches by the pond soon became a weekly affair. Every Thursday, Javier would show up at the back of Nell’s classroom right before the bell rang. They would eat and complain about work together while they watched ducks pass on the water. He still showed up at her motel room every few days when he couldn’t sleep. Truthfully, Javier had been doing better and didn’t always actually need to go to Nell’s, but he wanted to be around her. They would take a long walk when the world was sleeping or stay in and drink beer in her room. He still wasn’t much of a talker but he told Nell more Greek stories that he got from his mother and inquired about her adventurous childhood. Nell happily indulged, telling fantastical tales her mother shared with her as she grew up and talking all about the different places she’d been. He was happy not talking so long as he could listen to her voice fill the empty spaces. She would smile a little wider every time Javier did talk about something in his past he normally wouldn’t. He’d slip and tell a grand story of stupid shit he’d done as a kid or stories of first going into the academy. Nothing more than that, but it was enough to let Nell know that he could open up and certainly would, given more time. He was comfortable with her and she wasn’t sure that he’d been that way with anyone in a long time. And no matter what, whether Javier brought them in a styrofoam box or they ate at the diner, the nights would always end with blueberry pancakes.

On the Friday of the fourth week, both Nell and Javier were talked into going out to a bar with Drew and Rose. The group was finishing up their third round of drinks when Drew offered to get the next one. The girls thanked him as he and Javier made their way over to the bar. The two men made themselves comfortable as they waited to get the bartender’s attention. Drew let out a sigh and turned to Javier.

“What do you think, Javi, ever gonna settle down? Not getting any younger.” he nudged him with a small laugh. Javier rolled his eyes and scoffed a bit.

“Yeah...” he trailed off as his eyes moved back to the table the girls sat around and landed on Nell. He watched as she moved her hair off her shoulder, how her eyes crinkled when she giggled. She was rapturous. Free within herself. Javier hadn’t let himself experience that in a long time, if ever. The closest he got was when they were together. Drew was right, he wasn’t getting any younger. It wasn’t like he didn’t want the life Drew had. The wife, kids, the big house complete with the white fence and a dog. He could see a life like that, sure. What the hell was he so afraid of? His eyes caught Nell’s and it made his breath hitch in his throat. They stayed like that for a few moments before Javier cleared his throat and averted his gaze, downing the remaining contents of his glass.

Nell jumped when Rose tapped her shoulder a couple times. She breathed a small laugh and shook her head, turning back to her.

“Sorry, I got--”

“Distracted?” Rose interrupted, teasing her. She laughed and shook her head a little. “Yeah, Nell, that’s been happening all night. You two can’t keep your eyes off of each other.” Nell rolled her eyes playfully before they landed on Rosie again.

“Oh, come on. It hasn’t been that bad.” Rose raised her eyebrows with wide eyes and shot her a smirk.

“No no not bad at all, the footsie you’ve been playing under the table all night too means absolutely nothing.” Nell’s jaw dropped a little at her and her cheeks flushed slightly. She crossed her arms and looked away.

“I..have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Nell, you kicked my foot like three times by accident.” Rosie smirked a little, stifling a laugh as Nell turned back around to face her. They burst into giggles and Nell shook her head after a moment, groaning softly as her head fell into her hands. She lifted it to look at Rose once more.

“It is that bad.” Rosie giggled and nodded a couple of times, glancing over at the pair at the bar.

“If you need me and Drew to leave, just say the word.” Nell scoffed out a laugh and swatted at her, rolling her eyes again.

“Oh my god, stop right now.” she giggled and let her eyes trail back to where Javier and Drew stood at the bar.

After the men had ordered the drinks for the table, Drew turned to Javier.

“So...Nell. You haven’t fucked her yet?” Javier’s eyes fell to the sticky bar in front of him, huffing out a short laugh before shifting his jaw a little.

“I’m uh...I’m working on it.” he placed his empty glass down carefully before crossing his arms and turning his head back to look at Drew.

“I mean, you’ve known this girl...what? A month?” Drew breathed out a chuckle. “Not like you to wait so long Javi. She’s gotta be something special.” Javi shook his head once, trying to stifle a grin that was beginning to form on his lips.

“I don’t know man, she’s different..” he trailed off a little as the bartender set their drinks down in front of them. Javier grabbed his and Nell’s and looked at Drew again. “I don’t have to..put on a face and be ‘the DEA guy’ or anything with her.” he shrugged, glancing down at the floor as he turned a bit and found her eyes among the crowded bar once more. She met his gaze and gave him a soft smile. He watched as Rosie leaned over and whispered in her ear. Nell’s mouth fell open and her eyes were torn from his as she turned to Rose and playfully hit her arm. He shook his head and chuckled under his breath.“She’s different.”

——————————————————

It was hot today. Almost unbearably hot. The kind of hot Nell hadn’t experienced in a while. It was about a week after the night out at the bar and she found herself on Javier’s father’s ranch. She was recruited to help repair a line of fencing while Javier’s dad was away in San Antonio for a few days. If she had known the task at hand, her golden yellow sundress littered in tiny white flowers would not have been her first choice of wardrobe for the day. Though she was thankful for the lack of material on her legs. Her hair was tied up in a ribbon that matched her dress and she was covered in a thin layer of sweat. To say she actually helped fix the fence would be a stretch, considering not even halfway through she started to wander around, picking wildflowers that grew on the property. Javier couldn’t keep his eyes off of her. She was something akin to a Greek goddess, enveloped in golden light. The way the material hugged her body, the thin spaghetti straps trailing to the middle of her back. Her hair tied up in a ribbon that kept it off of her neck. Her neck, fuck, her neck. He wanted his hand wrapped around it while he fucked her in that tight little dress.

At some point, Javier had abandoned his gray t-shirt, slinging it over his shoulder as he worked. Nell caught herself staring more than a few times as he lifted a few of the heavy boards, sweat glistening along his arms, chest and back. One moment, her mouth fell open just slightly as he walked back to where the fence stood and put down a board. Javier smirked a little as he noticed her watching him. He cleared his throat loudly enough to get her attention and her mouth snapped shut, cheeks flushing bright red as she turned away from him. His head fell with a breathy chuckle escaping his throat. His gaze moved back to her and watched her for a moment as she counted the flowers she held in her hands. He bit his lip as she bent over just slightly to pick another long stemmed flower from the ground. The way the dress fell over her ass almost made him want to take her then and there. He would have if there wasn’t a danger of any relatives stopping for a surprise visit.

Clouds began rolling in and the air got heavier as the day progressed. Nell set her flowers in a pile on the ground, looking up at the sky as the clouds merged and covered the blue sky in dark gray and white. She smiled as the familiar scent of a storm coming filled her nose and turned to look at Javier. He took his t-shirt and wiped the sweat off his forehead, his gaze finding hers as a warm smile graced his mouth. A droplet of rain bounced off her shoulder and her head turned toward the darkened sky once more as the droplets became heavier and more constant. She let her head fall back, taking a deep breath in and letting it out slowly, a smile adorning her lips as it began to pour around her. Her head snapped up when she heard Javier calling her name. She watched as he frantically covered the unused materials in a tarp, his near panic conjuring a giggle from her throat. He jogged over to where she stood and shook out his hair, already becoming soaked from the rain. He nodded back toward the direction of the main house.

“Let’s go inside.” he offered his hand to her and she shook her head, rolling her eyes playfully. She hummed softly and turned away from him, reaching up to undo the ribbon in her hair then running her fingers through as the rain wet her brunette waves. She stretched her arms out and spun around once, laughing a little at the look Javier gave her.

“Dance with me.” She flashed him a smile that hit him right in the chest. God she was so beautiful. What he wouldn’t give just to touch her. He shook his head with a laugh as he watched her spin around again.

“Dance with you? It’s pouring!” His response elicited a scoffed laugh and an exaggerated eye roll from Nell.

“Oh it’s just water!” She giggled, waving her ribbon around a few times before dropping it to the ground. “Come and dance with me, Javier.” Her tone suggested it was no longer an option for him and he gave in with a breathy laugh, taking the hand she offered him, tossing his t-shirt to the ground. He pulled her to him and she laid her free hand on his shoulder while his moved to rest on her hip. The two of them erupted into tiny giggles as they swayed together, Javier spinning her around before she came to stop against him. She flushed slightly as she looked up at him, averting her gaze to the ground quickly. She bit her lip as a small smile came to her mouth, leaning down to pick up her discarded ribbon. Javier’s brows furrowed as he watched her come back up and grab his arm. He kept his gaze on her with a warm smile as she began tying the ribbon around his wrist. Her head slowly moved to look up at him after she dropped his arm gently. Her hands came to rest just barely on his naked chest as Javier snaked his arms around her. He pulled her flush against him, his hands pressing to the small of her back.

The rain was heavier now, soaking them where they stood. Nell let out a slow shuttered breath, her eyes flickering from his lips to his eyes and back. She sucked in a tight breath as he took one of his hands from her back and tilted her chin up with his forefinger. Her lips parted slightly as he moved his hand to cradle her face, sweeping his thumb along her bottom lip just barely. He leaned down gently, lips just barely brushing against hers when lightning flashed, illuminating the sky with a harsh crack of thunder that followed, causing them both to jump back from each other. Their heavy breaths turned into small giggles as Javier took her hand in his, both flinching again as another crash of thunder bellowed from the clouds. They looked at each other with wide eyes and started to run through the field to the nearest shelter. A particularly harsh boom made Nell shriek right as they passed through the doors to the tool shed. Javier closed the door, moving a block of wood in place to stop the wind from blowing it open. He huffed out a breath as he turned and rested his back against the door. His eyes found Nell on the opposite side of the shed, leaning against the workbench and trying to catch her breath. His eyes landed on her dampened chest, rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Her eyes caught his after a moment and they stood with their eyes locked for what seemed like ages. Their shallow breaths the only sound inside the tiny space.

Javier couldn’t take it anymore. He thought he might explode if he had to endure one more second without his hands on her. In one swift motion, he was on the other side of the shed, wrapping an arm around her as his mouth crashed against hers. The other hand snaked into her wet hair, cradling the back of her head as he pushed her against the workbench. A whimper left Nell’s throat as her hands threaded into his hair, pulling him as close as she could get him. He took her bottom lip between his teeth as he pulled away gently, earning a soft sound from her. His hands slipped beneath her thighs, lifting her up onto the table and settling himself between her legs. His head dipped to her neck, his lips exploring the tiny valley of tanned skin. She tasted like sunscreen and sweat. There was something sweet in there too, he just couldn’t place it. Nell’s eyes fluttered closed, letting out a soft breathy moan. He slid a hand up her calf, beneath her dress to her thigh and squeezed, pulling her against him. She squeaked out a gasp and moved her hands to grip his shoulders tightly as the bulge straining his jeans brushed against her thinly covered center. She watched him continue his trail down her neck, nearly ripping the straps of her dress as he tugged the top of her dress down. His eyes shot up to hers in surprise at the sight of the little silver piercings. She took in a deep breath and bit her lip, giving him a little smirk. He groaned a little and pushed himself against her center again as he sprinkled kisses and tiny love bites across her chest. Nell sucked in a breath at the contact, running her fingers through his hair and tugging at the nape of his neck. He let out a low growl as his hands moved quickly to undo his jeans, shuffling them down to the middle of his thighs. She moved to slip off her underwear but Javier grabbed her wrists to stop her.

“Keep them on.” he commanded, making Nell’s breath hitch in her throat. Her cheeks flushed when their eyes met and she nodded a little bit, swallowing hard.

“Okay..” she breathed as he guided her arms to wrap around his neck. His lips were back on hers almost before she finished the word, pulling her against him with one arm while the other moved between them, slipping beneath her underwear. She gasped against his mouth, squeaking out tiny moans as his fingers circled her clit. She could feel herself dripping onto his fingers, making her buck her hips against his hand and pulled away from the kiss, crying out as two fingers slipped inside her. He grinned as her head fell to his shoulder, moaning as teeth sunk in, making his cock twitch suddenly. Fuck, he needed to be inside her. Now. He pulled his hand away, Nell whimpering at the loss of contact. He threaded it into her hair and pulled her up to face him, kissing her deeply as his other hand moved under her dress, pushing her underwear to the side. He pulled away, trailing love bites and short kisses along her jaw as he lined himself up with her entrance.

“Look down, hermosa.” He whispered against her cheek as her fingers slipped back into his hair. Her head fell back with a whimper as he trailed kisses down her neck, scattering them across her chest. “Look. Watch me as I take you.” A small gasp escaped her throat as her head rolled to fall forward, her jaw dropping slightly as Javier hiked her dress up a little more.

“Oh my god..” Her arms wrapped around his neck as a calloused hand came up to wrap around her throat, keeping her gaze down. The sensation of her ribbon on his wrist tickling her collarbones gave her goosebumps. His fingers gripped the supple flesh of her thigh as he pushed himself into her suddenly. The choked sob that fluttered from her lips was muffled as Javier’s mouth roughly met hers with a low growl. She whined against him as he began thrusting into her, his grip around her neck tightening ever so slightly as he sucked on her bottom lip. He pulled away to lay hot open mouthed kisses down her chest as his arm wrapped around her hips. He pulled himself out of her nearly all the way before snapping his hips against hers, filling her completely. She cried out as thunder crashed harshly, making the shed shake a little. Javier’s pace quickened, sliding his hand up her throat to cradle her face as he kissed her fervidly. He tightened his grip around her waist to her hips in place, feeling her walls squeeze around his cock. She started shaking gently as her orgasm ran through every inch of her body, her nails digging into his shoulder blades. She pulled away with a gasp, her head falling back against the wall as she squeezed her eyes shut. Quick little repeated whimpers fell from her lips as she finally came around him. He ducked his head to the curve of her neck, moaning against her skin as he emptied himself inside her. She collapsed against the wall trying to catch her breath, a new layer of sweat laid on her skin. Her fingers raked through his hair slowly as her body continued to shake. She hummed, a small smile forming on her lips as she felt Javier peppering small kisses up her neck. He nuzzled his nose against her earlobe, biting at her jaw and chin a little before placing a gentle kiss against her lips. He breathed out a grunt as he pulled himself out of her, wrapping both arms around her to pull her as close to him as he could get her. Nell laid her head against his chest as her arms wrapped around him, her shaking body slowing down as their breathing went back to normal.

“Hmm...it’s about time.” she mumbled against his chest, smiling when she felt the soft chuckle he let out. He nodded a few times and kissed the top of her head as he ran his fingers through her now drying hair.

“Agreed.”

——————————————————

Taglist: @stevieharrrr, @tarrevizslas, @coredrive, @pascalplease, @keeper0fthestars, @irishleesh93, @mrsparknuts, @emwriterblr, @voteforpedropascal, @valhallavalkyrie9

#she's here!!#surprise y'all lmao #room 205 #javier peña fanfic #javier peña fanfiction #javier peña x oc #javier peña #narcos #fanfic #fanfiction #part three #chapter three

101 notes · View notes

ravenclaw-craftsgirl · 5 years ago

Text

Lilian - Year One

Part 1 Part 2 Rating: G Foreword: This story uses the fanmade idea of Rowan Khanna being the name of Two Twins (The Twin Khannas) Using their middle names to distinguish themselves. Research has been done ahead of time, with certain instances purposely being different.

I will pre-translate all of Lilian’s french for Mobile users!

Enjoy! Here’s the original Google Doc Link for those who enjoy proper formatting

The morning was warm over London’s suburbs. The sun shone over the road as a young girl surrounded by several children in a house’s driveway. Each were chatting individually while two stood nearby with a timer as they watched. “Come on, Lil, ya got it!”

“Ye can do it!” they cried as the young brunette quickly reassembled a bikes assembly from scratch after having just polished them. Within a minute, she was done. “Woah, that’s thirty seconds faster!” The boy holding the stopwatch exclaimed, while the girl watching merely shouted in celebratory victory for her friend. The two helped the other up as a group of girls walked past and started laughing. “Oh look, La Rude is in the dirt plating with the boys again. Guess she didn’t get the memo that Girls don’t do that.” The leader of the group shouted, as the others laughed and chided in their obnoxiously high voices. “<It is rather rude to deny my talents. Only an idiot would degrade someone for doing something she likes.>” Lilian Le’Reau replied with a smirk. Several of the girls simply looked among themselves, confused and worried at what Lilian had just said. The leader simply frowned and stuck her tongue out before snapping her fingers, signalling for the others to continue wherever they were trying to go. “I don’t know why you put up with her, Lilian. She’s always such a jerk.” Lilian simply shrugged, pulled the hair tie out from her ponytail and shook her head. She grinned as her hair fell past her shoulders “Because I know I can make fun of her in french without her tattling.” With that sentiment, the kids all boarded their bikes and rode down to the nearest Football field to play a game.

It wasn’t until much later that day when Lilian finally rode home. The sun was barely touching the horizon as Lilian was riding. Suddenly a flash of black as an Owl suddenly appeared on Lilian’s handlebars. “<WHAT THE HECK>!” Was all she could say before she jerked the front wheel to the side out of reaction, causing her to crash into her yard. Covered in sweat and dirt, Lilian sat up and groaned as she looked at the bent front axle of the bike she had bought. “Mama is going to kill me. And what was… that.” The owl simply turned to her and spun it’s head around, almost in a form of acknowledging the wreck that had just happened. Even more curious than the owl itself was the letter in its beak. Addressed to her home… with her name… Lilian carefully reached out to the owl to take the letter, careful to not potentially spook the creature. Thankfully she didn’t have a problem, with the owl only flying away once Lilian had the letter. “ ‘From the office of Hogwarts’ Huh? <What are you>?” She then stood up and hissed with pain as she saw her shin, scrapped and bloody from the crash. Thankfully she didn’t have to walk far as she took her bike into the garage before walking into the house.

Once inside, and after treating her injury, Lilian sat in the living room with her pet cat Eleanor as she opened the letter. The letter itself looked old, yet she opened it anyway and pulled out the letter inside. “ ‘Dear Mrs. Le’Reau, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry’? <What is that>?”

Lilian continued reading through the letter, not noticing until she was nearly tackled by her cousin that the front door had opened. “Whatcha got there, Lil? Some love letter o’ some blighter lookin ta court ye?” Abbigail Mckinley said, big grin on her freckled face. Lilian smiled, rolling her eyes as the back of her hand smacked Abby on the arm. “<Stop that>, Abby. It’s some letter for some place called-” “Hogwarts school o’ Witchcraft an Wizardry. Glad ta see you finally got the letter. Was startin ta wonder if they sent it through the Post.”

Lilian looked up to see her uncle Rorick standing with his hat and coat alongside her father, Daniel Le’Reau. “Well, It would seem you were right, Rorick. Glad I didn’t bet anything on that.”

“Bah, I won in spirit, Danny. Ye just don wanna admit it.” Rorick said with a nudge of his elbow. “Wait, what is Hogwarts? Why did I get this letter?” Lilian asked, perplexed by her father’s casual acceptance of this… Wizard letter?

“Ah ye see love… This is a letter for you to learn how ta be a witch like Abby here. Learn how to use your magical talent. Like yer normal school now, but with all the fairytale happenin’s ye’re so fond of.” Rorick said as he took a seat. Lilian simply stared at the letter, dumbfounded by this revelation and everything else that Rorick had to explain.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lilian walked through the sliding brick wall, mesmerized and afraid at the same time. It was only a month ago in July that she had learned about Magic from her uncle and cousin, let alone seeing it in action. How else was she supposed to be taking this kind of information? Just accept that her favorite childhood stories could be real? That Eragon could possibly have existed in some way shape or form? That Lord of the Rings could have actually been a real battle covered up?

“Lil? Oi, cous, ye’er me?”

Lilian snapped back to reality, hearing her cousin’s voice. “<Excuse me>, it’s just...So much to deal with, Abby…” Abbigail simply grinned, pulling Lilian along. “Come on now, we’ve only jus started!”

The two went about, purchasing whatever they needed for school with Rorick nearby. The Auror simply smiled, following behind the two as he put all of their supplies in his bag. Thankfully, and mercifully, it was enchanted with an undetectable extension charm. He simply smiled as they went around with some money, buying what all they needed while he went to buy the rest of their school supplies that they would need.

Abby and Lilian continued walking around for a while, Abby finally letting go of her arm, when she bumped into someone causing them both to spill. “<I am really sorry! I should have watched where I was going!>” Lilian started speaking as she quickly scrambled to pick up the books and other supplies before they were ruined by the streets. Lilian had nearly picked up all of the books when she noticed the other girl simply staring, wide eyed with wonder at her. Lilian suddenly wished she didn’t have her hair in a ponytail, feeling very self conscious of herself until she heard the girl speak. “That… That was French! Oh my goodness you’re so fluent! I wish I'd be able to learn french! Oh uh, Sorry if I didn’t understand it though. I’m good with books, but not people. Sorry for bumping into you!” The odd girl with round glasses smiled as she stood up with Lilian and took back her books. “I’m Rowan Hubei Khanna! Pleasure to meet you…?”

��Aye, Tha’s me cousin Lilian, an I’m Abby McKinley!” Abby said with a big grin as Lilian stood by her side and nodded, smiling slightly to be polite. “<H-hello>…” Abby turned to Lilian confused and then realized. “Oh right, ya switch ta French when yer nervous. Sorry fer that, Rowan. Ya shoppin for Hogwarts too?” As if to answer Abby’s question, the three see a young man, his complexion and demeanor almost the same as Rowan’s. “Hubei, little help! I’m tipping I’m tipping!” He cried as he tripped on a loose stone, toppling his books and a couple of other boxes over the trio. The boy sat up and rubbed his head before readjusting his glasses. “Oh, are we making introductions? I’m Rowan Harrow Khanna! Just call me Harrow!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“So ya two grew up on a tree farm? Seems a tad of a bore.” Abby said as the four children sat down at a nearby bench as they talked together.

“It’s really not that bad. Lots of reading and interesting stories!” Harrow said, followed by Hubei nodding enthusiastically. “It’s true! We get quite a lot of various people at the farm. Mom and Dad always say that we’re getting the entire world coming to buy their wand and broom wood.”

Lilian smiled. “That seems interesting. I’ve never heard of a tree farm for brooms and wands specifically. It must be exciting.”

The twins looked at each other and frowned. “Not really. More often than not, it’s kind of boring. Trees aren’t the fastest growing things.” “Yeah, for the most part we stayed inside to read and play wizard chess against each other. Harrow tried climbing a tree once. He was stung by so many Bowtruckles.”

Harrow’s face turned bright red as he turned to Hubei. “Did not! That was just the branches not being trimmed in a while…”

“Right, that’s why you screamed like a little girl. Haha dad had to levitate Harrow out of the tree!”

Lilian smiled at the two’s bickering when she noticed Abby looking down. She had forgotten how her cousin had lost her brother a while ago. She didn’t know how, but all she knew was that Abby’s big brother, Jacob McKinley, had run away and was never seen again.

Lilian put a hand on Abby’s shoulder, silently nodded and smiled. “You’ll find him, Abby. I know it.”

The two Khanna’s stopped their bickering and fell silent. Harrow was the first to speak “I’m sorry, we forgot about you being a McKinley…”

Abby shook her head. “Nah, ‘S fine. Jus comes with the territory. Come on, Lil. We should probably find Da an head home. Who knows what Hunin an Munin are doin right now.” Lilian nodded, bidding farewell to the Khanna siblings. As the two found Rorick, Lilian couldn’t help but hug them both. “<Thank you>, for everything you two are doing.”

Rorick chuckled. “Lass, we’re a family. We stick together, through the thick of it. Now then, how about we spoil yer appetite a bit a’fore we head on home, Eh?” Lilian and Abby grinned to each other, following Rorick’s lead to a nearby candy shop.

#part 1 #Lilian Le'Reau #Abbigail McKinley #Rowan Hubei Khanna #Rowan Harrow Khanna #Twin Khanna #Harry Potter Hogwarts Mystery #HPHM #hphm mc

8 notes · View notes

theonyxpath · 6 years ago

Link

More Q&A – because YOU requested it! Well, maybe not you personally, but we sure did get a great response to last week’s blog…So We’re Doin’ It Again!

“But seriously, why is International shipping so high on the KSs?”

What backers are seeing from us on the Kickstarter pages are the shipping numbers we have received from our fulfillment partners, and no, they aren’t inflating them and we aren’t inflating them – those are what we are hearing from shippers like Fedex and USPS and others.

The fact is: we are not Amazon. We aren’t C’Mon Games or other companies that send out a massive volume of packages. We’re in the same boat as a lot of TTRPG companies, many of whom are dropping international shipping entirely. Instead, we made the call to give our backers the up-front info so they can make intelligent decisions, while we continue to search for less costly shipping options.

“Why aren’t all Storypath Games the same?”

I’m assuming that this is in reference to the Storypath System, and not the settings for each game line that uses it. Because that’s the only way the question makes sense to me.

One of my goals with the Storypath System was that it be flexible enough to work as the basis for any game we care to create with it, and part of that design was that the basic system would then have additional rules attached to it depending on the game line’s needs.

Or, here is more from Eddy Webb, who has been overseeing the Storypath games, as well as doing design work on the system. He sez:

Each game takes the core system and tweaks it in a variety of ways to better emphasize what’s important in that game. A game about myths like Scion doesn’t need comprehensive weapon mechanics, but a game about salvaging equipment like Dystopia Rising does.

Basically, Storypath was never intended to be exactly the same with every line that uses it, like a generic system, but to allow a base level of familiarity so players just need to look into specific, game line intrinsic, additional rules.

“Why won’t you publish all the Clan/Tribe/Tradition/etc books again?”

OK, that’s a multi-part answer, so let me unpack a bit on this one.

First, and very specifically, we aren’t recreating the “Splat books” as we do new editions because those lil’ books aren’t cost-effective to create with our current publishing model. We do however, love to gather the “splats” into larger books like we’ve already done with Lore of the Clans, or Lore of the Bloodlines.

Which brings us to the second part of this, which is what I touched on in last week’s blog, which is that we don’t have carte-blanche to create just any WoD (or CofD or Exalted) books that we want to create. We have to have their pitches approved by our licensor, White Wolf/Paradox, before we can do any work at all on projects.

So what I’m saying is that we wouldn’t just recreate the old splat books, but we would do a differently formatted version, and that version still needs to be greenlit by our licensor. And right now, that has not happened.

Aeon Aexpansion art by Pat McEvoy

“Why are there approvals stages for Scion or Scarred Lands- don’t you own those?”

The business productivity answer is that we try and keep our processes the same in game book creation to make them go through the stages consistently.

The RichT answer is that I want to be able to review, tweak, and fine-tune the game lines my company owns. I mean, I do it with our licensed game lines, so by crackee, I’m doing with my own durn games!

“What stores carry your books?”

Y’know, I don’t actually know all of them at this point! What we hear from our sales partners at Studio2 and Indie Press Revolution, is that more and more stores are ordering as they become aware that we are putting select books into the distribution/retail channel.

So the notices I see are focused on which distributors have ordered what, although I do still get a chance to chat with retailers who pledge during our Kickstarters. Some of those folks have been with us since our first KSs, like our friends at Trollune in France, and more come on board with each KS.

Mighty Matt McElroy is a lot more hands-on with stores and retailers, and maybe we’re at the point where he’d be willing to pull together some sort of Retailer list we could post on this site. I will ask him very, very, nicely if such a thing could be added to his already massive workload.

But be sure that we truly appreciate each and every order from retailers that our sales partners receive. A Friendly Local Game Store is one of the best places to learn about all sort of games, new and old, and we’re glad we were able to figure out a way to once again get books into those shelves!

And if your FLGS doesn’t yet know that they can order books from their favorite distributor like Changeling: The Lost 2nd Edition, or Scion: Origin and Scion: Hero, or Pugmire and Monarchies of Mau and others, with even more yet to come like V5 Chicago By Night and the Trinity Continuum books, then please, let them know, let us know, let the world know, that you want them to order our books for you!

Witch Queen art by Nate Pride

“What are YOU excited about that’s coming from Onyx Path?”

Scion: Demigod and Titanomancy to continue the core Scion mythological experience, and Dragon and Mythos to show how Scion has potential beyond that experience. Trinity Continuum: similarly, very excited to bring back Aeon and Aberrant as lines and especially to revisit Adventure! and deliver an exciting game that emulates all the Pulp Genre excitement that I’ve loved during countless hours reading Doc Savage and The Avenger, but in a way that’s compelling for a modern audience. Then, to finally expand from the three original game lines to other time periods and genres with new games that we’re working on but haven’t announced yet.

Legendlore is another game line I’m really looking forward to. In fact, I think the developed text should be coming my way later this week, or next week, and I can’t want to see what Steffie De Vaan and team have done to take this long-established world and bring it up-to-date and relevant like I mentioned about TC: Adventure!

White Wolf gamelines: For CofD, I’m champing at the bit to start sharing Deviant: The Renegades during its Kickstarter. I’ve loved the concept of the wronged seeking revenge for what was done to them since the project was conceptualized, and Dave and Eric and crew have really delivered on that premise, and more! It’s gut-wrenching, horrific, but also empowering!

For Exalted 3rd, I’m really glad we’re finally doing the Storyteller’s Guide, which combined with another book we’re waiting to hear back on from WW, will provide players and prospective Storytellers with a lot of answers and material that fill in some of the blanks in the core EX3 rulebook. Hopefully, these sections will allow even more players to “get” Exalted 3rd, and so they’ll all want to GET Exalted 3rd!

And, of course, I really can’t expand on much for WoD without the OK from WW/Paradox, but we’ve been so thrilled by the reaction to the V5 Chicago By Night Backer PDF that I’m really looking forward to the next WoD projects from Matthew Dawkins, as well as finally delivering our outstanding 20th Anniversary projects!

Distant Worlds art by Rutledge

They Came From…!: Speaking of Matthew, he is gravely hard at work digging into new sources of fun and inspiration for the follow-up They Came From game, and I’m such a fan of the whole genre/time period it covers that I can’t wait to read it!

Creature Collection 5e: for Scarred Lands looks to be gorgeous! I’m both jealous that Johnny Hodgson was able to pull together so many fantastic artists, and thrilled that our efforts with his Handiworks Games is producing such a fantastic book. Look for its KS soon!

These aren’t advertising blurbs here folks! I truly am excited to be able to bring all of these game lines to life, and to be part of bringing them to all of you – as well as those poor misguided souls who don’t yet read this scintillating blog, or know of our:

Many Worlds, One Path!

BLURBS!

Kickstarter!

Keep an eye out in this space as well as on our social media for the Deviant: The Renegades Kickstarter that will be launching after August wraps up!

Onyx Path Media!

This Friday’s Onyx Pathcast features an interview with one of the unsung new talents of Onyx Path and one of the nicest people working in the TTRPG industry: Meredith Gerber! Go to https://onyxpathcast.podbean.com/ or to your favorite podcast venue!

No Onyx Path News this week, with Matthew having been away at Tabletop Scotland! But here’s a nice photo of his group at that convention enjoying a session of They Came from Beneath the Sea!

Here’s our upcoming Twitch schedule, and as you can see, it’s getting very full of content! Between Travis Legge’s Myths & Matchmakers for Scarred Lands, Near Dark Studios‘ Chicago by Night, our very own Pugmire: Paws and Claws and Aberrant: Collateral Damage, and more, we think you’ll find something to entertain you! Even if you don’t, we’d very much appreciate a follow on www.twitch.tv/theonyxpath!

Outside our Twitch channel, the Botch Pit have started up a new chronicle for Geist: The Sin-Eaters 2nd Edition! And if you’re not into actual plays, they also do breakdowns of lots of our other games: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQfcGvYILEV1vznP5__bOWg

Did you check out the www.gamerstable.com for their actual play of A Slippery Conspiracy? No? Well, now’s the time to catch up and give their actual play of They Came from Beneath the Sea! a listen!

Devil’s Luck Gaming continues with Pirates of Bloodwater for Scarred Lands right here: https://www.twitch.tv/DevilsLuckGaming Also check them out for an excellent Shadowrun actual play they’ve started. We know it’s not our game, but we’re happy to promote such a fine cast of players.

If you’re a fan of Scion, check out https://ragnarokandroll.podbean.com/, a podcast that tracks all the way from first edition Scion: Hero to Scion: Ragnarok, but is now looking into the second edition of the game!

We’re going through Wraith: The Oblivion character creation over on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/jflNxrN3i6o And part two will be uploaded this week!

Drop Matthew a message via the contact button on matthewdawkins.com if you have actual plays, reviews, or game overviews you want us to profile on the blog!

Please check any of these out and let us know if you find or produce any actual plays of our games!

Electronic Gaming!

As we find ways to enable our community to more easily play our games, the Onyx Dice Rolling App is live! Our dev team has been doing updates since we launched based on the excellent use-case comments by our community, and this thing is awesome! (Seriously, you need to roll 100 dice for Exalted? This app has you covered.)

On Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

You can now read our fiction from the comfort and convenience of your Kindle (from Amazon) and Nook (from Barnes & Noble).

If you enjoy these or any other of our books, please help us by writing reviews on the site of the sales venue from which you bought it. Reviews really, really help us get folks interested in our amazing fiction!

Our selection includes these fiction books:

Our Sales Partners!

We’re working with Studio2 to get Pugmire and Monarchies of Mau out into stores, as well as to individuals through their online store. You can pick up the traditionally printed main book, the screen, and the official Pugmire dice through our friends there! https://studio2publishing.com/search?q=pugmire

We’ve added Prince’s Gambit to our Studio2 catalog: https://studio2publishing.com/products/prince-s-gambit-card-game

Now, we’ve added Changeling: The Lost 2nd Edition products to Studio2‘s store! See them here: https://studio2publishing.com/collections/all-products/changeling-the-lost

Scarred Lands (Pathfinder) books are also on sale at Studio2, and they have the 5e version, supplements, and dice as well!: https://studio2publishing.com/collections/scarred-lands

Scion 2e books and other products are available now at Studio2: https://studio2publishing.com/blogs/new-releases/scion-second-edition-book-one-origin-now-available-at-your-local-retailer-or-online

Looking for our Deluxe or Prestige Edition books? Try this link! http://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/Onyx-Path-Publishing/

And you can order Pugmire, Monarchies of Mau, Cavaliers of Mars, and Changeling: The Lost 2e at the same link! And NOW Scion Origin and Scion Hero are available to order!

As always, you can find most of Onyx Path’s titles at DriveThruRPG.com!

On Sale This Week!

This Wednesday, we’re offering our monthly Exalted 3rd Edition PDF for Hundred Devils Night Parade!

Conventions!

Save Against Fear: October 12th – 14th GameHoleCon: October 31st – November 3rd PAX Unplugged: December 6th – 8th 2020: Midwinter: January 9th – 12th

And now, the new project status updates!

DEVELOPMENT STATUS FROM EDDY WEBB (projects in bold have changed status since last week):

First Draft (The first phase of a project that is about the work being done by writers, not dev prep)

M20 Victorian Mage (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)

Exalted Essay Collection (Exalted)

Dragon-Blooded Novella #2 (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Exigents (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Many-Faced Strangers – Lunars Companion (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Contagion Chronicle: Global Outbreaks (Chronicles of Darkness)

Player’s Guide to the Contagion Chronicle (Chronicles of Darkness)

Contagion Chronicle Jumpstart (Chronicles of Darkness)

N!ternational Wrestling Entertainment (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)

Creating in the Realms of Pugmire (Realms of Pugmire)

Redlines

Tales of Aquatic Terror (They Came From Beneath the Sea!)

Kith and Kin (Changeling: The Lost 2e)

Wraith20 Fiction Anthology (Wraith: The Oblivion 20th Anniversary Edition)

Crucible of Legends (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Lunars Novella (Rosenberg) (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Yugman’s Guide to Ghelspad (Scarred Lands)

Vigil Watch (Scarred Lands)

Pirates of Pugmire KS-Added Adventure (Realms of Pugmire)

Second Draft

Tales of Good Dogs – Pugmire Fiction Anthology (Pugmire)

Dragon-Blooded Novella #1 (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Across the Eight Directions (Exalted 3rd Edition)

One Foot in the Grave Jumpstart (Geist: The Sin-Eaters 2e)

Scion: Demigod (Scion 2nd Edition)

Titanomachy (Scion 2nd Edition)

Trinity Continuum Jumpstart (Trinity Continuum Core)

Terra Firma (Trinity Continuum: Aeon)

Monsters of the Deep (They Came From Beneath the Sea!)

Development

M20 The Technocracy Reloaded (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)

Creatures of the World Bestiary (Scion 2nd Edition)

Heirs to the Shogunate (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Scion Companion: Mysteries of the World (Scion 2nd Edition)

Legendlore core book (Legendlore)

City of the Towered Tombs (Cavaliers of Mars)

TC: Aeon Jumpstart (Trinity Continuum: Aeon)

Mummy: The Curse 2nd Edition core rulebook (Mummy: The Curse 2nd Edition)

Masks of the Mythos (Scion 2nd Edition)

Scion: Dragon (Scion 2nd Edition)

TC: Aberrant Reference Screen (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)

Manuscript Approval

Creatures of the World Bestiary (Scion 2nd Edition)

Cults of the Blood Gods (Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition)

W20 Shattered Dreams Gift Cards (Werewolf: The Apocalypse 20th)

W20 Art Book (Werewolf: The Apocalypse 20th)

Post-Approval Development

Trinity Continuum: Aberrant (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)

V5 Chicago Screen (Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition)

Deviant: The Renegades (Deviant: The Renegades)

Let the Streets Run Red (Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition)

WoD Ghost Hunters (World of Darkness)

Scion LARP Rules (Scion)

Geist 2e Fiction Anthology (Geist: The Sin-Eaters 2nd Edition)

Oak, Ash, and Thorn: Changeling: The Lost 2nd Companion (Changeling: The Lost 2nd)

Editing

Night Horrors: Nameless and Accursed (Mage: the Awakening Second Edition)

Lunars: Fangs at the Gate (Exalted 3rd Edition)

TC: Aeon Ready-Made Characters (Trinity Continuum: Aeon)

Hunter: The Vigil 2e core (Hunter: The Vigil 2nd Edition)

Chicago Folio/Dossier (Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition)

City of the Towered Tombs (Cavaliers of Mars)

Post-Editing Development

Memento Mori (Geist: The Sin-Eaters 2e Companion)

DR:E Jumpstart (Dystopia Rising: Evolution)

Pirates of Pugmire (Realms of Pugmire)

Indexing

ART DIRECTION FROM MIKE CHANEY!

In Art Direction

Contagion Chronicle

Trinity Continuum: Aberrant

Hunter: The Vigil 2e

Ex3 Lunars – Contracted.

They Came from Beneath the Sea! – Contracted. Sketches still coming in.

TCfBtS!: Heroic Land Dwellers

Night Horrors: Nameless and Accursed

Ex3 Monthly Stuff

DR:E Threat Guide – Helnau’s Guide to Wasteland Beasties – Contracted.

Deviant (KS) – Contracted. LeBlanc’s art already in.

Trinity RMCs – Contracted.

Cults of the Blood God (KS) – Sending out art notes.

Chicago Folio – Art notes going out this week.

Mummy 2 (KS) – Got Matthew’s notes.

In Layout

CoM – Witch Queen of the Shadowed Citadel

Dark Eras 2 – Files with Aileen

Trinity Continuum Aeon: Distant Worlds

VtR Spilled Blood – With Josh.

DR:E Jumpstart

Aeon Aexpansion

Proofing

C20 Cup of Dreams

V5: Chicago – Inputting errata.

Geist 2e – XX’s and then Indexing.

Signs of Sorcery – Inputting errata.

M20 Book of the Fallen

DR: E – Inputting errata.

At Press

Dragon Blooded – Deluxe at Studio2, shipping wrapping up.

Dragon-Blooded Cloth Map – At Studio2, shipping wrapping up.

Dragon-Blooded Screen – Shipped to Studio2, shipping wrapping up.

Trinity Core Screen – At Studio2.

TC Aeon Screen – At Studio2.

Trinity: In Media Res – PoD proofs coming.

Trinity Core – Printing. PoD proofs ordered.

Trinity Aeon – Printing. PoD proofs ordered.

Shunned By the Moon – PoD proof coming.

Today’s Reason to Celebrate!

On this date in 1346 – Hundred Years’ War: The military supremacy of the English longbow over the French combination of crossbow and armored knights is established at the Battle of Crécy. Thus spawning whole rafts of longbow lovin’ moments in gaming! (Also can be seen as a victory for the common man that will echo through history and turn out even more badly for the French nobility 400-some years later).

#Onyx Path Publishing

12 notes · View notes

dunkalfredo · 8 years ago

Note

Im in love with your vision of Infinite and Rookie and i want to hear some of your sweet headcanons about their time together. If anyone asked something similar, refer me to this post, please. Thanks!

alskdjnsjklnljkls tysm!!!! yeah sure ill share some headcanons. i did a post on a similar topic about a month ago but that’s more their individual personalities/aesthetics than actual relationship material so ill go ahead and add on some stuff here.

i should note that portions of this are based heavily off of the idea that they grew up together so prepare for some au territory at this point. my backstory for them is becoming so intricate jfc;;;;;; i really hope ur not disappointed with this answer i have like an entire pre-forces narrative planned out in my head at this point OTL if u were hoping for more general stuff just lemme know i can give you some more hcs for that (there’s already some but there’s also Backstory stuff that i can’t really explore through oneshot format)

this is entirely self indulgent tbhhhh anyways click that mf Keep reading button

there’s a lot of like. casual touch. lotsa hugs and leaning on each other and resting their chin on the other’s shoulder (or top of head depending on who’s who bc height difference) while looking over them at what they’re doing and its really rooted in their learning early on how much Gadget loves that sweet sweet Physical Contact (if u scratch behind his ears he will melt, guaranteed, you’ll have yourself a Boneless Gadget with a two-liter coke)

if it’s raining out gadget will insist on doing something that’s not just sitting inside all day but snugglin w/ infinite ends up tempting him into doing Exactly That lol

there’s a lot of companionable silence between them when it’s just Them Alone in a Room. sure they talk and chat and joke but there are so many times where it’s just,,, being Together,,, and enjoying being in the other’s presence as they each do their own thing

sorta going into childhood/backstory stuff but uhhhh:

starting freshman year of highschool they started just bein each other’s dates to school dances even though they were “just friends” for like half of that timespan . i love cheesy stuff like that im sorry bro i had to include that tidbit i know it’s super specific and particular to my own backstory for them but just, they’re best buds and they gonna have a good time at homecoming lol

please imagine: those cute pre-dance pictures that parents take at the stairwell or front porch or somethin right before their kids leave, but with gadget and infinite. gadget’s got braces and they dont really fit in his mouth and his lenses reflect the light in the photo and oops infinite blinked and his shirt is too big and tbh their suits in gen just don’t really fit them right, gadget’s shirt is untucked and infinite’s tie is crooked but it’s okay, they’re both smilin reeeeaaaal big (and besides they figure out how to look Aesthetically Pleasing by junior year)

summers were hot in their hometown (note: i grew up in the north so i know nothing of True Heat, bear with me on this one.) most evenings were spent out on gadget’s fam’s back porch, cold towels resting on the backs of their necks, sweat in and under their fur, and they’re melting into the wood of the deck, fan plugged into that one weird outlet on the outside of the house that’s really more a fire hazard than anything else but the cool air is nice. they’re just lounging around reading comic books and listening to music on infinite’s old zune (lots of mid-2000s punk rock bands bc what else were u expecting) and in later years when they’re in that teen puppy love stage they’re trying to cuddle but it’s TOO DAMN HOT OUTSIDE so they resort to like, gentle hand holding, infinite reading some pretentious literary work or whatever and gadget spacing tf out next to him

when they graduate and are assigned a partner to walk down the aisle with they still end up w/ each other even though technically the partners are chosen according to alphabetical order and they’re on opposite ends of that list whOOPS how’d they do that? (hint: last minute shuffling in line)

when they move outta their small lil home town and into The Big City (im gonna say that would be Sunset Heights to tie in some canon plot relevance) they move in together and share a flat. a) its more financially manageable to just split housing costs like that and b) it’s been a dream their entire lives to live together when they’re older so oh!!! they’re older now!!!!! time to live together

(okay that’s all for backstory stuff back to reg hcs)

neither can cook but its ok

it may seem like they bicker a lot but it’s usually either the like, joke argue of “what do you mean craft mac n cheese is gross take that back” or reprimands like “it’s one a.m. time to sleep u Fool” (self-care is important, lads). they actually communicate really well so high-stakes arguments aren’t super common (and when they do happen they dont tend to explode. i wanted to have them be the type that argue for understanding and not to prove they’re right, so that greatly affects the outcomes of their disputes.)

infinite loves to hum while he’s doing things, or just in gen, and his voice is very low and smooth and gadget looooooves it, so much. they’ll be, i dunno, doing some mundane thing, like maybe they’re out getting groceries or doin dishes or something (i love me that domestic content) and he’ll start humming quietly and it just, it really grounds gadget in a way that sometimes he doesn’t even know he needs till infinite does it.

anyone here ever played bayonetta? any a yall remember those bits where there’s a woman in bayo’s memories singing and/or humming ‘fly me to the moon’ all quiet and low? think that but just,,,, pitched down,,,, yeah,,,

the tunes are usually very slow and while not so much melancholy theyre just? i dunno melodic in the same lax, smooth-tempo’d way a lot of melancholy songs are? i dunno i like quiet, introspective infinite and aesthetics that reflect that

here’s a long one: about a month before infinite “goes missing” and forces happens, infinite lands a job at a local news outlet as one of the column writers and even tho he’s more into prose than journalism he’s so fuckin pumped. it’s mostly just excitement over not doing cashier work and having a money-makin outlet he’s at least somewhat interested in lol …aaaaaand the way ship headcanon works into this bullet is that when he finds out that he landed the job he so excited that when gadget walks into the room (it’s morning and gadget literally was just gonna get some coffee, he’s still in his pajamas, he’s got bedhead) infinite sees him and whoops he tackle-hugs him and then whoops he knocked them both onto the floor but its cool gadget kinda let it happen and when infinite tells him what happened and apologizes he’s now also super excited and happy for him so now there’s two (2) people screaming inside (and out) about this awesome development

here’s a short one: they wear each other’s clothes a lot

gadget’s v cuddly in his sleep so he gets really clingy w/ infinite when a) it’s early morning and they’re just waking up b) it’s Late o’ clock at night and they’re chillin at home or c) he’s Actually asleep and within like three feet of infinite

i dont really know how to end this lol i dont really wanna just start repeating myself and i might think of other stuff later but for now pls consider the following: when they sleep whoever’s big spoon ends up resting one hand over the other’s heart and it’s super sweet

oh and they smooch a lot (i told you this response was self indulgent)

#sonic forces #sonic the hedgehog #sonic forces infinite #gadget the wolf #rookinite #gadginite #buddinite #avanite #infidget #alsbdjslnjsknkds GOD #i keep adding new tags each time #anyways

105 notes · View notes

general-loki · 8 years ago

Text

Title: Slow Motion for Strangers

Series: Overwatch

Pairing: Mchanzo

Rating: T

Warnings: Shimada bros angst, implied established relationship

[Read on AO3]

Summary: Poor luck brings Hanzo, McCree, and Genji together for a mission with little time to plan or work out a way the two brothers are willing to actually team up. This leaves McCree trying to shoulder more of the job while still grappling with the way it feels to see Hanzo at his worst.

Shoulders squared, an unusual intensity around him, Genji led the first few steps outside of the check point. McCree couldn't help following slower after him, that aura pushing him a few paces behind the cyborg. The rest of the team fell through, leaving just the three of them to try and route whatever Talon had built up down the road. Stoney old roads, worn warehouses, and narrow streets lined McCree's view as the pair began steadily from the relative warmth and shelter of what was at least four walls, a roof, and a door.

Big flaky snow scittered through the air, falling at a relatively careless pace. Chunky flakes stuck to Genji's body, only cold enough to remain for so long before melting like they might off anyone else. McCree couldn't find the words to begin with his friend anymore. He seemed so distant, so much more resolute and cold than he was used to. He didn't and couldn't blame him. This was a sour note to begin anything on—especially a mission.

“Are you okay to be doin' this?” he forced himself to ask finally. Puffs of visible air followed the formation of the first few words from his lips.

Genji didn't turn, but continued walking forward. “I am always prepared. There should be no question,” he answered, tone a touch sharp. Of course he'd still be sore.

“Look, I'm not doubtin' yer abilities, but I can tell you don't like this,” McCree attempted to breach this again more carefully.

“We don't have the time to reconsider the plan. Talon will not stop because we've had a quarrel.”

“It's a lil' bigger than jus' a quarrel, Genj.”

Genji finally stalled and pivoted McCree's way, one fist balled tightly at his side. “It is. But this rides on my brother, not me. If he won't take responsibility...well...how much worse could he do?” When the stray hint of bitterness in his voice kept McCree from answering quickly enough, Genji turned back toward their target. “If he has gotten this far the rest is up to him...Whatever he does, I suppose it effects you too. I'm sorry.”

McCree searched himself for a moment. He knew his answer—he knew it immediately and deeply. Squaring off with Genji's really reasonable distaste for way the plan had to be carried out made him uneasy. He didn't get a sense of any hate out of Genji. It was something far more complex. He wasn't sure if even Genji himself could describe it. Whatever it was, this rift ripped between the Shimada brothers to such a depth that he couldn't simply try to be a patient middle man for them.

A lot of good trying that did for him.

* * *

Escalated frustration marked Morrison's palm slamming into the table. He punctuated with what McCree expected—a loud “enough!” The old man leaned into his hand against the table, the other three variable members of this sort-of-Overwatch-thing left frozen across from him. McCree could hear the age picking up in Morrison's voice as he went on.

“Stop arguing and just get on with the job. You're all that I have...Hell, I don't even want to be the one planning this.”

“An' here you are somehow,” McCree found himself muttering despite knowing damn well he shouldn't.

“Can it, kid,” Morrison snapped at him before going on. “I know this gambit's gonna work, but everybody's gotta be on board for it. Are you really going to waste my time nitpicking the details?”

Together, in unison, the other two members of this group answered. “Yes.” Genji and Hanzo didn't even exchange looks despite the way they synced up. They sat next to each other and still hadn't looked the other's way since sitting down. Genji was tense for sure, but Hanzo was even worse so. He knew the guy was wound up a lot of the time, but never like this. The cold, serious look in his eyes didn't help McCree feel any more welcome to try and break the ice.

They had arrived together only twenty minutes ago, but upon seeing only Morrison and Genji on base and none of the rest of the crew, Hanzo started acting strange. He was terse, short—an almost business-like air overtaking any of the usual in's McCree knew to worm into to get a conversation out of him—or at least a look. Instead, the group moved right into planning their movement. Everything was time sensitive, so it wasn't like they could afford to waste much anyway.

And yet they'd barely budged on actually agreeing to leave the safe point. This briefing with Morrison went to hell so fast McCree barely had a second to blink before either Genji or Hanzo started to tear apart the plan. He was quickly working out why.

“It isn't a waste. You have miscalculated how efficient this formation will be. The ground operation is flawed. I can only cover so many shots from above,” Hanzo began again, strangely firm for downplaying himself.

“Genji and McCree are mostly capable enough to handle what you miss when it picks up. It'll be tight but I know each of you has handled worse on your own,” Morrison countered and finally released the table from his fist. The old man paced a few steps as Genji spoke up again.

“We have the ground covered just fine...But if you expect us to act as a distraction while... our sniper carries out the final strike on the target...that is unreasonable to expect. I would rather spend the time making contact myself.”

“All fine and good if that works out, but they're probably gonna split the second you get in too close. It'll be easier to let Hanzo chase from overhead. If they stick around, have at it, but...I'm not arguing this again! You're wasting time!” Morrison played along a moment before just barking at the three of them.

“I can make the shot. I'll cover the roof,” McCree offered in an attempt to try and end this before it escalated again.

“No,” Genji said before Hanzo could turn it down first. “You just aren't fast enough. And...I would prefer you watching my back.”

“I would not expect you to trust me watching it instead,” Hanzo said bitterly, looking like he nearly tasted it.

A short silence fell over the four before Morrison ultimately broke it. It was hard to tell through his visor, but he focused on Genji. “You brought your brother in, but he won't even work with you,” he said, maybe meaning to make it a question, but his tone wouldn't carry it.

“I made no promises that he would be willing to go that far,” Genji said, voice flat. He remained rigid in his seat, his hands folded neatly on the table, elbows propping them up. He was centered and calm as usual, but there was something else there too. McCree had never noticed it before—something off he couldn't put his finger on.

Hanzo didn't speak on the matter. If that weren't the case, he certainly wasn't denying it. McCree watched his expression, gaze passing right through Morrison and off somewhere else entirely. He felt an ache in his chest, but couldn't bring himself to say anything. He was running out of ideas to patch things he didn't understand or even make this mission move forward.

There was one thing.

McCree stood up from the table and started a few strides toward the exit. “I'll do it by m'self then,” he said.

Hanzo and Genji both stood up, Genji quicker to reach McCree's side and grasp his shoulder to stop him. “Have you heard nothing we have been talking about? It could be too much for just one person.”

“I done worse on my own. Ask the old man fer stories if yer gonna sit around here instead,” McCree replied, meeting where he knew Genji's gaze was. Even through the mask over his face, McCree had gotten comfortable enough talking with Genji. They usually met well, got along, never struggled much on a mission. Genji was dependable to a fault and even laughed at the worst of his worst jokes. But the Genji with his hand so firmly on his shoulder felt like a very different Genji as did the Hanzo left stranded a short distance from them.

Genji's grasp tightened when he spoke. “I'm going with you then. If you won't turn around, I won't leave you to fight alone.”

Hanzo remained alienated where he was, his focus only briefly returning to this plane to meet McCree's eyes. The usual fire and confidence had all but drained entirely from his face. Every alarm went off in McCree's head and yet he couldn't move an inch. More than Genji's grasp held him down.

“I...will cover my portion from above,” he said only after straightening up a little. He readied his bow and started for the stairwell to access the roof.

“You all settled now?” Morrison asked to confirm.

“Yes. I will see your plan carried out,” Hanzo said coldly, turning once more for the stairs.

McCree's lips blurted out Hanzo's name whether he liked it or not. It stalled the archer again, his look showing no improvement.

“I'm countin' on you...same as always, partner.”

Those words usually met some kind of smile or confident agreement. This time Hanzo met his gaze unevenly. Something felt distorted—wrong somehow and having to stand so far and meet him this way. McCree's drive to step closer halted on the dissonance reverberating between the two brothers. He marked where his place rested distinctly in Hanzo's eyes. This crossed into something he didn't dare to touch. His heart sank.

Hanzo only nodded and picked up his pace, climbing the stairs several at a time so the familiar sound of his footfalls disappeared into the upper levels—Out of reach.

Genji's grip loosened and he moved with a certain grace forward. His back to McCree now, he spoke with clear tension thick in his tone. “We should be going. It won't be easy.”

Never one to be anyone's rock anymore, Morrison didn't make any move or stop them. He and McCree traded looks—at best. McCree could almost imagine the usual words he might have said, but anything probably sounded too loose or too final. Silence had to fill instead.

That sinking feeling never left his chest—even as McCree stepped out into the sharp winter air outside the doors.

* * *

“Genj,” McCree started, taking a few quicker strides to catch up with him. The sound of snow underfoot marked each step clearly, their crunches falling in unison as they walked side by side now. McCree grasped Genji's shoulder, but gently. “I knew you wouldn't leave me out here alone. An' I knew Hanzo wouldn't neither. Whatever's between you two fine, but I know I can count on either of you to look out fer me. I'll look out fer the both a'you myself to cover what ya'll won't.”

Genji relaxed slightly in McCree's very light hold. A few seconds passed before he shook his head and sighed. “You are a reckless fool McCree. But I am proud to have you watching my back. My brother's faults are his own to sort out...I will rely on you in his place for now.”

His hand slipped and returned to his side, picking up his pace as Genji did so first. “I dunno if I'm gonna work as a replacement here. Don' get hasty.”

Genji's shoulders shook as he chuckled. “You're filling in for the moment. But I am...not as worried as perhaps I sounded. I know Hanzo will not leave or quit.”

“Then why the big fuss?” McCree pressed while he had the chance. It seemed like the snow was only starting to pick up thicker, the gray of the sky deepening under what little sun they might have otherwise received—even in daylight hours. Since they arrived it seemed the wind only picked up worse. This whole mission made itself as unbearable as possible.

“You said so yourself. He won't leave you. He'll have to push himself harder to cover for what he thinks I cannot do.” Genji paused with a slight laugh, almost bitter. “All these years and still he does not think me capable.”

“Is that...somethin' I shouldn't ask about?”

“You can, but I promise you no answers,” Genji answered almost playfully. At least his mood seemed somewhat improved.

McCree glanced over the empty streets. No one would be out wandering out in this weather in this district especially. The emptiness made it a little more eerie too. It didn't seem to phase Genji as he strode confidently only a pace ahead of McCree now.

“Yer clearly capable. I jus' don' get all of what's goin' on between you two. I don' wanna pry, but yer both makin' it real hard.”

Genji didn't reply right away. McCree assumed it was part of his not promising answers, but he did eventually speak. “You are sleeping with my brother, aren't you?”

The sheer forwardness of the question floors McCree, his boots stopping dead in the snow. “Whoa?! Who told you that?” he blurted out.

Charging onward, Genji kept walking and talking—forcing McCree to rush and catch up with him. “No one in particular, but you are not denying it, so I assume it's true.”

“Well hell, not like it's a secret exactly but come on...”

“I ask for a reason. I could tell you everything. I've put most of it behind me, but it's clear Hanzo has not. If you are so close and he's not told you...Who am I to butt in?”

Something about Genji's tone in that last question made it hard to peg down. He didn't seem angry or so bitter about this. Maybe it hit harder than Genji intended. It left McCree's mind wandering.

“I cannot tell you what my brother is thinking,” Genji continued when McCree only gave him silence. “But I will say he is not doing himself favors leaving you out of it. I would be angry perhaps...but you are a different man.”

“We both got baggage we don' need the other diggin' in,” McCree got out after a rough moment chewing that reply.

Genji slowed as he drew a handful of shuriken to his fingers, his stance changing with the motion. A stir up the block and around the corner grasped at his attention and took up McCree's as well. When the cyborg replied, he did so quietly this time.

“I wonder how long that will last.”

He hardly gave McCree any opportunity to disagree, carrying quickly to say, “We should be going now. Our target is up ahead.”

McCree held onto his hat as a harder gust blew snow across their faces and the stomp of boots in snow ahead softened. That had to be the transfer point. Firearm in one hand, the other moved from hat to steady at his side. They were going to have to be fast and precise.

“On my mark,” Genji began, clearly tensing up to bound forward. Even through the metals that plated his frame, his body language still signaled where practiced motions would wind up muscle for release. A kind of stoicism coated this look—a face covered but a body without hesitation or any question of his confidence. It was one of the few things McCree could tell was usually shared between the Shimada brothers. He recalled the look on Hanzo's face as they parted and he ached all over again.

A heavier shuffle down the road brought to Genji to his most tense. “Now,” he said sharply. He took the lead in an instant, sprinting down the fluff covering the stoney roads, the usual crunch of snow almost nothing under his weight. McCree rushed to run after him, by no means able to keep up, but not far behind. By the time he made it, the armored cars and Talon agents around it were already under siege by Genji's blade and stars, shouts going up into the frigid air.

Three cars lined the narrow street, an opening in the warehouse they were parked at revealed stacks of crates, but only a couple that the agents seemed to have been trying to load. The vehicles weren't large enough to carry that much cargo. This was either something small or a tiny operation. McCree highly doubted the latter—Talon didn't have the patience for that. If Reaper really was involved somewhere in the line, even bigger reason to doubt it.

Once McCree could make a clear shot, he unleashed a full six into the crowd of agents trying to fire back on Genji who was keeping the bulk of them terribly busy. Shots skimmed the shell of his body but never more than that. He moved with such skill and grace it seemed unlikely anything could even touch him—an unreal almost ghost-like specter took the place of the usually friendly Genji, of the Genji who had just lamented his brother's foolhardy attempts to avoid being involved with him at all. This Genji, with only the release of the blade from his back, shook a seasoned crew into wilder movement. Organization of the group fell apart in the back of the armored car row, but not up front.

The crew for the back end of the row had been dispatched by Genji and Hanzo from overhead together, the middle car's group took to firing on the pair, but the first car was loaded and the crew firing up to tear down the street. McCree grimaced and tried to push his way into a good shot at the agent climbing in at the left side, but they got in, door slammed—the rearview eating up his bullet instead. He cursed and found himself faced with far more fire than he would have liked. He ducked and rolled behind the third car, bullets spraying the very spot he had stood in.

“Genj, the driver!” he started to shout.

Before the cyborg could answer, a sound he knew very well flew by from above. A cry of pain and disbelief that often marked an unforeseen shot snapped McCree's attention. He peered around to the left of the car to see Genji taking out those who had just fired on him, but no change at the driver's door. He rushed to the right and saw at the first car a dead Talon agent, an arrow lodged into his face with the front door hanging open, their body slumped over the foothold.

Still confused for a moment, he took out a pair of agents about to fire on Genji before the way was clear and he could move up to inspect. Genji too ran up to the front car once it was clear, tore open the left side door and finished off the agent without who had been trying to reach something in the back. Now that the two of them were there it clicked.

“The driver's side is on the right, McCree,” Genji pointed out as he chuckled a little and moved to open up the back.

“Aw hell...”

“You only almost ruined this mission,” Genji said jokingly, his mood at least fairly good everything considered. “Let us see what they have here.”

McCree moved to one of the unloaded cases to do the same, kicking it open and finding it empty. There would be fakes just in case—that seemed typical for an annoying Talon smuggling gambit. He glanced upward and caught Hanzo's figure just briefly. He didn't leave himself easily seen for long, but for that moment, his shape up so high under gusts of wind and snow looked foreign—somewhere between strange and heavenly. It stalled McCree only a second longer before helping Genji open the rest to find the real item. As they were opening up the last case everyone's communication channels opened up.

“That spot's a diversion—sending you new coordinates, I'm headed over,” Morrison barked at them fast, terribly sharp. By his harder breath McCree could tell he was already running out that direction. There was an urgency to his voice, something personal about it. This screw up would land directly on his shoulders.

New coordinates came in over communication—a long run for sure. Morrison had to be getting some kind of ride—or at least McCree hoped so.

“We're jus' gonna have to beat the old man there,” McCree said, climbing into the driver's side after clearing the body. In a second the engine roared up and Genji slid into the passenger side. McCree left the door open, looking out over his shoulder. The figure he expected to call out to was out of sight where he saw him last. In a second a heavy thud hit their roof. McCree craned his neck out and met Hanzo's gaze as he peered down back at him.

“Drive, Jesse,” he commanded shortly, looking braced for exactly that.

“I ain't gonna go slow,” McCree warned.

“I said drive,” Hanzo repeated, more pressed this time. The cold look in his eyes changed for a surer, more focused one. It eased some of the worry lingering in McCree's chest. He took his word, slamming the door and the gas at the same time. The armored car tore down the street in a few seconds, McCree handling it mostly well enough to keep them out of any accidents. Genji didn't seem too bothered by the speed—mostly bracing to jump out the second they pulled up. At least the way he had one hand gripped tightly to the door told him that much.

“You wanna check in on the old man?” McCree suggested as he kept his boot heavy to the pedal.

“No,” Genji said, completely flat.

“I didn' mean it like an invite. I mean, do it while I'm drivin'.”

Genji shook his head. “If he has beaten us there I am not going to distract him mid-battle with a call. If he is truly in danger I am sure he can figure out how to hide or retreat for a moment.”

The silence of the car only made McCree's anxieties more obvious to himself. Here he was, wasting energy worrying about Morrison who probably couldn't give half a shit if he were fine or not. The thought made him grimace.

“You have an affinity for worrying about hopeless people,” Genji said to break that quiet, although it wasn't anything McCree wanted to hear.

“Yerself included?” he replied to avoid it.

“I might be. You need not worry about me however.”

“Yer the one running right into enemy fire. Lemme worry a little, Genj.”

A piece of his mind was still outside the car, fixated on Hanzo on the roof. He hadn't fallen off or made any other sounds so surely he was fine up there, but worries gravitated that way. Either Genji sensed his distraction or didn't have a good answer for him. He kept quiet as they sped closer to their destination outside of the warehouse distinct and into somewhere populated. At this point he needed to focus on driving to avoid an accident as it was—probably for the best to shut his trap.

Snow and ice on the road did no favors, but the pinged coordinates came up within a couple minutes, already the sound of gunfire rumbling through the narrow streets along with shouts from figures fleeing the scene. Picking the Talon agents out of the mess was easy enough—they were the only ones heavily armed besides the old man, who had managed to beat them there. Morrison was pinned behind a few already battered vehicles, this cover probably not lasting much longer for him.

Almost too late, McCree drove right into a mess of soldiers, turning the wheel hard and hitting the brakes together to sweep through as many of them as possible. Mid-swerve Hanzo must have jumped off—the second McCree had a chance to climb out, already arrows were sniping targets he'd missed with the car. He and Genji both joined the fray fast to help give Morrison a chance to leave his cover for a safer point and finally return more fire. Between the four of them the number of agents was winding down.

For all their squabbling earlier, when it came down to business they made it happen. He didn't miss when an arrow preyed on a target about to fire on Genji. Whatever the depth of his issue with Genji, Hanzo still did his part for the mission. It took a huge weight off McCree's chest. It made everything about combat feel a little more usual—something practiced and within his control again. He had Hanzo at his back, the old man and Genji fighting right alongside him. Whatever Overwatch was now, it was a hell of a mess, but when it was working it felt pretty decent. Those years alone felt more and more distant the tighter the group collaborated—protective shots cover for each other, rains of arrows to keep every enemy bullet in the chamber and off any one of them. The chill in the air met with the heat of fire and bodies, of hot labored breaths and brushed shoulders meeting as one covered the other's back.

Within a couple minutes gunfire died down and Talon agents littered the icy grounds. The group started to gather around the center of the intersection McCree had slid the car through when he parted his lips to check in on the group. He only started to speak when a shot rang out from above.

The hit came fast—immediately—like a punch in the chest out of the blue. McCree felt himself tumble backwards, vaguely recalled his head hitting the pavement hard. It got blurry after that. He heard Genji call out for his brother just after someone else yelled his own name. The foggy mists of memory at that point turned grayer and grayer until it all went black.

* * *

McCree woke up slowly, groggily. He had no idea how long it had been, but his head must have come to weigh a thousand pounds since he passed out. Whether he liked it or not, he groaned, and despite the weight of his head sat up a little—at least enough to grope at where he'd been shot. Instead of a fresh wound or blood or anything, he found just his shirt in the same condition as before. Definitely sore, but not even a bandage or two there.

Sitting up stirred the audience in the room, namely Hanzo at his side, grasping tighter at his free hand. He stood up in a rush, the look on his face complicated—worry and shame mingled together, his tone no easier to read when he spoke. “Jesse...! Are you alright? How is your head?” he asked in a rush, almost breathless already.

It was only after the questioning that McCree could make out where he was: in bed—in one of the more fortified bases for them probably, considering the walls. The serious medical supplies in the room signaled as much as well. All of that running through his head, along with the look Hanzo was giving him slowed him down considerably. It felt like trying to talk through a mouthful at first.

“Yeah...yeah, it hurts like hell, but...I'm alright. I mean...am I alright? I thought I got shot...”

“You did,” Genji butted in, stepping around the corner into McCree's line of sight. Hanzo remained close, even as his brother came to stand at his side. “You hit your head much harder. But it seems your armor stopped the worst of the shot. Although it isn't any good anymore.” Just to make a point, Genji lifted the armor in question up off the table nearby—the chest now sporting a weird deep indentation. McCree eyed the stopped bullet and unbuttoned that portion of his shirt where it would have hit. A couple buttons loose he could see it matched right up—a nasty bruise, but definitely better than a gunshot wound. He let out a sigh of relief.

“I'm kinda surprised it held up.”

“Is that not what you wear it for?” Hanzo asked looking notably concerned. At least more so than before.

“Well yeah, but ya' never know. Bulletproof's real damn difficult to promise considering the amount'a bullets I'm around.”

There was only room for a breath before Genji made a slightly amused sound and dropped the vest back. “You are unbelievable, but I should not have expected anything else. For now...I will leave you two alone. I am going to help the Soldier with my brother's catch.”

At first McCree had no idea what to even say. Wasn't he Hanzo's catch? What was Morrison doing? The puzzled look on his face certainly didn't stop Genji from taking off—he only waved over his shoulder before he vanished around the corner.

Hanzo let out a long sigh and only then let Jesse's hand go. “My apologies...I should catch you up. But...are you really sure you are fine? Do you remember everything fine?”

Jesse mulled over that question. Not for long, but he did try to dig. “If I'm missin' anything it's probably not important. I'm here. I'm up. Yer here in one piece too. It'll be fine.”

“You are still a fool Jesse McCree...That hardly answers my question. Take me seriously. I thought you had...not made it at first,” Hanzo said his voice straining slightly as he reached that admission. His shoulders tensed and his gaze no longer fixed on Jesse.

He didn't rush to answer this time. Whatever happened after he blacked out must have been rough. He wasn't even sure how they got him here. There was still the shooter as well... “I'm really seriously okay...I mean it. If somethin' comes up, I'll say so,” Jesse got out a little quieter, voice lower as well.

Not exactly satisfied, but sated for now, Hanzo carried on. “This is my fault...I should have been covering you better from above. They were on the roof and I did not spot them,” he said slowly, his gaze lowered to the floor. The strain in the corners of his eyes ached to watch, the weight of his words no better for Jesse's already heavy chest. He knew better than to say the bruise did the worst of it.

“Darlin', it ain't yer fault. Nobody expected that kinda shot there. To make somethin' like that they had to be 'bout nearly as good as you are.”

“Not quite nearly. I caught her,” Hanzo said, finally looking Jesse's way properly.

“Huh? Wait, from that far away?” Jesse blurted. The sniper must have been fairly far out of sight if none of them picked up on her. That distance and skill together hit Jesse across the face—rudely and hard. “Oh hell, yer not gonna tell me it was who I'm thinkin' it was, are you?”

“I believe that I am. That...Talon woman, her designation is 'Widowmaker.' Is that the one you're thinking of? I out-shot her,” Hanzo said almost too frankly. But if this was Hanzo saying it, he couldn't exactly doubt him—not with a look over his face like this.

Jesse reached up for his hat out of habit. When his fingers met only air he shifting to run them through his hair instead. “Did you...?”

Sensing the question, Hanzo picked up where he trailed off. “...I thought she had killed you...”

“...You killed 'er?”

Hanzo straightened up at that question, the look on his face twisting to something more concerned. “No. I had considered it, but...” He stalled briefly and let his hands hang at his sides. New hues of complicity colored his eyes—beautiful but worrying in ways that clawed at Jesse's throat. He physically stopped himself from grabbing Hanzo and pulling him closer, anything to ease that look, but he knew better. He had to finish. It took him a few seconds to continue. “I had thought she would suffer more at Overwatch's hand...Or at least, I intended to see it done. The second I saw her, that consumed me. I have not been this angry in so long...I know that my brother and your old man will have nothing good to say of me. I...cannot hide this from you.”

Jesse turned himself slightly off the medical ward bed to better face Hanzo and to take his hands up into his own. When Hanzo didn't immediately clasp back, he weaved his fingers between his partner's, holding tight. He fought to meet his gaze, finding mostly shame in it this time.

“Look, darlin', I'm not blamin' you...”

Hanzo returned his grasp now only far too tightly. Something desperate spread over his face and his speech hastened, voice low, shaky. “You would never blame me for a thing—You are a fool, Jesse. But this is not just you...! I lost myself the second you fell. When I tried to go after her and my brother stopped me, I fired on him and said I would kill him again. He did not stop me. I did not even look back your way...I took after that woman and traded shots the second I got close. I aimed...I aimed to take her out one limb at a time if I had to. I am no better a man now than I was back then...!”

The constricting hold Hanzo kept on Jesse's hands loosened, but some of the trembling remained. One by one, he could see Hanzo's threads snapping—the system that kept him pulled tight shuddered under the weight his body fell under at that second. Too much remained bottled up—so many frayed edges to try and ask about, to put back together, too much for Jesse to take on responsibly at once. Whatever guided Hanzo this far was not a calm collective nature—it was something else held down much further, drowning under an air of control.

Jesse felt himself in the reflection of Hanzo's eyes. It wasn't that he couldn't meet his gaze, maybe he wasn't sure he could be that kind of support. He could only second guess everything for a few seconds before he couldn't stand himself. He grasped Hanzo's hand firmly in return, leaning in closer.

The hint of a closer memory teased tip of his mind, muddling an already complicated mix of emotions. This was enough of a weight to bear. Enough it tended to keep him on his own, managing, but always drifting alone. Less of a burden, less of exactly this.

And yet he felt something. Something reached out in a familiar grasp no different than years ago, only now clawing at Hanzo's throat instead. Jesse knew it instinctively—they both must have recognized it in the other. Lonely work. That emotional distance. It was inevitable they would come to this. That Jesse would see same beast coiling around Hanzo. Their relationship couldn't stay this way—playfulness in place of actual substance which came to be anyway, never a word of commitment, but the two yearned for more in the quiet solitude they had built around themselves. The walls keeping their pasts and wounds hidden were bound to come down someday.

He just never expected it to be his own fault.

His free hand reached for the back of Hanzo's neck, trying to urge him closer for their eyes to meet head on. For once, Jesse McCree wasn't going to run away.

Fingers tightened around each other, their hold nearly unbearable. Hanzo breathed finally but fear shaded his eyes. Jesse met them and pushed on.

“I ain't gonna tell you it's alright, but I am gonna tell you I'll be here,” he whispered, feeling feverish just saying it. “Don't try to take this on yer own. Stay, tell me, try an' trust me.”

Hanzo gritted his teeth, struggling to say anything for a few seconds. The breath he took sounded sharp over his lips. “I do not...deserve that kindness.” The slight shake of his voice made Jesse feel like he was sinking through the bed.

“I'm sayin' I'll give it to you because I think you do. If yer not worth savin', I'm not neither. If we're both not worth it...then I at least wanna wind up in hell with you,” Jesse said with all the conviction he could find. He felt his hand quivering in Hanzo's hold, but he was no better either. It felt like they both might snap under the pressure.

Hanzo's eyes searched Jesse's for a few seconds before his expression shifted—some of the fear melting. It wasn't gone, but his breathing steadied at least. Hanzo's hand loosened around Jesse's and slowly he pulled their joined grasps closer to himself. “I have so many regrets. I do not want you to become one,” Hanzo answered quietly, his voice heavy.

“Then I won't. Look. Focus on you fer a second. I'm alright. What do you want right now?” Jesse said, attempting to steer him somewhere else.

“How can I focus on anything else? I thought I had lost you and I behaved like a monster. How can I want in this state?” Hanzo's voice picked back up with intensity, his face drawing away from Jesse's.

Jesse keeps his voice level and calm, but just stern enough. He couldn't afford to be flimsy. “We'll figure something out together. I dunno if we can fix everything, but you don't have to give up either.”

Hanzo shakes his head. “If I'm just going to lose myself again...”

“Hey. Right now. What's gonna help? We'll worry about a next time if it comes around.”

Hanzo hushed this time, maybe trying to clear his thoughts. He never became too difficult to read. For once, his emotions were clear over his features, the worry in his brow, the way his eyes searched the ground for answers he might not find—all of it painted a clearer picture. The structure he'd put up around himself only seemed strong—he needed support. Jesse knew the look intimately. It made it all the harder to watch it embedded in the skin of one he couldn't let go of.

“My brother will not forgive me. He can't. There's no way to help what I've worsened today,” Hanzo said after a long pause.

It was something. Jesse would accept it. He didn't know all the details, but he started to piece things together. If Hanzo were really responsible for all that, maybe Genji could never forgive him. Jesse really did have a way of attaching himself to hopeless causes...

“He told you to join up basically, didn't he? That's gotta mean something. He'll at least hear you—even if he doesn't accept. You can try talkin' to him, at least about today. Start small,” Jesse suggested.

“I could not possibly hope to repair what is between us,” Hanzo started again, his gaze turning away.

Jesse pulled his hand back closer to himself. “Start at bein' able to work together alright. Small,” he repeated.

“...Very well,” Hanzo relented. In return, Jesse drew his hand in his own up closer to his lips, kissing Hanzo's knuckle. The move retrieved Hanzo's attention and left him surprised.

“I'll go with you. We can even go an' do it right now,” Jesse offered, lowering their hands so he could start to get up. Movement jolted Hanzo into his own, steadying Jesse as he pushed himself. Hanzo knew better than to try and hold him back at this point. Once Jesse was on his feet they took a moment to stand together and let Jesse find his balance. In that second their gazes met again a new feeling dug

its way into Jesse's chest.

“I dunno if it's gonna be weird to say, but...never thought anybody was gonna be upset if I was gone. So...thanks fer carin' that much at least,” Jesse said, not holding himself back. Maybe it was the hit on his head or something, but his tongue felt a little more loose.

Hanzo's look turned more complicated, his hand on Jesse's shoulder gripping tighter. “I can hardly be proud of acting this way...But I can't deny how I felt either.”

Jesse struggled to find the right words—ones he could say without placing too much on himself. No, there would be some burden no matter what he did. He might as well go with the honest way to answer.

“I love you too, darlin'.”

Hanzo's hands on him froze—his eyes wide as he stare at him. Words didn't seem to come to him easily—if at all. It struck Jesse that maybe he managed to say too much.

“I...Did I read that wrong?” Panic struck every nerve in his body. He thought about fleeing. Of course he blew it. He always did this to himself. His first step forward to probably never return was stopped by Hanzo shifting in front of him, both hands on his shoulders now.

“How...am I supposed to answer this...? You've already said 'too,''” Hanzo said after a moment of staring him down. The worry in his eyes was a very different one from the moment ago.

“Should I maybe...hell...I can start over?” Jesse blurted, nearing a state of meltdown.

Hanzo nodded a few times, looking more sure of that at least. It was odd, but there was just the hint of him being flustered. They could be at the end of their ropes and usually Hanzo would keep his cool, but maybe this was just too much to handle.

This was a terrible idea.

He'd already said it though.

Jesse felt a curse in the back of his throat, but he knew what was true.

He parted his lips but Hanzo moved one hand from Jesse's shoulder to press over Jesse's lips with two fingers. “Wait...I want to answer you properly. I said I would speak with my brother...We can try again soon.”

Relief flickered in Jesse's head space. He knew it wouldn't last and his feelings were already in the air, but he understood. Something else had to be cleared up first.

Now more steady, Jesse stood up on his own, nodding once after Hanzo's fingers pulled back. His hand slipped to catch Jesse's and their grasps webbed together more gently this time. It didn't take many more words for them to depart—their next destination clear enough. Meeting up with Genji wouldn't take too long—he'd been clear about where he was headed—it was only a matter of catching him once he was done meeting with Morrison.

When Genji saw the pair of them together in the hall, his head tilted, no words immediate. His body language said he'd stay on guard, but not so much he wouldn't talk.

Hanzo's lips didn't part very quickly. He chewed on his words for the first few seconds, unsure how to address this man before him. It would be hard to say much they were still brothers with this serious issue between them. There was probably no denying Hanzo's fault. But Genji was perhaps not the person Hanzo knew him as anymore. Maybe Jesse could keep believing in something. He had to, especially as he kept a hold on Hanzo's hand.

A few seconds passed and Hanzo bowed his head. “I should not have treated you the way I have today. I'm sorry...brother...”

Even with Genji's face hidden, Jesse got the feeling Hanzo didn't want to chance having to meet his eyes. Hanzo kept his head down. Jesse could almost feel the way Genji sized up the both of them together, the slight tilt of his helm enough to give him away.

“I am not new to you losing your temper,” Genji said cautiously, still gauging Hanzo's seriousness in this..

“I know I cannot keep doing so.”

Jesse kept quiet, glancing between the pair. A piece of him dreaded this going worse than it already was. A silence filled the hall uncomfortably. Genji made no effort to hurry in his reply—leaving Hanzo with his head down probably as long as he felt he could get away with it.

“Keep trying then, brother. That is all I ask of you,” Genji answered firmly. His voice was steady as he usually was, but there was something almost soft about it. Was he smiling a little? Jesse didn't have much of an opportunity to work out what was going on with him. He simply turned and took his leave once that was said.

It was only when Genji was out of sight that Hanzo straightened up. A somber look covered his face, eyes still on the floor. Something about that look seemed so distant and lonely. Jesse knew better than to jump into any urge to show him affection, to pull him closer. It must have been a thousand years since they last did so, but it wasn't the time. He let Hanzo settle his thoughts in silence—the hall terribly empty and only colder by the second. Eventually Hanzo's hand on Jesse's gripped closer, tighter.

“Thank you for standing by me.”

“Happy to. You want a moment?”

Hanzo shook his head. “Stay by my side. That is my preference...I would always have you there.”

A fluttering warmth burned in Jesse's chest. He fought for an extra breath. They were almost harmless words, but the slight smile on Hanzo's lips told him more than enough. However difficult this was, this support made a difference. He had made an impact of some kind—maybe a good one. At least, it felt that way. Some of his own loneliness felt so obvious –his mistakes too clear and too big to give him a chance at being acceptable. He'd spent so much of his life trying to make up for everything else—he could feel that strand in Hanzo too—even if unspoken. Silently, he understood where they met, what drew them together on the battlefield and now off it.

Maybe if they struggled through it together one of the two of them would get somewhere. Even if it were slow going, they at least had each other's company. Not everything was going to fix in a short time, but Jesse already knew that. If Hanzo could come to accept that he might find himself in less pieces. Until then, Jesse knew they would continue watching each other's backs. Closely.

#mchanzo #mccree #hanzo #overwatch #genji #my writing #fanfic #read more #slow motion for strangers

6 notes · View notes