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charliemwrites · 1 year ago

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Part 1

Finally finished this! I think I put way too much pressure on myself to get this just right and it gave me some major writer's block. Anyway, please enjoy!

Content: Wet dreams, Somnophilia (sort of), Identity Porn, Safe/Sane/Consensual Intimacy (through dreams), Uncomfortable Situation, Pushy/Predatory behavior (brief)

“Bad dreams again?”

Drowsy and sluggish, you blink at your aunt. She’s as sleek and coiffed as always, pressed business attire and shiny hair. Shoulders back, spine straight. A woman people respect and heed without question.

Your mother’s voice whispers in your ear, that lovingly patronizing tone. See how professional she looks, dear? Isn’t that nice?

It’s not Aunt Katie’s fault though. She does look professional, and it is nice. It suits her.

You unstick your tongue from the roof of your mouth. “They’re not bad, really. Just… intense.”

She hums, elegant fingers tracing the edge of your borrowed desk. “They can’t be very good if they’re keeping you up.”

You’re tired enough that you almost correct her a second time. The problem is that the dreams are too good. You wake up panting, sweating, halfway to – well. You’re not about to discuss the finer points of a kinky wet dream with your CIA aunt. Besides, it’s silly to get so defensive of something that affects you seemingly negatively.

“Maybe,” you reply, rubbing at your heavy eyes. It feels like you’re trying to look through clear jelly.

“Why don’t you take a break?” Aunt Kate suggests.

You frown, a pang of guilt striking your empty tummy. “No… no, I’m okay. It’s not even lunch yet.”

She smiles at you. The same fond smile she’s always graced you with, on holidays and birthdays, whenever she could escape the secretive walls and red tape to be with family.

“You’re already ahead on paperwork. You’re not a bad employee for getting a little sun.”

Your eyes flick longingly to the door.

Apparently, the government doesn’t believe in things like windows or sunlight. Your little desk is at the very end of a long, half-empty hallway in the middle of a concrete cube and drowning in awful blue fluorescence. You can’t even bring yourself to drag a plant to this crappy little island because you’d feel too guilty putting it through this.

“Okay… maybe just for a few minutes,” you allow.

Her smile widens as she nods for you to follow. “C’mon, I’ll walk you out. I think the dogs will be free for some enrichment.”

Well, that certainly gets you out of your squeaky office chair.

Honey sunlight drizzles over your neck and shoulders, dripping syrupy-slow down your spine. It diffuses through your chest, chasing away the artificial chill of the office. The sleepy haze retreats like frost melting from glass.

You sigh into the fresh air, ignoring the tang of gunpowder lingering on the breeze, and turn your face to the sun. Summer is coming to an end, the heat broken into mellower warmth. There won’t be many days like this left before autumn bites down and shakes the leaves from the trees. A shame you’ll likely waste most of them in your administrative prison.

The dogs stretch out in the grass around you, tongues lolling and eyes bright, keeping you company. A furry bouquet of black and tan in the manicured grass, their ears and tails like stalks to strange plants.

You bury your fingers in Zeus’s coat and get a fuzzy white tummy for your efforts. He’s a young and handsome thing, the newest addition to the K-9 unit, still a bit fluffy around the ears. You try not to think of how that will fade and harden, just like the older dogs in the unit, just like his human counterparts. Just scratch at that itchy spot by his ribs and smile when his hindleg kicks.

Friga stands and stretches on your right side, leaning her shoulder into yours. Then picks her way around the others to sniff at Zeus. Offended by her interruption, he flails onto his stomach and nips at her, one big forepaw thumping the ground.

She goads him into playtime, and you watch with the older pack members as they begin to romp. They tumble and grumble around you, heedless of bumping into any of the others. You laugh, bright and loud—

The back of your neck tingles.

You glance around, not even sure why. Until you see a figure across the field. He’s standing by the track where about two dozen men are jogging. Recruits, you guess. But he’s not observing them or barking orders. No, he’s clearly turned to face you. It’s too far to make out any features, apart from what seems to be an unusual haircut.

You quickly glance away, surreptitiously trying to determine if the man’s attention was on something else that happened to be in your direction. But there’s little else but you and the dogs in this field, the kennels noticeably off to the left.

Then again, someone sitting in the grass with half the K-9 unit is a bit unusual. He’s probably trying to decide if it’s something that needs investigation. You hope it’s not.

Still, you can’t shake the discomfiting sense that he’s looking at you.

You ignore him until it’s time for the dogs to go back - but that prickly feeling of being watched never subsides.

That night, in the guest room of your aunts’ house, the dreams take on new life.

It starts as it always does. A dark room. A lush bed. Silky sheets. Moonlight seeping through blinds like smoke. And him.

He’s behind you. A broad body so solid you’d think he was a wall if not for the heat. It’s so intense this time, like a wildfire raging out of control, crawling from his skin beneath yours. You sense more than feel the big hand around your jaw. Rough fingers clutch at the plush of your thigh. Hot breath fans across the back of your neck, rippling shivers down your spine.

There’s a voice in your ear. No words you can discern, just a thunder-deep rumble with smoky edges. Stubble scrapes the delicate skin of your neck and catches in your hair.

A thick, heavy cock is buried deep inside you, kissing the entrance to your womb. Your pussy twinges a sweet-sharp ache with each deliberate grind of his hips. He’s spreading you open to get as deep as he can, throbbing balls pressed up tight to your sopping entrance.

Your own hands are all but useless. One twists desperately in the sheets, the other clutches at the meaty swell of his ass. Pleasure upends anything like sense or thought, even hazy dream logic. There is just this man fucking you like he owns you, two of his fingers in your drooling mouth, petting your tongue. A ring clicks against your teeth.

“Found you,” he whispers.

You jolt, eyes flying open. The powder blue ceiling of your borrowed room greets you. You’ve kicked the cotton sheets into a tangled mess around your ankles, tiny shirt ridden up your chest. Your panties are soaked.

The taste of metal lingers behind your incisors.

It’s a busy day. For once, you’re free from the confines of your sad little nook. Aunt Kate must have taken pity on your sorry state the day before and has procured busy work. Files that need hand delivery, or physical reports for you to gather. You don’t care if it’s just something to get you out of the office, you relish the stolen moments outside between buildings.

If there’s a downside, it’s the glances you attract. Everything about you projects civilian, despite the access card prominently pinned to the lapel of your blazer. It draws curious once-overs at best and suspicious scans at worst – or speculative appreciation at the very worst. Every time a fresh-faced recruit or overly decorated middle-aged man lingers as you pass, you hear your mother’s voice again.

Don’t you know what those military men are like? Practically animals. I couldn’t possibly let you be exposed to them.

It’s long ingrained to keep your eyes forward, head level, and try to keep your hips from swaying as much as possible. You’re grateful for whatever bit of paperwork you can clutch to your chest, just to hide your figure and have something to do with your hands.

You’re picking up some personnel files from the infirmary, smile brightly at the receptionist as she passes them over. Mallory is only a couple years older than you, and she’s been working here a year already.

“Lunch in the mess today?” she asks, spinning a pen between her fingers.

“As if you even need to ask,” you tease. “Noon?”

“I’ll meet you there.”

She blows you a kiss as you leave, counting the number of files to be sure you have them all. Your eyes skim over one of the names, a white label on the folder fin. “MacTavish, J.” in blocky typewriter font. You shuffle them back into a neat stack and pivot for Aunt Kate’s office.

You’re not in the moonlit bedroom this time. A half-moon grins down from a starry sky, wearing smoky nebulas for lipstick. Beneath you lays cool grass and soft earth, rich and loamy in your heaving lungs. Petals blooming in the dark kiss your overheated skin, little relief for the burn in your veins.

The change in scenery is almost as dizzying as the man between your thighs. Almost.

But it’s not the dew-saturated breeze that muddles your bewildered thoughts. It’s the hot, wet, clever tongue lavishing your drenched pussy. He licks in broad stripes from your aching hole to your throbbing clit, only ever pausing to indulge a slow suck to the bundle of nerves, before resuming that hypnotic circuit.

One thigh is hooked over a wide shoulder, your heel dug into the flexing muscles of a broad back. The other is spread by a big, calloused hand, giving him unfettered access to the softest, neediest parts of you.

You mewl desperately, hand darting down to his bobbing head. Your nails scrape shorn stubble, eliciting a gravelly groan that sends electricity up your tingling spine. It’s nothing compared to the growl you earn when your fingers twist into the longer, soft strands at the top.

For the first time, you’re able to voice more than helpless moans and wanton whimpers.

“Please,” you sob softly, ��please.”

You feel him smirking, a wicked curl against your fluttering cunt. Then he focuses the tip of that awful, dexterous tongue on your clit, flicking in purposeful little strokes.

M-A-

“S-so close,” you whine, hips twitching. He pins you flat, pace never faltering.

V-I-

You shudder as your pussy clenches and spasms, finally, finally—

You wake with a sharp sound, head spinning. Your orgasm washes away like the tide, leaving disappointment and exhaustion behind. You nearly scream into your pillow as you press your thighs together. Still half asleep, it even feels like you have beard-burn.

You’re in line at the mess with Mallory, listening to her complain about some rude colonel that just had to share his opinion about her acrylics. She does the best impressions, and you’re grinning and laughing as the two of you shuffle through the options. You’re reaching for a scoop of rice when the conversation behind you catches your attention.

“—came in a couple days ago.”

“The whole squad?”

“With Braveheart himself.”

A snort. “You better not let MacTavish hear you say that. He’ll—”

“Helloooo?” You blink at Mallory, who arches her brows and waves a bagel at you. “Want one?”

“Oh, uh… sure, why not,” you answer.

“Atta girl!” she cheers, tossing it in the toaster. “Carbs for days.”

You giggle but can’t help glancing behind you. The two men have already moved on though. Not that it was any of your business – or anything interesting. You’re not sure why that caught your attention. Men are just loud, you suppose, snatching a couple to-go packets of cream cheese.

As you’re leaving the mess, you happen to glance over your shoulder. A pair of sharp blue eyes catch yours from one of the tables. A group of men, just about to sit. Mallory tugs your shirt to keep you from clipping the doorjamb and you hurry after her.

There’s heat at your back. Not from a body this time, but a fire burning low and hot in a hearth. No, the body is in front of you this time, filling up your watery field of vision. Peachy skin and coarse dark hair, an old scar slashing across a sharp hip, miles of lean muscle.

Not that you have much opportunity to ogle with tears blurring your sight. The fat cock bullying the back of your throat makes it hard to do anything but choke. You dig your nails into a thick thigh and pull back, writhing your tongue along a puffy vein as you go. The leaking head rests on your drenched tongue as you catch your breath. Smoke and leather and musk saturate your lungs, cloud your empty head.

He smells so good; you don’t even like cigars.

A rough thumb caresses your cheek, a silent request for you to continue. You can practically feel the lust-drunk moans vibrating in his chest – so deep, they’re barely audible over the crackling fire.

You hiccup as deep a breath as you can manage and swallow him down again. He’s silky on your tongue, you sigh softly through your nose as the blunt head flirts with your gag reflex. You slacken your jaw despite the ache already crawling into the joint. Even then, your teeth scrape the base a bit, but that only makes him twitch against your soft palate.

“Look here, love.”

Your lashes flutter as you try to focus your gaze, scrolling your eyes up his body. Most of the details are lost either in the haze of desire or the vagary of dreams, but the blue eyes that greet you are sharper than real life.

You jolt back to consciousness with a dry cough, the scent of him still haunting your senses. You stumble to the restroom for water. Don’t even realize that you’re glancing in the mirror over your shoulder, expecting someone to be there, until you realize you’re alone.

Oddly bereft, you trudge back to bed and try to focus on the clean soap smell of your aunts’ detergent.

In moments like this, it’s hard not to blame yourself.

Not because you’ve done anything wrong, or even feel like you have. It’s because the situation is so frustratingly out of your control that it’s almost easier to tell yourself that one decision or another would have avoided this outcome. A sharper response, a frown instead of a smile, a different walking route.

(There’s also your mother’s voice, always. Saying to be smart, to pay attention, to not “put yourself” in a vulnerable position. You silence that voice viciously this time.)

Still, the fact of the matter is, there’s no personal choice you could have made to keep Corporal Callahan from cornering you in this supply closet. You just wanted a box of tissues.

“Look, I know you’re Agent Laswell’s niece, but I don’t see why we can’t go out because of it,” he reasons. As if that’s the reason you’ve been trying to gently dissuade his attempts.

“It’s not that—” you begin, shifting. He’s standing too close, but you refuse to back yourself any deeper into this tiny space. The doorway is right there, he’s just taking up all of it.

“Then just say yes,” he chuckles. His tone is all smooth and easy, meant to be charming maybe? “Just one date, that’s all I’m asking.”

Except you’re not asking, you think with helpless frustration. The sharp words get trapped behind your teeth, cutting up the roof of your mouth. Your heart is beating so hard and loud you can barely hear his “romantic” overtures.

“I’m not really…” You’re not even sure what to say this time; you’ve already told him you’re not looking to date. He’d said some vaguely predatory line about changing your mind.

In the absence of a finished statement, Callahan takes the opportunity to continue cajoling.

“C’mon,” he sing-songs, “I’m not letting you out of there until you say yes.”

You pry your jaw open, about to agree to it just for the sake of getting free. Deal with the fallout later.

There’s a rush of air and suddenly the doorway is empty. You briefly see Callahan against the opposite wall, face blank in unpleasant surprise. Then a big body blocks your view of him. Broad, bunched shoulders and thick thighs. A shock of brunet hair shaved close at the sides and long at the top. Your entire body locks up.

“You come near her again, they won’ stop findin’ pieces of ya, aye?” A growl, low and rough, Scottish accent thick. You shiver.

Callahan stutters something, a few garbled syllables through a strained and winded voice. You think you might hear “captain” in there somewhere. The bigger man shifts, you hear a muffled thump – Callahan hitting the wall again, you think. Then, with seemingly no effort, your savior tosses Callahan to the side like trash. He stumbles, catches himself.

“Away ‘n bile yer heid.”

Callahan flicks one last frightened glance your way then hurries off, proverbial tail tucked between his scrawny legs. You don’t even watch him go, eyes glued to the stranger’s muscular back. He rolls his wide shoulders, cracks his neck, and finally turns.

Familiar blue eyes pin you in place as he steps closer. The scent of cigar smoke and leather teases your nose.

A voice you’ve known for months rumbles in his chest. “Found you.”

Previous | TBC...

Masterlist

#cod #my writing #fanfiction #reader fic #hades and persephone inspired #soulmates #john soap mactavish #captain john mactavish #kate laswell

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love2write2626 · 11 months ago

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Chasing The Wind (Tyler Owens x OFC)

Summary: Five years have gone by since the life-altering storm chase that impacted Y/N and her sister Kate. Through the years Y/N has experienced Highs and lows, but eventually found her place with Tyler and The rest of the Tornado Wranglers. However, when Kate returns home to collaborate with Storm Par, Y/N attempts to mend their relationship only to be rebuffed. It appears that Kate is solely heeding Javi's words and disregarding reality. Will she be able to make Kate see the truth?

Read the Prologue here

Chapter 1

5 Years Later

“Bye Mama” I said hugging her

“Bye sweetheart, thank you for coming to visit” I smiled

“Of course, Mama” I got out of the car, and as I’m walking to the diner she yells “Y/N!” I turn around “You tell Tyler to be careful” I rolled my eyes

“We will be careful” She squinted her eyes suspiciously

“I’m telling you, if you get hurt, I am coming for him” I laughed

“Ok mom, I’ll tell him”

“That’s all I ask. Love you sweetie”

“Love you too” I waved as she drove off. I looked around the old Diner, I haven’t been here in a while. It looks pretty much the same, just a little worn down. The parking lot is full of wanna be storm chasers waiting for news of a big twister coming so they can go and take lots of pictures.

As I walk further I let out a scoff when I see Storm Par waiting in the wings. Javi and I started Storm Par and I was so excited. Then Javi brought in a new business partner and I kind of got pushed to the side, which I didn’t mind all that much at first, but when I saw the shady investors they were dealing with I packed up my stuff and left. When we started we were in the business of helping people, now It seems they are in the business of just making money.

Scott, Javi’s business partner saw me and gave me a cocky smirk before turning around and went back to his conversation.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

After quickly running to the bathroom I walk back out and stop in my tracks when I see Javi, and “KATE?” I yelled. Her head snapped up and she gave me a slight smile, but didn’t seem that happy to see me. I walked over and gave her a hug, even though she didn’t return it I didn’t care

“Hey sis” Kate said “What are you doing out here? Are you still chasing?” She asked

“Yeah, You would know that If you answered my calls” I said with a laugh, she frowned

“I’m not that good with communication Y/N” I nodded, Javi walked over to us and I glared at him. This man use to be one of my best friends now I can’t stand the sight of him.

“Hey, Y/N”

“Javi” I greeted, turning my head back to Kate

“So what are you doing out here?” I asked her

“I convinced her to come out for a week, to help us get our data. You know she has the best instincts.”

“I believe I was talking to my sister, not you” I said

“Y/N, Chill” Javi said, I know my face was full of anger “Kate is in safe hands with Storm Par… you know better than anyone we have some of the best safety protocols” Kate looked in-between the two of us.

“Y/N, you chase with Storm Par? Why didn’t you tell me Javi?” She asked confused

“No, No she use to work with us, hell this company was her idea… Our baby if you will” I rolled my eyes, and let out a sarcastic laugh “Then she ditched us to go be with some less funded storm chasers”

“That’s not the full story Javi and you know it, maybe you should tell her the truth about where all the money comes from and how you are nothing but a fraud” Kate put her hand up

“Y/N stop, Javi is our friend”

“Maybe your friend, he hasn’t been mine in a long time” We were cut off by loud music coming into the parking lot, and even though I was not in a particularly good mood, I still couldn’t help but smile when I saw Tyler drive up

“Behold, Tyler Owens” Javi said

“Who is he?” Kate asked, but before I have a chance to answer Javi said

“Redneck storm chasers with a youtube channel” I rolled my eyes “Him and his group including Y/N, call themselves Tornado Wranglers. The go around and do crazy stunts and stupid shit that is going to get them all killed one day” of course he leaves out the part about how we help the community and help get people food and water, but whatever. Kate turned to me

“You left Storm Par for that”

“I did, but I’m not going to explain myself to you sis. Go ahead and believe every word out of Javi’s mouth, but when you’re ready to hear the true story you have my number” I said walking over to the truck. I pushed my way through the adoring fans, and When Tyler saw me he smiled brightly.

“ONE MORE TIME, IF YOU FEEL IT…”

“CHASE IT” everyone yelled back, He hopped down off the running board and took my hand in his.

“Hey baby” he finally said to me, I wrapped my arms around him, and he immediately hugged me back. “You ok?” he asked.

“Not really, but I’m happy you’re here” He ran his hands up and down my back

“C’mon” He said, he grabbed my hand and pulled me with him, I couldn’t help but giggle, I have no idea where we are going but I don’t care I would follow Tyler anywhere. I love this man with all my heart. He is the smartest, funniest, kindest, hottest man I have ever met in my life. He pulled me around the back of the diner, and once we were out of sight of everyone. We stopped walking.

“I have a good idea of what we are doing back here Ty, but do you wanna tell me why you dragged me back here?” I smirked. Without saying a word or breaking eye contact. He walked me back against the wall.

“You look so fucking sexy when you wear my shirts” I looked down at what I am wearing, Tyler’s shirts get torn up a lot so most of the time instead of throwing them out, I will cut them into a crop top or something, and it turns him feral. He nuzzled his face into my neck, and started leaving light kisses “I missed you, next time you are coming to Arkansas with me”

“I missed you too, and you got it” I giggled. “What?” I asked when I noticed he was staring at me.

“Nothing, just Sometimes I just like to look at you just because you are so beautiful” I frowned

“Ty” I said attempting to push him away. He knows I hate being called pretty, or beautiful because I’m not. My body is covered in horrible scars from the accident 5 years ago. My car flipped 10 times, I know I am lucky because I could be dead, but it doesn’t make it any easier. His hard strong body stopped made it easy for him to keep me pushed against the wall.

“Y/N, Baby” He whispered into my ear. I felt a shiver run down my spine “You are a fucking goddess, the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. You are beautiful, funny, smart, and a whirlwind and I love you more than anything in this world. The scars are just proof of how strong you are, in my eyes they make you 10x more beautiful than you already are.” I know I have tears in my eyes. I reach up and wrap my arms around his neck.

“I love you too, Now will you please kiss me?” he smirked, he leaned down and brought his lips to mine. I sighed into the kiss, He has been gone a week, and a week without kissing him has been torture. I felt his hands run down my back, and down to my butt. He squeezed my ass, and I broke the kiss to let out a little laugh and squeal.

“TYLER” I giggled. Without warning he immediately lifted me up, I wrapped my legs around his waist and made sure I held tight as he pushed me back against the wall and we continued to make out.

“Tyler and Y/N! Can ya’ll stop sucking face for 2 seconds so we can go chase a storm?” Boone yelled, I giggled.

“We’ll be there in a minute Boone” Tyler said. Once Boone walked away, I Jumped down and sighed.

“That was cut much shorter than I would have liked” I mumbled

“Don’t worry baby, tonight we make up for a week of no alone time” I giggled. He grabbed my hand and we started walking toward the truck. When I heard

“Y/N” I turned around and saw Kate running over to me. Tyler looked at me suspiciously, I smiled

“Go ahead I’ll be there in a second” He nodded before walking off.

“Javi just told me all about Tyler and ya’ll Tornado Wranglers” I smirked

“And?” I said waiting for her to continue

“Y/N, how could you abandon Storm Par, and Javi for that jerk. Are you sleeping with him?” I looked at her shocked.

“I see Javi didn’t tell you the truth, so don’t come over here and make me out to be some sort of bad guy. You don’t know the full story, but by all means listen to Javi and not your own sister.” I started to walk away, and she yelled.

“Javi wouldn’t lie to me” She said I nodded

“Sure he wouldn’t” I started to walk away again when I yelled back, “Oh by the way I am sleeping with Tyler by the way, it’s quite normal for women to sleep with their fiancé’s”

“You’re… you’re getting married?”

“You would have known that if you answered any of my calls” I sighed “You know sis, I don’t know what Javi did or said to get you to come back out here… but just so you know he has other motives.” I walked back toward the truck, I opened the passenger door

“Boone get in the back” Tyler said

“Why?” I sighed

“Boone get in the damn back, before I make you stay here” He grumbled and climbed in.

“Ready baby?” Tyler asked

“Always”

What do you think??? Is this worth being continued???? Leave a comment and let me know.

#twisters #tyler owens #tyler owens x reader #Tyler Owens x OFC #original female character #tyler owens fanfiction #tyler owens imagine #tyler owens fic #twisters 2024 #twisters movie #glen powell

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traveler-at-heart · 2 months ago

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Stuck Together - Part 7

Summary: After Westview, Wanda and her children go into hiding. She's not happy with the person in charge of protecting them.

Wanda Maximoff x F! Super Soldier R

A/N: Final part is here. Thank you to everyone reading :)

Quiet.

Something you love. Or used to, anyway.

It’s stupid, how fast you got used to the little things. The sounds in the kitchen as Wanda made coffee. The hurried steps of fhe boys, eager to join Riley in a morning walk.

Now you’re back to being alone, feeding the animals, looking out the window while the radio plays some generic music.

Everything’s so bland and boring and you hate it.

Then, one morning, you hear a car parking in the driveway.

“Sestra!” a voice with a heavy accent calls, and your shoulders drop. You realise a moment later that you were holding your breath.

Fanny barks, eager to say hello to Riley. You open the door, your dog sprinting out to greet Yelena and her pup.

There’s a brunette trailing right behind the Russian, looking around nervously.

“What are you doing here?”

“Well, you left the hospital against medical advice. What was I supposed to do?”

“Hu-huh” you cross your arms, looking at the stranger. She hesitates, taking a step forward to introduce herself.

“Kate Bishop”

“Clint’s minion” you recognise the name. He told you all about their little stint in New York. You turn to Yelena, raising your arms. “I’m fine, all healed. You can chill”

“Well, we came all the way here, could we at least stay the night?”

In that moment, Riley sits at your feet, barking excitedly. You glare at the blonde.

“Only because Riley agreed”

“Good girl” she says, scratching behind her ears. With a roll of your eyes, you turn back home, Yelena and Kate close behind you.

As you prepare coffee and the two girls make sandwiches, you think of all the things Natasha told you about Yelena.

She was my little sister.

And you knew, that if anyone could understand your grief was her, out of all the people in the world.

But that didn’t mean you wanted to spend time together. It was a constant push and pull. Talking about Natasha and avoiding the topic altogether were both equally painful.

After a while, you show them the guest room. Yelena doesn’t flinch at the sight of one bed, and even when you mention the other rooms available (or even the couch), they both walk in.

As Yelena walks by you, you arch an eyebrow, and she gives you a stern look.

“Shut it”

Figuring it’s better to give them some privacy to settle, you take a stroll around the farm, Lou happily following along while Fanny and Riley chase each other.

Your mind is a mess, and you don’t know which way to turn to hurt less. As usual, there’s a weight in your chest when you think about Natasha, and how much you miss her. But now, Wanda’s abscence is also there, the wound very much fresh and open, as only a few days ago she was in your arms, promising to stay.

For the first time in years, you miss going on missions.

“Had a good walk?” Yelena says when you’re back. You just shrug your shoulders, sighing as you go up the steps. “Well, ok. Have a seat”

“What is Bishop doing?” you ignore her invitation, taking a look through the window.

“Trying to cook dinner”

“Is she going to burn my house down?”

“I’d give it a 40-60 chance of it happening” the blonde smiles, clearly not worried about it. Then, she pats the space next to her on the porch swing. “Now come. Sit”

With a sigh, you walk up to her and lean against the bannister, crossing your arms as you look at her. Yelena rolls her eyes at your defensive stan.

“So, what’s the deal between you and this Wanda?”

“Nothing”

“Not what I heard” she shakes her head, amused. You glare.

“From who?”

“Barton”

“Oh, come on. You were trying to kill the guy a few weeks ago and now you gossip? He braids your hair while he’s at it?” you mock.

“Ok, fine. Not directly from him. He called Kate and she called me”

“She called you or you were together?” you tease her.

“Stop being an ass. Tell me what’s going on”

You look away for a moment, thinking that you could tell her it’s none of her business. Ask her to leave you alone, to try and get drunk, forget about everything that’s weighing you down.

But you can’t. Because, whether you like it or not, you’re bound by grief, and loss. And love. Love for Natasha.

If she was struggling with something, you’d be chasing her around until you made sure she was ok.

“Nothing. I thought… Hill asked me for help to protect her. And for those couple of weeks, I developed these feelings. Maybe I was just lonely”

“Feelings? Like love?”

“I guess. But she left, and it’s probably for the best. She’s right; someone always gets hurt”

“You’re already hurt” she replies, her voice gentle.

“I’m a big girl, I’ll get over it”

“But do you have to? Why not go after her? Give yourself the chance to be happy. Just once”

“I don’t think… I didn’t do anything to stop her, Yelena. I don’t think I can be happy, after failing Natasha” you finally say, voice shaking.

“You didn’t fail her. She made a choice. After everything she went through, all the possibilities that were taken from her… do you really think the last thing she ever did was against her will?”

You can’t answer that.

What’s worse? To think you could have stopped her? Or that her sacrifice was always inevitable?

Yelena stands up, her hand on your shoulder.

“Just… remember what you told me. A life worth living. That’s the best way to honor her memory”

“Yeah” you sigh, looking up. You hate crying.

Though, a second later you smell the smoke and hear Kate’s scream.

“We should probably go help her”

“And order some pizza” Yelena adds, smiling as you roll your eyes.

—

It’s been a while since you’ve been here.

The gifts and letters scattered around always warm your heart.

There are people who value her, honor her life.

Natasha’s legacy.

As far as your little tribute, it’s all the plants you placed around this hidden corner of land.

You spend some time cutting and cleaning the grass around the gravestone, and then turn your attention to the flowers.

The peonies get pruned, daffodils adding a spring of color. You know the hydrangeas aren’t blooming until early summer, but that’s fine.

Natasha once told you; bare trees or withering flowers didn’t make her sad. It meant she was staying long enough in one place to watch them go through every season. It meant she had a home.

Once you’re done removing the soil, checking the watering system you installed, and fixing the little gifts people left for her, you sit on the floor, watching your hands.

“Sorry for not coming sooner. Hill called me. And you know I answered because she was your friend. Turns out she wanted me to help out Maximoff. She got a bit more annoying than when she was running around the Compound looking like a raccoon with all that eyeliner” you chuckle at the memory of her dark clothes, rings and smoky eyes. She couldn’t look more different now.

“I should have known it was going to be trouble, and I don’t mean just because I almost got killed twice. It’s because… I started to fall for her. She has two kids, by the way. Born from magic or some weird deal I don’t really understand”

I didn’t think I had it in me, to fall in love again. Not only because I lost you, but because I had been so angry at everyone. It felt like I only had space for that emotion. Anger.

But I saw myself in Wanda. In everything she lost, in all the things that were taken from her, without so much as an apology. And I want more for her. I want her to be happy. Maybe with me. Why not?

As usual, I haven’t stopped thinking about you. It’s different this time, though. I still feel sad and lonely, but it’s also a different kind of nostalgia. I can think about you and appreciate everything we shared.

Most importantly, I think I’m finally ok with the fact that you made your choice. I have to trust that you knew what you were doing, Tasha. And that whether I like it or not, it is what you wanted.

You lean your head against her grave, the stone cold against your skin. It makes your heart ache, it makes you wish you could bring her back and feel her warmth against your body.

How could you ever think Wanda’s a monster? If you could, you’d create a new reality, a new universe where Natasha gets to live the life she always deserved.

But you can’t do that. All you can do is go and find your own happinnes.

With a final touch, you speak softly, hoping she can hear you, wherever she is.

“I love you, so damn much. And I always will”

—

Very few times in her life, has Wanda regretted putting on The Dick Van Dyke Show.

And then, she realises what episode they’re watching.

Never name a duck.

The one where Ritchie becomes attached to two ducks, but only one of them survives. Until he’s sick and the vet tells Rob he needs to be in the wild.

The words that come out of Rob’s mouth make Wanda think of you.

“But maybe that was a selfish love”

That’s exactly what she thinks her love for you is. Selfish.

You didn’t ask for any of this, and Wanda’s not about to burden you with everything she carries. She’ll manage alone, like she has done ever since Pietro died.

Except she wasn’t alone. There was Vision, Steve and Natasha. You, in the background, doing your part, fighting for Wanda’s right to have a life outside of this.

Even if she misses you, you deserve to have a life.

And so, she let you go.

“Can we watch something else?” Billy asks, and Wanda can tell the show is making him sad as well.

“Sure, sweetheart”

After watching Zootopia, the kids drag their feet to the room they’re sharing. Fury provided another safe house, while Wanda decides where to go next. Billy and Tommy need stability and of course they won’t get it by changing houses every other day.

“Can I ask you something?” Tommy says, turning to look at Billy, making sure his brother’s asleep. “Is Y/N ok?”

“I sure hope she is, my sweet boy. She knows how to take care of herself” Wanda smiles at him, hoping he doesn’t notice the tears that are almost rolling down her cheeks. “Now you get some sleep, ok? I’ll see you tomorrow”

“Night, Mom” he replies, settling in bed.

As Wanda takes a moment in the hallway, she allows herself to think about you, probably back home. Watching Ancient Aliens, cursing at the TV as you sip on a bottle of beer.

It’s stupid, how much comfort it brings her to think of you doing the most absurd things.

Said comfort doesn’t last long, though. She hears a branch snapping close to the house. It’s a small place and the road ends a few feet away from the entrance. So, whoever approaches has to leave their vehicle and walk to the front door.

Without wasting a second, she goes to the door, hand up in the air to hold the intruder.

“Hey, now wait a second” you say, smiling.

Wanda’s so shocked that she drops her hand, you crashing down immediately after.

“I’m sorry” she rushes to your side, and you sit up. Wanda places her hands in your face, fingers tracing the cuts and bruises that are still healing.

On pure instinct, you move forward, kissing her. She moans against your lips, allowing you to wrap your strong arms around her waist. But then she remembers.

“Stop”

“No” you shake your head, pulling her closer. “You said you’d stay, Wanda”

“That was before”

“Before…”

“You almost got killed because of me” she sighs, pushing her hair back and standing up. You follow her, reaching for her hand.

“Can’t even tell you how many people have tried to kill me. And I’m still here”

“It wasn’t just him. It was Agatha too. And who knows what else? I’m like a magnet for these things. I don’t want you getting hurt” she says, arms around her own body, as if desperate to find something that can hold her together.

“Wanda… bad things are going to happen. It’s part of life. Wouldn’t you want to face them with someone who… who cares about you?” you whisper, holding her chin between your fingers.

“I’m scared”

“The thing is, we’ve both lost people. And I know, I can’t deny that a part of me will always love Natasha… but I think I have to accept she made a choice. And I should try to live my life. I think Vision would want that for you as well. I mean the real Vision; not that white awful thing”

“I just don’t want to lose anyone else. I don’t know if I can take it” she says, finally reaching forward. You kiss her temple.

“Well, just come back home and we’ll take it one day at a a time. Together”

“The kids miss you” she says after a beat of silence.

“And I miss them, but I swear if there’s a fourth Cars movie I will burn down Pixar myself”

Wanda laughs for a moment, her breath tickling your skin.

“Promise me you won’t leave me” she says against your neck and you smile, making her look at you.

“Scout’s honor, witchy”

“Don’t…” Wanda’s about to fight you on the nickname, when you meet her lips in a soft kiss.

“Just stop fighting it. You like me too much”

“You wish” she teases, kissing you again.

Looks like you’re stuck with each other.

And you wouldn’t have it any other way.

#wanda maximoff x reader #wanda maximoff x you #wanda maximoff x y/n

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reccyls · 3 months ago

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Victor's Main Route: Chapter 14 + Premium Attire Story

< Previous Chapter | Masterlist | Next Chapter >

The premium story is slightly NSFW (I'd say an M on AO3 as opposed to E, or lime instead of lemon for those that prefer that description)

As I ran without looking where I was going, I tripped over a tree root and fell.

Kate: Ow!

I ended up sliding face first into the mud, and ended up completely covered in dirt. I winced in pain as I pushed myself up, turning my head up to look at the moon. Its faint white glow amplified the chill of night. Drops of rain limited to just my face mixed with the streaks of dirt. It didn’t take me long to realize they were tears.

(I hurt Victor.)

I took out my sadness at being avoided on him. I couldn’t stand how he didn’t want anything in return for everything he had done, and I went a step too far.

(Because of my muddled up feelings, I ended up saying that I wish we had never met.)

I could do nothing except berate my foolishness for saying something so awful.

(I didn’t finish my sentence, but Victor knew what I meant.)

He must have known what I left unsaid. I wanted to know more about him because I liked him. And because I loved him, I wanted him to tell me everything himself. If I had never fallen in love, I wouldn’t have hurt him.

(What am I even doing anymore?)

Ever since I realized my feelings, I’ve done nothing but chase my thoughts around in circles. I wanted Victor to be happy. That’s the only thing that’s been clear since day one. Shaking, I stood up. My skirt was completely ruined, and my knees were skinned.

Kate: …And I call myself an adult.

I snorted as I saw blood run down my knee. Wiping away my tears, I slowly shuffled my way home. But my tears just wouldn’t stop falling until I reached the castle.

-----

Roger: Why didn’t you come to me as soon as you got hurt?

Kate: …Sorry.

The next morning, I was sat in the basement while Roger scolded me.

Roger: Even if you washed it, if bacteria entered through your wound, it could cause infection and irreversible damage.

Kate: You’re right. I’m really sorry.

(The disinfectant really stings, but I’m not in any position to complain right now.)

I sat still as Roger carried out his treatment, my shoulders hunched. After he applied medicine, he wrapped my knees in bandages. And then he crossed his arms and looked down at me.

Roger: Apply this medicine and change the bandages every day. You hear me?

Kate: I understand, I will.

Roger finally seemed satisfied when I nodded in compliance, and he put away the first aid kit.

Roger: So? How’d you get banged up like this in the first place?

Kate: Um, I tripped in the forest…

Roger: You told me that part. I’m asking what caused you to take a fall this big.

He was asking about the root cause of my injuries, but…

Roger: I know you didn’t have any missions yesterday, so why were you out walking in the woods alone at night?

I stayed silent.

(I don’t want to look suspicious, so I know I should answer him… but I don’t want to.)

As I continued to keep my mouth shut, I felt him aggressively ruffle my hair.

Roger: I’m not suspecting you of anything. I’m just asking because there must be a reason. Roger: I’m not gonna force you to answer. But if talking about it will help, I’ll listen. Roger: If anything happened to you, we’re not going to sit back, alright?

Kate: …Yeah. Thanks.

Before I knew it, it was now three weeks since I became Fairytale Keeper. In that time, I felt that the distance between me and Crown had grown smaller.

(My past self would’ve never thought we’d be this close.)

I knew Roger had been genuinely worried about me. All of this only happened because Victor chose to make me Crown’s Fairytale Keeper. As I thought of him, I couldn’t help but recall how pained he looked last night. My heart throbbed.

(...I can’t leave things like this.)

I didn’t even thank him for saving me and just hurt him. If he started avoiding me again, My time at Crown could possibly come to an end without me ever seeing him.

(And if that happens, I’ll never see Victor again for the rest of my life.)

I couldn’t tell him how much I regretted what I said. I wouldn’t be able to tell him my true feelings. I didn’t even want to imagine what it would be like to live the rest of my life like that. Hiding my bandaged knees, I pulled my skirt back into place. And as I was standing up–

Liam: Oh, here you are, Kate!

Kate: Liam, Harrison! What’s the matter?

Roger: Don’t tell me you two are injured too.

Liam: Not today. Hey, Harry–

Harrison: I’m just along for the ride.

Liam used one hand on the railings to vault over the stairs, landing in the basement as Harrison just stared.

Liam: There’s a visiting circus coming to the market today, it looks like there’s going to be a parade too. Liam: This kind of event doesn’t happen everyday, you know! I’m looking for people to go watch it with.

Harrison: He caught me first.

He raised his hand with an annoyed look on his face. However, Liam seemed to be able to tell that he didn’t really mind, and threw his arm around Harrison’s shoulder.

Liam: What about you two?

Roger: Pass. I’ve got things to do.

Roger refused point-blank as he picked up a test tube and began shaking it.

Roger: You guys should drag that depressed lump over there with you.

Kate: Are you talking about me?

Roger: You see any other depressed lumps here?

He gestured with his chin, wordlessly telling Liam and Harrison to hurry up.

Liam: Do you want to come, Kate?

Like Liam could tell that something was up, his tone of voice softened as he invited me along. I couldn’t refuse.

-----

Kate: Wow!

A performer danced down the street, leading a man riding atop a giant ball. Then there was a juggler, and a man performing magic tricks while walking. The crowd was captivated by the circus troupe’s various acts as they paraded down the street.

Harrison: It’s packed today. Liam, Kate, make sure you don’t get lost.

Liam: Okay~ How are you holding up, Kate?

Kate: I’m fine, still here.

Liam: Let’s go look for a better spot to watch from. Hold onto me to make sure we don’t lose each other.

I grabbed onto Liam’s sleeve and we followed behind Harrison as he snaked through the crowd. Upbeat music filled the air as the circus troupe scattered flower petals into the air. The cheers of the crowd was deafening. As I watched the petals drift in the air, it put my heart at ease. We found a slightly less crowded spot and stopped.

Liam: What a show.

Harrison: If this was the theater it’d be a full house, huh.

One of the petals drifted near my hand, and I reflexively caught it.

Liam: Nice catch! I want to try too.

Harrison merely sighed as Liam leaped into the air while reaching for a petal. However–

Harrison: Your face.

Kate: Huh?

Harrison: It’s looking better than before.

I subconsciously reached for my face. Liam looked back worriedly at me.

Kate: I feel better thanks to you two. Thank you both.

At my words, Liam beamed.

Harrison: It was that geezer’s fault, wasn’t it?

Who knows, it could have been your fault, Harrison.

How did you know? (+4/+4)

…I thought I was hiding that…

Kate: How did you know?

Harrison: Whenever you have a lot on your mind or something’s bothering you, it’s almost always related to Victor.

Liam: You never noticed? Liam: We don’t know exactly what happened, but if there’s anything bothering you, you can always talk to us. Liam: You can rely on us when you’re feeling down.

Liam’s words reminded me of Roger’s earlier.

Roger: I’m not gonna force you to answer. But if talking about it will help, I’ll listen. Roger: If anything happened to you, we’re not going to sit back, alright?

Kate: Roger said something like that just now.

The two of them exchanged a look.

Liam: A lot of things have happened ever since you joined, but you’re one of us, Kate. Liam: So whenever you’re in trouble, we want to help you. And if there’s something bothering you, you can talk to us anytime. Liam: Isn’t that right, Harry?

Harrison: Well, I guess we are getting used to having you around. Harrison: Like Liam said, even though they might not say it to your face, everyone’s been worried about you. Harrison: I believe it’s because you take your job as Fairytale Keeper seriously. Harrison: Everyone recognizes the hard work you’ve been doing.

Even amidst the music and cheers of the crowd, their words rang loud and clear. I was deeply touched.

(I didn’t even realize when they started acknowledging me.)

William: I extend to you an invitation to tonight’s banquet. Your name, dear guest? That night, I stumbled onto a secret I shouldn’t have known. Victor: From now on, you will be Crown’s “Fairytale Keeper”.

Because of the invitation that William extended on a whim, and because of Victor’s declaration, I couldn’t even sleep that first night out of fear and anxiety, and I worried constantly about whether I’d be killed or not. If I told the Kate from that night how much things would change in just three weeks, and how close I am with Crown now, she’d never believe me. This time it was tears of happiness that filled my vision, and I looked down.

(I’m actually kind of sad that my time with Crown is almost up.)

I was so happy to be acknowledged by Crown that I was now feeling sad that the time I had so dearly wished for at first was approaching.

Harrison: You know, if you wanted to give the old man a slap or two, I’m pretty sure everyone would help.

Kate: No! I don’t want that!

I snapped my head back up at Harrison’s words, only to see their grinning faces.

Harrison: Finally looked up.

Kate: Ah…

Liam: Cute girls shouldn’t keep their faces hidden!

Just like sunlight, their kindness warmed my heart.

Kate: Thank you, both of you.

As I expressed my gratitude, their smiles grew satisfied.

(I should tell Victor how grateful I am to him too. Properly, this time.)

I could picture Victor in his office, smiling warmly as always. He’d smile when thanked, and offer comforting words when I was feeling sad. I’d heard him thank me and apologize to me so many times.

(I absolutely cannot let things stay as they are.)

I put my fist to my chest and resolved to do something about it.

(I’ll find him, and I’ll tell him.)

For some reason, Liam and Harrison seemed surprised when they looked at me.

Kate: ? What’s wrong?

Harrison: Nothing…

They exchanged another glance, this one seemed relieved.

Liam: Nothing at all!

Liam sounded pleased as he shook his head and turned his attention back to the parade. It appeared as though the circus troupe was gathering in the main road, striking one final pose as a group. And then–

In broad daylight, the sound of an explosion ripped through London, loud enough to burst my eardrums.

Kate: What-

The explosion sent the crowd into a panic as everyone scrambled to flee.

Man’s voice: Run!

Woman’s voice: Out of the way, get out of the way!

Lost child’s voice: Papa! Mama! Where are you!

The crowd turned into a stampede of desperate fleeing people, turning the streets into an utter mess.

Caught in the middle of the chaos, I couldn’t move.

Kate: Ah… hah…

My breaths grew shallower and shallower. The panicking crowd seemed to move in slow motion.

Pastor’s Voice: Hurry, run! Crying child’s voice: Mama! Mama!

Kate: …No…

I was frozen in place. The sound of the explosion echoed over and over again in my head.

Kate: Agh!

Panicking Man: Out of the way, don’t just stand there!

I lost my balance as I was shoved aside by the man, and was swallowed by the swarm of people.

Liam: Kate!

I lost sight of Liam’s outstretched hand in the blink of an eye. Tossed around and shoved every which way, I was eventually thrown against a wall. As another explosion rang out, smoke began to rise in the distance. My body slumped against the wall.

Kate: Ah…

(I’m scared.)

The sound of the explosion stirred up the scars left in my memory and I found that I couldn’t breathe.

(Someone…) (Someone, please, anyone…!)

There was only one name that I managed to force out of my lips.

Kate: …Victor…

I squeezed my eyes shut out of fear. And then–

Victor: Kate!

Looking up, I saw Victor, frantically pushing through the crowd and sweat dripping down his forehead as he ran towards me.

Kate: !

He pulled me close to him and covered my ears. With my cheek pressed to his shirt, I could smell his night-like scent, and feel his warmth. My shivering subsided, just a little.

Victor: You’ll be okay. I’m here.

He moved his fingers just enough to let me hear what he said, and then he covered my ears again.

Kate: I- I’m… okay…

I was okay. I repeated it over and over again as I clung to him. When he noticed, he hugged me even tighter. I don’t know how much time passed like that. Gradually, I stopped hearing voices or other noises, and Victor pulled away just a little.

Victor: Deep breaths now. Slowly, take it slow.

Following Victor’s guidance, I sucked in a shaky breath. After several deep breaths, my breathing began to even out, and Victor put one arm under my knees.

Victor: Keep your eyes closed until I tell you it’s safe to open them, okay?

I nodded weakly, and closed my eyes. I felt myself being lifted into the air. Realizing that I was being carried by his strong arms, I looped my arms around his neck. I could no longer hear any explosions.

Premium Story: The “I Love You” Sealed Away With a Single Kiss

I was gently set down. When I slowly opened my eyes, I could see Victor kneeling in front of me.

Victor: You’re fine now. It’s okay.

He had propped me up against the back wall of the building, which faced out into an alley. I let go of his neck and wrapped my arms around myself.

Kate: …Thank you for saving me.

My fingers were still trembling as I held onto myself and thanked Victor. He let out a small breath. And gently, he covered my hands with his own. His hands were so warm. I could feel myself calming down as he held them.

Kate: Why were you here?

Victor: I was actually doing some reconnaissance with William.

Kate: Reconnaissance?

Victor: We were looking for the source of the explosions.

“Explosions.” A jolt ran through my body at that simple word. As I took deep breaths, I realized that Victor was rubbing gentle circles into the back of my hands as he continued.

Victor: It’s all speculation at the moment, but we suspect that this was premeditated by an organization.

(That’s…)

The sound of the explosions, the stampede of desperate people, all of it was like a scene out of hell itself.

Victor: I’ve asked the Yard to provide security while we investigated in the background. Victor: However, we weren’t able to obtain much information. Nothing more than rumors, anyway. Victor: To think that this would happen now…

He bit his lip, grief and helplessness evident in his expression, powerful enough to make me feel the same.

Victor: The perpetrators waited until the end of the parade where everyone would be gathered in one location before carrying out their crime. Victor: I will not let this pass.

(Was there anyone caught in the explosions…?)

I realized that the best thing to do right now would be to meet up with William and continue to investigate, However I couldn’t make my legs move.

Victor: It’s alright. William is on his way, so don’t worry.

After a while, I felt calm enough to speak.

Kate: …A few years ago, I was caught in similar explosions when I was at a church.

Victor shifted ever so slightly.

Kate: At that time I was so desperate to escape that I didn’t realize… Kate: Whenever I hear similar sounds, it reminds me of that day.

My laugh must have sounded pitiful.

Kate: But I’m okay now, thanks to you.

The expression on his face as he watched me was achingly sad.

Kate: I’m sorry for the awful things I said to you. I wanted to say thank you for rescuing me from that conversation with Darius.

I finally managed to tell him what I really wanted to say, but he remained silent.

Kate: I didn’t mean that I wish we had never met. Kate: I was just frustrated that I didn’t know so much, and when I finally found out, I didn’t know what to think or what to do. Kate: I was upset that you wouldn’t tell me, and I crossed a line. I’m sorry I hurt you. Kate: I’m really, really sorry.

(But…)

Kate: Meeting you has brought me more happiness than sorrow.

I overstep and hurt him, and get hurt in turn. But I truly didn’t believe that I’d be happier if we had never met in the first place.

Kate: Because I lo–

I was about to confess. And then– I felt something soft press against my lips, and my world was filled with him. He was kissing me.

Kate: Wha-

I didn’t expect his tongue to slip into my mouth. I tried to back away, but his hand against the back of my head prevented me from moving away.

Kate: Nnn…

His tongue slid against my teeth and then tangled with mine. He was kissing me so deeply that I thought I might pass out from lack of air. Everything felt so good that my mind was going blank. Just as I was on the brink of passing out, I felt his hand slip under the hem of my skirt, inching up my thigh.

Kate: Ah-

His finger rubbed against the crotch of my underwear. I was struck by a bolt of pleasure and could feel myself growing wet. My eyes flew open, and his jewel-like eyes were staring right at me. Desire flickered in his gaze as our kiss deepened. My heart squeezed when he narrowed his eyes.

(Does he also…?)

All my pain, all my anguish, I wanted to forget everything as I surrendered myself to this pleasure. I wished that time would stop, so this moment of mutual desire would last forever. Unable to form a coherent thought because of the kiss, I tried to press closer towards him. But his expression grew pained.

Kate: …ah…

And he broke away. I stared at his parted lips, but then his cold gaze pierced straight through me.

Victor: Is that enough?

Kate: What…

His voice was emotionless, sapping me of any lingering warmth.

Victor: There’s one more week until your promise is fulfilled. Victor: Forget everything, and return to your old life.

Kate: But I–

Victor: Kate.

This was a rejection. He was drawing another invisible line between us. “Not another step further.” I couldn’t look into his eyes any more, and bit my lip as I dropped my gazel.

Kate: …You don’t have to accept my feelings.

I’d thought the same ever since I learned of his past.

Kate: I just don’t want you to give up on your life as ‘Victor’. Kate: I know this is an unreasonable request. Kate: But I wish that you can live freely.

Even if we were to be parted, even if I were to be forgotten, Even if we were never to meet again.

Kate: I want you to be happy.

Because I love you. Because I had fallen hopelessly in love. He had so much to bear that adding this wish was an unreasonable burden. I knew that. But I just wanted him to be happy as a person, instead of as a symbol. I will always continue to wish for a future where he can smile with joy. …Even if that future didn’t include me.

Victor: I have already discarded that life. Victor: It has been gone for a long, long time.

Wordlessly, he stood and extended a hand to me. And just as silently, I took it and pulled myself to my feet. As he turned and started walking, I held back my tears and followed him. And although I knew the sensation of his hand in mine was familiar, I felt as though I had also felt something like this, a long, long time ago.

#ikemen villains #my translation #victor (ikevil)

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alittlerobin · 6 months ago

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Elbert/Kate/Alfons

tags: hurt/comfort; established relationship, m/m/f word count: 1.4k

The last thing she wanted to do was leave Elbert there on his own, but the moment she heard the faintest of falling footsteps out in the hall, she rushed out of their bedroom.

She was clad only in her nightgown, her feet bare as she raced down the stairs, heart pounding. It was hours past midnight, yet dawn was still too far off to begin chasing the darkness away. The thought of leaving Elbert alone in their room for even a second, shivering and gasping with tears in his eyes, it wrenched her heart into pieces…

But on nights like this, she didn’t always know what to say, how to calm him or distract him. Not like how Alfons did, at least. She was still learning, still struggling to find the right words or actions, uncertain if a thought would be triggering or comforting, uncertain of everything.

She stopped on the bottom of the stairs, feet frozen from the chill and the panic, and then her eyes met Alfons’s ashen-grey gaze as he returned from one of his nights on the town. “Al, he’s–”

Alfons’s signature grin dropped immediately.

“He’s not hurt,” she stammered in her rush to explain, the words almost choking in her throat. “He just had a bad nightmare, and I can’t… I don’t know what to do. Please hurry.”

At that, Alfons swept across the hall with unusual urgency. His jacket billowed like raven’s wings behind him and he paused only briefly at the top of the stairs, waiting for her to join him. She grabbed his hand, using it to steady her own aching heart, and together they ran back to the bedroom.

“Al…” Elbert’s voice sounded beautifully broken as they both stepped into the room. The low light from the single lamp she’d lit illuminated his skin, making the sweat beading on it glisten.

Alfons’s hand slipped out of hers as he clicked his tongue, crossing the room. “Tsk, tsk, my dear Elbie. You should’ve seen the look on Kate’s face when she ran down to greet me. Absolutely terrified.”

“I… I’m sorry…” Elbert’s voice was softer than a whisper and his golden lashes fluttered shut, the tears clinging to them sparkling like diamonds.

“You don’t need to apologize,” Kate replied, sitting back down on their bed. She shifted as close to him as she could without touching him, letting him be the one to initiate contact when he wanted to.

“She’s right, you know,” Alfons sighed. “But if it makes you feel better, you can go shout your sorry’s from the rooftop.”

Elbert opened his eyes, the oceanic blue of them going wide. “...Does that help?”

“For you, I very much doubt it.” A smile was back on Alfons’s lips, but it was softer, more genuine than the one he usually had plastered on. He slipped out of his shoes, removing his coat and his tie, but when he made to shed the rest of his clothes, Elbert reached out and took hold of his wrist to stop him.

“Don’t… Leave it on, please. I…”

She knew why. And so would Alfons.

Elbert had mentioned before that the mix of cologne, booze, and god knew what else that clung to Alfons after his nights out were a comfort. Because when that profane scent was around, it meant Alfons was around. And when Alfons was with him, no one would come and make him suffer any further on those nights…

Alfons heaved out an exaggerated sigh, but he didn’t protest. He peeled off his gloves and then pressed a knee into the mattress, boxing Elbert in between him and Kate.

The second he was within reach, Elbert turned into him, dropping his forehead against Alfons’s chest. The rapid rhythm of Kate’s heart slowed and she sighed with relief, the tension dropping from her shoulders as Alfons’s arms wound around Elbert to comfort him.

“You’re such a fool. Since our robin has a far more ample bosom, I'd recommend burying yourself in her chest rather than mine.”

There, just like that. Alfons always seemed to be able to drive that pain away with his nonchalance and depravity that might’ve seemed like some ill-advised joke, yet always succeeded in turning thoughts from gloom to scandal or exasperated amusement. Early on, she might’ve scolded him. Yet now she smiled, seeing a hint of the same expression gently touch the corners of Elbert’s beautiful lips.

“Both…” Elbert whispered, his long and elegant fingers clinging to the fabric of Alfons’s vest. “I want both…”

“So greedy. Whatever will we do with you.” Alfons tutted, faking a scolding, and his gaze caught Kate’s. “Come on, little robin, you heard him. He wants both.”

As if she could ever deny him. Either of them. She moved closer, closing the distance between them and gingerly touching Elbert’s back. At the same time, Alfons’s fingers stroked over the nape of Elbert’s neck, light and soothing, like he was petting a kitten. However he didn’t lean down to whisper, casting no illusions. It was merely a touch, with no magic, no curse behind it.

And as soon as Alfons’s fingers pulled away, Elbert turned, slipping into Kate’s open arms instead. She craned her head down and pressed a kiss to the top of his head as Elbert nuzzled into her chest, his arms winding around her waist. She stroked her fingers through his hair, massaging his scalp and taking the role of whispering to him softly, reassuring he was safe there between them. No more bad dreams, no more nightmares. Not for forever, but for tonight. For the rest of tonight, he had them both there to protect him.

His grip gradually loosened, his beautiful lashes fluttering shut. And within a few minutes, his breathing was steady and calm, lulled into a far kinder sleep.

The last of the tension inside her melted away and she swallowed a sob of relief, glancing up. The expression on Alfons’s face was so gentle and sweet, it made her heart ache–but this time, with utter joy.

“Thank you…” she whispered, threading her fingers through Elbert’s golden hair once again. “I feel like I’d be so lost without you…”

After a long, silent moment, Alfons closed his eyes, as if afraid to meet her gaze. When he spoke, it was with an unusual strain to his voice. “For so many years, on nights like this, I tried to offer him comfort, tried to give him an escape. At times, on those days when I hadn’t been able to help him evade those vile servants… I offered him illusions, but he always broke out of them so quickly…”

Alfons opened his eyes, looking into hers briefly, before dropping his gaze to their peacefully sleeping Elbert. He reached out, picking up a lock of Elbert’s silken hair, and twisted it between his fingers. “He very rarely accepted my help, preferring to suffer like he believed he deserved. And he never sought out comfort or asked me on his own. The fact that he does so now…”

Alfons leaned down, pressing one kiss to Elbert’s golden hair and another to the back of Kate’s hand. “You may feel lost at times like these, but you’re the one who saved us both. Never forget that, my dear.”

A heat painted her cheeks and melted all the way down to her heart. “I couldn’t have done it without you, Al.”

“Of course not.” Like a shadow passing over a mirror, a haughty grin danced its way back across Alfons’s lips. “All three of us are hopeless fools. We need each other, or we’ll completely fall apart. Isn’t that disgustingly tragic?”

Kate laughed, then bit her lip to stifle it, not wanting to rouse Elbert. “I love you both.”

“Yes, yes, I’m aware. Be sure to tell him in the morning when he wakes up. I’m sure he’ll be eager to thank us by ravishing us both.” With a large and very much put-on yawn, Alfons nestled into the bed and draped an arm around Elbert’s waist. He shut his eyes, muttering out a casual good night.

With a smile, Kate tugged the blankets over all three of them and laid down as well. She cradled Elbert’s head against her chest and found Alfons’s hand under the sheets, lacing their fingers together. As she drifted off to sleep only minutes later, she swore she felt his thumb gently stroking over the back of her hand.

This scene was the furthest thing from what she could’ve imagined happening when she was first brought to Crown Castle. But now… she wouldn’t wish for it to be any other way.

#ikevil #ikemen villains #ikevil fanfic #ikevil fanfiction #alfons sylvatica #ikevil alfons #ikevil elbert #ikevil kate #elbert greetia #I need an Elbie/Kate/Alfons route in canon so bad

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jrswritings · 9 months ago

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Tingles and Giggles - Chapter Fourteen - Tyler Owens x Reader

Get caught up with Chapters 1-13 on the Masterlist! :)

Chapter Fourteen - My Little Wild Wrangler

While walking out of the doctor’s office with about 15 stitches in your arm, you were practically mauled by Asher and Finn who were both crying. You couldn’t help but laugh while putting your arms around them and giving them a light squeeze.

“We thought you were gone forever,” Finn whined.

“And then we would’ve been stuck with that weirdo wrangler and his team without you,” Asher cried.

“Guys, he isn’t all that bad,” you said, looking up to see Tyler cleaning the grass and other debris off Lil Blue and Ol Red.

“But he’s crazy, (Y/n),” Asher said, pulling away from you and wiping his eyes.

“And you’re saying we’re not?” You asked, looking at both of them with a smile.

“I guess you’re right, but I still don’t like him,” Finn said, looking at you with his eyebrows furrowed together slightly.

“No one said you had to, Finn,” you said, walking over to your truck to check out the damage.

“Looks like you need to get a front guard like the one I have,” Tyler said, leaning against his truck.

“Headlights are replaceable,” you said, looking at your broken headlight on the driver’s side, “Zach at Tornado Tires usually has stuff for my truck in stock as he drives a 350, too.”

“Maybe for Christmas I’ll get you one,” Tyler said softly and started to walk down towards JoAnn’s diner.

“If we make it that far,” you joked, walking behind him while sending a text to Zach about a headlight replacement.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Tyler asked while stopping in his tracks which caused you to run into him.

“It was a joke, Ty,” you said, regaining your balance and then walking around him, “Chill out.”

“Sorry, I can’t chill out when someone I care deeply about just went through a tornado,” he huffed at you, “It should’ve been me who saved that kid.”

“And it wasn’t, it was me,” you said, turning to face him and crossing your arms, “Just be glad I’m not an idiot and know what I’m doing out there even while I was scared.”

“I’m glad you’re alive, (Y/n),” he sighed, “I don’t know what I would’ve done if you weren’t.”

“You would’ve grieved a day or two then went back to chasing as if nothing happened. You’d fall even more in love with Kate and have a big ol happy family,” you snapped, turning around and walking towards the dinner.

“(Y/n),” he called after you, knowing he messed up.

You had just gone through a tornado and Tyler chose now to take your joke seriously, you were uptight from almost being killed and having a boy's life in your hands. What if he hadn’t made it and you did? You would’ve been destroyed and most likely quit chasing.

You slowed down your walking pace and took a deep breath. As much as you were scared, you had to realize Tyler was, too. He had just divulged all his feelings to you the day before and he could’ve lost you. You stopped walking and just stood in the middle of the sidewalk while hanging your head. While trying not to cry you heard his boots scrape across the cement then stopping behind you.

“Ty,” you sighed softly, “I’m sorry I snapped at you.”

“I’m sorry, too, babe,” he whispered, “I should’ve been more sensitive to the fact that you were the one out there.”

“You didn’t deserve for me to snap at you either,” you said, turning and facing him.

“No, I did, I was just thinking about me and what I could’ve lost,” he said, looking down into your (y/e/c) eyes.

“Apology accepted,” you said, looking up into his.

He pulled you in for a hug, not caring if anyone saw as he would, and could make up some excuse about you needing support after going through that and your team falling apart.

Your body relaxed after making contact with Tyler. Part of you loved how relaxed you felt with him, but another part hated it as you were falling hard for him. You pulled away as you heard a voice call out for Tyler.

“Tyler!” Boone called, running over to him, “The team and I heard what happened! We can’t believe we missed it or didn’t see it coming!”

“It kind of came out of nowhere, and it was dark so we would’ve had a hard time seeing it. Where the hell were all of you anyway?” He asked, smacking Boone’s shoulder playfully.

“We were out in Woodward last night to do some bar hopping, you weren’t back when we were leaving so we left without you,” he said, “We don’t even know where you were.”

“I was out,” Tyler said, rubbing the back of his neck, “Thankfully no one was injured.”

“The only one I heard was hurt was (Y/n) from the Storm Riders,” Boone said, “She’s quite the wild one, ain’t she?”

“Yeah,” Tyler chuckled, “She definitely is.”

“I’m going to catch up with the team to help out anyone else,” Boone said, “We should all do dinner tonight.”

“I think that will work,” Tyler said, “I have a couple of things want to talk to the team about anyway.”

“Sounds good, boss!” Boone said while jogging back to Dani and Dexter.

“I’m wild now, huh?” You asked, putting your hands on your hips.

“I can’t say you aren’t,” Tyler said, turning around to face you with a smirk, “My little Wild Wrangler.”

“Sounds like a new t-shirt idea,” you said, walking to the diner.

“You mean like the one you’re wearin’?” He asked, wrapping his arm around your shoulders.

“It’s called a comfy bedtime shirt,” you said, pulling the flannel over the tornadeo shirt you had worn to bed. You were thankful that your mom engrained into your head to rarely sleep without a bra on due to emergencies like such so you weren’t stuck looking like a participant in a wet t-shirt contest.

“It’s okay, babe,” he said, “Someday you’ll sleep next to the real deal and the shirt won’t suffice anymore.”

“Slow it down, cowboy,” you laughed.

“I’m just sayin’,” he said, shrugging, “You’ll never want to go back.”

“We’ll see about that,” you said, “Unless Asher and Finn were having a log sawing contest in their room, I’m pretty sure you were the one snoring up a storm last night.”

“Hey now, I can’t help I was tired after such an exciting day with a beautiful woman,” he said, throwing his hands up while trying to defend himself.

“I’m pretty sure the shirt is a lot quieter than the real thing,” you joked, smiling at him.

“Now that’s just rude,” he said, putting his hands on his hips.

“Rude or the truth?” You asked, raising your eyebrows at him and mocking him by putting your hands on your hips.

“Ouch!” He said, rubbing his chest, “That hurt the ol heart.”

“You’ll be okay,” you said, walking into the diner with Tyler right behind you.

“Good morning, sunshine!” Cindy called out from behind the counter, “Quite the twister we had this morning, huh?”

“You could say that, Cindy,” you said, walking over to the corner booth and sliding into the seat. Tyler slid in on the other side of the booth, tapping your boots with his.

“Having the normal?” Cindy asked, starting to get a glass of water.

“I’ll skip the coffee this morning,” you said, “I’ve had enough excitement this morning to keep me awake for a couple of days.”

“I’ll take a coffee,” Tyler said, grabbing a couple of creamers.

“On it!” Cindy said, pouring a cup of coffee and your glass of water.

“Were you planning on telling your team tonight that we’re joining?” You asked, leaning back into the seat.

“Something like that,” he said, “I’ll need you to add Asher and Finn to our group chat though as I don’t have their numbers.”

“I can do that,” you said, taking out your phone and pulling up their contacts.

Tyler handed you his phone and when you opened the lock screen you saw it was a picture of you from last night at his little shack taking a picture of the sunset.

“Really?” You asked, showing him his screen which made him smile.

“What can I say?” he said, taking the coffee cup from Cindy when she walked over.

“You’re such a cheese ball,” you laughed, sliding up and opening the phone.

You added Asher and Finn into his contacts and handed his phone back to him. You took yours out and texted your mom. ‘Hey Mom, I plan on heading out that way possibly tomorrow. I wanted to today, but my plans are being delayed. Let me know if that works for you. Love you.’

Want more? Here's Chapter Fifteen!

Taglist: @fanboyswhore9 @faith719 @ummmeg @nerdgirljen @winterassassin1804

#glen powell #glen powell x reader #twisters #tyler owens #tyler owens x reader #tyler owens x y/n #glen powell x you #twisters x reader #tyler owens fanfiction #tyler owens twisters #tornado wrangler #twisters 2024 #twisters fanfic

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kurishiri · 10 months ago

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02 . . . william & v.s. darius

— this translation may not be 100% accurate or contain creative liberties due to characterization or narrative flow purposes. if you enjoy, please consider reblogging, but don’t repost these or claim these as your own!

— cw: none.

Kate: Wh—? What do you mean, me for a reward——

In response, Will narrowed his eyes, the color of blood, with an alluring smile on his lips.

William: It is a charming idea, although I have no intention of handing our dear little robin over.

W: If I emerge victorious, would you let me do as I like with you, Kate?

Darius, too, wore a smile as bewitching as that of an angel’s, his honey eyes sweetly tempting.

Darius: And should you become mine, I suppose I’d take you back home with me.

D: How about we have so much fun together that returning to England won’t even dare cross your mind again?

Kate: W-wait, hold up, that kind of thing...

This unexpected turn of events sent my heart racing in confusion, when——

The two of them glanced at one another before bursting out into a hearty laughter.

William: Ahaha, it was a joke in good fun, Kate. It’s not in my slightest interest to offer people up as prizes.

Darius: Ahaha, you take everything so seriously, miss fairytale keeper. Color me veeery intrigued.

Kate: Ehh? Okay, that’s enough ganging up on me, you two.

K: That said, though, I am interested in this match, so if it’s alright, could you let me prepare the prize for the winner?

William: What a wonderful suggestion, thank you. Of course I am more than alright with that.

Darius: Agreed, I’m happy with anything as long as you are the one who chooses it, miss fairytale keeper.

Kate: Please leave it to me then!

——From the first throw, the two made a splendid display.

Darius: I expected no less from you, William.

William: I could very much say the same of you. I’ve learned yet another new thing about you today.

Horseshoes were not only heavy, but also bore a shape that made it difficult to throw well,

but both Will and Darius were able to throw them at the stakes they were aiming for with ease.

Kate: Will! Darius! ...You’re both doing really well!

With such clear skill, I could hear exceptionally loud cheering along with murmurs of praise.

“Wow, they make it look so easy,” “I feel like I’m being sucked right in,” “Those two are so cool”...

(They both don’t seem like they’re going to miss a mark anytime soon. At this rate there probably won’t be a winner and... ah.)

It was then my eyes stopped on something a child who had been passing by was selling.

(Okay, that’ll be the reward!)

I chased after the seller to buy the item I had my eye on, and on the way back——

I ran into a store that was selling another thing that could work.

(And with this... it can just be a gift from me to him, not for winning a match, but rather for the memory.)

I went back to where the two were as the match was drawing near the end...

Kate: Here you go! A reward for the winner. ——In other words, the both of you.

I brought out two cups of chilled lemonade.

Darius: Hm? Wait a minute, you wouldn’t know whether the results ended in a tie until the end, yes?

Kate: Ah, about that...

K: From the very first throw, I could see that you and Will were around equal footing.

Darius: ...Ho-oh?

Kate: And I was thinking if there’s no gap in ability, you can only really leave the rest to luck or how strong one’s desire is to win——

William: ...

Kate: But even in luck and desire to win, I felt you two were on equal footing for those as well.

K: So, I took a bet that it would end in a tie, and I prepared two prizes.

Darius: And what were you going to do if it hadn’t ended in a tie?

Kate: Were that to happen, of course the second lemonade would be for me!

William: Ahaha, that is very much like you, little robin.

W: I will graciously take the lemonade then. Here’s to the little robin who has won the bet, cheers.

Darius: I see you have a strong hand in these games as well. Thank you, and cheers.

Seeing the two drinking the lemonade, enjoying it, my cheeks became more lax.

——At that moment.

Something bumped into my back then.

Slightly dirty boy: Be careful where you’re walking!

The boy turned back briefly to spit out those words before quickly leaving.

Kate: S-sorry, you too! Be care——

William: Let’s chase after him.

Kate: Huh?

William and Darius had already begun running after him, and in the next beat I followed after them.

Darius: Miss fairytale keeper, was anything stolen from you, by any chance?

The boy’s back appeared and disappeared among the throng of people, and while chasing after him I checked my pockets, and——

Kate: ! It’s not here!

The present that I had gotten for him was gone.

I paled in realization, and Will, seeing this, whispered in a calm voice.

William: So I see you do hold it. He may be a child with connections to that organization.

W: ——That which is stolen is bound to return to its rightful owner.

Kate: R-right, anyway, let’s get him!

Darius: Hehe, this is just like Fangen.

D: ——Except that the child’s the one who is ‘it,’ I suppose.

The boy skillfully maneuvered his way through, slipping through the small gaps between the crowd of people and wagons.

And I could recognize the route he was taking, so——

Kate: I’ll go around from here to cut him off!

I separated myself from the crowd to block off the path of the boy, who had come out from under a wagon.

Kate: Stop right there!

The boy seemed startled before changing directions, but there...

William: As expected of our little robin.

This time, surprised by Will, he once again changed directions...

...only to run into Darius.

Darius: Seems like it’s your loss. Ah, and over there is the little miss fairytale keeper.

Kate: There’s no use running now!

Now surrounded in three different directions, the boy panicked.

Slightly dirty boy: ...gh, take this!

The boy took a basket adjacent to him and knocked it over.

The plums that were originally stacked like a mountain scattered all across the street, hindering our path.

Kate: Awawa!?

I caught the basket that had fallen with the plums a moment later.

William: Ahh, could you hold it like that, Kate?

Will deftly picked up the plums one after the other, throwing them into the basket I was holding.

Darius: Could you hold the basket toward me as well, miss fairytale keeper?

Darius, too, picked plums up in a carefree manner before tossing them into the basket, not a single one falling back to the ground.

(Wow, these two are really good...)

In that time, the boy had ran into a side street with agile movements.

Kate: Ah, that path——

After the plums were all back in the basket, we continued our chase once again, and as my memory served, we were nearing a place where the path diverged.

Kate: From a distance, it looks like a straight path.

William: So I see. The boy thought to use this to try and deceive our eyes.

Darius: And had you not told us, miss fairytale keeper, we may have very well just gone straight without a drop of hesitation.

D: ——That said, it is also very possible that, on the flip side, he did actually go straight.

William: The boy is also watching the little robin’s movements, after all.

Darius: Then how about we split into two teams here?

William: Indeed. Then you and I can each tackle a path. Which leaves our little robin.

Darius: ——Miss fairytale keeper.

Both of them turned toward me at the same time, and I gave my answer...

to be continued…

will vs darius jude vs nica alfons vs ring

← prev william🌹 → darius🪽 →

full masterlist 🌹🪽

#ikemen villains #ikevil #イケメンヴィラン #ikevil william #ikevil william rex #william rex #ikemen villains william #ikevil darius #ikevil darius vogel #darius vogel #ikemen villains darius #cybird ikemen series #cybird ikemen #cybird otome #ikemen series #otome game #otome #ikevil translation #ikevil translations

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moeitsu · 6 months ago

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The Tie Which Linked My Soul To Thee

Ch 28 - I Would Not Cause Her One Regret

Summary: Under the tender care of Wapiti's medicine woman, Kate receives life-changing news that will forever alter the course of her and Arthur's future. In the midst, she uncovers a gift left by Hosea, something that will carry them through the journey ahead.

Ao3 Wattpad Masterlist - All Chapters Previous Chapter / Next Chapter

AN: 12k Words. This is my new favorite chapter, it really felt like it wrote itself at times. (There is smut coming but I'm putting it in its own chapter bc its quite long...)

Tag List: @photo1030 @ariacherie @thatweirdcatlady @ultraporcelainpig @marygillisapologist @eternalsams @lunawolfclaw @yallgotkik @sawendel

**please let me know if you would like to be tagged in future chapters!

Story Tags: Canon Divergence, Mutual Pining, Slow Build, Slow Burn, Eventual Smut, Eventual Romance, Emotional Sex, Fluff and Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Touch-Starved, Sexual Tension, Friends to Lovers, Trauma, Canon-Typical Violence, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Blood and Violence, Survivor Guilt, Caretaking, Period-Typical Racism, Anxiety, Emotional Constipation, Self-Doubt, Men Crying, Sweet/Hot, Romantic Angst, Romantic Fluff

Freedom is an untamed beast, wild and feral, impossible to hold without losing a part of yourself. Some give everything for it, others bleed for it, and many spend their lives chasing its shadow, never knowing it was in their grasp all along.

As they rode deeper into the mountains, the weight of civilization fell away, its rules and customs crumbling like ash in the wind. Out here, the world belongs to no one and everyone all at once. The land answers only to the sky, and the only law is the one written in the marrow of your bones. It doesn’t ask who you are or where you’ve been—it just demands you let go.

Freedom is riding wild over untamed lands with no notion any moment exists beyond the one you are living.

Arthur followed in the shadow of Eagle Flies, the young man’s figure cutting a determined path against the twilight. Kate rested sideways in his lap, her body fragile and fevered, a weight that felt heavier than it should. She shivered against him, her shallow breaths hitching with every bump of the trail. Arthur’s heart clenched with every sign of her pain, a cruel reminder that he’d pushed her too far.

He muttered promises she might not even hear, low reassurances that the journey would be over soon, that she’d be safe and warm again. But those words felt hollow when measured against the fire in her cheeks and the trembling in her frame. All he could do was hold her close, shielding her from the chill and praying the people of Wapiti would welcome them with the same warmth he couldn’t give her.

The trek from Annesburg had been relentless—hours of climbing rugged hills, navigating shadowed valleys, and crossing the jagged spines of Roanoke Ridge. The land felt as hostile as the men who wandered it. Breathing down their necks from places unseen, watching, and waiting.

They’d stumbled upon horrors Arthur prayed Kate wouldn’t remember.

It began with a stench, sickly sweet and cloying, clinging to the air like decay itself. The source revealed itself— human remains strewn across the earth, picked clean, as though the forest itself had rejected the bodies. A band of cannibals had appeared from the trees. Their gaunt faces twisted with a feral hunger as they crept out like pale writhing maggots.

Arthur didn’t hesitate. He silenced them with well-placed shots, each echoing like the rusted throat of a bell through the forest. Not bothering to wait and see who fell; he just kept firing until every movement ceased. And not a flicker of regret crossed his face.

Kate had turned her face into his chest, her fingers clutching weakly at his coat as though she could block out the reality around them. He held her tighter, shielding her from the sight, from the smell, from everything.

From that moment, his resolve hardened. There would be no more stops, no moments of rest, no lingering—not until they reached Wapiti.

The trail was long, but he’d make it shorter, cutting through the heart of the wilderness with single-minded determination. The thought of Kate enduring even a fraction more of this hell lit a fire in him that wouldn’t burn out until they reached safety.

As the earth turned, indifferent to their struggles, dawn unfurled its golden threads across the sky, soft light spilling over the edges of the world. The warmth kissed their weary faces, yet the weight in Arthur’s lap tethered him to the gravity of his purpose. Each breath he took felt borrowed, a quiet prayer carried on the fragile morning air.

Through the trees, thin tendrils of smoke rose from Wapiti, winding skyward like whispers from the land itself. Arthur felt as though he was standing on the edge of time, suspended between heartbeats, daring the wind to bear them the final stretch. Every creak of the saddle and rustle of leaves seemed to echo a silent plea: only a little farther.

Freedom isn’t found; it’s forged. It doesn’t merely cost blood—it demands it, devours it.

It is no gentle gift but a treasure wrested from the clenched fists of an unforgiving world. And as Arthur urged the horse forward, he wondered if they had paid enough, or if freedom would always slip out of reach, like the rising smoke dissipating into the golden sky.

━━━━━༻❁༺━━━━━

The horse’s hooves crunched softly against the brittle earth as Arthur guided Belle closer to Eagle Flies, the small, weathered expanse of Wapiti rising like a tired sigh from the valley floor. Cradled by towering gray cliffs and ancient pine trees, the reservation felt like the last refuge of a vanishing world—its fragility stark against the sprawl of the wilderness. The morning sun spilled its light like a hesitant blessing, but the shadows it cast were long and pointed, heavy with the weight of memories too sharp to be forgotten.

Smoke curled skyward from tepee tops like prayers, their buffalo-hide walls painted with bold strokes of lineage and defiance. The symbols seemed to pulse with life, stories etched into the skin of survival itself, each one a declaration against time’s relentless erosion.

They stood not as monuments, but as promises that these people, this place, would endure, even as the world threatened to erase them.

The land bore its own wounds, raw and desolate. The soil beneath the settlement was cracked like parched lips, its breath caught in the barren lungs of fields where crops clung to life by sheer will. What should have been lush and thriving felt ghostly, the very earth seeming to groan under the strain of expectation and loss.

Arthur saw it in the sag of the tepees, the defeated gait of a hunter returning empty-handed, and the thin wisps of smoke curling from modest cooking fires. Every detail spoke of a people stretched thin, their resilience a thread pulled taut.

And yet, amid the weariness, life stirred with a quiet insistence. Children darted between the structures like sparks in a dying fire, their laughter piercing the stillness with a wild, fleeting joy. A mother’s soft hum drifted like a lullaby carried on the wind, soothing her swaddled infant against her breast. Friends huddled close around a small fire, their voices low but warm, weaving moments of solace into the fabric of their shared burdens.

Arthur felt the weight of it all settle in his chest, heavy as lead. This place was a battleground of hope and despair, its spirit caught in a delicate dance between resilience and surrender. He wasn’t sure if Wapiti held the answers or the salvation they sought.

But as he took in the quiet persistence of its people, he couldn’t deny that even here, on the edge of collapse, life refused to be extinguished.

A young man, lean and sharp-eyed, emerged from behind one of the larger tepees, his gaze locking onto the approaching group. He called out, his voice edged with relief and suspicion. “Eagle Flies! You live, brother!”

Eagle Flies straightened in his saddle, though the weariness in his body was apparent. “I live, Paytah,” he replied calmy, even as his wounds betrayed his struggle.

Paytah’s sharp gaze shifted to Arthur and Kate. The lines around his mouth deepened as his lips pressed into a thin line. “Why have you brought these outsiders here? Their kind has brought nothing but suffering to our people,” he said, walking alongside them as they entered the heart of the reservation. His voice carried the weight of distrust, each word a stone cast into the quiet tension that rippled in the air.

“It is well, brother. They are friends,” Eagle Flies said firmly, leaving no room for argument. “This man saved my life when the soldiers were ready to take it.”

Paytah’s eyes narrowed as he studied Arthur and Kate. The pale faces, the tired eyes—signs of struggle etched into their features. Though his skepticism remained, the authority in Eagle Flies’ words softened his stance. With a grunt, he stepped forward and offered Eagle Flies an arm, helping him down from the saddle with care.

As Eagle Flies’ feet touched the ground, the murmurs began. Men and women emerged from their tepees, leaving behind their weaving, cooking, and quiet conversations to gather around. Faces painted with years of hardship and resilience bore a mixture of joy at the sight of their chief's son and unease at the presence of the outsiders. The voices grew louder, some calling his name with relief, others muttering words of doubt and disapproval.

Through the growing crowd, a booming voice silenced the whispers like a sudden burst of wind. “My son!”

Chief Rains Fall stepped forward, his long, dark hair swaying with each purposeful stride. His weathered face, etched with the wisdom of a lifetime, twisted with concern as he took in his son’s battered appearance.

“What has happened to you?” he demanded, a rich, steady baritone that carried the gravity of a man used to commanding attention. “Speak now and speak only the truth. What has brought this upon you?”

The crowd parted, creating a wide berth as Rains Fall reached his son. His hands hovered over Eagle Flies as if afraid to touch him and worsen his injuries. The chief’s gaze flickered briefly to Arthur and Kate before returning to his son, his brow furrowing with unspoken questions.

Arthur remained silent, standing firm at Belle’s side, his gaze steady but respectful. Kate, pale and feverish, leaned weakly against him. He tightened his grip on her, feeling the stares of the gathered tribe like the heat of a midday sun, judgment burning in their eyes.

This was not his story to tell, not his place to speak.

Eagle Flies swallowed hard, voice hoarse but steady as he spoke. “Father…I led a group of men to attack a military camp outside of Saint Denis.”

“Saint Denis?” Rains Fall’s thundered, the disbelief and disappointment woven through every syllable. “You told me you were going to the mountains to seek guidance from your spirit! Do you think me a fool, my son? Your lies wound my pride deeply. Where are the others who followed you into this madness?”

Eagle Flies’ shoulders slumped beneath the weight of his father’s condemnation. “Gone,” he admitted. “Their spirits have joined the wind.”

A shadow of sorrow passed over Rains Fall’s face, his disappointment settling like a heavy cloud in his chest. “How many times must I warn you, Eagle Flies? Reckless violence will not free us—it will only hasten our ruin. Do you not see the storm you bring upon us with these careless actions? The blood spilled today will stain your hands forever.” His voice rose through the air like thunder. “Go now! Find the mothers of the men you led to their deaths and tell them what your pride has cost.”

Eagle Flies stiffened, his face flushing with fury despite the bruises that marred it. “What choice did we have, Father?” he retorted, raw with anger and pain. “They treat us like cattle, pen us in as though we are less than human. How long must we endure their humiliation before we fight back?”

“You have done enough!” Rains Fall cut him off, his voice harsh. His hand rose in a dismissive gesture, the finality in it brooking no argument. “Go! Do not make me ask again, Eagle Flies.”

Eagle Flies hesitated, his chest heaving with unspent rage, but the command in his father’s tone left no room for rebellion. With a sharp exhale, he turned and walked away, his steps heavy with resentment and shame. The crowd parted silently to let him pass, their eyes a mix of sympathy and reproach.

Rains Fall watched him go, his expression unreadable, the burden of leadership heavy upon his shoulders. Around him, the murmurs of the tribe swelled like an incoming tide, but he stood resolute, his grief and disappointment hidden behind a mask of fleeting strength.

The crowd lingered as Rains Fall raised a hand, the gesture firm and commanding, though weariness sat heavy on his shoulders. His voice, when it came, was quiet but filled with authority.

“The time for words has passed,” he said, but the deep lines etched in his face spoke of exhaustion and sorrow. His gaze swept over the crowd, ensuring they understood the finality of his command. “Go now. Each to your thoughts. There is nothing more to be said here.”

Arthur stood in silence, his chest tight, unsure of how to respond. The words stuck in his throat, choking him, while Kate shifted against him, seeking comfort and rest. She needed it—desperately. Her breath was shallow, her body fragile. The tension in the air was thick, like dust settling after a stampede, an uneasy silence that hung between them all.

Paytah took hold of Lorena and Belle’s reins, guiding the horses away from the crowd. The heavy, unspoken understanding between the two men—the weight of what had just transpired—lingered. But Rains Fall’s gaze softened as he watched his people leave, the movement of the horses an echo of the quiet dispersing crowd. After a moment, he turned back to Arthur, his posture still tall, but his age and wisdom seemed to press on him, slowing his movements.

He looked Arthur over, his tired eyes searching for something—an understanding, perhaps, or a reason to be at peace with what had just unfolded.

“Arthur Morgan…” Rains Fall began, gentler now, though his tone still carried gravity. He extended a hand toward him, a solemn gesture of gratitude. “I can’t thank you enough. I am sorry for whatever trouble my son has brought upon you. Please, allow me to repay you for the kindness.”

Arthur shifted his weight, uncomfortable with the offer. His gaze dropped briefly before he met Rains Fall’s eyes. “No payment necessary, Chief Rains Fall,” he said, rough from the weight of the day’s events. He let out a short, breathless chuckle. “That boy of yours… he’s got the fire of a feral horse, all wound up ‘nd ready to buck. I just hope he learns to control that temper ‘fore it drags him into somethin’ worse.”

Rains Fall’s eyes darkened, a deep sadness flickering behind them. His chest swelled with the love he felt for his son, but it was also burdened by a father’s fear. “He is my pride and joy, Mr. Morgan.” His voice cracked slightly, the words holding a weight that spoke of both love and helplessness. “But I’m afraid even I cannot save him from himself.”

He paused, his hands clasping together in thought, before reaching for a pouch of coins, holding them out to Arthur. “I have some money,” he said steadily. “Please, take it for saving my boy. It’s the least I can offer.”

Arthur shook his head firmly, his face set in an expression of reluctance. “Keep your money…” His voice softened, looking back down at Kate, who had her eyes closed, leaning into him. “But I could use your help with somethin’ else.”

Rains Fall’s sharp eyes softened as he followed Arthur’s gaze, understanding settling in. His posture straightened, the weariness lifting for a moment as he focused on the matter at hand. “I can see that.” His eyes lingered on Kate, taking in her fragile state. “Your woman… she carries the marks of a long struggle, as if a spirit has been slowly draining her strength.”

Arthur nodded, as the Chief pressed his palm to feel the warmth of her forehead. His eyes clouded with concern. “Eagle Flies mentioned you had some kind of medicine woman?”

“Yes,” Rains Fall answered, his tone shifting to one of reverence, as though speaking of something sacred. “White Dove is a great healer. Her knowledge is vast, her hands gentle.”

Arthur took a deep breath, his hand brushing over his jaw, the strain of worry heavy in his voice. “Kate…she’s,” her name slipped from his lips, full of urgency.

She is more to you than that.

He hesitated for a moment, as if the name did not carry enough meaning, more than he'd intended. His voice became firm as he continued. “My wife… she’s taken ill. Ain’t been sleepin’ right, nor eatin’ much. What little she can keep down just comes back up.”

The title graced his tongue as naturally as the breath in his lungs. The simple word filled him with so much love, an aching need to shield her from pain. An instinct as old as time, deep and undeniable. It wasn’t just a label—it was a truth he hadn’t quite grasped until now. The weight of it settled in his chest, heavy yet right.

As soon as the words left his mouth, a new wave of responsibility crashed over him, and for a fleeting moment, the world around him seemed to shift. His heart clenched, thoughts of everything he and Kate had endured together flooding his mind, all of it weaving into something more than just a bond forged in shared hardship.

A desperate feeling that he couldn’t quite name, something urgent, primal. Paternal.

He looked at her, her fragile form slumped against him, and a new surge of protectiveness swelled within him, instinctive and fierce.

She’s yours to protect, she’s tied to you now.

Though the words felt strange, even foreign. Arthur welcomed this instinct as it coursed through him, unsure of why it hit him so suddenly, but feeling that it was a part of him now, and he couldn’t shake it.

Nothing will take that away from you.

Kate’s voice echoed in his mind, a question that still lingered—Do you want it to change, Arthur?

That longing for change—he realized it was more than just a desire. It had become something real, something solid in his heart. Something fragile and innocent cradled in his calloused hands. The quiet yearning to build something lasting with Kate was no longer just a dream. It was a promise, a reality. And in this moment, it was as if the universe had whispered a secret to him without words, pulling him toward her in a way he couldn’t explain but would never question.

Rains Fall’s expression darkened with concern, his hand instinctively reaching for Kate, as if preparing to move swiftly. “I will bring her to White Dove,” he said firmly. “She will help.”

Arthur nodded gratefully, his shoulders slumping with a mix of relief and exhaustion. He knew there was little more he could do, and the thought of White Dove’s healing touch was a small comfort in the face of Kate’s suffering.

Rains Fall’s eyes flickered to the horizon, and he let out a sigh, the weight of leadership pressing upon him once again. “You have fought long, Arthur Morgan. Rest now. We will see to your wife.”

Arthur didn’t answer right away, his mind racing with what had happened and what might come next. For a long moment, he just stood there, looking at her, struggling to find the words. Finally, he nodded, offering a quiet thanks, though the weight of his feelings was too much to put into words.

He pressed a soft kiss to Kate’s cheek, his hand lingering as he tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. In a low, steady voice, he whispered promises that she��d be alright, even if he wasn’t sure of the truth in them himself.

With one last look, he watched as Rains Fall gently led her away, toward one of the tepees. His heart tightened, but there was nothing more he could do now

His guilt will not purify him of his sins, as the dog that weeps after it kills is no better than the dog that doesn’t. But there is something in her—something—that will save him.

In the way a seed buried in the earth can one day push through the dirt, seeking light, so too does a new purpose rise within him. It is the promise of a future unknown, full of potential. A chance to grow, to change, and to leave behind his past.

━━━━━༻❁༺━━━━━

By the authority vested in me, this sentence shall now be carried out. Arthur Morgan you have been found guilty and will be condemned to death by hanging. Do you have any last words?

Arthur stood at the gallows, his hollow blue eyes locking with hers, a quiet intensity in his gaze. His lips moved in a whisper, the words carrying across the void between them.

‘Keep fighting, my wife. Keep fighting for the both of you’

Kate opened her eyes with a startled gasp, her chest heaving as the last shreds of the nightmare faded with her breath on the wind. The world around her slowly came into focus, her senses overwhelmed by unfamiliar details. She lay on her back, enveloped in warmth, the sensation so foreign after days of chills and exhaustion that it almost alarmed her.

Above her, a patch of sky peeked through a hole in the ceiling of the tepee. The canvas, stretched taut over wooden poles, swayed gently in rhythm with the night’s breeze. Smoke from a central fire curled upward in soft, lazy pillows, escaping into the starlit sky. The stars themselves winked down at her, distant and serene, their light shimmering faintly through the drifting fog.

The pop and crackle of a fire filled her ears, its sound strangely soothing. She turned her head, her cheek brushing against the soft fur of the animal hide beneath her. Her gaze settled on the flames, their golden light commands flickering shadows to dance on the walls. Tentatively, she reached a hand toward the warmth, only to pull back as the sensation of heat kissed her fingertips.

Her body shivered, the fever still clinging to her like an unwelcome guest, but here, she felt safe. She exhaled, her breath shaking, the smoky scent of the fire mixing with something earthy and herbal—medicines, perhaps.

As she shifted beneath the heavy layers of hides draped over her, a new awareness settled in. She was naked, her usual clothing gone, replaced by the comfort of the carefully tanned and supple hides. The rough, sweaty fabric of her work shirt and the denim of her jeans soaked in horse musk were nowhere to be found. Her skin, once sticky and chilled, now felt clean, though her limbs ached with fatigue.

Sitting up slowly, she clutched a fur-lined robe to her chest, its texture soft but slightly coarse against her fingertips. Her gaze landed on the far side of the tepee, where two figures spoke in hushed tones.

“H-hello?” Kate ventured, voice rasping from disuse. The sound startled even herself, carrying a tremor of vulnerability.

Both figures turned toward her, their expressions registering surprise. Kate studied them through the wavering firelight. The older woman’s face was a map of deep lines and weathered wisdom, her dark eyes steady and knowing. Layers of beads hung around her neck, and leather wraps adorned her braids, which fell over her shoulders like rivers of silver and black.

Beside her sat a younger woman, her features strikingly smooth and proud, framed by a fur-lined hood that rested gracefully over her shoulders. Her braids, neatly tucked away, hinted at a careful precision that contrasted with the older woman’s well-worn regality.

Kate clutched the robe tighter, her heart pounding as the silence stretched between them. But in their eyes, she saw no malice—only curiosity and a quiet patience that urged her to breathe.

The elder woman murmured something to the younger, her tone steady and commanding yet kind. The younger woman nodded, stepping toward the entrance. She turned back briefly, offering Kate a warm smile.

“Híhanne wašté,” she said softly, voice lilting with a musical cadence. Then she slipped into the darkness beyond the tepee’s threshold, leaving Kate alone with the elder.

Kate blinked, her fevered mind struggling to process the events. Her gaze followed the elder woman’s deliberate movements as she worked, gathering bundles of dried herbs and binding them with twine. The firelight danced across the weathered planes of her face, illuminating every line and crease—a testament to years of wisdom and service.

The elder woman held the bundle over the fire until the dry leaves crackled and ignited, thin trails of smoke curling upward. She approached Kate with a quiet reverence, waving the fragrant smoke in sweeping arcs over her body. Her lips moved in a prayer, the words flowing in a language Kate didn’t recognize, but their cadence was soothing, like a lullaby carried on the wind.

“W-who are you? Where am I? Where’s my…where’s Arthur?” Kate��s voice wavered, panic rising as her fever-clouded mind spun with unanswered questions.

The woman paused her ritual, her dark eyes flicked to the chain around her neck, carrying the gold rings. Before meeting Kate’s with a calm authority. She placed a warm, weathered hand on Kate’s bare shoulder, its touch grounding. “Hush, now. It is well. Your Arthur is with Chief Rains Fall. You are in Wapiti, among the people. You are safe.” Her words as gentle as the hand that guided Kate back down onto the buffalo hide bed.

Kate hesitated but allowed herself to be eased back. Her muscles were weak, trembling under the weight of her illness. When the woman reached to pull the blankets from her figure, Kate clutched them tightly to her chest, her breath quickening. “Where are my clothes?”

The elder woman made a soft clicking sound with her tongue, a hint of exasperation flashing in her otherwise serene expression. “Bad medicine,” she said firmly. “No clothes are best to let the fever out. Do not trouble yourself with modesty, child. It is my sacred duty to honor the body as I tend to it.”

Kate swallowed, hesitantly loosening her grip on the blankets. Her chest rose and fell in labored breaths as the woman peeled the layers away, exposing her frail form. Kate’s gaze flicked down to herself, and a sigh escaped her lips. Her frame was thinner than she remembered, her skin pale and fragile under the fire’s glow.

“You must be White Dove,” she whispered, breaking the silence.

The medicine woman gave a slight nod, her expression softening as she ran the smoking sage in a deliberate trail down Kate’s abdomen. The warmth of the smoke hovered close to her skin, the scent earthy and cleansing.

“I am,” White Dove replied, low and melodic, carrying the weight of her title and the assurance of her skill. “And you, Kate, are stronger than you believe. Your body knows what it must do. Lie still.”

Kate obeyed, letting her gaze wander the interior of the medicine woman’s lodge. The space was humble, yet rich with years of careful practice. Wooden racks lined the edges of the room, their beams laden with bundles of dried plants and herbs, their colors faded but their purpose unmistakable. The faint, earthy aroma of sage, sweetgrass, and juniper mingled with the smoky air, creating a scent both grounding and otherworldly.

In the center, the small fire crackled softly, its embers glowing beneath a tripod that held a weathered clay pot that Kate had not noticed before. The fire’s glow gently illuminated the hide walls, where faint etchings of symbols seemed to come alive in the fragile light.

Animal hides draped over sturdy wooden beams served as insulation against the outside cold, their textures varying from soft rabbit fur to the coarse leather of bison. Scattered tools and supplies spoke of a life deeply intertwined with the land—bone knives for cutting, stone scrapers for tanning, and hollowed gourds for carrying water.

A low bench made from a flat stone sat near the fire, its surface worn smooth from years of use as both a workspace and an altar for preparation. Kate could see the remnants of the sage White Dove had just prepared.

Nearby, a simple yet meticulous arrangement of feathers, beads, and small carvings hinted at spiritual rituals, each item placed with care as though they held the stories of generations past. The tepee felt alive, not just with the heat of the fire but with the wisdom and traditions that pulsed within its walls.

So much of it reminded Kate of River—his people, his way of life. It all felt so distant, a world left behind in the shadow of time. Yet here it was, as vivid as if she’d never left it. She half expected River himself to step through the tent flaps, his familiar smile breaking through the haze, carrying the scent of fresh pine and the blood of a successful hunt.

As if time were nothing more than a serpent devouring its tail. A cycle with no end, always bringing her back to where she began.

White Dove’s voice broke the spell of memory as she ended her prayer, setting the smoldering sage bundle aside with deliberate care. “Your body tells me many stories,” she murmured, her thin, weathered finger tracing the faint scar on Kate’s side. The mark was old, yet it burned in Kate’s mind with the clarity of its origin—the arrow that had pierced her nearly a decade ago.

The scar that set everything in her fragile world to motion.

“You carry a great strength,” White Dove said softly, her eyes meeting Kate’s with quiet intensity. “It will serve you well for what’s to come.”

With a groan, she rose to her feet, shuffling to her rack of herbs. She crushed some leaves with practiced precision, the aroma rising as she poured steaming water from the clay pot into a small clay cup. Turning, she offered it to Kate. “Drink this.”

Kate sat up slowly, holding the animal hides over her breast so they would not pool at her waist. She took the cup, bringing it to her lips and inhaling its earthy, bitter scent. The first sip burned her tongue, and she quickly set it down on the packed earth to cool.

“Thank you…for all this,” she murmured, glancing at White Dove with hesitant gratitude. “You didn’t have to go to so much trouble. I just need to rest, really.”

The older woman scoffed, a short, knowing laugh. “Rest?” She waved a dismissive hand. “You’ll need far more than that.”

Kate frowned, her voice tinged with protest. “It’s just a bit of weak blood. I’ve…had a hard couple of weeks, that’s all.” She picked up the cup again, blowing on the steaming surface before sipping cautiously.

“Weak blood,” White Dove echoed, mimicking Kate’s words with an exaggerated accent and a chuckle. “Is that what the tosi tivo are calling it?”

Kate blinked, the unfamiliar phrase catching her off guard. “I’m sorry—what does that mean?”

“It is Comanche,” her tone patient but amused, “for white people.”

“Comanche?” Kate repeated, tilting her head. The revelation sent a flicker of surprise through her. “I… I didn’t know there were Comanche here. I thought Rains Fall’s people were Lakota.”

The elder woman raised a brow as she swept the stone workbench clear and began grinding fresh herbs into a fragrant paste. “There are many different people here,” she explained. “But we are more than just tribes. We are a family, bound by something stronger than blood. Do you understand?”

Kate nodded slowly, the words resonating with her deeply. River had been like that, drawing in lost souls from all over—those whose tribes had been scattered, those who had nowhere else to go.

“I was saved by one of the Lakota,” Kate admitted quietly, her voice dipping with the weight of memory. “A long time ago. He taught me his language, the way of his people.”

White Dove glanced at her, the lines around her eyes softening. “Then you understand,” she said simply, her voice carrying the wisdom of one who had seen many lives cross her path.

Kate’s gaze dropped to the cup in her hands, the rich, earthy scent of the tea curling into her nostrils as she sipped. “I owe him everything,” she murmured, voice distant. “He found me when I didn’t even know who I was anymore. Gave me purpose when I thought I had none left. I wouldn’t be here today without him.”

White Dove tilted her head, her sharp eyes studying Kate with quiet intensity. “River,” she said after a moment of contemplation, her tone soft and reverent, as though the name itself carried a sacred weight.

Confusion and surprise washed over Kate’s features immediately, “h-how did you…”

“The way you speak of him… I can feel his spirit lingers with you, like a light that never fades.”

Kate swallowed a mouthful of tea, trying to free the lump in her throat that was making it difficult to speak. “Sometimes I feel that too,” she admitted. “It’s like… he still lends me strength when I need it most. But it’s been years. He’s gone.” Her voice faltered, a raw edge of grief cutting through her words.

White Dove approached, the earth beneath her soft footfalls barely whispering. She knelt beside Kate, her hands gentle yet firm as they rested on Kate’s shoulders. “Gone in body, yes,” she said with a grounding force. “But not in spirit. River walks with you, child. He is in the wind that moves the grass, the fire that warms your skin. And here,” she added, placing a hand lightly over Kate’s heart, “he is always here.”

“I miss him so much,” Kate’s eyes welled with tears she hadn’t realized she was holding back, the elder’s words wrapping around her like a balm. She nodded, barely managing a whisper. “I just wish I had the strength back then to save him.”

White Dove’s gaze softened further, her expression both knowing and kind. “And yet he has left you with a gift,” she said, her hand moving from Kate’s heart to lightly press against her abdomen.

Kate’s breath caught, her eyebrows furrowed. “A gift?”

The elder woman’s smile deepened, her voice soft. “A piece of the Great Spirit’s plan, one that River will surely guide.”

Kate’s hand flew instinctively to her stomach, the air catching in her throat. “I…” Her voice faltered, her mind grasping for logic amidst the swirling emotions. “I–I don’t understand. That’s not… no, that’s not possible.”

"You’ve endured so much, child. He sees it, he knows. He has never truly left you. And though you’ve faced countless losses, you now carry something precious—a new life growing within you."

A new life.

The words echoed, reverberating like a bell in the quiet chamber of her thoughts. Her heart pounded as if trying to catch up with the revelation, and the clay cup she had been holding slipped from her fingers, landing softly on the earth below. A rush of emotions surged through her—hope, joy, disbelief, and an undercurrent of fear.

Her mind raced to Arthur, his rough-edged voice filling her memory as she recalled their quiet talks about dreams of the future. Children. A family. She had crushed it then, before those dreams could take root in his heart. Claiming her body incapable of such things, her voice trembling with the conviction of a woman who had been resigned to a cruel fate.

And now?

Oh, God. She was going to have his baby.

Kate’s chest tightened as the enormity of it settled in. She was going to be a mother again, and Arthur Morgan—a man caught between his own war with the world and his heart—was going to be a father again.

“Do not fear it,” White Dove murmured, her hand warm and steady on Kate’s arm. “This child is a sign of strength. Just as you have endured, so will they. River’s spirit watches over you both, guiding you toward what is meant to be.”

Kate met the elder’s eyes, finding a depth of calm that eased the storm within her. “H-how can you be so sure?” she whispered, her voice trembling with doubt. “It’s too early… there are no signs.”

“No signs?” White Dove chuckled softly, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. “The fever and sickness say otherwise. A mother’s body tells stories long before the mind catches on. And the man who brought you here, his ways are not those of a settled life. But perhaps this news will steady his wild heart.”

Kate’s lips quivered, her exhaustion returning in waves as she slumped back against the hides beneath her. Her hand drifted to her stomach again, resting there as if to ground herself. Memories of a vivid dream, one that had lingered deep in her heart for weeks, re-surfaced. It’s meaning was suddenly clear.

Two heartbeats, one body.

“If only it were that simple,” she murmured, heavy with weariness and hope.

Arthur had made his choices, ones that had led them both to the edge of ruin. She loved him with every fractured piece of her soul, but this—this changed everything. Would the promise of a new life be enough to pull him away from the shadows of his past? Would it finally give him the courage to leave it all behind?

They had barely spoken of the events that had brought them to this point, with Arthur keeping much of their shared losses buried deep. He carried the weight of so many burdens, and though Kate longed to ease his load, the storm of worry and fragile hope in her own heart waged a relentless battle, pulling her in opposing directions.

But this game of tug-o-war on her soul will not stop her child, Arthur Morgan’s child, from growing in her belly.

Kate closed her eyes as warm tears spilled down her cheeks like gentle streams, cradling the fragile hope that had been placed in her hands. Despite the uncertainty that loomed like a shadow in her heart, she could not wait to share the news with Arthur.

“Sleep now, all is well.” White Dove whispered calmly.

In sleep, he sang to her, his voice like a low and steady river, carrying her to places untouched by pain. In dreams, he came to her, his shadow softened by the golden light of a future yet to be written. That voice—gravelly and tender—called to her across the distance, whispering her name like a prayer meant only for her ears.

And as she drifted deeper into slumber, the veil of the present began to lift, revealing a vision of what could be.

A quiet life stretched before her, simple and unshaken. She saw their child, laughter ringing like wind-chimes in the summer breeze, their small hands reaching for the strength and love that only their father could provide.

Arthur held them to his chest, his face softened with peace. With happiness.

The edges of the dream blurred into a warm haze, but its heart remained vivid. A sanctuary where love thrived, untainted by the blood and dust of the paths they had walked. Here, in this fragile hope, she found their burdens were lifted and replaced by the weight of joy.

And so, in dreams, she would find him, not as he was but as he could be—a man reborn by the light of their love, carrying their child toward a future shaped by something greater than fate.

━━━━━༻❁༺━━━━━

Arthur stood where the streams spilled into the river, where two currents became one. The waters laughed over the stones together, twisted through ravines together, and plunged down the cliffs of Donner Falls as one force. From this height, he could see Bacchus Bridge stretching across the horizon, its iron skeleton stark against the sky. And he could hear the mournful wail of a train whistle cutting through the valley below.

Salmon darted through the clear waters, their pink and green bodies a fleeting blur against the clear expanse of blue. They swam downstream, migrating toward the ocean to grow and mature—a journey long and perilous. For a moment, as the clouds reflected on the tumbling surface, it seemed as though the fish swam through the sky itself, weightless and free.

One fish caught his eye, a lone swimmer defying the current. Against the tide of its kind, it fought to return to the place it was born, battling the relentless push of water. Arthur watched as it struggled, its small body twisting with determination, before finally surrendering to the pull of the current. Drifting downstream with the others, pulled ever closer to the unknown. The inevitable.

Like the salmon, it is the same when a man loves a woman. To love her is to fight the current, a struggle both thrilling and exhausting. But when it takes hold, there is no stopping it—no argument strong enough to resist it. Women, like the streams, could be gentle one moment, soothing a man’s spirit, and the next, they could drag him through white water, testing every ounce of his strength.

“Ready to head back, Mr. Morgan?” Rains Fall’s calm voice broke through Arthur’s thoughts. Turning, he saw the elder already mounted on his horse, waiting patiently to return to Wapiti.

Since arriving at the reservation two days prior, Arthur had buried himself in tasks and chores, anything to repay the kindness shown to him and Kate—and anything to keep his mind from wandering to darker places. Hard work left little room for thoughts of the gang, of Dutch and Hosea, of Kate’s worsening illness. Or his own failings, the ones that had led them all here.

Kate had been battling a relentless fever, resting under White Dove’s gentle care. The healer’s hands tended to her every need, offering what comfort she could. That’s why Arthur and Rains Fall were out here, gathering ginseng, yarrow, and sage for her collection of medicinal herbs. Every small effort felt like a desperate attempt to atone for what he did.

Arthur mounted Belle with practiced ease and gave a nod. “Sure,” he said evenly, adjusting the reins. “Lead the way.”

They rode in silence for a while, the sound of the rushing river beside them filling the spaces between hoofbeats. Arthur let his gaze linger on the landscape, but his thoughts were elsewhere, turning like restless leaves in the wind.

“You’ve been awfully quiet these past few days, my friend,” Rains Fall said at last, voice deep and clear. It was less a question and more an observation.

Arthur tightened his grip on the reins, grateful the elder couldn’t see his face. “Just got a lot on my mind,” he replied flatly, though he regretted the curtness of his tone. There was something in Rains Fall’s calm presence that reminded him of Hosea—the patience, the quiet wisdom.

“Forgive me for prying,” Rains Fall continued, undeterred. “But you strike me as a man at war with himself.”

Arthur sighed, knowing it was pointless to hide from someone as attuned to the human spirit as Rains Fall. “I’m not used to things bein’…” He hesitated, searching for the right words. “Out of my control, I guess.”

A soft chuckle reached his ears, rich with the weight of years and understanding. “From the moment you are born, you have no control. You can’t choose your parents any more than you can choose your death—unless you’re desperate enough to end it yourself. The only choices you have are to love someone, to be kind, and to make this brutally short stint on earth as worthwhile as you can.”

Arthur’s gaze dropped to Belle’s mane, his voice forlorn. “I reckon it’s far too late for all that.”

Rains Fall’s words struck a chord deep in Arthur’s heart. His whole life felt like a series of choices made for him, never by him. Lyle had stolen his freedoms before he was old enough to even talk, and Dutch had stripped away any illusion of control—not just in the physical sense, but emotionally too. Arthur had never truly recognized himself, never understood who he was beyond Dutch’s right hand, his sword, and his shield.

Who was he behind the savagery? Behind the bloodshed? Behind the beast of a man he’d become?

Arthur couldn’t fathom what it meant to be a person—he’d never been one. His purpose had always been pain, fear, and weaponry. He wasn’t a man; he was a tool, a pet trained to serve.

And yet, he desired violently. He desired an end to it all, a chance to be better, to become the man Kate saw in him. That vision of himself seemed impossibly distant, but it clawed at him nonetheless, leaving scars on his soul. He wasn’t supposed to need like this, wasn’t supposed to crave someone so deeply it hurt. But he did, and it made him sick.

Because wanting something made you weak. It meant you were at the mercy of something else. And Arthur knew all too well how the world had a cruel habit of leaving him empty-handed.

“You’re caught between the man you’re supposed to be and the man you truly are,” Rains Fall said, calm and understanding, as if he had plucked the words straight from Arthur’s thoughts. “Your wife does not strike me as the kind of woman to be unaware of that fact.”

Arthur let out a small chuckle despite himself. How easily this man seemed to read him and Kate, like the pages of an open book. She’d been trying to guide him to a better path since the day they’d met, steadfast and rooted in her devotion.

“She’s far too good for someone like me,” Arthur admitted, heavy with regret. “I worry ‘bout what’s gonna happen to her—to us,” he corrected himself, “after all this is said and done.” His thoughts wandered to the cold, chilling unknown that loomed ahead.

As they approached the gravelly path leading back to Wapiti, the savory scent of roasting meat mingled with the fresh aroma of herbs, carried on the crisp evening air. The familiar smells grounded him for a moment, but the edge in his chest lingered.

Rains Fall reined in his horse at the threshold, turning to Arthur with a quiet smile that held the wisdom of countless years. “Do not borrow grief from the future, Mr. Morgan. To become spring, one must accept the risk of winter. There will be hurt and hardships, but the wildflowers will always bloom after the thaw.”

Arthur held Rains Fall’s gaze, the words settling in his mind like seeds in fertile soil. He nodded slowly, though the ache in his heart remained. Perhaps, there might still be wildflowers waiting for him after all.

━━━━━༻❁༺━━━━━

Kate was roused from her sleep by the aching growl of her empty stomach, the pangs of hunger sharpened by the tantalizing aroma of meat roasting over an open fire. The scent was rich and smoky, stirring her senses more effectively than any alarm.

She shifted under the warm weight of the animal hide blankets, bracing for the familiar pull of exhaustion to drag her fevered body back down. But to her surprise, she felt a marked difference—her fever had broken, and the rest had returned a measure of strength to her limbs.

White Dove and her gentle assistant, Halona, had cared for her tirelessly. Day and night, they tended to her every need, reading her body’s cues with practiced intuition. Kate had grown fond of the two women, whose quiet kindness eased her discomfort in more ways than one. Their efforts had made the tepee a sanctuary of warmth and healing.

The news of her pregnancy still lingered fresh in her mind, a secret she clutched close to her heart. She’d asked White Dove and Halona not to share it with Arthur, eager to savor the joy of telling him herself when the moment felt right. The women exchanged knowing smiles and readily agreed, leaving Kate to relish the anticipation of sharing her happiness when her body and spirit were ready.

Carefully, she rose from the bed, the lingering weakness in her muscles reminding her to move slowly. Touching the rings against her breast, she rubbed them between her fingers tracing their tiny halos. She slipped on a long tunic that brushed her knees, the soft fabric comforting against her skin. Over it, she wrapped herself in an antelope robe, its heavy warmth almost swallowing her slender frame. Finally, she pulled on a pair of knee high moccasins, their soft leather cool against her feet.

As she stepped outside, the evening air enveloped her. It was crisp and biting, carrying with it the clean, invigorating scent of pine and earth. The sky above was a masterpiece, streaked with hues of pink and blue that filtered through the tall pines, painting the world in serene beauty.

Kate inhaled deeply, letting the chill air fill her lungs, refreshing her after the days spent confined inside. It cleared her mind and steadied her heart. Despite the gnawing hunger in her stomach, her thoughts weren’t on food.

She needed to find Arthur. She missed him terribly, and her heart raced with anticipation. Her secret warmed her like the robe around her shoulders, and she longed for the moment she could share it with him—alone, just the two of them under the vast expanse of the painted sky. The moon and the stars as their only witness.

Kate made her way toward the central fire, where the tribal members gathered to fill their plates and cut portions of meat from the animal roasting over the flames. The savory scent of the meal mixed with the crackling of the fire, creating an atmosphere of warmth and fellowship. Her eyes scanned the group until they landed on a familiar silhouette outlined by the glow of the flames.

A smile tugged at her lips. There he was. Like herself, he was wrapped in animal skins, blending seamlessly with the people around him. A large sheep hide was draped over his broad shoulders like a cloak, the white fur soft and thick, resembling a ball of cotton drifting through the night air. He wore sturdy moccasins similar to hers, their thick soles a perfect defense against the biting chill of Ambarino.

Her gaze caught on his old gambler's hat, now adorned with a new feather charm, its soft plumage swaying gently in the breeze. It was likely a gift from one of the people or something he had traded for during his endless efforts to repay their kindness. The sight of him like this—fitting in so effortlessly—warmed her heart.

Arthur had a way of slipping into their world as though he’d always belonged, like a lonesome buck searching for his herd and finding a place among them.

Beside him stood Eagle Flies, engaged in what appeared to be a lighthearted conversation with her cowboy. As Kate drew closer, the sound of the young man’s laughter reached her, a warm and genuine sound that made her smile grow wider.

Eagle Flies noticed her first. His keen eyes lit with recognition, and a small smile played across his lips. With a subtle nod, he clasped Arthur’s arm in a gesture of brotherhood, one that spoke volumes about the bond they had formed in their time together. Then, without a word, he turned and departed.

Kate placed a hand on his shoulder, and Arthur turned to her, his features lighting with surprise. Without hesitation, he set his plate of meat on the nearest surface and framed her face in his warm, calloused hands.

"My sweet girl," he murmured, his familiar rough timbre washing over her, making her knees weak with adoration. "What’re you doin’ up? You feelin’ alright?"

His questions came rapid-fire as he checked her face and body for any lingering signs of illness, his thumb brushing gently along her pallid cheek. Which was now turning a shade of pink under his gaze. The tenderness in his touch stood in stark contrast to the hardened exterior he usually wore.

“I feel wonderful,” she assured him, carrying a smile she couldn’t suppress. “Better than I’ve felt in weeks.”

She saw a flicker of guilt pass across his handsome face at her choice of words, a shadow of self-reproach he couldn’t quite hide. “Thank you, Arthur.”

“For what, darlin’?” he asked, his hands moving to her waist, pulling her closer. His piercing blue eyes searched hers, as if trying to unravel the depth of her gratitude.

Kate reached up to stroke his rugged cheek, her thumb gliding along the sharp line of his jaw, feeling the roughness of his beard, thick and overdue for a shave. “For bringing me here, for protecting me. For standing by me while I recovered.”

Arthur smiled, that bashful, boyish smile she loved—the one he reserved for moments like these when her praise left him flustered. “I’d do it all again,” he admitted softly. “Though I hope I won’t have to.”

Pulling her into his chest, he sighed, a sound heavy with relief and affection. “Hated seein’ you in pain like that,” he confessed. “Damn sight nearly broke me.”

Kate pressed her face into his chest, mumbling against the warmth of his shirt, “I’m well, Arthur. More than well.” She inhaled deeply, savoring the familiar mix of smoke, pine, and musk that clung to him.

Arthur reached for his abandoned plate and held it out to her. “Think you can try and eat some?”

Kate nodded, accepting the small portion of meat and vegetables with gratitude. As she took her first bite, Arthur filled another plate for himself, sitting beside her by the fire.

For the first time in days, the world felt steady again.

Together, they joined the others, settling onto overturned logs as the flames flickered and danced, casting dark shadows over the gathering. The warmth of the fire fought against the creeping chill of nightfall, and a comfortable silence lingered as plates emptied and bellies filled. The sun had dipped beneath the horizon, leaving the sky painted in deep blues and blacks. Stars began to wink into existence, their light glittering faintly above the treetops.

As the reservation quieted, a soft melody began to rise from the gathered people. One voice turned into two, then three, until a full chorus swelled, singing in their native tongue. The song carried through the air like a living thing, winding between the fire’s glow and the cold night, weaving a tapestry of history and culture.

It felt like the land itself was joining in, harmonizing with the crackle of the flames and the rustling trees. The occasional howl of a wolf, or cry from an elk joining the orchestra in its own language.

Arthur leaned closer to Kate, his breath warm against her cool cheek as he murmured, “Think you can translate what they’re chanting?”

Kate stifled a chuckle, shaking her head. “It’s not chanting, Arthur—they’re singing. And don’t ever let them hear you call it that.”

A grin tugged at his lips. “Fair enough.”

Kate paused, tilting her head to better catch the song. Closing her eyes, her brow furrowed as she picked through the lyrics, trying to parse the Lakota words amidst the many other languages blending together.

“It’s a song about reclaiming identity,” she finally said softly. “About standing together as a community, returning to nature, and rejecting the way society’s trying to change them.”

Arthur nodded thoughtfully, his gaze returning to the fire. He didn’t need to say anything more—his silence held a reverence for the moment, the music wrapping around him as snugly as the sheep-hide cloak draped over his shoulders.

After a moment, Kate began to hum quietly, her voice low and melodic as it slipped seamlessly into their rhythm. She translated the lyrics into English as she sang, her voice soft enough for Arthur’s ears alone. He listened, mesmerized by the emotion in her words, the way they made the distant and unfamiliar feel close and deeply human.

The song, in both languages, seemed to bind them to the world around them—a moment of peace and connection amid the chaos of their lives. For the first time in what felt like forever, Arthur let himself simply be still, soaking in the beauty of the night and the voice of the woman at his side.

I might be more like an animal, than you would have thought at first. Your only conviction was that I would have to choose.

I’ll be running with the animals soon. Always swore by the same remedy, to battle feelings with thought, but lately there’s a change in me. The words don’t really do.

Humans rip open so easily, like paper heads in the rain. I won’t be my own enemy. The skull no longer fools this body.

I’ll be running with the animals soon. Into everlasting now, I’ll unfold mysеlf. Slowly, parts of me.

I’m herе to be more like an animal.

I’m here to fight more like an animal.

I’m here to eat more like an animal.

I’m here to bite more like an animal.

I’m here to move more like an animal.

I’m here to hunt more like an animal.

I’m here to rest more like an animal.

I’m here to play more like an animal.

I’m herе to be more like an animal.

As the singing came to an end, the gathering began to disperse. Hunters, elders, mothers, warriors, and children alike offered their farewells, their voices softer now as they drifted back to the comfort of their lodges. The fire crackled quietly in the stillness, its embers glowing as if reluctant to fade.

Kate and Arthur remained seated on the overturned log, her head resting gently against his broad shoulder. Their fingers intertwined, a silent promise exchanged in the cool night air.

Arthur stared into the flames, his eyes distant and shadowed, lost in thoughts that weighed heavy on his soul. Kate watched him intently, her heart aching for the grief and guilt etched into his face. It was the same expression she had seen during their night in Annesburg, when uncertainty and frustration had driven him to the edge of what any man could bear.

She remembered how she had held him that night, cradling his trembling frame as his soft tears soaked her chest in the silence. She had whispered soothing words until the storm within him subsided, giving way to the steady rhythm of his breathing. But even then, she knew it wasn’t enough. There was still so much he carried, a burden too great for one person alone.

Her free hand glided over her belly, where the first stirrings of life had begun to take root. Over the next nine months, she would be swollen with his child��a little piece of them both, growing steadily within her. The thought of meeting this tiny person, of holding them and nurturing them, filled her with a sense of purpose she hadn’t known she needed.

Kate was certain the news of the baby would ease some of Arthur’s pain, offering him a beacon of hope amid his struggles. She could already imagine the spark it would ignite in him, a reason to fight for something brighter. To become the man she knew he could be—the man their child deserved.

“Ready to turn in, my love?” she asked softly, giving his hand a gentle squeeze to pull him back to the present.

Arthur turned to meet her gaze, his tired blue eyes searching hers for a moment before he nodded silently. “Which lodge is yours?” she asked, glancing across the rows of tepees glowing softly with firelight.

His voice was low, tinged with exhaustion and a rare vulnerability. “Y’sure you wanna stay with me, darlin’? You can still sleep in White Dove’s tent if you’d rather. I won’t be upset.”

Kate raised an eyebrow, looking at him like he’d suggested something completely absurd. “You kiddin’ me? Quit being silly, old man. I want to stay with you.”

A small, tired grin spread across Arthur’s face as he stood from the log with a quiet sigh, extending his hand to her. Kate rose, slipping her arm around his waist, leaning into the warmth of his embrace.

“Besides,” she added with a soft smile, “I always have the sweetest dreams when I sleep next to you.”

Arthur’s grin widened just a touch, and he pressed a tender kiss to the top of her head before leading her toward his lodge. Together, they walked through the quiet encampment, the stars above a silent witness to their love and the promise of a brighter future.

━━━━━༻❁༺━━━━━

Arthur’s lodge sat quietly on the edge of the reservation, a modest sanctuary tucked away from the hum of the reservation. Originally used for storing extra furs, dried meat, and other supplies, it had been generously cleared out by the people to provide him with a warm, sheltered space. Though Arthur had offered to set up his own camp, they insisted he stay somewhere better protected from the cold Ambarino winds.

Holding the flap open, Arthur gestured for Kate to duck inside. She stepped through, marveling at how surprisingly inviting the small space was.

In the center, a humble fire glowed softly, its embers casting a flickering warmth that filled the room. Arthur knelt by the ashes, adding a handful of wood chips and buffalo dung. A skill taught to him by the tribe to revive the flames and keep them burning through the night. As the fire grew stronger, Kate let her eyes wander around the lodge.

Against the canvas walls, crates and boxes were neatly arranged, serving both as storage and structural support. Arthur’s cot lay near the fire, piled high with animal hides that promised warmth on even the coldest nights. His saddlebag, folded and topped with rabbit pelts, served as a makeshift pillow. A few hides draped over smaller crates created a reclined space she imagined he used for writing in his journal late at night.

Kate shrugged off her antelope robe and draped it over the crates, adding to the cozy arrangement. Kneeling on the fur-covered bedroll, she slipped off her moccasins and stretched out on her stomach near the fire. The heat from the flames quickly seeped into her skin, chasing away the chill of the night.

Arthur watched her with a small smile, his gaze soft and full of affection. Tossing his sheep-hide cloak into a corner, he tugged off his moccasins and left them by the entrance. Slowly, he slid off his suspenders, setting them aside with care. His gambler’s hat followed, then his leather shirt, revealing the expanse of sandy hair and gentle lines that contoured his torso. Now dressed in only his trousers, he settled beside her, reclining against the fur-covered crates.

Kate waited until he was comfortable before shuffling forward on her stomach, her head coming to rest in his lap. Her cheek pressed against his firm thigh, and she sighed, feeling more at peace than she had in weeks.

For a long moment, they sat in silence, the crackle of the fire the only sound between them. Their eyes met, the unspoken desire swirling in their shared gaze enough to make her heart race. Arthur’s hand found its way to her head, his fingers slipping through her hair. He began to massage her scalp, untangling knots with a care that belied his rugged exterior.

Kate melted under his touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment before she opened them again, unable to look away from his face. Her fingers moved to his chest, tracing the defined lines of muscle with feather-light strokes. She twirled the coarse hair between her fingertips, letting the texture ground her in the moment.

Neither broke their gaze as their hands explored, gentle and reverent. His thumb brushed against her temple while her palm flattened against his heartbeat, steady and strong beneath her touch. Their connection in the firelit room felt electric yet soothing, a sanctuary of their own making, where words were unnecessary, and their love spoke through every touch.

She suddenly sat up, leaning her weight on her wrist as it rested against the warmth of his thigh. Her lips found him with a desperation that felt like they had never stopped searching for him. Arthur responded in kind, his kiss deepening as his hands roamed over her back, feeling the heat of the flames and pulling her closer, if that was even possible.

As he opened his mouth to let out a shuddering sigh, Kate seized the opportunity, her tongue darting against his, earning a ragged, breathy moan, from the depths of his chest. They explored each other’s mouths as if it was the first time, foreign yet familiar. As if they had been apart for years, and by some miracle, fate had reunited them.

Arthur tugged at her arm, pulling her closer, gripping her thigh with the other hand, urging her to straddle his lap. She didn’t hesitate. His lips trailed down her neck, leaving a fire in their wake. But before the heat could consume her completely, she stopped him with a question that had been burning inside her for days.

“Arthur?” Her voice was soft, trying to steady the rush of emotions that clouded her thoughts, the bliss in her body making her words feel weightless.

“Hmm?” came his low, breathy reply, muffled against the hollow of her neck.

Her hand gently cupped his face, guiding him to look at her. “Why did you call me that…?” She hesitated, but only briefly. “Back when we arrived at the reservation?” Her mind has replayed his words endlessly since then. My wife.

Arthur furrowed his brow in confusion, before the memory clicked. “My wife?”

Kate nodded, her gaze enduring.

A small, sheepish smile tugged at the corners of his lips, flushed red from her kisses. “Oh... I didn’t think you’d remember that,” he stammered, tinged with a nervous tenderness. “I dunno, guess it just felt... right.”

Her heart skipped a beat, the weight of his words sinking in. “Do you think of me as your wife, Arthur?” The question came out more serious than she had intended, but it had to be asked.

He straightened, his gaze locking with hers, no hesitation this time. “I… Yes. Yes, I do see you as my wife.” His voice was steady now, firm. He meant every word of it.

Kate’s eyes widened, the reflection of the fire flickering in her eyes like molten gold. She didn’t speak for a long moment, the gravity of his words settling in her chest. “You really mean that?” Her voice was barely a whisper, but it carried with it a world of emotion, meant only for him. His heart.

Arthur’s hands found her neck, cupping it gently as he wiped away the tears she hadn’t even realized were there. “I do. You’re mine, Kate. Mine and mine alone. I’ll take care of you for the rest of my days, if you’ll have me.” His voice cracked slightly, the vulnerability of the words choking him. He looked away, his emotions threatening to spill out. “I know this isn’t the life I promised you, honey. But I’ll save up, buy you a pretty ring...” He took her hand and rubbed at the empty space where a ring would sit. “I’ll make you my wife, for real.”

Kate smiled through the rush of emotions that swept over her, and her warmth filled his heart in ways nothing this world ever could. Oh, how he adored her. In that moment he wished he were the wind, so he could kiss every inch of her skin and weave through her hair. To carry her scent with him forever. Through this life, and the next.

Her smile faltered for a brief moment, a shadow crossing her features. “And what about the gang? Everything you fought for, everything you helped them build?”

Arthur’s eyes darkened for a moment, as the weight of his past settled back into his chest. The future he had imagined with her could not exist within the chaos of his reputation, the people he had once called family. A deep sigh escaped him, a cold gust slipping in through the cracks of his thoughts, licking at the flames of the inevitable.

The fish fighting against the current, must let go of the past and turn towards the future.

“I’ll still help ‘em while I can,” he began slowly, “but I’ve been thinkin’ a lot about the future… about you.” His gaze softened, locking onto hers like she was the anchor keeping him grounded. “You’re my future, Kate.” His words were sure, steady. “I gotta put you first. If these last two days taught me anything, it’s that I want you far away from all this.” He stressed the final words with a firmness that left no room for doubt. “And we’ll never look back.”

Kate’s smile returned, but her eyes held a flicker of something more. Reaching around her neck, she slipped a silver chain over her head, two gold rings glinting in the firelight as she held them up. Their glow danced between their faces, the light kissing them with a quiet oath.

Arthur’s breath caught in his throat as he recognized the rings—worn and well-loved, relics from his father figure’s hands. His eyes softened, and he swallowed back a sob. “Hosea…” His voice cracked, the memories of his father’s wisdom and love choking him.

“Hosea made me promise to give these to you when the moment felt right.” Kate explained, cupping his palm and letting their gentle weight cradle in his hand as she slipped the chain off.

“Always one step ahead... He knew things were changin’, even before it all fell apart.” Arthur admired the rings, recalling memories of Hosea and Bessie’s devotion.

Kate nodded, her smile tinged with sorrow. “He said you’d know what to do… take me far away, and never look back.” She echoed his words, like a vow that hung between them, delicate and sacred.

Arthur sniffed, trying to keep the emotions at bay. “Christ, I’m gonna miss him.”

Kate’s fingers carefully plucked one of the larger rings from his palm, then gently took his left hand in hers. “I am too, Arthur. But… sometimes things change for the better. My whole world changed when I met you.” She slid the ring onto his finger with quiet reverence.

Arthur watched her with a tenderness that made his heart ache. He kissed her knuckles, his lips soft and full of longing. “Reckon you’ve changed me for the better... and yet…” He hesitated, a familiar doubt creeping in. “Yet I keep making a mess of myself.”

With a free hand, she cupped his cheek, guiding his gaze back to her. “Maybe we just need something worth fighting for.”

Arthur’s laugh was breathless, full of love. “My darling Kate, you’re the reason I fight.”

Her eyes locked onto his, fierce and full of determination. “Perhaps a reason… for both of us.”

As he slid the ring over her finger, past the knuckle, it settled against her skin with a commitment that both felt deep in their souls. And then, softly, like a secret whispered just for them, Kate spoke the words that stole the breath from his lungs.

“I’m pregnant, Arthur.”

The words seemed to echo in the air, a divine truth. To speak them aloud felt like releasing a beautiful secret into the world. The weight of her confession hit him like a wave, and for a moment, all he could do was stare at her, his breath catching in his throat. His pulse thundered in his ears.

“You’re…” The words failed him, as his heart leapt in his chest. Everything suddenly clicked—the protectiveness, the need to shield her. “Oh, my girl…” His voice trembled with emotion, and he pulled her into his arms, clutching her close. “How—how is that possible? I thought—”

Kate’s fingers found his lips, silencing him. “I don’t exactly know how, but I know it’s there. I’ve known for some time, but I just couldn’t let myself believe it was true.” Her forehead pressed against his, and new tears, joyful and free, fell down their cheeks. “I knew our love would bloom into something wonderful.”

In that moment, the world outside ceased to exist. There was only them, and the life they would build together. Arthur cradled her neck gently, pulling her close as they embraced, his thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. A familiar chill of unease crept into his mind, but he banished it before it could take root. Nothing—not fear, not doubt—would steal this moment of joy from him.

And yet, beneath the elation, a quiet resolve began to form. The countdown had already started ticking in the back of his mind. Nine months—no, likely less. He couldn’t let her bring their child into the world while they were still trapped in the chaos of the gang’s life. The decision came as naturally as breathing: he would do whatever it took to make things right and ensure she had a safe place to welcome their baby into the world.

Despite the timing, despite his failures, despite everything, the news of this child—his child—growing within Kate filled him with a hope he hadn’t felt in years. A new purpose ignited within him, fierce and unshakable.

“Kate…” he murmured, his voice raw with wonder and disbelief. His thumb swept across her cheek, brushing away the tears that glistened like firelit jewels. “You’re carrying our child.” The words felt foreign, surreal, almost more of a question than a statement, as if he needed to hear it again to believe it was real.

Kate’s lips curled into a soft, radiant smile, the same smile that had captivated him from the start. “Yes, Arthur,” she whispered, her voice steady and full of love.

“You’re going to be a father again.”

AN: I had SO much fun writing this chapter, everything from Eagle Flies and Rains Fall to Kate's pregnancy reveal. Ugh I just love them so much and it was so nice to finally get the secret out there. There are a lot of emotions going on between them right now and I want to be able to explore that in more intimacy. This chapter would've been over 20k words if I included the sex scene I initially wrote...but like I said before it will be in its own chapter! This gives me more time to tinker with it, as well as add to it without worrying abt the WC.

Thank you all so much for the support, and for reading this work that has become something so dear to me. I love all of you, and endlessly appreciate all the love and comments and feedback! 💗💗💗

#arthur morgan #rdr2 #red dead redemption 2 #ao3 fanfic #rdr2 fanfic #arthur morgan x reader #arthur morgan x original female character #red dead fandom #arthur morgan x oc #ao3

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dovesdreaming · 10 months ago

Text

Storm of the Heart

Summary: reader has always had a fascination with the weather so when Kate offers her a chance to chase a tornado she says yes.

Request

Masterlist

Warnings: none

The van rumbled along the cracked highway, cutting through the vast, open plains of the Midwest. The sky above was an ominous, swirling gray, the kind of sky that hinted at the untamed forces of nature brewing just out of sight. Kate Carter's hands were steady on the wheel, her eyes scanning the horizon, looking at the dark churning mass of clouds looming above.

You sat in the passenger seat, your eyes glued to the ominous sky. You had always been fascinated by the weather, its unpredictability, its raw power, the way it could shift from serene to deadly in a matter of minutes. But your fascination had always been a distant one, confined to documentaries and late-night internet rabbit holes. You never imagined you'd actually be out here, chasing storms with a professional crew.

“I still can't believe you said yes” Kate said, glancing over at you with a grin. “Neither can I” you admitted, your voice tinged with excitement and a hint of nerves. "I mean, I'm not even remotely qualified for this”. “Nonsense” Kate replied, her tone reassuring. "You've got the most important qualification,,curiosity. Besides, I've seen the way you light up when you talk about storms. You belong out here”. You felt a warmth spread through your chest at her words. Kate was the real deal, an experienced storm chaser who had seen some of the most extreme weather events up close.

Kate smiled at you, a soft, affectionate look that made your pulse quicken for a different reason. "How you holding up?" she asked, her voice a soothing counterpoint to the chaos of the storm brewing ahead. “I'm good” you replied, squeezing her free hand. "Just... still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I'm actually out here with you, chasing a tornado”. Kate chuckled, her thumb brushing over your knuckles. "You’re going to love it”. Your eyes locked on hers for a moment before returning to the stormy sky. "I never thought I'd be the kind of person who does this, who actually goes out and chases storms. But you... you make it all make sense”.

Kate's smile softened into something deeper, more intimate. "You make it make sense for me, too” she said quietly. "I’ve been doing this for years, and I’ve never felt as alive as I do now, with you beside me”.

You leaned over and pressed a kiss to her cheek, feeling her warmth beneath your lips despite the chill in the air. It was moments like these, in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by the raw power of nature, that made you realize how lucky you were. Not just to experience this with Kate, but to experience her, her passion, her drive, her love.

As the van moved further into the storm’s path, the sky grew darker, the clouds swirling with an intensity that sent shivers down your spine. You watched in awe as Kate expertly guided the vehicle off the highway and onto a dirt road that seemed to lead straight into the heart of the tempest. The rest of the crew was busy in the back, checking their equipment and monitoring the storm’s data. But your focus was solely on Kate and the storm ahead. The wind had picked up, rattling the van as it plowed through the dust kicked up from the road. The tension in the air was palpable, like the moment before a first kiss, electric, charged, full of potential.

“We’re close” Kate murmured, her eyes narrowing as she read the sky. She always spoke to the storm as if it were an old friend, one she knew intimately but still respected. "You see that?" She pointed ahead, where the clouds were beginning to funnel downward, the first signs of a tornado forming. Your breath caught in your throat as you watched the clouds swirl and twist, a dark, menacing force taking shape before your eyes. "It's incredible” you whispered, unable to look away. “It is" Kate agreed, her voice filled with awe. "Every single time”.

The van came to a stop, and the crew piled out, springing into action. Kate stayed close to you, her hand finding yours and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Stay with me” she said, her tone serious now. "It’s going to get intense”. You nodded, feeling the weight of the moment. This wasn’t just another thrill, it was real, and it was dangerous. But you weren’t afraid. Not with Kate by your side.

The wind roared around you as you stepped out of the van, the air thick with the scent of rain and earth. The tornado was forming rapidly now, a dark, twisting funnel reaching down from the heavens to touch the ground. It was both terrifying and beautiful, a force of nature that demanded respect. Kate kept her arm around your waist, anchoring you to her as the storm drew closer. "Remember” she said, her voice steady despite the chaos, "we’re here to witness, to understand. And we’re doing it together”.

Together. That word resonated deep within you, grounding you as the wind whipped around you, threatening to pull you into the storm’s grasp. You held onto Kate, feeling the strength in her, the steadiness that had always drawn you to her.

The tornado touched down, a beast of wind and debris, and the ground shook beneath your feet. You felt the raw power of it, the way it seemed to command the very earth to bend to its will. Yet, even in the face of such fury, you felt safe. Safe because Kate was there, guiding you through the storm, both literally and figuratively. As the tornado roared and moved across the plains, you clung to Kate, your heart racing, not just from the fear of the storm but from the intensity of your love for her. This was your life now, a life you never imagined, but one that felt more right than anything ever had.

Finally, the storm began to move away, the tornado slowly dissolving back into the clouds from which it came. The crew began to pack up, their voices filled with the buzz of a successful chase. But you and Kate stayed still for a moment longer, watching the storm retreat. This wasn’t just a fleeting fascination anymore, it was a passion, a calling. The thrill of the chase, the beauty and danger of the storm, the camaraderie of the crew, it all felt right, like you were exactly where you were meant to be.

This was chaos, but it was also life at its most raw and unfiltered. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once. Kate turned to you, a wide grin on her face. “So, what do you think?" she asked. You looked at her, then back at the sky, and smiled. "I think I just found my new obsession”.

Everyone had finished packing up and had started to pile back into their cars but the rush of energy and life you had gotten made life seem to short to waste moments, especially ones like this.

You turned to Kate, your eyes meeting hers, both of you breathless and exhilarated. "I love you” you said, the words slipping out easily, naturally, as if the storm had ripped away all your pretenses and left only the truth. Kates face lit up, her eyes shining with the same intensity that had drawn you to her from the start. "I love you too” she replied, pulling you close for a kiss that was just as fierce and passionate as the storm you had just faced together. As you held each other in the fading light of the storm, you knew that this was just the beginning. You had found your place in the world, not just beside Kate, but within the wild, unpredictable life you were building together. Storms would come and go, but you had found your calm within the chaos, Kate, your anchor, your love, your partner in every adventure that lay ahead. And as the clouds cleared and the sky began to brighten once more, you knew that, no matter what, you would always chase the storm together.

Thank you for reading 🫶

#blog #fanfiction #fandom #x reader #x you #x y/n #twisters fanfic #twisters x reader #twisters movie #twisters #kate carter fanfic #kate carter x reader #kate carter

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socially-awkward-skeleton · 6 days ago

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WIP Wednesday

tagged by @voidika Thank you so much <3 <3 I'm still struggling to write much, and work on chapter 4 of "My Head is Bloody, But Unbowed" has ground to a halt lately. So have a scrap of some comfort meant for chapter 6 after the angst to come in chapter 5.

John's heart thuds as he steps off the helo, the blades whirring above his head, boonie hat fluttering about his ears. Focus driven, his heavy boots march one foot in front of the other. No hesitation. Purposeful. Tunnel vision sets in, everything else blurred, blanked out until all he sees is her standing there, waiting for him.

Unkempt waves flutter around her chin in the breeze stirred up by the chopper, a soft grin curling her lips meant just for him. Her blood shot eyes sparkle in the waning light of the evening, surrounded by the shade of the rocky crags of mountain tops.

Alive.

His mouth, drawn in a grim line, parts to let out a long, slow breath of relief. Warmth, the likes of which he only ever seems to feel in her presence, floods his system. The raw ache that had overtaken him earlier swept away by the sight of her peeling away from the hangar and coming to meet him halfway.

Sliding his rifle strap along his chest, he put his weapon aside, letting the weight hang from his back — he doesn't want a single thing getting between them. Paved ground is devoured by the length of his strides. In an instant, with one arm clamped around the span of her lower back, he lifts her up off her feet and tucks her safely against his chest. Held in the protective circle of his embrace, one she fits perfectly into.

His first instinct isn't to kiss her during this quiet reunion, as much as his lips already tremble at the mere thought of crashing against hers, of tasting her sweetness once more. Instead, he nuzzles into her neck. Breathes her in, fills his lungs with her. Lungs that starved for oxygen at the thought she might have been gone, that his hands might never hold her again. Crushing her against him, he buries his face in her hair, into the crook of sensitive flesh that curves into her shoulder. Her body heat seeps into him, sinking into his bones, warming the marrow, the blood, chasing away the icy tendrils that chilled him to his core.

She's soft, so fucking soft. But most of all, she's real. Her heartbeat melding with his is all the proof of that he needs.

"Don't you ever fuckin' do that t' me again," he rumbles against her in a low, husky rasp. "Y' hear me?"

Arms coiling tightly around his neck, her hands cradle the back of his head, fingers delving into the hair at his nape as she massages the tension away from him. She's not a specter, a distant dream of hope that he clung to on the journey. She's here. His Rory. A little worse for wear and smelling like Nik's shampoo and body wash, but she's no figment of the imagination.

"I hear you," she says, nestling her cheek against him, lavishing herself in the rasp of his beard against her.

He knows he's drawing the looks of his men, of Kate, and of Nik. People who all have only ever seen him under control, the man with all the answers, capable and unbreakable. Yet he's been brought to his knees with the force of his own fear and the only safety net is the one currently held in his arms. Caught. Ensnared by her. Lowering her to the ground, his large hands cup her face, engulfing that angel-like appearance in his grip before he finally gives his mouth the gift it has been craving. His lips meeting hers in what starts as something gentle, a brush of longing, before it quickly grows, evolving into gripping hands and breathless motions of flesh upon flesh.

When they part, he meets her gaze. In his stormy depths a hint of the fear, the haunting thought of being without her still clings on. A lasting reminder of how tenuous things were when their lives were on the line. His thumbs stroke over the peaks of her cheekbones, brushing against them repeatedly in a motion he's not sure whether meant to calm her or himself. "I thought I'd lost you," he says, voice hoarse, thick with the hard lump of genuine terror that had lodged itself in his throat.

"Not so easy to get rid of me," she murmurs. "You know that." Her hazel depths are glassy, reddened from her contact with the gas and the tears that well there. A half-hearted little smirk forming at the corners of her lips as she tries to smile to break the tension.

np tagging: @elligatorrex @taciturntraveller @cloudofbutterflies92 @raresvtm @clicheantagonist @statichvm @strangefable @direwombat @josephseedismyfather @g0dspeeed @roofgeese @la-grosse-patate @inafieldofdaisies @d-esmond @lasersinthejungle

#wip wednesday #skelly writes #fic: my head is bloodied but unbowed #ship: you are the sword to my shield #oc: rory sinclair

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snapghoul · 10 months ago

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Wait how do Tyler and Jake apologize also I kinda feel bad for Bradly having to witness a sibling fight

Bradley is going through it, poor guy, he thought this leave was going to be chill and relaxing. Not being dragged across Oklahoma chasing storms and especially not a near family blow up. This is 100% what Kate and Bradley looked like standing in the drive:

And here’s how the twins made up ☺️

Warning: discussion of near death.

Jake’s anger flared again when he heard his twin brother Tyler’s footsteps on the wooden porch, but he refused to turn away from the expansive cornfield that stretched before him. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the field, and the stillness of the moment only amplified Jake’s fury.

“Look… Jake… I didn’t tell you because…” Tyler’s voice was strained, and he stumbled over his words. Jake remained silent, his jaw clenched as he stared at the horizon, fighting the storm of emotions inside him.

Tyler took a deep breath and stepped closer, his boots crunching on the gravel path. “You know I wouldn’t lie to you if I could help it. I wasn’t trying to keep things from you. It’s just—”

“Just what?” Jake snapped, his voice cutting through the twilight air. “You almost died, Tyler. That’s not something you just gloss over. You said you were fine, that you weren’t even close to El Reno. But I heard the truth from Kate. You should have told me.”

Tyler’s face fell, his shoulders slumping as if the weight of Jake’s anger was too much to bear. “I didn’t want to worry you. You’ve been through enough with your own deployments and—”

“Don’t you dare make this about me,” Jake interrupted, turning to face his twin, he wasn’t letting that happen again. His eyes were blazing, reflecting a mix of hurt and frustration. “This isn’t about me. It’s about you almost dying and me not knowing. You kept me in the dark.”

Tyler clenched his jaw, struggling to keep his own anger in check as Jake cut him off again. He took a deep breath, forcing his eyes to soften as he fought to stay calm.

“I didn’t want to drag you into my mess,” Tyler said, his voice measured and steady. “You deal with so much already, and I know how much you worry about everything, even if you try to cover it up.”

Jake’s anger wavered slightly as he listened, the truth in Tyler’s words seeping through his frustration. Tyler continued, “I thought if I kept this from you, I’d spare you some of that weight. I was wrong. I should have trusted you to handle it, that Ma and Dad could too. But it wasn’t about not trusting you—it was about not wanting to add to your burden.”

Jake’s expression shifted from anger to something softer, the hurt in his eyes mingling with a reluctant understanding. “Tyler, we’re supposed to share everything. If you’re in trouble, I need to know. And your problems are not a burden, never will be.”

Tyler’s shoulders relaxed as he absorbed Jake’s words, a flicker of relief crossing his face. “I guess I was so focused on protecting you that I forgot we’re in this together. I didn’t want to make things harder for you.”

Jake nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. “We face it all together, no matter how tough it gets. That’s what family’s for. You’re my twin. We handle everything as a team.”

Tyler snorted softly, and Jake cringed at his own sentiment. “God, that was cheesy.”

Tyler stepped closer, his face softening, and he reached out, pulling Jake into a hug. Jake felt the reassuring warmth of his brother’s embrace and wrapped his arms around him, holding on tightly.

“I should apologize to Rooster. I think we scared the poor guy,” Tyler said, his voice muffled against Jake’s shoulder.

Jake laughed softly. “He’s fine. Trust me, he came tracking me down afterward and talked some sense into me.”

#seresin twins #tyler owens #jake hangman seresin #twisters movie #top gun maverick #twisters #glen powell #glen powell tyler owens #bradley rooster bradshaw #kate carter #daisy edgar jones kate carter #top gun hangman #snapsasks

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aliodale · 2 months ago

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B.A.'s relationship with the characters and what she thinks about them

(part 1?)

•|Homicidal Liu

-"He's my cousin. He is pretty chill and friendly towards me. But his alter egos irritate me. Sully? Yeah. Don't like that one. Lane? Don't even get me started about that too. One look and we fight like a cat and a dog. I don't get why he always wants to throw his hands at me. But overall. He's a great brother figure to me. I meant Liu, not his alter egos."

•|Jeff The Killer

-"He is also my cousin. He gets on my nerves but there's nothing I can do about it. His personality is what makes him. Him. I love his sassy side, something about it makes me crackle up like a kid. This idiot has a lot of potential in him."

•|Eyeless Jack

-"He's my acquaintance. He's resourceful and friendly. We're both quiet but he always approaches me first to talk about my day. It is odd why he's being friendly towards me. But. I guess that's just his personality. Although.. there's something in my chest that feels.. fuzzy. Because of him. But I'm pretty sure it's not some romantic feelings. I have never experienced romantic feelings ever since I was a child so I don't know how that feels."

•|Kate The Chaser

-"She's my 'friend'. I like Kate. She's not talkative or anything but I love her silence. I prefer people like her. She also runs very fast. Before when she didn't know me yet, she chased me all around the building where she stayed. The ending? Bad. She almost choked me to death. I kinda liked it tho- but! I'm not a masochist or anything. I hate pain. But for some reason, I kinda liked it when she hurt me. Probably cause I trust her enough to not actually kill me even though I just met her before."

•|Nina The Killer

-"According to her, She is my 'bestie'. When I first met her, I had this deep hatred towards her since she wouldn't stop bugging the others and give them some space. But one day, she suddenly approached me and talked to me all day like we were 'friends' which was weird since it was the first time I saw her. I wanted to smash her head against the floor, but I decided to stick around and listen to her talk about her day. Then, after that, she now always comes to me if she has time to just tell me about her day or whatever. She told me about her story and I was dumbfounded. She did all of that for.. my cousin?! Holy moly. I never thought he could pull divas like Nina. Gosh. I wonder how many more divas he pulled. I also admire her for her passion and dedication as I spend more time with her and understand who she is. And NO. I do not have feelings for her."

•|Ticci Toby

-"He's a good friend. I like his hatchets; they're both pretty deadly, like him. That guy has some screws loose and I vibe with it. Although I don't talk to him much, he pretty much always starts the convo early in the morning. He's probably the first person in the morning to yell good morning to you if he gets attached to you."

•|X-Virus/Cody

-"He's also a good friend. This guy almost killed me with the virus in a clear glass cup he put inside the fridge without any labels. Which was a mistake on his part considering it looked like orange juice. But it's also my fault for drinking it. He also helps me with stuff like killing someone with his viruses."

•|Sally

-"...No child like her should experience that tragedy that her uncle- no. That disgusting thing did to her. She's a sweet child. Fun. Bubbly. She.. is not fitted to be surrounded by criminals.. like us. I mean. She's as bad as we are, but she kills people who are crazy and needy for a 'child' or, in other words, 'Pedophiles'. Her actions are justified. Even Judge Angels takes her side of the story. Everyone loves her. She's like our little sister in the mansion."

•|Clockwork

-"Badass. I like her. But damn how did Toby pull HER before?? No offense, Tobs. But I can see she's in good hands with someone...thanks, self" *winks* "Nah, I'm joking. I don't understand 'feelings'. BUT! I do admire her. She's cool. I'm lucky to be her acquaintance."

•|Laughing Jack

-"I don't know what our relationship is. And I plan to never address what's our relationship for the rest of my life. This clown IRRITATES me. Period."

•|Laughing Jill

-"Mhm.. Meh. Good enough I guess. But she irritates me a little. Just like that male clown bastard."

•|Operator/Slenderman

-"Tall, skinny, no face. Lurks in the forest. Yep. Definitely a tree. A tall wonderful tree. Just kidding- He's always busy with his day. I'll never talk with him unless he commands me stuff. But I do feel him watching our every movement. I can always feel him.. stalking us. But I think it's just my imaginations."

#creepypasta #bloody angel #creepypasta oc #jeff the killer #sally williams #kate the chaser #homicidal liu #ticci toby #nina the killer #eyeless jack #operator #slenderman #x virus #clockwork #laughing jack #laughing jill

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m0nsterqzzz · 1 year ago

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is it possible for a Carol Danvers x reader where Reader is a new caretaker of the baby flerkens/kittens and sometimes asks Carol tips since she looks after Goose while this is happening Kamala ships it and asks Kate to help her ship set sail and the two of them tries to be like spies like the Black Widow siblings but fails and in the end Carol has the guts to asks reader out but Kamala and Kate has to do training about stealth as punishment?

this is so cuteeee ahhh

love the flerkens with all my heart so i'm so excited to write this <3

it'll actually be the first carol oneshot i've posted!! (despite writing hundreds and hating all of them lol) so thank you for requesting bestie <3333

sorry it took so long but here you go :)

pairing: Carol Danvers x gn reader

summary: taking care of baby flerkens is scary. That's for sure. But would such a positive outcome of getting a date with a pretty superhero be enough to make you stay?

a/n: love the ask, hate my writing. just like always.

carol is wifey tho so we chill.

You wouldn’t exactly say your job is superhero important, but taking care of thirty kittens who can open up their mouths and swallow you whole at any second has its own set of risks.

It started with you going to visit the vet place you used to work at as a doctor before leaving to pursue other interests. You’re still close friends with the rest of the vet’s there, so you go and visit when you have time. While you were there, your friend Maggie had been telling you about some girl that came in with thirty cats, which surprisingly, has been seen before. That wasn't why this lady was remembered in the office so well. It was because the kittens kept eating workers, just to spit them back up perfectly fine- well maybe a little bit covered in saliva- about an hour later.

When Maggie described the woman, an older blonde woman that had manners, was accompanied by two young girls that wouldn't stop getting on her nerves, and had fists that glowed when one of the girls accidentally ate a dog treat that was shaped like a cupcake. The woman's name was Carol Danvers- a superhero you and millions of other people were familiar with- and her friends, Kamala Khan and Kate Bishop.

Fun day for the office, and you could only say you wish you’d been there to see it. The smirk on your friend's face was one you see quite often, one she only has when she’s planning something.

So that day, you left the vet building with a piece of paper in hand, one that had a messily scribbled out phone number. Carol’s number. She’s looking for someone to take care of the flerken kittens while she's at work, and she was so happy to hear back from someone that she hired you without even asking to see your credentials.

That's how you find yourself here, chasing around one of the kittens with a treat in hand. Kamala, the sweetest angel, was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and now she’s in the wrong place. I.E, one of the kittens' stomachs. As Carol explained it, whatever goes in their mouths aren't technically in their stomachs, just in a pocket of time and space that starts in their stomachs. At least, that's what you thought she said. You were too busy watching the way her arm muscles flexed in the tank top she was wearing while she was hammering a nail to connect parts of the giant bed she’s building for the kittens.

Suddenly, as you get into the kitchen with the cat still several feet in front of you, somebody chuckles and leans down to catch the meowing animal before it can escape again. It’s Carol, dressed in her usual attire of slightly baggy jeans, an old band t-shirt and converse.

She holds the cat up but it’s armpits, facing him away from her and in the opposite direction of you before she says, “give her back.” That’s all it takes, and then the kitten opens it’s mouth and spits out Kamala.

You’re barely paying attention to the girl gasping for air on the floor though, instead you’re watching Carol's cute smile as she nuzzles the cat and then sets him back on the ground. “How’ you do that?” You start, trying to get your breathing back to normal. “I’ve been trying to catch him for like an hour.”

“Yeah, that was a really long time!” Kamala chimes in, but neither you nor Carol are listening.

“I learned from Goose that if you show disappointment in your voice, they’ll let ‘em go. Weird, but effective.” The blonde says before she goes back to cooking. “I’m making lunch. You want some, honey?

You find yourself turning crimson at the nickname, about to say no thank you before suddenly Carol is speaking again, panic in her voice. “I mean do you want honey! In the tea! That I haven’t made yet. Not you honey! This honey!” She holds up a honey container shaped like a bear to prove her point.

Kamala smirks, awkwardly winking at Carol and mouthing the word, “Smooth!” before the superhero finally just shoves her out of the room.

You sigh, nodding your head before grabbing the baby flerken and making your way out of the room. It’s obvious she doesn’t feel the same way and you shouldn’t be surprised. Why would a superhero like her fall for…you?

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Carol Danvers is madly in love with you.

You don’t know that, of course. But she is.

It’s why she’s here, panicking in the kitchen after accidentally calling you a nickname. Someone snickers behind her, and without missing a beat, she throws a rag towards Kamala’s head. “Shut up. That sucked! What is wrong with me? The blonde pleads, and Kamala’s eyes soften even though her tone is still teasing as she says in a sing-songy voice, “You like them.”

“No shit sherlock. Of course I like them. Have you seen their smile? And the little laugh they do whenever one of the flerkens eat something? Or-”

She’s cut off by Kate barling into the kitchen, Goose in her arms and training suit on. “What’s going on?”

“Carol’s telling us about her crush on the flerkins caretaker.”

“Ooooo! Are you gonna ask them out?”

“Can you two shut up?”

“No. I totally ship you guys!”

“Fine. How about this, if you don’t shut up and let me handle this, I’ll make you do 48 extra hours of training over the course of the next two weeks. That's almost two extra hours a day.”

They shut up.

It’s not like she doesn’t want to go out with you. That would be amazing. But she hasn’t had a relationship in years. Well, there was that little situationship with Valkyrie but we don’t talk about that!

Point is, she doesn’t know all the proper dating etiquette nowadays. Should she take you to dinner and a movie? Ask your kin if it’s okay? Recite poetry?

The two younger girls notice her spiral as she leaves the kitchen, making them feel sorry for their friend. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Kate asks with a smile.

Kamala is silent for a minute before she says, “We should go to the store and get Goose to steal ice cream sandwiches for us because we’re poor?”

“Later. Right now, I think we need to help Carol get a date.”

“I don’t know about this Kate. It’s clear she doesn’t want our help.”

“Wow. Since when did Kamala Khan not want to meddle? It’s like your favorite activity.”

The young girl sighs, petting Goose before she says, “You’re right. Carol needs our help and it’s going to take serious meddling.”

So, with that idea in mind, they come up with a plan. As superheroes, their main job is keeping people out of danger. It’s what Carol also does on a daily basis. If they can put you in a dangerous situation, Carol can swoop in and save you.

It’s why they went to the store and got 2 pounds of butter, melting it over the stove before dumping it all over the living room floor.

Just because they’re superheroes doesn’t mean they’re smart.

Then, they hide behind the kitchen counter, heads peeking over the side that makes it obvious it’s them.

You open the front door, back from your lunch as you call out for the baby flerkens. You stop in your tracks when you see the butter, eyes darting around the house as you call out, “Carol?”

She comes running in, successfully slipping in the butter before you can catch her. Kamala and Kate gasp from their hiding spot, hiding their heads again when Carol narrows her eyes towards them.

“Are you okay? Do you need help?” You say, but she just shakes her head with a grimace. “No. I’m fine. Go on. The kittens are in my room.” With a hesitant nod, you walk around the pool of butter with your crush smack dab in the middle of it, then into the hallway and towards her room.

Carol takes a deep breath while closing her eyes, deciding to lay in shame and butter. Kamala and Kate quietly get up from their hiding spot, taking her moment of silence to escape this situation. “Three hours of extra stealth training tomorrow. A punishment for this and because I don’t know how the hell you two become superheroes. And please….for the love of god….clean up the fucking butter.” The blonde mumbles with her eyes closed, the younger girls grabbing each other's arms as they hold in a groan and continue trying to sneak out despite the fact they’ve already been caught.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

After a quick trip to the grocery store for ice cream, Kamala and Kate spend all night watching movies, eating, and coming up with a new plan to make their ship sail.

Carols a good cook, having had to learn how when she got tired of eating packaged space food on her ship. You don't get home cooked meals a lot, so maybe they can invite you over for a dinner so that you and Carol can have more time to talk about things that aren't work related.

You easily accept their invitation with the idea that Carol knows you'll be there, so its a bit upsetting when you show up and she frowns in confusion. "Hey. Did you forget something?" Carol questions when she opens the front door to see you.

"Um....no. Kamala and Kate invited me for dinner? I figured you knew." You say with a frown of confusion, and she lets out an annoyed sigh that for a second your kinda scared is pointed towards you until she yells, "Kate! Kamala!

They jump up from behind the couch, the nervousness clear in their eyes. "Oh hey Carol. We were just hanging out."

"Behind the couch?"

"Yup. This is our....meeting spot. How'd you not know that?"

The blonde stares at them for a minute before she snickers. "That's another hour of stealth training. Leave the spy stuff to Yelena and Nat from now on girls." You’re still confused about what's happening, but in the end just decide to leave it be and come inside with the dessert you brought.

Carol follows you into the kitchen, thanking you for the treats with a bright smile. “I already ate, and I have to do some repairs on my ship, but I’ll see you tomorrow alright?” With that, she leaves, once again squashing any hope you ever had of starting a relationship with her.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

The next day, you show up at the house to take care of the flerkens like usual though something feels off. The air is more tense, and there’s not laughing going on from some dumb joke Kamala told like there would usually be. It’s always been such a fun, energetic home. Right now though, you feel like you’re in a library and have to stay quiet so a 100 year old librarian doesn’t come and tell you to shut up.

After a awkward run in with Carol in the hallway while you’re on your way to the flerkens room and she’s on her way to make breakfast before leaving packing her bags for the week long job she has to go on in space, she walks into the kitchen were Kamala and Kate are sitting at opposite ends of the table. They’re on their phones, both texting someone.

They’re texting each other about a new plan, but Carol doesn’t need to know that.

“What’s this?” They finally look up from their phones when the blonde speaks, her tone bitter and confused as she holds up a takeaway coffee cup with someone's phone number scribbled messily on it. It’s not her phone number, and it’s not one of the girl’s ethier.

“I don’t know. It’s something your little crush brought in. Said something about the girl behind the counter at the coffee place hitting on them.” Kamala chuckles, fighting the urge to roll her eyes when Kate begins to hit her arm repeatedly.

The archer takes a moment to compose herself before she says in the most casual voice she can muster, “Seems like you missed your chance.”

Carol’s eyes finally move away from the cup to look at her younger friend with wide eyes. “You really think so?” Kamala smiles knowingly and hums. “Yup. I do.”

You come into the kitchen with a flerken in your arms right at that moment, not exactly reading the room as you grab the cup from Carol’s hand and smile. “Thanks captain. I was looking for that.”

You begin to make your way out of the room, but she gently grabs ahold of your wrist before you can so you turn around to face her. She’s nervous, you can tell that by the way her hand absentmindedly draws stars on the counter and she uses her other hand to tap the beat of the Star Wars theme song against her thigh.

“You okay Carol?” You ask with a small chuckle, reaching over to put your hand over the one drawing stars which only seems to make her more nervous.

Kate coughs then whispers, “Chicken.” Carol narrows her eyes at the giggling pair at the table, point towards the entryway to the kitchen. “Out.”

They grumble something about her being a big baby as they leave, but you have a feeling they don’t get very far.

“So I was thinking.” She starts.

You snicker before saying, “That’s never good.”

She groans, playfully shoving you away. The joking helps to ease her nerves a little, and she can finally look you in the eyes as she speaks. “I was thinking….that if you’re free, and you want to, we can maybe….go out to dinner together? Like more than friends? Only if you want to though! I totally understand if you don’t want to and I guess this might have been a little too-” Your laughter cuts her off, but it doesn't help her nerves.

“What's so funny?” She tries to awkwardly giggle as well.

One look at her face is all you need to go silent.

“You’re not kidding?” The question comes out as more of a whisper. Her stomach churns as she shrugs. “Not really.”

You think about it for a minute before asking, “You like me?”

“I really, really like you. But it’s okay if you don’t feel the same way. I totally understand.”

She watches as a small smile forms on your face, then changes to a cheshire cat grin. “I….I would love to go out to dinner with you Carol. Because I really, really, really like you too.” With that, you pull her into one of the tightest hugs she's ever gotten, her arms hesitantly wrapping around your waist to bring you even closer.

You guys stand there in silence for a few seconds, just enjoying each other's embrace before she suddenly calls out and is followed by loud groans and your laughter, “Girls, I know you’re in the hallway. That’s five hours of stealth training. Really, how have you guys saved cities?"

bonus:

Carol: And me? Oh, I'm 60 years old.

Kate and kamala: damn!

Carol: ……

Kate and kamala: ……we’re sorry.

#carol danvers x reader #carol danvers #kamala khan #kate bishop #carol danvers x you #flerkens

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