#like yeah i wanna clap Gavin's cheeks but

[ryoko-san]

is it wrong that i want a gavin reverse comfort and sleep aid audio more than a BA LMAO

[asset35-maya]

UNDERCOVER (BUT OUT IN THE OPEN)

NSFW short story based on prompts from days 9, 10 and 11 of G9 Kinktober: Public, Masturbation & Cross-dressing.

//

“I’m not wearing that.”

“Have you even read the mission dossier? One of us has to.”

“Well it’s not going to be me, Nines.”

Gavin shoved past his partner and left the room, tossing the tight leather dress back onto the conference table. The android stared at, head cocked and LED spinning fast.

//

“You look…”

Gavin leaned against the wall of the precinct bathroom, trying but failing to maintain nonchalance.

Nines bent down, set the long dark wig in place and flipped back up, shaking the tresses out to frame his face perfectly.

“…ridiculous.”

The android ignored him. He twisted and turned and readjusted the outfit in the mirror. Only when he was done making sure his makeup was perfect and the dress clung flatteringly in all the right places did his eyes disdainfully move to meet Gavin’s.

“Is that what you’re wearing?”

“My clothes don’t matter. No one’s gonna be looking at me.”

“Yes but you’re going to be my boyfriend.”

Gavin’s eyes widened at the words but he quickly caught himself and played it off with an exasperated groan.

He stripped his jacket off and approached the open cardboard box with exaggerated resignation.

“Alright, put me in whatever you want.”

Nines clapped his hands together in mock excitement.

//

“I’m gonna get you for this later”

“Why? You blend in perfectly. The only thing you’re missing is nipple piercings.”

Nines ran a hand over the barely-there mesh of Gavin’s shirt. Cheeks aflame, he swatted the long fingers off his pecs.

“Stop that.”

“What? I’m getting into character.”

Gavin shook his head and turned away to scan the crowd on the dance floor. They had a job to do. With all the banter and games, working with Nines never really felt like work, and he often felt like he had to push himself to focus.

Nines draped his arms around Gavin’s neck and whispered against his throat. His voice was as soft as velvet, but somehow still audible over the thumping dance music.

“Relax, they’re not here yet.”

Gavin slipped an arm around his waist and worked himself into the mindspace of a possessive boyfriend warding the lowlife away from his pretty girl. It didn’t take much effort.

//

“-that’s too low. My boss will shred me to pieces if I go back with that offer.”

“And what do you think my boss is gonna do to me if I agree to pay twice the rate for the same old bullshit. There’s gotta be something else you bozos can throw in if-”

The suspect broke off and looked around the crowded club suspiciously.

Nines tossed his hands up and edged closer to Gavin, dancing back to chest, ass to groin.

“Keep your voice down! These days there’s android cops that can hear all kinds of-”

Gavin grabbed onto his partner from behind, pulling back until Nines was practically grinding on him. He prayed that it would be enough to keep them invisible.

“Do you think we should move this somewhere else? That guy with the scar has been looking kinda funny since we walked in.”

Nines spun around Gavin’s grasp and put his hands on the human’s shoulders, a silent message to stay calm and stay put.

“Who?”

“The one with the dominatrix looking girl over there. Look man, I think I’m gonna go.”

Nines surged forward and kissed him. Gavin parted his lips and shoved his tongue into the androids mouth. He kissed Nines back earnestly, and for good measure, ran his hands all over his body. He knew there’d be hell to pay later for the groping, but right now, he was desperate to throw the criminals off their scent.

“Dude, you gotta stop being so paranoid. Those two aren’t interested in anything but each other.”

“Fine… but I’m watching them.”

“Yeah okay. They look about ten seconds from fucking but go ahead. I just wanna know what new pieces you’re putting on the market. Throw in a few samples and we’ll call it even.”

“Those are state of the art energy weapons and you want-”

Gavin had broken away for air but quickly brought his mouth back to Nines’. Panic and then relief coursed through the detective when the dealer looked away and continued talking.

A reassuring hand stroked Gavin’s face and then slid down his chest. He nearly yelled in shock when he felt the android playfully cup his balls.

“What the phck!?”

Nines giggled and squeezed gently before withdrawing his hand.

“Relax. We’re okay.”

Gavin sighed and closed his eyes. The coloured lights shone through his eyelids. Nines put his forehead against his.

“Stay with me, Gav. Don’t worry about them. Just follow my lead and we’ll be fine.”

Gavin took a deep breath and nodded. He parted his lips and Nines kissed him once more… and he could’ve sworn there was meaning behind it.

//

After nearly thirty minutes of open-mouthed kissing and heavy petting on the dance floor, the front of Gavin’s leather trousers had become uncomfortably tight.

He knew Nines would never let him hear the end of it, but that was a problem for another time. In that moment, he just chased the feeling. The swipe of a tongue against his… the scrape of teeth on his neck… the feel of hands on his biceps… a strong thigh to rut against… and a nice little ass under a flared leather skirt, which at least for the moment… was his to grab.

After a while he felt himself being manoeuvred towards the edge of the room. He’d nearly forgotten about the suspects they were supposed to be eavesdropping on, but he assumed Nines was following them.

“Okay. I think we can accept those terms. Let me make a phone call and I’ll let you know when we’re ready to pick up the stuff.”

“Now?”

“Yeah. Just wait here.”

The door swung open as the buyer slipped into the back alley. The seller leaned back against the padded wall and glanced around anxiously. His eyes fell on the pair of undercover detectives and then he froze. The man appeared to debate making a run for it, eyes darting between the door and the fake couple.

Nines shoved Gavin against the wall and held him place with a hand on his chest. He leaned close to the human and with his other hand, unzipped the leather pants and reached into Gavin’s underwear.

“Sorry.”

“Phck…”

The human’s hard cock was then pulled out into the open for all to see. Nines spat into his hand and wrapped it around Gavin’s length without breaking eye contact. He moved his wrist up and down, slowly setting up a steady rhythm and commencing the best handjob Gavin had ever had.

The gunrunner turned away with a grimace, but he remained leaning against the wall, his suspicions fully averted.

Gavin closed his eyes and sunk into the glorious sensation. How many times had he fantasised about this very thing? It may not have been how he’d expected, but now that it was happening, he wasn’t about to refuse.

//

After what could’ve been an eternity or just a few seconds, the door opened and the other gang member returned.

“Looks like we’re good to go. The boss is happy to deal. We can- yikes! I told you those two weren’t any trouble.”

“Yeah yeah. Transfer fifty percent and then meet us at the old steelworks on the 15th. Usual time. Leave your cars somewhere else.”

The men shook hands and made their respective ways out of the club. And that was it. The mission was over. The DPD had all the information they needed.

Gavin leaned his head back on the wall and let out the loud moan he’d been holding back. Nines clamped his mouth over his neck and kept pumping his cock.

“You did so well, Gav.”

He pushed Nines’ hand away and attempted to stuff his cock back into his tight pants. No luck. It sprang back out and leaked a steady stream off precum onto the shiny leather. He gave up and slid into a half squat against the wall.

“Yeah. I’m phcking excellent at public humiliation.”

“Humiliation? I’m the one in the dress.”

“You wear it so phcking well it doesn’t count.”

“Are you saying I look hot?”

Gavin gestured vehemently at the problem between his legs. Nines had the gall to laugh but the look in his eyes was anything but unkind. He put his hands on the human’s shoulders and swung a leg over his thighs such that he was straddling him.

“Well, if you must know… you’ve had me in a similar predicament all evening.”

Nines lifted the skirt of the leather dress… and revealed something that had Gavin’s cock standing erect with renewed interest. A flushed… juicy… oozing… and very pretty pussy. Nines reached down and spread the red lips on either side of a tiny strip of fabric.

“Oh my god… what on earth…”

“Thought this component would go with my whole look. No?”

Nines shifted the panties aside to give his partner the full view. Gavin pulled Nines into a bruising kiss and crushed him to his chest. The action brought their nether regions into contact and sparked something animalistic in both of them.

Now that the mission was over, Nines ceded full control to the human and let himself be hoisted up. He hooked his legs around Gavin’s waist and arched his back as he felt the already throbbing cock slip and slide against his folds.

Gavin’s breathing was harsh against his clavicle and the grip was on the android’s hips was nothing but insistent.

“Go ahead, darling. Put it in.”

The human slowly lined his cock up with the dripping hole. Even though he knew an android like Nines could take him easily, old bedroom habits had Gavin gently rubbing the swollen clit and easing himself inside with care.

Nines impatiently tossed his dark hair over his shoulder and lowered his hips in one go. A sharp hiss of pleasure escaped the man underneath him, and then there was no turning back.

//

They fucked against the wall of the packed nightclub as if they were teenagers… college students at a rager… festival-goers in a drug haze… a pair of sex fiends who needed extensive therapy… or maybe just two mad people who belonged together and finally had an excuse to drop all pretences.

“Ohhh my phcking god, Nines. You batshit crazy tincan whore…”

“Yes, darling?”

Nines was watching him cooly, despite the vigour of the thrusts rocking him back and forth almost violently.

“Oh phck you!”

Gavin spun them around and flung Nines onto the flat surface of the wall. That allowed him to pin the android down and get an upward angle towards that tight bundle of sensors and synthetic nerves that he knew would have the android writhing with pleasure.

It absolutely worked.

Nines began to moan and claw at Gavin’s back… clutch at his hair… and say his name like it was a prayer. The amount of noise they were making was probably audible over the music and it was only a matter of time before someone called the bouncer on them.

Luckily, they were both at the finish line.

Gavin buried his face in Nines’ neck and rubbed circle after circle into the delicate but demanding clit peeking out above the folds. He kept his hips snapping against the android’s, but managed to stave off his own orgasm with the thought of Fowler potentially suspending them for their shockingly unprofessional behaviour.

In a matter of moments, he felt Nines’ walls clench and clamp down on his dick. The hands on his body gripped so hard there would surely be marks for days. Then there was a harsh and static-filled moan and even more warmth and wetness pooling between their legs.

Gavin knew then that he could let go too. With music in his ears and only one person on his mind, he came. Hard.

His hips stuttered and his cock pulsed… shooting stream after stream into the android’s luxurious pussy. He weakly stepped back after a moment, pulling out and tucking his spent cock back in as he went. A beautiful mess oozed from between the pink lips. If Gavin had his way, he’d want to clean that up. With his mouth. But he knew that they had to leave. Far too many people had seen them, and probably filmed them at this point.

He lowered Nines to the floor and gently pulled the dress back down. He smoothed over the creases and gently brushed back the displaced hair on the android’s long wig. He swiped the pad of his thumb under Nines’ red lips to remove a smudge of lipstick and rubbed his own mouth on the back of his hand.

He steeled himself, then looked right into the eyes of the android he’d just fucked in the middle of a nightclub while on a very important undercover mission. His partner. His best friend. The only person in his life that he really cared about… that he really didn’t want to hurt.

Gavin took a breath of relief when he realised that the piercing blue eyes were shining, not with tears, but with mirth and affection and every other positive emotion there was.

He turned around slowly… and as expected, a burly man was standing right behind them. Some members of the crowd were watching with unbridled disgust, some with shock, and others with amusement.

“I’m going to have to ask you and your companion to leave the establishment. Immediately. Or I’ll be forced to call the police.”

Nines giggled coquettishly and flounced past the bouncer, pulling Gavin along by the hand.

“I wonder how sexy the nearest responding officer is…”

[charincharge]

Cruel Summer, Part 25

cruel summer masterlist

AN: This is the final chapter. Just an epilogue after this. Our Cruel Summer has come to an end (90k words later). I just wanted to thank everyone so much again for spending time reading, commenting, and messaging about this story. When I first started writing it in April, I had no idea I would come to get to know so many of you, and it’s been the most rewarding thing to be part of a fandom again. Taylor Swift hearts to all of you. xo.

Aelin doesn’t think she’s ever been this hung over, or this confused. The ghost of Rowan’s lips caresses her forehead as she lies down on the couch, sprawled in front of the television to watch some obstacle course challenge show that Dorian enjoys heckling.

After Rowan fled her house – yes, fled – she immediately went in search of her parents to find out what they’d been meeting with him about, but she received absolutely nothing in return.

“If Rowan wants to discuss it with you, I’m sure he will,” Rhoe had said with a traitorous, all too-knowing smirk.

Aelin wants to throttle him. She loves her dad, but she’s far too twisted up in her own emotions to be sated by his logical non-answer. Meanwhile, her mother isn’t even on the premises to be questioned. Hiding away in meetings, like a coward. She wants to know so badly.

She contemplates texting Rowan to ask. After all, he clearly opened up their channel of communications again with that picture of the two of them… right? But she can’t help but think her dad is right. If Rowan wanted to tell her what they talked about he would. The question is, what the hell could her parents want to talk to Rowan alone about? What kind of topic required a one-on-one meeting with one of their employees?

Aelin tries to relax, even nap for a bit, but anxiety plagues her brain. The not knowing is keeping her stomach in knots. So, when Dorian departs for the afternoon with a reassuring arm squeeze, Aelin retreats to her safe spot – the music room.

The late afternoon sun splays its warm rays across the piano, tendrils of sunlight curling around her and slowly helping dissipate her hangover. With a deep breath, Aelin spreads her fingers and takes off. She warms up with scales, trailing up and down the keys with her expert touch. She segues into one of her favorite pieces – Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven. The pulsing methodical rhythm of the left hand keeps her centered as the dark somber tones float through the room.

The piece is sad, and it pierces her to the core. She lets her emotions flood through her hands as she tries to play out her complicated feelings for Rowan.

As she reaches the third movement, she lets her anxiety out into the frantic, technical workout for her fingers. The frenetic pace matches her rapid heartbeat, the worry and stress and heartbreak of the last few days taking over. She wants to cry. She wants to scream. She wants to let everything out. She gives into the heartache she feels, the stress from hiding, the shame of letting him go, the loneliness of being without him. It all comes pouring out in droves. She’s overwhelmed with her feelings. She knew she was sad, and to let it all out like this makes her feel like she’s bleeding out. She lets the music speak for her. And it speaks loudly.

As the final notes ring out, applause comes from behind her, and she gasps, startled by the intrusion.

“Sorry,” Rhoe apologizes, squeezing Aelin’s shoulders gently. “You were in the zone, huh?” he asks, and Aelin shrugs, still breathing hard from the musical marathon she just ran.

“Yeah,” she breathes heavily. “That was intense.”

“Maybe something lighter next?” Rhoe suggests, and Aelin smiles as her fingers take off at lightning speed for her favorite Mozart concerto. The complex finger work distracts her from her feelings momentarily as she performs for her dad.

When she turns around again, she’s surprised to see her dad has been joined by the rest of her family – her mom, Aedion, Lysandra, Evie and Gavin clap thunderously, appreciating her performance. She starts to stand to see if she can finally question her mom, but she’s interrupted as Gavin sprints toward the music bench, climbing next to her in the clumsy way only a five-year-old can.

“I wanna learn!” he says, looking up at her with his widest blue green eyes.

“You do?” she says, chuckling softly. He nods excitedly, and she smiles at her nephew’s enthusiasm.

Aelin’s family quickly disperses, her mom shouting out that dinner will be ready in an hour, but Aelin is entranced by her nephew’s gleeful smile.

“Teach me!” he demands happily.

“I think that piece might be a little too hard,” she explains, while placing his little fingers on the proper keys. “But, I think I know the perfect one…”

She begins showing him the middle C note and moves his thumb in a rhythmic pattern from there. She shows him the notes an octave higher, slowly performing the easy back and forth of the base.

“Like this?” he asks, starting to move his hands in time with hers.

“Just like that,” she says. He fumbles the keys a few times, and Aelin places her fingers over his to help, but soon enough he manages the bass line easily. Aelin can’t help but smile, her heart swelling with pride at how pleased Gavin looks with himself.

“Auntie Ae, look, I’m doing it!” he squeals, and she nods animatedly.

“Are you ready to turn it into a duet?” she asks, and Gavin crinkles his brow, suddenly looking very serious and so much like Aedion it takes Aelin out for a second.

“What’s a duet?” he asks thoughtfully, and Aelin tries her hardest to explain it in terms a five-year-old will understand.

“Well, you’ll keep playing your part that I just taught you,” she says, “And I’ll add a new part up here,” she says, wiggling her fingers over the higher keys. “And when you put it together, it makes the whole song.”

Gavin’s eyes get impossibly wide as she explains, until he’s practically vibrating on the bench next to her.

“You want to try?” she asks, and he shouts his enthusiasm loudly.

She lets Gavin start his part and play it two times through before coming in herself. She can’t help but sing along as she plays the jovial melody.

Heart and soul, I fell in love with you

Heart and soul, the way a fool would do, madly

Because you held me tight

And stole a kiss in the night

“There are WORDS?!” Gavin asks, incredulous, pausing his baseline.

Aelin nods and laughs, her heart lightening immensely as they start the second verse. The dark cloud of heartbreak that hung over her previous songs is notably gone, replaced with a much lighter one as she launches into the second verse.

Heart and soul, I begged to be adored

Lost control, and tumbled overboard, gladly

That magic night we kissed

There in the moon mist

Aelin’s cheeks flush as she helps Gavin pick up the pace of his playing. She looks down at her nephew with adoration. She suddenly feels so happy, she feels like she might float away, filled with the intoxicating glee. Her heart soars as she launches into the final verse.

But now I see, what one embrace can do

Look at me, it’s got me loving you madly

That little kiss you stole

Held all my heart and soul

Aelin is so caught up in her playing that she doesn’t even notice Aedion sit down on her other side and play the melody with her one last time, an octave above her. Aelin laughs loudly as Gavin’s mouth drops again.

“Daddy, you know this song?”

Aedion chuckles softly as they wrap up the song with a flourish.

“I remember when Nana Ashryver taught us how to first play Heart and Soul,” Aedion says. His shoulder leans gently int his sister’s. “You were even younger than Gavin.”

Aelin remembers it well. It was when she decided the music room was her favorite room.

“Look at you now,” Aedion says.

“Again, again!” Gavin chants from his spot on the bench, and Aelin and Aedion appease him, playing the song over and over until they’re all hoarse from singing too loud. Aelin is so happy she feels like her face hurts from smiling so much.

As they replay the song, Aelin trips up on the lyrics. Her voice cracks slightly as it hits her in a sudden flash. This feeling of happiness, the ease she feels at the piano, singing her heart out – it’s exactly how she feels when she’s with Rowan.

She never felt this way with Chaol. Never felt her heart pound against her ribs until they threatened to puncture her chest. Never missed him as soon as he was out of her sight. Never thought she would fall apart if she never saw him again. Never felt like she belonged with someone so fully.

When she and Chaol broke up, Aelin had forced herself to wallow – to play the part of the sad girl, but she realizes now that she’d never really felt that way. Each break up had been a relief, a small reprieve to the uncomfortable life she’d tried to shove herself into. It was just another thing she had lied to herself about.

“Oh my god,” Aelin laughs to herself as they wrap up their final run through of the song. She can’t believe how stupid she’s been. Truly, she’s an idiot.

An idiot who’s in love.

She wants to run and tell Rowan right now.

She loves him.

“Wash up for dinner, please!” Evalin shouts from the kitchen, interrupting her thought process, and Gavin sprints away, not bothering to give Aelin or Aedion another look.

“I see how it is,” Aelin laughs as she puts the piano lid down, covering the keys. Aedion gives her a pointed look.  “What?” she asks, wiping at her face, in case she has a piece of long forgotten burrito attached to her cheek that no one told her about.

“We were summoned for cheer up Aelin duty, and we had to do practically nothing. Look at you,” he says. “You’re glowing. You’re not pregnant, are you?” he asks, suddenly concerned, and Aelin groans and shoves him away.

“You were summoned?” She can’t imagine her family knows why she’s been in a mood for the last two days. “By who?”

“Dad,” Aedion finally admits. “Want to tell me what’s going on?” He wraps his arm around her shoulders, and Aelin leans into her brother’s warm side.

“I broke up with Rowan.”

“Huh.”

Aelin extracts herself from under Aedion’s arm and pokes him. “What does that mean?”

“Nothing.” Aedion pauses. Aelin stares, but Aedion gives nothing up. “Nothing!” he insists. “I liked him.”

“You did?” Aelin asks, perplexed. That’s not how their last conversation about Rowan went. “What about that whole fucking the gardener bit?”

Aedion pinches his nose and looks regretful. “I slept alone for a whole week for that comment, and I knew as soon as it was out of my mouth that it was wrong,” Aedion confesses. “He makes you happy.”

“Yeah, he does,” Aelin laughs sadly.

“But, you’re…. okay?” Aedion asks, and Aelin nods.

“Better than okay.”

Aedion shrugs. “Well, okay, then.”

At dinner, Gavin spends the entire time telling the family about his new penchant for piano, and Aelin tells him she has a few more pieces he can learn if he wants.

“We’d pay you for lessons,” Lysandra adds, and Aelin pauses mid-bite.

“You would?”

Lysandra nods. “Of course. We tried to get a teacher for Evie, but she was ‘too mean,’” Lysandra says in air quotes.

Evie pouts. “She was! She stretched my hands too far and cut my nails down.”

“I would never,” Aelin says seriously, winking at her niece.

“Seriously,” Lysandra follows up. “Think about it. We paid the last girl $100 an hour.” She looks at Gavin. “Would you like that, Gav? To learn piano with Auntie Ae?”

Gavin’s whole face lights up, and he even stops shoving mozzarella into his mouth to cheer loudly. “Yeah!”

Aelin smiles again at her nephew. And then looks around the table. At her family. Filled with CEOs. A teacher is a far cry from that. Not exactly a high-powered job, but she can’t help but think how much she enjoyed playing with Gavin. She thinks she might really love it. Plus, she could do it anywhere. Like. In Terrasen. Where Rowan lives. She clears her throat and look at her mom.

“I think I might want to do that. To teach music.”

She pauses nervously as a small v forms between Evalin’s eyebrows. “Really?”

Aelin nods.

“I mean, I know it’s not the most glamorous job…” she trails off, watching her parents exchange silent glances. “But, I could start with private lessons while I work toward a teaching degree, and, I think I’d really love it.”

Evalin’s frown turns into a blinding smile as she nods at her daughter. “I think that’s a great idea.”

“You do?” Aelin asks, positively shocked at her mother’s warm reception. “Even though it’s not being on a charity board or working with you?”

“Why do you sound so surprised?” Evalin replies, slightly perturbed, but Aelin can’t help herself. Her mother has been trying to marry her off to the highest bidder since she was eighteen. “Do you think I’m that much of a snob?”

Aelin snorts, ignoring the way her mother angrily spears the tomato on her plate and continues.

“It might not be glamorous,” Evalin continues, “But teaching is one of the most noble professions. You know I’ve always supported funding arts education.”

Aelin pauses, wondering if her mom has more to add, but she doesn’t. The table switches topics to their schedule for the remaining three days before they leave. Aelin is blown away. She must be gaping, because Aedion squeezes her hand under the table comfortingly.

After dinner, Gavin immediately pulls Aelin back into the music room, wanting to start his lessons as soon as possible. Aelin is helpless against her nephew and plays with him until well after his bedtime. With every replay of Heart and Soul, Aelin feels her heart grow bigger, swelling with the feeling that went unidentified in her stomach for so many weeks.

By the time everyone leaves the house, Aelin feels like she’s going to explode, needing to talk to Rowan. To just blurt it out and tell him. But she knows that’s not exactly the right thing to put into a text. Instead, she gathers her strength and texts him a different question.

I know you asked for space, but can we talk tomorrow?

She types it quickly and then shuts her eyes quickly, as if she doesn’t look then it’ll prevent it from hurting when he doesn’t text back.

Her phone vibrates in her lap, and she garners the courage to crack an eye open and peek at his reply.

You really wanna know what your parents talked to me about, huh?

Aelin bites her lip, stopping the massive grin that threatens to take over her face. Her cheeks warm with a blush, realizing she’s texting with the man she loves.

I mean, yes, obviously. But this isn’t about that. I swear.

She holds her breath and waits again.

I’m busy during lunch, but I can stop by after work?

Aelin frowns. It’s not exactly the reply she wanted. And why would he be busy during lunch? Was he having lunch with someone else? Aelin’s heart pounds nervously. No, she needs to talk to him sooner than that. She thinks a full twenty-four hours of waiting might kill her.

But Aelin takes a deep breath, realizing that Rowan has put up with a lot more waiting for her than twenty-four hours. The least she can do is wait until he gets off work.

We’ll be at the park tomorrow. Find me when you finish your shift?

Rowan sends back two thumbs up emojis, and Aelin clutches the phone against her pounding chest.

Tomorrow she’s going to tell Rowan she loves him.

She falls asleep, comforted by that thought.

But when Aelin wakes up, she can’t help but groan. Rain splatters against her window, a soft grey overcast dampening her spirits as well as the ground outside.

The park still runs in the rain, but it’s absolutely no fun, since they close down any ride that could potentially be affected by the weather. Essentially, the only ride that’s open is the log flume, and Aelin knows her family won’t want to go to the park just for that.

She groans internally.

Of course this would happen.

Aelin paces around the kitchen with her coffee, hoping against all hopes that the rain will dissipate if she wills it to. But, instead of fading, the clouds darken even further, giving way to even heavier torrents.

She feels like a trapped animal.

Nothing distracts her – not playing the piano, not getting ready or putting on a full face of makeup. She’s so wound up, even a delicious lunch of her favorite potato salad and grilled chicken doesn’t help soothe her nerves.

By mid-afternoon, Aelin’s started counting down hours until Rowan’s work ends. Only four more hours. She grumbles, staring at the clock, hoping she can somehow speed up time.

“Aelin, sit down, you’re doing that anxious pacing again,” her dad chastises from behind his newspaper.

Aelin tries to pause, but she finds herself flicking her foot in tendus again, unable to still completely.

Her dad smiles softly. “Want to talk about it?”

“Talk about what?” Evalin asks, emerging from her office to refill her mug of coffee.

“Why Aelin looks so nervous today,” Rhoe laughs, and Evalin’s eyes widen in excitement.

“Oh, did Rowan tell you?” she begins, but Rhoe’s pointed stare cuts her off.

“Tell me what?” Aelin explodes, and Rhoe shakes his head and laughs softly again, hiding his face behind the paper. Evalin frowns again.

“Well, if he hasn’t told you, what are you so keyed up about?” Evalin sighs, as if she’s exasperated with her daughter. Aelin scoffs. No one is more exasperated with anyone at this moment than she is with her mother. Her secret keeping mother!  

“I’m leaving!” Aelin growls, finally snapping. She doesn’t care that it’s raining out. She needs to see Rowan right now.

“Where are you going?” Evalin shouts out after her, but Aelin is already halfway out the door. “Aelin, take a jacket! You’re going to get soaked!”

She doesn’t pause to realize her mother’s parting comment was more than right as she stumbles along the wet sand. Rain soaks through her t-shirt and pelts down on her head, wetting her hair. By the time she makes it to Playland, she’s sure she looks like some kind of drowned animal. Her sneakers squeak loudly with each step, her toes filled with water, and she doesn’t even want to imagine what her face of makeup looks like.

But she doesn’t have time to think anything through. She’s a woman on a mission.

“Aelin!” a surprised voice says, definitely shocked by her rain-drenched appearance.

In a stroke of luck, Lorcan is seated at the admissions booth. “Rowan?” she pants, hoping the rest of her question is understood.

Lorcan frowns. “Not sure.”

“What do you mean not sure? Aren’t you in control of his schedule?” Aelin knows it would be wrong, but she feels like smacking Lorcan.

She sees him hide a tiny smile as he shrugs. “He’s pulling tarps off the rides,” Lorcan explains, pointing to the sun peeking through the clouds, the rain finally coming to a stop. “He could be anywhere.”

“Useless!” Aelin shouts, agitated, and Lorcan snorts loudly as he slaps a wristband onto her hand.

“Enjoy your search,” he snickers, and Aelin huffs as she stalks across the slick grass and puddles of mud to find Rowan.

Her shoes squelch with the newly acquired mud, and she struggles not to slip as she walks at a brisk pace through the park. For the first time in her life, Aelin regrets how large the park grounds are. She circles the entire place, with no Rowan in sight. On her second loop, she goes further into the park and walks by the bumper cars and the carousel, which have no tarps on them, and deduces that she must at least be in the right direction.

Through the light drizzle of rain, the sun finally starts to shine, and Aelin smiles as she watches a rainbow take shape over the park. Her eyes follow the colorful beams, watching as they curve down, all the way to the middle of the fair grounds. She holds her breath as she spots a bright silver blonde head of hair just beyond the rainbow. Her own personal pot of gold.

A similarly rain-soaked Rowan rolls up the sides of the eating tent and affixes them to the top methodically. Aelin barely has time to process his appearance before she picks up her pace and heads toward him, a smile stretched across her lips.  

“Rowan!” she shouts, breaking into a jog.

Confused, Rowan glances over his shoulder, his eyes widening at the approaching girl. She knows she must look ridiculous, water-logged, eyes wild and beaming, but she can’t stop.

As she tries to increase the speed of her jog, her foot catches on a slick patch of grass, and Aelin shrieks loudly as she attempts to stop her skidding, but it’s no use. Aelin’s feet slide out from beneath her, and she closes her eyes tightly as she falls to the muddy ground with an unceremonious thud.

She groans, feeling the wetness soak through her shorts and underwear. She opens her eyes and realizes she’s skidded directly into a watery pool of mud.

“Aelin!” Rowan shouts, concerned. She lifts her head, laughing, as he approaches her with worry. “Are you okay?” he asks. His hands stretch out, and she takes them in hers, helping hoist herself off the ground. She shakes her head, her wet hair still stringy around her shoulders. This was not exactly the reunion she’d anticipated for them.

“I’m fine,” she laughs, trying to brush the clumps of mud from her ass and thighs. She crosses her arms over her chest self-consciously. She can’t believe this is how this is happening. But she can’t turn back. She’s here. And she’s no longer being a liar or a coward.

“What are you doing here?” he asks, wiping droplets of rain from his own hair, and Aelin takes a deep breath and centers herself.

“I told you I’d be at the park,” she says, and she watches as Rowan’s eyes crinkle in confusion.

“In the rain?” He pauses, looking her over. She doesn’t even want to think about what she looks like. She knows it’s a mess. “I just assumed—”

“I love you,” she blurts out, cutting him off.

It feels so good to say it, she barely notices Rowan’s soft lips parting in surprise. She’s not ready for him to reply, so she just keeps talking.

“I’m an idiot. And a liar. Of course I love you, Rowan.”

She can feel tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. She knew she’d be emotional, but – gods, this is something else. She feels like she’s been possessed by some vulnerable alien. But that doesn’t stop her. She will get this out, even if it kills her.

“I knew it as soon as you kissed me that this wasn’t just for the summer. This is forever,” she barrels on as she points between the two of them. “And I know we have a lot of stuff to figure out, because we never talked about any of the logistics of anything, and I know that’s completely my fault because I was just… really at good at pretending like I didn’t have to,” she rambles, getting faster and faster as she logics her way into convincing Rowan to accept the possibility of a real relationship. “But I don’t want to leave. I’m going to teach piano, and I can do that anywhere. And I want to stay in Terrasen. With you.”

Aelin pauses, breathing hard. Her arms cross over her chest tighter, squeezing herself and acting as a defense shield against the thick silence between her and Rowan.

She looks at Rowan’s face. His eyes are still crinkled in confusion, and his lashes flutter as he blinks rapidly. His pursed lips haven’t moved since they first parted, and she can see the tension in his neck as he strains to breathe.

She can feel her heartbeat angrily thumping against her crossed arms, and she takes another deep breath.

“I really wish you’d say something,” she says quietly. “Anything.”

Rowan rubs at his face, covering his mouth, and she notices how tired he looks. “Well, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to move to Terrasen,” he says finally, and Aelin feels like a dagger has pierced her straight through the chest.

Oh Gods, she’s too late.

So this is what genuine heartbreak feels like. Aelin is so busy feeling wounded, she almost doesn’t hear the rest of Rowan’s sentence.

“…because I’m going to be living in Adarlan.”

Aelin looks up and is shocked to see Rowan’s green eyes twinkling as he reveals his smile from behind his hand.

“Wait, what?”

Aelin is so confused. Her head is spinning with all kinds of thoughts.

“I didn’t want to say anything to you until it was official,” Rowan says. “But, I’m going to be working for the Ashryver Corporation as an app developer. I interviewed at lunch, and they called about an hour ago to give me my official offer.”

The pieces start to click into place. “That’s what my mom wanted to talk to you about?”

He nods, and she watches as his ears turn pink as he stares her down.

“So, I shouldn’t move to Terrasen,” Aelin says slowly, and Rowan’s smile widens as he shakes his head. “Because you’ll be in Adarlan.” She takes another long breath. “Where I live.” He takes a step forward, and her breath hitches.

“Yes.”

“Rowan, they’re making your app?” she asks, and he nods but doesn’t smile. “That’s so amazing, you should be so proud of—"

“Say it again,” he whispers, cutting her off, and she watches his eyes darken. She wonders what he wants to hear for a second, thoughts bouncing around her brain as she’s assaulted by his scent as he hovers over her.

“Hm?” She can’t think straight as she tilts her head up towards his, his lips dangerously close to hers now.

“Say it again,” he repeats and wraps his arms around her waist, sliding his hands into the mud-caked back pockets of her shorts.

Oh.

Aelin grins and whispers back.

“I love you.”

His lips are on hers before she can finish her sentence, parted lips sliding onto her damp face as he pulls her closer. She snakes her arms around his neck and smiles against his mouth. Their kiss deepens, unencumbered by stress or worry for the first time all summer, and Aelin can’t stop herself from lifting herself up. Her legs spring off the squishy ground, and she wraps her legs around his waist, tugging him closer and closer, until she can feel his heart pounding against hers.

His lips are soft but demanding against hers, and they feel like coming home. She kisses him harder, his mouth pliable under hers.

Aelin doesn’t think she’s ever felt this happy ever.

As Rowan’s tongue swipes against hers, she clutches at him tighter. He leans her back, and she’s so consumed in the feeling of him against her that she barely notices that he’s placed her down on the closest table inside the eating tent. His hands drag upward and knot themselves into her wet hair, and she parts her lips further, breathing him in. She wants to live in this moment forever.

All too soon, Rowan finally pulls back. He pulls his wet hands from her hair and slides them to her cheeks. They’re cold against her flushed cheeks, warmed from his thorough kisses, and she can’t help but smile widely at him. His face reflects the same expression back at her. Two grinning idiots.

As if he can’t bear to apart from her for too long, Rowan leans in again, pecking a flurry of kisses all over her face – her cheeks and forehead and eyes, and finally one last lingering kiss on her lips.

“I love you,” Aelin says again. She doesn’t know if she’ll be able to stop saying it.

“I love you, too,” Rowan says, his voice hoarse and breathy.

Rowan ducks his head, as if to kiss her again, but they’re interrupted by a loud whistle. They look over their shoulders, and see a frowning Lorcan, but there’s no real ire in his expression.

“If you two are done making out on my table, Rowan, can you head to the ticket booth to do your job?” Lorcan rests his hands on his hips, trying his very hardest to look annoyed, but Aelin can see the barest of smiles threatening to break through.

“Yes sir,” Rowan answers with a nod. He looks at Aelin as she hops off the table and links her arm with his, leaning into his side. He immediately wraps his arm around her shoulders, neither of them anxious to let the other go. “What are you going to do with the rest of your afternoon?” he asks.

“Anxious to get rid of me that soon?” she snorts.

Rowan looks shocked. “No! Of course not, I just meant—”

Aelin laughs and kisses his hand, which is tangled with hers. “I know, I’m kidding.” She pauses. “I thought I could hang out with you until your shift is done?” she asks nervously. “And then, we can go back to my house and tell my parents about us.”

Rowan’s smile nearly blinds her. “Yeah?” He squeezes her hand.

“Yeah,” she smiles back.

“And then I should shower. Because I’m covered in mud,” Aelin snorts, and Rowan laughs loudly and tugs her closer.

“I love you, even covered in mud,” he says.

“Yeah?” she asks, looking up at him, eyes wide in wonder. How could she have kept herself from feeling this all summer?

“Oh yeah,” he laughs, brushing a clump of mud from her shorts.

Because it’s a slow park day, Rowan is blessed to be the only one taking tickets, which means that Aelin can sit next to him, as close as she wants. His thumb rubs up and down the back of her soft skin, and Aelin only holds his hand tighter as they make their way to the booth. She’s not letting go of him any time soon.

Rowan pauses a few feet away from admissions, and his hand becomes a vice grip around hers.

“What?” Aelin leans into his side further, her chin resting against his arm.

“Uh…” he starts, sounding nervous, his eyes flicking from Aelin out to the parking lot.

“Oh!” Aelin is shocked to see her entire family, walking toward them.

Rowan starts to remove his hand from hers, but Aelin shakes her head and holds it tighter.

“Are you sure?” Rowan asks, his eyes locked on Aedion for some reason. “I wasn’t anticipating telling your brother about us until we were married and I was a more permanent fixture.”

Aelin’s mouth drops. “Aedion likes you.”

Rowan shakes his head. “That’s not what I’ve heard.”

“What have you heard?” Aelin asks, curious.

Rowan groans. “I may have overheard a conversation where he… wasn’t so enthused about our relationship.”

Aelin freezes and stares at him. “You came that night. To pick me up from Aedion’s.”

Rowan nods, grimacing slightly as he tracks Aelin’s approaching family, nearly to the entrance now.

“And you left…”

Rowan laughs, but it sounds pained. “And I’m now remembering all the reasons we didn’t tell your parents in the first place.” He pauses. “Maybe we should keep this a secret for a little longer.”

Aelin stops them, pulling him so he’s facing her and looking away from her family. “Rowan,” she begins emphatically. “What Aedion said was horrible, and if I’d known that you heard it, I would have told you a lot sooner that he didn’t mean it. But even if he did, it doesn’t matter. Because I want to be with you. Because you’re so much better than all of them. You’ve worked so hard for everything you have, and you’re so incredibly talented and kind and real. And I love you.”

Rowan looks like he wants to protest, but he begrudgingly releases a small, “Fine.”

Aelin is so taken with his acceptance that she can’t resist wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him again. He melts into her, arms locked around each other in a tight embrace, until they hear a throat clearing beside them.

“Well, well, well… what do we have here?” Aedion’s low voice jokes, and despite Rowan stiffening beneath her, Aelin presses one more kiss to his lips as she flicks off her brother. Aedion cackles loudly.

“Aelin!” her mother cries out. She sounds so horrified and shocked, that Aelin can’t help but finally pull away to explain herself. “You’re covered in mud!” her mother chastises, and Aelin cannot believe that her mom just walked up to her kissing Rowan, and that is what she has to say.

“I fell?” Aelin says by way of explanation. Evalin shakes her head disapprovingly, and Aelin realizes that there are some things her mom will always care about – like her appearance, and being polite, and manners. But, apparently, Aelin is free to live her life the way she wants to, and somehow that realization is worth everything.

“Rowan,” Evalin says with a smile, ignoring the flaming blush crawling up his cheeks and ears. “I hear congratulations are in order.”

Rowan smiles bashfully and tucks his chin into his chest. “Yes, ma’am.”

Rhoe leans in conspiratorially. “Make sure you counter offer their salary. They’ll lowball you every time.”

Evalin looks positively offended at her husband’s comment. “We would never! We value all our employees and pay them very fairly,” she says, and Rhoe snickers again, wrapping his arms around his wife.

Aelin can’t believe that no one has commented on her tongue being shoved down Rowan’s throat mere minutes ago. And she’s even more surprised when Evalin tells Rowan he should come over for a celebratory dinner after work.

“I’d love to,” he accepts with a shy smile, and Aelin can’t resist kissing him again. This time on his shoulder.

Surprisingly, it’s Gavin who is the first to speak up.

“Auntie Ae, did you just kiss Rowan?” His little face crinkles in confusion. He has a moment of understanding, and his eyes widen with excitement. “Is Rowan going to be my Uncle?”

She’s not sure how to answer, and she can feel her cheeks warming under her family’s scrutiny, smiles hidden into each other’s shoulders as Aelin struggles with how to answer her nephew.

“Probably,” Rowan says with a shrug as Aelin answers, “Yes.”

“Probably?” Aelin gapes at him as Rowan gapes right back, repeating her words at her. “YES?!”

Aedion laughs loudly as he scoops Gavin into his arms. “Do you think they’ve always been this dysfunctional?” He looks at the couple stammering and blushing in front of him and then back to the small child in his arms. Gavin, of course, doesn’t know what his father means, but nods seriously regardless. “Let’s go get some cotton candy.”

Gavin shouts his affirmations, sprinting into the park, the rest of the family following close behind. No one comments when Aelin takes a seat next to Rowan in the ticket booth, but Rhoe winks at his daughter.

Aelin is grateful for the slow trickle of patrons, leaning over to kiss Rowan whenever she feels like it.

By the time Rowan’s shift ends, she can feel her lips starting to chap with how often they’ve been attached to his, but she can’t bring herself to care at all.

Aelin is reluctant to leave Rowan’s side when they get back to her house, but she knows she really does need to shower. She still has dried patches of mud on her legs, and her hair is a tangled stringy mess.

She showers as quickly as she can, and when she returns downstairs she’s shocked to see Rowan laughing with her entire family, as if he’s fit there the whole time. She doesn’t know what she was ever worried about. Everything seems so stupid now, looking back. How much pain she caused them both for absolutely nothing. Because of her own stupid insecurities. Because of her need for her parents’ approval. She’s so incredibly grateful Rowan is as forgiving as he is. She’s not sure she would have been as kind to herself.

Her mood lifts completely as Rowan smiles brightly when he spots her, freshly showered and in clean clothes.

“So, how long has this been going on?” Evalin finally asks, of course, just as Aelin takes a sip of her wine. Aelin splutters, coughing wildly as she chokes on the alcohol, and she glares at Rowan, who smirks beside her, completely unaffected as he rubs her back.

“When did I catch you climbing out of Aelin’s window again?” Lysandra asks Rowan nonchalantly, and then it’s Rowan’s turn to choke. “Must have been back in June…”

“Oh Gods,” Rowan begins to apologize to Aelin’s parents, who are resisting laughing themselves.

“I saw him only about two weeks of being here, I think,” Rhoe finally pipes up. “He didn’t even see me on the patio.”

Rowan’s face is beet red as he tries to hide it in Aelin’s shoulder, and she can feel herself reddening, too. This is a nightmare. But the best kind.

She leans into Rowan reassuringly and smiles when she feels his lips brush across the top of her head.

After dinner, Rowan politely thanks her parents, and asks Aelin if she wants to go out to the beach to stargaze. Aelin nods enthusiastically, taking his hand and letting him drag her out to the edge of the sand. She pulls the oversized pool chaise and leans it all the way back, motioning for Rowan to sit.

He does, and she climbs onto his lap, relishing the way his arms immediately circle her and pull her close. Because that’s something he can do now, even in sight of her parents. She leans her head against his chest and sighs happily.

“I’m sorry,” Aelin whispers.

“For what?” he asks, and Aelin tilts her head up, brushing her lips against his stubble as she continues.

“Everything.” She laughs. “If you’d told me I was too late, I would have accepted it, you know. I put you through hell this summer.”

Rowan laughs softly and pulls her closer. “If this is hell, I think I’m doing okay.” He pauses and looks at the sky. “I don’t’ know if you can understand this, but… I’ve never quite felt like I was good enough. The first time I stepped into this house, I’ve never been more terrified of anything before. The level of inadequacy…” He laughs at himself. “I was so afraid I was going to fuck this whole thing up. My job. My life, pretty much.” He pauses again, thinking hard. Aelin wants to interrupt, but she lets him finish. It’s so rare that Rowan opens up about anything. And she wants to hear every single word of his inner most thoughts. “But, you changed that. Tonight, I sat with your parents and I honestly thought we’d be talking about my job, but all we talked about was you. They wanted to know why we kept it a secret. Because they couldn’t fathom us thinking they wouldn’t approve of me. And I’ve never felt like I belonged more. I belong with you.” She relishes in his words and nods. She feels the exact same way. And she tells him as much.

They sit together, staring at the sky for a while, kissing occasionally, happy to just be, until Rowan’s phone starts buzzing in his pocket.

“Sorry,” he apologizes as he pulls it out. He snorts and shows Aelin the text from Manon.

U ALIVE?!

He leans in and kisses Aelin. She’s sure it’s supposed to be a quick kiss, but she can’t resist deepening it. She smiles against his lips as she sees the camera flash go off behind her closed lids.

He sends the picture of them smiling into each other’s mouths as a text reply to Manon, who immediately replies with a vomit emoji.

GROSS.

“You do belong,” Aelin says, and Rowan smiles softly again. She’ll tell him again and again if that’s what it takes.

“So, Uncle Rowan, huh?” he teases her, chuckling as he slides his phone back into his shorts, and Aelin shoots him an uncomfortable glance.

“Yes,” she replies, and she can’t help but smile as Rowan leans in and kisses her again.

If this is the beginning of forever, she’ll take it.

THE END

~*~*~*~

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[nothing-but-dreamy]

ON THE EDGE ~ Pt. 2

Characters: Gavin Reed x fem!Reader; Connor; Hank Anderson;

Warnings: cursing

Words: 2.643

Two days later, yn was back in the DPD. After a quick talk with Gavin and greeting Hank and Connor on her way, she sat in the glass office of Fowler. She was always good with her Captain. There was barely a problem between them. And yet, she was nervous in the way Captain Fowler skimmed through her file. His serious expression made it impossible for her to read him. She could feel Gavin's eyes burning on her back. Beside herself, he was the next in the row of the most nervous people.

"It's good to have you back, yn.", Fowler said and gained her attention back.

"Thanks, Sir. I'm also happy to be back. I've missed this beautiful hellhole."

"I have all the results and I have to admit, everything looks pretty perfect. The test results of your shooting training are amazing and the doc report gives you a go. Then, there's nothing else for me to do than to give you your weapon and badge back. Welcome home.", Fowler said proudly and handed her the mentioned things.

"Thank you, Sir.", yn stood up and took her gun, she had missed the feeling of the typical weight, and the badge. The shiny golden badge was her pride and joy. A sign of her hard work.

As yn took the badge, Fowler held the other side in his hand and waited for yn to look at him, "But, keep it slow. Get to know the new cases. There are some. And look after yourself."

"Of course, Sir.", yn promised and then, she took the badge into her hand. Finally, she was back in the game. Yn left the office and stepped into the middle of the room to raise her badge in the air like a trophy. Everyone was clapping and cheering with applause.

**

Like Captain Fowler had advised, yn took it slow. She returned to her desk opposite Gavin’s. Her desk. The small island in the middle of the DPD where she had her place among all the tough guys. The day after she got her badge back, she sat at her desk, studying some file about a Red Ice case as someone placed something in front of her. It was a small flower pot with a smiling face on it. A small green plant grew out of it.

Yn smiled broadly as she saw this small gift and looked up to see Connor standing next to her desk with a soft smile, “What’s that?”, she asked.

“I saw it this morning on my way to work and thought about you. The smile matches yours. It’s a small welcome back gift.”, Connor explained proudly.

“Oh, thank you. That’s so cute of you! I really like that. This desk missed something green and joyful.”, yn said and took the small flower pot carefully in her hands to take a closer look. Proudly, she raised the plant up to show it to Gavin, “Look, Gavin, what I’ve just got! Isn’t that cute?”

Gavin looked at her sparkling eyes and the broad smile but all he could do was to shoot her a small acknowledging nod, “Yeah, wonderful. I’ll get some coffee.”, he said and stood up.

Yn looked surprised at Gavin who just walked away with a sullen expression. She frowned, wondering at what it was that seemed to have bugged him this time. But then, she just shrugged her shoulders and turned back to Connor who was happy to see her smiling about his gift.

On his way to the kitchen, Gavin threw the greeting card into the next trash bin. Gavin had brought it the day before as he thought it would be a nice idea to give her something for her return but unfortunately, he had no better idea than this card. Since he had entered the DPD, he had searched for the right moment to give her the card. He even had written something in it, it was a quote from one of her most favourite movies. And then, the android had thwarted his plans. There was no way his silly card could keep up with the small plant Connor had given her.

The longer the coffee needed to be done, the more anger rose inside of him. Gavin clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. He had been cool with the android because he had to but this move brought his anger against Connor back. As the coffee was done, Gavin took the cup, turned around and walked through the kitchen. On his way, a young officer bumped into him and let his files fall because of the impact.

“Watch it, stupid prick!”, Gavin grunted angrily.

“S-sorry, Detective.”, the officer said, totally scared and gathered the papers from the ground with shaking hands. Gavin glared at him angrily before he left the kitchen.

“Was that really necessary? You frightened him to death.”, yn asked, crossed her arms and watched her partner sitting down.

“Yes! Now, he knows where his place is!”, Gavin grunted angrily.

Yn looked at him with raised brows. Most of the time, such an outburst was triggered by other things than just a newby who ran into him, “Wow, you’re in a bad mood. What’s the matter?”

“Nothing. Everything’s fucking wonderful! If my mood is bothering you then, why don’t you go somewhere else? No, wait. I'll go. I need some air anyway!”, Gavin said with a fiery glance, stood up, grabbed his jacket and left the DPD without another word.

Shocked and slightly taken aback, yn looked after Gavin.

*

Yn studied some of Gavin’s open files to get back on track with the work. There was one case of prostitution but it was nothing too severe. It was just a girl who tried to come buy in these tough times with all the unemployment. She would be still there later. There was one file that caught yn’s attention. It was a statement from a junky who had snitched on his dealer to get off the hook. As yn read the statement, the name of the dealer: Joseph ‘the Joker’ was so stupid and silly that it burnt itself into her mind.

But the name rang something in the back of her head. Yn searched on her desk, plastered with different files, to find the one case file she had read half an hour before. As she skimmed through the papers, she found the same name, Joseph ‘the Joker’, mentioned again. It was an older statement but yn was sure that these cases had a connection.

“Gavin, where the hell are you?”, yn cursed annoyed. For hours, her partner was MIA. She had tried to call him several times but he never answered. All the messages she sent stayed unanswered. But yn needed someone to talk about the discovery she had made and to get a second thought about it. She let her eyes roam through the office randomly until her eyes landed on the other side of the room. She spotted one very helpful person for such a case.

“Hank, can you look at something?”

“Of course. What is it?”, Hank asked interested. Connor also stood up from his seat and joined them.

Yn sat on top of the free desk with the files in her hand. She gnawed on her lower lip. Somehow, it felt like betrayal that she was discussing this with Hank and Connor instead of Gavin but as she looked back, his desk was still abandoned, “I have three different files. A bunch of different statements. But in all statements, the same name gets mentioned. It’s a Red Ice dealer. I guess it’s just a small-time villain but… something tells me there might be more. Could you check that?”

Hank looked behind her at the abandoned desk and was annoyed that Gavin went away and let yn alone where she was just back after the long enforced break, “Sure, kiddo. Let me see what you have.”

Thirty minutes later, Hank looked up from the files, “You know what, you’re right. This Joseph is some dealer but his district seems to be very small. And I don't think he's the type of guy who's able to 'play' boss. He gets his stuff from someone. Wait a moment, I might have a statement about this guy, too."

"Does Gavin know about the connection?", Connor asked but as yn was about to answer, a loud voice caught all their attention. It was the hooker yn had seen in one of the other case files. Chris walked beside her to bring the woman in chains into a cell.

Yn jumped from Hank's desk as she saw Gavin walking right behind the couple, aiming for his desk. First, yn was mad, he had gone far too long without a word, then she saw his face and hurried over to him, "What the hell happened to you?", she asked, concerned and surprised as she saw the bloody lip and the red color on his cheek, maybe from a slap. Yn guided his chin more into the light to have a better look at his face.

Gavin moved his head out of her grip, "It's nothing. This hooker was a bit … rough as I tried to arrest her."

"You bastard! You tricked me! First, all flirty and then- bang! Some silver!", the prostitute yelled. Chris struggled to keep hold of her as she was about to jump at Gavin.

"Chris, lock her up for fuck saken! And throw the key away!", Gavin yelled and finally, Chris moved her through the DPD. Gavin slumped down on his chair, taking a file to note something.

Yn stood next to his desk with crossed arms, tapping with one foot, "So, wanna talk about this?"

"About what? That I do my job?", Gavin asked and looked up. He saw her glance and felt guilty but then, his eyes landed on Connor and the former anger was back.

"We're partners! You could have answered a call or at least, one fucking message-"

Gavin shot up and stared down at yn who didn't seem to be impressed at all. That was something he liked on her the most, that she never backed off of him, "Sorry, mom! I was busy, okay? Now, excuse me, I have some paperwork to do."

Once again, yn was surprised about this kind of outburst. She stared after him. A sad feeling spreaded through her. During her recovery, all she wanted was to go back to Gavin. To work with him. Now, as she was back, he seemed to be on the edge all the time. She wasn’t sure if it was her fault, that it was still because of the shooting or … if there was something else that Gavin bothered.

"Yn?", a soft, smooth voice pulled her out of her thoughts. Connor stood next to her and offered her a bunch of case files, "Your files. Hank added his one. Is everything alright?", he asked as he saw her glance.

"Yeah, yeah, everything's fucking wonderful. Thanks for the files...and for the help.", yn said and went back to her own desk.

Gavin left the cell area and watched the interaction between yn and Connor. Ice cold anger and fiery rage shot through his veins again. But he knew, he was his own worst enemy. Like always.

As Gavin saw yn sitting at her desk, studying some files, he felt like shit for treating her like this. Of all the people, yn was the last one who deserved his temper tantrums just because he couldn't be honest about his...

He had two options: one, he could tell her the truth or two, he would pull himself together. At the moment, option two was the only thing Gavin had. So, he had to make up for his latest behavior as best as he could.

Yn studied the file Hank had given her. She read the second statement from a guy who said 'Joseph the Joker is ticking drugs in Liberty park' and so on. Obviously, the junky had been on drugs as he had made his statement because yn had to read the same paragraph for the third time to understand what the guy wanted to say. She just started the fourth try as a cup of coffee appeared slowly in her field of view. A well known, tanned hand shoved the cup in front of her.

Without a word, Gavin walked to his own desk to sit down opposite of her. He had seen her observing glance and the one raised brow but she stayed silent. He knew her well enough to know that she tried to ignore him as a punishment. So, he did something he barely does, "I'm sorry for yelling at you. And I'm sorry for not answering the calls and messages. And for...leaving you alone.", Gavin said softly.

Slowly, and somehow disbelieving, yn raised her head to look at her partner. She blinked several times. A soft, lopsided smirk played on Gavin's lips and his green eyes, rimmed by dark shadows, were looking hopefully at her. Yn leant back in her chair and crossed her arms, "Alright, who are you and where's my partner?"

"I'm serious!", Gavin said but still with a smile.

"Me too! Gavin Reed never apologizes. What did he say once? Oh, yeah: "Apologies are for chickens…". And I have seen enough movies to know what is going on. So, tell me, alien from outer space, where's my partner?"

"Okay, I get it. You're mad.", he said and leant back.

"Yes, I'm mad. Just like that, you storm out of here without a word to do- what? Arresting this hooker? I read her file. There's nothing important in her case. Is it because of me? Did I do something wrong? Because, somehow I get the feeling that all this bad-vibe-thing from you is related to me."

Gavin felt how all the color drained slowly from his face. He feared she would notice something but not that fast, "No! No, it was not because of you. Look, this...girl was getting on my nerves, okay? Yes, the case is simple and I guess we let her go anyway but…", Gavin stopped and waited. He didn't need to wait long to get the reaction he hoped for. The sign that she was distracted with his lame excuse.

"But, what?", yn asked impatiently.

"During the last weeks, I tried to arrest her three or four times and each time, she escaped-"

"Oh, bloody hell! It's an ego thing? Seriously?", yn asked and started to laugh.

Gavin raised his shoulders as an apology. Glad that his trick had worked out.

"You will never change, I guess.", yn said, still grinning as she looked down at the file again, "Thanks for the coffee, idiot."

"Always, shorty.", Gavin answered and grinned as he saw her face.

"Don't call me that!", yn said serious.

"Stop calling me 'idiot', then.", Gavin fired back.

"Nope. It suits you perfectly."

"Then, you have your answer.", Gavin grinned. They touched their cups with each other to seal this mini fight as over.

"How's she doing that?", Connor asked as he watched yn and Gavin talking about something before they touched their cups in a silly way. In one moment they were fighting and in the other they seemed to be fine again.

"Who is doing what?", Hank asked, slightly confused, what Connor was talking about.

"Yn and how she's acting with Reed. How long are they partners?"

"Two years, maybe a bit longer. But don't get tricked. They weren't always like this.", Hank said but he raised his hands as he already saw the next question in the android's face, "I will tell you the stories one day but not now. Come on, we have work to do."

[bee-boyz]

you guys can have little a dbh whump. as a treat.

Tainted

Connor could have sworn he was alright five minutes ago. They’d been at a crime scene, analyzing evidence like he always did. One sample and...the thirium on his shirt and dripping from his chin spoke for itself. He let out a groan of pain, eyes firmly shut to keep the lights of a patrol car out.

Patrol car?

Connor opened his eyes just a bit to see he was sitting outside, Gavin next to him with a begrudging look on his face. “Haaaaank?” Connor slurred mechanically, trying and failing to do a diagnostic. The files came back corrupted time and time again. The only things he could register were how goddamn bright it was and how much he ached. Ached? In short, Connor felt like shit, which was unusual.

“‘S Haaaank?” He tried again, looking up at Gavin as a fresh wave of discomfort washed over him. “‘S dad?” Connor mumbled to himself absentmindedly, head lolling to the side. “Daaaad!” Connor’s head snapped up, voice louder but less clear than before. The action sent frantic notifications dancing across his vision, and Gavin reached quickly to guide Connor’s head over his lap as yet another round of thirium came up. The sound was eerily human in a way that made Gavin flinch in sympathy. “C’mon now tin can...” He tried in a quiet voice, pulling Connor around for a moment until the android was successfully leaning against him. His fans whirred, LED cycling a lazy red over and over again.

“Someone call Hank!” Gavin yelled to the techs milling about, pointing to Connor. “NOW, YOU ASSHOLES!” He growled, wrapping an arm around Connor in what he validated as not wanting Hank to kill him. Really, Connor had been naught but kind, and he was vulnerable. Shivering and whimpering and perhaps even overheating a bit. Connor looked like a child curled into his side, and it tugged hard at Gavin’s heart.

Within minutes they greying lieutenant was sprinting over to them, dropping in front of Connor in a panic. “Hey, Con, Connie, look at me!” Hank held Connor’s face in his hands, listening to the quiet murmur he let out at the warm contact and cursing under his breath. He ripped his jacket off, ignoring the frigid January air and wrapping it around Connor. “Can he stand?” Hank leveled his gaze to Gavin, who shook his head. With a sigh and a grumble, Hank gently got his hands under Connor’s knees and around his shoulders and scooped him up like a child. Like Cole.

Connor twitched in his arms, letting out a pitifully overheating computer-ish whine. “‘S daaad?” He asked hopefully, eyes opening ever so slightly. His LED flashed an overjoyed blue for a moment before spinning back to red, and the android let out a giggle. “Daaaad!” He cheered, hot face against Hank’s neck.

“Dad, yeah.” Hank mumbled, holding Connor close to him. He was too focused on the way the android was limp in his arms, the way his artificial skin burned with heat even though both jackets. Connor’s head lolled back and Hank snapped his gaze down, seeing his chocolate brown eyes flutter shut. Shit. He’d passed out.

Captain Fowler was at the scene, and Hank called to him urgently. “Fowler! Open the goddamn car, Connor’s out.” The captain took one look at the limp android and the thirium covering his shirt and scrambled to whisk the car door open, allowing Hank to set Connor gently into the backseat. The android curled in on himself, arms wrapped around his stomach like a sick child. It made the greying detective’s heart clench in his chest with what could be called affection.

Hank leaned into the car, wiping the last traces of thirium from Connor’s lip and brushing his hair back from his face gently. “Hold on son, we’re going home and you can sleep or enter rest mode or whatever stuck up shit you call it. Just stay right there, okay?” No response; but he knew Connor had heard him by the way his LED cycled to yellow and back to red. “Get some extra blue blood shit.” Hank muttered, tucking his jacket around the android and shutting the door.

Once they’d pulled into the drive of the house, Connor seemed a bit more lucid, arms still wrapped tightly around himself. “Hank,” He said in a quiet, pitiful whimper, not daring to move. “Hurts.” Hank’s head immediately snapped back to look at him, and if Connor was human his face would be flushed green. As it were he was colored a pale blue all over, and his head lay flat against the seat as he panted in what was probably pain. “Shit, kid, you okay?”

Connor pushed himself up suddenly, clapping a hand over his mouth. Drips of deep blue thirium leaked from between his fingers as he fumbled dizzily with the door handle, finally shoving it open and falling to his knees on the driveway as a frankly nauseatingly human wave of sick flew from his mouth. Hot, sick, embarassed tears- saline, usually for cleaning his eyes- ran down Connor’s cheeks as he rocked back onto his heels, keeping his hands firmly on the floor as his head- technically his gyroscope- spun wildly. His breathing shallowed, artificial stomach still cramping.

Hank came to kneel next to him, ignoring the thirium on the ground but dutifully avoiding it as he rested one hand on the back of Connor’s neck and the other on his side. “Deep breaths, Con. It’s okay, thirium evaporates. I know you’re sick, it’s okay, we can go get you cleaned up and cooled down.” The detective soothed quietly, rubbing gentle circles on Connor’s too-warm skin and wiping the thirium that dripped down his chin. “You wanna get up now?”

Connor nodded slowly as not to mess with his head, sniffling and sitting back to lean on Hank. His brown eyes were slightly glazed, face splotchy and blue from where he’d been crying. “Hank...” He whispered, voice modulator crackly from all the thirium that had run through it. “‘M tired. Feel like shit.”

Hank laughed, wrapping his arm around Connor and gently slipping the other under his knees. The whole plastimetal frame thing meant he wasn’t too heavy, luckily. “Yeah kid. You look it, too.” The detective slithered one hand from under Connor to unlock the door, pushing past the boisterous St. Bernard and taking Connor not to the couch, but to his bedroom. This confused the already feverish- no, overheating, the detective could almost hear Connor saying it- android, as he never slept in Hank’s bedroom.

“Quiet, kid. You’re sick, you’re sleeping with me. Lets me monitor you easier.” Hank shut him up before Connor got a word in edgewise, settling the android on the bed and starting to take off his shoes. Despite his earlier protest, Connor was quiet now, almost worryingly so. He was just exhausted, Hank reasoned, pulling the younger detective’s jacket and tie off. Connor looked startlingly human like this, tired and sick and needy. Like Cole, a bit.

“Con? Hey, Con, look at me buddy.” Hank looked up to see his eyes closed and his LED cycling a lazy red, cheeks a feverish blue. Letting out a sigh, Hank put a hand behind Connor and eased him onto his side, tugging the blankets from under him to cocoon him in warmth. Connor seemed securely asleep, so Hank rationed it was safe to lean down and press a kiss to his forehead. “Get some rest, son. I’ll be in the living room.” He whispered before turning off the lights and walking out, leaving the door cracked. True to his word Hank settled in his recliner and flipped through stations for a bit before settling on a movie. “Fast and Furious, huh?”

Roughly six hours later, according to his internal processors, Connor awoke from rest mode. He felt at least a bit better, though his diagnostics were still offline and his gyroscope was still a bit off. He pushed the blankets off and sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes as he took in his surroundings. “Hank’s room..” Connor mumbled confusedly, pushing himself up to his feet. The floor was unexpectedly cold, making him almost hiss at the sensation. His sensitivity felt like it was dialed to eleven.

Slowly, carefully, Connor made his way to the living room, seeing Hank in his recliner. “H-Hank?” He called quietly, hand resting on the wall to steady him. Maybe Hank was asleep. Connor thought to himself, turning to go back to bed until he heard rustling. “Kid? That you?” Connor whipped his head back around, face flushed a dark, embarassed blue. “Hank!”

“You’re up early.” The detective quipped, standing and stretching before stepping over Sumo and walking over to Connor. “How you feeling, kid?” Connor thought on the question for a moment. “Not...On the verge of shutdown.” Hank let out a short laugh, resting his hand on Connor’s forehead. “Temp’s down. Think you might just be alright, son. There’s cold and warm thirium in the kitchen, if you’re up to it.”

“I think...I would just like to lay down.” Connor’s hands had started to shake a bit [MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION: BIOCOMPONENT B26A IS EXPERIENCING INSTA-] He dismissed the notification. “Out here.” The android made a brief nod toward the sofa, and Hank seemed to get the idea, wrapping a gentle arm around Connor’s waist to keep him steady and guiding him to the sofa. The detective fussed about him, grabbing a blanket Connor hadn’t even noticed- were his analysis functions also offline?- and tucking it in around him until he looked almost as comfortable as he felt. “T-Thank you, Lieutenant.”

Hank groaned, slapping a hand over his face irritability. Sarcasm. Connor’s system detected. “C’mon now, kid, it’s Hank or even...I don’t know, fuckin’ dad or something. Not Lieutenant, I get enough of that shit at work.” Connor could’ve spluttered, a distinctly human thing. He sat up at just about mach speed, processors going haywire.

[GYROSCOPE MALFUNCTION: PLEASE RECLINE INTO A HORIZONTAL POSITION.]

[THIRIUM PRESSURE RISING. 2%..4%..6%..]

Hank could practically see the dizziness in Connor’s face, spreading a hand over his chest and pushing him down onto the sofa firmly. “Con! Look at me, jackass! You look like you’re gonna fucking hurl, a g a i n, calm down.” He could feel the android’s chest heaving under his hand, “cooling his internal biocomponents”. At the moment, it seemed more like a calming move, and after a minute or two the panic seeped away from Connor’s eyes and the kid just looked beat.

“Alright, son...” Hank paused, sliding his hand down Connor’s chest and under his legs, sitting down and resting the android’s calves in his lap. “Get some rest.” Connor tried his damned best to keep his eyes open, but what with Hank gently tucking his blanket tighter around him and the weariness that filled his frame, who could blame him for sleeping?

[mindfulwrath]

Stick ‘Em Up

The final prize fic for the MWDF works contest! For @southlovesowls, who requested "your take on what a heist would look like with the deputies (Geoff, jack, Jeremy, Ryan, ray) when they were outlaws."

Words: 3,509 Warnings: Casual misogyny, violence, blood & gore, alcoholism

It began, as it so often did, with a train.

"Anythin'?" Geoff asked, laid out on his belly on a rocky scarp.

"Not a puff," said Jack, squinting through her cracked spyglass. "Maybe they hit a real rockslide or somethin'."

"Or they're just late."

"Or they're just late. I'll holler if I see anythin'."

Geoff clapped her on the shoulder and shimmied back from the ledge. He dusted himself off, resettled his hat on his head, and made his way back to the wagon. It was looking more busted up than usual, long overdue for some maintenance. The horses were all hitched up a few yards away, munching saplings and farting. As Geoff approached, Gavin heaved himself up from under the wagon and trotted out to meet him.

"Hey pal," said Geoff, taking a knee to scratch him behind the ears. "You ain't comin' with us, li'l buddy."

"Yeah, I didn't so much figure I would be."

Geoff looked up. Dooley was hovering by the horses, looking awfully disappointed.

"I was talkin' to the dog," Geoff said.

"Oh," said Dooley, his cheeks reddening. "Yeah, I—I knew that."

"'Course you did."

"I did! I was—answerin' for the dog."

"Sure you were." Geoff stood up again and nudged Gavin with his foot. "Mosey on, Gavvy. Where's Ray and Ryan?"

"Two guesses," Dooley said sourly, cocking his head at the wagon.

"Can't say as I'm surprised," Geoff grumbled. "Good damn thing the train's late, or else we'd miss it. Those horses all saddled up and ready to go?"

"Yessir. Went ahead and watered 'em, too, since it's gettin' hot already."

"Good thinkin'. If it's too much longer, you might wanna walk 'em around a li'l, make sure they don't get stiff."

"Will do, Boss. Uh—you think it's gonna be too much longer?"

"Hell if I know. All the shit that's been goin' wrong lately, wouldn't surprise me if the damn train didn't show up at all."

"Train's always late."

Geoff jumped about a foot in the air and whipped around. Ray was standing right behind him, his poncho hanging crooked over his double bandoleers, a permanently sardonic expression affixed to his face.

"Jesus, Ray!" Geoff cried. "How long you been there?"

Ray shrugged. "Couple minutes," he said. "Train's always late, don't know why you're gettin' all chicken-shit about it."

"Go fuck yourself, pal," Geoff said, rolling his eyes.

"Shit, right now? All right, Mr. Boss-man sir, but it's gonna take me a couple minutes to get it up again. Hope that train's real late or else I'll be shootin' with three guns."

"Harr-harr, ain't you a goddamn riot."

"We got smoke," Jack called from the scarp.

"Awright, time to go," said Geoff. "Jack, come on back, our li'l rockslide ain't gonna hold 'em up for long!"

"Comin'!"

"Guess I better go fuck myself real quick," said Ray. He ambled off to the horses, where Dooley was making final preparations, and was joined shortly by Jack.

"Jackass," Geoff muttered. "Ryan, where the hell you at?"

Ryan popped out the back of the wagon, pulling his hair back. He flashed a grin at Geoff as he stepped down.

"He was behind you 'bout thirty seconds, at most," he said, heading for the horses, too. "If you were wonderin'."

Geoff caught his arm. Ryan hung back, expectant. There was a fresh set of bruises blooming on his neck.

"Hey, you gonna be all right?" Geoff asked, keeping his voice down.

Frowning, Ryan said, "Sure thing. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well—I don't know, just I figured you mighta been a li'l shook up after last time, that's all."

"Ain't nothin' bad happen to me. Ain't nothin' to be shook up about."

"You sure? 'Cuz I don't want you freezin' up in the middle, or God forbid, anythin' worse happenin' to you."

"I won't freeze up and won't nothin' bad happen to me," Ryan promised, patting his hand. "And even if it does, I got the ol' Kentucky Ram hisself lookin' out for me."

Geoff smoothed his mustache. "Don't get to countin' on me, now."

"No, suh, wouldn't dream of it," said Ryan. He slipped out of Geoff's grip and started off after Ray, tossing a left-handed salute over his shoulder before breaking into a jog.

Shaking his head, Geoff let out a sigh.

"Damn fool's got ten times more luck than sense," he said to himself.

"Hey, uh, Boss Ramsey?"

He turned. Dooley was back, hat in hand.

"Oh, right. Uh—stay here, make sure the wagon don't go nowhere. And keep an eye on Gavin. And the other horses. And if we get caught—"

"Come and get y'all?"

Geoff blinked, pursed his lips, and inclined his head.

"Uh, yeah," he said, rerouting from the threat he'd been about to make. "Yeah, you come and get us, if we get caught. Just don't spend too much money doin' it. And don't let Gavin get ran over or nothin', neither."

"Yessir. I'll keep an eye out."

"Two eyes, Dooley."

"Yessir."

"Good. Now go make sure nobody's gonna see that wagon."

He snapped out a salute and scurried off. Geoff joined the others. Once he'd mounted up, he pulled his bandanna over his mouth and nose.

"Awright, boys," he said. "Let's go rob us a train."

Jack shoved her way into the first-class car, her gun pressed up under the conductor's jaw. Ray whisked in behind her, drawing both revolvers before anybody could get up. Geoff came after him, and Ryan brought up the rear.

"Afternoon, folks," Geoff said to the sea of waxen faces. "I'll be conductin' y'all's holdup today. Now if everybody stays calm and quiet, won't nobody have to get hurt, and y'all can go on y'all's way not much the worse for wear."

"This is outrageous," a woman spat. She was dressed like a peacock, only ten times as frumpy. "Where is the security on this—"

"Nice hat, bitch," said Ray, and shot it off.

She screamed and dove for cover under the seats. The car erupted in a clamor of gasps and shouts. The conductor wriggled in Jack's grasp, and she dealt him a ringing smack with the butt of the gun, not quite enough to knock him out. Geoff clenched his fists and breathed deep. The longer this took, the worse it would wind up. There was bound to be security somewhere on the train, U. S. Marshals or Union Pacific's own hired goons, and they'd figure out pretty quick that the Western Union car wasn't the one being hit.

Especially if there was any more gunfire.

"And let that be a lesson to y'all!" he called out, raising his voice to be heard over the clamor. "Next dumbass who talks outta turn is gonna get shot! Now my associate here—" He tipped his head at Ryan— "is gonna come down the aisle, and y'all are gonna hand over any valuables you got to hand, and then we'll be on our way."

"Everybody get up, c'mon, get off those doughy asses," said Ray, gesturing with his guns. Ryan took out the first burlap sack and offered it to the first seat on the left—an elderly couple, the man nervously wiping his glasses and the woman clutching her pearls.

"We'd be ever so much obliged if y'all could donate t' our cause," he said, sweet as a peach. "We won't take nothin' essential, such as your spectacles, suh—but ma'am, I think you will most likely survive without that necklace. C'mon, now, divest yourselves of your worldly wealth."

With trembling hands, they complied. Ray paced up and down the aisle like a coyote trapped between two fences. Geoff watched the passengers as they took off their watches and jewelry, keen for any hint of a weapon.

"Thank you kindly," Ryan said to the elderly couple. "Just think of it this way: the Bible says it's well nigh impossible for a rich man to get into Heaven. We're doin' y'all's immortal souls a favor. Have a blessed day, now."

He moved on, keeping up a running litany of platitudes in that soothing voice. The bag filled steadily. The conductor fidgeted. Jack kneed him in the leg, warning.

"Boss, they're startin' to get suspicious," she said, with her eyes on something out the window. "We better keep this short."

"Kid!" Geoff snapped. "Quit proselytizin' and get the damn money!"

"Oh, yessuh, so sorry, suh," Ryan effused. He rounded on the next pair like a rabid dog, snarling, "Put the fuckin' money in the bag!"

The two young women yelped and shoved their valuables into the bag. Ryan tipped his hat to them, grinning under his bandanna, before moving on.

The car filled with a low murmur, frightened glances tossed back and forth across the aisle. Geoff drummed his fingers on the butt of his revolver, watching, waiting, praying. A bead of sweat crawled down his back. He caught Ray's eye as he paced up the aisle and flicked a glance out the window. Ray followed his gaze, and his face hardened.

Vagabond's gonna get y'all.

Geoff's blood ran cold. The voice had come from nowhere, low and vicious and hateful, like a diamondback creeping underfoot—

"Who the fuck said that?" Ray snarled, whipping around with both revolvers. The whole car ducked, amidst muffled screams and cursing—all except one man, tall as a pine tree with a mustache like an oil slick and eyes like steel.

"I did," he said—or more squeaked, because both Ray's guns were pointing at him now.

"You wanna say it again to my fuckin' face?" Ray asked, walking up to him.

The man gulped. Towards the back of the car, Ryan tied up the burlap sack and hung it on his belt. Instead of starting to fill the other one, though, he eased out his gun.

"Naw, c'mon, say it again," said Ray. "Make my fuckin' day, you beanpole-lookin' ass bitch. Say it so's everybody can hear you."

With a great mustering of grit, the man said, "The Vagabond is gonna get y'all."

"Theeee Vagabond!" Ray hollered, and laughed. "Dumbass. You think the fuckin' tooth fairy's gonna show up, too?"

"Maybe not today," said the man. "Maybe not tomorrow. But y'all's day is comin'."

"How 'bout in the next ten seconds?" Ray asked.

"Don't you do it," Geoff hissed. Ryan was watching, quiet and curious. His finger was on the trigger of his gun, ready to pull. The goons down by the Western Union car had gathered together and were making eyes in their direction.

"Six," Ray said. "Five. Four. Three. Where's he at, hombre? Two. One and a half! Vagabond, hey, you dumb bitch, come get me!"

"Don't you do it, Ray!"

"One. Zero. Sorry, hombre, looks like he ain't comin'."

BANG. BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG.

The man's body jiggled like a pudding before collapsing in a puddle of blood. There were more screams. Ray blew the smoke off his revolver, popped it open and tipped the casings out.

"Anybody else got somethin' stupid to say?" he asked, reloading. "'Cuz I got a whole 'nother gun and a shitload more bullets."

Nobody said a goddamn word.

"Fine. Hand over all the fuckin' money and jewelry you got, and I prob'ly won't shoot nobody else."

"Fuck!" Jack spat. She shoved the conductor to the ground, kicked open the car's door, and took a potshot down the train. Somebody shot back. "Boss, we gotta go, now!"

Geoff grabbed her by the arms and hauled her into the aisle. Ray leapt up into the dead man's seat and shot out the window.

"Go, go!" Geoff said, pushing Jack down the aisle. He whipped out his gun and set his back against hers, keeping an eye on the passengers. "Well folks, it's been real fun, but we gotta be headin' on now! Thanks much for y'all's generosity, and have a good trip!"

Ray emptied his revolver and swapped out for the other one. A bullet smashed through the window in front of him, spraying glass. He flinched, cursed, and shot back.

"Get the kid out," Geoff said to Jack. "Ray! C'mon, we're leavin'!"

"I'm comin'!" Ray snapped. He reloaded one revolver one-handed from his bandoleer while he kept shooting with the other one.

"Don't wait for us, just go," Jack said to Ryan. "They're gonna shoot, but you just ride."

She ushered him out the door, pausing only to yank the purse out of a man's hand on her way out. Geoff backed towards the door, one eye on Ray and one on the passengers.

"Ray!"

He leapt down and dashed for the door. Geoff bolted for the horses. Jack was already mounted up. Ryan's horse was kicking up a fuss, dancing and tossing its head. Geoff snagged its reins and it nearly yanked him off his feet.

"Shit, fuck, goddammit—"

A gunshot snapped out behind them. Geoff whipped around. Ray was backing out of the train car, reloading again. A window exploded. Ray shot back before the glass even hit the ground.

"Put him on my horse!" he yelled over his shoulder.

"You don't—"

Ray fired off another couple shots before sprinting to them. He grabbed Ryan around the waist and threw him up onto his own horse. Ryan scrambled to get situated. Ray jumped up after him and sat down backwards. He popped off another volley towards the train cars.

A pair of hulking enforcers clambered out from between the cars farther down the line. Geoff dashed to his horse, firing from the hip. They ducked back, but as soon as he stopped shooting, they popped out again. Geoff leapt into the saddle and wheeled his horse around.

"Let's go, move, move!"

They lit out like bats out of hell. Bullets whizzed by, muzzle flashes lit up the clouds of dust behind them. Ray dropped to one gun, keeping his elbow locked through Ryan's to stay on the horse. A bullet smacked into Jack's horse and it screamed, tumbling into the dust. Ray tried to jump off after her. Ryan didn't let him.

"Sonnuva—"

"I got her!" Geoff shouted, doubling back. "Y'all go, I got her!"

She was on her feet and shooting by the time he got there. He heaved her up onto his horse. One of the goons had grabbed Ryan's abandoned horse and was riding after them, hellbent.

"Take us under the scarp, I got an idea," Jack said. Geoff kicked his horse and shouted. Ryan and Ray started up the switchback trail up to their encampment. A bullet whizzed past his ear.

"Come on, Blue, come on!" he said, leaning down over the horse's neck. Jack shot back at their pursuer, missing every shot. "Is he gainin'?"

"Of course he's gainin', just keep goin'!"

"Where the hell—"

"Just keep goin'!"

The horse's flanks heaved. Foam flecked its mouth. Dust covered everything. Geoff's ears rang with gunfire. He glanced back over his shoulder. The goon was bearing down on them, gun drawn, teeth bared—

CRACK.

He toppled sideways out of the saddle, bounced, rolled, and did not get up.

"Yeehaw!" Jack cried, punching the air. "Atta boy! C'mon, Geoff, let's get that dumbass horse back."

Geoff reigned in. Jack hopped down. While she hurried back to catch Ryan's horse, Geoff shaded his eyes and looked up to the ridge.

A familiar, poncho-clad silhouette raised a carbine rifle in salute.

Geoff flipped it off.

"Awright, Ray," said Geoff, dropping himself down next to the campfire. "What in the goddamn hell is wrong with you?"

Ray looked up from his dinner. The sun had set, and they'd thrown together a little camp about fifteen miles from the railroad. Firelight danced off of slender pines, and the glittering haul from the robbery. The smell of cooked meat and pine straw filled the air. Dooley was off tending to the horses, and Jack was walking Gavin around to keep him from getting into the food. Ryan had settled in a ways off, absorbed in his whittling.

"What?" said Ray.

"You know what. Back at the train."

"Thought I was savin' y'all's lives. You're welcome."

"It wouldn't've been needed if you hadn't started shootin'!"

Ray shrugged. "Sometimes a bitch needs killin'."

"No, he didn't. And you ain't have to go out on that whole damn monologue, neither."

"Oh, all right, yeah, so that's what you're all fucked up about," said Ray, rolling his eyes. "Grow a pair, Ramsey."

"Maybe on the day you grow some common goddamn sense, you trigger-happy fuck! Maybe on the day you learn to keep your fuckin' mouth shut!"

"Suck my dick, you don't pay me enough to keep quiet. You know what you do pay me for? To shoot folks. Sorry for doin' my fuckin' job, I guess."

Gavin came trotting up from the darkness, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. He climbed into Geoff's lap and tried to lick his face. Geoff shoved him off.

"Get the fuck outta here," he snapped, before returning to Ray. "It ain't your job to shoot first. It is your job to shoot second, once they're already shootin' at us. It sure as hell ain't your job to go engagin' in dumbass stunts like the one you pulled in there!"

"Fine, fuck you, whatever. Next time I'll let the motherfuckers ride your bitch ass down, how'd you like that?"

"Ray," Geoff growled.

"C'mon, now, Boss, ain't no call to get worked up about it," Ryan said. His eyes were on his hands, his voice casual. "Even if the Vagabond's real, it ain't like he was there to hear it."

"I don't got a problem with Ray disrespectin' the Vagabond, Ryan, I got a problem with him fillin' folks with lead just for openin' their damn mouths!"

"Oh, sure," said Ryan. "S'pose that's the reason you been lookin' over your shoulder all evenin', too."

"Marshals," said Geoff, heat rising to his cheeks. "Could be the Marshals are gonna come after us."

"Geoff, it's all right," Jack said, coming up and settling down by the fire. "Ryan's right, there ain't no call to get worked up about it. Gavin and I been all over hell and gone, and there's nobody out here but us. We got our cash, we got away, we're all in one piece—that's a good day!"

Geoff wiggled his mustache. He folded his arms and heaved a sigh.

"Fine," he grumbled. "Good job, everybody. We'll head on for Osceola in the mornin', see if we can't get this shit pawned off. How much we got in cash, meantime?"

"'Bout twenty bucks," said Ray. He tossed the remainder of his cooked rabbit to Gavin, who snapped it up in a heartbeat.

"Ain't great, but it'll hold us for a while," said Jack. "We'll prob'ly get twice that from the jewelry."

"Might almost cover the cost of ammo," Geoff muttered. "Gonna need another horse, too."

Ray got up, licking his fingers. He went over to Ryan and pulled on his hair.

"Hey," he said.

"Hm?" said Ryan, looking up at him.

"C'mon, I need some goddamn unwindin'."

Ryan smiled and put his knife away. "Sure thing, honey."

With another, rougher pull on Ryan's hair, Ray stalked away into the woods. Ryan blew the wood chips off his whittling, stuck it in his pocket, and followed.

With the two of them gone, quiet descended. Gavin slunk over again and sniffed around Geoff's face, looking for more rabbit. Geoff scratched him behind the ears absently.

"You all right, Geoff?" Jack asked.

"I don't know," Geoff sighed. "I don't know. I'm startin' to wonder if maybe...."

"Maybe what?"

He shook his head. Gavin climbed up into his lap and sat down, despite the fact that he was two sizes too big for it. He licked Geoff's ear, tail thumping hopefully.

"Maybe it oughtta have stayed just us," Geoff said.

"What, and set those funny fuckers loose on the world?" said Jack. "Hell naw. We'll temper 'em down in time, just needs a li'l more workin'. Ryan's already got Ray about half as hot as he used to be."

"Yeah, I guess."

Another, longer silence, filled with the crackling of the fire and the distant snorting and nickering of the horses as Dooley brushed them down. The exhaustion was catching up with Geoff, laying heavy on his shoulders, grim and foggy in his head. His heart had not yet stopped racing. His ears had not yet stopped ringing.

It was either going to be a sleepless night, or a drunken one.

"It's all right to be scared," Jack said softly. "You got every reason."

"It ain't that I'm scared, Jack. It's that there ain't a damn thing I can do about it. So long as we're outlaws, it's ... always gonna be there. He is always gonna be there. Waitin'. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but ... someday."

"Well," Jack said slowly. "What if we wasn't outlaws?"

Geoff blinked. He tugged on Gavin's ear. He sat forward and fixed her with a look.

"I'm listenin'," he said.

[musikat18]

Cuddle Pile Drabble

Just something fun based on some conversation with @yallneedtrek and @annathewitch yesterday, specifically asked for at length by @bsotstory. I hope everybody enjoys my little cuddle pile of happiness and snuggles and sass. 

Leonard’s eyebrow quirked at the sound of the door opening, and he turned his head just enough from his work to see the shorter brunette trudge through the door and toss her bag down on the empty recliner instead of sitting in it like she probably should have.

“Long day, darlin’?”

A frustrated grumble as she threw herself into the carpet.

“Darlin’?”

This time, there was colorful language thrown in.

“Oh, fuck. You said fuck.”

A nod.

Setting his work aside, he knelt beside her and gently squeezed her shoulders.

“I can appreciate your need to lay down, darlin’, but I think you’ll be a little more comfortable at the very least on the couch.”

Now, a distinctly more threatening grumble.

“Don’t make me call in the cavalry.”

A small, green-painted middle finger was thrust up in the air. Bones heaved in a sigh and poked his head out the back door to the man in the backyard.

“We’ve got a Code Fuck, Gavin.”

“Code Fuck? Damn. How bad of a Code Fuck?”

“She won’t get off the floor.”

Gavin frowned to the side and wiped at his brow, “Double damn. D’you think I might be able to get her upstairs without getting my arm ripped off?”

“You know Sara’s not the arm-ripping type. It’s the other two you’d have to worry about.”

Gavin just clapped Bones’ shoulder, “I’ll see what I can do.”

The doctor moved to the kitchen, and Gavin bent down by the brunette, who was now lightly hitting her head against the carpet.

“Hey there, angel. Rough day?”

Another grunt, though this one wordless.

“Wanna talk about it?”

“The next person to ask anything of me gets a throat punch.”

This gave Gavin a pretty good litmus of exactly how deep in Code Fuck territory they were.

“...That sounds fair. How about a snack? Maybe a nap? Doctor Eyebrows over there—“

“We have the same eyebrows, don’t be a dick.”

“—He’s feeling grumpy, but I’m sure he could put some tea on.”

“What do you think I’m in here for?”

“I don’t know, it’s not like you’ve been resting all day, either—“

“Children,” Vaako frowned as he approached. “Bickering children.” He knelt down and gently tilted her chin up as far as she could comfortably move her head to look at him. “Feeling tired, my starlight?”

“...More than a few ways, yeah,” she muttered. “Probably would be less so if people did their damn job and didn’t expect me to fucking fix everything.”

“A Code Fuck, and no one thought to call me,” Vaako said, clearly feeling a bit slighted.

“I’m sorry, did we just all forget I’m an actual doctor?” Bones came back over, a hot mug in hand. “And also that I’m here?”

“Yes, you are here, and bickering when my starlight is in need of comfort.”

“Isn’t that what you’re doing with us right now?!”

Said ‘starlight’ was now glaring up at the three of them, catching their attention with a little clearing of her throat.

“Well, if it’s this serious, I’m sure he’ll want to see you,” the Necromonger suggested. The brunette’s face changed in an instant from disapproving to chastened.

“Siberius, no, it’s daytime, he’ll probably be asleep, I don’t want to--”

“He’d prefer it to you whinging on the floor, I’m sure,” Vaako stood. “Lumberjack, attend her.”

“Vaako!”

A squeak of surprise slipped past her lips as Gavin swiftly scooped her up and started up the stairs.

“I have a name, you know,” Gavin reminded him.

“You haven’t earned my use of it today.”

“Well, sorry, Mr. Keep-What-You-Kill.”

“You guys!” the female twisted around, eyeing her discarded bag, “I have actual work to do! I can’t just--”

Bones folded his arms as he followed behind the lumberjack, “Now you’re starting to sound worse than me.” In spite of the circumstances being clearly against her, she babbled things about agendas and deadlines and revisions and research in hopes of being perhaps set at her desk instead of the bed, but she was unceremoniously dropped on top of the obviously-sleeping vampire in the darkened bedroom, accidentally jolting him awake.

“This is a pleasant surprise,” he chuckled at the indignant female laying on his chest. “What brings you here so early?”

“They think I need a break,” she pointed at the three men standing above them, “and yes, it’s been a long few days, but I’m fine, really, I promise!”

She was in the process of explaining further when he brought up a hand to brush across her cheek.

“Your eyes are looking less bright than yesterday…”

She frowned to the side, “Gee, thanks for noticing.”

Black Hat gently laid her head to one side against his chest, “I don’t think there’s any reason for you to not take a little break.”

“But--”

“No buts, angel,” Gavin assumed his place on her far side, running his fingers lightly through her hair. “You need a break.”

Bones sighed, put the cup he’d brought up with him on the bedside table, and moved to lay at just the right side to be able to lace one of her hands in his, “I can reheat that later. Sleep first is probably the best plan.”

“I agree,” Vaako’s lips delicately brushed her neck as he became a comfortable, cool weight over her. “And I’m glad that seems to be what we can all agree on.”

She momentarily thought about all she’d have to do later, but her heartbeat was a small reminder of how little that mattered.

As long as she had this kind of support, she’d be able to conquer anything.

[pagesoflauren]

A Thousand Years (vampire!Jack x reader AU) - Part 10

Part 9 Masterlist

Jack and Y/N drive to her parents’ house as the sun sets on her last day of finals. The backseat is stocked with presents for all of Y/N’s relatives that he doesn’t know, with suitcases for the next two weeks in the trunk. They had given Ash and Garrett a key to the house to check on Socks and fill his food bowl for him. “Just don’t move in,” Jack said.“You have a fluffy, sassy black cat,” Ash replied, “I make no promises.”

They arrive a little before midnight, two days before Christmas.

“Oh thank you for letting us send the presents to your house,” Y/N’s mum gushes, “the little ones have been snooping about trying to find them. They’ll be thrilled when they’re finally under the tree.”

Her parents help them unload the car before pulling Y/N aside while Jack carries their suitcases upstairs. “When you tell everyone about Jack, please do it delicately.” “What do you mean?” “There’s just…I don’t know exactly what everyone’s opinions on vampires are. Some people might be open, but I’m not so sure about your nan and aunties.” “But papa fought with them in the war, Jack was a spitfire pilot like him.” “Darling, I know, but…you have to understand there’s still a stigma about them.” “Well, maybe you can tell them? Kinda hint at it and if they don’t catch on then I can tell them? He hunted last week so he’s not hungry. And-and he doesn’t hunt people, just the ones who are really violent and attack others. He’s not gonna hurt anyone, especially the kids. They’ll love him, I’m sure.”

Y/N’s sudden worry catches her mum’s attention, who works diligently to calm her. “No, darling I know. He’s a lovely man and he just adores you so much. I’m sure they’ll come around, like your father.” “Has he, though?” Her mum stammers out her response, “Well, sort of. Just give it time.” “How much? It’s been over a year.” “He just worries about you.” “And you don’t?” “I do, but not on the same level as him. I think after you told us about Jack’s friend he’s just worried you’ll do the same. Leave and never come back.” “Mum, I’m sticking around whether you want me to or not. Trust me. And I’m not going anywhere that you can’t get to me or I can’t come home easily.”

They laugh together, her mum pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Alright darling, best get some sleep. The next few days are going to be a little hectic.”

Y/N goes upstairs and finds Jack waiting in the doorway of her bedroom, leaning against the frame. “Hey,” she says as she approaches him. “You think they’ll like me?” “Of course, they just need to get to know you. And you have to show them how wonderful you are,” she says, pressing kisses to his cheek, “I’m sure you can do that.”

“Let’s bring some light into this house, why are all your curtains drawn?” Y/N’s Aunt Sharon asks the next morning as she arrives. Her mother hurries to shut the curtain again, clamping it shut with a binder clip.

“We can’t have too much light in here for the next few days,” she hushes to the room, catching everyone’s attention. “Why ever not?” “Y/N’s new boyfriend…he’s a bit…um…” “Oh, has he got light sensitivity in his eyes?” Aunt Clara asks, almost ironically. Her name does mean “light,” after all.

“Yes, a bit.” “Oh, that’s not a problem, a little sunlight won’t kill him.” “I’m not too sure about that, loves,” her mother says, “I’d rather be on the safe side.”

She continues shutting and clipping the curtains together, limiting the sunlight drastically and turning on the lights.

“This is quite strange,” Y/N’s nan states. “Just, something to get used to, don’t worry,” her father brushes it off, waving his hand in the air as if to wipe away the idea form everyone’s mind. “Now, shall we get started on breakfast?”

By the time Y/N wakes up, Jack is pacing the floor, hearing the sounds of her family downstairs. She sits up and grabs his hand, pulling him to sit on the bed. “Everything’s gonna be okay, I promise.” “You sure we can’t just go home and celebrate on our own?” “Yes, because the sun’s up. Don’t need you dying on me now.” “I can’t just stay up here?” “Mum’s already told them all about you. I’m sure my cousins really want to meet you, too.” “Well, maybe we can—“ “No. Come on. Come have breakfast with me. We don’t even have to sit in the kitchen, we can sit on the couch like we’re at home.” He inhales deeply before nodding. “Okay.”

As they come down the stairs, Jack smiles to himself at the fact that Y/N’s mum had clipped the curtains shut. Before he can thank her, a group of younger…humans…are running towards them calling her name.

“Y/N!!!” they all chorus. “Hi guys!” she says, running the rest of the way down the stairs and getting engulfed in a group hug.

Jack watches lovingly, remembering his dream about her before he feels someone pull at his pant leg. He looks down and sees a little boy, probably the age of four holding his arms up. He has bright green eyes that vaguely remind him of Socks and he smiles as he picks him up to settle him on his hip. “Good morning,” he greets the child. “Hello. I’m Adrian.” “Nice to meet you, Adrian. I’m Jack.” “Hi Jack. You’re cold,” he observes, pressing his hands into various places, testing his temperature. “You’re cold all over. Did auntie Y/N take all the blankets last night and that’s why you’re cold?” “No,” he laughs, “Just naturally this way.”

Suddenly there’s a cacophony of older women and men swarming them and Y/N’s introducing everyone to Jack.

“Aunt Sharon her husband Dominic, Aunt Clara and her wife Helen, Aunt Toni and her husband Henry, that’s my nan, and there’s Aunt Julia and her husband Benjamin. And that’s my older cousin Jenny and her husband Sam.” She begins introducing her cousins, bopping each of them on the heads to point them out, “This is Timmy, Tracy, Gavin, Henry Jr., Veronica, Mars, you’re carrying Adrian, that’s Emma and her sister Evie and their brother Walter.”

It’s a blur of names and shaking hands, but Jack’s sure he’s got the names down. “Come get some tea, young man, your hands are freezing,” Uncle Dominic says. “Oh, Jack doesn’t drink tea,” Y/N says. “Coffee?”

She shakes her head, walking over to the counter to make herself a plate and her relatives close in on him more. “Wait, Y/N, where are you going, don’t leave me!” he shouts quietly. He’s about to follow her when he feels a hand on his bicep. “Well, you must be eating something,” Aunt Sharon asks as she squeezes his bicep, “You’re in shape!” “Oh, that’s just…genes and stuff,” he says waving his hand, still balancing Adrian in his arms. “You’re such a lovely young man,” Y/N’s nan says. “Oh thank you, but only half of that statement is true,” he laughs.

He suddenly sees gears turning in their heads and Y/N’s back at his side.

“He is lovely, thought isn’t he?” “Adrian, come to mummy, darling,” Jenny says with some urgency, holding her arms out for her son. He shakes his head, tightening his arms around Jack’s neck. “Go on, Adrian, your mum wants you,” Jack says, gently prying his arms loose and handing him to his mother. She takes her child quickly, holding him so that she can shield him with her body.

“Are you a vampire?” Timmy practically blurts out.

There’s a moment of tense silence, and Jack does something he never thought he’d be able to do. He looks at his mother for all intents and purposes, Y/N’s mum, and asks for a signal of what to do.

She makes a motion that looks like a shrug.

“I am, yeah,” Jack says, Y/N weaving her fingers through his. “My teacher is a vampire too!” Timmy says, “That’s why I know!” “No he isn’t, Timothy,” Aunt Clara rushes, “He was just a vampire for Halloween.” “But he’s cold all the time too. And he tells us about when he was a teenager, he fought in the-the-the um, the war in America! He was a red coat.”

There’s more silence and the discomfort is extremely tangible.

“Well, we’re going to eat in the living room, don’t want the food getting cold,” Y/N says, pulling Jack toward the living room. “It was lovely meeting you all,” Jack stammers out before following her to sit on the couch.

The crowd of Y/N’s relatives disperses to sit down again at the dining table, Y/N’s cousins peeking into the living room before coming in and staring at Jack.

“How old are you?” Henry Jr. asks.

Y/N nudges him, telling him it’s okay.

“I’m 167.”

They explode in shouts of astonishment and excitement.

“You’re older than sliced bread!” Gavin shouts. “And Walt Disney!” Walter says, proud that he knows so much about the man he’s named after. “Can you turn into a bat?” Emma asks, staring up at Jack with wide eyes. “Do you hang upside when you sleep?” Evie asks. “No, I don’t really sleep and I don’t turn into a bat. But that’d be cool though.”

“Vy don’t yew sound like zis?” Gavin asks, putting on a bad Romanian accent. “Because I’m Scottish,” Jack laughs, “I’ve never even been to Romania.”

Suddenly Adrian runs in and hops into Jack’s lap. “Are you really a vampire?”

“Yeah, I am,” he smiles.

Without any other word, Adrian puts his hands on Jack’s face before prying his mouth open and looking in. Jack opens his mouth despite the discomfort of having little fingers in it and hears Y/N choke on a piece of pancake as she giggles.

“Where are your fangs?” he asks, tilting his head to try and find the pointed teeth.

Jack moves his head back so that the little boy’s fingers can slide out of his mouth, “Do you wanna see them?” “Yeah, yeah!” they all shout. “Okay, okay,” Jack laughs, “Don’t touch them okay?” “Okay,” Adrian smiles, clapping his hands in anticipation.

Jack opens his mouth and feels his fangs protrude as they all cheer in excitement. He retracts them before closing his mouth. “How strong are you?” Walter asks. “I don’t know, exactly.” “Carry me, carry me!” Adrian cheers. Jack gets up and obliges, before Emma’s pushing his arm up and telling him to extend it. She jumps up and hangs on his arm like a monkey bar and her other cousins follow suit, climbing up and hanging onto Jack in anyway he can. There’s the exception of Mars, the next one after Y/N, though he’s younger than her by eight years. He stares at Jack intently, squinting his eyes suspiciously at him. “Yes?” “Your name’s Jack.” “Mhmm.” “Like Jack the Ripper.”

If they were in a sitcom, there would be the sound of a record scratching, cutting off the happy music playing in the background and the sound of the studio audience laughing.

“Uh, no, mate, m’not a serial killer. You think I’d be hanging around your cousin and letting all these kids hang off me if I was?” “Maybe so.” “Mars is really into crime and stuff,” Y/N explains, “he wants to be a police officer when he grows up, don’t you?” “Yep. You’re all clear for now, mister,” he says to Jack. “Thank you, officer,” Jack laughs, setting all the kids on the floor and sitting down to hang out with them.

Y/N gets up to bring her plate to the sink, getting intercepted by her concerned relatives. “You left him with the children?” they ask, astonished. “They’re fine,” she says casually, “he won’t hurt them. They’re actually quite fascinated with him.” “Isn’t that what they do, though?” her nan says in an accusing tone, “They use their charm to get into people’s heads and draw them in and then they just take them away?” “No, he’s not like that at all!” “He’s got a hold on you, doesn’t he?” “No, it’s not like that. He wouldn’t hurt anyone. He hunts animals.”

There’s silence.

“Go look at see,” she points towards the doorway to the living room. They eye her suspiciously before Aunt Sharon goes to peek around the wall. She relaxes visibly before turning back. “What’s going on?” “They’re just playing and he’s telling them stories.” “He’s such a wonderful person, I promise. He fought in the Great War and World War II. He was a spitfire pilot, like Papa.”

There’s more silence and Y/N thinks she might’ve gotten through to them.

“You watch out for the children, okay?” they say, “You don’t let him hurt them.” “I won’t. Please, please give him a chance, he’s so sweet.”

There’s a sign of resignation in their eyes and they appear to concede.

“Just make sure you’re being safe, dear,” Aunt Helen says. Y/N had a special place in her heart ever since she was a little girl.

“People can be mean, Aunt Helen,” she had said, “but you’re nice. You’re just trying to love Aunt Clara. You’re not doing anything wrong.”

“I will, Aunt Helen. He loves me and I love him.”

They all kiss her cheeks and forehead, reminding her they’re just worried because they love her and she can’t help that she feels a little thankful that they care so much. When she returns, Jack is telling them about Socks and his naughty habits, stopping to smile at her when he sees her walk in.

There’s a moment between them, suddenly broken by Evie’s outburst of “Do you love each other?” “No, they don’t Evie, only mommies and daddies can love each other,” Walter says. “Or mommies and mommies!” Timmy says, reminding them of his parents. “Yeah!” Walter agrees. “But they look at each other like mommy and daddy do,” Evie explains to Walter.

As they continue to banter, Y/N sits next to Jack, who’s bouncing little Adrian in his lap. “How’s it going?” “I think I got their approval,” Jack says proudly. “Good. The older folk are working at it.” “If they’re the older folk then I must be ancient.” “You are, though.” “Oi!”

The rest of the day was spent cooking, Jack helping in the kitchen where he could, proudly sharing his newfound cooking expertise with all the aunties while Y/N played video games with her cousins in the basement and the uncles watched football in the living room. Occasionally, Y/N would come in and grab snacks for the kids and Jack would quickly steal a kiss from her, earning coos from the aunts and a smile from Y/N’s mum.

After dinner, everyone gathered in the living room to open one present, Y/N picking her present from Aunt Clara and Aunt Helen as Jack settled behind her, extending his legs so she could sit between them. Her mum walked over and handed him an envelope with his name written on it.

“Here, darling,” she smiled, “Y/N told us you’ve yet to use your music app on your phone, so we figured we’d help you get started.”

He tears the envelope and opens the card, catching the iTunes gift card that slides out before reading the card.

We are so happy to have you as part of our family. May this be the first Christmas of many.

It was simple, but somehow it gave him all the reassurance he needed.

Y/N had jumped up at the excitement of unwrapping a designer bag, running over to hug her aunts. Jack got up to thank Y/N’s parents, hugging each of them tightly and kissing her mum on the cheek.

“Thank you,” he says, “I’m so grateful that you guys have accepted me into your family.” “Of course,” her father says, eyes drifting towards his daughter who’s modeling the bag in her pajamas, “She loves you very much.” “I want to say that I know, but I think she loves me more than I could ever imagine. And I feel just the same.” “If you ever want to marry her,” he says casually, “you have my approval.”

Jack looks at him, astonishment slapped all across his face.

“Are you serious?” “Yes. Hopefully that doesn’t scare you away,” he laughs, “I just imagine that…you two will be together for a long time and if marriage ever comes up you know you’ve got my blessing.”

Jack smiles, trying really hard to not let his emotions get the best of him, and thanks him.

When they go upstairs as everyone’s setting up their air mattresses and beddings, Y/N asks him what he and her parents were talking about.

“Oh I just thanked them for the iTunes, told them I’d use it to buy some Beatles music and stuff.” “Seems like you’re getting along well with everyone, especially when you were helping in the kitchen. Are they coming around?” “A little. I still can sense a bit of discomfort but it’s nice to know that your mum is getting me involved in everything.”

“I’m glad, too.”

They exchange kisses before Y/N snuggles up to him in bed and falls asleep. Jack gets up and opens the curtains, watching the snowfall as the moonlight filters in through the window. He remembers Christmases with his parents, opening presents and drinking hot cocoa while sitting by the fireplace. He remembers playing in the snow with Thomas, snowball fights and kissing pretty girls in the cheek as they stood under the mistletoe before running away. He doesn’t think about them much, but around this time of year when everyone is with their families, he can’t help but miss his own parents, wishing so badly that they hadn’t turned him away.

His thoughts are interrupted when Y/N stirs, in bed, her teeth chattering agains the cold. He closes the curtains before lying next to her and bringing her into him, pulling another blanket over her to shield her from the cold air. He presses a series of kisses to her forehead, her father’s words echoing in his mind. I just imagine that you two will be together for a long time.

He thinks about his dream again, having Y/N at his side forever. He shelves the idea again, knowing that Y/N might change her mind one day and decide to be with a mortal. As much as he’d understand why she would make a decision like that, he really hopes she doesn’t.

The next morning, Jack hears rattling at the door before it opens and Adrian runs in, jumping on the bed.

“It’s Christmas, it’s Christmas, it’s Christmas!” he cheers, shaking Y/N awake. “Oh, gosh, Adrian, okay, okay,” she laughs, “I’m awake, we’ll be down in a bit.” “Come on, Uncle Jack, come on!” he says tugging his arm. “Go, go, I’ll catch up,” she says, pushing him towards the edge of the bed to follow the little boy.

Jack’s mind is in a frenzy. He wants to tell Adrian to wait for Y/N, but his thought are muddled by the fact that he called him uncle. He’s able to come down the stairs, grabbing Adrian and scoop him into his arms before he slips on the last step and carries him into the living room.

Jenny’s eyes light up with concern for her son when she first sees them together, but relaxes when Jack sets him down with his other cousins to play with the race car track that Gavin got from his parents. Y/N finally comes down and she’s swarmed with everyone wanting to give her presents since she’s the last of the cousins to do so. She unwraps sweaters, gift cards and makeup bags before Jack hands her a slender box with her name written in curly handwriting.

“This one’s from me,” he says. “Did you write this?” she says, pointing to the penmanship written in black marker. “I did. Told you I had some of the best handwriting in Oxton.” “I stand corrected. Here,” she says handing him her own box as well. Their first Christmas they spent together, they had just cuddled and watched movies all day as the snow fell outside, not exchanging gifts. This Christmas they had made it a point to give gifts to each other, keeping them secret and stashing them in places around the house where they know the other wouldn’t find it.

“Open yours first,” Jack says. “Can’t we open it together?” “No, I wanna see your reaction.” “Okay,” she laughs, tearing into the gift wrap and tossing it aside. “Jack please tell me you didn’t get me a diamond necklace. “I didn’t,” he says, shaking his head.

She opens the box to find a Victorian folding fan, delicately taking it out of the box and slowly opening it. Lace lined the top of it and a floral design was spread across the pleated section.

“It’s from around my time,” he explains, “If I was courting you and you wanted to communicate with me, you would’ve used a bunch of different movements and ways of fanning yourself to do so.”

“Well right now, I’m gonna use it to actually fan myself because it’s hot here,” she says, fanning herself quickly. He suddenly becomes sheepish, catching her attention. “What?” she laughs. “Well, in Scotland that means ‘kiss me.’” “In that case,” she giggles, turning more towards him and fanning herself even faster. Jack leans in and pecks her on the lips, before drawing away bashfully. She laughs now, folding the fan again and kissing his cheek. “I love it. Thank you.” “M’glad, lass.”

“Okay, now open yours,” she says.

He undoes the twine bow and begins slowly tearing the paper away, revealing a small book. It’s leather and his initials are carved into the cover. “What’s this now?” he asks. “Open it,” she says, her cheeks glowing with a slight pink tint.

He pulls the cover open, resting his fingers on the page so that he can look at it.

It’s him.

It’s a picture of him at the stove, with a bar of text that says “Get you a man that can cook.”

“How did,” he starts, his question dying in his throat as he turns the page.

It’s a picture of him sitting on her bed in her dorm, smaller this time, along with a couple screenshots from her phone.

GUYS GUYS LAST NIGHT I WENT TO THE BAR AND THE BARTENDER WAS SO HOT HE WALKED ME BACK TO MY DORM AND LEFT ME HIS JACKET BECAUSE IT WAS COLD GIRL YOU BETTER GET THAT ASS WHAT WAS HIS NAME? WHAT DID HE LOOK LIKE?? HIS NAME IS JACK AND HE’S SO FREAKING TALL AND BLONDE AND HE HAS BLUE EYES AND HE’S SCOTTISH AND HE LEFT YOU HIS JACKET? GIRL HE WANTS YOU YOU HAVE TO SEE HIM AGAIN I WANT TO. I’M GONNA GIVE HIM HIS JACKET WHAT ELSE SHOULD I SAY JUST BE LIKE “Hey this is really nice, where’d you get it?” Just make conversation with him. THEN FUCK HIM.

Jack laughs when he reads that conversation before looking over at Y/N and seeing her laughing with him.

The next picture is of him reclining on the couch, Socks on his chest as he looks in the direction of the TV. 

He’s smiling, feeling tears build up in his eyes.

The next page is another couple of screenshots and a picture of him folding laundry.

Y’all he’s a vampire, how did I not realize. damn WHAT! Okay but if you think about it that kinda makes sense? Like, working in a bar late at night when the sun isn’t out, living in one of the cloudiest places in the entire world? That’s true. Should I still go for it though? did you talk to him today? give him his jacket? I did. I kissed him too. Y/N FJI;RHGROIEF;VHIG;AIH OH MY GOD YOU DID STOP EVERYTHING I KNOW I KNOW I COULDN’T HELP IT THOUGH, HE’S SO PRETTY AND HE WAS GONNA LEAVE BUT I DIDN’T WANT HIM TO SO I JUST WENT FOR IT HE KISSED ME TOO THOUGH HE DID!!! Y/N YOU KISSED A VAMPIRE I DID HOLY SHIT NOW WHAT THOUGH HE’S TAKING ME OUT TOMORROW. WHERE? WHERE? We’re going to a restaurant lmao he’s just gonna pay for my food. Bruh he totally wants you HE WANTS TO TAP IT Y/N!!!

They laugh again and Jack turns to the next page, seeing a picture of him painting the house. There’s another of him napping, the camera close to his face, and he cries. “What, what is it?” Y/N asks, everyone’s attention turning to him. “I just,” he starts, his voice full of emotion as he looks at the picture, “I haven’t seen myself in years. I’ve forgotten what I look like.”

Y/N laughs, wiping his tears with the sleeve of her sweater and kissing his cheek. “How’d you even do this?” “You show up on iPhone cameras, love,” she explains, still laughing. “I can’t believe this,” he says, “I never-I never thought I’d see pictures of myself again, I’ve only had ideas and vague memories.”

He continues flipping through the pictures, finding one of him scolding Socks, then fist bumping him even though he still looks rather annoyed, laughing through his tears. There’s one of him driving, his mouth open as he sings, and another of him scowling at the TV, probably watching Jeremy Kyle. He stops suddenly, looking at a photo of him and Y/N. They’re at the club from Halloween, in their costumes, him laughing as Y/N kisses his cheek. He figures Ash or Garrett must’ve taken it, but he’s still overcome with emotion. He has a picture of himself with her.

He cries even more, Y/N rubbing his back and laughing as she tries to calm him down. “We can have pictures together,” he says. “We can,” she confirms, nodding her head. “And we can have videos too? Videos of us together?” “Mhmm. Here,” she says, grabbing her phone and opening snapchat. She activates the selfie camera, holding it up to her face before leaning over to bring Jack into the picture. His eyes and nose are a little red from his tears and he almost starts crying again at the sight of himself. “Hey, stop crying,” she laughs, kissing his cheek. Jack looks beyond the phone and finds everyone watching him, their eyes soft after witnessing the scene unfold before them. Y/N snaps the picture then, his eyes looking away from the camera and her lips pressed against his cheek as she looks for a Christmas frame to add onto it before sending it to her story. “Can you teach me how to do that?” he asks. “Snapchat?” He nods, wiping his nose with his sleeve. “Of course, darling. And you can take all the pictures you want.”

[asset35-maya]

.When the party’s over.

>REINITIALISING…

>ALL SYSTEMS ONLINE

>WIRELESS CHARGING: 69%

>RK900 SYSTEM HEALTH: STABLE

>24H FILE RECOVERY: 45%

Nines slowly regained consciousness. He was lying on his side and everything around him was quiet.

>ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN IN PROGRESS…

>THREAT ANALYSIS IN PROGRESS…

Layers of fabric covered his body and something soft and warm was pressed against his face. Eyes still shut, he nudged it gently with his nose and it emitted a low vibration.

>2% THREAT DETECTED: FELINE SUBJECT

The cat sprang upwards and hopped off the surface that Nines was lying on. It was ostensibly a bed, but Nines didn’t own any furniture apart from a couch and work table. The logical conclusion was that he was not in his own apartment.

>RUN LOCALISATION PROGRAM: Y/N?

>Y

>ERROR: PROGRAM FAILED TO EXECUTE

>ERROR: MEMORY FILE CORRUPTION

Nines had no absolutely recollection of his whereabouts or how he had arrived. He had not been compromised as his system health was stable, so there was probably another reason for being completely disoriented. It was voluntary.

He had gotten the android equivalent of blackout drunk.

It was not the first time and he feared it would not be the last. Such were the hard-partying ways of his friends and colleagues. They were all terrible influences. He loved them dearly, but they were terrible.

At 6PM every Friday, Chen and Miller would start things off rather innocently. “Hey there’s a new brewery downtown.” Or “My bartender cousin just hooked us up with a thirty percent discount!”

From there it wouldn’t take long for the DPD’s resident frat boys Connor and Gavin to gather a steady crowd of officers and check out the venue. If the vibes were good (which they almost always were), Sixty would get wind of things. Then the rest of the frat house would descend and total chaos would reign until the break of dawn.

SWAT Unit 32 was famous for its particularly destructive brand of revelry. Skinny dipping in private swimming pools, scaling skyscraper rooftops and causing media scandals were all par for the course. The day after Captain Allen’s birthday, the DPD crew spent the entirety of their bonuses to repair the collapsed ceiling of the Eden Club.

Nines couldn’t remember how he exactly he was coopted into the madness. Probably peer pressure. Connor insisted that he try thirium alcohol. Sixty said that he would regret being a loser and not joining them. Gavin had just held out a hand and double-winked. That did the trick.

One night blended into another and soon Nines had worked up quite a reputation of his own. He was the Casanova of the homicide department. The handsome devil… the hunter… the sex god. People would actually come by his desk and congratulate him on Monday morning.

Nines hated it but he couldn’t stop himself from doing the same thing over and over. Perhaps it was the appreciative clap on the shoulder from Gavin the morning after Sixty posted photos of a high-end Traci model giving Nines his very first lap dance.

Life at the DPD was the epitome of work hard, play hard. It seemed like one big party but deep down Nines knew they were all just slaves to their compulsions. He wondered whether it was because they needed to celebrate every demon they vanquished or whether they needed to wipe the troubling memories of doing so.

In Nines case, there were definitely things he needed to kill within himself. Some were nightmare inducing crime scenes, but some were memories so heart-wrenchingly sweet that he thought he might self-destruct if he were to dwell on them too long. There were things he couldn’t have and things he needed to erase from his brain.

Something touched his face gently.

>PERIPHERAL OBJECT DETECTED: HUMAN HAND

>THREAT ANALYSIS: NON-COMBATIVE

The hair on his forehead was brushed aside and fingers ran over his features. A thumb swept over his bottom lip and caressed his cheek.

Nines couldn’t bring himself to open his eyes and come face to face with his most recent conquest. He lay still, frozen with regret as the hand continued to stroke his face.

The hand travelled down his neck and fell upon his chest. Nines caught it abruptly. It wasn’t even the month-end and his savings were badly depleted. He couldn’t afford round two. He retracted the synth skin down to his wrist and prepared the electronic payment credentials.

Fingers merely intertwined with his.

“Just take your money and go. I’ll tip extra if you delete everything from your hard drive.”

“What the phck are you talking about?”

Nines eyes flew open. Steel blue met storm green.

>SYSTEM ALERT: THIRIUM PUMP OVERLOAD

“Fuck!”

“Wow that’s flattering.”

Nines pinched the bridge of his nose and shut his eyes in a vain attempt to remember what had led to this absolute, unmitigated disaster.

“What the hell happened last night?”

Gavin looked affronted.

“You ruined our housewarming for one.”

>MEMORY ARCHIVE SEARCH: housewarming, Gavin

>RESULT: TEXT MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM “G.REED” IN GROUPCHAT “CLUBBERCOPS”, 15:33 18 JULY 2040: Assholes. Party at our new place. Next Friday. From seven till LATE. Bring booze, bring bitches. Nah. Actually, don’t. Our landlord’s a bastard and we already got three noise complaints.

>RESULT: TEXT MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM “CONMAN” IN GROUPCHAT “CLUBBERCOPS”, 15:34 18 JULY 2040: Yeah we should keep this one PG. Bring food if you wanna eat. This mf can’t cook and I don’t care to. See y’all!!

Oh right. Fuck. Gavin’s housewarming. Gavin and Connor’s housewarming. His two closest friends who were somehow even closer to one another. Nines hadn’t realised until it was far too late and there was nothing for him to do but smother the bitterness with his favourite coping mechanisms: android alcohol and paid sex.

The circumstances definitely explained the state he was in, but things still didn’t add up.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Did we… did we…”

“No. Nothing happened between us. You were completely shitfaced. I just put you to bed to stop you from embarrassing yourself.”

Nines looked up at the ceiling, struggling to put the pieces together. His system offered him no useful prompts. The fermented thirium had done its job of code corruption extremely well. He looked back down and met the green eyes focused on him with deep concern.

“What did I do?”

“Sixty has videos, but I don’t think you want to see them. God, Nines… why didn’t you just tell me?”

“I’m really sorry, Gavin. I didn’t mean to ruin your night… and Connor’s.”

“He’s fine. He and Sixty moved the crew to Hank’s place. Which is what we should have done in the first place… there’s really no point throwing a party in this shoebox and telling people like Tina Chen to be quiet. Honestly if it wasn’t you it would have been her bringing the house down. Good thing they had all of Michigan Drive to tear up. Hank’s neighbours can sleep though a bombing.”

“What did I do?”

Gavin put his hand back on Nines’ face, his expression unintelligible. The human touched him often enough, but never like this. Never so intimately. Nines forced down the twisting sensation in his torso. He couldn’t get his hopes up. This was pity.

Nines braced himself to hear the worst. He prepared for the shredding of all his dignity and the collapse of his falsely extroverted and confident identity.

What came though was a soft press of lips to his forehead.

“It wasn’t pretty and I wish it hadn’t happened like that, but I think it was a long time coming… I’ve never seen you so emotional before. I’m sorry I didn’t notice anything all this while.”

“Gavin, please.”

“I’m going to focus on the positives, because really… there were a LOT of negatives. Oh boy. You… uh…”

“Gavin.”

The detective dipped his head and looked away.

“Phck, I shouldn’t be so embarrassed…

You told me you loved me.”

Nines closed his eyes. That was it. He should quit his job and move to another state. Hell, he should go to Cyberlife and request a factory reset on compassionate grounds.

“I’m so sorry. I… I should leave.”

He made to sit up, but was pushed back into the mattress. Gavin curled into his side.

“Nah. You’re good.”

“What?”

“You threw up on my plants and smashed Connor’s RA9 sculpture, buuuut you’re good.”

“I don’t understand.”

Gavin wrapped his arms around Nines and edged closer until the android was forced to turn on his side and reciprocate.

“What do you think, genius? If a guy like me doesn’t throw a guy like you out of the house after all that… what does it mean?”

“That you have a high tolerance for toxic friendships?”

“It means I want you to stick around, dipshit.”

>SYSTEM ALERT: THIRIUM PUMP RATE FLUCTUATIONS. OVERLOAD IMMINENT.

“You mean you like me?”

“Of course I do! I always have, but it never seemed right to bring it up. We’re actually really good friends. I didn’t think it would be possible when we first met but we have so much in common.”

“Bad habits for sure.”

“Come on, Nines. We’ve had a really great time together. Some of my best memories at the DPD are with you. Don’t ever quote me on it but you’re a phcking amazing partner. Can’t believe you thought I had something going with Connor when it’s always been you.

So yeah, I do like you. And I’m willing to try… I dunno… being with you. Like for real.

Stop drinking like that, though. I know I’m a hypocrite but you really scared me last night. I lost my Dad and I nearly lost Hank to the bottle. You might be this super advanced android, but that liquid courage shit is a death trap, man.”

>SYSTEM ERROR: THIRIUM PUMP AT MAX FLOW RATE. PUMP OVERLOAD. REDUCE PRESSURE IMMEDIATELY!

Nines nodded quickly and blinked away the tears that welled up in his eyes. Gavin grasped the android’s chin and tipped his face down gently. Their eyes fluttered shut simultaneously and their lips met.

>SYSTEM RECOVERY MESSAGE: THIRIUM PUMP FUNCTIONALITY RESTORED

They broke apart after several golden moments and Gavin hugged Nines tightly under the sheets.

“What am I supposed to say to the others? I don’t think I can look any of them in the eye ever again.”

“Are you serious? You got nothing on the insanity that bunch is capable of. Sixty thinks he’s hot shit with his blackmail material, but I got receipts that’ll glue his mouth shut for decades. Anyway, that’s what friends are meant to be like. You have dirt on each other but you’re not meant to use it.

The same applies to us too, by the way. Don’t feel like you gotta be… apologetic about what happened last night. Yeah, you better replace my fancy new plants but I’ll never judge you for what happened. I want you to know that I’ll always be in your corner, Nines.”

Nines hummed thoughtfully and ran a hand though Gavin’s hair, marvelling at the fact that he could now do so whenever he wanted. He didn’t say anything in response, and just settled for cuddling closer to the human.

>>RK900 SYSTEM HEALTH: EXCELLENT