#we’re in the same boat curt

[glittter-skeleton]

When I read a fic of Curt sighing and lusting after Owen my brain will inevitably go “Girl, that’s so embarrassing for you he just looks like Joey Richter come on” as if I also haven’t been twirling my hair and kicking my feet about him

[fantastica-daily]

VampyrZ on a Boat Movie Review

Sara and Max's new whirlwind romance is interrupted by a vampire outbreak on a medical research ship. Max will stop at nothing to get back the girl of his dreams, even if it means several heads will roll.

What do you get when you cross an ex “fixer for the deep-state” with a nearly empty ship that’s been rented out for top secret medical research? An unlikely May-December romance hindered by a vampire infestation, of course! Mark Allen Michael’s new release Vampyrz on a Boat is an oddball “romzomhorrorcom” that B-movie lovers will swoon for. Never heard that term before? We made it up just for this movie, because it deserves a class of its own. Trust us, you’ve never seen anything like it.

When Del (Curt Lambert) asks his buddy Max (Dallas Valdez) to come babysit his uncle’s ship for some quick cash, Max declines. He has a one-eyed cat to care for, after all. But when the beautiful Sara (Carrie Keegan) walks on scene, Max falls in love and changes his tune. Max helicopters onto the ship and steps out onto the deck David Caruso style to some pretty fantastic action music that promises we’re in for a wild ride. Instead, Del introduces Max to his uncle, Captain Bob (Robert Acres), a corny drunk who carries his ancestor’s pegleg around for luck. Between jokes and wisecracks, the Captain explains why he needs the men on board. Someone has rented his ship to run a medical experiment at sea, and they’ve paid big money to ensure it sets sail with only a skeleton crew, and to knock out the ship’s communication system. Captain Bob wants Del and Max to find out what the research is about and to protect his ship.

Del takes Max to his security command centre and points out a mystery that’s been bothering him: high tech heat sensors show the outline of a man sitting in a chair in a locked room who never moves, but he emits a bat-like sound. They join Captain Bob in the medical lab run by Adele (Kate Rees Davies), a mad scientist who doesn’t care who dies on board as long as her research continues. That “man” sitting in the locked room? He’s very old, and he’s indestructible…but he’s also dangerous…and he’s also escaped. Adele wants to use his blood to find cures for human diseases, to stop the aging process, to become rich and famous, and she tells the men to go find him, and bring him back alive. Aliiive!

From this point on, the story becomes very confusing. Max and Sara have already gotten down and dirty at least once and professed their undying love for one another, Sara has been bitten by the vampire and is infected (but Max doesn’t know this yet), there are rando’s with chainsaws popping up here and there, and a dude with a ventriloquist dummy who giggles while he talks. Most of the crew is already dead after an incident in the cafeteria. While Max and Del search for Adele’s vampire, Max is repeatedly bitten but never turned or infected. At one point he takes a hammer to the head and goes to Adele to have it removed, which is one of the funniest scenes in the film. If you miss the gags the first time, don’t worry, you’ll see them again. For some reason, removing the hammer from his skull throws Max into a Groundhog Day-esque time loop that is never really explained. His sanity is questioned in one scene when he tells Del about the time he spent receiving electroshock therapy in an institution, but nothing more is ever said about it. This could have been used to flesh out the “this is all a manic dream” potential the film had, but it wasn’t. Instead, it turns into a loop that only Max is somewhat aware of, which oddly helps to develop his character. With some memory of what’s already happened, Max becomes quicker when he encounters the same obstacles, evolving into a hero that none of us were expecting.

What the film lacks in cohesion, it makes up for with enthusiasm. It’s clear that sound designer Corey Brown was passionate about the project, as was cinematographer Stefan Colson. The musical choices were perfectly matched to every scene, amplifying the action with power rock tunes and exaggerating comedic moments with almost cartoonish melodies. Coloured lighting was used to enhance the anxiety of being trapped below decks in a military sized ship with killer creatures, and tight camera work made the characters’ movement around the ship realistic. The editing of every aspect of the film was flawless. For a low budget indie, the crew used what they had with the expertise of a much larger production.

With enough funny lines to compensate for the cringier ones, Vampyrz on a Boat passes as a comedy. It has more than enough gore for any horror lover, and while more could have been done to help the storyline make sense, it’s fun as it stands.

Fans of old school low budget B-movie creature features will love this one for its silliness, improbable plot, and decent special effects, and reviewers should appreciate the effort put into the production details. Indie creators make films like these for the love of the genre, and Mark Allen Michaels is a master of his art.

= = =

Reviewed by Kate DeJonge

Coming to Digital and Cable on September 27, 2022!

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[donablue]

so anto calls grognak honey-bunny. and he does it even more when he sees the pinched expression that flickers across troy's face when he says it. it's just as welcomed by grognak now as it had been before, in other words she ignores it entirely. on the upside, she also doesn't shoot him down quite as harshly now, so. progress.

and it all depends on how he treats troy. there are days where he can get away with curt nods and bitten off responses (while staring daggers at troy behind grogger's back until the other man breaks and looks away and the corner of anto's mouth tugs up into a satisfied smirk). that's enough to buy him some favour, peeks of what he thinks are approving glances that feel like he's inching his way closer to a better standing in her eyes. then there are days where having to keep seeing troy's stupid face and knowing that 9 out of 10 times he'll be at grognak's side whenever they see each other makes him feel like bashing his (troy's) head into something, hard. on those days anto snaps more, snide and jealous, chain smoking his way through a pack of cigarettes to keep his hands busy and away from his gun. if he makes any move against troy he knows he'll be cast out and left behind, so on those days he sits and seethes, and tries and fails not to bristle at the disappointment radiating off of grognak.

it feels like extortion, and in any other case he'd be proud of her. well, he's still proud of her, in a masochistic kind of way.

it's one of those days, the harder ones, and grognak leaves him with troy to run across the street. anto spies a colourful wig in the distance and faintly hears a distinctively high-pitched, accented voice, so he pulls his cigarette from his lips long enough to half-assedly cross himself and send up a grateful prayer that it won't just be the three of them soon. the relief sours when he catches troy giving him a weird look and anto sneers, "the fuck are you looking at?"

troy's hands come up placatingly and all it does is put anto's teeth on edge. "nothin', nothin'. just, y'know..." troy casts a look across the street and smiles to himself for a moment. when his attention turns back to anto he's wearing a different expression. he looks irritated. if he were a meaner person he'd almost look spiteful. "why do you keep coming back? i won. both times, actually."

he's delighted and infuriated in equal measures. it's not often he gets to see this side of troy, the pettier, more passive-aggressive side. he's better at behaving than anto by a mile. and while he'd love to push and prod the other man to see how far he can take it, they're working with a time limit. he rounds on troy to stand in front of him, blocking his view across the street, and drops his cigarette to grind it out under his heel in the same movement, using the momentum to loom closer until he feels the brim of troy's hat brush against his forehead. to his credit, troy doesn't step back, but he does flinch the slightest bit, enough to put a smug smile on anto's face.

"you keep telling yourself that, but i'm still here, still alive, aren't i, troy. you really think i'd go off with my tail between my legs while you're cuttin' about with groggers on your arm?"

troy opens his mouth to reply but anto catches the flick of his eyes over his shoulder in time to be prepared when he hears grognak's apprehensively curious "anto? you two alright? troy?"

slapping on a grin, anto twists to face grognak, and posy who's just behind her, and slings an arm around troy's shoulders, pointedly leaning his weight on him as a warning. "we're grand, groggers. just havin' a chat, weren't we, sweetheart?"

he doesn't know where that came from.

something lurches unpleasantly in his stomach, but anto ignores it for the moment in favour of watching the chain reaction he's elicited.

troy blanches beside him and sputters out a bewildered, "y-yeah. me and anto were just- just chatting, grog."

"sweetheart?" posy echoes skeptically, looking between the two of them like she's missed something important.

but best of all is grognak. she stares at them for a beat or two then focuses on him (on him!) and breaks into her brightest grin yet.

she steps close and anto straightens, the arm around troy going lax as his attention narrows to the tall figure in front of him. he barely feels troy shift uneasily against his side because his world abruptly narrows to the hand that grognak places on his other arm, squeezing lightly and setting his skin on fire even through the layers of fabric and leather.

"don't go running off on me now, boys," grognak warns, and though her tone is playful, anto knows instinctively that she's entirely serious. "you two aren't having a romantic getaway without me."

he doesn't even have it in him to correct her with her hand is still curled around his bicep.

so now, somehow, he calls troy sweetheart. there's no affection to it, it's a means to an end, and what an end it is. it's an accidental jackpot. anto gets to see troy flounder, to see the bastard either squirm and turn red or glare at him from over grognak's shoulder. there's nothing troy can do about it. they're both in the same boat, pretending to tolerate each other for grognak's sake.

but much more importantly, he gets to bask in the new levels of grognak's attention that he's won himself. for every offhand "sweetheart" anto throws at troy he's rewarded with more frequent genuine smiles and brushes of a gloved hand along his arm.

he'll make it work.

[demxters]

Temporary Love

ch. 2- a change of heart 

kook!jj maybank x reader au 

summary: jj kicks his plan to make amends into action while you try to avoid him as much as possible... 

word count: 4.2k 

warnings: none? (lemme know if i missed anything) 

series masterlist ✰ add yourself to the taglist!  

this is dedicated to my loves @infernoem14 and @thesewordsareallihavetogive 

a/n: it’s been so long since the last update, i’m so sorry. but hey i got this out so i’m glad. feedback is always appreciated pls let me know what you think! this is kinda a filler but i promise the next part is gonna kick things off...

*** 

Of all the things Pope Heyward was anticipating to happen at work, finding JJ Maybank waiting for him outside his Pop’s shop was the last thing he was expecting. The blond haired boy was leaning against the wall in usual JJ fashion with his vape pen between his lips. Pope tries to dismiss the boy and quickly walks past him when a distant ‘Hey!’ stops him in his tracks. 

“Hey, can I talk to you for a second?” 

With a sigh, Pope reluctantly turns around to meet the gaze of the boy he once called his best friend. His heart clenches for a second, remembering the day JJ moved. Y/N cried all night as Pope and John B held her. Despite moving to Figure Eight, Pope (similar to John B and Y/N) had no resentment against him up until the incident that tore them apart. 

“Pope?” JJ asks again, noticing the far off look in his eyes. 

“Yeah,” the boy mumbles. “Yeah, sorry. Sure.” 

JJ lets out a breath of relief. After finally disassociating himself with Rafe, Topper, and Kelce, the only thing that JJ could think about was you and the other pogues. He couldn’t believe how stupid he was to let that all go. How stupid he was to let you go. Which is why he devised a plan. A plan to win back you, Pope, and John B’s friendship back. “Do you guys still do those fishing trips out on the marsh?” 

For the second time that day, JJ Maybank caught Pope off guard. Pope’s palms began to sweat as he debated whether or not he should lie to the boy. The logical side of him was thinking, What if this was all a prank? He lets him know and then the kooks sabotage them. But on the other hand, Pope had a feeling that maybe JJ was being genuine. After what you had told him the night after the kegger, he had a feeling that this had something to do with you. And as much as he hated to admit it, Pope really did miss his ex best friend. Making up his mind, Pope responds, “Yeah, we do. We’re going on another one tomorrow if you want to come. The Chateau, at eight o’clock tomorrow morning. Don’t be late.” 

A huge grin grows on JJ’s face at his words. “Thanks Pope.” Pope only gives him a curt nod before heading down the road. 

JJ wears a victorious smile on his face as he heads back home with a newfound hope that he was one step closer to being where he belongs. 

_____

As JJ approaches the place he once called his second home, he hears you and John B conversing nearby.

“Hey, John B, where’s the cooler?” 

“I already put it out on the deck!” 

To say he was nervous is an understatement. He was fucking terrified to see you all again. He continues walking the path towards the Chateau with clammy palms and a racing heart. Just relax, he tells himself. You’re gonna be fine. Shoving his hands in the pockets of his cargo shorts, JJ takes a deep breath and makes his way to the dock. 

“Wait, I think I left my bag in the…” you trail off as you see JJ approaching the three of you. A frown makes its way across your face and you cross your arms across your chest. “What is he doing here?” 

John B stops what he’s doing and follows your gaze. He nearly drops the line in his hands when he sees JJ. The look on his face reciprocates yours as you both turn to Pope when he says, “I invited him.” 

Both you and John B erupt at that. “What?”

“Without consulting us first?”

“Are you insane?” “Do you not remember what he did?”

Pope puts up both his hands to silence the both of you. “Hey, I think you owe him for what he did for you after that kegger, Y/N.”

With a huff you roll your eyes before storming off to the Chateau. “I’m gonna go grab my bag,” you grumble. 

Marching past the boys, JJ catches a whiff of your lavender scent that he used to love. For a second, he almost found himself reaching out to pull you into a hug, but John B’s voice snaps him back to reality. 

“What are you doing here, man? Haven’t you and the kooks messed with us enough?” 

“I’m here to apologize, John B,” JJ replies sincerely. “To all of you.” 

At that moment you step out of the Chateau and stop in your tracks. 

Glancing from John B to Pope, and finally to you. He takes your silence as a signal to continue. “I know that nothing I say or do now can ever undo the things I’ve done, but just know that I regret it more than words can describe. I came here to make amends with you all.” You visibly roll your eyes as John B scoffs. “Look, you don’t even have to forgive me now or ever. All I’m asking is that you give me another chance before you make up your mind about me.” At the end of his tangent, JJ is out of breath. Though he’s not sure if it’s because of his nerves or talking so much. 

A beat of silence passes amongst the four of you. You share a look with Pope and John B before giving in. With an over dramatic sigh, you say, “Fine. But don’t expect us to be best friends again after this.” You then make your way onto the Pogue with heavy footsteps. John B follows you, giving one last uncertain look towards JJ. 

Pope gives JJ a small smile and a shrug before making his way towards the boat with JJ right at his heels with a hopeful smile on his face. 

The breeze hit your face as you took in a breath of fresh air. Though the tension in the air is impalpable, everyone on the little fishing boat could feel it weighing down on their shoulders. John B is stiff at the wheel with Pope, who’s usually the most talkative of the group during their fishing trips, only speaks up to direct John B to the perfect spot. You just keep your gaze focused on the horizon as you sit criss crossed on the bow. You could feel JJ’s eye’s burning holes through the back of your head. That’s how intently he was staring at you. You still couldn’t wrap your head around the fact that he was actually here. Did you miss him? Definitely more than you’d like to admit. But he hurt you. He broke his promise and he hurt you. There is no way you’d let yourself go through that again, no matter how sorry he is. The sound of the engine’s buzzing comes to a sudden stop, pulling you away from your thoughts. The boys move around the boat silently as they properly dock the boat. 

“Do you guys need any help?” JJ’s voice breaks the silence. 

“No. We’re good,” John B harshly responds as he kneels beside you. He roughly throws the anchor into the marsh and you place a gentle hand onto his arm. John B looks to you as you send him a soft smile. 

“It’s only for one day,” you say. “By tomorrow everything will be back to normal.” 

John B nods. “I know, I’m just worried about you,” he replies quietly. “Are you ok?” 

You wince at his question. With a small smile, you answer. “I will be.” 

He smiles back at you in response before walking back towards where Pope and JJ are standing. “I don’t know about you guys, but I think I’m gonna go for a swim. Y/N, wanna come with?” 

You grin as you strip down, leaving you in your bathing suit as you jump into the marsh. The coolness of the water sends a jolt down your spine and for a second, you forget about all you’ve been worrying about. You emerge back to the surface and float on your back for a moment, basking in the sweet serenity of the warm sun on your body and the cool water beneath you. The only thing you could hear are the birds in the distance and John B treading a little ways away from you. 

Pope and JJ sit together in silence on the boat as they watch you and John B enjoying yourselves in the marsh. JJ finds himself smiling at your floating figure. He can’t remember the last time he’s seen you so at peace. Maybe that was his fault, and the thought makes him frown. JJ turns to Pope, but seeing him in his own little world, he turns back around. 

“Did you need something?” Pope says, looking up from his book. 

JJ hesitates for a second, unsure of whether he should ask the question that’s been plaguing his mind since the night he took you home. “Can-can I ask you a question?”

Pope lets out a chuckle. “Well, I mean you just did but go on.” 

“Does she ever talk about me?” 

Pope sighs knowing which direction this conversation is going. Ever since the two of you were young, you and JJ have always been the closest. So he wasn’t all too surprised when JJ asked about you. 

“She does. But that’s all I’ll tell you.” JJ nods in respect before Pope continues, “I think you should talk to her.” 

“I tried that. She wants nothing to do with me.” 

“You still care about her right?” Pope questions, catching JJ off guard. 

“Of course I do. Just because we stopped being friends doesn’t mean I stopped caring about her. Or any of you,” he quickly adds. 

“I know,” Pope responds sincerely. “It just sucks that what you did was a pretty dick move, man.” 

“Yeah… I’m really sorry about that by the way. Seriously, I-” 

Pope cuts him off. “I get it. New life, new expectations right? It just sucks that it went down the way it did.”

Silence falls upon the two as yours and John B’s shouts and laughter draws their attention to the marsh. “You really think I should talk to her?” JJ asks again. 

“I do. And John B too, of course. I know you two were friends way before the rest of us were.” 

“Thanks, Pope,” JJ says. “I really missed you.” 

Pope only responds with a nod. “I’m gonna go join them. You wanna come?” 

JJ dismisses himself. “Nah, I’m good.” 

“Suit yourself,” Pope says before removing his shirt and jumping into the marsh. 

JJ watches his ex best friends from afar with a small smile on his face. The sound of your laughter as the two boys splashed you sent him back to the days when he used to do the same with you. His heart ached at the memory of all the splash wars and chicken fights the four of you used to have. He knew shouldn’t have pity on himself but he can’t help it. Why did he have to let the pressure of being a kook take over what was important to him? What happened to pogues for life? 

A couple more hours pass before you all decide to head back. Most of the boat ride was again, complete silence, minus the multiple times Pope pointed something out to which you or John B would retort. Just being in the presence of his friends again was enough. No words needed. You drop Pope off at his dock before heading back to the Chateau. JJ was about to excuse himself and head home when John B offered him to stay for a while. 

Grabbing two beers from the fridge, John B stops at the sound of someone clearing their throat from behind him. 

“You asked him to stay. Why?” 

John B turns to look at you as you give him a disapproving look. He shrugs in response, closing the fridge door. “He hasn’t done anything to set me off.” 

“Yeah? Well him just being here is setting me off!” 

He sighs as he comes to stand beside you. “Don’t you think he actually wants to make amends? I mean if he really wanted to come over here and mess with us he would’ve already.” 

“It’s not that, John,” you reply, nervously running a hand through your hair. “It’s just… I’m terrified of letting him in again. What happens if I let my guard down and he hurts me all over again? I can’t go through that again, you know I can’t.” 

Slinging an arm around your shoulder, John B gives you a reassuring squeeze. “I know, Y/N/N. I’m not saying you have to go and talk to him now. Just try and be civil with him at least, ok? I know I am.” He gives you a quick kiss on the top of your head. “Pope said to try and give him a chance. And you know-”

“Whatever Pope says, goes,” you reply with a small chuckle. “I know.” 

John B sends you one last smile before heading out to the yard. Taking a seat beside the blond boy he once called a friend, John B hands him the beer bottle which JJ gladly takes. “Sorry, the cheap stuff’s all I’ve got.” 

“I’ll take it. Nothing beats the taste of cold, cheap beer after a long summer’s day,” JJ replies. 

John B raises a hand with an “I’ll drink to that,” before the both of them take a swig from their bottles. John B harshly swallows and asks the question that’s been bothering him ever since JJ showed up at his house earlier that day. “So, Maybank, why the sudden change of heart? You didn’t seem to have a problem dropping us back when you did, so why did you come back now?” 

JJ winces at the bluntness of John B’s question. But he has a point. Why now? He had so many chances to make things right and yet it took him this long to finally do it. JJ takes another sip of his beer before replying. “The kegger. That was the first time I saw Topper lay his hands on you like that. I didn’t know-”

“You didn’t know that your buddies harass us like that all the time?”

“I’ve only ever been around for the verbal attacks. I never knew Topper threw punches at you guys like that. Let alone touch you guys. Rafe and Topper would always parade around, boasting about how they got under your skin all the time. But I always thought it was because of their words. That’s all I really saw anyway. They never told me they got into fights with you all. And then at the kegger, seeing you almost get your skull bashed open and seeing him pounce on Y/N like that-” He pauses as he finds himself reliving the moment all over again. “I’ve never seen that look in Topper’s eyes before. Even when Y/N came back to defend you guys, it was as if he had no problem hurting her. And I-I couldn’t stand it.” 

“So you came back to play hero?” John B asks with an unimpressed look on his face. 

“I came back because I remembered all the times I did the same for you guys. I remembered what it felt like to care about someone again. With Rafe and Topper, all I am is a coward. I only really hang out with them because they make me feel untouchable. Because when I’m with them, I know my parents won’t look at me like a disappointment. When I’m with them, I can be the person my parents want me to be. And at the time, that was all that mattered to me. Only now do I realize how much of a mistake that was. I’m not happy, John B. I gave up so much just to please my parents and yet their opinions of me haven’t changed. No matter what I do, it’s never enough for them. I got tired of sacrificing my happiness to make them happy. It wasn’t worth it in the end.” 

John B is silent for a moment as he takes in everything JJ tells him. He never knew how much JJ went through after the move. He knew his dad was strict on him before marrying his step mom, but he just assumed that after the marriage he lightened up a bit. He didn’t know the pressure on him only doubled. “I’m sorry, man,” is all John B could muster up in response. 

“Yeah me too.” 

_____

You had managed to avoid talking to JJ all day yesterday and you were planning on continuing that streak. So rather than hanging out with the boys today, you decided to visit a friend. 

“Kie!” you exclaim as you walk into The Wreck. You met Kiara Carrera at a ‘Save the Beach’ clean up one summer and since then you constantly visited her at her family’s restaurant. She is the only kook you can tolerate. To you, she’s a kook at first glance, but a pogue at heart. 

“Hey!” she responds, looking up from the counter. “Not that I’m not happy to see you, but what are you doing here? You don’t work until tomorrow.” 

You walk up to the counter and rest fold your hands together as you send her a smile. “Can’t a gal just visit her friend? Besides, I’ve missed you.” 

“The boys being obnoxious again?” 

“Yeah, something like that…” 

“Well, my shift ends in ten minutes. We can go surf or just hang out after if you want.” 

“I would love that,” you reply. You pull out a chair at one of the empty tables and you find yourself getting lost in your thoughts about a certain blond haired boy once again. Seeing JJ hurt just as bad as the last time you saw him. Your heart longed for your old best friend even if you didn’t want to admit it. After all these years, your heart still jumped out of your chest at the sight of his dimpled smile. You found yourself still swooning over his sun kissed skin and tousled hair. As much as you wanted him back in your life, you couldn’t. Your stubborn mind wouldn’t let you. The boys may have forgiven him, but you aren’t at that point yet. 

“You ready to go?” Kie’s voice breaks through your train of thought. 

“Yup,” you respond, putting on a smile and linking your arm with hers as the two of you head out. 

You and Kiara spend the remainder of the day at the beach before heading back to her place for the night. Despite being a pogue, her parents love having you around. Mr. and Mrs. Carrera understands the hardships that you go through everyday so they try to help you out as much as they can. 

“I’m so glad I decided to hang out with you today instead of the boys. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love them but sometimes they can be a bit much.” 

“I’m glad you decided to hang out today too,” Kiara responds with a smile. “It’s been a minute since we last caught up.” 

A moment of silence passes between the two of you before you speak up again. “Hey Kiara?” 

“Hey Y/N?” 

“What would you do if Sarah Cameron came up to you right now apologizing for what she did to you in the past? Would you forgive her right away?” Kie goes silent again and you open your mouth as you realize you may have just crossed a line. “Sorry, I know how sensitive that subject is. Forget I said anything-”

“No, no, it’s ok,” she cuts you off. She sighs before she continues. “I just wasn’t expecting you to ask that is all.” You hear the bed creak beside you and you turn from your position on your back to your side, where you see Kiara already on her side staring back at you. “I wouldn’t forgive her right away. Not until I’ve seen she has changed at least. Maybe then, I’ll forgive her and try to be friends.” 

“But aren’t you afraid of getting hurt again?” 

Kiara shrugs. “Sure I am. The way I see it is she wouldn’t have gone through all the trouble to prove herself to me if she is only going to hurt me again in the end you know? There’s always that underlying question of ‘What if…’ of course, but you never know if you don’t try. But she hasn’t changed, has she? She’s still the same bitchy, daddy’s girl.” 

You giggle at her comment. You think over her words for a moment and say, “So if she claimed to have changed and came back to make that effort you’d give her that chance even if you’re still upset at her?” 

“I mean sure. As long as she doesn’t prove me right a second time. Why the sudden heart to heart, Y/N/N?” 

You contemplated dodging the question all together, knowing how much Kiara disliked JJ. But she is also your best friend, aside from the boys of course. So you told Kiara everything from the friendship you and JJ used to have, to the day he moved, and finally how the whole group fell apart. 

“I knew there was a reason why I hated him,” Kiara says once you finished your tangent. 

You giggle and playfully roll your eyes. 

Sitting up Kie turns to look at you and sends you a small smile. “In all seriousness though, Y/N, I think you should just follow your instincts. Do what feels right for you.” 

_____

You should’ve known walking home from Kiara’s by yourself the next morning was a mistake. The sound of a car horn going off made you jump and stop in your tracks. Clenching your fists, you continue walking and quicken your pace. The car speeds up and pulls to a stop beside you. You almost break into a full out sprint but the sound of a familiar voice has you frozen in place.

“Hey, Y/N!” 

You sigh and turn to face the driver. “JJ,” you reply, unamused. 

“Do you, uh, do you need a ride home?” 

“I think I’m fine, thanks.” You send him a forced smile and continue walking. 

Despite your decline, JJ continues to follow with his car. “Y/N, please. Just let me take you home. I won’t even say a word to you.” He then mimics the motion of zipping his lips. 

You consider his offer for his moment before taking it, concluding that riding with JJ was better than risking another run in with Topper. With a sigh you open the passenger side door and plop yourself inside the car. It was a nice car. Nothing like John B’s roomy van that constantly smelled like weed. And for that reason, it made you feel out of place. True to his word, JJ stayed quiet as he drove you home. As the two of you sat in silence, you couldn’t help but glance at the boy next to you every now and then. Even after becoming a kook, he still dressed the same. The thought was enough to pull a small smile to your lips which quickly disappeared when you remembered that you were still mad at him. 

“What?” JJ’s voice startles you. 

“What?” 

“What are you thinking about? I can see you looking at me from the corner of my eye.” 

You turn to face the window and softly say, “I thought you said no talking?” 

Letting out an airy laugh, JJ replies, “Right, sorry.” 

A couple more minutes pass before you notice that JJ took a wrong turn. “Hey, hey wait a second. You’re a turn early.”

JJ hums in response. “I know. I need to stop somewhere really quick.” 

“You said you were taking me home not taking a couple of joy stops and then taking me home.” You frown at the boy and he turns to you with an amused smile. 

“It’ll be quick, I swear.” 

“This is the last time I let you drive me home,” you grumble under your breath, annoyed, as JJ pulls up to the side of the road. He parks the car and gets out to open your door. “What the hell? What are you doing?” 

“C’mon. I want to show you something,” he responds, holding out a hand to you. “Y/N, please.” 

You hesitate for a moment when you remember Kie’s advice. So you reluctantly take his hand and follow him. 

JJ is surprised when you take his hand and don’t let go. He was expecting a snarky remark or at least for you to push him away, but you don’t. A smile spreads across JJ’s face at the feeling of his hand in yours. He missed being close to you. Turning back at you with a grin, JJ leads you to a trail. 

“Is this the part where you lure me into the woods and kill me?” you question. 

JJ laughs at your comment. “Don’t tempt me.” 

At that you scoff, trying to stifle a smile. Well, this is going to be interesting.

_____

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[physicalturian]

Why don’t you listen to me? Law x GN! Reader - Part 3

Spoilers for : Punk Hazard and Dressrosa arcs [No gender used for the reader, no physical description, everyone is +18] Words : 3341 Archive of our own Bad flirting, fluff, embarrassment No warnings, if you feel like I should put some, send me a DM or an ask!

… Part 1  -  Part 2

“Good morning my two lovebirds, how was the evening? Was the sky clear enough for you to stargaze?” The skeleton said happily.

I felt my face heat up when he pointed his last question at me, has he heard my discussion with Robin? We did not even stargaze, I did not have the courage to suggest that, because I’m an idiot. “Mister Brook, you’re awake- what a lifesaver you are! Would you be so kind-“

“Bone-ya, your turn to watch over the gaz idiot, he’s dead asleep right now so you get the easy part.” Law stated before standing up, blankets in hands, as he pulled me up with him and tugged me towards the door that led inside the cabin. I followed his fast pace and once we were inside, he let go of me without looking back at me.

 “I’m already using the free bed in the men’s quarter, I’ll check if there’s a spare bed somewhere-“ A soft voice interrupted Law, a voice I knew quite well already. Facing the source of it, Robin had a towel around her shoulders as she dried her hair.

“My bed’s free, since I’m awake,” looking at me she smiled brightly, “You can use it, I don’t think Nami will mind. She’s a quite the heavy sleeper.” I was a bit surprised by her suggestion, but considering the look on her face, she really did not mind. I nodded slowly. “Thank you, I would love that.”

Turning around to give my captain a look, I smiled. “I’ll be off then, good night- or like, morning, but you get me. Good sleep.” I felt a weird feeling in stomach when he smiled back, albeit a bit tiredly, it was still genuine. Before I left, he placed his hand on my head a few seconds, not doing anything, then walked away without another word, his hand falling to his side. I stood there a bit confused, then looked back at Robin when she cleared her throat right next to me.

“Ah right, show me the way, I’m right behind you.” I told her as she walked in front of me once more, helping me through the ship until we finally reached the quarters. As I was about to enter the room, she put her arm right in front of it, stopping me right there. Meeting her eyes, I saw a certain mischievousness to it and sighed internally. This is about last night; she is definitely going to mention it-

“How was the evening with your captain? Have you made a move?” I couldn’t help but return her smile, she seemed to excited by all this. Almost as invested as I was, it was like having a friend. She had such a warm aura; I had no choice but answer her truthfully.

 “It was… something? And I did not make a move- I said I was not going to do anything, and I didn’t. No matter how cute he looked ok? I just,” Moving my hand, flat in front of me in a calming gesture, I exhaled, “I just need to ignore it and it’ll be fine, right?” A charming laugh escaped her lips, she moved her hand in front of it as it grew a bit louder.

“You’re oblivious, it’s painful to see. Do you not see him trying?” She asked between laughs. I scoffed nervously, intertwining my hands together in front of me, I looked askance.

“Trying what? What do you mean?” A small part of me had a hint of what she was saying but I did not want to get my hopes up, I knew him a lot longer than she did, I knew how to read him.

 She knew him for a few days, barely, I was better at this, right? Sighing my name, she shook her head. “You have my full support for this, but the others want to see how long it’ll take for you both to come to the realization. I don’t want you to never understand, so I’ll say this: Law clearly likes you, have you not noticed?”

With another nervous laugh, I had a crisped smile. “But does he though? He’s just being nice; he might not look like it but he’s a real kind man.” I continued, making the fruit user exhale once more. She then chuckled and turned around, adding that it’ll take more time than expected then she bid me goodnight.

 Left to my own device, I stood by the door a moment, taking in what she had said. Weighting her words in my head, I hardly saw her as someone who’d lie or play with others; But at the same time, I did not know her enough, and I knew how to read Law’s behavior, or did I? Maybe I was too biased now to see anything. Then it would make sense that she saw things differently and he might like me? No, no… Taking a deep breath, I opened the door and exhaled loudly. I need sleep, I can’t start hoping like that, I had to focus on where we were going and what was at stake. Yes, taking down one of the Seven Warlord of the Sea, it’s not that had. They had a plan, right? My brain was starting to overthink as I slid under the blanket of the empty bed in the room. I had barely caught a glimpse of the thief’s form, for she was hidden beneath the blankets, cocooned.

 Ironically, it’s when you sought sleep the hardest that it did not come.

 I looked at the ceiling of the quarters, minutes after minutes. I was tired, but I could not fall asleep. After some time, I even heard Nami get up and get prepared, maybe even heard a gasp from her when she saw me sleeping in her friend’s bed but she probably understood quick enough.

 Once she left, I was alone with my thoughts once more. I heard each and every creak the ship was making. Every step echoing against the wooden floor, under me. Voices talking semi-loudly, things being lifted. The boat in itself was coming alive as everyone awoke to their usual time. But after an hour I was still wide awake. I tried, I tried hard but I was not used to it. I missed the muffling sound of submarine when we’d be underwater. I was used to the sound of steps on the metallic ground, not the wooden one. And the constant pressuring feeling of being underwater, it had been not been so long ago since I was in the submarine and yet I was already missing it. “It’s going to be hard to sleep here. Who would have thought, uh.” I huffed as I threw the blanket off myself and got out of bed, making sure to make it properly before leaving the room.

Once I shuffled out of the room, opening the curtains as I did so, I was about to go downstairs when I bumped into something, someone.

“Shit, sorry-“ moving my hands from in front of myself, I looked at the person and made a surprised face. “Law? Why aren’t you asleep?”

He scoffed, “Why aren’t you?” he returned the question, giving me a once over before looking to the side.

“I can’t sleep, I’m not used to being on the water. I usually sleep when we’re moving underwater, so it’s pretty weird, and noisy too.” I explained with a laugh before asking him why he wasn’t asleep.

“I can’t sleep either. Bepo is usually my go to pillow.” He stated, his eyes squinted at the light hitting us on the deck.

Pursing my lips, I made a noise then cleared my throat. “I might not be as comfortable as Bepo but if you need a pillow, I can try my best.” I suggested half-jokingly, hoping that if it was too much, he’d laugh it off. But instead of laughing, he met my gaze and quirked a brow.

“Are you asking me to sleep with you?” He teased; a sly smirk painted on his face.

 I grimaced in answer, running my hand on my scalp. I decided to flee the embarrassment, “I was just, suggesting something- But hey, you know what? I’ll just try to go back to sleep, I did sleep well in that room up there, so uh- see you?” I said as I pointed to the crow nest, the moment I use my devil fruit ability to teleport up there, I felt a hand on my shoulder. It startled me but I stayed focused and got us there safely, but not without almost dropping him mid-air. As our feet touched the ground, I quickly faced Law, my brows furrowed.

“A bit of a warning next time would be nice, you scared me!”

“Do you plan on sleeping long?” I was a bit disturbed by his question, the awkward smile on my face definitely portraying so.

“I hope so? I don’t really know, it truly depends on how well of a blanket you are, really.” I replied playfully, giving him a side-look. He rolled his eyes before putting his hand on my shoulder once more,

“Zoro-ya will probably go to the gym once he wakes up, I don’t want to get interrupted. We’ll take the infirmary bed.”

 From the tone of his voice, it’s not like I had a choice. Although he had a point, I did not want to be woken up by the sound of weights being lifted from the ground and hitting it every few minutes. It would be quite annoying indeed. Agreeing with my captain, I gave him a curt nod and teleported us back downstairs, and we made our way to the infirmary. As we did so, Law was careful enough to grab the blankets from last night then brought us to the room in question. He did not bother knocking, and simply went inside, startling the young reindeer who was working at his desk. “To-Torao! What- you scared me! Why are you here-“ Law interrupted the doctor, mumbling he needed the bed. I could see he was getting snappy from his lack of sleep so I pushed him aside and gave a wide smile to the blue-nosed reindeer.

 “I’m so sorry to disturb you like this, it’s just that we had a long night, watching over Caesar and all- what Law meant to say is: could we borrow your infirmary for a few hours, just enough to get some sleep?” The youngest of the crew was like a deer caught in the spotlight, literally, he also seemed pensive for a moment. When he eyes looked to the side, he quickly looked back at me and chuckled nervously.

“Y-yeah, sure! But don’t- don’t do anything nasty or-or stuff like that! It’s still my room- and I have things to do today!” He tried to hide his nervousness as he slowly stepped away, towards the door but he was clearly feeling strange.

 We waited until he left the room before talking. “You were this close to snapping at him. You can’t snap at doctor Chopper, he seems so nice!” I exclaimed, observing Law’s actions. In a few movements, he had taken the mattress of the bed and put it on the floor, throwing the pillows and blankets with it. I looked, intrigued, as he settled everything the way he wanted before taking his hat and coat off.

“It… surprisingly looks cozy. Well done Captain.” The look he gave me almost made me choke, I squeaked his name instead as I joined him on the floor, moving the number of pillows I liked to have it right under my head. Once I was laying comfortably, I heard the click of the light being turned off and then I felt the weight of Law’s body next to me.

“Do you want a pillow? Or is my body enough-“ I gasped when I felt his hand on me, as if he was testing how comfy it’d be. I was grateful for the lights being turned off because my face surely heated up the moment, he touched me.

 Without hearing his answer, I put a pillow on my stomach and patted it loudly for him to lay down. “Come on, off you go. Hopefully I’ll be Bepo-worthy.” I breathed out in the darkness.

 “Try to get some sleep,” he said my name softly before laying down on the pillow that was set on my stomach. I did not reply right away, instead I had my hands in the air, just barely lifted from myself but still, raised. I did not know where to put them. I would often sleep on the side or with my hands on my stomach or over my eyes but I couldn’t do that right now. As I was about to force myself to just have them at my side, instead the usual position I’d sleep in, Law’s voice reached my ears, his soothing voice saying my name. “Just put your hands down please, you’re stressing me out.”

 “Well, with your stupidly nice face on me, I don’t know where to put my hands, ok?” I hissed/whispered back, his hand suddenly grabbed mine and shuffled on his spot; He moved so that he was now on his stomach, face in the pillow as he spoke, a bit unclearly.

“Put it on my back, I don’t care. But please, sleep.” He whispered. At this very moment I found out I did not mind it at all when he spoke softly like that, dare I say I found it quite endearing. But I did not mention it. I placed my hand on his back and closed my eyes, sighing.

“’m sorry, good night Law.” He mumbled something in return, but all I could hear was the weird way he said my name into the pillow.

 Soon enough, we both drifted to sleep. I hardly had time to focus on the noises around me, too enthralled by the breathing that was happening on me. But it helped, once I focused on his breathing, I was quick to join the land of dreams. However, during my little time of sleep, I was woken up by some thrashing coming from Law. His legs twitching, sometimes kicking as one of his hand gripped his pillow tighter, while the other was under the pillow and over my waist, his fingers gripping at nothing.

 Hesitantly, I touched his back gently and grabbed his hand, calling out his name in the softest way I could. “Hey… Law? Hey, you’re alright. You’re good, we’re in the Sunny, with the Straw Hats. Law, are you okay?” Soon after, he stopped trashing and calmed down, his expression a lot softer than a minute ago. Without an answer, I sighed tiredly and pulled the blanket over his shivering form, rubbing his back as I fell back asleep. The rest was of the night went on without a hitch.

 Not that I’d ever admit it, but it was probably one of the best naps, or night during the day, I have ever had. It was comfortable to have that weight on my body, it was very different from the pressure of the submarine but I found it comforting nonetheless.

 Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. And our end was the loud sound of the door to the infirmary being slammed open, startling me awake. I cursed under my breath as I tried to focus on the blinding light that was coming from the entrance.

“Chopper needs his infirmary!“

“Nami, Nami! I said it could wait a few more hours- let them sleep, they clearly both need it, have you seen how tired they look-“ his face turned bright red as his mouth opened, as if he had seen something he shouldn’t have.

 Only half awake, I blinked a few more times to see the people in front of me more clearly. “Give us a minute, we’ll come out- just a few more minutes.” I think I slurred. I knew it wasn’t articulate, but I also knew I tried my best to speak as clear as I could. The famous thief sighed loudly, mumbling something about being two idiots, lovebirds and better not be doing weird shit in there. Chopper, right next to her, was still in shock and seemed to be stuttering as he said he did not mind if we stayed a bit more, he’ll come back later.

 When they left, closing the door behind, I slumped back on the pillow and sighed, almost choking when I felt a breeze on my stomach. Trying to see the shape in the darkness, and with a bit of time, I understood why Chopper was surprised. Law’s face was no more on the pillow I had set on my stomach, but was just resting on my bare stomach. My shirt having risen during the night, his warm breath was tickling my skin at each exhale. My heartbeat suddenly sped up and I hesitantly put my hand on his hair to push him away, but he spoke at that very moment.

“I dare you to do that.”

I stopped right away, scoffing. “I thought you were asleep. Did you hear what they said? We have to get out.” I whispered back, not moving my hand from his hair. He huffed a laugh, making my skin tingle. I don’t know if I hated or loved the feeling of his jaw moving against my stomach, but it was something.

 “Tony-ya said he’d come back in a few hours. We still have time.” His fingers graze against my waist, and I jerked at the sudden touch. “Unless you want to go, it’s fine by me.” He breathed. In my mind, things were going all over. I did not know what to do, should I leave and just end this right there? Whatever this is? I mean, he probably just moved during his sleep, he did not do that willingly, I think. Or maybe I should stay? Enjoy the only time this’ll ever happen and just act casual. How could I act casual when I could feel his rough beard grazing my skin every time he spoke? Fuck.

 Taking a deep breath, I let go of his hair and placed my hand back on his back. “I’ll stay, it’s fine. I was sleeping well, I think I’d like to do that some more, yeah…” I trailed off, closing my eyes but still not fully relaxed. If I did not know better, I’d say the man on me was snuggling up but I think he was just getting more comfortable. “Good, because I was also sleeping soundly until that thief came crashing in,” he mumbled before continuing, “They always have to be so loud, it gets on my nerves.” He muttered.

 I chuckled and rubbed is back as I said, “You can’t complain, you chose them as your allies. Plus, they’re loud but they seem nice. I think it’s a good choice, you could have chosen someone like- Eustass Kid or someone like that, that would have been something.” At this point I was fully awake, but I could see the time it took for Law to answer, he was slowly falling back asleep.

“Never. Redhaired idiot, too much.” Ah, he was past the point of making sentences.

“Sleep, please.” He added as his final word, gently pressing a kiss on my skin.

 Wait- what? I covered my mouth in surprise, looking down where he was, for what I could see in the darkness at least. Maybe, maybe Robin was right? Or did he do it just, out of habit or something? I don’t think he kisses Bepo, my own thought made me laugh but I quickly shook that thought off. Bringing my hand to his back once more, I slowly slid it to his hair, brushing my thumb through it. What is he doing to me?  I thought as I closed my eyes and slowly faded back to sleep.

[Part 4]

[thebibliomancer]

Tides of the Dark Crystal liveblog pt 7

Tides of the Dark Crystal by J.M. Lee because I need to get back into it. Being on a trip really kicked me off my momentum. Something about a boat? Some Gelfling?

Last times on book: Amri, Kylan, Tavra, Naia, and new party member Onica set sail on a quest from Aughra and/or the Crystal to unite all the Gelfling clans in resistance to the Skeksis. Presuming the Vapra good and united thanks to the All-Maudra claiming support, the group heads to Cera-Na next to appeal to the Sifa Madura Ethri. On the way, Amri learns some swording and Kylan learns some sailing. A good time is had by all except for all the hurt feelings.

Chapter 7

Amri and co meet with Maudra Ethri but don’t quite get the response they’re hoping for.

"Though Sifa ships may sail alone for many trine at a time, we always return here... and when Omerya is in port, we are all home again,” Onica explained ass he brought them into port and tied the ship to one of the many white coral spires rising from the coastal floor.

Love it. Love the lore. Love the description later of Cera-Na being a forever changing city of ships depending on which ones are at port.

Love the description of the Sifa “looking like wind and fire” due to their red hair sometimes streaked with black or blue or turquoise.

And I love Amri realizing that the Sifa also welcomed Gelfling from other clans as well and recognizing attributes of Spriton or Drenchen or Vapra.

“That is the beauty of Cera-Na, and Sifa tradition. We are bound together not by blood or by the confines of the earth. We are bound together by heart and by the changing wind. If the prophecies and signs say one must become Sifa, one does. We accept that.”

Given that its an explicit trait of the Sifa, I wonder how the other clans view intermarriage. In the comics Mayrin married a Sifa. In the books, Tavra is totally dating one to her mother’s disapproval. Kylan is of mixed Spriton and Stonewood heritage.

Would Rian have faced resistance from her family if Mira hadn’t exploded into goo?

We’re getting descriptions of Gelfling who have heritage in multiple clans like its an unusual thing so I guess the clans marry internally as a matter of course. Castle guarding is an unusual situation that would expose Gelfling to those from other clans. The Sifa interact with a lot of clans due to traveling around.

Anyway.

They run into an old friend of Onica’s, Tae, “a freckled Sifa with golden-red hair” (gosh she sounds pretty) and they get to chatting. Even though Tavra has been hanging in Onica’s hair and whispering to her this entire time, she doesn’t pipe up or identify herself when Tae gives Onica her condolences over what they heard happened to Tavra.

Onica tells Tae that she needs to speak to Maudra Ethri and Tae says she’ll try to arrange it but warns that Ethri has been preoccupied with a dot dot dot guest and with a thief on the loose.

Man, this feels exactly like rolling into town and getting hit by a whole bunch of sidequests all of a sudden. I really wish there was an open world Dark Crystal RPG. Choose a clan to start with to get a neat clan perk, that sort of thing. Alas.

Tae and Onica turn away from the group to have a whispered exchange, annoying Naia greatly, and then Tae scampers up into the Omerya.

She then waves them inside and they follow her through the maze of passageways up to the deck. Despite the unfamiliar surroundings, Amri is reminded of Domrak and sees a hearth, thinking to himself thats the common thing between all Gelfling clans, that their center is the hearth before noticing that the hearth is cold and hasn’t had a fire in a long time.

Hmm.

A Sifa came striding from an exit across the deck, every step jangling with metal chimes and bells. She had wild, dark crimson-and-black hair, accented with glittering beads and copper wire, ears strung with gemstone earrings. One of her green eyes sparkled more than the other, catching the light like a stone.

“Gem-Eyed Ethri,” Tae said with a curt bow. “Maudra to the Sifa of Cera-Na.”

She also sounds pretty.

Ethri surprises the non-Onicas by being so young, being the same age as Onica and having grown up with her. And also that her very sparkly eye is actually a gemstone jammed into her head. I guess Gem-Eyed isn’t just figurative language. And if you’re going to need a false eye anyway why not go for the glitter?

The maudra asks what they need to talk to her about and after confirming that Ethri has seen the plot recap flower petals, Naia bluntly asks if the Sifa will join them.

“Join you?” the Sifa maudra asked, as if she didn’t understand the question.

Naia frowned, taken aback. “If you don’t believe us...”

“I believed the instant I saw the dream stitched in the pink petals. But you’re asking me to pledge myself to... what, you? To Aughra and Thra? If I agree to join you, who am I even joining? How will we know when the time is right - is it you who will tell us? Is this a war or an idea?”

Huh. The unite the clans thing is a little short on details actually, yeah.

Amri feels like Maudra Ethri is laughing at them and is about to get confrontational when Onica tells Ethri that its all true, that she saw the dream herself, that Aughra gave them the mission, and that the All-Maudra is on board.

But Ethri says Doubt. Hey if you have the Vapra, why do you need me? And if its so important why didn’t Aughra ask her directly? So this unitification thing is nice and all but Ethri is just going to go do what’s best for the Sifa and the other clans can do whats best for themselves too.

“Be assured?” Amri cried. He bit his lip, trying not to speak out of turn, but he couldn’t help himself. “The Skeksis are eating our people. That’s the long and short of it! Devouring us like moss from the cave wall!”

Ethri waves off his outburst and tells them that she has to get back to her important guest. She dismisses the group, tells them that they can spend as much time as they like in Cera-Na before they dash off to try to convince another maudra, and then asks Onica to stay behind for a word.

Onica tells them to go on ahead, that this isn’t the Ethri she knew and that she’ll try talking to her. An apologetic Tae reappears to show them out.

After the group minus Onica is alone, Tavra finally shows herself (having been transferred to POV Amri when the group was leaving).

Amri asks why she’s been hiding and Tavra replies simply “I don’t want people to know.” Whatever emotion or motive attached to that hidden beneath her usual Tavra stoicism.

Tavra tells the three to return to Onica’s ship and wait there while she sneaks aboad the Omerya and tries to spy out who Ethri’s mysterious guest is. Then in the morning, they’re going to force Ethri to commit to the united Gelfling.

“Force her!” Naia exclaimed, surprised and impressed. “How?”

“You’re not the only one whose mother is maudra. There is a reason the Vapra have led the seven clans since the rise of the Skeksis rule.”

So, look, that sounds like you’re going to try to pull rank on her which I feel is going to go not how you’d prefer.

Anyway, she tells them to stay out of trouble while she’s gone but she should know better by now. When has this group ever listened to her about staying out of trouble? The instant she’s gone, Amri suggests going to the beach (mostly because he’d prefer to be on solid ground instead of a ship).

Amri gestured, away from the Omerya and Onica’s ship. “I think we should do what all good Gelfling do when something strange is afoot in a strange land. Seek answers.”

Naia grinned in agreement. Apparently she wasn’t eager to retire to the ship, either.

“Great,” she said, leading the way. “Let’s find ourselves some trouble.”

See?

Tavra’d be better off instead just point blank asking them what they plan to do instead of listening to her. That way she’ll know where to find them later.

[gumnut-logic]

Escapee (Part Two and End)

From here.

This has been on my WIP list far too long for a tiny short, so I’ve finished it off and am now dumping it here and running. Quality is questionable. 2267 words.

I’ve posted this piece of art with it because screenshots lack hugs. I need to draw more hugs :D

I hope you enjoy it ::hugs you all::

-o-o-o-

Virgil woke with a headache and a foul taste in his mouth.

The obvious smells of the infirmary alerted him to where he was, and even this deep in the mountain, he could hear the storm still raging outside.

He groaned. Damned cyclone. Two was going to need a full overhaul after that landing.

Landing.

Memory tracked him approaching Tracy Island, desperate to get home before the cyclone hit, but sure that Two could handle the conditions. After all, she had tackled much worse on many an occasion.

But there was a blank. He didn’t remember landing and all his memory could supply was a jumbled mess of terror.

“Scott!” He sat straight up in bed, his heart suddenly racing, thudding in his chest, absolutely terrified. What had happened to his brothers?

Hands grabbed him and, for a split second, that fear multiplied as he realised his own hands were tied down and he couldn’t free them.

“Virgil! You’re safe. You’re home. You’re safe.” Scott’s voice, panicked and desperate. A pair of worried blue eyes and Virgil latched onto them. A moment of stillness, recognition. He was in the infirmary. Scott had him. He was okay.

God, his head hurt.

“Scott?”

A tentative hopeful smile. “You with me, Virg?”

“Uh, yeah.” He pulled at his arms, looking down to find his wrists strapped with medical restraints. His left arm was swathed in bandages and was complaining. A frown. “What happened?”

Scott stepped back a little, but his hands didn’t leave Virgil’s shoulders. “You had a bit of a rough landing. Two did her best, but you got a bit shook up.”

Landing.

He searched his memory. Still nothing. No specifics, just a haze. But this wasn’t the first time he had hit his head...because he had obviously hit his head because he couldn’t remember the incident. “What’s the damage?”

“You have some electrical burns and bruising.”

“Not me, Thunderbird Two!”

His brother’s shoulders dropped and he sat back, rolling his eyes just a little. His brother radiated such a sense of relief. “Virg...” But there was a hitch in Scott’s voice. “Two is fine. A bit of strain to her superstructure, one wheel had to be replaced. Brains was concerned about her electrical systems, but he said it was mostly a replace and patch up job. He’s already repaired the dash.”

“The dash?!” What the hell happened?

“Hey, relax. She’s good. As far as we can tell it was a freak accident. A combination of lightning and a shielding failure. You hit the runway hard and an electrical arc took out you and half the dash.”

Virgil stared at his brother. “Are you sure she’s okay?”

Scott frowned at him, all humour gone. “Virgil, I don’t care about Two. I only care about you. It was...close. You scared us.”

Virgil blinked, the terror making a sudden return, swirling in the back of his mind. “What happened?”

Scott sighed. “You’re okay, just as much as your ‘bird. Grandma knows what she is doing.”

Another blink. “Grandma? Where is she?” He looked around the room as if expecting her to suddenly pop out of the shadows.

“She’s resting.”

Another thought hit him. “Gordon! Where’s Gordon?”

Scott frowned at him. “Gordon’s fine.”

“But the Landing...” He trailed off. His memory refused to supply the information he needed. There was something about Gordon. Gordon getting hurt.

“He wasn’t on Two. You were alone. You were coming back from Beijing. You were delayed with another rescue in the Phillipines and it messed up your flight plan proper. Gordon was fishing a boat full of whale watchers out of the drink in Tonga.”

Virgil just stared at him.

Scott’s frown deepened. “Gordon, travelled back under the edges of the cyclone. Made it back a couple of hours before you.” The hands on his shoulders squeezed gently. “Virg, what is it?”

“Why am I strapped down?” The fear was becoming a physical thing. His memory was blank, but something had happened. His neurons may not have recorded the information, but his body was on edge. Something other than falling out of the sky.

It hit him like a slap to the face as the facts all came together. The strain on Scott’s face, the fear in his own heart, the restraints, the memory loss... Quiet words echoing the terror welling inside. “What did I do?”

Scott’s stiffening gave it all away. The flicker of fear in his brother’s eyes that echoed Virgil’s own.

“Scott, what did I do?!”

“You were medicated. It wasn’t your fault.”

“Scott!” Why the hell didn’t he just tell him?

The door slipped open and a strawberry blond head poked through. “Virg! You’re awake!” Gordon bounded into the room, a grinning Alan following him in.

The aquanaut thumbed his comms. “John, he’s awake.”

The FAB at the other end of the line was curt, but a moment later his tall and lanky brother slipped in behind them.

Virgil stared, his aching head not quite able to keep up with the sudden change in audience.

Alan had his left arm in a sling. When had that happened? Again, his memory refused to supply the requested information. He resisted the urge to swear.

“Will someone please tell me what happened?” He was almost embarrassed by the desperate plea in his voice...almost.

All four brothers froze, three of them turning to Scott as if awaiting direction. Virgil looked from one to the other and back again. “Guys?!” He rattled the restraints like that guy out of Dicken’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ rattled his chains.

And immediately regretted it when Alan’s eyes latched onto them. The expression on his littlest brother’s face flashed worry.

“Allie?”

Alan startled and Virgil’s already thudding heart upped its pace another notch as clues began to slot together.

“Allie, how did you break your arm?” No, please, no.

“Virgil-“

“Scott!” He glared at his brother before turning back to Alan. “Are you okay?”

The worry on Alan’s face vanished and he shrugged as if the sling was nothing. “I’m cool. You’re the one we’re worried about.” He strode up to the end of Virgil’s bed and dumped himself on it. “Are you feeling better?”

There was so much hope in those blue eyes.

Virgil blinked. He really wished his head would stop hurting.

Enunciated very clearly. “Can someone please tell me what happened?” An unsteady breath as his eyes latched onto Alan again. “Did I hurt you?”

The restraints bit at his wrists as he clenched his fists.

Alan’s eyes darted to Virgil’s hands in echo of that earlier flash of emotion before his little brother threw up the same cheerful façade he did during rescues.

Virgil’s heart broke.

Alan reached out, a soft smile on his face as his fingers landed on Virgil’s leg, the bed covers relaying his little brother’s touch. “I’m good, Virg. You didn’t know what you were doing.”

“I hurt you.” The words scraped past his larynx as Virgil’s eyes latched onto the sling holding his little brother’s arm safe.

Alan waved it away. “Eh, you just proved a point. I need to spend some more time with Kayo.” He smiled just a little. “You know how to kick ass when you want to. Note taken. Don’t get in your way when you’re determined.” An impish grin. “Didn’t think you had it in you.”

“I-“ He knew Alan meant well, but every word… he struggled against his restraints. He desperately wanted to reach out and hold his brother, reassure himself, provide comfort, but…his chains rattled.

It was Gordon who acted. “Hey, Virg, it’s okay.” A hand on his shoulder for just a moment before his aquanaut brother was fiddling with the strap holding down Virgil’s arm. “I can see that hug machine grinding gears.”

Scott was fiddling with the fastenings on Virgil’s other wrist.

“No, not the hug machine!” It was comical on Alan’s part as he flailed dramatically at the end of the bed, but it was in such contrast to the distress in Virgil’s heart…

Then his hands were free and he was reaching for his little brother. “Allie!”

Perhaps he feared rejection in Alan’s eyes, but as the young astronaut flew into his arms without hesitation, Virgil was overwhelmed with a mixture of gratitude and love.

“It’s okay, Virg. I promise.” It was muffled into his shoulder.

Virgil only squeezed tighter, his left arm pulling at whatever he had done to it. Blond strands fluttered as he breathed into his brother’s hair.

“Sorry.” Hoarse.

“Is okay.” One thin arm tightened around him even tighter and it squeezed moisture out of his eyes.

He clung to his little brother for a long moment, but questions still needed answers.

As Alan eventually pulled away, blue eyes looked up at him and smiled. As far as Alan was concerned, he was obviously forgiven.

But Virgil didn’t think he could ever forgive himself.

And he still didn’t know what had happened. His eyes skipped to Scott, then Gordon and finally John.

John.

Virgil’s eyes narrowed as they focussed on his space brother. “Tell me.”

“Virg-“ Scott placed a hand on his arm again.

Virgil shook it off and kept his eyes on John. “Tell me!”

Aquamarine gauged him, flickered to Scott and back. “You had an adverse reaction to medication. Grandma tried a new combination as you weren’t responding well to your usual dose. It worked. However, an unforeseen side effect was paranoia. You fled the infirmary in what appears to be an escape attempt from the Island and headed down to Thunderbird Two.” John’s eyes were kind. “Alan got in your way. He claims you picked him up with one hand and threw him across the room. Hence the broken arm.”

Virgil turned to stare at his little brother who shrugged. “You were right. You can pick me up with one hand.”

Fingers tightened on Virgil’s arm, but he was beyond identifying who they belonged to as he turned back to John. Quietly. “There’s more.” It wasn’t a question.

John tilted his head a little. “Then Scott got in your way. You were determined that he was an enemy. Either the Chaos Crew or the Hood himself, because you blamed him for Gordon’s injuries earlier in the year.”

“John.” Scott’s tone was sharp.

The space monitor turned to the commander. “He needs to know.”

Virgil couldn’t take his eyes off his tall, red-headed brother. Those aquamarine eyes turned back to him. “You attacked Scott. Gordon took you out with a tranquilliser gun.”

Virgil stared. A lump in his throat welled up. “Thank you, John.”

His brother’s lips curled up into the faintest of smiles and he nodded once, but didn’t say anything further.

Virgil turned to Scott. “Are you okay?”

Eyes were rolled at him for his efforts. “As if you could take me your best day, Virg. Are you kidding me?” All smirking confidence.

Virgil raked his brother with his gaze, almost wishing he could medically scan him with his eyeballs.

He turned back to John. “Is he okay?”

A disgusted sound from Scott almost obliterated John’s smiling words. “He’s fine. Maybe a few bruises. That’s all.”

“John!”

John turned to Scott. “You want to try and hide medical issues from Virgil? He’ll worry himself sick and then find out anyway. Best to be upfront. For everyone’s health.”

Scott grunted and glared. “I’ll remind you of that next time you complain I’ve set Virgil on you for not sleeping.”

“That’s different.”

“Different how? Eos claimed it was a good thirty-six hours last time and you were hallucinating coffee.”

“I am old enough to make my own decisions.”

“Could have fooled me.”

“You can’t talk. You hid that bruised rib from him when you came back from San Fran two weeks ago.”

“John!”

“You’re lucky he punched you on the other side today.”

“John! For goodness sake!”

Virgil stared at both of them in shock as the ‘discussion’ blew up into a full-on argument over the bed. John stood with his arms crossed and his brow furrowed while Scott pointed fingers at him in punctuation.

Alan stared at the both of them, wide-eyed beside Virgil.

A nudge at Virgil’s other side snapped him out it.

“Both idiots, if you ask me.” Gordon was quietly grinning. He sat on the edge of the bed beside Virgil and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “Can’t hide anything from you, anyway.”

A blink. The hug was weird and voluntary, but Virgil wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

However…

“You shot me.”

“Yep.” The grinning continued, but Gordon didn’t look at him, his eyes tracking the entertainment of space monitor versus commander as they bickered.

“Thank you.”

That did draw those amber brown eyes in his direction. “You’re welcome. Any time.”

Virgil’s left arm hurt and was stiff as hell, but he lifted it awkwardly and pulled his fish brother in as best he could. There was that odd compliance again as Gordon let him do it with no protest at all.

Gordon’s hair always smelled of chlorine. It was familiar and reassuring.

“You okay?”

That earned him a snort. “My only regret is I didn’t shoot you in the butt.”

“Gordon.”

His brother sobered a little. “Honest, Virg. I’m fine. You didn’t hurt me and...” Those eyes, so like his own, fixed him where he sat. “It wasn’t your fault.”

Virgil didn’t have an answer to that so just pulled him in closer.

“Do it again and it’s the butt. I’m taking pictures.”

Virgil closed his eyes and just held on tight.

-o-o-o-

FIN.

[badassbeifong]

The Chief’s Lover (Pt. 6)

Word Count: 1305

Warnings: None?

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“Tenzin, we have to follow him!”  Lin struggled but still couldn’t move.

“While I agree with you, neither of us can move.”  He was also trying to move.

“That son of a-”

“Chief Beifong!”  Saikhan came running towards the dock with some other members of the police behind him.

“I’m fine! I need you to track that boat.”  As Tarrlok’s boat moved further away from the dock, his hold on them began to weaken.

“Councilman Tarrlok’s boat? I don’t think we are authorized to-”

“I will take full responsibility. Just do it.”  Lin snapped as she slowly stood up.

“Of course. Get a small boat and follow him!”  Saikhan called over his shoulder and the police officers behind him got to work.

“What happened here?”  He mumbled as he looked around.

“Tarrlok kidnapped Y/N. Tenzin and I tried to stop him. He used blood bending and escaped.”  Lin was very curt with her words as she looked down at Tenzin.

“You can move now, you know.”

“Oh, right.”  He stood up and brushed himself off.

“Chief, you should sit this one out.”  Saikhan said as Lin walked towards one of the police owned boats.

“Why?”

“It appears as though you have...personal ties to this.”  He didn’t meet her eye when he said this.

“Is that so? Fine. If anything happens to her, I will be blaming you, and you alone.”  She turned around and crossed her arms, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to take that much responsibility.

“Do what you want.”  He mumbled and walked towards a different boat so that he wouldn’t have to be on the same one as Lin.

“Tenzin, you coming with me?”  Lin called to him and he nodded.

“Let’s go! Try not to engage in combat!”  She called out as the boats left the dock and followed the path of Tarrlok’s.

Meanwhile, you were absolutely miserable. You lost to Tarrlok and that was just embarrassing. You thought of ways to escape but he still had a hold on you. And it seemed as though he saw through your lie.

“You’re not a blood bender, are you?”  He turned around and looked at you. The smirk on his face was making you even more miserable.

“What makes you say that?”  You decided to try and cover it up as best as you could but this man was way too smart.

“When you, miraculously, fought off my blood bending, you could have easily turned around to take control of me. But you didn’t. Therefore, you are not a blood bender.”  He clasped his hands behind his back and stood proudly, as if he had just made an amazing discovery.

“So just because I’m not an asshole like you, I’m automatically ruled out as a blood bender? Solid logic you got there.”  You scoffed and looked away from him.

“Well, you seem to be quite confident. Go on then.”  He stopped blood bending you and waited for you to attack.

You knew that you couldn’t fight him head on because he would start blood bending you. So you did the only logical thing. You ran, full speed, at the side of the boat and jumped off. You could hear Tarrlok shouting as you did so but he couldn’t react in time.

You used your water bending to propel you through the water, trying to get as far away from him as possible, only for you to collide with another, smaller boat.

“What the hell was that?”  You heard a muffled voice through the water and immediately recognised it as Lin’s.

“Lin!”  You pushed yourself out of the water and collapsed into her boat.

“Y/N? What the flameo are you doing?”  She knelt down beside you and looked around for Tarrlok’s boat.

“I...escaped.”  You were breathless but overall, okay.

“Yes, I see that. Where is Tarrlok?”  Tenzin helped you sit up while Lin stood up and continued to scan the area.

“Probably following me.”  You stood up too, despite Tenzin’s protests, and pointed to the direction you came from.

“Well then we should get out of here. Saikhan! Tell everyone to head back to the city!”  Lin called out and all of the boats began to turn back around.

“Lin, someone needs to arrest him.”  Tenzin said suddenly and both you and Lin looked at him in shock.

“Never thought I’d hear that from you. But you’re right. And I finally have grounds to do so.”  Lin agreed with him, which left you and Tenzin in shock.

“He’s dangerous. I don’t think anyone can stop him. He’ll just blood bend anyone who tries.”  You brought up the main problem and Lin sighed.

“We’re going to have to think about that. Which could take a while.”  She frowned and squinted.

“What’s wrong?”  Tenzin asked, worried that Tarrlok was already back in the city.

“Nothing. We’re almost back.”  

You exhaled deeply, out of relief, and looked back, expecting to see nothing but water behind you. But there was a boat. His damn boat.

“Uh, Lin?”  You tapped her shoulder and she turned around.

“This man, I swear.”  She mumbled and looked down at you.

“Want me to put some more distance between us?”  You offered and she nodded.

“Don’t overwork yourself though.”  She added as an afterthought as you started water bending, pushing his boat further back.

“I never do.”  But you were finding this task to be a lot more difficult because Tarrlok was pushing back.

“What’s wrong?”  Lin could see the frustration on your face.

“He’s fighting back. Why can’t he just back off!”  You put all of your energy into one more push, which managed to push his boat back a fair amount.

“I’ve known Tarrlok for a while and backing off is not something he knows how to do.”  Tenzin frowned and looked back.

“The more I learn about him, the more he annoys me.”  You turned back around and felt relieved as you saw the dock.

“Thank god.”  Lin mumbled as everyone got off of the boats and regrouped.

“Alright, we need a plan to take down Tarrlok.”  She said as everyone gathered around.

“Chief Beifong?”  Saikhan raised his hand and she nodded for him to continue.

“I can’t take down Tarrlok.”

“Are you saying that you’re afraid or too weak?”  She raised her eyebrows and he shook his head.

“No I mean, I can’t help you because I’m already helping him.”  Saikhan nodded to the metal benders who instantly tied up you, Lin and Tenzin. First with metal cords, and then with regular rope so that Lin wouldn’t be able to bend them.

“Saikhan! Do you want to get thrown in jail?”  Lin shouted and he smirked.

“I won’t be thrown in jail. Not when Tarrlok is in charge.”  He turned around and started to walk away, leaving the three of you there for Tarrlok.

“Tarrlok will never be in charge!”  Tenzin shouted and Saikhan stopped walking.

“He will be, as long as you’re not there to mess things up.”  

“Well we’re not going to go down quietly!”  You shouted and fell silent when you heard someone laughing.

“Oh, I think you are.”  Tarrlok emerged from the shadows and stood in front of you.

“How did you get here so quickly?”  Lin shifted around and tried to move so that you weren’t in front of Tarrlok but ultimately failed.

“I’m a water bender. I thought that was pretty obvious.”  Tarrlok rolled his eyes and crouched down to be eye level with you.

“You and I are going to live a wonderful life together.”  He mumbled.

You were about to say something back when your vision started to blur. You could feel your eyelids closing slowly and the last thing you saw before you blacked out was Tarrlok, with his triumphant smile plastered on his face.

[hawksward]

Wolves in Sheep's Clothing Ch. 3: Let the Games Begin (Childe/OC)

Since being granted a vision at the tender age of 10, Irina has owed her life to the Tsaritsa and dedicated herself to rising through the ranks of the Fatui. In becoming a top-ranking diplomat she’s received her easiest assignment yet: ensure the 11th Fatui Harbinger remains ignorant of La Signora’s plan to obtain the gnosis of Rex Lapis. A simple task for someone who’s made a career out of lying.

Unfortunately, even the simplest tasks can go awry when feelings get in the way.

Rating: E (For eventual smut)

Warnings: Violence, there will eventually be smut

The next morning came too quickly. She had plans to run a few of her own errands before the boat arrived. It seemed like bad karma when she overslept and had to rush out to make it in time. Irina maneuvered through the crowds with ease, her pace quickening as she continued down the slope to the wharf.

By the time she reached the bottom the boat was nearly completely unloaded. She looked for anyone free, or even a stack of letters on a crate.

“Are you here for the letters, miss?” An older man stepped from behind her holding a large pile of envelopes wrapped in twine “Ekaterina mentioned someone different would be picking up today”

“Yes. That’s me.” She took the stack of letters and casually flipped through the recipients. There were plenty for people she was unfamiliar with, most likely those who were on assignment further away from the bank as she didn’t get out of the city much. A letter for Ekaterina, most likely from her grandmother that she spoke of often.

Then at the very bottom, there was a small stack solely for Childe. She knew he had a large family waiting for him back in Snezhnaya, courtesy of Ekaterina and her extensive knowledge of everything that had to do with his business. Including the number of zeroes attached to his bank account. She peeked at the return addresses, all of which were the same. His family must have written him one letter each.

“Did we miss one for you?” The man asked, “It looks like you didn’t find what you were looking for.”

“No, none for me. Not a big mail person. Thanks for the hard work. Safe travels back to the motherland.” Irina gave him a curt nod before making her way to the lower market by the docks.

The letters weighed heavy in her arm as she stood in line for pastries. It never mattered before that she didn’t have anyone back home. She served the Tsaritsa. if anything not having a family made her a better tool for the woman she owed everything to.

Irina left the docks with a large basket filled with almond biscuits when she was knocked out of the way by a child sprinting through the crowd. Shortly after the girl disappeared from view a millelith soldier rushed after her, pushing bystanders out of the way.

“Stop! Thief!”

It’s not your business. Take your biscuits and get to work.

She let out a loud sigh as she followed through the openings in the crowd the soldier left. When she finally reached the end of the market, the soldier had cornered the girl, who was clutching something in her hands.

“Give it here, kid” the man held out his hand to the girl, who couldn’t have been older than 10, but she continued to hold the object even tighter.

“Is there an issue here, sir?” Irina walked up next to the man, her eyes on the girl in front of her. She recognized the fear. It wasn’t of being caught, it was the fear of having whatever was in her hand ripped from her.

“Nothing we need the Fatui to deal with.” He grumbled, “When the thief gives back what she stole I’ll be on my way.”

Irina ignored the soldier as she knelt in front of the child “can you show me what’s in your hand?”

The girl released her fingers around a small pouch filled with coins, “I need it. My brother is sick and he needs food”

“Typical lying street vermin. All the same lying about some non existent sick family member.” The guard scoffed

Sure, the girl could be lying. But her clothes were ratty and her shoes looked like they were a day away from falling off her feet. Even if she didn’t have a sick brother, she desperately needed the mora.

Irina stood, pulling the pouch of coins from her pocket before shoving it at the officer “That should be more than enough to cover the small amount she took as well as compensation for the victim. We’re done here.”

“Wait just a minute- you don’t get to decide that the kid doesn’t get punished.”

“Oh but consider this. I do.” She began, a sadistic smile creeping over her features “If you push this any further I will find every skeleton in your closet and expose them for the world to see. Even if you don’t have anything too interesting, I am Fatui after all. I can be creative.”

“You can’t do that. I’m a member of the millelith. You can’t just blackmail me without consequence!”

“But who would believe you? Your only witness is a child. I’m an esteemed guest of the Qixing. Who do you think they will side with to avoid diplomatic incident?”

The air temperature dropped ten degrees around her, she could feel the itch in her hands to use her power. Her patience was wearing thin.

“Fine. I’ll pay back the victim with your blood money.” The officer spit on the ground in front of her feet before turning and walking away.

Irina turned back around to the girl, grabbing a handful of almond biscuits and placing them in her hands. “Get back to your brother. Next time you need mora come to the Northland Bank. We have plenty of letters that need to be delivered around the harbor.”

“Thank you miss.” The girl looked up at her before immediately averting her eyes again “I will.”

——

The moment Irina stepped into the bank she didn’t have time to breathe. Ekaterina was on her before she could say a word about the giant pile of biscuits in her basket.

“There you are! Master Childe has been looking for you.”

Irina placed the basket on the counter before the woman “He’s looking for me? He’s the one who told me not to come in until after I’ve gotten the mail from the boat.”

Her mind was already cycling through every possible scenario. The millelith guard had already somehow managed to report to the Qixing and now Childe had heard. He found out about the contract between Signora and Zhongli. He was pissed about her showing up 30 minutes late with biscuits.

“Well the basket is filled with almond biscuits for everyone. Also here’s this weeks mail. I’ll take Master Childe his since he’s apparently dying to see me.”

Most likely she would be the one dying after this exchange. She quietly ascended the stairs, wondering how the rest of the staff would react if their boss murdered her in his office. Childe’s office was at the very end of the curved hall. She took a deep breath before knocking loudly on the elaborate door.

“It’s open.”

Irina carefully pushed the door open, stepping into the room. Childe’s office was easily five times the size of her own, with plenty of space for meetings with large bank clients. A lot of space to make them disappear as well.

“Ekaterina mentioned that you were looking for me. I brought some almond biscuits for the staff on my way back from the boat.”

Childe looked up from his desk, a large grin spread across his face. Irina’s heart sunk further into her stomach.

“You took your time. Are those for me?” He stood from his desk and closed the distance between them with his long strides. He plucked the small pile of envelopes from her hand before flipping through them, “I can always tell by the seal they use on the back”

“Are we getting to the part where you tell me why you were looking for me?”

“So pushy.” He gently tossed the letters on the desk before turning around to face her again “I need a sparring partner and all of the other vision users are on assignment out of the city. So, I’ve cleared your calendar for the day.”

“You did what?” Irina was horrified “I had a lunch set with the Qixing, they’re not going to take a last minute cancellation lightly! I’m not even combat oriented!”

Childe let out a sigh, crossing the room again to stand in front of her “As a vision holder I know you’ve received basic Fatui combat training.” He tapped the cryo vision centered at her clavicle “Don’t worry. I’ll be gentle.”

Her body moved before she could even think, her right hand grabbing his in a vice grip. She could feel the ice tingling in her fingertips as she moved his hand away from her chest before letting go. His hand red at the sudden cold.

“I have work to do here. In Liyue Harbor. I can’t just drop all of my responsibilities at your whim.” Her hands returned to her sides as she balled them into fists. She was sure she’d pissed him off at this point.

“You can because I say so. I’m Tartaglia. This is my jurisdiction. And what I say goes.” He took a step back, looking down at her, “You also now owe me for giving me mild frostbite.”

——

The view from the mountain overseeing the city would have been beautiful if she wasn’t dreading the reason she was there. Childe dragged her up a mountain, insisting that it was the best place for a sparring match. Less collateral damage that way.

While she could appreciate Childe not destroying the city on a whim, she wished he wouldn’t have decided to destroy her as well. He was a harbinger. One of the Tsaritsa’s elite warriors. She was a diplomat and a military dropout.

Everything Signora said about him flooded back as once. He was an eye of the storm. He would rather solve problems with a sword than with words. Zero tact. A brute.

“This will work.” He took a look at the surroundings before bringing his attention to Irina “What do you say, Aster? Ready to fight me?” He pulled his bow off his back, knocking an arrow made of water.

She let out a long sigh. The short answer was no. She pulled her catalyst from her bag and allowed it to float beside her. She tossed the bag to the side, bringing her palm across her face to form a mask made of ice. Maybe if she felt like she was back in a combat role she’d fare a little better.

Doubtful.

“Let’s get this over with.”

The moment the last word left her mouth he released his arrow straight at her chest. Irina summoned a large wall of ice, causing the arrow to shatter on impact. She watched as Childe shot off more arrows only to continue to shatter on the ice.

Eventually, he grew bored of arrows and tossed his bow to the side. He manifested two short swords out of water, holding both in a reverse grip. The smile on his face grew bigger as he closed the distance between them. Slowly at first, then with a quick lunge that shattered her ice shield on impact.

Irina stumbled back before regaining her footing. She threw another shield to block the next incoming blow. Once again it shattered. She wouldn’t be able to keep this up.

With a flick of her hand, the shards from the shield flew at him. He parried every shard with ease, the smile never once leaving his face.

“Yes! Just like that!” He spun a sword in his hand “and she says she can’t fight!”  his normally bright laugh put her on edge.

She suppressed a chill that wasn’t from her vision. Irina took in a deep breath before using all her air to blow a stream of cold. The water in the air before her quickly turned to ice, dropping in pellets as it continued toward her opponent.

Childe watched in amusement as his feet froze to the ground, the ice crawling up his legs to hold him in place. It was certainly impressive, but he could see its weakness with ease.

The force of his forward momentum broke the ice holding him to the ground. It happened so quickly. Irina quickly turned to see him coming with his sword at her neck. She quickly summoned ice to her hands and up her arms, hardening it as quickly as she could.

Her arm came up to block the blow from her neck. The ice covering her arm cracking beneath the pressure, but still managing to hold. Her eyes were wide. A half-second slower and he could have killed her.

She didn’t have time to process what that meant before a blow came from the other side, followed by another and another. Irina had both her arms up, desperately trying to block each blow, being forced back with each consecutive hit.

Was this the difference in strength between a normal vision user and a harbinger? He wasn’t even using his delusion. He probably wasn’t even using his full strength with his normal vision.

She felt the ice on her left arm shatter with the last blow. The force pushed her back again, but this time there was no ground underneath her foot. She was too busy trying to dodge sword strikes to notice that she’d been pushed back to the edge of the cliff.

She felt her center of gravity shift backward, followed by down. A terrible way to die really. During a sparring match because she wasn’t paying attention to her surroundings.

Her momentum stopped abruptly, her arm nearly jolting out of its socket before she was pulled back from her imminent demise. Straight in the arms of something far more dangerous.

Her face smacked straight into Childe’s chest, his hand still gripped around her arm. Her heart was beating a thousand times a minute.

“You…” she gasped, struggling to catch her breath “You nearly killed me!”

“ I nearly killed you?” He laughed “You managed that all on your own.” He let go of her arm.

Irina pushed herself off him, careful to make sure that she was no longer near an edge. “I might be a diplomat but I can sense intent to kill. You took a sword to my neck. It’s lucky I managed to block in time.”

“A sword made of water. You think so little of me.” He made a show of summoning a sword into his hand, only for it to disappear into a puddle on the ground.

Irina threw her hands up in frustration and sat herself down by the cliff she nearly fell off moments prior. She refused to believe that even he had the control to disappear his sword when everything was moving so quickly.

Childe sat down beside her on the cliff, both of them staring off into the distance “Would it make you feel better if I apologized?”

“No.”

“You’re a better fighter than you give yourself credit for. There must be something you’re very good at if they let you leave combat forces”

“My specialty has always been in information” Irina began “Tugging at threads until I can find one that causes everything to unravel.”

“Is information really necessary with the amount of mora the harbingers throw around?” Childe asked

“Everyone has a price. Not all of it can be paid in mora.” She turned to look at him “Lets take you for example. There’s no sense in trying to bribe you since you already have more money than you know what to do with.”

“Alright. Let’s hear it. Work your diplomat magic.”

“The letters from this morning. I’ll start with an assumption as the simplest answer is usually the right one. Since I doubt each letter is from a different mistress back home, I’ll assume each is from a different family member.”

The two locked eyes as she spoke, Childe listening intently

“Here’s where it gets interesting. All the envelopes are the same, so clearly it’s family still living together and each one is addressed to ‘Childe’. Makes sense considering they would know better not to use your real name on any correspondence. While each envelope was marked to you in a different handwriting, there were two that had the same. One of your family members doesn’t know about your code name. They don’t know you’re a harbinger”

Irina studied his face closely as she made the accusation. Throughout her speech, his face might as well have been carved from stone. However, when she mentioned that he had a family member who didn’t know about his job, the right side of his mouth twitched slightly. Easy to miss, but a confirmation.

“How did you know?”

“I didn’t until I made the accusation. You were stone faced the entire time I was talking until I mentioned it. People are easy to read once you know what you’re looking for.”

He seemed to mull it over before standing back up “In that case let me make some observations about you. Starting with how despite claiming that you have no heart, you gave all the mora in your pocket to make sure a kid eats”

Irina let out a sigh before standing as well “That didn’t stay quiet for long. Who told you?”

“There’s a great saying in Liyue. The walls have ears.”

[jjba-hell]

Fate and Fortune

Part 7 (holy shit)

A bit of a filler but I swear the next part is gonna get juicy- the way I write Jotaro is just painstakingly layered in non-verbal communication so it takes longer to describe.

Content Warnings: familial loss, it is the Strength card arc (harassment) some sea sickness but that’s about it

For the moots keeping up with my bs: @risottoneroo @fyre23

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6

“Vera?” Avdol’s voice rang on the other side of the metal door. “Are you alright?”

The concern was understandable- she wasn’t exactly used to sleeping in the top bench so when the ship took a particularly harsh hit she simply rolled off and with a loud thud landed on the floor. Too exhausted to move, she then simply pulled the blanket from the bottom bunk and tried to continue sleeping.

“I’m opening the door.” He warned before doing just that. The exasperated sigh that followed made her laugh to herself.

“What?”

“Vera, I was concerned you had hit your head.”

Once again she found herself taking his outstretched hand to get up, looking up at him with his hair half in and out of the signature buns atop his head made her laugh. “It’s an ungodly hour to still be working on your hair, don’t you think Avdol?”

“Oh and I suppose you’re willing to sacrifice your sleep for me?”

Vera dramatically held a hand over her heart like she was offended. “You think so ill of me, Avdol! After all that time of nightmares disturbing us both?”

She rose up from her blanket on the floor and with feign indifference fixed her pajama shirt. He only folded his hands over his chest, raising in an eyebrow at her in that same feigned annoyance.

“You can be so dramatic sometimes. Very well, Vera- could you please come help me tend to my hair?”

“Hmmmm, on one condition.”

“I’m listening.” He laughed.

“Just some fire from Magician for when I come back to bed, I’m cold.”

“That’s all?”

She nodded, strolling past him into the hallway, Avdol’s arms remaining crossed as he watched her wait all too happily outside in the hallway.

“Very well.”

Before Vera had as much control of her stand as she did, accidents were a common occurrence in Avdol’s house- Fortune being the cause but neither one of them noticing. One particular time, Avdol had burned just the tip of his finger on a stove top he believed had cooled down enough- using his usual hair care products in his hands annoyed him to no end. So she made him teach her.

Now she could do it with relative ease but the first time she did it, it was definitely a learning curve.

“I worry about you.” He had said as she was nearing the end of the last bun.

“Why? Because you find me on the floor with a blanket simply because I am too lazy to get back on the bed?”

“I’m more concerned for your nightmares. I haven’t seen you well rested ever since you came to Japan.”

She shrugged, knowing full well he couldn’t see. “You’re not wrong but there’s not much I can do.”

There was a stretch of silence and then, “What happens in your dreams? I’ve always been wary of asking you prying questions on the matter but perhaps speaking on it might help you resolve something deep within your soul.”

Vera’s hands shakily continued with Avdol’s strands, the lump in her throat growing bigger. “I dream of my mother, more than anything. I didn’t see my father’s face in death but my mother...”

With a shaky exhale she let the words pour out of her. “I never hear her, not like I hear my own screaming. I always just see her reaching out for me from the darkness- I’m always just a few inches short from reaching.”

She carefully wrapped the silk headdress over Avdol’s head, straightening out the little braid that ran down his back. “Embarrassingly, whenever I think of my father- the only face I see is yours.”

With a slight pat on the shoulder, like it would help him forget what she had said, Vera took her cigarettes from his bedside that she had brought and moved away towards the door.

Magician’s Red emerged from his user and offered a little flame in his hand. Fortune took the honor of taking it and with a smile she looked over at Avdol.

“You’re certainly an unexpected daughter, Vera... but I can’t think of a stronger person, even if I tried.”

“Thanks.”

And without adding any more sarcasm to ruin his good mood, Vera was off again back to her room, Fortune trailing behind with the little fire that seemed to warm her own hands in her pockets just as well.

The next morning she sat on the deck in the sun to get a better look at her bruised and splinter-filled leg.

For once it was Kakyoin using a metal tweezer to pull the splinters from her knee and shin- her head tipped over the backrest of the lounge chair she was seated on and a cigarette in her other hand.

“And you’re telling me it doesn’t hurt?” Noriaki laughed as he pulled a rather thick one out of the side of her shin.

“Of course it hurts but it feels more like an itch than stinging pain.” She answered, taking a drag and watching the smoke swirl up and dance with the subtle breeze around them.

“And you said it was from your fever?”

She threw her hands up, “Beats me- I just theorized that my nerve endings were burned half to death during the fever.”

Beside her, in her peripheral, she was watching as Jotaro’s eyes burned holes into Noriaki’s hand on her knee. He hadn’t ashed his cigarette in a while so she knew he was most certainly not casually smoking.

“And why is it that you refuse to heal yourself?”

Her attention returned to Noriaki. “Well for the most part, most of my injuries are from bad luck which is penance for manipulating fate. Also- I can’t revert my own luck. I can only move it forward under dire circumstances.”

Noriaki carefully disinfected the little holes literring her leg and had just finished wrapping up the ones still bleeding when a commotion below deck caught everyone’s attention.

Vera rose up and took hold of the first aid kit. She’d been trying to distract herself from the immense sea sickness that felt like a knife twisting in her gut but that last cigarette was the last straw.

On shaky legs she came to lean against the railing beside Jotaro, maybe a step too close for casual but she gazed up at him regardless. “I’m gonna take the first aid kit back- holler if you need me.”

He only gave a curt nod. She nodded right back, pushing off the railing and bumping into Jotaro in her disoriented state. He caught hold of her shoulder as she tried to regain her sense of direction.

“You look like shit.”

The comment probably shouldn’t have sparked so much anger in her but regardless she looked up at him and purposefully dropped the first aid box a hair width away from his foot.

“I’ll yack my breakfast out on you, Kujo. I’m well aware that I look like shit.”

With an angry shove away from him she pushed her way to the stair railing that led below deck. “Ms! Is everything alright?” One of the crewmate called from the bottom of the stairs and for once she was grateful to have someone help her down a flight of stairs.

She had just sat down in the captain’s quarters with a sigh when she looked down at the desk- a unopened letter with the Speedwagon Foundation seal lay on the top of a stack of paperwork. Her curiosity burned perhaps a bit brighter than it should have, so she let Fortune bring the letter to her hand- turning it around to see if it wasn’t open by any chance.

The letter was returned to the stack- after she realized it really wasn’t open- and then replaced by the piece of scribbled paper just below. At reading the name spelled in all capitals in the letter, her heart dropped to her already twisting stomach.

DIO.

“A false captain, huh?” Her eyes scanned the document further.

The sudden crash and tremors moving through the ship had her shoot up out of her seat and back towards the top of the deck. She was greeted my Mr Joestar’s wide eyes then slight relief. “Good, you’re not hurt- we’re evacuating the ship!” He announced to the crew.

“What? Why?”

“The captain was a fake- he’s gonna detonate the ship.”

She ran after him, trying to come up with a better solution than bobbing about on a dinghy. “Can’t we just find the bomb and I can delay the timer?”

Her duffel bag got put down right at her feet. “No time to look, ship’s too big.”

Internally, she was screaming as she picked up her duffel bag and ran to help grab the other guy’s bags as well before running up deck just in time to see them lowering the life boats.

It had been a few hours since they started aimlessly drifting in the water and Vera was losing her grip on whatever food had been pushing its way back up.

“I never understood when they said you become green when ill but I think I see it now.” Avdol joked from across the lifeboat from her.

The frantic laugh that left her lips had the whole crew watching as she pushed her head between her knees and think about solid ground and not the insistent bobbing of the waves around her.

“Funny joke, Avdol. Wanna lend me your robe?” She asked as she stuck a hand ahead of her.

Kakyoin’s hand rubbed soothing circles over her back, the subtle warmth on her back helping her ground herself. It was usually when Kakyoin as much as opened his mouth that Jotaro’s knee moved closer to her- the most subtle movement to bring himself closer to her. Vera couldn’t exactly complain- having his leg beside her helped her ground herself even more. But Noriaki, despite his flirtatious nature, was very careful not to move too close to her, even when she sat up, his shoulder rarely grazed hers- as if he was deliberately swaying himself away from touching her. Jotaro however, took his space freely- his arm was almost attached to hers and his knee only seemed to move away when he could tell Kakyoin was going to keep his distance.

So- in the name of gaining more grounding- she moved her other hand to extend across Noriaki’s lap. He seemed to get the message pretty quickly since he took hold of her extended hand, which was probably the ‘all clear’ signal for him since his knee moved against hers as well. Jotaro’s response was to lean his arms onto his lap- their arms touching once again.

“So which one of you are dating?”

Those words uttered by Anne was enough for Vera to end up feeling like the floor was ripped right under her. Both of the boys moved away from her, her head shooting up the overwhelmingly bright blue sky. Her eyes took a moment to adjust but there it was- another ship.

“We’re getting out of here!” She exclaimed.

Jinxed it.

Soon as she stepped on the stairs to the upper deck she stopped a moment. Jotaro was on the landing with her, watching her shakily bend at the knee to get closer to the water and rather undignifyingly let IT all out.

The strong hand on her shoulder came as a surprise though, as if holding her from falling forward into the water.

The handkerchief offered to her truly had her questioning if it was even Jotaro standing beside her. Did she miss something?

Without another word his hand left her shoulder and she stood up- now painfully unable to look him in the eye. He noticed just enough to give a huff of laughter before turning to walk up the stairs.

“Thanks.” She called back without looking back. Jotaro’s footsteps stopped for a moment.

“What did you say?” She could just hear the cockiness as he turned around on the step he was standing on.

Now this game she was not going to play. Vera spun around and walked up the stairs until she was one step below him, craning her neck to look up at him. “Thank you, Jotaro.” Her hand landed gently ontop of Jotaro’s hand holding the railing.

The smugness on his face slid off and was replaced by the same flat, stoic face with maybe a hint of surprise in the height of his eyebrows.

“Whatever.” He mumbled as he turned around and continued up the stairs.

On the upper deck she was asked to help Anne rinse off the saltwater in the bathrooms- she understood why but she was not into playing babysitter.

“You just had to jump onto a ship with a jean overall, huh kid?”

Vera ripped up one of her button ups along with the the last short in her duffel bag for Anne before standing guard at the bathroom.

Jotaro’s heavy step echoed through the hallway until he came into view and the first thing she asked was “Do you feel eyes on you?”

She’d say she started feeling as if she was being watched shortly after they saw that stupid orangutan sitting in its cage.

“I wouldn’t say eyes, but something does feel off.”

Vera leaned against the door frame, humming. They’d already had the suspicion that it could be a trap but the user would have made themselves known by now, wouldn’t they?

“Are you still sea sick?”

Her gaze trailed up at him, leaning across the hallway from her. He didn’t seem malicious in asking or even joking. The same stoic face looked back at her as he asked that.

“I feel a lot better but it’s kinda touch and go but thanks for asking.” It was probably the first time she didn’t answer with a bit that hint of sarcasm- instead answering him straight. The moment was gone the second a blood-curdling scream from the showers made her jump out of her skin and straight to where it was coming from.

Vera’s mind shut down at the sight of the orangutan holding her underwear, her duffel bag’s contents strewn over the floor of the bathroom and Anne cornered in a shower.

All discomfort she could ever have felt melted away in that moment and Fortune leapt forward faster than she’d ever seen her move. They had landed one good hit to the jaw, when the walls around her started to close in on her and her stand.

“What the hell?” She pushed against the metal boxing her in place with no success. “How the hell do you move like liquid in one moment and stay solid in the next.”

Out of desparation she brought Fortune back out and tried to push with her, the metal groaning in protest but not enough for her to get out.

When another scream on the other side sounded behind the metal walls separating them, desperation set in and she called out to Jotaro. “You boxed in?”

“Yeah. Any plans?”

“I’m gonna phase you in with her, you keep her safe- okay?”

She didn’t wait for an answer as she sent Fortune through the walls to where she’d guess Jotaro was and then dragging him through to the other side of the metal wall she heard the scream coming from. The walls started to cave in all around her, her arms starting to lose mobility the closer the walls crawled closer to her.

“To whoever’s stand this is, cop a good feel while you can motherfucker cause I’ll make sure you don’t have hands to feel with ever again!”

As she was about to attempt another struggle the walls seemed to slowly deflate like a balloon and on the other side was the busted up orangutan, Jotaro and Anne.

“Vera...” Anne started shakily as Jotaro almost marched with his back turned to them.

“It was the orangutan, the whole ship is his stand. We’ve gotta get off.”

She only listened with half an ear as she handed Anne the clothes she had originally intended for her to wear. Jotaro hastily grabbed her duffel bag and stuffed as much of her stuff in as he could before they booked it out of there- ending up right back where they started.

With Vera’s head between her knees trying to fight off the sea sickness.

[caffiend-queen]

She is my Only Vice

Chapter 9: Two Cases of EPX-1 and Tchaikovsky’s Overture 1812

In which Jonathan must play the game without Sirene by his side. And Sirene gets to blow shit up.

18+ only, please! No specific warnings for this chapter, but we’re talking human trafficking.

This is dedicated to the lovely and unnaturally patient Imogen, who made me so very happy with her kind comments on this story. Thank you, my friend! Mwah!

Chapter 8 here

The yacht docked early the next day after heading in endless circles, looking for his Sirene. Jonathan had given up any pretense at calling her Sarah. Once again, because of him she nearly died and she was quite definitely in danger teamed up with that lunatic firebug David. And what the bloody hell did Angela mean, “I promised her this, she’s earned it?”

He was clipped and curt with his farewells, meeting varying degrees of chagrin and false concern, and in the case of Debare, outright amusement.

“I’ll see you in Kolkata,” Jonathan said in the same tone he’d use for “I’ll see you in hell.” Debare’s handsome face grew cold, but he nodded. “I’m sure you’ll find the merchandise at the,” he chuckled sardonically, “home office is top shelf.” His cold smile faded just an edge when Pine stared back at him, expression composed but eyes alight like the fires of hell.

Pulling away from the marina, Jonathan cursed himself. In all the time with Roper - no matter how bad it got - he’d always kept his composure. He’d handled everything with calm. But now… he wanted to put every one of these monsters in the middle of a crowd of their abused, starving captives and tell them to have at it. In fact… Jonathan smiled for the first time in the last 48 hours. Maybe he would do just that.

___________

“No! Look, this is simple- the sequence is: one, shape the plastique into a cone. Two, attach the agitator. You’re using the detonator cord as the shock that triggers the EPX-1. Three, you back the hell off when the chemical reaction begins, because the decomposition of the EPX-1 will-”

David had been lecturing you for at least three hours, making you build and re-build an explosive kit with the terrifying material you’d dragged over three countries in the mail plane and up the river in this leaky-ass boat. "Yeah, okay, agent. I got you. Explain how we will be utilizing this exercise?" You were pissy, and he knew it. But you were unprepared for the huge, almost feral grin that spread across that kindly, dark face.

"Ooo, girl. We're gonna blow some shit up."

Dressed in sturdy black jeans and a long-sleeved shirt that was making you sweat buckets, you were eyeing the comings and goings of the large and ugly office building in a particularly disreputable part of the city. Through your binoculars, you could see the ugly, indifferent expressions of men used to selling bodies and the souls that accompanied them. But it was three heavily-made up women that made you curl your lip.

"Those are the groomers," David whispered, "they're the ones that convince the parents to send their girls. Or they lure them away, far enough from home to get thrown into the trunk of a car. And some..." he hesitated and you looked over at his sad face. "Sometimes the parents seek them out to sell their children."

“When do we get moving?” Suddenly, you could barely endure the thought of leaving this shit-heap without blowing it sky-high.

“Patience,” he chided, “we have to wait for the buyers to clear it out. There’s a huge auction tomorrow night, they’re clearing out four different holding houses to move the stock - shit, I mean the kids - and that’s when we’re gonna party.”

You couldn’t stop the grin from spreading across your face. “Best. Night. EVER.”

David laughed.

____________

Jonathan pulled on the crisply-pressed shirt, a fine cotton, hand-stitched to fit his long body. Emerald cufflinks. A slight dash of Tom Ford Private Blend Soleil Blanc cologne and he pulled on his suit jacket. Straightened the silk tie while his brain scrolled through the numbers and names he had to procure today. Hidden inside his precisely placed tiepin was a camera, top of the line, and MI:6’s best. A fisheye lens with a powerful anti-detection electronic blocker. He’d be filming the slave auction and every piece of shite attending it. His thoughts kept drifting back to Sirene. Was she safe? Was that lunatic pyromaniac endangering her? He knew they were part of the “cleanup crew,” now that Sirene couldn’t be spotted alive. But the anxiety of wondering where she was, what she was doing was disordering his usual, rigidly composed thought process. “Focus, damn you!” he hissed to himself. He still had pages and pages of intel to memorize and the only thing he could picture was her face, made beautiful in her orgasm the night he lost her.

Whereas before Jonathan’s mantra was “Keep her alive,” now it was simply, “Please, stay alive.”

Pulling up to the palatial estate just outside of Kolkata, Jonathan straightened his cuff, allowing the perfect three-quarter inch of snowy white shirt to appear from the suit sleeve. “I’m not expecting trouble,” he told the man across from him in the luxury SUV, "our job today is primarily information gathering and purchasing as many children as we can. They are the priority.”

The other man, huge with a nose that had clearly been broken too many times to breathe properly, nodded. “Aye. Your security detail will be a bunch of mean-looking arseholes.”

“Excellent,” Jonathan nodded appreciatively, before sighing. “There is a wrinkle, Ballard.”

A matching sigh. “There always is.”

“I received new orders today. We’re looking for the daughter of a Saudi official, very high up. She apparently likes to evade her bodyguard and sneak out to nightclubs with her friends.” He held up his phone, showing a picture of a lovely young woman, maybe nineteen or twenty. Her kohl-lined eyes were twinkling over her hijab. “She is,” Jonathan said, “priority one. There’s data showing movements from her region into India. If she’s been taken by Bachchon ka Bachaav Samaaj, she should show up in the auctions today, but likely tomorrow.”

“Why tomorrow?” asked Ballard, leaning in to get a better look at her face. “Do y’have a full-face image?”

“Yes,” Jonathan’s thumb swiped to the next picture, taken at home with the girl posed with her mother. “Today will be for the…” he swallowed his disgust, “...the lower and medium value girls and children. Agarwal’s top-shelf product will be shown tomorrow.”

 “A pleasure, Mr. Pine, I’ve heard so much about you!” Ekbal Agarwal’s voice was low, cultured and he spoke perfect English, taking pride in his crisp pronunciation. “I understand my associates-” he nodded to the suddenly apprehensive Bianchis and a clearly sullen Debare Oni, “-lost your sweet pet. I assure you, we have an excellent selection here tonight, and your first selection is yours, as my gift.”

Jonathan nodded graciously, “You’re very generous, my friend.”

Agarwal smiled at him beneficently, “Of course.” He was wearing a hand-tailored suit, an exquisite fit that clearly cost thousands of pounds. His thick white hair was casually styled and Jonathan’s practiced eye could tell he wasn’t carrying a gun. His entourage, however, was packing enough weaponry to take over a small country.

As was Jonathan’s, just not as blatantly displayed. Sitting through the first two rounds of auctions, he cursed that Sirene wasn’t there. First, because she had an excellent memory for faces and names, and secondly, the two girls Agarwal had foisted on his as “entertainment” wouldn’t currently be attempting to grope his crotch. Because he knew they could be beaten or even killed for their “failure” in entertaining him if he sent them away, he gritted his teeth and simply moved their hands. Being seated comfortably, front and center gave the camera hidden in his tiepin some excellent shots. But none of the girls he scanned matched the image of the kidnapped Saudi girl. 

His wily host sat next to him, watching Pine’s purchases of the youngest children. Agarwal finally chuckled. “These new resorts of yours, I can see they will be very popular.”

Smiling blandly, Jonathan nodded. “That is the goal, of course.” Eyeing the man next to him, he asked, “And have you thought about expanding from procurement to hosting? It’s wildly lucrative and…” he casually brushed a bit of glitter from one of the girls mauling him, “much less messy than my former profession.”

“Ah,” nodded Agarwal, “I’d met Roper many times, he’d purchased several of my inventory for business associates.” He eyed Jonathan shrewdly. “Sadly, your girl did not come from my stock. I would have charged him triple for her.”

Knowing this was intended as a compliment and also knowing that if he sat next to this loathsome troll for one more second that he’d be forced to disembowel him. So graciously taking his leave, Jonathan strolled cooly from the terrible room that stank of the opium they’d given the victims to keep them quiet.

 “Nothing on the Saudi girl?” He could hear Angela’s tiredness, her impatience.

“She hasn’t been seen,” agreed Jonathan. He was stuck in a 4x4 space in his hotel suite when he could successfully dampen any as yet undetected listening devices, and his shoulders twitched uncomfortably. “But the ‘premium stock,’ as they call it, is coming up tomorrow. There’s been chatter about it all over the Dark Web, according to Ballard. He’s an excellent security support, by the way.”

“Good,” Angela sounded if possible, even more exhausted. 

“Is your son keeping you up at night?” Jonathan blurted.

“What?” she was clearly startled.

“Well… Sire- Sarah was concerned about you. She’s been talking about the baby and that you weren’t getting any sleep. She wanted to suggest you get a night nanny, but-” Jonathan chuckled, “-she said she thought you’d, and I quote, ‘lose your shit' if she suggested it.”

“Really.” He could nearly smell his director’s disapproval. “Anything else?”

Scratching the back of his neck, Jonathan wondered if he should just shut up. Ignoring his usual care before he spoke, he continued, “Sirene - Sarah, rather, said you would fight the idea because you’d feel it would undermine your ability to be a good mother and that you’ve tried for so long, that you’d be even more aware of it. But she was adamant that you couldn't run a massive intelligence division without sleeping.”

“I see…” he couldn’t tell whether Angela was still irritated or amused. “You two have had wide-ranging conversations, then.”

Jonathan couldn’t keep the smile off his face. “She’s a very bright girl- young woman.”

Angela actually snickered. “Ah, you are learning Pine. We’ll speak tomorrow, good luck.”

_____________

Day Two of the slave auction:

You were trying to remember the last time you were in this much acute physical discomfort. Lying upside down, sweat running into your eyes and arms on fire from trying to wire this goddamn EPX-1 to the underside of the steel girder without blowing yourself up. After monitoring all four "holding pens" and watching the comings and goings, your job now was to wait for each crop of stolen children to be hauled away so that you could wire the hellhole they'd been trapped in and turn it into a fireball big enough to be seen in Pakistan. And you were so looking forward to this part. You knew just enough to be clear that Jonathan was buying as many of the little ones as he could while you and David were preparing one big giant "fuck you!" for the Bachchon ka Bachaav Samaaj and every piece of shit working for them. You really did have the best part of the job right now, even if you were fighting your misery and loneliness for Jonathan. Your hands slowed a bit. This is what it would be like when the mission was over. When you'd go back to your little houseboat on the Thames and he'd go somewhere else. Gritting your teeth, you forced yourself to finish. It had taken such a short time to fall in love with that gorgeous son of a bitch again. Or maybe you never fell out. No matter, it would hurt like hell when he left, either way. 

"Okay, this is going to be great!" David was so excited, he was almost giggling, and you were this close to giggling too. You were both utterly vile, coated in sweat and dirt, exhausted. You'd made it back to the boat just moments ago, with the morning well underway. "We wait until the auction starts up again. Once they start running through the girls, we've got MI:6, CIA, and IB agents waiting to move in."

You frowned. "What, seriously? That's a hell of a lot of intelligence agencies and so many people to trust. What happened to the slick snatch and grab arrests MI:6 planned?"

David yawned, rolling his eyes. "This is their turf, so IB has to be involved. Apparently there's a government official who intends to be on hand tomorrow so he can grab the credit in the press."

"Uh, huh..." You were chewing your lip furiously. "This sounds like a dumpster fire waiting to happen. How do they trust the official? And who's he alerting? We have the big names from nearly every major trafficking ring in one building tomorrow. With bodyguards. And guns. And unprotected, kidnapped children."

You looked up to see David looking at you with some compassion. "I know it's complete shite. But this is how it's done. If this all goes to plan, three countries get the credit for making a sizeable dent in this hellscape. And then..." he began rubbing his hands together, like a gleeful child, "then with all the new intelligence, we get started on the resorts. And we blow them straight to hell."

And just as planned, it was smooth as silk. 

“I’ve triangulated the first three of these buildings so that we can detonate them simultaneously.” David was fiddling with the controllers for the drones, his earbuds and shoving you down into position on the rooftop a couple of blocks away from the first holding house. Below, there was the usual hubbub of a poorer neighborhood, kids running back and forth, shouting and kicking a battered soccer ball. The air was filled with the smells of curry and fish. 

You frowned. “How far is the blast zone?” 

God, the man was giggling again. “That’s the best part! It’s an implosion! You’ll see the fire shoot up like a rocket, but no scatter.” 

Still scanning the streets with the powerful binoculars you’d been manning, you nodded. “Okay, based on what we saw yesterday, no one in their right mind gets within half a mile of that shitheap.” David handed you an earbud. “What is this for? Intel chatter?”

“Intel chatter?” He rolled his eyes, “You’ve been watching too many spy movies. No, I made us a mixtape.”

You couldn’t help the huge grin that made your cheeks actually hurt. “No freaking way.”

“Way,” David nodded.

And so you found yourself laughing uncontrollably as a giant gout of flame rose from Hellhole #1 as you were enjoying “Tchaikovsky’s Overture 1812.” Sending an electronic pulse to the drone hovering over Hellhole #2 was accompanied by Blue Oyster Cult’s “I’m Burning For You.” And then as the steel girders you’d wired on Hellhole #3 detonated with a flash so blinding that it took you close to half an hour to stop seeing spots - you and David sang along with “Burning Ring of Fire” - the old school Johnny Cash version, of course - slightly louder than you should have. 

When you’d finally slipped out of your vantage point, David looked at you, attempting to be stern even though his lips twitched. “How much EPX-1 did you use on those girders?”

You shrugged defensively. “Two cases, just like you told me.”

His eyes bugged. "I told you half a case! Are you nuts? We’re lucky the entire area’s not a crater!”

“You said two cases!”

“No! Sarah, I didn’t! Two cases…” David muttered as you both hastily packed up your gear. The fourth house was too far away to coordinate, so you had to get across the city and to your vantage point as fast as humanly possible, now that the alarm would be raised.

 Staggering up the broken staircase and onto the roof close to the final location, you were wheezing, clutching your side and feeling the weight of your pack crush your spine. “Man, I thought I was in good shape,” you gasped out to David, who was rapidly attaching electronics together and listening in on a conversation. Dropping to your knees, you pulled out the drone, making sure the coordinates were coded in. 

“It’s cell conversations within the blast area,” he said, still listening as his hands kept moving. “I isolated two of the guards, they’re fighting about which group is going into the building because of the other blasts. There’s more men on the way.”

“Let’s get going,” you nodded, holding out the drone for his final check.

That’s when everything went sideways. You were trained for things going sideways, but when someone hit the drone with a spray of bullets from an AK-47, you looked at each other. You could hear the frightened screams from the homes closer to you and people racing to get off the streets.

“Shiiiit,” groaned David, “we’re going to have to get closer to set off the EPX-1. I wish it was nighttime.”

Yanking a robe out of your pack and a headscarf, you agreed, “I know. How did they spot the drone? Those suckers are practically invisible!”

“They’ve got an electronic tracker in there,” David groaned, getting to his feet. “Has to be. This is where they keep the most valuable girls. It’s better guarded.” You both raced down the stairs and at the bottom, he put his hand on the door and turned to you with an odd smile. “By now, Sarah, they’ll probably have 30-40 of Agarwal’s goons in and around this dump. I timed it this way.”

Your jaw dropped. He was knowingly waiting for the building to fill up and take dozens of men out in a single blast. “Was… that part authorized?”

He shrugged, “No.”

You couldn’t help your smile, thinking about that basement where you’d been tied up, laying on the concrete floor. About the faces of the girls you'd seen in that revolting auction. “Let’s go.” Your anxiety mounted as you walked through the area, head down and moving briskly, giving off the air of, "Nothing to see here, move along." 

“Yeah, can’t avoid the stares,” mumbled David, “a black man and a white woman in the middle of an industrial area in Eastern India.” 

“You have to have the Jedi mind trick,” you said out of the corner of your mouth. “Remember when Obi-Wan Kenobi zoned out the stormtroopers and told them to move along? You have to go full Jedi.”

Despite the dire nature of your speed walk, he struggled not to laugh. “Obi-Wan Kenobi? Never mind, when we get within 500 feet, I’m turning on the signal to the detonator. We’re only going to have maybe a minute before they triangulate our position. We blow this dump and we run, you hear me?”

Nodding, you said, “If we get separated, we meet back at the boat.” Your steps slowed, the building was in sight now, ugly and gray. Some of the windows were broken, most were boarded up. Your gaze darted back and forth to the points where you’d set the EPX-1. This would work. It had to work.

__________________ 

"Ah, Mr. Pine, a pleasure to see you."

Jonathan's brow arched but he nodded graciously to the man, he recognized him as one of Agarwal's closest aides. "Hello, attendance seems… sparse today.”

The man bowed slightly and nodded. “This is the stage in the auctions where all the lower level bidders have been- priced out, as you say? If you’ll come with me…��

Frowning slightly, Jonathan and his security detail followed the aide through the palatial home and out to the back. The gardens there were stunningly beautiful and lush, and beyond them was a landing pad, a giant helicopter already warming up. Turning back to him, the aide smiled ruefully. “I fear the location for today’s auction had to be changed, you’ll be flown to New Delhi and returned promptly this evening, I assure you.” Gaze moving back to the helicopter, Jonathan could see some of the bidders from yesterday settling in, along with Debare and the Bianchis. “There will only be room for one bodyguard to accompany you, Mr. Pine. The rest can follow on the next transport. This will take you to a private landing strip and you’ll be flown out on Mr. Agarwal’s private jet. But I assure you the rest of your men will join you very shortly after landing.”

Pulling out his coldest glare, Jonathan snarled, “This is unexpected. I do not appreciate sudden changes in plans. Nor does my security detail.” Ballard, standing just behind him was in fact quietly seething.

Spreading his hands in apology, the aide smiled, “I understand, sir. But this is the only way to attend the final evening of the auction.”

Groaning internally, Ballard him aside. “I don’t like this,” the agent whispered, “it stinks. I have a feeling someone slipped up and alerted Agarwal.”

“If they did,” Jonathan’s lips were barely moving, “it doesn’t mean our cover is blown. None of the arresting officers know who I am. We have to go.” Ballard scowled at him, then turned to the rest of the security detail to give them the change in plans. Striding towards the aircraft, they looked up to see Carlotta’s red-lipsticked mouth spread wide in alarmingly excited greeting.

 Agarwal's Embraer Lineage 1000 was in fact, extremely comfortable. Smiling flight attendants proffered drinks, slippers, offers of a neck massage and warm cloths to cleanse the dust of the helicopter from their faces. Idly waving off food or drink, Jonathan amiably conversed with some of the other top buyers - two men from Switzerland with square, hard faces. An older Brazilian with a booming laugh who found everything quite amusing. A vicious-looking, thin-lipped woman who looked like someone cast for the role of the cruel governess in a Victorian romance. And Debare, who smoked cigars continuously as he stared at the others and the Bianchis, who were intending, apparently, to get drunk as quickly as possible. The tense atmosphere broke when their landing was announced only two hours later. While waiting to get into the luxury SUV's waiting by the jet Ballard leaned in. "I tried sending electronic breadcrumbs through the entire flight. They jammed the signal. You'd better be right about them not knowing who you're working for." 

The new auction site was just as loathsomely over the top, luxury-wise, as Agarwal's home in Kolkata. As they were ushered into a massive sitting room, chairs arranged to circle a small raised area, Jonathan scanned for all the possible exits while Ballard continued to try to contact the agents left behind. The atmosphere was, if possible, even darker than it was the day before. The auctioneer handling the bidding seemed oddly excited, the aides were wandering restlessly, keeping an eye on the buyers and leaning in often with questions for their comfort. When the first girls were pulled out into the “stage,” stumbling and eyes half-lidded from being drugged, everything seemed to settle down. To Jonathan’s frustration, they were still taking bids off the dark web, making it harder to track the buyers. Still, when agents finally moved in and arrested this group, they’ll have taken most of the major players out of the game.

“We have some fresh new arrivals to the auction, just procured today” the auctioneer was saying brightly. “Up next, a lovely American, blonde, brown-eyed and…” Jonathan’s spine turned to ice. They were dragging her into the room, his Sirene, dazed, pupils dilated, lips parted. 

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[meowdymista]

Van der Driscoll pt 4

idek how this is still going but here we are. I like to please people like our bae, I guess

Part 3 & Masterlist

Part 5

In this booth in some rundown town west of Lemoyne, you’re grateful to have Arthur’s thumb rubbing calm circles on the back of your hand. His eyes are azure in the sunlight pouring through the shutters, watching the road outside for the third day since you’ve arrived.

The sound of you pushing your plate away attracts his attention.

“You need to eat something,” he murmurs, squeezing your hand with a small frown. You shrug indifferently, although the voice at the back of your mind is nagging the same thing. Your stomach is a separate entity to you now - it will betray you at the drop of a hat by suddenly dropping through the floor and pushing bile up in its place. How are you supposed to eat when you aren’t hungry? When anything that does pass your lips tastes like dirt, and tastes worse when it passes them again?

He sighs heavily, kissing your knuckles before enveloping them beneath both of this own. It’s like you’re watching him jump forward and backwards in time. The lines etch deeper in moments like these, when you’re sat by the window waiting. They drove themselves in hoards when conversation pulled you into heated discussion about right and wrong.

“A baby shouldn’t be born on the run from the law.”

“What about the boy? Jack?”

“It was different then - there weren’t so many Pinkertons, and they weren’t so determined.”

“OK, so why is he still running with you?”

“It’s different - they’re safer with us than out there where they can be grabbed for ransom.”

“Who would hold a boy and his mother for ransom?”

A dark look reminds you of the ten dollar murder. “These guys are the law-”

“And the law hire bounty hunters, don’t they? And them bounty hunters are anyone that steps off the street.”

Despite some strong arguments that stir doubt in your already unsettled insides, you can’t help but see the twinkle in his eyes when the barman talks to you about his own newborn daughter, promising that the baby will be worth every second - although it could be the lack of sleep making him delirious.

You came to bed late last night to find him passed out on top of the blankets still fully dressed. Taking pity on him, you removed his boots, stirring him from his sleep enough to get underneath the quilt and hold it up for you to curl in next to him. You slipped in, gasping as his strong arms wrapped around your waist and pulled your back flush against his front, his nose buried in your hair.

“My lady and our baby,” he mumbled against the back of your neck as his palm flattened on your unchanged stomach.

“If you’ll have us,” you whispered in return, inhaling sharply as his grip tightened.

“I can’t be what I ain’t.” A kiss tingled your bare shoulder. “But I want you both more’n anything.”

“You promise?”

His warm breath chuckled over your back. “I ain’t lyin’ if that’s what you mean.” You turned your head, finding his heavy lids in the darkness of the room. “I’m sorry for how I acted - I loved being a father, and I’ve loved being with you. Best o’ both worlds but I know this world don’t work that way - for outlaws at least.”

“It’s worked for your brother.”

“Mm. That fool was always lucky.”

“We make our own luck in this world, Arthur. Have faith.”

He chuckled at that, burying his head deeper into his pillow. “A’ight. I’ll try.”

You push a piece of meat into your mouth and force yourself to chew. You’re sure this would taste amazing if you had found this place before you lost your appetite.

Arthur moves to his feet suddenly, eyes fixed outside. “He’s here.”

You follow his gaze to see a curt old man dismounting a stormy coloured turkoman. You recognise him instantly.

She can’t go free. Not with the Pinkertons after us.

"Arthur!" Hosea calls to the man half running off the wooden porch to meet him, hitching Silver Dollar on the side of the road. "Everything alright?"

"Hosea - you got the letter! I-" He moves his hat on his head, raking his hands through the mane of hair before setting it back down. "I didn't know who else to ask."

"Guess it fell through, whatever you intended to do?" The brown eyes drift to the window where you shrink out of view.

"Somethin' like that," he admits, rubbing the back of his neck. "I… we need to talk. I was hopin' you might be able to… to help in some way or at least lend another mind to workin' out what we gotta do now..."

"Is she worth it?" Hosea holds his son’s gaze steadily, tilting his chin towards the saloon.

"Yes. She's-" He breathes out shakily, looking over his shoulder to your peeping eyes. "She's important to me,  Hosea."

A hand clamps on his shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly. “Let’s get properly introduced then.”

You hold your breath as the two men walk up to where you’re sat shrinking into the wall. Arthur slides in beside you, squeezing your leg with a small (albeit worried) smile as the stranger settles himself opposite you, his brown eyes bland and unreadable.

"So what is it you need to be telling me?" he asks calmly to no one in particular as he waves for a drink. "What's brought you all this way east for christ's sake?"

"I was gonna get her outta the country," Arthur explains lowly, his knee jittering again. "There're boats - ships that are taking people out of America. Get her away from Colm and us for that matter."

"But…?" He takes the whisky and throws it back, tucking a dollar in the garçon's pocket as he asks for the same again.

"But she- she weren't well."

"I'm pregnant." Your voice breaks, eyes blinking back tears. "Arthur's. I'm carrying Arthur's child."

He blows out his hollow cheeks, looking between the two of you as though expecting a cry of "April Fool's!" in June. Arthur's shoulders sag at his guardian's response.

"An' we ain't even told you the best part. Her cousin was on the ferry in Blackwater. Heidi. She's the one Dutch… you know."

He drags his hands down his face. "Could you bring us the bottle?" he calls before the barman can return. "The bottle and- two? Three glasses?"

“We owe it to her, Hosea!”

“Are you-” He waves his hand, looking between you. “What are your plans?”

“She’s keeping it.”

You nod in agreement, holding onto him for dear life as the man pours you each a glass and toasts. You try to follow suit, but the smell knocks your stomach before you can drink it. You set it back down, pushing the glass away as Arthur rubs your back understandingly.

“Don’t start this again,” growls Arthur, surprising you with his tired hostility. “Please.”

The old man’s voice is hushed, eager. “Think about it - this is an opportunity to get outta this life!”

“I can’t do that, Hosea.”

“This could be whatever deity is up there giving you a second chance! You’ve said it yourself, Arthur. We’re thieves in a world that don’t want us no more.”

“I ain’t leavin’, Hosea. You know I can’t, ‘specially now.”

Regret saturates his sigh, the twinkle in his eye extinguished as he leans his head against the back of the bench. “I know, son. Can’t blame a feller for hopin’.” Silence stretches out between you before the older man speaks again. “So what is it you’re wanting to do? We both know you ain’t dumb enough to want to bring her into camp.”

“What else is there to do?” Urgency cracks his voice as he tries to speak quietly. “Dutch killed her ticket outta here - we owe it to her!”

“He’s paranoid enough without introducing someone with motive. Morale is as low as it’s ever been right now - if word gets out that the girl was related to the new O’Driscoll? People will panic, Arthur. We’ve already lost too many-”

“I just want to keep the baby,” you interrupt, your eyes begging for him to find your honesty. “I know what it looks like, but I didn’t know Arthur was runnin’ with anybody.”

“How did you get caught again? After kidnapping Bill, wasn’t it?”

“That wasn’t me!” you cry desperately.

“But you were there when he was tied to a post?”

“I only went down to see what- what Heidi did. I just wanted to put a face to the story- Please believe me! I ain’t about revenge, and I ain’t about to do anything to put Arthur or the baby in danger-”

“Promises aren’t enough to vouch for you.”

“I won’t leave her side,” intervenes Arthur, squeezing you tight enough to fuse your sides together. “And if I do, you can watch her. Make sure she stays outta trouble.”

“And if both of us are away?”

His exhale is harsh, his mouth searching for words that can’t be found. Hosea tuts, more to himself than anything.

“I know I shoulda realised who I was gettin’ involved with,” Arthur says slowly, blue eyes begging. “But it’s too late for that. If there’s any way of keeping them with me, I gotta try. Please, Hosea. Help us?”

The bony man shrugs tiredly, shaking his head in defeat. "It ain’t me you need to convince, it’s Dutch."

“Do you think he’ll take it?”

“I don’t know anymore. Maybe if he sees how important she is to you.” He sighs, eyes searching the ceiling as though the answer might be hidden in the flaking white paint. “Like I said, he isn’t going to execute a woman carrying a child, and handing her back to Colm would be just that. Can’t hand her to the authorities neither in case she feeds them information.” Lips pressed together they all but disappear, he pours himself and Arthur another glass. “I suppose, until she proves herself to still be a threat we’re at an impasse.”

Arthur taps the glass with his free hand in time with the bounce of his knee. "I- I just don't wanna be the one bringing this gang to its knees."

“You won’t, Arthur.” A ghost of a smile dimples his cheek. “You know what you mean to us. Everyone knew something was happening with you - couldn’t not, knowing you as well as we do - and at the end of the day, you wouldn’t be fighting like this unless you trusted her. So… it’s time we trust your judgement.”

He throws the amber liquid into his mouth, wiping his hands over his thighs. “But - I will say this to the both of you right now-” He fixes you with an unforgiving stare, his neat voice hushed. “-if anyone in camp comes to harm as a result of your actions, I won’t hesitate to put a bullet in you. Baby or no baby.”

“Hosea-!”

“I mean it.” His gaze doesn’t flicker, holding you like a snake charmer. “We aren’t like Colm, we don’t pick people up to expand our numbers. The Van der Linde gang is family. What we have is thicker than blood. Don’t go shedding any. Understand?”

“Yes,” you croak.

“Good.” He drains your untouched glass and gets to his feet. “Arthur, you should go on ahead. Tell Dutch what’s happened, but leave out the family history. I don’t want to play that card unless we absolutely have to.”

“And Y/N?”

“We’ll be behind you in the cart. On Silver Dollar, you should get back in a day and a half at a push - if we aim for two and a bit, that should give him plenty of time to cool off and think rationally.” The older man squeezes his son's arm. “Don’t look at me like that, son. She’ll be safe with me.”

****

As promised, after two nights travelling with Hosea, you arrive back to the heartlands of New Hanover. He explains, whilst pulling out a book from his bag, that you’re waiting here until Arthur comes to fetch you both. No point walking into camp if the heat is still on.

“And if it doesn’t calm down?” you ask.

“Well, I imagine he’ll come get you and take you on to Valentine.”

You wait for a few hours - it’s only as the sun is beginning to dip lower towards the horizon that Arthur comes out from between the trees. He gives Hosea a look that can only be described as… terse. Understanding immediately, Hosea clambers down.

“Give me five minutes before coming in. No point in talking if nobody can hear what you have to say.”

The two men exchange a series of pats as they pass each other. The shadows under Arthur’s eyes are almost black as he climbs up beside you.

“How’d it go?”

Hesitating, he squeezes your knee, placing a deep kiss to your forehead before flicking the reins. “Well. Guess we’ll see if it was enough.”

He guides the wagon a little further down the dirt track parallel with the train tracks. You can see a glimmer of light through the trees for a brief moment, but it’s not until you turn down a narrow path you wouldn’t have noticed otherwise that you recognise quite how sheltered the camp is. You brace yourself for a sniper to take you out, but you make it through to the clearing without crossing anyone’s path.

Arthur parks the cart, releasing the horses before helping you down.

“How do we even know it’s his?” you hear Dutch cry from the all too familiar central tent.

"You saw how she came in, so she was telling the truth about that. Why would she bother with that get up if they knew?"

“It’s Colm! He’s been trying to take us out for years!”

“Arthur cares for her. We should give her a chance.” A hefty scoff sounds. "He isn't like you or John; they've been intimate. Of course he cares! And she’s pregnant - that baby could come out blacker than the night sky and he’d take it in as his own."

Arthur’s fingers weave through your hair, pulling your ear to his chest. His hammering heart alone almost blocks out the noise but a growl makes you lift your head.

“Herr Morgan!”

“Herr Strauss.”

“There’s a debt I need you to collect.” The man’s face is long and thin with small round glasses perched at the very end of his nose - perfect for looking down into the book he’s carrying. “A rather reluctant client by the name of Downes.”

You jump at the sinister snarl that curls from Arthur’s lips. “I’m busy.”

“You don’t need to go immediately, Mr Morgan, but the sooner the better. Fellow seems determined to die before paying his dues.”

“If it’s so important, get someone else to do it.”

“I’ve tried but Mr Bell was a little too heavy handed. We can’t collect debts from the dead.”

“Well it’ll have to wait. I got more pressing matters right now.”

His beady eyes gleam as he surveys you. “So I’ve heard. The O’Driscoll girl, isn’t it?”

“Git outta here!”

“Arthur! Y/N!” Hosea calls you both from the flaps of Dutch’s tent. With one last sneer at Strauss, Arthur leads you to the castle by the hand, his fingers interlaced with yours as he steps in front of you, entering first to take the brunt of the hostile atmosphere.

Dutch is stood, feet planted apart beside a gramophone, arms folded across his chest as his eyes burn into yours with a fierce intensity.

“What are you wantin’ from us, Miss? To kill us in our sleep perhaps?”

“Dutch-”

“Let her speak, son!”

You take a steadying breath. “Mr Van der Linde-”

“Miss O’Driscoll,” he returns sarcastically, lighting a fat cigar.

“Miss L/N, actually,” you sneer. “I’m not here to harm any one of you. We’re in a predicament, and we’d appreciate it-”

“We got a sayin’ here,” he interrupts brashly. “We save people as need savin’, shoot fellers as need shootin’ and feed those who need feedin’. Which is it you’re needin’, Miss?”

“Feedin’ if you can, Dutch,” Arthur growls, squeezing your hand as he throws you a look. “Savin’ us if you will.”

He scoffs, shaking his head in despair. “So it’s ‘us’ now?”

The apple in Arthur’s throat bobs, his chin still held high. “Yes. We’re in it together. Where she goes I go. You’re my family and I want to stay, but if you can’t accept her, I guess we’ll have to go somewhere else.”

“Come now, Arthur-!”

“She’s carrying my child, Dutch.”

“That didn’t stop John disappearin’.”

“I ain’t Marston. You know that.”

“I know you’re still holdin’ a grudge on him, that’s for sure.”

Arthur sighs harshly, pulling your body flush with his. “What’s it gonna be, Dutch? She needs to rest. Can she stay, or am I takin’ her to town?”

He takes a long drag of his cigar, casually blowing the smoke into your face. “What happened to you, Arthur? You got so sour in your old age.”

“I got tired of worryin’ about everybody else.”

“Worryin’ about everybody else? Son, you want us to take in another O’Driscoll! It’s suicide!”

His shoulders fall, his grip tightening. “Well then, I guess it’s time to thank you for all them years.”

He tuts. “You don’t mean that.”

“Dutch, I ain’t slept proper since I brought her here, an’ I’m gettin’ real tired of talkin’. I can’t risk losin’ her like I did Eliza and Isaac.” They stare at each other, both stubborn and unrelenting.

He takes another long slow drag of smoke and lets it cloud the air between them. “Fine. She can stay. But first sign of trouble and she’s out!”

“A chance is all I’m askin’ for.” Tugging you out of the tent, he keeps his body between you and Van der Linde. “Thank you, Dutch.”

“This is on you, Hosea,” you hear as Arthur leads you to a small cot a dozen feet away. “Soft, the both of you.”

[ourmiraclealigner]

Trust Me

Lewis Nixon x Reader

Gif not mine! Credit to original owner.

disclaimer: writings are only based off of the actor portrayals in the television series. this is not meant to disrespect the real hero’s of the war.

request: @floydtab Hi! Could I request some Nixon x reader fluff? Maybe he’s nervous about reader going on a patrol and tries to talk Dick into not letting her go (tho we know he’s just overreacting) thanks! ❤️❤️

synopsis: Lewis worries about readers saftey during the patrol + lots of fluffy background

—————————

When Lewis Nixon joined the Army, the last thing on his mind was falling in love. He had worked hard to get into officer school, fell in love with a civilian and gotten married a year before the U.S had been pulled into the war by Japan. He focused on his duties and responsibilities, not paying much attention to the privates and officers as they worked their way through boot camp. Of course, he knew of the ones that his best friend Dick always talked about. He knew Harry, Sobel, and the one female who never gave anyone the chance to mess with her.

Being the ladies man he is, he had started to pay attention to the young medic. He watched her in the dining hall and started listening to the stories Dick had told. He thought she was beautiful, but, being happily married and enlisted, he never made any attempts for conversation. Lewis Nixon was smart and practical; he wouldn’t ruin his reputation over a woman he didn’t know.

So, he kept his distance, focused on his work, wrote to his wife frequently, and tried to get Dick out of his shell.

Their first conversation came as they sat on the train, Harry Welsh fast asleep as Lewis sipped on his flask, watching the trees roll by as they headed to New York. The men were nervous with excitement, no one knowing if they would be heading to Europe or the Pacific.

(Y/N) sat with Malarky and Skip Muck, a book in her hands as she tried to tune the rowdy boys out and focus on the words in front of her.

“I’ll bet you $50 we’re going to Europe,” Skip announced with a confident tone, Malarky rolling his eyes at the boisterous claim.

“That’s ridiculous” Malarky added with an eye roll, writing down the bet in a little notebook he carried around “No way they’re sending us there, they need more Army guys fighting the Japs, only way we’ll win”

Skip Muck chuckled as he put a cigarette in his mouth, Malarkly leaning over and lighting it for him. “What do you think Doc?”

“Don’t know, don’t care” (Y/N) mumbled without looking up, silently begging the men to just let her finish the chapter in her book.

“Ah, c’mon Doc, don’t be like that” Malarkly urged, gently taking the book off her lap and closing it. “I know you want to get in on the fun. You can win back the money you still owe me from a few weeks ago” He added lightly, a smirk dancing onto his lips.

“What are we betting?” She finally gave in, smiling as Skip’s eyes glimmered with excitement.

“$50 on where we’re getting shipped off to” Skip answered, smoke drifting out from his lips.

(Y/N) thought for a few seconds, her eyes drifting towards the intelligence officer that sat a few seats in front of her. She clicked her tongue, shifting in her seat as she looked back at the two men.

“I have a better deal” She announced. “$75 from each of you if I can get the location from Nixon”

“Deal” Malarkly immediately responded, holding his out for her to shake. He was a sucker for a good bet.

“Now hold on” Muck quickly interjected, not as fond of losing money as his best friend was. “From Nixon? Right now?” He asked, trying to think of a time when he saw the medic and officer interact. He couldn't. He sat up a little straighter, the bet sounding better the more he thought about it. “What the hell?” He stated, “We’re going off to war, a few bucks won’t kill me”

She shook the two men’s hands before standing up, smoothing her Ike jacket down so she would be presentable. She slowly and shakily approached the officers, keeping her hands on the seats to make sure she didn’t fall. As soon as she reached them, she greeted them with a warm smile, her eyes on Nixon as she continued standing, not wanting to be rude.

“Sir” She started, speaking again only when he nodded for her to go on. She took a deep breath, trying to remember the short speech she had prepared in her head. “I know you aren't supposed to give away this kind of information” She watched his eyebrows raise in curiosity, Dick looking down at a letter he was writing and pretending like he wasn’t listening.

“Well Private, if you know I can’t tell you, I wouldn’t waste any time asking.” He interjected before she could go on. Dick hummed in agreement as she paused, taken aback by his response.

She cleared her throat as her hands nervously ran over her jacket again. “W-Well you see sir” She stammered, her cheeks heating with embarrassment. “I’m awfully curious about where we’re going” She explained gently, watching his features soften at her change in tone. “I’m proud to be able to serve my country wherever we end up, but I think I would feel a whole lot better if I knew where that place was.”

He shifted in his seat, her words playing over in his head as he turned towards her, his long legs crossing into the aisle. “If I told you, I’d have to kill you” He joked, the Vat 69 and her demeanor making him loosen up.

She giggled, his heart started to beat faster as he watched her smile reach her eyes. Now it was his turn to blush.

“I suppose I can divulge this one piece of information” He started sarcastically, Dick shaking his head at the choice of words. “But you have to promise you won’t tell anyone” He waited until she nodded before leaning close to her, his warm breath dancing on her skin. “Europe”

She pulled away with a quick nod, her cheeks bright red as she realized how close they were. He dismissed her with a curt nod, turning back to the window as Dick waited until she walked away.

“Guess you have to kill her now”

From then on, Lewis and (Y/N) became fast friends. She listened to his complaints about the maps and how “god damn hard they are to read” and he listened to hers about the comments the men made about her gender. Everyone knew they liked each other. (Y/N) got teased and dared to tell him by Skip and Malarkly, and the same with Dick and Lew. They both kept it hidden, not wanting to ruin the friendship that had blossomed between them. Because of the age gap, Lewis had a lot of firsts for (Y/N). He was her first best friend, the first time she put her full trust into someone, her first love, and on a rainy night in Aldbourne, her first time getting drunk.

They sat shoulder to shoulder under an awning, their body heat keeping eachother warm. They took turns taking small sips of the whiskey from Lewis’s flask. She was buzzed as she handed the flask back to him, their fingers brushing before he brought it to his lips.

“Lew” Her voice was small as his head turned to her.

“(Y/N)”

“You know my mom would be over the moon if I brought someone like you home?” Their eyes met, his voice breaking the silence.

“Someone like me?” He asked, confused by what she meant.

“Yeah” She grabbed the flask and took a sip before continuing “Like you. Handsome, smart, funny.” She took another sip, her mind screaming at her to stop before she said something she would regret. “I wonder if we would have met before the war things would have been different between us.”

“(Y/N)-” He started, but she quickly cut him off, needing to get the secret she had been keeping off of her chest.

“I like you, I like you a whole lot, Lew. I know we can’t-” He cut her off with a kiss, his hand on her chin to keep her in place as their lips moved together. He leaned his forehead against hers when they pulled away, keeping eye contact with her

“About time you said something princess”

They were inseparable from then on. Stealing quick kisses in corners of buildings, sneaking off to his office in the middle of the night, and his constant checking up on her in Bastogne. Lewis had no reason to be worried for (Y/N) but her safety plagued his mind 24/7. He knew she was smart and could handle any situation thrown at her. He never told her what she could and couldn’t do, he let her make those decisions but Haguenau was his breaking point.

He was the last one to know she was on the patrol. He had pushed the anger down and waited until he and Dick were alone, not wanting to cause a scene in front of the other officers and men. When he found himself standing next to the tall ginger as they stared to the German side across the river, he couldn’t hold back.

“Dick” His voice was sharp as his jaw clenched.

“I know” Dick was surprised Lew had been able to keep quiet for as long as he did. “I felt the same way at first. Spiers said she’s fast and we need her around if anyone gets hurt. It makes sense.” He tried to reason.

“It doesn't,” Lew’s arms crossed over his chest before he spoke again. “It doesn’t and you know it doesn’t. She’s not crossing that goddamn river. Cancel the patrol if you have to.”

Dick sighed. This is exactly how he expected it to go. “Lew” He said gently, turning to the shorter man. “The patrol is not getting canceled. It’s been cleared with Sink and you already got the boats.”

“I’ll get rid of them then. Burn them, shoot them, I don’t care. She’s not going. It’s too dangerous.”

Fed up with how outrageous Lew was being, Dick grabbed his shoulders and forced him to look at him. “Do you trust me?” Dick asked, his voice stern as Lew nodded. “Then trust that I made the right call and that she won’t be in any danger. You know if I didn’t think she was right, I wouldn’t send her.

And with that, Dick put any objection Lew had to rest.

(Y/N) sat in the basement, her eyes trained on the flame that was burning the tip of Shifty’s rifle. She turned her head when she heard heavy footsteps stomping down the stairs, standing when she saw it was Lewis. Silently she followed him up and out of the house, letting him take her behind the building. She rubbed his arms, their breath forming clouds in front of them.

“You know I don’t want you to go” He started softly, his brown eyes staring into hers. “And I put up a good fight when I found out” She smiled at this, imagining the conversation he and Dick had. “But I know you’re just as good as any other man and I trust you. That doesn’t mean I’m happy about it though”

She pressed her lips against his for a chaste kiss. “Thank you” She responded before kissing him again. He wrapped his arms around her, his warmth enveloping her small body. “I have to go, it’s almost time” She said reluctantly, pulling out of his grasp. “I love you” She said with a smile as she walked backwards so she could keep facing him.

“I love you too.”

The patrol was quick and was almost perfect. They lost one German on the river bank and Eugene Jackson. (Y/N) had done all she could. She held his head in her lap across the river and was pouring sulfur on his wounds before the other men laid him on the ground. Her hands worked quickly as she tried to stop the bleeding and drown out all of the chaos.

Although she had tried her best, all attempts were futile. Eugene Jackson was dead seconds after Eugene Roe ran in. (Y/N) sat on the dank basement floor, her shaking hands coated with the young boys blood as silence filled the room. She was tired of seeing young men die.

Eugene Roe glanced at her and Babe before reaching down and grabbing his dog tags to send back to his family.

(Y/N) felt numb as she stood from the floor, her chest tight as she breathed in the cold night air. She walked to the building where Lew’s office was and nodded at the young man standing at the door. Wordlessly he let her in, closing the door behind her as she started to walk down the hall. She knocked on the door twice before she heard Lew call out “Come in”.

She watched his features soften when her head peaked around the door. He stood up from behind his desk, disregarding the report he was filling out as she walked in and closed the door, giving them complete privacy. He pulled her into a tight embrace, her head rested flush against his chest.

“Eugene Jackson’s dead” Her words were heavy in the air.

“I’m sorry” He wasn’t sure what to say.

“I’m sorry too, for everyone that knew him back home.” With a quick shake of her head, she dismissed any other thoughts about it. “I don’t want to think about it anymore, I don’t want to think about any of this anymore. I just want to be in the moment with you”

He pulled away to sit on his desk, his hands pulling her in between his legs so they were eye level. His hands rested on her hips as he asked, “What do you want to think about?”

“Us. What our life will be like after this hell finally ends.” She ran her hand through his dark hair, gently pulling at it. “I want a dog. I’ve been thinking about names since Normandy. I really like the name Freddie.” She admitted.

He hummed and nodded his head in agreement. “Freddie? I can live with that.”

She smiled and kissed him, relishing in his warmth.

[the-great-imagines-of-1812]

Through The Years pt. 6 (Bucky Barnes x Stark! fem! reader)

tags: @a-girl-who-loves-disney @the-romanian-is-bae

A/N: feedback is appreciated! And OH MAN- is it sad. It’s a long chapter. And guys, we’re nearly done with the first avenger, moving on to The Avengers after this! Also, I’ve decided to update this every weekend. no specific date, but if i can, it will be updated from Friday-Sunday. :)

Summary: After rescuing Bucky, Y/N and the 107th from the Hydra facility in Austria; Steve Rogers begins work to assemble to Howling Commandos; an elite task force of top-ranking soldiers that are able to do what regular soldiers never could. 

~~~~~~

 DECEMBER 12, 1944

LONDON, ENGLAND

You walked into the cozy, crowded London pub with your hair done up nice, and that sky blue dress you loved. Why Steve called you here to meet, you’ll never know. 

Eyes scanning the area, you spotted Steve and a couple of other men sitting around a table with drinks. Steve looked up and saw you, ushering you over to the table. Everyone else went silent.

“Gentlemen, this is Y/N Stark. She’ll be joining us this evening.”

You sat done as of the men, with a darker complexion said “The Lieutenant General? What are you doing? Assembling an elite task force?”

Giving a curt nod, “That’s exactly what I’m doing, Gabe. Now please settle down.”

Steve passed you a beer and started explaining. “An elite task force, of sorts. To be able to do what regular soldiers never could.” 

After almost an hour of explaining, you put a hand up. “Steve, this is an excellent idea. If we didn’t almost die last time! You really want us to go back?”

Agreements were heard around the table. “What the Stark over here said!” exclaimed Dum Dum Dougan as he clinked his glass with yours. 

“Well- it sounds fun actually. I’m in.” Falsworth said. 

Two of the other men agreed, and Steve looks at you. “Y/N, you in?”

Sighing, you said “I’m in. This better work, Captain.”

“You have my word, Lieutenant General. What about you, Dougan?”

“Well- I’m in. But as long as you open a tab, Captain.” Said Dougan, chugging the last of his beer. 

“Of course. Y/N, help me out?” Steve asked.

“Let’s go.”

You both gathered all the mugs on the table and walked into the bar in the next room. “Buck! What’re ya doin’ here?” you said, walking over to sit next to him in surprise. He finished the last of what looked like scotch. You grabbed both of his hands in your own “I thought you had sniper training for another week!”

He scratched the back of his head nervously, but then intertwined his hand with your own. “They let me off early, doll. Christmas is up soon, after all. I wanted to see my best girl.”

“You make me blush too much.” you settled into your seat and waved the bar tender for a drink. 

“So- are you two ready to follow Captain America to the jaws of death?” Steve said, sitting on your other side. 

“Hell no. That little guy from Brooklyn who was never afraid to back down from a fight. I’m following him.” Bucky said, throwing an arm around your waist.

“As for myself, I’m following that boy I met in the lab one day who wasn’t afraid. The little guy who was willing to trust me and brother with his life even though he had only heard about us through a radio. That’s a hero. I’m following him.” you said. 

The bar went completely silent, and the three of you turned your head to see the source. 

“Peggy! My goodness you look radiant!” you said, grabbing her hands. 

“That’s all you, Y/N. She said, pecking both your cheeks and turning to Steve. 

“Captain.”

“Agent Carter.” Steve said, obviously nervous at the sight of her. 

“Ma’am.” Bucky said in greeting. 

Peggy glances at you and then at Steve again. “The Starks have new equipment for you to try, tomorrow morning. 0800 hours. Don’t be late.”

She then turned around and walked out. “It’s like I’m invisible, Steve.”

“Relax, Buck. Maybe she has a friend.”

“Rogers! I am the friend!” you said, feigning offense. 

“And for that-” Bucky said, wrapping both his arms around you from behind. “I am the luckiest man in the world. Fancy a dance?”

“You know I do.”

~~~~~~

THE NEXT DAY. 

“Me, Rogers, I concentrate on work, not fondue-ing. You’ll never know what goes on inside a woman’s head as long as you say that. But right now work consists of making sure my sister’s soldiers don’t get killed.” Howard said, leading Steve to a table. 

“Good morning Steve!” you said, slapping him straight across the face.

“What was that for?” Steve said, nursing his cheek with his hands. “That’s for hurting Peggy. I know what you did.”

“She doesn’t even-”

“Not another word from you. I keep you around because my brother likes a soldier like you.”

“Like I said, Rogers, you never know what goes on inside a woman’s head. Especially my sisters.” Howard said.

“That’s enough, you. Anyway, Steve, this is carbon polymer. It should withstand your average German Bayonet-”

“Because HYDRA’s not going to attack you with a pocket knife.” Howard said, guiding Steve around the table. You followed close behind.

“Anyway- Steve. I saw you’re quite fond of  that play shield of yours. The prop right?” you said. 

“These, Rogers are prototypes. We’ve made each and every one, in any way deemed possible from Stark technology. 

Steve looks over all the shields, then points at one on the bottom. “What about this one?” 

“A failed one.” Howard said, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “Made of the same stuff my sister’s armor is.”

“Starks, are you almost done?” said Peggy, strutting in. 

Steve then proceeds to smile at her, as if to ask if she approves of the shield. She then proceeds to pick up a gun and shoot three times at it. It startles the entire lab. 

“I like it.”

You put a hand on Steve’s shoulder as she walks out. “She really is pissed, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“I had some ideas about the uniform?” he hands you both a piece of paper. 

“Whatever you want.”

~~~~~~

JANUARY 30TH, 1944

BELGRADE, SERBIA

You used your powers to crack open the doors, and the Howling Commandos shot up the place, shooting HYDRA officials left and right. Dougan put a bomb on the power plant, set the timer, and you all ran out. 

As you boarded the truck and left, the base exploded, and the rest of the Howlies cheered. “That’s another one down, boys! Where are we off to next?” you said, slinging your gun back on your shoulder and putting your swords back in their holders. 

“Kharkiv, in Ukraine.” 

“Let’s go!”

~~~~~~

APRIL 24, 1944

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY

“Welcome back to Channel 2, your news on the radio. Captain America and his team of - er- Howling Commandos? Captain America and his elite soldier task force, The Howling Commandos have invaded the Russian HYDRA base. It’s the 14th base they’ve taken down this year, and at this speed, they’ll secure a victory for the allies.”

“This team consists of a rag-tag gang of hopeful soldiers, including Stark Industries co-founder, Y/N Stark, making her the first woman to serve in the Army of this great nation!”

~~~~~~

THE ENGLISH CHANNEL.

JULY 16, 1944. 3:00 AM. 

It was a quiet and cold night as the boat creaked and made it’s way up the channel. After taking down another HYDRA base in Milan, The Howling Commandos crossed France, and made their departure from Brussels, Belgium and where now headed for another HYDRA base in Oslo, Norway, before returning to London for a rest. 

Sitting in your bed, in the bunk you shared with Pinky, who was snoring away, while you couldn’t catch a wink of sleep. Turning on the tiny oil lamp, you pulled out a piece of paper and a pen. You were long overdue to write a letter to Howard.

Howard,

Hello Brother! Today is the 16th of July, 1944. It’s currently 3 am and we’re on the English Channel. We haven’t been able to catch a break. The Milan base was something else. But we got to rest up for a few days in Czechoslovakia, although we couldn’t stay long; Nazi territory. But me and Bucky where able to take a few pictures together, with Jim’s camera. They’re enclosed. I can’t detail much about where we’re headed next; but I can tell you this is not how I imagined traveling the world, with me being on the Axis Powers’ wanted list. Guess we’ll have to do it all again when it’s over. Have you received any letters from Maria? I can’t believe you haven’t introduced her to me yet. I can’t wait to meet her. 

The Better Stark, Y/N.

Carefully putting the letter inside the envelope, you would give it to the captain in the morning to mail it. Wrapping a silk robe around your nightgown, you made your way to the main deck. It was nights like these that made you hopeful of a world without war. Taking a deep breath and staring out at the water, you heard a creak behind you, slowly turning around-

“Hiya there, darlin’ ” Bucky said, wringing his hands together. He looked nervous. 

Giving him a smile, you wrapped your arms around him and brought your lips to his, giving him a peck. “What’re you doin’ awake, Buck?” 

“s’ couldn’t sleep. Heard you got up. Thought I’d keep you company.” he said, bringing you to rest on his chest.

“The stars look beautiful tonight.”

“You know who else looks beautiful tonight, doll? you.”

“Buck, I-” 

“I want to watch the stars with you forever.” he clenched is jaw. He was practically shaking. 

There was a silence, with the exception of the waves crashing against the boat. 

“Marry me.”

“Bucky, what?”

“You heard me correctly. Marry me, won’t you?”

“I- but my brother. And there’s a war- elopement?”

“No buts. I asked permission via a letter. Should’ve seen him. And I checked with that Captain of yours Tommy Andrews, was it? He has a license. We could get married the second we get back to London.”

“Let’s - Let’s do it. I love you so much, Buck.”

“Yeah? Ready to become Mrs. Stark-Barnes?”

“Born Ready.”

He kisses you deeply, wrapping his arms around you and stroking your hair when you separated. He was the luckiest man on earth. 

~~~~~~

CHRISTMAS EVE 1944.

LONDON, ENGLAND. 

It felt to so good to be back in London. It was truly a second home at this point. It had been a few months since getting engaged, and a few weeks since your last HYDRA base explosion in Hungary.

Bucky had given you his mother’s ring, a plain gold band. But you loved it nonetheless. It symbolized the relationship you had built over the past year, and the love you would share as husband and wife. 

Howard hadn’t been thrilled, but didn’t let it show for your sake. Which brings you to where you are now, At Peggy’s townhouse in London, celebrating Christmas Eve with the fellow Howlies, Howard, General Philips, and Tommy Andrews, all sitting around the dining table. 

“So- you two got engaged. Kept it a secret for months- and pretended it would be okay to tell us a week ago?” Dum Dum Dugan said, wiping his mouth after chugging his beer. 

“I know right- they are really the most rude.” Howard said, sitting back with a smirk, sipping his wine. 

“Howard, leave the kids alone. When’s the wedding?” General Phillips asked. 

“Well we were- we really have no idea. There’s not very many venues open.” 

Tommy interrupted “I could do it.” 

There was silence around the table. “I’m licensed. In 40 states, actually.”

Peggy smiled at this. “A Christmas wedding!” 

“We’re all here! It could happen.” 

“Hear, Hear!” 

Before you knew it, Tommy had grabbed a bible and everyone had been sitting around you and Bucky, watching you.

“Repeat after me. I take you, James Buchanan Barnes as my loving husband, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live.”

“I take you, James Buchanan Barnes, as my loving husband, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live.”

“I now pronounce you- husband and wife. You may kiss the bri- or you could do that too.”

Bucky was kissing you deeply, with hand at the back of your head and one around your waist, spinning you around.

“Alright, Alright. Break it up. Welcome to the family, Barnes.” Howard said, shaking his hand.

Yeah. A Christmas to remember. 

~~~~~~ 

FEBRUARY 1ST, 1945.

THE SWISS ALPS. 

It had been almost two months since you had married Bucky on that warm Christmas Eve in London. Ever since then, the smell of hope in the air had followed you into the new year. 

The Allies were closing in. It would only be a few more months before the war was over, or so Winston Churchill had said over the radio. Now, you were on one of the last missions with the Howlies. It really wasn’t the last mission, but you could feel it in the air. All the war and destruction was finally going to come to an end. 

“This won’t be like Coney Island, right? Where you made me ride the cyclone and I got sick?” Bucky asked, gripping our hand.

“You did that, Steve?”

“I did, Y/N. And why would I do that now?”

“We were right, Steve. Zola’s on the train.” Gabe said, leaning closer to the radio to hear the transmission. “We’re in the right place. HYDRA’s given him permission to open the throttle. Wherever he’s going, they must need him badly.” 

“We must get going. They’re moving like the devil.”

“Well. We’ve only got a ten second window! You miss that window, we’re bugs on a windshield.” Steve said, putting his hook on the zip-line. 

First was Steve, the, Bucky, then you, followed by Gabe. 

Quickly, the four of you had moved across the top of the train and gotten inside. You were shooting up the HYDRA soldiers, but they just always did seem to be one step ahead of you. 

You had successfully dodged several bullets, until a hole was blown into the middle of the train. It had pulled you and Bucky out, hanging by a single metal bar. 

“Bucky! Y/N! Hang on! I’m coming to get you!” Steve yelled. 

You tried to use your powers to move the bar up, but it didn’t seem to work, and it hurt your head immensely, causing you to scream. 

“Stevie! Stevie. Take her first. Please. If anyone makes it out of here, its gonna be her.”

“Bucky, no! Hang on, please!” you said, through sobs. 

“We’re going to be okay! Steve, grab her arm.”

Steve was able to pull you to the train safely. Now the situation was getting Bucky in.

“Bucky, grab my hand!”

Bucky reached out to Steve, but what he didn’t realize was that this was putting to much weight on the bar. 

You’ll never forget his screams as he fell down. It would haunt you as long as you lived. 

“NO! BUCKY! COME BACK!” 

You could hear Steve crying before eventually helping him on the train. He collapsed into your arms, both crying. 

James Buchanan Barnes; soldier, friend and husband was gone.

~~~~~~

A/N: I nearly burst into tears. feedback is appreicated!

- Talya

[isamajor]

Expeditions: Viking events with (or about) Asleifr (7)

Holmgang event (without poison, trap, Nefja fighting and death)

You come to the prosaically named Holmgang Island on the following day, rowing one of the clan's small boats in the company of Nefja and Ketill. Sigridr and Ljotr greet you there, having come out in advance to set the stakes that define the arena.

“If he doesn't come, we should fight each other. It'd be a shame to let such a fine arena go to waste.“

A smug smirk creeps across Nefja's face.

“Are you sure you want to fight me again? Remember what happened last time, Ketill.”

“Right, what I meant is you and [Player:Name] should fight, and I will sit over beneath that tree and watch, while I finish the rest of the mead from last night.“

“If he doesn't show up, I will have to exile him from the clan.“

Ketill gives you a wry smile.

“That would be a good resolution to this whole mess, but he'll be here. The man has the stubbornness of a mule - as well as its sense.”

Your challenger arrives a short time later, accompanied by two other young men from his side of the family - the same companions he sat with at your feast. Asleifr looks healthy and awake. He gives you a curt but respectful nod and steps directly into the ring without hesitation. His voice is strong and steady.

“We're all here, then. Good. Are you ready?“

Nefja addresses you, but keeps her eyes on Asleifr as she speaks.

“[Player:Name], I volunteer to fight in your place.“

“Your offer humbles me, but this is my fight.”

Nefja nods gravely and takes a step back.

“I understand. Good luck, [Player:Name].“

You walk into the ring opposite Asleifr, and Sigridr motions to your opponent.

“As the challenger in this dispute, it falls on you to recite the rules of the duel.“

Asleifr clears his throat and impatiently recites the clan's traditional rules for single combat.

“I, Asleifr son of Grimvardr, have challenged [Player:Name] [Player:son/daughter] of [Player:Father], for the right to rule our clan. The winner shall sit as thegn of Skjern and reside in its longhouse. He shall receive no other award beyond this. Should [Player:he/she] survive, [Player:he/she] who is defeated may swear fealty to the winner, or [Player:his/her] life is forfeit. If either of us falls in the duel, their body shall be buried here. All weapons are permitted. The duel will end when either warrior is dead or incapable of continuing to fight.“

He gives a final respectful nod and brandishes his weapon.

“As the challenged, the first strike is yours to make.“

[...]

Asleifr takes a step back, giving you a moment to recover from his last blow.

“If the clan is to endure, it must rally behind the strongest leader.“

“The strongest warrior does not necessarily make the best thegn.“

He dismisses that notion with a grunt.

“If you think that argument will save us from the likes of Skule, you are mistaken.“

He raises his axe and shield.

“Come on. Show me what you're made of.“

[...]

“You've been keeping your skills sharp even without your father around to train you.“

“He trained us both. What do you even have against him?“

“He was a great warrior, and like everyone else I respected him for that. But if the king should raise the leidangr army tomorrow, how many ablebodied warriors could our clan muster? A dozen? Half the women in the clan are widows, and [Player:Father]'s foolhardy expeditions are the cause of it.”

He bangs his weapon against his second shield and gives you a sombre nod.

[...]

Again Asleifr steps back to let you recover from his attacks.

“You know I have nothing against you personally, [Player:Name]. I will even let you stay in the longhouse until a new home has been built for you.“

“If you win today, I will respect that. I am not too proud to serve as your huscarl.“

“You are a [Player:man/woman] of great dignity - I believe I can build a great future for the clan with you at my side.“

[...]

Asleifr's second shield crumbles off the grip. Dismayed, he heads back to the boat to fetch his last shield.

“You are nearly as good as [Player:Father]. If you should win this, I hope you'll be a better thegn.“

“I hope to serve with you as my huscarl.“

He nods without hesitation.

“My honour bids me to. And if I should win, you may serve as mine. Tell me: how do you plan to govern us?”

“We have let old alliances atrophy. It's time we rebuild those old relations.“

He thinks for a moment.

“Perhaps you're right. Skule's great advantage is that he holds favour with King Sigurdr. We'll need allies of our own if we hope to defeat him. But... enough talk. Let us finish this.“

[...]

Your challenger struggles to get back on his feet, but he leaves his weapon in the mud. In the end, he settles for just sitting on his knees before you, his head hung in a signal of defeat.

“You fight... better than I expected. You have become a very capable warrior. If you'll accept my surrender, I pledge myself to your service.“

“I accept your pledge.“

Some unusual mixture of sadness and relief washes over him. He holds your gaze for a long moment, then he seems to get back some of the energy the duel took out of him, and he stands.

“You show me great honour. I hope my challenge won't linger in the air between us - I want you to know you can depend on me from now on. Fully.“

Ketill extends his hand to Asleifr, who shakes it hesitantly.

“Glad to have you with us, you big lug. You put up a good fight, I'll be glad to have you on our side.“

Nefja reluctantly shakes Asleifr's hand as well.

“You were a fool to challenge [Player:Name], but I hope you learned your lesson now. I too am glad to have you with us.”

“It was gracious of Asleifr to pledge himself to you, and sensible of you to spare him. He's a strong warrior, he'll serve you well.“ (Ljot)

“Thank you for accepting Asleifr's pledge. He was a fool to challenge you, but he didn't deserve death or exile for his foolishness.“ (Sigridr)

@radiantblog @expeditionviking

[zahneundklauen-retired]

Something Fishy || Alcher and Dave

TIMING: A few weeks ago, during the sleepwalking potw PARTIES: @seizethecarpe and @zahneundklauen SUMMARY: Alcher and Dave wake up in the middle of the forest surrounded by lights and a fishy smell. CONTENT: Nudity mentions (non nsfw)

The first thing Dave noticed when he woke up was that he wasn’t in his van. The autumn wind buffeted his skin where he lay on the ground. A beetle was crawling over his hand, tickling as it crossed from uninjured skin to hyper sensitive scars. As he shifted, the ground did too, layers upon layers upon layers of leaves shifting underneath him. The second thing he noticed was that he’d been swimming. There was a thin layer of slime still covering his skin, and his hair was wet. Dave suddenly felt himself go tense - he had no fucking clue where he’d left his pelt, where he’d gone swimming before passing out, but he clearly had. He swallowed, looking around. Which brought him to observations three and four - the third was that he was surrounded with old lights. Looked like some were regular old lanterns knocked from a boat - covered in algae and whatnot too. One looked at old as electricity itself, and there were at least two that were tail lights Observation 4, he wasn’t alone. There was someone else here, amongst his pile of broken lights. “The hell are you?” Oh, and 5? He wasn’t altogether that dressed.

Control was something that Alcher cherished. She was confident in it, steeped herself in it, had been practiced in it since the day she was able to walk on two feet. But waking up in a place she did not recognize, through sight or smell, meant she had lost the thing she cherished so much. The ache in her bones was clear enough to let her know that she had shifted, too, and when she moved, her hands collided with glass and wet wood. Leaves squished beneath her hands as she pushed herself up, glancing around, shaking her head to clear the fuzziness from her vision. It took longer than she would’ve liked, and through the haze of metal and damp forest floor, she could smell another. Human, with the lingering smell of the ocean. Blubber. Alcher blinked, his voice breaking her thoughts. She looked over at him through hazy eyes. “I could ask you the same question, stranger,” she muttered, feeling around them. “Where are we? I do not recognize this place.”

“Can you speak up?” Dave asked, pushing himself up to his knees, and then onto his feet as his joints creaked from the cold. In the night, it was damn hard to read lips. He could guess the general gist from what he did hear, so he built an answer around what he thought she said, regardless of whether she repeated herself herself. “I’m Dave. Don’t know where the hell all these lights came from.” He didn’t like it one bit. The ground was dry, there were no real reverberations travelling through the ground that he could see. He could still smell the ocean, so they couldn’t be too far inland.  “Your turn.”

“I asked who you were, and if you knew where we are,” Alcher said a bit more loudly. Though her tone was still curt, it was not for having to repeat herself. Her mind was on edge and her muscles were still taught, as if preparing for an attack. She went to struggle to her feet, only to realize her prosthetic was not attached. She looked back up at the man, squinting through the haze and darkness at him. “I am Ada. And I need you to help me find a stick for support,” she said, shifting in her spot to try and use a tree to lean against as she pulled herself up to stand. “And then we should figure out where we are.”

“Ah, right, no, I don’t know where we are. Forest, maybe?” Dave replied, rubbing his head. He couldn’t see much further than the trees. Careful not to trip over any of the lanterns, he looked around for a nearby tree with low branches. When he saw one thick enough, Dave lumbered over to it, groaning as he dragged at the branch until it bent and then snapped with a crack that echoed through the forest. He walked back over to Ada, ripping twigs off the branch until it was smooth. He tested his own weight against it before handing it to the woman. “Here. That work for you?” He breathed in deeply, and looked up to the stars. “East’s thattaway,” he said, pointing to her left. It was the smell of the ocean, and while he couldn’t see the north star through the tree tops, he’d spotted the three stars of Orion’s belt, which would have to do enough for now. 

Alcher watched as the older man made his way over to a tree and secured her a branch. The noise was louder in her ears than she would’ve liked, but she wasn’t about to complain. She took the support gratefully and leaned her weight on it, now at ease enough to take a better look around them. She gathered some of the rags that had laid around her and tied them around her waist for at least a small amount of covering. “Obviously it’s a forest,” she said back, recognizing the smell of it. “And what if the town is to the West? Or North? Which way do we try first?” she asked, wondering if her nose would be enough to guide her home when everything here smelled strange and new.

“Good thing there aren’t all that many forests in Maine,” Dave replied drily. “Town is coastal, so once we hit the coast, it’ll only be north or south. Unless you reckon we can find a way to the nearest river, I haven’t got any better ideas.” He breathed in deeply. He smelled of sweat, thick and heavy musk and salt. Thing was, Dave knew he’d showered before going to bed last night. He’d been swimming and working hard, whatever this was. No one had just dragged him out here while he was asleep. “Hey, have you been sleepwalking recently?”

Her companion seemed just as tense about the situation as her. Alcher’s brows furrowed as she looked over at him, trying to place the scent he gave off. He smelled of dirt and ocean and sweat. It was familiar, but again, she found herself unable to place it. Just like with Zinnia. Wrinkling her nose, she looked around them. “Normally I would follow the scent of the town, but it seems...blocked. Or perhaps too far away,” she noted, perturbed by this revelation. They would have to rely on his method for finding their way back, then, wouldn’t they? Alcher glanced over at him, narrowing her eyes. “I may have. Why? Have you?”

“Likewise,” Dave replied, looking her up and down appraisingly. No human would ever say anything about smelling their way back to town. Intentionally or not, she’d given something crucial away, and had been fortunate (or cunning) that he had heard it. “Might as well get on our way then,” he said. He couldn’t walk all the way to town naked, but if they stayed by the ocean it would be fine. “Yeah. This ain’t the first time I’ve woken up in weird places. It’s like I’ve been getting all these lights out of the lake and the depths. Most nights, now.”

“Might as well,” Alcher echoed, hobbling after him as they began the trek back. Out towards the ocean, which, when she concentrated, she could hear the waves crashing against rock far, far off. She glanced over at him. “Lights? That seems to be what I’ve been collecting as well,” she muttered, “strange…” She reached up to remove some leaves and twigs from her hair, giving her arm a moment’s rest. She wasn’t used to carrying her full weight on it and a branch. “From the lake? You do smell like saltwater and seaweed. You are a good swimmer, then?”

“Hmmm. Here I was, thinking it was some long forgotten childhood trauma coming back in my nightmares. Worse that it’s two of us,” Dave spat on the ground in disgust.  “I don’t like shit that fucks with my head.” He was becoming more keenly aware of her movements as they moved, initially driven by interest, but the more he thought about it, the more he realised that he could literally feel more of her. He could feel her makeshift cloth rustling in the breeze, each crack of her branch crunching through dry leaves. A fog was setting  in around them, threatening to take out what vision he had. “Sure am. You might as well as whatever it is you’re asking.”

Alcher furrowed her brow. He was a strange man, but perhaps his strangeness was part of his non-humanness. She could tell that he was no regular human, but it was always hard to decipher just what others were when her father had not cared to teach her. She’d had to learn that one on her own. “Well, trauma or something else, it’s certainly not something I want to keep happening,” she said after a long moment. She looked back behind where they’d come from and found it was now completely covered in fog. She shivered, wishing for her fur. Turned a sharp eye back towards him. “You are not human. What are you?”

“Preaching to the choir here, ma’am,” Dave agreed as the trees around them began to thin. “Nor’re you. Humans don’t smell their way back to towns,” Dave replied with a shrug. “I’m a selkie. Doesn’t bode well that the two of us are doing the same shit and both of us are something other than human.” He squinted, as the fog around them thickened. The cold didn’t bother him much, but there was something unnatural about the thickness of this fog, like swimming in water. “Something strange is happenin’, watch out.”

“No,” Alcher agreed, “I don’t suppose they do.” She wasn’t entirely sure she liked the way the older man approached the topics. She couldn’t quite place it. But her concern with that could be put away until later. “Werewolf,” she said, glancing around. The thickening fog made her nose itch, and her throat scratch. She hunched over, glancing around. “It smells-- do you smell that? It’s fish. We’re not near enough the ocean, though. Where…” and then she saw it, the two glowing eyes staring out of the fog at them. “What...what is that?”

“I’m not sure.” Dave didn’t have to wait long to find out, as the fog became thicker than pea soup, ramming him off his feet and into a nearby tree. His back clicked as his shoulders jerked around in their joints. His grunted, but the creature in front of him did not bite, it twisted with unfettered grace, and swam to Alcher, leaving Dave damp from the humid air. The creature was unlike anything Dave had ever seen in his life, distinctively in the shape of tuna, but made solely of gas. “What the hell. Get out the way!”

Alcher watched, bewildered, as the fog lifted the man from his feet and slammed him backwards. She stumbled, trying to move away, but it was too fast for her, hobbling on one leg and a tree stump. She swung the stump at it, but it simply went through the figure, spreading its form like a wisp before it reconstituted itself. It reared and raised Alcher off her foot, into the air, before tossing her aside. Her back hit the ground roughly and she groaned with the effort. Angry teeth grew in her mouth, claws sprouting over fingernails as the floating foggy fish turned its lantern eyes back towards them. She tried, hard, to hold her anger back, but it washed through her like an ocean wave and before she could help it, fur sprouted along her arms. “Get out of here,” she growled, her voice mixed with a snarl, “before it’s too late.”

It was undeniably a tuna. A ghost tuna? What kind of unfinished business did a tuna have anyway? Why would a tuna haunt them? Dave rubbed the sore spot on the back of his head as he found his landlegs, trying to spot some way to help Alcher when the damn thing was made of fog. He didn’t exactly have any salt lying about. At first, Dave didn’t make out what Alcher said, her voice too deep and growled, but when he smelled fur, Dave didn’t hesitate. He did not fuck with wolves, not like that. Trusting her word, Dave turned and ran, until he could practically taste the sea, and when he plunged into the icy water, he knew the currents well enough to guide him home. 

As soon as the seal turned and ran, Alcher let go of the control she’d been trying to hang onto. Something primal inside of her clawed its way out and tore through her body. Fists turning to claws, mouth turning to muzzle. Fur sprouted along arms, back, legs. The fish charged her again, and Alcher charged right back. She went straight through this time, paws clawing the ground, as the wolf took over fully and she raced off into the forest. The only evidence left behind of her the stick Dave had so kindly found for her to use as a crutch.