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beann-e · 3 years

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“ honestly Suna sometimes it feels like your just sitting there — calculating — thinking of ways that you can piss me off” you let out in a huff of anger as you slammed your hand onto the arm rest placed in the middle of the car. Voice loud enough to be heard from a mile away and then some “ And then you don’t even fucking care “

“ I’m sorry you feel that way “

“ seriously ? seriously Suna “

“ oh I’m sorry would you like me to say it jokingly? “

The silence that towered over the both of you was tall and it wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon “ WELL WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT ME TO SAY “ his hand came up to run down his face as he sighed

“ look I'm sorry baby but — “

“ but nothing — I'm tired Rin—I'm tired of you screwing with me“ you groaned “ honestly at this point just fuck off “

he moved to pull the keys from the car unbuckling his seatbelt and opening the car door as your jaw hung open “ what the fuck Suna — “

“ I'm fucking off you ungrateful bit—“

“ you asshole — all of a sudden you take everything literal right ?? huh only when you want to right “

“ y’know what— no you fuck off —ok y/n “

“ see that’s what I'm talking about “

“ honestly I doubt you even know what you were talking about in the first place “

your steps quickened as you followed after the male who stopped at your front door imputing the code and opening your house door “ This is what I mean by you keep fucking with me Suna “

“ oh “ he moved to sit down on the couch arms flung behind it and legs spread wide out in front of him. “ is it really— because , the 40 minute argument in the car about your best friend hitting on me didn’t quite make that clear “ he scoffed shaking his head along with it “ your shitty reasoning must of gotten lost on one of the many streets of Japan y/n “

His eyes glowing body perking up with his next sentence “ yknow what how about you go find it hmm then we can have this little talk sometime later -- preferably when I'm sleeping id hate to be awake for another one of your hellish complaints babe.”

your anger was only growing as the argument continued “ you fucking douchebag I bet you don’t even know why I'm pissed off “

He let out a small sigh of a laugh his legs shaking and hitting each other in a wave before they resumed their earlier position “ I don’t“

“ and you don’t care either do you “

“ I don’t “

Your heart broke for the first time ever in your relationship with the stoic male after hearing his words and tone. In all the time you and your boyfriend had been together you two never argued about his lack of emotion or care.

It never bothered you

It never affected you

until it did

4 hours ago

You smiled up at the taller male as his mouth continued to run while talking to the rest of his volleyball team. This was the first time you’d ever seen him talk for more than 5 minutes with anything other then yeah’s and small mhmms.

The both of you had been invited to a class reunion and you only decided to go because of his new teams constant nagging

Suna had been telling you all week to find something else to do and that you didn’t have to go with him. That it would be too boring and long and that you would be better off having fun without him.

Of course you put up a fight but, ultimately lost and decided to hang out by yourself for the earlier half of the day spending last weeks paycheck on this weeks shopping spree

it felt nice to treat yourself but you couldn’t help but want to treat your boyfriend too. The thought of him being bored alone plagued your mind and you had to get it out.

The only way to do that was to go to the reunion.

Now how you imagined it would go is you show up in your fancy new dress surprising him smile a bit , talk up some of the host and sneak your way in and then mingle and go home and cuddle and kiss your boyfriend all night

funny thing is somewhere in that prewritten script you had created you didn’t realize imagination is not always reality.

The sight of your boyfriend leaning against a wall with a glass in his hand and his other on the string of your best friends dress had you reeling in the disgust that you wanted to spill so badly on the floor right now

All you’d done was go to the restroom but now you sat with your eyes widening while you watched his eyebrows come together in annoyance with the string that wouldn’t come undone.

Your best friend faced away from him back to his chest and a small smile on her face. Cheeks heated from his touch and in that moment you cursed her for having a look on her face that made it visible how much she enjoyed his warmth. You wished she didn’t make it so obvious how the closeness to your boyfriend was making her feel

how it was encouraging her

Your heart broke when you seen Suna finally relax and blow air out of his cheeks before nodding softly almost thanking the gods that he figured it out and it was over

Your feet moving before you could even process what to say to either of them.

“ y-y/—“

your hand came in contact with your best friends face before she could even finish the loud slap echoing through the room as everyone turned to find the source of the noise

Eyebrows raising when they noticed it was not only a slap but a full on one sided battle between you and the girl who everyone seen as nice and quiet during your school years

They never knew of the undercover bitch that was lurking behind the surface. They’d never see the way she was smirking as she took every hit given to her in stride. Your boyfriends hands wrapping around your torso as he looked down and seen that you were hovering over her ripping her to bits

You never letting go of the grip your thighs held around her own as she whispered to where only you could hear “ aw poor y/n’s defending someone that doesn’t even want em—gonna go to jail for someone so unloyal huh “

Your eyes lit up with pure hatred as the security made their way over to you reaching to take you from Sunas hold and lessening your grip on the woman beneath you

“ sir we need you to let her go “

“ don’t touch me until you actually make it all the way to police academy you fucking lowlife. “ you spit out “ how the hell do you only make it to security much less high school reunion security “

“ the hell do you know — you don’t even know how hard police academy is asshole “

“ ah I bet your kids’ll be real proud “ your eyes squinted at his name tag “ todd — you kiss your wife with that mouth “

you laughed eyes rolling from him to suna “ or are you like this asshole and kiss your mistress with it instead ? huh toodles ? “

“ ha — ‘m gonna have fun with you--ya little prick. sir — let ‘em go or else i’ll pull out the big guns — they snuck in here and now their disrespecting an officer “

“ big guns “ your laugh circulated through the room “ ‘k sure let me stop before I get pepper sprayed “

“ my hands already on the trigger you lil bitc— “

“ hey “ sunas voice growled behind you “ watch who the fuck your talking to toodles“

“ just— get—get the fuck off dude I didn’t go to police academy so I could avoid this — their full on disrespecting me come on man get off“ your face scrunched up in annoyance as you saw the security look like they were about to cry

“ well I mean — “ he sighed “ it’s not like your a real officer right“ suna sighed out as he began to bite his lip in worry “ I mean we can let this slide right ? “ he nodded looking towards the males name badge “ uh toodles“

He coughed “ todd — I mean todd “

“ I’m sorry but, even if I could “ his gaze dead set on you “ which I really don’t want to — seeing as though they disrespected me “

His voice sounding proud as he continued “ and I'll have you know I'm security guard of the mouth asshole “

“ oh whoop dee fucking do Tinkerbelle ”

“ y-fucking-/n “ you could feel the way Suna was seething above you breath hot and you could tell his face was made up in a snarl “ if you don't shut the fuck up I swear on Atsumu’s unwashed boxers ill leave your ass prison letters starting tonight “

“ see —— sir I'm trying “ he sighed “ I really am trying to let this go but — “

“ their with me — “

“sure “ he scoffed “ I'll need to see some relations or — “

“ their my s/—their my plus one “ his eyes moved to look at everyone surrounding you guys then back to the position he now held you in before finally dropping you to the floor. Your heart dropping and ears tuning everything out from that point on.

Everything on mute until you got in the car and were finally met with his low voice as he buckled you in and walked to his side turning the car on “ y/n “

You turned to look out the window “ y/n that — “

His voice was so hard but so weak “ y/n that was so fucking embarrassing “ Your body shivered at his words

“ having to watch my fucking s/o almost get fucking arrested “

His hands tightened their grip on the wheel “ then turning around and having to talk you out of it in front of our whole graduating class “

his voice went deadpanned as he swerved a bit on the road mixing lanes “ and — and my team — oh fuck my team “

he started to breathe a bit heavier as you began to feel bad hearing the sadness in his voice. His body shifting in his seat “ all so you could “

he laughed a bit at the situation “ all so you could take your ugly ass insecurities out on your friend ? “

he scoffed looking from you to the road and back to you “ when did you two even stop being friends huh ? did I miss that or ?? do friends just go out and leave bruises on each other or is that something new? What-- is it like a new TikTok trend -- a fashion statement huh ?? the fuck is it because, I'm not a friend person so maybe you know something I don’t “

He scoffed “ maybe — maybe I'll never be a friend person after something like that. If friends are just beating each other’s asses in broad day light out the fucking blue then I'll just stick with ‘tsumu at least I know I can beat his ass if he were to pull some shit like that “

‘ friend ‘ you thought silently

“ poor kid didn’t even see it coming “ he shook his head at you turning back to the road “ holy hell that’s shameful y/n “

he whispered “ I don’t even wanna think about the rumors that’ll spread about us tomorrow “

The car was quiet only for a minute as Suna re arranged his thoughts before he could beat into you again “ friend Suna ? “

your voice was dry “ Rin do friends help each other out of their clothes ? “

your eyebrows creased “ do they focus so intently on another woman while their own is in the same room “

“ I didn’t know you were there “

“ SO YOU ONLY TAKE FRIENDS CLOTHES OFF WHEN IM NOT THERE “

“ NO I “

“ YOU ONLY TOUCH OTHER WOMEN WHEN IM NOT THERE “

“ y/n jus— “ he took a deep breathe and let it out “ just shut up its not like that “ he let out an uncomfortable and tired scoff of a laugh “ it wasn't like that “

“ it’s always shut up Suna it’s never ‘ what’s wrong y/n ‘ ‘ are you ok y/n ‘ it’s just ‘ shut up I don’t wanna talk so you don’t wanna talk either ‘ “

you locked eyes with the male in front of you “ I'm done Rin I'm— I'm done “

“ you cant leave me-- heh not after that shit you pulled back there “

“ fuck if I cant--you don't look like my legs to me and as far as I know their still Bluetooth connected to my mind so-- “

“ you'll be an overnight clown you-you need me y/n “ he shook his head “ we need each other “

“ no you need volley ball because you need money-- because guess what asshole as of right now-- your homeless”

“ fuck you as if “

“ we’re over Suna don't let my words finally hit you when you walk out the shitty door”

“ that’s fine by me “ he scoffed “ get the hell out for all I care — I'll pack your shit for you “

“ no— I'll pack your shit asshole your living in my house bottom feeder “

“ if you don’t shut the fuck u— “

“ then what ? huh what — you’ll leave me “

“ I swear to god I'll —”

“ you’ll what cheat on me with my best friend ah I'm so scared — “ your voice holding nothing but mock enthusiasm “ I can just imagine the way you’ll kiss her when I'm not there — these thoughts for some reason almost feels real y’know “

you watched as the man you’d taught yourself to love for 7 years since high school finally walked out the door. His perfume from earlier still hanging in the air long after the door slammed. Your mind racing when you were finally brought to one thought

‘ how did we end up like this and how the hell do we get back ‘

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multimilfs · 4 years

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Miranda Priestly x Fem!Reader: A Little Nudge

Summary: Anon requested “Could I request a slightly angsty Miranda Priestly X Reader? Maybe the reader is in the hospital (it's up to you why they're there) and they're panicking because they think they're gonna get fired. Miranda can replace them within the hour, after all.Miranda shows up to the hospital after hearing what happened and reassures Reader that they're fine. She confesses to the Reader because she was so scared something horrible had happened to them and she was gonna lose them. (sorry im just in a sad mood and im weak for hospital scenes)”

A/N: It’s been ages since I’ve written for TDWP so be kind to me, please! I really hope you like it!

Tag List: @ghostsunderstoodmysoul @multifandomfix

Warning(s): None

“Why is nobody ready?”

Miranda drawled from behind her desk, glancing at her watch with annoyance. Everyone near her held their breath; nobody having the guts to tell her that it was because you weren’t back yet.

You were supposed to be back with the accessories from D&G ten minutes ago.

Jocelyn and the run-through team exchanged terrified glances. Someone was going to lose their job today. And knowing Miranda, it was going to be one of them.

They had been relying on the accessories to complete the outfits they’d prepared. An abysmal thing to do, but you’d promised that you would be back early. Now you were nowhere to be found.

Miranda was conveniently unaware of your absence. She was under the impression you weren’t supposed to be back for some time, thanks to a few carefully worded statements from Nigel. If she got wind that you’d gone awol, it’d be hell on earth for everyone in the Runway offices.

Standing beside Miranda’s desk, Nigel saw Serena approach the office. The model stopped when Nigel shook his head. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

“Talk to Emily.” He mouthed silently.

She did just that, turning elegantly on her heel to see the Brit dialing numbers frantically. Poor Emily hadn’t even noticed that Serena was there.

“Why is Nigel telling me to talk to you?” Serena asked softly.

Emily startled slightly, before looking relieved to have some type of help. She put the phone down on the hook quickly.

“Y/N has vanished,” Emily whispered, “I can’t get her to answer her bloody cell phone and she was supposed to be here ages ago!”

“What do you mean she vanished? She doesn’t vanish.” Serena asked.

“You’re telling me. Jocelyn needed the accessories from the winter collection for the run-through and she promised to have them here. Miranda is two minutes from firing them all if we don’t come up with an excuse.”

Emily let her head fall into her hands, repeating her low mantra that she loved her job. Today was not going to be an easy one, it seemed.

A moment before Serena could suggest anything, Miranda’s cold voice echoed from her office.

“So what I’m hearing is that you failed to prepare? After I gave you countless days to finish a simple task.” Miranda asked.

Everyone winced at the chill in her voice. La Priestly wasn’t known for being warm, but this felt like frost-bite.

“We’re just missing the accessories for a few of the outfits.” Jocelyn offered.

Miranda’s hard gaze settled on the girl, making her regret speaking. Drawing attention to herself was the last thing she should have done.

“‘Just’ the accessories,” The editor said dryly, “If you were to go skydiving, I’m sure you’d be fine without a parachute then?”

Jocelyn shook her head quickly. The only way out of this would be for a miracle to strike. She was mentally kissing her job goodbye.

Then Emily’s cell phone rang.

Scrambling for the device, she could have jumped for joy to see your name on the caller ID. She was furious, mind you, but glad to see you were okay.

“Where the bloody hell are you?” Emily hissed in lieu of a greeting.

“Em, I can explain-“

“I’m sure you can, but it better be good or I’m throwing you La Priestly.”

“I’m in the hospital.” You said.

Emily inhaled sharply. She didn’t miss the way your voice cracked over those few words. It may mean more work for her, but an injury like that could cost you your job.

“What did you get yourself into?” Emily asked.

“The heat today exascerbated something and I collapsed, the doctors are running tests now.” You explained softly, lacking the energy you normally had.

Serena watched worriedly as Emily put her forehead down on the desk, letting out a defeated sigh. This felt like the icing on the cake of an already terrible day. She had no idea how to break it to Miranda. The woman was practically reliant on you and your abilities.

“Em?” You whispered over the line brokenly, “Tell Miranda I can have my desk cleared once I’m d-discharged, okay? I understand-“

“No. You-You don’t get to abandon me so close to Paris. I’ll find a way to fix this…”

“It’s okay. I understand what it takes to be one of Miranda’s girls. Collapsing on the job isn’t part of the description.”

“She can make an exception.” Emily snapped.

You sighed on the other end. It broke your heart that you’d probably lose everything now, but you understood that Miranda was far too busy to accept an injured assistant. Even if you did hope that she cared enough to keep you on.

“Do what you can, okay? Just don’t get yourself sacked. I’m at Presbeterian, room 311.”

There were a few more words exchanged before Emily hung up the phone, looking hard at Serena, who stared back with concern.

“Y/N is in the hospital.” She said quietly.

Serena stood with a look of shock on her face. What could have happened to put you in the hospital?

“How are you going to tell Miranda?” She asked instead.

“Beats me, but someone has to.” Emily laughed bitterly.

She stood and walked to the doorway of Miranda’s office, where the woman was regaling Nigel with the incompetence of her staff, who were standing in the room. Nigel noticed Emily and raised an eyebrow in question, to which she shook her head. His face seemed to pale.

Unsure of what to do or say, Emily remained standing in the doorway. She kept her hands clasped in front of her to keep from ringing them.

“Is there a reason for your hovering, Emily?” Miranda asked, her icy gaze resting on her poor assistant.

“Um, well.” She tried, but nothing came out. She froze.

“Do take your time. None of us have jobs to do.”

The editor rolled her eyes, a devious smirk resting on her face. She drew a sort of horrible glee from seeing her employees squirm.

“Y/N is in the hospital.” Serena said.

Any movement in the room stopped immediately. The run-through team held their breath, looking to Miranda.

Upon hearing the words, Miranda felt her heart drop into her stomach. Her hands gripped the edge of her desk hard. Besides something happening to her daughters, something happening to you had become her worst nightmare.

“Excuse me?” She asked, tone just above a whisper.

“She’s conscious, she called to let me know herself where she was,” Emily rushed out, before anyone could make the situation worse, “Something occurred that caused her to collapse, but-“

“I’ve heard enough.”

Miranda was out of her seat the second Emily mentioned that you were awake. That you weren’t gravely injured or in a coma. Her fear eased slightly, but it wouldn’t vanish until she saw you. She was barreling through the office without a care for what was on her agenda.

“Cancel any meetings for the rest of the day and get Roy here immediately. I want access to her room upon my arrival; I don’t care what favors you have to promise or whose egos you have to stroke, get me into that room.”

She snatched her coat and purse from Serena’s hands, rattling off the demands without slowing her pace. Then she was ensconced in the elevator while everyone looked at one another in shock.

“Do you think she’s going to fire her?” Emily asked Nigel, who laughed.

“I think that is the last thing she plans on doing. Now I’d get on the phone with Roy…”

Eyes widening, Emily let out a yelp, rushing towards her desk. Nigel just shook his head; of course Miranda would hold out on her feelings until you fell injured. She apparently just needed that final nudge.

———

In your hospital room, you were trying valiantly to hold back tears. Your head was leant back against the pillows, eyes closed. All you could see was Miranda’s face in your mind.

You weren’t sure what happened; one second you were walking down 35th, the next a paramedic was standing over you hounding you for information. If you hadn’t been in an ambulance racing through traffic, you would have demanded they let you out. You had a job to do.

Now, you couldn’t. You had let down the editorial team and Miranda by proxy. It hurt you in a million different ways, but you accepted that you were out of a job. That you would no longer spend the days around the woman you secretly loved.

It sent a pang of pain through your chest. You squeezed your eyes shut against it. Remaining strong, even now, was important to you. It wouldn’t do to let your resolve crumble.

Absentmindedly, you heard someone walk into your room. You let out a loud sigh.

“Look, doc, I told you I’m fine. My head may be throbbing, but I’m not going to die on you. Though I may if I don’t get something other than hospital food.” You laughed.

“I’m sure that can be arranged.”

You snapped your eyes open at the voice that was clearly not your doctor’s. Standing there, looking divine as ever, was Miranda Priestly. The woman you were hopelessly in love with.

“Miranda?”

“No, Donald Trump.” She deadpanned, a smirk pulling at her mouth.

Did Miranda Priestly just make a joke? Your mind asked, though you couldn’t stop the grin that spread on your face. She looked pleased at your reaction.

“You didn’t have to come all this way, you know,” You said softly, reality creeping back in, “I told Emily that I could have my desk cleared as soon as they discharged me.”

“I beg your pardon?” Miranda said, feeling as if the breath had been stolen from her lungs.

“I know how busy your schedule is- Hell, I arranged it. You didn’t have to come all the way here to let me go.”

“Is that why you think I’m here? To fire you?”

“...Isn’t it?”

Miranda let out a hollow sounding laugh, pinching the bridge of her nose. You watched her with thinly veiled confusion. Then she walked to your bedside, hesitantly placing her hand on top of yours. Your heart stopped.

“Silly girl,” Miranda said softly, “Do you think I would come here for something as menial as that? Do you think I’d race here, heart pounding with fear, to fire you?”

You felt like you were in a dream. Given that you were in a hospital, it didn’t seem too outlandish that you were imagining it. But when Miranda leant in and placed a soft kiss on your lips, you knew this was reality. This was no mere dream.

She made to pull away from you, offended at your lack of response, but you wouldn’t let her. Grabbing the lapels of her blazer, you dragged her lips back to yours for a long kiss.

When you finally separated, you felt like you were riding a cloud. This was never what you expected to happen. It was wilder than your wildest dreams.

“So… I take it I’m not fired?” You asked with a cheeky smile.

And so overcome with happiness, Miranda let her normal mask drop, throwing her head back and letting out a joyful laugh.

#miranda priestly #miranda priestly x reader #tdwp #the devil wears prada #miranda priestly imagine #tdwp imagine #tdwp x reader #the devil wears prada imagine #wlw #wlw imagine #jan2021 #multimilfswritings

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ladyseaheart1668 · 3 years

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Endless Summer Book 4: Daughter of Vaanu (Chapter 56)

Description: The Catalysts attempt to return to their lives as River Skye finally comes home. tagging: @endlesshero1122 @mysteli @feartheendlesssummer @whatmcsaid @tigerbryn11

Chapter 56: Not Over

Alodia

I almost can’t believe how quickly I start to feel better once the fever breaks. The pain, which had felt like some hellish demon with teeth made of red-hot iron gnawing at my lower back, begins to recede within hours.

“That’s how it tends to go with an infection like this once we find the right antibiotic,” the doctor tells me. “You are fortunate, though. These days, a lot of bacteria have developed resistance to antibiotics. But the infection is responding well to treatment, and all your vitals and your blood work look good. And your daughter appears as healthy as a baby horse. ...I would just like to take a quick look at how you’re healing from the birth if that’s okay.”

I nod, turning onto my back with Jake’s help as the doctor draws the curtain around the bed. Improved as I am, I know I’m not at full strength yet, because moving still hurts. I guess I must have winced, because the doctor raises an eyebrow in concern as she pulls on a pair of gloves.

“You okay there?”

“I think so. Guess I’m still pretty sore.”

“That’s to be expected. You probably won’t feel one-hundred percent for another week or two at least.”

I draw my knees up and part my thighs while the doctor pulls up a stool at the foot of the bed and lifts the blanket. I keep my attention focused on Jake’s face above me and the pressure of his hand on mine as the doctor carries out her checks. Occasionally, I let my eyes wander around to the multiple bouquets and mylar balloons that have built up over the past couple days, gifts from the Catalysts, Tahira’s team, my aunt and uncle, and Jake and Diego’s parents.

“Everything is healing beautifully. Stitches should be dissolved by next week. You’re probably going to be feeling pretty tender for a while though.”

“Yeah, we had the whole tearing conversation with my OB in California some time ago.”

“Good. If you have any pressing questions regarding the birth and recovery, you can of course ask me, or one of the maternity staff. We can also forward your hospital records to your regular OBGYN.”

“How long do you think it will be before we can go home?” Jake asks.

She pulls the blanket back down and stands, peeling off her gloves. “Well, the fact is, we want to get her and your baby out of here ASAP to lower the chances of either of them picking up a secondary infection.” She smiles at me. “Now that the fever’s gone, we’re gonna get you off the drip and onto some oral antibiotics, and we can pretty much start the discharge process immediately.”

“So soon?” My own question surprises me, but it’s out of my mouth before I realize it’s on the end of my tongue.

“Believe me, it’s better we get you both out of here.”

“I know. It’s not that I want to stay here. It’s just...thinking about how we’re going to get home...how soon we can get home…”

“That’s all taken care of, Princess. Aleister is having Castor and Pollux deep cleaned, and he and Grace are gonna put us up for a few days until Mike gets up here from Santo Domingo. Diego and Varyyn are with Estela and Quinn, and your aunt and uncle basically paid for hotel rooms for everyone else.”

His infodump has my head reeling a little, but there was one particular tidbit I find myself fixing on.

“Why is Mike…?” I trail off as realization crashes down on me in an icy wave. A bit of information I had nearly forgotten in my struggle to bring my baby safely into the world while fighting a fever. Jake wasn’t worrying about me for all that time from the safety of our home in California. I don’t know the details, but I have a sinking feeling that has something to do with the reason that Mike isn’t here with us now.

Jake folds my hand between his palms, glancing at the doctor. “Hey...do you have everything you need? I’d like a few minutes alone with my wife, if that’s okay.”

“Of course. I’ll get the ball rolling on your discharge.”

I wait until I’m sure she’s well clear of the room before I reach to stroke Jake’s cheek. “...I know Lundgren got his filthy hands on you. ...Fiddler told me. ...I’m guessing he got a hold of Mike, too.”

He leans into my touch. “...And Sean and Michelle. Nabbed us all as I was bringing ‘em back from the island.”

“I don’t know if she told me that. That conversation got swallowed up in worrying about you, and then I got sick and River started coming, and…” I swallow, running my thumb along the fuzzy ridge of his cheekbone. “...Did they hurt you? Any of you?”

He shrugs, not meeting my eyes. “Knocked us all around a little. Michelle’s the smart one, of course, so she escaped the worst. ...Mike’s in Santo Domingo having his prosthetics repaired. Lundgren ripped them out ot torture him.”

I shudder. “Oh, god...Oh, Jake, I’m sorry...I’m so sorry…”

I’m crying before I realize it. And as soon as I do realize, it turns into sobbing. Jake reaches down to gather me in his arms and cradle my head against his shoulder, rocking me tenderly.

“It’s okay,” he murmurs into my hair. “It’s okay. He’s gonna be fine. You’re gonna be fine. In a few days, we’ll be home with our baby.”

“I w-wanna be home,” I hiccup. “I wanna be home with River, but I’m scared of leaving everyone again. I just wanna bring them all home with us…”

“Well, it’s a very big house. ...On the other hand, you cram us all into the same house long term, it might start to feel less big. Plus, it would mean a brutal cross-country commute for some of them.”

I can’t help chuckling a little bit, which makes the sobs start to die down. Jake gives me a moment to get myself under control before he speaks again.

“...How are you feeling, Princess? Really?”

“Physically?” I pull back gently to lie down on the pillow again. “Definitely better. My head is clearer, and I don’t hurt as much. But I’m still worn out. And by the way, you’re gonna have to make due with blow jobs for awhile, because it’s gonna be a long time before you stick that thing in me again, if ever.”

It’s his turn to laugh, and he bends to kiss me. “Princess, I will tug it for the rest of my life as long as you’re still a part of that life.”

“I will be a part of your life as long as the universe allows,” I promise. “...But Jake, we both know this isn’t over.”

He sighs, and I see his forehead crease before he presses it to mine. “I know. I know you’re right. But for River’s sake--and mine--will you let the others take care of that for now? I ain’t saying don’t worry, because I know that’s impossible. But River and I need you healthy. Can you stand to let yourself be looked after for a while?”

I feel a rueful smile tug at one corner of my mouth. “Am I to assume that arguing is pointless?”

A tapping at the open door to the birthing suite distracts Jake from answering. We both look up to find Raj and Diego hovering in the doorway, Raj with a paper bag in his hand, and Diego with his right arm in a soft blue sling. It’s the first time I’ve seen him since River was born, and I sit up a little straighter as he hesitantly steps over the threshold.

“...Are we interrupting?”

The baby has started fussing, and Jake eases off the edge of the bed to go pick her up. I open my arms to Diego. Just before he rushes into them, I see his face twist with anguish. And as he falls against me, his one-armed grip is surprisingly strong.

“Goddammit, Allie,” he whispers quiveringly. “Goddammit…”

“...Did I scare you?”

He pulls back sharply, enough so he can look me in the face, but he keeps a grip on my shoulder. “Did you scare me?! You had me on my knees saying the Ave Maria! Do you know how long it’s been since I said the Ave Maria?!”

There isn’t really a lot I can say to that, but I smile ruefully. “...Thanks for staying with me.”

“What, you thought I’d bail?”

I snort. “God, no. But I can still be grateful.”

“...You’re really okay?”

I nod. “I’m fine. The fever is gone, and the wound doesn’t really hurt anymore. I’m still pretty sore down there, though.”

A smile finally starts to play cautiously around his mouth. “...Well, that part’s Jake’s problem.”

“How about you?” I ask, gingerly touching the strap of his navy blue sling.

“That’s nothing serious. It was dislocated, but they popped it back in. Just got to wear this for a few more days, and take it easy once we get back home. ...Raj brought food, by the way.”

“Oh!” I pull back a little to smile at Raj. “Sorry, big guy. I didn’t mean to ignore you.”

Raj chuckles. “We’ll blame it on the new mommy brain and leave it at that. Speaking of which…” He shoos Diego back enough that he can drag my bed table over across my lap, and sets an insulated lunch box on top. “I figured you could do with something better than hospital fruit cups and oatmeal, so I brought you a special Raj lunch. Michelle supervised its creation, and it’s full of stuff that’s supposed to be good for new moms.”

“What is it?”

“So glad you asked!” With a flourish, he opens the bag, and pulls out each item in turn, presenting them like a game show prize lady. “A sandwich of salmon, spinach, and poached egg on whole wheat bread with a garlic white bean spread; in case you are extra hungry, a side of gourmet trail mix made from an assortment of nuts and dried fruit; and to drink, a pineapple-orange-banana smoothie with extra protein powder, and just a few extra leaves of spinach!”

I can’t help but be uplifted by his enthusiasm, and hold out my arms for a hug. “I must be the most spoiled new mother in the world.”

Raj embraces me lightly over the table. “As you should be. You know in some Asian cultures, a new mother spends a whole month resting while her mother-in-law takes care of her and the baby.”

“Oh yeah?” I look at Jake. “Think your mother would spend a month taking care of me?”

“Honestly, I bet she would. The problem would be getting her to ease up and let you start taking care of things after the month was up.”

“Hmm...probably best not to give her ideas then.”

“Probably. We’ll have my folks over in few more months, when we’ve had a chance to get settled.”

“...But…” Raj says, “in the meantime, do you think you guys will be needing any extra help? I know it’s going to be a pretty full house as it is, but Diego’s going to want to take it easy with lifting and stuff for a while, and Michelle says Mike will probably need time to recover, too. If you need a couple extra pairs of hands and someone to do the cooking, I have some downtime, and I know Lila would be happy to come along.”

I look questioningly at Jake, who shrugs. “I don’t have anything against that. It’s a big enough house. And if Varyyn and I are gonna be the only ones at full strength for the time being, I wouldn’t say no to a couple extra pairs of hands.”

“And probably better those hands be Raj and Lila than anyone’s parents,” Diego adds. “I bet Varyyn would prefer not having to wear his disguise twenty-four-seven.”

“Yeah. And,” Jake adds with a sigh, shifting River to rest against his shoulder, “it’s probably preferable not to involve anyone who ain’t already involved in the bigger picture. ...Like you said before, Princess, this ain’t over.”

“But for now, we’re all safe and sound, and Allie has a lunch to eat.” Diego smiles encouragingly as he pushes the tinfoil-wrapped sandwich toward me. “Go on. Dig in.”

Jake

I gotta admit, it does my heart good to see my wife savoring the meal Raj brought her and enjoying our friends’ company. She seems almost back to her old self as she talks and tells jokes and teases with them. Although, as I put River in her arms, I can’t help but be reminded that she’ll never be exactly like her old self again. Not now that she’s a mama. Not like I’m ever gonna be exactly like my old self again either. I’m a daddy now. That’s gonna change me forever. The thought scares me, like it has a lot over the past nine months. But just a look at that precious little face is enough to reassure me that I am never gonna regret it.

Diego and Raj eventually leave us on our own again. After nursing and burping, River sleeps just long enough that we can fill out her birth certificate, nestled side-by-side on the bed. From there, it’s not more than an hour or two before they’re wheeling Alodia toward the hospital exit with River in her arms again while I walk at her shoulder, a baby carrier in the crook of my elbow and my arms laden with flowers and mini mylar balloons. Any staff we happen to pass on the way out smile and wave or give us their congratulations. I have a feeling that in a hospital, any chance to see a patient off happy and healthy is a cause for celebration, and that probably goes double for a new mama leaving with a baby.

Grace is waiting in a car for us at the curb outside the hospital. One of Reggie’s old carseats is in the backseat. Grace settles the baby in the carseat while I help Alodia into the seat beside her.

“There’s a surprise for you guys when we get to our place,” Grace informs us as I circle around the car to get in on the other side of River.

“Nothing too strenuous, I hope,” Alodia quips. “I am not up for a party yet.”

Grace chuckles as she starts up the car. “Oh, believe me, I realize that. No, everyone is pretty sure parties are off the table for you for the time being. ...But you do know that everyone is going to want to see you before you leave, right? You gave us a scare, and no one wants you to go before we all know you’re okay. ...Plus, everyone wants to see River.”

“I am not opposed to visitors,” Alodia assures her. “Just...only a few at a time.”

“Absolutely. We won’t let you get overwhelmed.”

“River, either,” Alodia adds, stroking our sleeping daughter’s downy hair. “Poor thing is probably overwhelmed as it is, suddenly coming into all this noise and color and light.”

“Birth is the craziest thing that ever happens to us, and none of us remember it,” I remark, letting the blade of my forefinger run gently back and forth across the soft back of River’s tiny hand. Her little fingers twitch just slightly, and the base of her pacifier rocks back and forth across her lips, but she doesn’t wake up. I don’t expect the quiet will last.

River does sleep throughout the half hour or so it takes to drive to Aleister and Grace’s luxury Northbridge apartment. As we pull up to the curb, I realize what our surprise is.

“Mike!”

I must have been a little louder than I thought, because River wakes up with a cry that can only be described as irritated, but it doesn’t fully register until I have already launched myself out of the car towards Mike. He’s balancing on a walker, so I at least have the good sense not to jostle him, but I can’t hold myself back from grasping him firmly by the shoulders. He grins, carefully removing his hands from the walker one at a time to grasp me back.

“Good to see ya, Grandpa.”

“Shit, you too! We weren’t expecting you for another couple days! How are you feeling?”

“Well, as you can tell,” he says, nodding at the walker, “I’m not quite ready to run a marathon yet. But my new legs are healing up nice. ...Good to see you, Goldilocks.”

His gaze shifts over my shoulder, and I turn to look back at my wife supporting herself on Aleister’s arm while Grace bounces River in her arms. Alodia smirks at me, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

“I feel like I should make a joke about you abandoning your wife and child in the car to go hang out with your buddy,” she drawls.

I grin sheepishly as Mike carefully returns his grip to the walker. “Sorry about that. Let me make it up to you.”

I lunge and sweep her up bridal style, and I have the pleasure of feeling her arms twine around my neck.

“Mmm, much better. However, unlike your daughter, I am actually capable of walking.”

“But you don’t have to. Not right now, anyway.” But I do return her to her feet after capturing her mouth in a kiss. I don’t entirely take my hands off her yet, though. After her ordeal, I don’t think she’s really that much steadier than Mike right now. Her grip as she slips her arm through mine confirms my concerns.

I’m standing between my wife and my best friend, and neither of them are fully able to stand under their own power. I’m starting to feel that much more grateful to Raj for volunteering to help us out for a while.

I think Mike notices Alodia’s weakness, too, because his forehead creases just a little. “You all right, Goldilocks? From what I hear, you gave everyone a real scare.”

“It was pretty scary on my end, too. But I’m fine now. How about you?”

Mike shrugs. “Ahh, you know. A few weeks of rehab, I’ll be a six-million dollar man again. In the meantime,” he adds wryly, stroking the frame of his walker, “it’ll be hard to call Jake ‘Grandpa’ when I’m dottering around on this thing.”

“You just called me ‘Grandpa’ two minutes ago.”

“And I cannot tell you how hard I internally cringed. Seriously, if you could have seen my internal expression, you’d have thought I was sucking lemons.”

I am morally obligated to reach out and swat him for that, but before I can, Alodia abruptly steps forward to wrap her arms around his shoulders. It’s an awkward embrace, encumbered by the walker and both of them still being weak, but it’s a sincere one, and Mike leans into it gratefully.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” Alodia murmurs.

“You too,” Mike says softly, reaching up to pat her shoulder with one hand. “But can we go inside? I wanna properly meet that baby you’ve been carrying around for the past nine months!”

***

The Catalysts come by in shifts throughout the afternoon and evening, apparently having planned it all out beforehand. No one stays more than an hour at a time, which proves to be a good thing, since Alodia is clearly worn out by about eight in the evening. We’re set up in the guest room of the Rourke apartment, with River in a bassinet beside us, and Mike on the foldaway bed in the living room.

Alodia nurses River and rocks her to sleep before lying down herself. At first, I curl up beside Alodia in bed. She’s asleep within minutes, but I’m not as quick. And after an hour, it’s pretty clear that I’m not on my way to dreamland any time soon. I don’t want to leave Alodia or River. I never want to leave Alodia’s side again. But I’m restless. Anxious. And eventually, the desire not to disturb what precious little sleep my wife might have before our daughter wakes her up again wins out over my irrational need to pace back and forth between them. I check the windows, making sure they’re locked, then I slip out of the room as quietly as I can, heading back out into the living room.

I find Mike, Aleister, and Grace all seated in the living room. On the coffee table are four short, round glasses and a bottle of golden red liquid that I’m guessing is some kind of whiskey.

“We were starting to wonder if you had also fallen asleep,” Aleister says. He gestures to the glasses. “We thought you might like to wet your baby’s head.”

“Kind of a weird expression,” I remark. Nonetheless, I pick up the bottle and take a seat in an armchair to read the label. “Ooh, Irish Mist. Fancy.”

“It is not every day that one becomes a father. The night Reginald was born, Diego, Varyyn, and I toasted his birth with Irish Mist.”

I crack open the bottle, and lean forward to fill each of the four glasses about halfway. I set down the bottle and raise my glass, the others following suit.

“To River Skye McKenzie, my beautiful angel. And to her mother, my better half, who is truly the best and bravest of us.”

“Here, here!” Grace says. We clink glasses, and I take a long, deep drink, savoring the sweet notes of honey and spices riding atop the alcoholic burn of whiskey. I return my glass to the table empty and lean back in my chair.

“When my sister and I both were born, my grandpa had my dad and the men of the neighborhood over to smoke cigars on the porch.” I chuckle a little. “Rebecca remembers helping our grandma in the kitchen, and seeing all the men outside smoking. She says what she remembers most about the day I was born was our dad coming in from outside to give her a hug, but she pushed him away and said, ‘No, Daddy! You stink!’”

My story prompts the expected laughter.

“I am afraid Irish Mist will have to do tonight,” Aleister says. “I did not think to buy cigars. Nor would I know enough to ensure I was purchasing a quality product. As I understand it, Cuban cigars are the best, but those are illegal.”

Mike shudders. “Honestly, I think the smell of a Cuban would be enough to give me flashbacks. Lundgren used to smoke contraband Cubans.”

“Same here,” I agree. “I mean...there was that one time…”

“...That one time what?”

I chuckle a little, rubbing the back of my head. “Okay, no one currently in this room was there when Zahra blew up MASADA…”

“What’s that got to do with Cuban cigars?”

I sigh, but in spite of myself, in spite of how literally everyone else in the room with me was in some kind of bad situation at the time, I feel a smile playing around my mouth at the memory.

“Okay, so it’s me, Alodia, Sean, Quinn, Estela, Craig, and Zahra trying to find another way out of the complex after the gondola gets severed, and when we go through a control room, Zahra gets the idea to blow the whole thing up. We figure it’s worth the couple extra minutes, so we let her do it. And while she’s rigging the system, I find one of Lundgren’s Cubans somewhere on the floor. ...And I light it up. But only to spite the bastard.”

“But did you enjoy it?” Mike asks.

“Hell, yeah! The hype ain’t a lie, buddy. Not saying I’d do it again unless it were one of his personal stash, but that was a real good smoke. ...Still...it wouldn’t be right to celebrate River with Cuban cigars. Lundgren and Rourke did enough to taint her birth.”

“Nothing has been tainted,” Grace says firmly. “She and Alodia both came through it well and healthy.”

“I ain’t losing sight of what’s important,” I assure her. “But I can’t let my guard down, either. ...We all know this ain’t over.”

Grace sighs. “...No, you’re right. It isn’t over. ...Which means...I should probably tell you what I learned in Ireland.”

Diego

I knew that the Catalysts wouldn’t have sat on their hands while any of their own were in danger, but I am surprised to learn just how busy they were during the time that Allie and I were in Arachnid’s claws. I’m even more surprised--and frankly unsettled--by some of the things they learned. Yvonne might be alive. Lundgren flew the same plane that killed Allie’s parents, even though the twisted wreckage of that plane is the property of the NTSB. The whole mess with Allie’s mom, that weird AI message from a program made by Allie’s mom. It all leaves us with a lot more questions than answers.

I told the police everything I felt like I could safely tell them. I went so far as to tell them that I think Everett Rourke might be alive because that’s who our kidnappers claimed they were taking us to. I don’t know if they believed me. I don’t know if the future of the Vaanti is safe. A part of me hopes that they lose interest in the case since everyone who was abducted has been recovered safely. But I also know that none of us are really safe until Rourke is either back behind bars or dead.

Aleister and Estela make all the travel arrangements for those of us going back to California, including my folks and Allie’s. Castor carries me, Allie, Jake, Varyyn, Mike, Raj, Lila, Rebecca, and River. For once, Jake and Mike aren’t going to be flying. Pollux is taking our families. A third plane, smaller but no less luxurious, takes Jake’s parents back to Louisiana. They’re reluctant to leave him. They don’t want to be apart from their son, or their daughter, or their granddaughter. He assures them they can come visit soon, but that their daughter-in-law needs some time to recover first.

At the airport, Allie’s aunt and uncle hesitate to part from her on the tarmac. Allie stands with River in her arms, patiently enduring as Molly smoothes her hair and kisses her forehead, asking if she’s sure Allie doesn’t want her and Rob to wait at the airport in California to drive her home. When Allie insists she’s sure; that Molly and Rob should go ahead and get home so they can rest. Rob says they’ll make sure there are cars waiting for us to take us all back to the house in Laguna.

My parents board the plane before I arrive at the airport. On board the plane, I nestle up with Varyyn on one of the double-width leather seats. I wind my arms around him and bury my face in his shoulder, inhaling his scent. He kisses the top of my head.

“Are you alright, my love?” he murmurs.

“...I’ll be fine,” I assure him. “I’m just...disappointed. I knew my parents weren’t ready to meet you. But I had hoped...I don’t know. I had hoped it wouldn’t be like this. Even if I knew it probably would be.”

Varyyn sighs, bringing a hand up to stroke my cheek. “They may yet come around. Or they may not. In the end, it is up to them. All I can promise is that I will love you regardless of their decision.”

“...I love you, too.”

“You guys all set?” Raj’s voice makes me look up. The others are boarding behind us and finding their seats. Jake helps Allie settle in and get her seatbelt on, River still cradled in her arms.

“Are you sure a plane is really the best way to travel with a newborn?” Lila asks.

“When the choices are between a rental car, a train, or a private plane for a cross-country trip, a private plane is hands down the best option,” Rebecca declares. “I mean, if we were on a commercial plane, I’d think twice, since those things are basically flying petri dishes. But this plane has been deep-cleaned, unlike the train. It’s more comfortable than a car, and faster than both the car or the train.”

“Yeah, but what about her little ears? All the pressure?”

“The doctor says that if I nurse her during take-off and landing, that should keep her comfortable. Besides...I just want to be home.”

Home. The word washes through me in a way that comforts me even as it makes me want to cry. Images flash through my mind of the house I share with my husband, my best friend, her husband, and his best friend--and now, my little niece and goddaughter. Watching movies in the living room with Allie. Sharing dinner around the table or out on the balcony. Cuddling with Varyyn in the hot tub in the evening, letting the warm, swirling water sap the energy from my body, and then sliding into bed beside him and drifting off to sleep in his arms. At home, I don’t have to hide. I don’t have to walk on eggshells or worry about losing anyone’s love. At home, I’m safe and free. I meet my best friend’s eyes, offering her a tired smile.

“I’m with you, Allie. Let’s get home.”

Raj

Nothing but the best for my friends, that’s my motto. I came to the house in Laguna Beach to make sure that my friends would have the best care while they needed it, and I waste no time in getting down to business. Alodia, Diego, and Mike need space to convalesce. But with a new baby in a huge house like this, there is a lot to be done. Jake and Varyyn can’t be expected to do everything, and that’s where I and Lila come in.

River is constantly monitored. Whenever she cries, someone is ready to come running to change her diaper, or to bring her to Alodia for feeding. I prepare meals ahead of time that can be easily heated and served, so no one goes hungry. Lila helps me cook and keep the house clean. Alodia’s aunt and uncle attempt to send cleaning and catering services to her at one point, but they end up being politely refused. Lila and I have everything under control, and none of us want strangers poking around here.

Alodia is occasionally moody, snapping at everyone to stop fussing over her, and she can’t wait to be free of this gilded cage and go back out into the world. This is usually followed by tearful apologies, with all of us assuring her that we don’t take it personally. She just had a baby, she’s allowed to be moody. Besides, the moment someone places River in her arms, it seems like everything is right in her world, and everything is right in our world, too.

...Except it’s not. Not entirely.

River is happy and healthy. Alodia is getting her strength back. Diego gets rid of the sling, and Mike starts to get around without the walker again. But underneath the surface, there is still trauma. There’s still fear.

“They’re having nightmares,” I tell Lila one morning as we’re preparing breakfast. She pauses for a moment with a knife poised above an orange before swiftly slicing it in half.

“Is that so surprising?” she asks. She doesn’t look at me as she speaks, but concentrates on making sure the thick, white heart of the orange half in her hand is positioned properly on the cone of the juicer before she presses down and begins to twist. Bright yellow juice splashes down into the container below.

“Well, no. But it is sad. Jake and Alodia especially should be concentrating on enjoying their new baby, not having nightmares and worrying about whether Rourke’s coming back for them.”

Lila pulls the now-deflated orange rind off the cone of the juicer and tosses it on the countertop. Ribbons of tattered orange flesh cling to the inside of the rind. She picks up the other half.

“...Do you ever have nightmares from Mr. Rourke?” she asks softly.

“Of course,” I reply. “Not as much as before, but I think we all have them sometimes. After what we all went through, I think I’d be more surprised if any of us didn’t.”

The twisting of the orange on the juicer slows just slightly. The toaster pops behind me, and I pluck four pieces of perfectly browned bread from the slots to toss onto a plate.

“...I have nightmares, too.”

The butter has been softening on the counter, and my knife slides easily through it. The heat from the toast softens it further, and it spreads cleanly.

“...You want to talk about it?”

Lila shakes her head, picking up her knife and another orange. “No. Not now. They don’t really matter anyway. They’re about things that happened in the past. I’m less scared of them than I am of what happens in the future.”

“Do you mean Rourke’s next move?”

“Of course that scares me. ...But more than that, I’m scared of him trying to use me against all of you again.”

“We won’t let that happen, Lila. You’re safe with us.”

“...But are you safe with me?”

I pause a moment before putting down my knife. I turn to Lila, put one hand on each of her shoulders, and turn her toward me.

“Lila...look at me. ...Has Rourke approached you at all since you’ve been with us again?”

Her eyes widen in what looks like genuine surprise. “What? No, I...that isn’t what I meant!”

I relax just a little. “...Okay.” I slowly take my hands away from her shoulders. “...You’d tell me if he had, wouldn’t you?”

She nods. “Of course.”

“Good. ...Because if he approaches you again, we can help you. We can help keep you out from under his thumb. ...We’re not gonna let him just have you back.”

A weak smile lifts the corners of her mouth. “I believe you.” She hastily turns back to the oranges in front of her. “You should...um...finish buttering before the toast gets cold.”

Overhead, the sharp, piercing cry of an infant rings through the air. I smile. Another morning blending into another day. It’s not perfect. We’ve got reason to worry. But for now, all is well.

Diego

I keep my head down as I move through the halls of my high school, clutching the straps of my worn-out backpack. It’s the same shabby gray one I’ve been carrying since freshman year. I’m a junior now, and the corners near the bottom are starting to fray where the sharp corners of paper-bag covered textbooks have dug into them.

My stomach growls. I skipped lunch again today. My parents were gone to work early again, and I didn’t leave myself enough time to make myself anything this morning. I barely had time to scarf down a banana for breakfast. I didn’t have enough cash for a cafeteria lunch, either, and besides, I preferred spending my lunch period playing on the computer in the library to sitting by myself at the end of a table filled with noisy strangers anyway.

If I can scrape together enough change from the bottom of my pencil case, I might have enough to get a bag of chips from the vending machine before I have to go to my after school job. But for now, my hunger isn’t all that sharp, and I am heading towards English Lit, the only class I currently look forward to.

The class is taught by Mr. Hunter. He also teaches the film-making class I want to sign up for next semester. He’s in his early fifties, and not handsome. He is tall and lanky, with gray-green eyes and a dark helmet of slicked back hair that sits atop a rectangular face. He has one of those mustaches that seemed to be popular in the 1970’s that always make a man look a little sketchy. He wears paisley shirts and slacks, and his voice reminds me of Bert from Sesame Street.

Mr. Hunter is the best teacher I’ve ever had at this school. When we studied Romeo and Juliet, he started off by giving us all a printed-off list of Shakespearean insults. When one girl tried to mumble her way through a line-reading, he shouted, “Put some feeling into it, you saucy wench!”

Mr. Hunter is also gay, and he does not attempt to hide this. When my parents ask about my teachers and which ones I like best, I leave this fact out. If they knew, they would make me switch to another class. Mr. Hunter has a picture of himself with his boyfriend on his desk. I’ve seen it when I’ve gone up to hand in assignments. His partner is bald and ruddy-skinned. He’s not handsome, either, but he has an open, friendly smile. Sometimes, I imagine them kissing. I worry that I have a crush on Mr. Hunter.

On the post of every classroom door is a laminated pink triangle, with a message proclaiming that this is a safe space for LGBTQ students. These triangles are mandated by the school district. Not every teacher honors them. One teacher actually tore hers down and refused to put it back up. She was fired. Last year, two girls were voted “Cutest Couple” in their senior class. I look at the triangles, prominently displayed as I walk into each classroom, and I don’t feel particularly safe. I feel safe in Mr. Hunter’s classroom.

Inside Mr. Hunter’s classroom, two boys from the football team act out a love poem with one of them in a curly blond wig and the bottom of his shirt tucked into his collar to create a crop top. They end with a flourish, with the boy in the wig jumping into the other boy’s arms and goosing him. Everyone applauds their performance, including Mr. Hunter.

Outside Mr. Hunter’s classroom, guys of all stripes growl “faggot” in my direction, and even the girls who are nice to me seem pitying more than anything. There’s a Pride club that meets after school two days a week, but I don’t dare join. I’m slowly realizing I can’t deny the truth anymore, but that doesn’t mean I can just announce it to the world.

I have just enough change to buy a bag of chips after school. I put it in my backpack as I make my way toward the library where I work for a few hours each day. I see Sam Dzugan eyeing me as I pass through the main doors to the school, and feel dread so familiar that it’s almost dull. Of all the bullies at this school, Sam is the worst. He also knows where I work. If he’s bored and hungry for a power fix tonight, I’m in for a rough walk home.

But he doesn’t follow me to work. At the library, I set to work filing back the books from the return cart. As I do, my mind wanders to the same place it always does: Alodia.

Alodia. My ideal friend. I conjure up an image of her beside me. She would be pretty, like all the most popular girls at school. I summon a small, pale figure with blonde hair, big blue eyes, and rosy cheeks. I talk with her in my head as I wander the aisles of the library with the return cart. I can picture her cheeky smile as clearly as if she were really beside me. I have spent many years getting the details of her perfect. Early incarnations of her were dark-haired. Green-eyed. Taller. I drew pictures of her. I wrote down her description in a private notebook that I kept under my mattress. But she never felt as real as when I wrote her with golden blonde hair and sapphire eyes.

She laughs at all my jokes as I work the rest of my shift. I forgot to eat the chips I bought, and I’m hungry enough now to start feeling dizzy. ...Alodia would invite me to dinner at her house. A huge, fancy house with a pool, where a chef would have prepared a gourmet meal.

“Don’t worry about Sam,” she would say. “If he gives you any trouble, I’ll fight him off.” ...Because Alodia would be fierce. A fighter. Alodia was a hero. A hero who loved me unconditionally.

Alodia was never meant to be my lover. I wasn’t looking for a lover when I first dreamed Alodia into existence, which is probably why I always imagined her as a girl. I could scarcely imagine having a lover before I had a friend. That was what Alodia was to me. A friend. A friend who would always love me. A friend who I could tell my secrets to without judgment. A friend to fight for me and protect me, who saw value in me, and needed me back.

But my friend is a fantasy. And when I leave work and Sam corners me in the encroaching darkness, Alodia vanishes…

...I wake up with a gasp, bolting upright in the darkness of my room. Beside me, Varyyn grunts in his sleep and rolls over, the moonlight reflecting off his blue skin. I stare at his sleeping form for a moment, trying to take stock of myself. I’m shaking. My pajamas are damp with sweat. I feel cold. I feel sick and empty with fear. I don’t exactly remember what I was dreaming about, but one thought keeps echoing in my mind: Allie. I have to find Allie.

I slip out of bed as gently as I can while I’m still trembling. I don’t want to wake Varyyn. As I slip into the hall, motion-sensitive lights plugged into the sockets near the floor illuminate my path. My dream is still hazy, but bits and pieces trickle back as I shuffle down the hall with my hand on the wall. I was alone. Allie didn’t exist. It was a timeline that I have all but forgotten, and it felt entirely too real.

I need to find her. Or at least evidence that she still exists. The door to the nursery is slightly ajar, enough that I can see the soft glow from the lamp on the bedside table. I peek through the crack in the door and relief floods through me. Allie, bundled up in her robe and slippers, sits in the rocking chair with River in her arms, gently rocking back and forth. I exhale slowly. I should go back to bed, but I am not ready to let her out of my sight yet. I start to push open the door. She gasps a little, looking up sharply.

“Oh, Diego!” She smiles at me, settling back into her chair. “You startled me.”

“Sorry,” I whisper back. “...Did I wake up River?”

“No. I just fed her, so she’ll probably be out for an hour or two.” She looks up at me as I come to settle into the armchair across from her. “...What are you doing up?”

“...Bad dream,” I admit. “...About...about you. I had to come check on you or I was never going to get back to sleep.”

I half-expect her to joke about me being a creeper watching her while she sleeps, but instead she sighs. “...I kinda know the feeling.”

“Yeah. I bet you do.”

“You wanna stay up with me for awhile?”

“Yeah. But I feel like I should be telling you to get some sleep while you can.”

“I probably should be sleeping,” she admits. “...But I don’t really want to let her go.”

There’s not really much I feel like I need to say to that. I understand. I don’t think there’s anyone in this house who doesn’t empathize with that feeling in one way or another. Especially now.

“...Diego…?”

“Yeah, Allie?”

For a long moment, she doesn’t say anything, though her mouth opens and closes a couple times. Then, she swallows and takes a deep breath.

“...I love you. I love you, and I love Jake, and Raj, and all the Catalysts…”

“We love you, too, Allie.”

“...When you imagined me. In that other timeline. When I didn’t come to be until the Island...did you ever imagine my future?”

I can’t help flinching. Her words feel like a cold pinprick at the top of my spine. “...Allie...I...I don’t really remember that timeline…”

“I know. I know. But...it happened. It existed. I was once born to be what you needed. What all the Catalysts needed. ...But now...now I have River. Someone new who needs me. She needs me more than any of my Catalysts.”

“I...I think that’s true,” I say slowly. “...We all love you, and we want you with us. But River is your child. She’s helpless and new. She needs your love and your care and your guidance to survive.”

“...I’m scared, Diego. I’m scared by how much I love her. I’m scared by how much she needs me.”

My earlier fear is being replaced with concern that is entirely for my friend. “...Allie...are you okay? Is this some kind of postpartum depression?”

“I don’t know what this is, Diego. I know that I love River more than I ever thought I could love anyone alive. I would have torn myself apart for my Catalysts without hesitation. I gave up my existence to give my Catalysts the world. ...But I can’t consider that anymore. Because River needs her mother.”

“Oh, Allie. That’s not a bad thing. None of us want you to tear yourself apart.”

“I know. ...But I am afraid of what happens if the world asks for it. ...If I end up at the Threshold again, or a new Raan’losti…” She looks up at me. “...Diego...I think I have to face what’s in the pool shed.”

I feel my blood run cold. I know what’s in the pool shed. The collection of objects that were left for us in the Crystal dimension when we went to rescue Tahira. Including…

“...Are you sure?”

She nods. “...It was left for me to find for a reason. I have to touch the Andromeda idol again.”

#playchoices #choices stories you play #pixelberry choices #Endless Summer #hero

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sunaswife · 4 years

Text

A Suna Rintarou Series

Summary: Suna was the best boyfriend you could ask for, after fighting with your inner demons that screamed you were ugly, worthless, and annoying. You finally decided to go the next step with your boyfriend, only to find out it was all a game.

A/N: PART 19 two more chapters and dis shit gonna be over

Warnings: underaged drinking, smut, guys talking badly about women, heartbreak, messed up shit that you shouldn’t do and a bit of fluff if you squint

Disc ten-slide one: Kageyama Y/N 🤍

The metro moved quickly and just like that the team was on their ways to nationals. You and Suna were dragged to the coach’s office the day after you broke up since you slapped him in the middle of practice because he wouldn’t leave you alone. He didn’t understand personal space and he didn’t understand that leave me alone meant leave me alone. You didn’t want to see him, talk to him, or breath the same air as him.

But Kita had his arms crossed and said “I don’t want to know the details and if you’re not together then that’s fine. But what’s not fine is you making Y/N uncomfortable and you slapping Suna. Next time let me know and I’ll be there to talk to him.”

Honestly you wished Kita-senpai was your older brother.

The whole team sat in one train car and you sat in the middle where the table was at along with Kita, Aran and Omimi. Aran and Omimi got the window seat and you with Kita got the seat in the middle due to you both having to go talk with coach once in a while. You were double checking to make sure all the information regarding the players were correct. You had their name tags and ID. You hummed as you went through ID to ID and you froze when you saw Suna’s.

As if god hated you or something Teenage Dream by Katy Perry started playing on the train speaker and you sighed and rubbed your tired eyes. “Are you sleepy?” Aran asked and looked away from the window. “Nah, I’m fine.” You answered and put Suna’s card away after checking to make sure his information was correct.

My missing puzzle piece

I'm complete

You sighed and turned to the seat across the walkway. “Agaki are you using your headphones?” You asked. “No you need ‘em?” He asked and you nodded. He reached into his bag and took them out. He tossed them to you and you caught them. You checked to make sure his beats connected to your phone and you put them over your ears. You pressed shuffle and Into you by Paramore came on, you skipped and skipped and skipped but love song after love song kept playing. You groan a little too loudly and you placed your phone on the table and little too loudly as well. Some of the players turned to you as well as Suna and the twins who had a perfect view of you.

“If I hear another fucking love song I’m going to lose it.” You groaned and put your head down.

Kita senpai patted your head and Aran patted your back. “Listen to work out music. It always keeps me pumped and focused.” Aran said. You nodded and sat up to grab your phone once again. You just needed the distraction. You scrolled through Spotify and looked through the playlists. You found one called confidence boost. You clicked on it and read some of the song titles. None of them seemed like love songs so you pressed shuffle and you heard That’s my Girl from a band called fifth harmony.

You layed your head back down and Suna saw the small smile that formed on your lips when you closed your eyes.

“Oh my god it’s Inarizaki. They got a manager! They didn’t have one last year.” You heard whispers left and right as you walked next to Kita in the front with the rest following behind. The whole group walked with confidence and players around were intimidated. Instead of the ponytail you always had on. You decided to let your hair down and you put on a white head band to match your white joggers.

It was the opening ceremony so everyone was huddled around the lobby waiting to be called in order to line up. You were talking with Akagi and from the corner of your eye you saw a boy tumbling your way. You turned to see the short boy falling right in your direction and you caught him by his armpits before he fell face first into your chest.

“Are you alright?” You asked and he quickly pulled away. “Y-yes—I’m sorry I—are you single?” He asked and you smiled softly. Before you could turn him down you recognized his uniform and your eyes widened.

Tobio is here.

You heard familiar yelling and you looked past the shorter boys shoulder to find your cousin gripping the shirt of an orange haired boy. You dropped your bag and moved past him and Agaki. “Y/N where are you going!” Akagi yelled earning the attention of Kita, the twins and your ex. (Oof I really said that lmao anyways)

Tobio heard someone yell your name so out of curiosity he turned and saw you running to him. He quickly let go of Hinata and he stumbled back when you hugged him. He moved back a bit and you went on your tippy toes so your chin could rest on his shoulder. He still had to bend down a bit and he squeezed you just as tight. “Boke we saw eachother less than a month ago. No need to—“ he stopped talking when he heard your sniffle and you were shaking. He didn’t know what to do or how to comfort you but he saw suga at a distance imitating him and using hinata to show him how to rub your back and comfort you.

“I’m such an idiot Tobio. Why did I give him my heart on a silver plate only for him to stab it?” You cried and he sighed. “Boys are stupid. The right one will come when the time is right.”

“Who are you and where is Tobio?” You asked and he smacked your head and you laughed while wiping your tears. “Did you kick his ass?” He asked. “I threw an empty coffee can at him and I slapped him.” You answered honestly and he smirked. “Good. He deserves it.” He said and punched your arm. You winced slightly and punched his gut causing him to lean forward in pain. You slipped out your phone from your pocket and you lifted his head close to yours to take a very very ugly photo to send to his mom because she wanted photos of her precious son.

The announcer on the speakers explained where the players should go and you quickly left to join your team after saying bye to Tobio and promising him that you’ll watch his game.

“I didn’t know Tobio-kun and Y/N-chan were related.” Atsumu told his brother and Suna as they watched what went down. “Thank god.” Suna sighed. “What’s his last name?” Osamu asked.

“Kageyama.”

“You’re a fucking idiot.”

Previously

Up next

Masterlist

A/N: 🤠 this is prob a shitty update but i just want a hug from Tobio and a head and back pat from Aran and Daddy Kita-senpai. This was all for myself I needed the comfort after my last update lmao 😭

🏷: @therealwalmartjesus @differentballooncollection @aaesuki @atsunflower @dope-squish @prettysetterboiss @june-phantom @tomo-uwu @austriasmariazelle @xrnia @katsulia @aprettyfruit @shut-your-eyes-kiss-me-goodbye @tvbiio @sun-daddy-yoriichi @kamenoyaki @ppangiiroo @loeyprivvv @kmskj92 @lovinnoya @tris-does-stuff @mokkeguts @sunaluvr6969 @bara-rose-would @sempiternal-amour @volleybloop @leykyuu @bokutoichigo @stfucanunot @tpwkatsumu @ohshirabu @shoutosimp @mqrinqcele @bokutosdivineass @anngelllla @toworuu @hidden-otaku-stuff @seijohiselite @caxsthetic @aquariarose @hhwanggu @bakuhoetoedoroki

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scripts4dreamers · 4 years

Text

I literally JUST sat down, pt.3

Part One, Part Two, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven

AN: The case stalls, but no one’s willing to give up on you just yet. Characters: Spencer Reid, Penelope Garcia, Derek Morgan, Aaron Hotchner, Jennifer Jareau, David Rossi. Pairings: Spencer Reid x reader Spoilers: None Warnings: Mentions of crime and violence, alcohol

(Longer one this time! As always, let me know if you want to get tagged in the next part.)

—————————-

“I hate this,” you whined, as Garcia pulled you through the crowded streets, “why didn’t we drive straight to the office, again?”

“Because, my little Grumpy Gus, you look like you barely slept, and this place has the best coffee in the city.” She promised, giving your arm a squeeze.

You grumbled under your breath, but didn’t complain, letting Garcia ply you with endless cups of coffee.

“Are we getting for the whole team?” You asked, your mind drifting to your late night message to Spencer.

Garcia paused, her eyes narrowing with suspicion, “Yeeeeees, why?”

You shrugged, “I was just asking. No need to read into anything.”

“This is about Spencer, I can tell. Spill it.”

You groaned, letting your head thump down onto the table, “How do you do that?”

“I’m a veritable fountain of knowledge, Y/N, you know this,” she teased, “plus I speak fluent Y/N, especially the little known Spencer Reid dialect.”

“Witch!” You said accusingly, “You’re a witch!”

“You flatter me,” she winked, tapping your forearm, “now spill it.”

You sighed, taking another sip of your coffee, “It’s nothing, I just-I messaged him, alright?”

“You did what?”

“I messaged him! And it was stupid and he didn’t even respond, so it’s not important.” You explained, your cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Penelope gasped, “He didn’t respond?”

You shook your head, “Nope. Nothing, look-“

You took out your phone and glanced briefly at the screen, frowning when you spotted the notification from the night before. You swiped up, your eyes tracing his response. Something in your stomach pinched.

“Huh.”

“What?” Penelope asked, “What is it? You’re legally obligated to tell me, it’s in the rules.”

“He-uh-“ you stared at the screen, still frowning, “he responded. I must’ve fallen asleep…”

“Ooohhh my gosh, what does it say? What did you say? Is it romantic?”

You pressed your lips together, your mind whirling at a thousand miles an hour as you try to figure exactly what Spencer meant by “I did.”.

“It’s-“ you shook your head, “I don’t know really.”

Something in your tone must’ve let on how conflicted you were feeling because Penelope let the matter slide, just giving your arm a comforting squeeze.

“Let’s get to work, Sugar,” she said, standing and extending her hand for you to hold, “we’ve got crimes to solve.”

You gave her a weak smile but let her pull you to your feet, trying to force your mind away from Spencer and back onto your case.

“That we do, Garcia, that we do.”

——————————-

“We come bearing gifts,” Garcia announced as she pushed open the door to the BAU, “sustenance in the form of sweet, sweet caffeine.”

Your eyes instantly flew to Spencer, giving him a weak smile which, to your intense relief, he returned. You also noticed, with a rush of fondness, that he’d kept your side of the desk clear.

“Garcia you’re an angel,” Emily smiled, pushing away from her desk to accept a cup.

“Speaking of angels,” you sighed, carrying a cup of coffee flavored sugar over to Spencer and taking your seat next to him, “have we got an ID on our victim yet?”

“Marcus Wilcox,” Spencer said, flipping open the file closest to you, “25 year old drug addict and male prostitute. He went missing two weeks ago and was reported missing by his best friend.”

You glanced over at the picture of the man whose body had been left in your bookstore and felt the familiar pang of sorrow in your chest. There was always going to be another one, another life cut short, another dead son or daughter who’s family would grieve their loss for years. It was enough to put a damper on anyone’s morning.

You could feel eyes on you, heavy and questioning and you found you couldn’t look up to meet their gaze.

“Anything unusual in the M.E.’s report?” You asked, still avoiding the eyes.

“All the mutilation was done postmortem, so that rules out sadism as a motive,” JJ suggested, accepting a cup of coffee gratefully.

“High levels of caffeine in the blood too,” Emily pointed out, “and…” she pressed her lips together.

“What, Em?” You asked.

She looked up at you nervously, something like sympathy in her eyes as she said, “Biscuits, in his stomach. They found brown butter biscuits and coffee in his stomach.”

Your blood froze and you felt a rush of nausea. You put your cup down, suddenly not thirsty anymore.

“Is...that significant, somehow?” Hotch asked, his perpetual frown firmly in place.

“They’re the best sellers at Y/N’s coffee shop,” Spencer said, something off in his voice, “she sells them fresh every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.”

You looked over, shocked, and noticed that Spencer was working his jaw, like he was angry, his one hand curled into a fist under his chin. You itched to reach out and touch his forearm, like you once would have, but you restrained yourself.

“What the hell is this guy doing?” Emily asked, “Why go through all this trouble to personalize the crime? What’s driving him?”

“It’s gotta be erotomania, right?” Morgan asked, “Someone’s trying to get Y/N’s attention.”

“That doesn’t make sense,” you insisted, frustrated with having the same conversation again and again, “stalkers don’t start off with an elaborate and expertly executed murder. If it was erotomania, why not call first, or email or leave notes at my apartment? There’s been no build up to this sort of violence.”

“Plus, the victim has no connection to Y/N,” Spencer pointed out, “erotomaniacs want to reinforce their supposed devotion to the object of their affection, if he wanted to do that he would’ve picked someone Y/N knew, like an ex-boyfriend or an enemy of some kind.”

“Some who he thinks Y/N would actually want dead,” Emily agreed.

“Reid and Y/L/N are right, there’s something more to this, something we’ve missed,” Hotch said, “Garcia, I want you to go through everything you can find about Marcus Wilcox and see if he came into Y/N’s store at all. Maybe he’s a customer who was rude and offended the UnSub. After that, comb through Y/L/N’s life again; old friends, high school classmates, college professors, agents she worked with on cases, anyone who could have formed an attachment and been stalking her without us knowing.”

Garcia paled under her Barbie pink lipstick, “Sir, I-“

“It’s fine, Garcia,” you assured, giving her a soft smile, “I’ve got nothing to hide. You’ll have to get permission from the CIA to access some of my case files though, there’s some sensitive data in those.”

“I’ll call the director myself,” Hotch said, “that’ll expedite the process.”

“But, sir, sorting through all that data could take weeks,” you pointed out, “what do we do in the meantime?”

Hotch pressed his lips together, and you sighed, sensing his next words before they even came out of his mouth.

“We work cases, as usual,” he said, “Y/N, yours will still be our priority but, until we get a new lead…”

“We’re stuck.” You finished. You breathed in, trying to calm your restless nerves, and pushed yourself up, “Well, it was lovely seeing you guys again, but I guess that’s my cue.”

“What?” Spencer said, sitting up suddenly, “No, Y/N you can’t just leave, if there’s someone out there delusional enough to do this to get your attention then it’s not safe.”

“I’m with Boy Wonder,” Garcia agreed, shooting you an apologetic look, “I’m sorry, Sugar Plum but this whole thing is just icky and gross and I’d feel much better knowing you were here.”

You looked around, but we’re met with a wall of concerned faces. You wanted to scream. Nothing about this situation was fair. You hated feeling helpless, it was why you’d joined the FBI in the first place and, ultimately, why you’d left.

“Well, what the hell am I supposed to do while we wait for a lead?” You asked, “I can’t go home, I can’t go back to work, I can’t just sit here all day until my assigned babysitter for the night is free.”

“You could join us on cases,” Hotch said simply, “if I’m not mistaken, you’re still officially an agent so you’re cleared to be in the field.”

Spencer and Emily sucked in a breath in unison, and you shut your eyes. Shit.

“I’m sorry, what was that?” Emily asked, “You never actually resigned?”

You shot her a sheepish look, “I meant to! I did! It was just,” you shrugged, “at first I wanted the safety blanket in case normal life didn’t work out and, once it did, I just-“ you trailed off.

Truth be told, you didn’t know why you’d never left. It was really only one document that you needed to sign, it would take less than three minutes to complete, there was nothing stopping you. You’d even filled it out once or twice but, for some reason, you always stopped before actually submitting it.

You shot a nervous look at Spencer, who was determinedly avoiding looking at anything except a particular patch of empty air, and sighed.

“So...what does that mean?” Morgan asked, “You’re back on the team?”

“Agent Y/L/N has technically been on an extended sabbatical for the past year,” Hotch explained, “ideally we would be able to keep her on in an advisory capacity while we work her case but, with her safety being such an issue, for the time being, yes, she’s back on the team.”

——————————-

You collapsed into your old seat on the jet, exhaustion weighing you down like a ton of bricks. It had taken almost no time for Hotch and Garcia to brief you on the team’s newest case and, before you could even pack a proper Go-Bag, you were wheels up and on your way to Tampa Bay. It was a fairly standard case, or as standard as it got for the BAU at least, and it had only taken three days to catch the guy, but it had still taken the life right out of you. Hotch had noticed your distress and sent you ahead to the jet with Rossi while the rest of the team finished packing up. On the one hand you resented being treated like a child, on the other….well, you were exhausted.

Rossi sat down across the aisle from you, handing you a mug of warm hot chocolate, which you accepted gratefully. He raised his eyebrows in that grandfatherly way, like he was asking you a question, and you smiled.

“What?” You asked, “I can tell you’re thinking something.”

“You love this” he said simply.

“Love it?” You laughed incredulously, “Rossi I haven’t been this tired since I spent three full days setting up my shop. I’m exhausted.”

“And you love it,” he insisted, “I can see that Evil Genius sparkle in those pretty eyes of yours.” He gestured at your face and you smiled, “Not that I blame you. Catching killers tends to be more exciting than baking cookies.”

“Hey, I thought you loved it when I made cookies!” You complained, whacking his hand away in mock outrage, “You said they were your favorite!”

“They are, I’m just making a simple observation, that’s all.”

“Uh-huh,” you said suspiciously.

“Here’s another one; there’s tension between you and the Good Doctor,” he continued.

You rolled your eyes, but didn’t disagree, letting your mind wander back to the last three days. After Hotch’s little announcement to the team, things had been...odd with Spencer. Actually, you couldn’t be sure that was the catalyst, for all you knew things could’ve been weird before that but, now it was just impossible to miss. He would bounce between avoiding you like the plague and actively seeking out your company; sitting next to you at dinner one minute and then purposely standing as far away as possible the next minute. It sucked. It sucked and it hurt your feelings and it was confusing, so there was no point in denying it to Rossi.

“I just wish he’d talk to me, you know?” You said, “Or yell, or shout or something. Like, if you’re angry then be angry. At least then we could talk it out, but this-“ you shook your head, “I hate it.”

“Ah, kid,” Rossi commiserated, patting your knee comfortingly, “I don’t think he’s angry, and that’s probably part of the problem.” You looked up, confused, and Rossi continued, “If he was angry, things would be a lot simpler. Like you said, you could just yell for a bit, and then it’d be over. No, I think Spencer’s just hurt and confused. He blames himself for you leaving and, now that you’re back, he’s happy, but he feels guilty about being happy because you’re in danger.” He explained, “It’s a confusing time for him, for you both.”

You sat up, “Wait why would he blame himself for me leaving?”

Rossi looked down, like he was thinking hard but, before he could say anything, you heard footsteps and the rest of your team boarded the jet. You shot Rossi a look that said “we’ll finish this later”, and then turned away, smiling at your friends.

“Hey,” you greeted, letting Morgan ruffle your hair.

JJ gave you a small smile, but your eyes went straight to Spencer, Rossi’s words bouncing around inside your head. To your surprise, he collapsed into the seat beside you.

“Hey,” he said softly, “I-uh-I was hoping we could talk.”

Your heart leapt, but you tried to keep your face neutral as you answered, “Sure thing, Reid. What about? The case?”

“Actually,” he said, his voice still low, “I wanted to talk about you.”

You pressed your lips together, but nodded, following Spencer’s lead and leaning in to avoid being overheard as your team settled in for the flight home.

Spencer was silent for a moment, like he was thinking, and then, “Why didn’t you resign? I thought you wanted out.”

“I did, or I thought I did. Reid, when I first left I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I guess I wanted to be able to come back if things went wrong.” You explained.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

You paused for a moment, “Spence-“

His breath hitched in his throat, “The first time, when you were thinking about leaving. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I-“ you sighed, the exhaustion rolling over you like a river, “I didn’t want to worry you until I was sure and then, after that….” you shrugged, “it all happened so fast. I’m sorry.”

He nodded, like he understood, and you watched some of the tension leech out of his body. For the first time he met your eye, and your heart stuttered in your chest.

“I’m sorry too.” He said.

“Spence you’ve got nothing to-“

“I do,” he interrupted, “I promised you that we’d always be best friends and then, after you left, I just stopped trying.”

You were conflicted. Some part of you had been longing to hear this for months, ever since the texts, visits and calls had stopped out of the blue but, now that you were actually hearing it, it just made you sad.

“You did try,” you reminded him, “you came to the store a few times, helped me organize my books.”

He shook his head, “Not often enough. It just-it just got so hard, you know? Seeing you every weekend and knowing you weren’t going to be there when I got to work the next day,” he explained, his voice cracking, “watching you have this whole life outside of us, it just started to feel like maybe I didn’t fit-maybe we didn’t fit.” He gestured to the team, “And I thought maybe you were better off-“ he trailed off.

“Hey,” you cut in, reaching out and covering his hand with yours, “hey, listen to me. You guys are my family. You’ll always be my family, no matter what happens. I’m sorry you ever felt like anything else was even possible. I could never be better off without you guys.”

The hint of a smile played at the edges of his mouth, and he squeezed your hand gently.

“If it’s okay,” he said, still smiling hopefully, “I’d really like for us to be friends again. I know I broke a solemn oath but, if you’ll trust me, I’ll never let it happen again, I promise.”

Your smile felt so wide that it hurt your cheeks as you pulled him into a hug, savoring the way he chuckled as he hugged you back.

“Of course, Spence,” you smiled, still holding him close, “of course.”

“God, I missed you,” he admitted into your neck, “no one else pretends to care about Star Trek as well as you do.”

You laughed and let him go, feeling the distance that had formed over the last year vanishing bit by bit.

“I’ve missed you too, Doctor Reid.” You said, “But, I’ll admit, I haven’t missed the Star Trek talk as much.”

“None of us miss the Star Trek talk,” Derek said, making you both jump, “honestly, I miss not knowing about Star Trek.”

“Preach,” JJ agreed, “Y/N/N, I know you’re in charge of what we watch tonight but I’m begging you, please pick something made for adults? I’ve been watching nothing but Marvel and Disney for months.”

“But I love Disney,” Emily complained.

“Rest assured,” Rossi interrupted, “it’s my entertainment system and I don’t even have any Disney.”

“You have Lord of The Rings though, right?” Spencer asked.

You watched your team bicker amongst themselves, laughing like you hadn’t laughed in months. Being together like this was like a healing balm for your frayed nerves, bringing you back to a place of calm, like you’d just come home from a long trip. In the back of your mind, you knew there was still work to be done, old wounds you needed to address and mysteries you needed to solve but, for now, you were just happy to be with your family. For now, this was enough.

—————————

Spencer felt like he was living in some sort of strange fever dream, like all his months of sulking had finally driven him mad and now he was physically imagining things as he helped you out of his car. Touching you always made him a little dizzy but, over the years that you’d worked together every day, he’d managed to build up a tolerance, a tolerance that was now almost completely gone. It had been months since everyone had agreed to have family dinner at Rossi’s, but now that you were back, he’d insisted. Spencer was on cloud nine. He had his best friend back and, for the first time since you’d left, things felt good again, like he was exactly where he should be.

As you sat around Rossi’s table, swapping stories and reminiscing over the past, Spencer had to fight to stop from staring at you. You were really there. He could reach out and touch you. If he called your name you would respond and your eyes would light up the way they always had, like he was the only person in the world you wanted to see. It was surreal. In the back of his mind, Spencer knew he was being selfish, that he shouldn’t want you to stay this time and he should be itching to find out who was stalking you so that you could go back to the life you’d built. But he wasn’t.

When JJ had gotten the call that you needed them, Spencer had thought his heart was going to implode from all the pent up longing he’d kept stored away. Seeing you hadn’t exactly improved things. He’d spent the entire day trying to hold himself together, unsure of how to act around you, playing through every single memory he’d been keeping repressed for all this time like it would somehow give him the answer. God, half the time he’d wanted to scream, the other half he’d wanted to wrap you up in his arms and never let you go ever again. As his eyes traced the plains of your face, plains he’d memorized a million different times, he felt a flicker of that old flame burn in his chest, like the embers of a fire that had never really been put out, and he sighed.

“Hey, kid, where’s your head?” Morgan asked, his voice soft enough to avoid being overheard.

“Hmm? What?” Spencer replied, tearing his eyes away from you as you laughed at something Garcia said.

“Your head,” he repeated, where’s it at?”

Spencer thought for a minute, and then smiled, “I’m good. Really good, actually.”

Morgan nodded, a little too knowingly for Spencer’s liking, but let the matter drop. Just then, the unmistakable ping of Hotch’s cell cut through the late night air and, as if on cue, every eye in the house turned to face the sound. Hotch examined his phone, his frown deepening and sending shivers of worry up Spencer’s neck. He wanted to say something, to stop Hotch from giving them whatever horrible piece of news was on that phone, but he couldn’t. He just sat and waited, like everybody else.

“Hotch?” JJ eventually asked, her hand gripping yours, hard.

“They-uh-” Hotch started, showing a rare moment of nerves, “they found another note at Y/N’s apartment.”

Several people swore, Garcia whimpered, Derek slammed his fist against the table, but you just stared straight ahead, your face stony and unmoving. Spencer wanted to reach out, but he was frozen in place.

“What did it say?” You asked, “Is it another love poem?”

“No,” Hotch answered, “it’s a string of numbers; 29.07.15/18.01.14/38.8765.77.0006.”

“Reid, you got that?” Morgan asked, shooting him a look.

Spencer felt like the wind had been knocked out of him, but he nodded, “I’ve got it.”

“But, that’s not all, is it?” Rossi asked.

Hotch shook his head, “They found another body. This time in an empty storefront a few blocks away from Y/N’s apartment.”

“Probably the site I’d picked out for the second branch,” you supplied, “I just signed the deal three weeks ago.”

You buried your face in your hands, sighing as the atmosphere around the dinner table took a turn for the worst.

“Well,” Emily said, “Looks like we’ve got our lead.”

Hotch nodded, “Let’s get to work.”

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

Taglist: @ourfavoritesergeantbarnes, @confused-and-really-hungry, @word-scribbless, @reidloversisforever, @ashookykooky, @l0ve-0f-my-life, @shilohpug, @tangerinenotions95, @petitchatonbleu, @pirateismywayofspeaking, @must-be-a-weasley-92, @whovianayesha, @holding-on-to-my-youth

269 notes · View notes

shhh-no-ones-home · 3 years

Text

liar, liar (1/2) bucky barnes x reader

+++++++++

part 1 part 2

(ft sam wilson)

backstory - she can see the future (or versions of it) through dreams and visions; she can see someone's past and memories by touching them; and she can stop peoples actions with her mind. sam introduced her to bucky without knowing about her powers and they started dating. (OC superhero name: Arcana)

song: bruised and bloodied by seether

ps this song slaps and so does the album and god i just really love seether. okay im done now lol

tag list: @cynic-spirit

+++++++++

when i woke up i sighed, feeling the bed next to me empty again. this was the third time this week that Bucky had woken up way before me and left before i even got to tell him good morning. it was starting to put a damper on my mood but i wasn't about to let him know that.

i shook my head, digging it deep into my pillow before sitting up and rubbing my face. when i opened my eyes back up they grew wider. Bucky was standing in the doorway with a half smile on his face and two mugs in his hands.

"hey."

he said quietly, not making a move yet.

"hey."

i said back, a little more chipper than i was expecting. i think the same went for him.

"coffee?"

i nodded, smiling back at him

"just the way you like it."

he said as he sat on the side of the bed in front of me.

"whats the special occasion?"

i asked before taking a sip, looking up at him over the top of the mug. he just shook his head.

"no special occasion."

i sent him a look as i lowered the mug.

"youre a terrible liar, you know that?"

he laughed a little bit.

"youd think id be better at it by now but i guess thats why they always kept my mouth shut."

i sent him a look.

"so?"

he huffed a breath deep out his nose.

"sam called."

i shook my head.

"no."

"come on y/n."

"buck you hate fighting-"

"and what would i do if he got hurt?!"

i sighed, closing my eyes and pinching the bridge of my nose.

"damn you for being so caring."

i said sternly and he cracked a half smile.

"damn you for sticking around."

he quipped back and i laughed.

"when does he need us?"

°°°°°°°°°

i looked over his face as he stared at the floor. his jaw tightened and i could tell he didn't want to do this. he had done enough already.

"hey,"

i said softly, touching his face and turning him to look at me. he looked sad. or maybe it was disappointment.

"you know you don't have to do this right?"

i asked and his face changed again. maybe it was regret. he tried to avoid my gaze again but i side stepped him.

"hey, look at me. you dont have to do this. youre getting better, you are a good man."

i reassured. he nodded slowly, glancing over my face.

"i should've listened to you this morning."

i snorted.

"ive been telling you for a while that you should listen to me more but some how we always end up here."

i joked and he sent me a look.

"you two ready?"

Sam asked as he came up behind us and Bucky nodded. i frowned but nodded too anyways.

"they're coming in on the southside, so be ready."

he said, looking between us. then there was a clattering above us, making the three of us look up. in came a few men, descending from the ceiling in full tactile gear.

"god damnit john."

i said annoyed, turning to see him coming through the door looking all high and mighty.

"i heard you could use some back up."

he said and i rolled my eyes. i could tell buck and sam were just as surprised and annoyed.

"why is it that we can never do anything without you showing up?"

i asked and a smug look crossed his face.

"we do this bigger and better than you. and you arent exactly discreet. metal arm, jet pack, spandex; kinda stands out in a crowd."

"dont forget i can see your future john."

i seethed and he laughed.

"right, Arcana, i almost forgot."

Bucky touched my hip lightly.

"easy. we've still got time."

i looked to him and bit my tongue.

"we dont need your help."

i assured but he just ignored me. then a loud bang sounded from the south side.

"shit."

i mumbled under my breath, taking off in that direction after sam and bucky.

"hey hey hey."

bucky said, pushing me behind him. i frowned and a vision hit me.

"get down!"

i yelled, grabbing him and sam to pull them back as another bomb went off. the three of us fell to the ground, looking up as johns team made their way outside.

"your killing your team john!"

i yelled as he passed us too. another loud sound went off but this time it was something different. i closed my eyes as bullets rang through the air. i could see all of it flashing through my mind. then i reached out and grabbed buckys arm. i had seen him run after them and get shot and there was no way i was letting that happen.

"y/n, theyre gonna die, we have to do something."

then i looked at him.

"you stay here."

i demanded, standing and walking outside. there were many soldiers on the ground already, the few that were left were pointing guns at the so-called attackers, john was holding a gun to the leader. i had seen this, neither of them was a winner. i closed my eyes again and breathed deeply, holding all of them still. a second thought and their guns were to the ground, fists at their sides. when i opened my eyes they were all looking around confused. then i heard a gunshot, looking around just as confused.

"y/n!"

i heard from behind me, buckys arms hitting my back as i slouched into him, watching john shoot the leader between the eyes.

"hey, listen, stay with me."

bucky bargained, sam running up and standing over him as helped me slowly to the ground.

"didnt see that one coming."

i groaned as he pressed his flesh hand into the hole in my side.

"youre gonna be okay, okay? just stay with me."

i nodded.

"im sorry. i thought i could help them."

i said a little breathy, tears visibly appearing behind his eyes as he picked me up. i hissed at the sudden movement.

"you did help them."

i held my side, trying to breathe deeply.

"get her out of here."

sam said. i could feel bucky beginning to run as i closed my eyes, feeling the rain hit my face as the thunder rolled.

"please dont leave me."

he whispered.

"im not going anywhere."

i managed, rolling my head against his chest. the next thing i knew i was being placed on a bed and there were doctors surrounding me.

°°°°°°°°°

when i woke up again there was a beeping running through my ears. i felt completely out of my mind as i blinked slowly. it was like visions were coming to me in fast moving pictures unlike anything ive ever experienced.

"bucky."

i whined, scared, as i rolled my head back and forth.

"im here."

he said through a sniffle, taking my hand in his. i squeezed my eyes shut tightly as i saw our first date play out behind my eyes. it made me smile, seeing him fumble through his words as sam laughed at him. i blinked again before looking over at him. he looked like he had been crying for a while and i couldnt help feeling guilty for making him feel that way.

"dont look at me like that."

he said.

"like what?"

i asked innocently as he wiped his face.

"like you pity me."

i squeezed his hand.

"i have never in my life pitied you James Buchanan Barnes, and i dont intend on starting any time soon."

i wheezed out, coughing at the end. he let out a shaky breath.

"then why does it feel like it."

he managed and i ran my thumb over his hand.

"im sorry."

i said and he looked at me confused.

"for what?"

i cleared my throat.

"for hurting you."

he shook his head quickly.

"this isnt your fault. you couldnt have known john was going to shoot you. if anything this is on him."

"ill be sure to bill him."

i said through a laugh before groaning and placing my hand over the wound. then there was a knock at the door. it was sam.

"how are we doing in here?"

he asked lightly and i smiled at him, reaching out to him with the hand bucky wasnt holding.

"im all aces."

i said as he leaned down and hugged me as best as he could.

"im glad to see youre okay."

i nodded slowly.

"did you finish the mission?"

he hung his head low.

"the majority of the group got away. but we'll get em next time."

i sighed.

"dont do anything stupid without me."

i said with a wink and he laughed.

"its a little late for that id say."

he nodded towards me and i sent him a look.

"oh believe me, he shows up again ill give him something he wont forget."

"is that a promise?"

bucky piped up and i laughed, groaning after.

"you bet your ass it is."

#wattpad #x reader #Bucky Barnes #sam wilson #james buchanan barnes #winter soldier #falcon #the falcon and the winter soldier #imagines #one shots #320

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leverage-ot3 · 4 years

Text

notable moments from The Mile High Job

leverage 1.08

Nate: We need a key card.

Eliot: And I hate to say it, but you know who we could really use --

Nate: Don't even say his name. I don't want it spoken aloud

eliot begrudgingly admitting they could use hardison because although they may bicker all the time, he knows to appreciate him

- - - - -

[Leverage Headquarters]

(Hardison is watching a microwave, which dings)

Hardison: Yeah, buddy!

(he tries to pick up the pizza pocket but it is too hot and he drops it)

Hardison: Damn it!

(he blows on it and picks it up to eat it, then takes a watering can and heads out of the kitchen)

why do we (and parker and eliot) love this fucking idiot so damn much ???

- - - - -

(Hardison walks through the offices watering plants)

he’s such a nester + he’s probably watering parker’s plant too which is adorable

- - - - -

Eliot: All right.

(open the door to the hall to find Parker waiting)

Parker: So, what are we waiting for?

Eliot: How does she do this?

Nate: I don't even ask anymore.

Hardison: Don't bother with the stairs. I got you a ride down.

(elevator dings and they enter)

we love to see parker defying all laws of physics and logic and the team being baffled by it e v e r y time

- - - - -

(Nate, Parker and Eliot run into the lobby, headed for the door)

Nate: No, it’s right behind us, it’s right behind us!

(guards put their hands on their guns)

Parker: It’s furry, it’s big, it’s chasing us, get down now!

(they grab Sophie on the way out the door, leaving the guards confused)

Nate: Come on, we need to get to the airport, now!

that’s actually a really clever way to escape a situation ??? it was very effective to distract the guards ???

- - - - -

Hardison: What I.D.s have you got on you?

[LAX Airport]

Nate: Let's see...

(team begins looking through their pockets)

Nate: We got, Peter Davison, Sylvester McCoy, and I have a Tom Baker. Yeah.

Sophie: Ooh, yeah, I have a Baker. Sarah Jane.

[Leverage Headquarters]

Hardison: Perfect. I now pronounce you man and wife. (typing on keyboard) Now go on and kiss that bride.

[LAX Airport]

(Sophie hands Nate a ring that he places on her finger)

hardison bases their ids on doctor who characters, what a fucking nerd

also, we gonna talk about how sophie carries a bunch of different wedding rings with her at all times or ???

- - - - -

Sophie: How did you both know there'd be an extra uniform in the bag?

Nate: Everyone knows flight attendants are required to carry extra uniforms in case they get called to work unexpectedly.

Eliot: Or if something happens to the one that they're already wearing.

Sophie: How does "everyone" know that?

Nate: Worked airport security.

Eliot: Slept with a flight attendant

sophie being exhausted + eliot never mentioned the gender of the flight attendant so let my bi heart dream okay

- - - - -

(security guard opens Nate’s luggage to find many BSDM items inside. Nate gives Sophie a look)

Sophie: What? We needed luggage. Lost and found.

Nate: You didn't check the bag first?

Sophie: We were in a bit of a hurry. (to guard) Yeah. Cuffs are his. Whip's mine. (slaps Nate’s butt) Second honeymoon.

Eliot (picking up his bag): Idiots.

me watching this scene: part horrified part secondhand embarrassed

- - - - -

Hardison (on computer): Let's see what we can learn about Nathan Ford today. Online poker? Online chess? Sudoku. Crossword. What... Damn. Somebody needs to get laid.

y i k e s

- - - - -

[Coach]

(Parker on P.A. while another stewardess demonstrates)

Parker: Place the mask over your mouth and nose and breathe normally. In the event of a water landing, your seat cushion can be used as a flotation device. But let's face it, if this thing goes down in the water, more than likely the impact will kill you.

(Eliot grabs the bridge of his nose while the other passengers get alarmed)

Parker: Please take a moment to locate the nearest emergency exits, because if this plane's on fire, you're gonna want to get out quick. Jet fuel burns at over 1,000 degrees. That's hot, folks.

Eliot: All right, Nate. We're here. Now what?

eliot looks exhausted like 300 different times during this episode

+ bless the other flight attendant that just carried on with the crazy white chick being crazy over the speaker

- - - - -

poor eliot with the guy sleeping on him, he’s so exhausted already lmao

- - - - -

Steve: Nothing. It’s just... I could've sworn I saw a maintenance guy get in that elevator.

Hardison: A- A maintenance guy? Wow. Real nice. I bet you think we all look alike.

Steve: That's not what I meant.

Hardison: You know what -- If I have to go to one more of those damn sensitivity seminars, I know who I’m blaming.

Steve: No, no, no.

Hardison: I know who I’m blaming.

Steve: It's not what I meant.

Hardison: I blame you! You! (walks away)

hardison using societal tendencies of racism is iconic every (every) time

- - - - -

(Eliot gets up and begins going through luggage in the overhead racks. One of the passengers watches him suspiciously)

Eliot (to passenger): Can I help you with something? Watch the movie.

what would you even do in this situation ???

- - - - -

Marissa: I know. It's just -- It's like a placebo effect. It's not really working, but it makes you feel better anyway.

Parker: Yeah? So, when's that supposed to kick in? (she moves forward) Look. Flying isn't really all that scary when you think about it. I mean, there are a lot more likely ways to die than on a plane. Car crash, house fire, electrocution, drowning, autoerotic asphyxiation. I mean, the fact is, death haunts us every day. No matter where we are.

(Parker smiles and moves away)

Y I K E S

- - - - -

Hardison: You kidding? Did you get the new expansion pack? Woman, I was up all night. Now, look, I mean “Burning Crusade" was great, but this new one is mind-blowing.

Nate: Hardison…

[First Class]

Nate: …you bailed on the job because you were up all night playing a game?

[Genogrow Break Room]

(Hardison turns aside and opens a cabinet door to hide his face)

Hardison: First off, "game" is hardly adequate, okay

hardison is DONE with them not taking his “games” seriously ,,, also LMFAO that’s why he was late

- - - - -

Hardison (opens door): The meeting's starting, sir. (closes door)

Haldeman: What meeting? (sighs and puts on his jacket)

that is such an effective tactic tho ???

- - - - -

Parker: Hatbox full of Euros, pouch of uncut diamonds, and a stolen Stradivarius. Now, I’ve never lifted one of those.

Nate: Parker..

let! her! steal! it!

- - - - -

Eliot: Ms. Devins, those payments were not made in error. They were bribes. He was trying to pay off the researchers so they would not testify.

Marissa: What are you talking about? What the hell is going on here?

(Parker sits down next to Marissa)

Parker: The guy in 1D wants to kill you. Ginger ale?

Eliot: Just – sh-she--

that poor lady is NOT having a good time

also eliot looks sO DONE WITH PARKER LMFAO

- - - - -

Eliot: Erlick's a pro. He had a ceramic knife. If anything was going down, he'd sniff 'em out when he saw them coming.

Nate: How would they do it?

Eliot: Easiest way? Take 'em out in transit.

Sophie: You mean bring down the plane they're on?

(everyone looks at her pointedly)

Sophie: You mean bring down the plane we're on?

Nate: Yeah

that’s interesting meta to know but we hate to see it

- - - - -

Nate: Okay, Parker, I -- Parker, I need you – (to Eliot) All right, we got to talk to Erlick now.

[Plane Bathroom]

(Dan is still unconscious on the toilet as Eliot and Nate come in)

Nate: Geez!

Eliot (patting Dan on the face): Hey!

(Dan does not stir, Eliot sighs)

Eliot: When I knock people out, they tend to stay knocked out.

Nate: Hey!

(Nate taps the guy on the face)

Nate: Luggage tags.

(they search Dan’s clothes and take his luggage tags. Eliot grabs the ceramic knife before they leave the bathroom)

eliot doesn’t fuck around lmao

also he did the flippy thing with the knife

- - - - -

Hardison: Parker, the device you found -- is it anywhere near an orange box?

Parker: Yeah.

[Haldeman’s Office]

Hardison: Oh, god. They tapped into the black box.

[Cargo Hold]

Parker: No, no, it's not black. It's orange.

[Haldeman’s Office]

Hardison: Yeah, the black boxes, they're orange.

[Cargo Hold]

Hardison: Makes them easier to find in the debris.

Parker: Oh. Oh…

[Haldeman’s Office]

Hardison: They've hacked into the flight's computer, which means they have access to the system, which means they can spoof the black-Box data all at the same time.

[Cargo Hold]

Parker: Crash the plane without anyone knowing it was sabotaged.

[Haldeman’s Office]

Hardison: Exactly

that’s terrifying

- - - - -

Nate: Listen to me!

[Haldeman’s Office]

Nate: You can do this! I trust you!

(Hardison looking very unsure of himself)

[Cockpit]

Nate: No matter how many times you goof off or screw up, you always come through in the clutch.

[Haldeman’s Office]

Nate: You're the only guy I can count on in a situation like this.

Hardison (cracks his neck): You know what? I-I-you... You're right.

You're right. I got this.

[Cockpit]

Nate: Yes! Yes! Yes, you can!

Hardison: You're right. You're -- I'm the man.

[Cargo Hold]

Hardison: I'm the man. I got this. I'm gonna do this.

hardison is amazing and they need to appreciate him more

- - - - -

[First Class]

(Nate and Eliot stumble into seats and belt up)

Nate: Sophie?

[Coach]

Sophie: Yes?

[First Class]

Nate: You okay?

[Coach]

Sophie: Yeah. You?

[First Class]

Nate: Ask me again in 10 minutes.

[Coach]

Sophie: You're gonna remember this one, aren't you?

[First Class]

Nate: Oh yeah.

everyone else on the comms: ,,, y’all have to flirt right this second ???

- - - - -

[Haldeman’s Office]

(Hardison watching footage on the Internet of the plane landing)

Announcer (on monitor): …emergency landing on the seven mile bridge…

Hardison: Whoa! (gets up and dances) Baby! Unh! Age of the geek! Smooth! Too smooth! Lord, I was so scared, I wanted to cry, call my mama. Y'all cool? Y’all cool?

Nate: Yes, cool.

Hardison: Family. All right.

hardison is baby + HE CALLED THEM HIS FAMILY !!!

#the mile high job #leverage 1.08 #leverage 1x08 #leverage season 1 #season 1 #notable moments #leverage #mine

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fireteam-dauntless · 4 years

Text

A Tale of Two Guardians XX

Chapter 20 : Enemy of my Enemy masterlist

word count : 2.4K tag list : @mail-me-a-snail @basically-nacl @shins-wife @speed-boop

“That was a nice change,” I said. I looked over at Maverick in the pilot seat with a smile pulling at the corner of my lips. We were just re-entering the Tower’s airspace.

“I know, we should do this more often,” Maverick replied. His Ghost started to request a landing pad and gave out his Guardian’s ship ID.

As we landed in the Hanger and before we could even leave the ship, we saw Zavala come storming over from across the landing pad. I sighed heavily and followed Maverick down the stairs. “Oh boy, here we go,” I mumbled quietly. I pulled my helmet off and carried it in my left hand.

“Where have you two been?!” Zavala demanded. "I wanted a debriefing of your mission when you got back. But instead you take off to wherever you went! Tell me what happened on that Dreadnaught, Maverick-8."

I could feel his body tensing up beside me and the frustration oozing out of his every pore. “Well,” Mav began, “first off, that was rude. But if you must know, we almost died before we even set foot on that ship, but we didn't and now you have a transmat zone on there. Good enough?”

“And we got approval from Ikora to go to Venus for a couple of days,” I added. “You could have asked your fellow Vanguard where we were.”

Zavala glanced at me and then turned back to Maverick. “Seeming how you still don't like me, your report is sufficient enough. Tomorrow I want your team to report to me, we still have to find Oryx.” The Vanguard turned around and walked away.

I turned to Mav with eyebrows raised. “You two still don't like each other?”

“Nope and we probably never will,” he said with a hefty sigh.

“You can't hold a grudge toward him forever Mav. He's still the Vanguard Commander.”

“Yeah good for him, unless he gives me a damn good reason for me to forgive him, I'll continue to despise him.”

“Alright, alright forget I said anything.” We started walking out of the Hanger.

“I don't know about you, but I'm going home. Care to join me, Storm?”

“No I think I'll head back to my place and start a new mural,” I said to him with a smile. “But I will see you tomorrow, Mav, that’s a promise.”

We walked out of the Hanger and down an elevator together. When we reached the bottom we waved to each other and went off on our own ways. But before he could walk away from me, I pressed a kiss on his mandible.

When I was back in my apartment, I shedded off my armor and pulled on my painting clothes, gray sweats and a paint stained shirt. “What are you going to be working on now? You finished Maverick’s painting.”

“Well, peu de lumiere, I was thinking about starting a landscape mural. Of where we went on Venus. Those volcanoes that spat out vibrant blue lava, the trees… and something about Vex architecture is absolutely fascinating.” I picked up my paints and started mixing some colors on my palette. “So maybe it’s the view we had when we were sitting outside together for hours on end, in each other’s company and in total silence.”

“Ah so like the painting you did of you, Gilly, and Adam on Mars?”

“Exactly like that. Just a glimpse of the moment of peace.”

“Well, I’ll start a pot of coffee while you get started.”

—————

The next day, Maverick, Skinner, and I stood before Zavala. Maverick was still tense from the day before and Skinner was hungover.

Zavala set down the briefing report on the table and turned to all of us. “So in short you're going up there to see what intelligence the Cabal have gathered, and get out unless told otherwise. Questions?”

“Yeah just one, what do we do if we find out if they know where he is?” Maverick asked.

“Then we'll go to him and stop him there and then. Anymore questions?” None of us responded, so Maverick shook his head and declined.

“Alright then, Guardians, get to your ships and head for the Dreadnaught,” he said as he waved us out the door.

We launched into Earth’s orbit and hovered for a couple minutes while we set our course, then Maverick came over the private channel. “Alright guys this should be a simple intel retrieval mission. Hopefully in and out in about 15-20 minutes.”

“Oh good I was hoping for a short mission today. I'm still hungover from last night at the bar.” Skinner commented.

“A little overboard with the Lights Out again Skinner?" Maverick asked.

“Well with you two out on your little date, yeah, I did. Doesn't leave me with much else to do.”

“Well, maybe if you socialized with other Guardians, you could find a drinking buddy of your own,” I said with a laugh.

“Alright that's enough, you two. Both of you fall into formation for slip space. And when we get there, one at a time for transmat onto the Dreadnaught. We don't need to fit three people in one jump ship for the trip home.”

—————

As we transmat onto the Dreadnaught the Vanguard channel lit up with activity. “Oryx could be anywhere on the Dreadnaught,” Zavala said. “With time we could find him but we don't have time. The Cabal have been there long enough to have some real field intelligence. The path to Oryx lies in their ship.”

“The Hive and Cabal are going at it again,” I observed. They were fighting each other still in front of the crashed ship.

“The Cabal are still holding against the Hive, Zavala,” Mav relayed to the Commander.

“Survival is a temporary condition. Cut through them, and get inside that ship.”

“Who fights this hard to protect a crashed ship?” Skinner asked.

“That’s not a crashed ship, it's a beachhead. Only way those doors will open is to send out reinforcements. Draw them out.”

“So we need to kill some Cabal? Easy, let’s go kill some space rhinos,” Maverick said, then motioned for us to follow him onto the field of battle.

We cut through some Hive and reached the Cabal. We cut through the Cabal with brutal efficiency to get them to open up the door. One of them must have called for reinforcements because an alarm began to blare and the doors started to slide open.

“I think we got their attention,” I said.

“Good, let’s fight through them.”

“Cabal protocol is to detonate any ship that crashes. If they haven’t after all this time it could be a base of operations. They’re looking for something on the Dreadnaught. See what they know about Oryx.”

We began to move through the ship. It was awfully convenient that the door we went through was around the engine room.

“I’m detecting a terminal nearby it probably as what we’re looking for Mav,” Maverick’s Ghost relayed.

“Good, let’s head that way.”

We fought through more Cabal and reached the terminal rather quickly. Maverick ran up to it and deployed his Ghost, who began to download intel the terminal’s database. Skinner and I held fast to our weapons, watching Maverick’s back.

“The Cabal have located Oryx. He’s protected in the center of the Dreadnaught, reachable through only something they call ‘a rupture’...”

“Must be some kind of portal,” Zavala said quietly. “And the Cabal found one?”

“They have a team headed for it right now.”

“Then I suggest you get there first, Fireteam.”

“The quickest way to them is up this hall.” Maverick’s Ghost opened the door and flew towards it, ready to lead the way.

“Alright let’s go and kill us a Hive God,” Skinner said, perhaps with a bit more enthusiasm than what was necessary.

We reached a bulkhead door and Mav just slammed on a button and it began to open. I rolled my eyes. It’s never that simple, I thought. As thick metal doors slid apart, some Thrall ran out of some side hallways, down toward the fighting.

“We found the Cabal team headed for the rupture. They’re outnumbered by Taken,” Maverick reported.

“Forget what they say about ‘the enemy of my enemy’. If something stands between you and the rupture put it down,” Zavala commanded, his tone was cold.

“So are we going to kill them all?” I asked. I didn’t like the idea of taking on two forces of different enemies at the same time. Too many risks, too many variables, too many ways to die.

“No, just the Taken. But if the Cabal shoot at you, kill ‘em.”

And we head down to the fighting, killing Taken and Cabal alike. We split up originally, but every now and then we would run into each other and fight together before splitting off again.

“Those Cabal won’t last much longer,” I said over the channel. And sure enough they backed their leader to a ledge. Out of nowhere, Oryx just reached out and… took their leader. I stared in horror. If he could take a Centurion so easily, why was he letting this fight go on for so long?

“Oryx just recruited a Centurion,” Maverick reported to Zavala.

“Let him take all he wants. He won’t be around long enough for it to matter.”

I turned to Skinner and Maverick. “If that Hive God is allowed to just take as he pleases, there will be an army for us to go against.”

“I know,” Maverick reassured me. “So let’s finish this.”

We finished off any stragglers that remained to continue fighting and headed for two arches standing on their own platform.

“That must be the rupture.”

“Eris what’s their next move?” Zavala said.

“Toland spoke of statues the Hive used to navigate ruptures.”

“We’ll look for them. Guys let’s split up and find them.”

Skinner found one first and then I found the second. Maverick found the third.

“These statues are dead, Genesis,” my Ghost said. “But something is happening to the rupture.” I turned around and joined Skinner and Maverick on the platform. We stood with our guns ready and slowly approached. When we got within 5 meters of it, the portal jumped to life and Thrall began to pour out of it, screeching and running directly towards us.

“The Thrall will smother your light!” Eris yelled. “Do not underestimate them like Tarlow did!”

We gunned them down in a classic firing line type of way. But they just kept coming. They were endless.

“Forget about the Thrall! Get through that portal!” Zavala yelled.

We all jumped toward the portal but it pushed us back. I could feel the magic tingling on my skin. It was foreign and almost made me weak. I jumped back to Maverick and Skinner, and Maverick caught my arm when I almost fell over.

“Storm, you alright?”

“That magic is dark… it oozes of death and chaos,” I said to him quietly. He just looked at me, then started shooting the Thrall that were coming too close.

“I don’t think we’re going that way,” Mav said over the Vanguard channel.

“Then it’s true, only Ascendent can will a rupture to open,” Eris said.

“Umm… There’s something Ascendent passing through right now,” Skinner said. Even he sounded alarmed, which was saying something. Nothing surprised or scared Skinner. Taken started to push through the rupture, along with an Echo of Oryx. It raised it’s hand and began to fire some kind of magic at us, but Maverick cast his Ward of Dawn to protect us.

“Shit,” I said and stood with my fusion rifle ready. “I really fucking hate those things.”

“So do we Storm,” Mav said.

“So what’s the plan Mav?”

“Well this Ward won’t last long so let’s run out the back and take up positions over there and there.” He pointed to a pillar and some ruble.

“Sounds good to me let’s go,” Skinner said.

We ran out of the Ward before it disappeared and headed to the areas Maverick pointed out. I took shelter behind my pillar, holding fast to my gun. I could feel it’s magic banging against the other side. He knew exactly where I was. Maverick waved Skinner to take a shot at the Echo, so he used his Golden Gun and blasted the Echo in the head. It turned away from my pillar toward Skinner and began to fire it’s magic at him. Then Maverick jumped out of cover and unloaded a magazine into it. It roared in pain and looked at him, then fired as he dove back into cover.

I looked over at Maverick in panic and fear. His entire left arm was missing. I wanted to move out from cover and go to him, but he held up his good arm and shook his head. His Ghost came out and worked a little magic, then he was good as new. I gave a small sigh of relief, but I was angry, and I could tell Maverick was equally pissed off. He motioned for us to follow his lead and he pulled out his Gjallarhorn. Skinner got all giddy, started to laugh, and pulled out his Ash Factory. He looked at me and I nodded, and proceeded to pull out my One Way Ticket 000.

“On three we jump out and fire together, got it?”

“Anything to send it back to wherever it came from,” I said coldly.

“One, Two, Three!” He yelled and we jumped out and we all fired our rockets directly at it. The Echo roared in pain and began to melt; it returned to wherever it was spawned from. The rupture closed behind it.

“Gah, the rupture closed,” Maverick grumbled.

“It will only open for Ascendent Hive.” Eris declared.

“Then how do we get to Oryx?”

We’ll sort this out, fireteam,” Zavala concluded. “Head back to the tower when you can. And no detours Maverick-8.”

“Bite me, Commander,” he snapped back. Zavala gave a heavy sigh and closed the Vanguard channel.

“So are you two going to disappear again or, can I actually come with you guys this time?” Skinner inquired.

“Sorry, Skinner,” Mav apologized as we transmatted back to our ships. “Maybe next time.”

I opened up a channel with Maverick once we fell into formation and entered slip space. “So I take it you’re not listening to Zavala.”

“Eh, I’ll give him a debriefing before I go this time. Do you think you could spare a little time to come with me somewhere?”

“Of course. I always have time for you.”

“Good. Wait for me in the Hanger and I’ll meet you back there after.”

“Where are we going this time?”

“It’s a surprise, little Angel,” he chuckled. “A treat from me.”

#a tale of two guardians fic #destiny #destiny fic #destiny fanfiction #the taken king #oryx #destiny pt 1 #destiny guardians #destiny warlock #destiny taken #destiny titan #my oc #my guardians #my guardian oc #my writing #star's writing

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tricksters-captain · 6 years

Text

TMR: The Death Cure/Gally imagine - You Made Me A Promise (Part 2)

AN: I’m so glad that the first part got such a positive response!! Thank you for reading!!

Summary: You and Gally met as rebels against W.C.K.D and now that his old maze friends have returned, you’ll be damned if he thinks he’s leaving you out now.

(PART ONE HERE)

In This part: You’re in this together. Always. If Gally goes into the lions den then so will you.

Pairing(s): Gally x reader

Word count: 3,902

Warnings: Death cure spoilers. Strong Language. Violence. Fluff.

“So, that’s the plan?” You followed Gally as he strode down the alley.

“It’s the only one we got.” Gally stated. “Everyone has a weakness. Let’s just hope hers is still Thomas.”

“Alright, well, when do we leave?” Your question made Gally pause, pinching the bridge of his nose before facing you.

“Are you sure you wanna do this?” He asked with his hand on his hip.

“What do you mean am I sure?” You furrowed your eyebrows at the boy. “Gally, I’m going no matter what.”

“(Y/n), we aren’t talking about some mission into the city.” Gally tried to explain but you weren’t about to just sit back and listen to the ‘dangers’ of a trip like this.

“And you don’t think I know that? You don’t think I know what going into WCKD actually means? The consequences? The possibility of not coming back?” You couldn’t help but raise your voice slightly. “Gally, I was here long before you were but there’s no way in hell I’m living here after you. We go together and if something happens then at least I am with you. How many times do I have to explain that?”

“Maybe you don’t think about what I want.” Gally defended himself. “I don’t want to see you get hurt and I’d rather not see you die either.”

You didn't know what to say. Gally knew that you’d come with or without a fight so there wasn’t anything else to say.

Gally sighed and turned to walk away.

“Be ready by sundown.” He told you.

You removed Teresa’s hood when they sat her down. Gally and Thomas needed to be in front of her when she saw where she was.

“Gally?” Teresa stared at the boy with a mixture of confusion and surprise. It was the same look the boys had on their faces when they saw Gally alive.

“Here's how this is gonna go. We're gonna ask you some questions, and you're gonna tell us exactly what we need to know. We'll start off simple. Where's Minho?” Gally didn’t bother with the niceties.

“You guys don't seriously think––” Teresa started before Gally slammed his chair down in front of her, cutting her short.

“Don't look at him. Why are you looking at him? Look at me.” Gally demanded, “He's not gonna help you. Now, we know you have Minho in the building. Where?” Gally continued. His dominance and sternness made you smirk.

“He's with the others in holding. Sublevel three.” Teresa quickly realised there was no point in not giving answers if she wanted to leave.

“How many others?” Newt asked.

“Twenty-eight.″ Teresa informed him. Gally looked back at Brenda for a moment.

“I can make that work.” She shrugged.

“No. No, you guys don't understand. The whole level's restricted. You can't get in without a thumbprint ID.” Teresa only told you what you already knew.

“That's why you're gonna come with us.” Thomas spoke up.

“Well, I don't know. We don't necessarily need her.” Gally climbed off his chair and made his way over to the scalpel on the table. “Right? Not all of her. We just need her finger.”

“Gally, back off.” Thomas warned Gally he wasn’t on board with the threats.

“What, are you squeamish? I guarantee you she's done a lot worse to Minho.” Gally pointed the scalpel at the girl as he spoke.

“That's not the plan. Back off.” Thomas stood, taking the knife from Gally’s grip.

“It won't make a difference. Do whatever you want to me. You still won't get through the front door. The sensors will pick you up the––”

“––We know. We're tagged. Property of WCKD. You're gonna help us with that, too.” Thomas interrupted Teresa before taking the scalpel over to her.

Teresa went quiet for a moment.

“You might as well help them, sweetheart. You kinda owe it to ‘em.” You finally pitched in, fiddling with your small handgun as you spoke.

“Teresa, please.” Thomas pleaded.

“Alright.” She nodded.

Newt wanted to go first then Gally then Fry. Thomas went last.

You weren’t property of WCKD. You didn’t need her help.

There are some days you still question how you managed to escape WCKD especially when they went out searching for immune kids.

“She enjoyed that.” Gally grumbled as the bleeding finally stopped.

“You probably right.” Fry agreed.

“It’s not bad, it’ll heal quickly.” You sat behind Gally and ran your thumb over the incision softly. “You okay?” You whispered, you knew that all this was bringing back serious memories of the maze and what happened to him.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Gally dismissed your worry as Newt brought over some disguises.

“Here, see if these fit.” Newt handed Gally some trousers and a holster.

“And what about me? I don’t think I can pull off the body type of a male guard. I haven't seen a single female security officer in all the time we’ve been observing the building. Not under Janson’s command.” You reminded them that you weren’t just gonna sit around the parking lot and wait.

“We’re gonna see how tight security is on a new doctor. See if we can sneak you around with Teresa.” Gally informed you as he tightened his holster. “New faces walk into that building everyday. It should work if you act calm and look the part.”

“I can do that.” You stated.

“I know.” Gally winked at you as he stood and moved across the room.

The way you got into the building was with Gally. You knew you couldn’t pass as a guard for the entire time you were inside the building but if Gally could get you into the garage then you were in the building.

You met up with Teresa, Thomas and Newt before Teresa unlocked the entry door from the garage to the staircase.

You immediately stripped off your heavy gear and threw on a lab coat and clipboard. You pushed glasses up your nose just in case anyone did recognise you from previous riots and fights and threw your hair up into a ponytail.

You stashed the uniform in a crook by the stairs as Gally worked on getting inside the mainframe of the building so that your team back at base could tamper with the surveillance.

“Alright. Let’s go!” Gally closed the box on the wall before you all headed towards the holding cells.

Teresa let you in and you stepped back to let the boys with their guns sort out the guards inside.

You went around with Newt and Thomas and unlocked each pod but there was no sign of Minho.

Gally broke away to start to break into the vault.

“Guys, this might take some time.” Gally spoke up as he observed the lock.

“Shit... He’s not here.” Thomas searched every cell to see if he could possibly be in one of the beds but he wasn’t. “Where is he?” He confronted Teresa.

“I’ll have to check his status on the computer.” Teresa told him honestly.

You started to move all the bodies with the kids into one of the holding cells whilst Teresa looked and Gally worked on the vault. You didn’t need those fuckers waking up and adding complications to an already complicated situation.

“Somebody’s moved him up to the medical wing.” Teresa said as she found his profile. “Thomas, that’s on the other side of the building.”

“Okay. Take me to him, right now.” Thomas moved away from the screen and towards the door.

“I’m coming with you.” Newt picked up his gun.

“Newt, no, you’re not. You have to stay here and wait with Gally for the serum.”

“You can’t do this on your own. Minho comes first remember.” Newt and Thomas argued.

“Just go. I’ll wait here with Gally, make sure we actually get the serum. You get the boy.” You told the boys as you picked up one of the guards guns.

“Alright.” Thomas sighed, “Alright.”

“We’ll meet you out back.” Gally added. Thomas nodded, giving in.

“Okay. Let’s go.” Thomas ushered Teresa towards the door.

“Hey Greenie!” Gally called back to Thomas before he left. “Good luck.”

“Alright, everyone settle down. We’re gonna be here a while. Anyone know how to use a gun?” You asked the kids around you. A couple of the boys and a girl put their hands up and you gave them the remaining guns. “Keep an eye out for any security. Don't shoot until I shoot.” You gave them their orders before standing back and watching the surveillance on the large desk computer.

“I’m in.” Gally called out as the lock broke off.

“Great! Be quick.” You told him as he went in and filled a bag with the serum.

“Okay. We need to get out of here.” Gally did as he was told and swiftly did the job. “Stay close to us. Stick together.” He told the kids as he jumped to your side. “You. Guard this with your life.” He picked on one of the kids to look after the bag as you would both need to have your hands free to deal with any one who caught you leaving.

“Okay?” You asked Gally if he was ready and he nodded.

“Let’s go!” He shouted as he took off in a sprint. Both of you stayed at the front as you lead the pack to the parking garage.

You were fortunate enough to not meet any trouble on the way down.

“Brenda, where are you? We’re here!” Gally used the walkie-talkie to contact her and just as you rounded the corner, a speeding bus came to a halt.

“Come on! Let’s go!” Brenda opened the window and called everyone in.

You and Gally ushered the group into the bus.

“Where’s Thomas?” Brenda asked.

“I assumed he was with you.” Gally admitted. Brenda was quick to leap off the bus at that news. “Wait, wait. Stay here with the kids.” Gally stopped her. “Wait here, just... I’ll find him.”

You went to follow him but Gally stopped you.

“No way. Stay here.” He commanded.

“Gally––.” You went to argue but Gally wasn’t having any of it.

“Stay here, (Y/n).”

You went to open your mouth but before anything could come out he spoke again. “(Y/n), please just trust me. I have to do this alone. It’s less dangerous for both of us.”

You growled in frustration before pulling his head down by the collar of his jacket and kissing him.

“If you don’t make it back—“ You warned him but he already knew the threat.

“—you’ll kick my ass, yeah I know.” He pecked you again before running off. You turned back to Brenda and she pressed her lips into a thin line.

“Don’t worry. We’re not going anywhere.” She assured you.

After Gally ran off, all you could do was wait.

“You hear that? Straight ahead.” You suddenly noticed a black SUV pull in.

“Everyone down!” Brenda looked back at the kids, hushing them as they ducked.

You tried to stay quiet as you watched the guards walk towards the bus with curiosity and caution.

“I can’t leave without him.” You whispered to Brenda.

“You can’t stay here, you’ll die. He doesn’t want you dead.” Brenda argued.

You looked around in desperation before deciding what to do next.

“I’ll distract them. It’ll give you a head start.”

“What?” Brenda watched you raise to your feet and leave the bus.

“Hands where I can see them!” The soldiers commanded. You did what they wanted and made your way slowly towards them.

“Kill her.” One of them muttered to the other as they took hold of you.

“She could be immune. We aren’t allowed to kill the immune.” The soldier retorted to his partner.

“Then take her upstairs!” Just as the other soldier sent out the order, Brenda put her foot on the gas and sped off.

“Dammit!” The soldiers cursed. You broke free from the solder holding you and kicked at his shins. He hissed and let one hand drop from his gun, giving you the opportunity to snatch it from him before running as the rest focused on the bus.

You didn’t managed get out unscathed. One of the soldiers must’ve just managed to get a shot at you before you went out to the streets. His shot got you in the back.

You crept round the edge of the building to analyse how bad your wound was.

The bullet was lodged in stopping most of the bleeding. You were thankful that it hadn’t passed right through you and you were thankful it was just your shoulder.

You removed the lab coat you were wearing and ripped off one of the arms, tying it around your wound to stop any bleeding.

You knew you couldn't enter the building. It’d be crawling with soldiers now that re-enforcements had arrived. You had to get as far away as possible. As much as your body was screaming at you to go back for Gally, it was a suicide mission and Gally was in disguise anyways.

You knew you had to get to the tunnels, it was your only way. Gally would meet you there once he realised the bus was gone.

You stared back at the building from a street over and fidgeted on your feet.

“Don’t die, asshole.” You muttered to Gally. You were praying he was alright.

With all the vehicles and soldiers around, and your injury, it was going to take you double the time to get back to the tunnels. You would have to stick to the alleys and avoid the main roads as best as you could.

A few blocks over you had to stop and lean against a wall. You tried to catch your breath as you checked your wound again. There was sirens everywhere which made matters a whole lot worse, it reminded you that there was no where to escape.

“I’m fucked, Gally.” You looked up at the sky and shook your head. You still had a while to go.

That’s when you heard the thundering crash. It came from the gates to the city.

You grabbed the fire escape next to you and climbed up the building to see what it was. Your eyes were met by a flaming hole where the gates used to stand.

“Shit Lawrence.” You figured who else could it be. You weren’t going to pretend that you didn’t know his real ambition. The city was WCKD now and Lawrence wanted to take down WCKD.

The chorus of screaming civilians was your cue to get back on the run.

Gally was with Newt, Thomas and Minho when Thomas called in to Brenda that they weren’t going to make it to the tunnels in time.

“Thomas, don't worry. I'm coming to you.” Brenda told the boys as she heard the craft fly over her.

“What are you talking about?” Thomas asked,

“Our ride's here! Just look for us near the tunnels.” Brenda told him. “One last thing, are you with (Y/n)?”

“No? I thought she was with you?” Thomas tried to stay quiet so that Gally couldn’t hear but it didn’t stop him.

“What’s the problem? Where’s (Y/n)?” Gally moved away from Newt and snatched the radio out of Thomas’ hand.

“She jumped off the bus when the soldiers came. She chose to stay. She was captured by WCKD but I swore I saw her beat the guards off of her. I saw her escape.” Brenda tried to tell Gally.

“We have to go back.” Gally stormed towards the door to the chaos outside when Minho grabbed him. Gally immediately shoved him off. “No, we have to go back!”

“If she’s escaped then she’s probably on her way to the tunnels now.” Thomas tried to assure Gally.

“If she escaped we would’ve seen her by now. She would have taken the exact same route as us.” Gally insisted.

“Not unless she’s already there.” Newt said weakly. Gally looked down at the dying boy for a moment before turning and kicking the wall in anger.

“We gotta get out of here now.” He proclaimed.

Newt was partially right with what he said to Gally. You were ahead of them but little did you both know it was only by a few feet.

You did your best to dodge the chaos but the explosions were too much. The force of one sent you off your feet and lead to glass and bits of concrete attacking you. You hissed as you protected your face, your lack of jacket meant your skin was very vulnerable.

“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” You winced as you pulled a shard of glass from your side. It wasn’t large but it meant even more blood loss for you which wasn’t good.

You were just about ready to give up when you saw the aircraft land up ahead where the tunnels were. You knew it was Brenda and Jorge, it was the only bird in the sky and it wasn’t firing upon the city and in worst case scenario, you’re already dead anyways.

“Come on. Come on.” You tried to motivate yourself as you stood up.

You sprinted the best you could with your wounds straight to the train station.

“(Y/n)!” Brenda called your name as you ran towards them.

She embraced you, glad to see you made it. The moment was soon interrupted by Teresa’s voice being broadcasted all throughout the city.

“Thomas? Can you hear me? I need you to listen to me. I know you have no reason to trust me, but I need you to come back. Thomas, you can save Newt.There's still time for him.There's a reason Brenda isn't sick anymore. It's your blood. Do you understand? She isn't sick because you cured her. She doesn't have to be the only one. All you have to do is come back. And this will all finally be over. Please. Just come back to me. I know you'll do the right––”

The power in the city died before she could say the last word.

You looked over at Brenda who looked like she couldn’t believe it herself. That’s when you heard Gally.

You turned at your name to see him climbing the stairs you just did.

You rushed forward and your bodies collided fiercely in a tight hug.

Gally pulled away at the notice of the blood soaking your shirt.

“What happened?” He focused on your shoulder as he span you around.

“Some asshole got me as I left WCKD.” You explained; still quite out of breath.

“She needs stitches immediately.” Gally looked towards the others.

“Here.” Jorge waved you both over but you stopped in your tracks when you saw Brenda, Minho and Gally all running off in the opposite direction.

“Gally! Gally!” You ran forward to grab him but Jorge and Fry kept you back.

“You have lost too much blood.” Jorge grunted as he struggled to keep you still. “They’ll be back.”

You let yourself relax as Jorge sat you down inside the craft. He pulled the soaked make-shift bandage away and ripped your t-shirt away.

You let him remove the bullet before stitching you up. By the time he finished with the stitches on both your shoulder and side and given you a jumper to wear, Brenda, Gally and Minho returned. Without Thomas. Without Newt.

You stood up to be met with Gally’s embrace. He buried his face into the crook of your neck and held you tightly. You clasped onto his hair and back as you felt him start to cry against your skin.

“Where’s Thomas and Newt?” Fry asked.

“Newt’s... Newt didn’t...” Minho kicked the ramp of the ship and let out a scream into the city.

You suddenly realised why Gally needed that hug there and then.

“It’s okay.” You whispered, stroking his hair.

Gally may have seemed like the ‘asshole’ to the group in the maze towards the end of the trials but back at the beginning, him and Newt were good friends.

“Everyone inside. We need to go get Thomas.” Brenda wiped away her tears as she beckoned everyone inside the ship.

Gally sat beside you as you settled down in one of the chairs and he held onto your hand with both of his.

“Circle the building! He’s in there somewhere!” Brenda shouted to Jorge as he piloted the aircraft.

Everyone moved to the front to lookout for him.

“I think I got him!” Jorge called back when he searched the rooftop.

“Yeah, that’s him. Open the hatch!” Brenda ordered, moving to the back to help pull them in.

You stayed back as you couldn’t lift anyone in with your shoulder.

You watched as they just managed to pull Thomas in and that’s when you watched as Teresa fall.

“No...” You gasped and turned away. You heard the heartbreaking cry from Thomas.

You knew that feeling all too well.

You didn’t know if there was anywhere left that was safe in the world.

That was until you boarded a ship along with the rest of the survivors and started a new life on a new shore.

“You and Gally will have matching scars now, surely?” One of the younger girls smirked as you taught her how to tie a proper knot.

The other girls around you also giggled and wiggled their eyes at you but they were all young so you just rolled your eyes.

You looked up in the direction of Gally to see him chopping some wood.

All the girls whispered to each other as they all turned to watch him and Minho too.

Past Gally you saw a shape you hadn't seen leave a bed in a long time. You saw Thomas.

“Excuse me, girls.” You sprung up and rushed towards Gally, taking his hand as you both made your way to Thomas.

You watched Thomas take Minho into a hug before the others.

“Glad to see you pulled through.” You said as he faced you. Thomas nodded before Vince made his presence known to him.

Vince spent the afternoon showing Thomas around and explaining the journey before the evening rolled in and everyone was gathered for a meeting.

You sat underneath Gally’s arm, resting your head on his shoulder as Vince addressed the group.

“We have come a long way together. So many have sacrificed so much to make this place possible.Your friends and your family. So, here's to the ones who couldn't be here. Here's to the friends we lost. This place is for you. It's for all of us. But this, this is for them. So, in your own time in your own way, come make your peace. And welcome to the Safe Haven!” Vince’s speech lead to an eruption of cheers and hollers.

You kissed Gally, smiling sweetly against his lips.

“Come on.” Gally lead you down to the rock so that you could write your brother’s name.

You stepped back and looked at the name in the fire light. Gally wrapped his arms around you and kissed your cheek, handing you a glass of his famous whiskey.

You wiped away a tear that strayed from your eyes.

“To a new life.” You lifted your glass as did Gally and you toasted to your new life.

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