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toracainz · 8 months

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Driver Picks the Music, Shotgun Shuts Their Cakehole

Masterlist

Summary: You and Jake decide to go on a road trip.

Warnings: Inaccurate depictions of DID (only knowledge from the show and some light research). Swearing. Established relationships. Spoilers for Case 63. References to the boys past trauma with water. Mild miscommunication. Verbal conflict due to frustration.

Word count: 4.1k

A/N: I am not fluent by any means in Spanish so if there is anything incorrect please let me know.

A/N: beta read by the wonderful @luvpedropascal and another friend that doesn’t have a tumblr lol.

A/N: this was for a fic exchange for the anniversary of Moon Knight, but as you can see I'm kind of late lol oh well! hope you enjoy!

Translations:

Mira, amor. = Look, love. Corazón = heart Mi tesoro, ¿qué pasa? = My treasure, what’s up? Cariño = Dear Dios, ¿eso es todo? = God, is that all? Lo lamento…realmente. = I’m sorry…really. Amor = love mierda = fuck Se lo juro. = I swear it. Nuestro amor. Nuestro sol. Nuestro corazón. = Our love. Our sun, our heart. luz de mi vida = light of my life

The eerie music of the podcast played in the background as the characters spoke. A man, who was apparently a doctor, talking (though he sounded just like the patient from the earlier part of the podcast) with the confused woman, a doctor herself…from the future?

“Let’s see, ‘Case 63’. It says your name is Eliza Beatrix Knight. You were admitted at 7:22 p.m. on November 24th. You were found naked at JFK airport in one of the bathrooms in Terminal 8 with paranoid ideations and confusion. You told a curious story about the end of the world in the future—“

“But the—the future??” She definitely sounded confused and a bit distressed.

“Yes, the future.” The doctor answered.

“Oh…wait. Wait. Okay. Wh—what year is it now?”

“You don’t know what year it is?”

“What year is it?” The woman repeated, a little agitated.

“It’s 2012, Ms. Knight.”

The only sound, other than the credits of the podcast, was the droning of wheels on pavement as you and Jake headed down the road. You had nearly begged Jake to listen to the podcast after you got back on the road from the last stop. You looked over to Jake, smirking as you studied his stoic, contemplative look. He suddenly let out a huff of a laugh, shifting in the driver's seat a bit.

“What?” you asked him, a little unsure of what to make of his reaction.

“That’s like…2 hours of my life I’ll never get back.”

“What?! Oh come on, you can’t be serious. That was a good show!” You insisted, mock offense on your face (though not entirely mocked).

“Mira, amor. It was…interesting, but just not my kinda thing. I mean, the guy was just bullshitting the whole time.” He shrugged, keeping hold of the steering wheel, his other elbow propped on the ledge of the window.

“Bullshitting??? Ugh, whatever. Putting it back on your old man music. Keep listening to this and I’ll have to put you in a home soon.” You teased as you reopened the music app and started his playlist. Frank Sinatra came to life in the speakers.

“‘Old man music’? These songs are classics and timeless. So are the dance moves.” He smirked glancing over at you, seeing your pout fighting off a grin. “I know you like it when I dance with you, corazón. Don’t hear you complaining then.”

“Because I have you to distract me from it.” Looking at the map on your phone, you tried to see how much further until the next stop.

You and Jake had been planning this trip for a while, just you, him, and the open road. The only thing that wasn’t accounted for, though, was Jake’s determination to pick the music, the snacks, and the places to stop. It wasn’t too obvious at first, especially when he was pointing out some pretty fun locations to go to, but it seemed like any time you made a suggestion, he would try and convince you to do something else. It was cute, with a bit of poking and some laughs about Jake being hard-headed, but the further into this trip you got, the more it started to bother you. Looking at the map, the both of you would be arriving pretty soon at the last motel before making the last trek to the final destination on the trip “itinerary”, Antelope Canyon.

~*~*~*~

Weeks Earlier

After you had mentioned going on a road trip, Jake took it upon himself to check out potential places and possible things to do there. Nothing had been discussed in earnest yet, but Jake's (and his headmates’) curiosity got the better of them. Vegas was discussed, San Francisco, and the Rocky Mountains, among other potential options. It wasn’t until Marc suggested the Grand Canyon that things really started rolling. Jake had in his mind that the Grand Canyon, while grand was honestly boring. He hadn’t expected Steven to agree with him, so the three began to look at other locations.

That’s when they found it. Antelope Canyon. Now that was a destination.

Steven offered to do the research since he actually enjoyed reading endless pages of websites or books, but Jake insisted that he would take care of everything. Looking through hiking reservations and things to do in the area around the canyon, Jake had started to really enjoy planning it all. He just knew you’d be excited for it all.

That is…until he read an article about some of the facts about the canyon and its geography. According to the article, the canyon was prone to flooding. Seeing that word made his blood run cold and his heart begin to pound. When he noticed his hand clenched tightly into a fist he had to consciously relax it. It was fairly understandable that if it rained in the area of the canyon then of course water collected, but the part that worried him and his headmates was that it could be dry in the canyon but rain elsewhere, and the canyon could still have a flash flood. There had even been ladders installed in the canyon for people to grab onto and climb to higher ground. At first, they were wooden, but those broke all too easily. They've since been replaced with metal ladders. Plenty of people had lost their lives to this all too familiar force of nature.

Once Jake learned about this, he began looking heavily into the weather of the area and the best time to go. Planning for the driest possible month that he could and making sure the projected weather was clear as it could be. Jake’s not delusional by any means, he knows that weather can be unpredictable so far in advance, but he had to try. Jake started to check the weather religiously to make sure things would work in his favor. He wasn’t taking any chances, wasn’t going to put the system in danger, and definitely wasn’t going to pull you along with them. He wouldn’t let that happen…not again.

So it was settled. Route. Destination. Activities. And the window of time they had to arrive.

~*~*~*~

Present

You both had been talking about taking a road trip for a while now and it wasn’t until a week or so ago that the two of you started talking and planning in earnest. Jake was the one that picked the route since he insisted on driving the whole way, but to your surprise, he also picked the destination - even going as far as to look at weather reports for the times that you two would be there. That left you to pick the snacks and the fun touristy stops along the way, giant rubber band ball-type attractions, that’s what road trips are all about right? Hearing you get excited by each new place you found along Jake’s route gave him the softest and warmest smile. This was how every night was spent leading up to the trip, you and him sitting on the couch, your legs over his, or laying in bed, his arm around you and getting giggly from all the excitement, an extended trip with your partner, your Jake.

What you didn’t know, and what you’ve rarely seen, was how Jake was stealing glances at you. He wasn’t exactly the talkative one in the relationship, but he didn’t mind, not when he could just observe and admire your energy. The smile on his face was content like waking up at your own pace in a comfy, warm bed. These simple moments were what Jake enjoyed most, these mundane, everyday moments. He never asked for much and he never needed much, so when he found you and you decided that you would give him your love, well that was all he could have ever asked for.

~*~*~*~

Pulling into the motel parking lot, the silence that Jake thought was comfortable was not so for you. Stewing away at how nitpicky Jake was being, how he was nearly dictating what you both did on the trip with almost no regard to what you wanted. You knew it wasn’t because he was trying to be mean. Jake liked to have control of situations. Having control meant a certain level of safety, and that’s just how his mind worked, protecting himself, protecting the system…protecting you. What you couldn’t understand was why. What sort of danger could come from the wrong kind of chip or soda being bought at the gas station?

You both grabbed your bags from the trunk and went into the room, starting each of your nightly routines…still, in silence, save for the small T.V. that had been turned on to some local news station. Then Jake chimed in on what side of the bed he would be sleeping on. You didn’t need him to tell you. You knew he would take the side closest to the window and door, that’s the side he always took.

“I know what side you sleep on. You don’t have to tell me!” you snapped not too unkindly. Funny how the bed would be the final straw. Jake stepped out of the bathroom. He was only half undressed as he was getting ready to shower (he thought showering with you, but the tone in your voice had him second-guessing).

“Mi tesoro, ¿qué pasa? If you want to skip the shower that’s fine, babe, just say so.” He fixed you with a confused look.

“Oh? So that I can decide?”

“Cariño, what are you saying? I don’t play head games, get it out. Start making sense or I’m go–”

“This whole trip…the whole trip, you have been so picky about everything. Where we stop, where we don’t stop, what snacks to get, where to stay and almost every time I suggest something you shoot it down. If it’s not your way it’s the highway is that it?” That was one thing that you were happy for in your relationship with Jake, and it certainly took some time to get to this point. Jake was right, he didn’t like playing head games. He didn’t like the whole “you should know what’s wrong” bit. He was never fully open about his own feelings, but clear communication? He was a staunch advocate. He wanted to know what was wrong, what was right, how he could meet you in the middle, all of it.

Hearing this outburst, his muscles tensed ever so slightly, his jaw tensing more. Jake tossed his shirt on the bed as he came over to his duffel bag, grabbing his toiletries bag, and starting back into the bathroom. “I’ve been picky. Picky. Dios, ¿eso es todo? And that’s what’s got you all worked up, just because I’m picky.”

“Just because. Worked up. This was supposed to be a fun trip and it is, it was! But damn it, Jake, it’s not fun for me when you can’t let go for two seconds. Nothing’s going to happen if we stop at some honey farm or a fruit stand or a fucking huge ball of twine!” The floodgates open, as you let out the building frustration from the past couple of days. It felt good to get it out, so it wasn’t buzzing around in your head any longer. Jake had been leaning against the bathroom counter, shoulders tense and hunched as he looked at himself in the mirror. You don’t know if Marc or Steven has anything to say about your outburst, if he’s listening to them, and right now that’s the least of your concerns.

You could see his jaw flexing and clenching as the gears were turning in his head, trying to come up with something to say.

“You want me to let go? Want me to just let things happen? Fine,” he threw his hands up. “Yeah, I’ll let go as soon as you learn some restraint. Think you can handle that for one more day? Hmm? You knew what you were getting into when you looped me into whatever you want to call this relationship.” He looked at you in the reflection as he grabbed what he needed and went to finally get in the shower.

“Fine. Sounds fantastic. Maybe tomorrow you can work on getting the stick out of your ass and actually enjoy the hike instead of worrying if a lizard’s going to be within thirty feet of us. Yeah, enjoy your shower.” You huff, going and sitting on the bed to watch T.V. while you wait for your turn with the shower. Flipping through the channels didn’t produce anything worth watching so you settled on the news again. Sometimes on the trip, you and Jake would shower together, make out, actually bathe, or both, and just enjoy those little moments. That was not in the plans tonight and you weren’t even sure how the bed situation would work tonight, there being only one, probably not a lot of cuddling.

Relationships have their rocky moments, that’s to be expected to some degree, but talking to each other and coming to an understanding…maybe once you both cool off you can have a more constructive conversation. Until then, you both needed some time to let the emotions come down from their boil, maybe on the drive tomorrow you two could talk, sort things out, otherwise it was going to be a long trip back to New York.

Jake eventually got out of the shower, curls wet and slicked back, and only in his underwear. You were upset with him, so stop looking at him like that…with all his muscles and tan skin and inky curls that started to spring back from their slicked state. You tried to shake it off as you got off the bed without a word to go for your own shower. Jake watched you go and once he heard the water start he sat on the edge of the bed, head in his hands as he and his headmates tried to help come up with a way to salvage the trip. Sounds like partly cloudy days in the future.

~*~*~*~

That morning, after a not-so-pleasant night of sleeping as far away from each other as possible, though you're certain at some point in the night you could feel a strong hand gently caressing your shoulder, the two of you packed your things and got back on the road. It wasn’t much further to Antelope Canyon so the drive wasn’t terrible. It was certainly quiet though.

As Jake pulled into a parking space, he was the first to break the silence, gently grabbing your arm, stopping you as you started to get out of the car. When you look back at him it all started to flare up again. He’s stopped you from getting out of the car, decided things for you. You don’t mean to be on edge, it all just feels so raw.

“Lo lamento…realmente.” He says withdrawing his hand, holding it up to show he’s not keeping you, he only meant to get your attention, “We can talk about it on the hike, I just…I wanted to say it now. Before we get out there. I’m not expecting you to forgive me just because I said “I’m sorry”, I know I’m not the easiest person to live with, just ask Marc and Steven…” he paused, not entirely sure what else he could say. He really felt he was difficult to live with and he knew that his hypervigilance could get overbearing, but that’s something he intended to work on.

You listened to him, still feeling that boiling frustration, knowing that he meant it, he always means it. Jake clenched his fist, resting it against the gearshift trying to put the words together. “Let’s get out there…” He nodded, more to himself, gently hitting the gearshift with the side of his fist before getting out of the car to get the backpacks. While you grabbed yours Jake headed over to the information kiosk for maps, a weather radio, and to check in for the hike

~*~*~*~

It’s kind of amazing how being in a place like this could distract from the stresses you both came with. The smooth, waving walls of the canyon in those bright red and orange hues. It looks so ancient, mystical, alien, and absolutely breathtaking. You both were able to relax as you worked your way through trails, well you more than Jake who seemed to be clenching his jaw or muttering to himself (or Marc and Steven) a lot. Whatever it is they’re talking about, you hoped it wouldn't crop up into another argument, not when the hike had been going so well.

And that’s when it happened.

You suggested that you stop for a break, just to drink a little water, maybe eat a snack, take some pictures, or something, but Jake trudges ahead.

“We can go a little further, come on.” He said, pulling ahead now. It was as if the argument and his apology meant absolutely nothing to him. What in the hell was happening?! You never took Jake to go back on his apology or his word. Yes, the man would fib on occasion but he wouldn’t flat out lie like that…not to you.

“What? You have got to be kidding. After all that? For God’s sake, Jake you just couldn’t handle i,t could you? The whole hike you’ve been acting so uptight. Are you even enjoying this? This whole thing was your idea and now you have a look like someone just smelled the most gag-inducing stench.” You weren’t going to let it slide like you had in the car ride, you were going to call him out on it. This was your trip too and you wanted to go out and have fun. Which you were, but having a muttering cloud of gloom accompanying you was not helping.

Jake stopped, tilting his head back and looking to the sky, muttering more things (you couldn’t quite make it out, but it vaguely sounded like Spanish swearing), definitely a bit cloudy now but nothing too bad for now. Slowly, he lowered his head as he turned to look at you, regret clear on his face. “Amor, I swear this is the last time today…I uh, had looked up the trails online—just to be safe—I only meant…mierda…there’s a cool place up ahead. You've probably seen it in pictures, a beam of sunlight coming in…we can break there and after that…” he makes the motion of zipping his lips, tossing away the key, and holding up his hands in surrender.

Well, that was…unexpected. The worst part was, it was a good idea. With a huff you crossed your arms, contemplating the options and the fact that he really did mean what he said…he was trying, but you were still frustrated, and maybe(?) going to this special place meant that the whole rest of the time Jake would just lighten up and you could actually contribute to the trip.

“Fine. Yeah, fine, let’s go to this “cool place” and we’ll take a break there.” You shook your head, conceding. “But after that, you have to let me have some say, Jake—“

“I will. Se lo juro. Just thought you would like it and taking a break there you can take it all in like you do.”

He stood there waiting for you to rejoin the hike. Thankfully the place wasn’t much further, just as he said, and you looked around in awe at how nature could make such enchanting views. You were enjoying it and taking it all in, just as he said.

You both started to take off your backpacks, taking out a blanket and some snacks and drinks for the little makeshift rest stop this little place was about to become. The thing that was most mesmerizing was the beam of light in question, and yet again, he was right. You stood there drinking your water watching this marvel of nature, this beam of light so precise and almost like a sspotlight The sunlight almost looked tangible, so letting the inner kid in you come out for a little fun, you stuck your hand into the sunlight. That wonderful, imaginative part of you almost expected to feel it, well feel something other than the warmth it brought. Like it should have been hard like a stone column or fluid yet weighty like a stream or waterfall.

“Alright, I’ll give it to you. This is a really cool place to rest for a bit. Sorry for blowing up like that again. If you know any more places like this we should stop at, let’s make a plan okay? Together. We’re supposed to be enjoying the hike right? Just like you s—“

When you turned to look at him, you were met with a sight that that imaginative part of you was absolutely not expecting.

Jake.

Down.

On one knee.

Holding a small, velvet-covered box.

You didn’t know what to do, so you just gaped at the sight. Nerves were clear on his face as he opened the little box.

“Nuestro amor. Nuestro sol. Nuestro corazón. I know now that I wasn't being fair to you on this trip and I truly am sorry. You’ve put up with me, with Marc, and Steven when we were absolutely not the easiest to put up with. You accepted us, all of us, and everything that comes with being with someone like us…and we couldn’t be more thankful to have such a patient, loving, and strong partner. Because God knows you have to be strong to have to deal with three grown man-children.” Jake chuckles breathily, hoping the joke would help his nerves (it didn’t), not until he heard you chuckle too. The corner of his mouth quirks slightly, letting that little moment of levity give him the breathing room for what was about to come next.

“Will you marry us?”

You stood there still stunned, but now tears were trickling down your cheeks. Yeah, there was a lot to deal with, mostly due to their collective tempers and vastly different ways of doing things among other quirks…but you weren’t perfect, not by a long shot. There were plenty of things you did or said that they had to put up with too. But that’s the beauty of it, right? People are flawed. They mess up. They find someone to love them and they grow together…to work at being together, because it’s not easy, nothing in life is ever easy…but loving them…even after every argument, disagreement, or misplaced frustration…that was easy. How could you not?

You stepped closer to Jake. The last of the system that you met and once you had, everything just felt complete. Now, here he was before you, on behalf of himself and his headmates, asking you to love them for the rest of their lives. And you said yes…how could you not? You said yes again, nodding your head as he came to his feet, a nervous smirk blooming into an ecstatic grin as he plucked the ring from its box and slipped it on your finger.

It was a simple silver band with three diamonds set into it…one for each of them. You held up your trembling hand to admire it, your heart thrumming with what it represented. Looking at Jake, you wrapped your arms around him, as he did the same to you, your lips meeting each other. So much love and passion shared between you. It felt too soon when you both pulled away to catch your breath. When you looked into his eyes you saw his own tears threatening to slip away and down his cheeks, and you also saw the tenderness and deep love that he and his headmates shared for you.

After another kiss (and another), you both stand there in the beauty of the moment.

“I love you,” you finally say.

“I love you too, luz de mi vida. Like you wouldn’t believe. So much, that I made sure to plan as much of the trip as I could to try and make it memorable…turns out I made it exhausting and should have just had you help plan it.” Jake couldn’t wipe the smile from his face if he tried, you said yes and now you had the rest of your lives to plan more trips.

“Definitely should have consulted me. I have a keen sense for adventure, you know?”

“Yeah, I know.”

“And we have plenty of time to plan trips, annoy each other, love each other…and on the ride back, we will be having the best adventure.” You smile wide before Jake leans in, giving you another kiss which you happily reciprocate.

“I can’t wait.”

A/N: Antelope Canyon has a tendency to flood. This can apparently happen even if the rain occurred miles away. The boys were not only nervous about the proposal but also flooding, hence the weather research, monitoring, and radio.

taglist: @spacecowboyhotch @marc-spectorr @juneknight @mccn-bcys

#moon knight #steven grant #marc spector #jake lockley #moon knight fanfiction #jake lockley x reader #moon knight system x reader #moon knight x reader #moon knight fanfic

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xaharadesert · 5 months

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10 of my Favourite Horror (Adjacent) Movies and Why You Should Watch Them

(Not in any particular order or subgenre. TW are super vague, spoiler-free, and from my memory, but I would recommend looking up more specific ones before watching any of these if you are easily triggered. Not all triggers are listed because these are horror movies, so stuff like death and murder is to be expected.)

Let me know if y’all want a part 2, because I’ve got about 7 more! (It could have been one post if Tumblr didn’t limit my images to 10)

1. Parasite

A struggling lower class family slowly integrates itself into the household of a rich family without their knowledge.

Most of you have already seen this one, or been told to watch it. I am no different: this movie is popular for a very good reason. Divided into 3 clear acts, starting with comedy, and making its way through drama into horror. Also, great commentary on classism, very psychological at times and makes you wonder who you should really be rooting for.

Scary: 2/10

Gore: 3/10

Disturbing: 5/10

Psychological: 6/10

Actual genre: Dark comedy thriller

2. The House That Jack Built

Serial killer Jack recounts some of his most influential murders.

A bit infamous and controversial for being very messed up, but still really good. Highly psychological, with a lot of narration and use of metaphor. Especially fun if you have any knowledge of Dante’s Inferno. Definitely not one to watch if you want a protagonist to root for.

Scary: 3/10

Gore: 6/10

Disturbing: 10/10

Psychological: 8/10

Actual Genre: psychological horror art

TW: sexism, corpse mutilation

3. Creep (1&2)

A man is hired to help film messages from a dying man to his son.

I’m usually not a fan of found-footage, but there’s something special about Creep. On top of that, this is one of the few movies where I can confidently say I like the sequel more, which is shocking because the first one was amazing. Very funny and off-beat, with a sense of foreboding underlying the whole thing.

Scary: 3/10

Gore: 1/10

Disturbing: 3/10

Psychological: 4/10

Actual genre: found footage psychological horror

4. Mother!

A woman and her poet husband live quietly in a secluded house away from society.

Very metaphorical and highly feminist; definitely not a movie that everyone appreciates, but if you enjoy analysis or just being really weirded out then this is a good for you. Starts slow and snowballs toward the horrific climax.

Scary: 3/10

Gore: 7/10

Disturbing: 7/10

Psychological: 8/10

Actual genre: psychological horror

TW: cannibalism

5. Perfect Blue

Mima is a young pop star looking to join the acting industry.

Brutally realistic to the point where I had to stop watching and take a walk at one point. Very much “female rage” and a protagonist that will live in your head rent free for the next 6 years (or maybe that’s just me). Very triggering in a lot of ways, but worth it if you’re not sensitive to the topics it covers.

Scary: 5/10

Gore: 4/10 (animated)

Disturbing: 8/10

Psychological: 10/10

Actual genre: psychological thriller

TW: depersonalization/derealization, nudity, stalking, rape scene (she is acting in a tv show but it is still the most uncomfortable scene of the movie), inaccurate portrayal of DID

6. Midsommar

A couple and their friends go on a vacation to their friend’s remote hometown for a Midsommar festival.

Probably the best-known out of this list, and again for a good reason. 90% of the film takes place in broad daylight, and the visuals are absolutely gorgeous. Once again will bring up the question of who is in the right and who is in the wrong (I have the answer to this question and I will fight you in dms if you’d like).

Scary: 3/10

Gore: 8/10

Disturbing: 8/10

Psychological: 7/10

Actual genre: folk horror

TW: long and graphic sex scene, nudity, close up and graphic gore, cult stuff, suicide

7. The Call

A woman moves back to her childhood home and receives a call from the woman who lived there 30 years prior.

I got really into modern Asian horror films a few months ago and this is one of my favourites. The dynamic between the protagonist and antagonist is one of my favourites, and finishing this movie felt like finishing a 3 season TV show because of how well paced it was. Really hoping there will be a sequel with the same concept, even if it is not likely.

Scary: 6/10

Gore: 3/10

Disturbing: 6/10

Psychological: 6/10

Actual genre: psychological thriller

TW: abuse

8. Incantation

A cursed woman takes back custody of her young daughter and does everything she can to keep away the effects of her curse.

This one was popular on TikTok for a while, and for good reason. Another found footage in a more traditional sense, and a bit confusing at times, but overall a really solid scary story. Very cool effects as well.

Scary: 6/10

Gore: 4/10

Disturbing: 6/10

Psychological: 5/10

Actual genre: supernatural horror

TW: derealization

9. Pearl

A farm girl dreams about leaving home and living as a show girl.

Mia Goth is a national treasure, but we all knew that already. I watched this one before X (the actual first movie) because I didn’t know they were connected, but I much preferred this one. The Wizard of Oz vibes combined with Pearl’s unsettling behaviour made is a really creep film to watch.

Scary: 4/10

Gore: 4/10

Disturbing: 6/10

Psychological: 5/10

Actual genre: horror

TW: porn

10. The Platform

A man is stuck in a prison where a platform of food is lowered through the layers of cells for inmates to eat as they please.

I’m a sucker for psychological movies that take place in a very limited space. If you’ve ever played and enjoyed the game Presentable Liberty then I’m gonna go ahead and say you’ll like this too. Not every question is answered, but the film is more about the human condition than the prison they inhabit, so it’s not too much of a problem.

Scary: 2/10

Gore: 9/10

Disturbing: 8/10

Psychological: 9/10

Actual genre: social science fiction horror

TW: cannibalism, suicide

#parasite #the house that Jack built #creep #mother!#perfect blue #midsommar #the call #incantation #Pearl #the platform #horror movies #horror movie recommendations #psychological horror

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fezblr · 1 year

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WILDFLOWERS - ellie williams x fem!reader

synopsis: ellie’s out on patrol when dina reminds her that today is valentine’s day- so in an anxious haste, she rushes to find you the perfect gift. (spoiler alert; you only want her)

warnings: literally just tooth rotting fluff, ellie being insecure, reader being a sweetheart and tiny bit of typical canonical violence, angst if you squint

a/n: hello… i’m starting to write again bc i have inspo anyways here’s an ellie fic … i’m a little rusty so don’t scorn me in the notes okay bye

————————————

“don’t tell me you seriously forgot!”

dina cackled at ellie’s gobsmacked expression. once her initial shock had faded she was left with an anxious expression. “dina! how was i supposed to know what day it even is? i could barely remember to wake up for this stupid patrol!”

dina’s laughter faded into a wide grin. “you better pull something together, and quick ellie. you’ve got atleast 10 more hours until valentine’s day is over.”

as dina rode on ahead, ellie sat atop shimmer wondering exactly what she could get you. in a post apocalyptic world, there wasn’t exactly a wide variety of gifts to select. she’d seen couples in old dvds wow each other with small fancy chocolates, large bouquets of red roses, candlelit dinners and expensive jewellery.

the closest thing she had to those was probably the crumpled yellow weeds she had stepped on when walking to meet dina this morning, an unscented candlestick collecting dust in her room and her bracelet which bore an evil eye. she let out a sigh. today her mission was to find the perfect gift; and she knew where to start.

as soon as she had returned from patrol, ellie made a beeline to joel’s small home, and rapidly knocked on the door. after five knocks a tired joel opened the door, confused and drowsy from sleep.

“ellie? what are you doing here at..” his gaze moved to his watch, “8:30am?” ellie shot him an apologetic smile, “sorry joel. this is urgent. i need your help with valentines gifts.” joel smirked. “valentines? didn’t take you for a romantic.” ellie rolled her eyes. “okay old man, you gonna help me or not?” joel grinned, “come on in.”

ellie left joel with a spring in her step and a new song to play on the guitar tonight. she next headed off to find maria; she had a feeling the older woman would have the answer she was looking for.

“ellie; women love flowers. i’ve always adored them.” “really?” she asked, her upper half resting on the bar. maria nodded, a smile etched upon her face. “do find some nice ones- wilted flowers make everything miserable.” ellie made a mental note to find some colourful intact flowers while on her mini mission today; preferably in a bright colour to bring some life to your shared, but rather dull home. with a nod and a quick thanks, she was out the door.

now with her newly obtained knowledge, and some slightly wilted wildflowers in hand, she returned home to find you gone; on your patrol with jesse for the afternoon. she began to set up before your return.

your patrol with jesse had been eventful. you’d run to a stalker, which you’d shot expertly right in the head. and to add onto victory, you and jesse had found an abandoned halloween store buried deep in the woods. so you’d of course collected multiple ghostface masks, not knowing or understanding the film reference but finding them equally as hilarious.

so when you walked in the door, wearing the ghost mask, prepared to scare an unsuspecting ellie, you were shocked to be met with an unusual sight. ellie had made dinner, which was placed on the table next to three candles she had lit. ellie emerged from the kitchen, her expression filled with stress, her brow drenched in sweat.

when she noticed you, she dropped the vase in her hands, filled with pastel yellow wildflowers.

“oh my god! fuck, fuck!” she scrambled to the ground, rushing to pick up the broken shards of glass. you quickly discarded the mask, dropping down to help.

“ellie.” she continued picking up the glass, as if she hadn’t heard a word you said. “ellie.” no response. “babe.”

ellie met your gaze, as she sighed in defeat. “dina told me this morning that it was valentine’s day. i’ve been running around all day trying to make this all perfect so we could have a little date- i tried cooking and almost set the kitchen on fire, i learnt a new song on guitar and then i dropped the flowers and i- i just couldn’t get it right.”

your expression dropped, your face filling with guilt as you took ellie’s hands in yours. “el, i dont need any big gestures. and you did an awesome job. i mean, no one’s ever cared enough about me to put in all this effort. all of this means so much to me.”

you pulled her up with one hand, gathering the flowers in the other. “here.” you grab a glass from the table, filling it with water and placing the flowers inside. “good as new.”

ellie wraps her arms around you, her face contorting into a soft smile. “you like them?” you tuck your head into her neck. “i love them.”

the embrace lasts a few minutes before you pull away. “wait! i got you something too.”

ellie looks confused as you grab your bag, but she grins as soon as she sees the object in your hands. “is that-?” “a new pocket knife! i found one today in the rubble at the halloween store. i thought you might like it.” ellie takes the blade in her hand, turning it over to observe it. “it’s perfect.”

she grins cheekily, “i might have to use it to slash the masked killer in my home.”

“haha. now come sit; i wanna hear that song.”

#ellie williams x reader #ellie williams x reader fluff #ellie williams x reader angst #ellie williams x y/n #ellie williams x you #ellie williams x female reader #ellie williams x fem reader #ellie williams #tlou #the last of us

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lucidmagic · 6 months

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RESIDENT LOVER IS OUT NOW AND IM GOING TO PLAY IT

Developed and created by the wonderful @resident-lover Team Avia, Resident Lover is a queer visual novel set in a mysterious university with the lovely (and lethal) ladies of Resident Evil 8.

I will be live blogging my reactions. PLEASE MUTE THE TAGS resident lover spoilers AND Lucidmagic plays RL IF YOU DONT WANT SPOILERS/REACTIONS

Can’t wait for my heartbreak!

Routes completed: Donna Beneviento (my wife, forever and always)

This Route Thread = CASSANDRA DIMITRESCU, the resident diva and womanizer

#lucidmagic #lucidmagic plays rl #resident lover spoilers #resident lover #cassandra dimitrescu

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wonds-troy · 15 days

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"Cool" moment with wonder girls. This part made me caught attention sincerely, we really need more of them together.

(I say cool because it's rare for candles together so any interaction I'm happy and appreciative)

Wonder Woman (2023) #8

#wonder woman 8 #wonder woman 8 spoilers #wonder girl #cassie sandsmark #donna troy #troia #yara flor #wonder woman #diana prince #wonderfam #dc comics #family #funny #comics #dc

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rcksmith · 2 years

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All versions of you — Five Hargreeves

You can find the 3 request here: anonymous 1, anonymous 2, anonymous 3.

Resume: Years on The Commission made Five Hargreeves commit horrible atrocities, massacring his humanity and robbing his chances to belong to somewhere. Somewhere stable. But all the torture they put on his soul every day, was all worth when he found in that agency the one thing he knew he would love irrevocably until the end of time: You. But all that love hadn't been able to stop the separation when he returned to his family, when the breakup was inevitable and took the last spark of happiness from him. Forever. Surviving the end of the 1960s world, and finally accepting that a reality where the Sparrow Academy existed was better than messing up the timeline all over again, Five was prepared to find everything in that chaotic place, except the one thing that could bring him to his knees: You.

And like Ben Hargreeves, you didn't remember any Five.

Angst Prompts:

8. “Why can’t you just look at me for one god damn second!”

10. “don’t touch me!”

13. “we can’t go back in time, so stop trying to reverse what you said.”

17. “stop making empty promises!”

Fluff Prompts:

28. “You’re not going to leave me alone, are you?” “Not.”

33. “I’ve waited for this moment for a long time.”

39. “You’re more than that.”

51. “I promised to love you forever.”

Smut Prompts:

19. “You’d better be quiet or everyone’s going to know what a naughty little slut you are.

27. “Can you help me with this zipper?”

75. “Tell me what you like.”

Couple: Five Hargreeves /Fem!Reader.

Warnings: arguing, swearing, mention of murder/blood, A LOT OF ANGST, fluff, smut, dirty talk

Word count:

A/N: Spoiler from season 3. I changed some details of this season too, but just to make sense of the story.

Because I have a lot of requests in my box, I compile 3 orders that are similar and put together, but I took care to added all the elements that were asked for individually, and made sure that all ideas were respected and written down.

We not tolerate any pedophilia here !! I write about Five with their 20s. I write the same about the characters of Harry Potter, MHA and others fandoms.

English is not my first language, so I so sorry if have a mistake.

Requests are OPEN. Love you ❤️

——–

There was a kind of evil joke that ruled the lives of Five Hargreeves, from their birth until now, 28 years later. He didn't believe in God, fate or luck, but the cosmic irony of his life was too palpable for him to totally rule out higher beings involvement. Beings whose greatest delight seemed to be seeing pain strike Five's Egyptian blue eyes.

His soul has always been constantly tortured. The relentless search for Reginald's approval and validation, the excruciating loneliness of the apocalypse, the longing for his family - or just the voice of an acquaintance - the brutal slaughter he had to commit to The Commission every day. Every day.

Five Hargreeves had known the pain, the deprivation, the loneliness, and the weight on his shoulders for all the lives he had taken. He knew by heart the bitter, pungent taste of blood on the roof of his mouth, the feeling of self-revulsion, the Herculaneum effort he had to make every day to push his traumas, fears and despairs into the dungeon of his soul to the very depths that he could.

That was all he knew. Until you.

Until you show up on that Commission as his sidekick. Just a girl to take care of his paperwork while he was in the field. Killing.

Five shouldn't have felt a new kind of shiver run through his body when he saw you. He shouldn't have wondered if you weren't the most beautiful woman to ever step foot in that universe. He shouldn't have been fascinated by the way sunlight streamed through the window and bathed your skin.

But in that moment, insane moment, Five Hargreeves understood Icarus' fascination with the Sun.

Nothing could unsettle Five's good mood whenever you were together. Not even when he met your hot temper, your sharp tongue, mocking gaze, your strong, almost aggressive personality. While The Handler thought you were brash and difficult, Hargreeves thought you were wonderful. Perfect. He knew very well how to mask the turmoil inside him, so well that you accused him several times of being rude, surly and mean to you. But, even so, didn't go unnoticed to anyone the way that him smiling more easely for you.

Very quickly, Five knew that, like everyone who had a weakness, you would always be his. As long life coursed through his veins.

Hargreeves knew almost every possible human sensation, but the way he felt when you kissed him for the first, was superb, overwhelming. In that instant, as his hands tangled in your hair and his mouth melted into yours, Five knew that his soul would forever be yours. Always yours. He silently ask that you belonged to him, because he belonged to you forever. Until the end of times.

"You're everything to me." Those were yours words when you two slept together for the first time. And as much as Five was embargoed with too many new emotions to be able to utter a single sentence ,he pressed his lips to yours and begged whatever deity there was - for the first time - that he could convey in that kiss everything he felt for you.

You were the point of salvation in the raging, evil sea that was Hargreeves' life.

Time passed and Five kept you like a promise, an unspoken prayer to a God he didn't even believe in. He branded your name into his soul like a red-hot iron and silently swore eternal love to you each time his long, thin fingers brushed your soft skin. He worshiped you in secret and admired your beauty out of the corner of his eye. Like a nicotine addict, Five consumed you, filled his lungs with your heavenly scent and held his breath until his brain felt the effects of the addiction. Not even Reginald could explain why you made the ocean waves of Five calm like a prayer mass. You promised eternal peace with just one look and Hargreeves wanted to confess all his sins just so he could enter your gates of paradise after death.

Would it be a crime for a murderer to want redemption so badly? Would there be a timeline where he could follow you to the last of days? A reality where he wasn't haunted by the constant feeling that the villain couldn't wish for a happy ending. Not when he's already taken away so many other people's happy endings.

Was it a crime that he didn't want to smear blood your cheek whenever he touched that spot? Because no matter how many times Five washed himself, the red liquid from his victims would always be there. Invisible, but there. Always.

And, just as he knew what a evil joke his life was, the gods showed once again that their fun was to see him suffer.

“What's this, Five?” You asked him one night, holding an open notebook full of notes.

His notebook. With his notes of the calculations that he was trying to get right to get back to his home. To his family.

You felt a hurricane of emotions that clouded your senses, a mixture of sensations that made your ground shake.

You know that Five always wanted to come home, he's told you that himself several times. It wasn't a closely guarded secret and you shouldn't be feeling so...betrayed. It was petty and selfish not to want him to leave. It was wrong to wish you were enough, to make up for the absence of an entire family. You were aware that a relationship was not enough to have a full, completely happy life. And from the bottom of your heart, you really wanted Five to be able to return to his family. Everyone deserves a family. And you couldn't, and wouldn't, take that away from him.

But… but you wanted to be more than a consequence of his plan. Just a person he'd met in the midst of his mission to go away. You wish Five would see you as a life partner. You didn't want him to give up on his family, but to take you away with him if that was the case.

But Five Hargreeves wouldn't take you along whit him. It was always in his eyes whenever his family got into the subject, you just misled yourself into thinking that the time you two spent together might change his mind. Make him want you for the rest of his life. You didn't want him to give up his true life to stay and remain with you, but you would give up to yours to follow him to hell. If he asked. If he wanted you.

But the way Five Hargreeves looked at you in that moment, made it clear to you that he would never see you the way you saw him.

And it tore you apart.

You were too smart a person to know that his silence was an answer. “How close are you to coming home?” was just the only thing that came out of your mouth.

"Very close.''

His voice was like desert sand, and a part of you died in that hour.

“And you didn't bother to tell me that?''

This time Five frowned. "Why should I?"

Laughter escaped yours lips as an incredulous, mocking sound, and the hurt part of you began to turn to anger.

“Do you really think it's okay to come into my life and leave whenever you want? Without even telling me what hell is going on.”

“You always knew I would come back to 2019”

“Yes but…'' but I didn't think it would be so soon. but I thought that when the day came you would want me by your side. but I wanted you to stay.

In a perfect world, Five would have told you he wouldn't take you with him because the calculations were uncertain, dangerous, fatal. Not even a genius like him could accurately hit all the math that was required, the difference was that he was aware of and accepted the consequences of his near-fatal mission. Dying or getting lost in time trying to get back to his family has always been a very high probability, one that Hargreeves couldn't, and wouldn't, involve you.

Maybe that was love. The absurd desire, almost torn apart, of wishing with all his soul to stay with you until the end of time. But to give it up without hesitation when it came to your well being. Five Hargreeves might be a murderer, a monster and an executioner, but he would never put you in the crossfire just for his selfish desire to have you forever. And he couldn't give up his family too.

The evil joke that was his life once again found a new way to make him bleed. This time, in a way he never thought possible, in such excruciating pain that there, looking into the deep hurt in the eyes that meant the reason he was still breathing, Five was sure he would never be happy again. Not completely. Not fully.

He found love where he shouldn't have found it. And those months of paradise were paid for with his soul.

Five couldn't look at you anymore, and the sound of your angry voice at him was drowned out by the pain that welled up in his chest and spread through every part of his body.

“Why can’t you just look at me for one god damn second?!”

He wanted. He wished he could look at you one more time and not feel that horrible pain. But Five knew that if he did that, he would see not only the reason his heart kept beating, bu also that he was hurting the one person he swore to protect. He wasn't strong enough for it.

But, the truth was Five Hargreeves couldn't protect you from himself. From the chaos and hell that followed him wherever he went. He couldn't protect you from the death trail he left behind. But he could protect you from the mess he was. And that's what he was doing.

"Things shouldn't have gotten this far." He didn't recognize his own voice.

That was no lie. He shouldn't have loved you with every cell in his body. He shouldn't have found heaven in you when he was always destined for hell. He should have been honorable and let you go when he first realized that you would be the spin of his world. He should have loved you from afar, in secret. However, like the cretin he knew he was, Five gave in to his soul's pleas. He gave in to the overwhelming desire to kiss you. Once again. One more. And when he realized, his naked body was already wrapped around yours several times, mixing sounds of sin and ecstasy, as he drowned in your body his heart condemned to be forever yours.

"Are you telling me you're sorry for us?" The pain and anger in your voice was too much for him to handle.

As Five got up from the chair he was sitting in, your eyes burned with a fire of irritation and smoldering hurt.

How could he?

“You know that's not what I meant.''

Fucking lier.

“But it sounded just like that to me.” You hit back, as you always did with him. “You can barely face me and the only thing I hear you say is that we shouldn't go that far. What kind of sick game is this? Do you wear me for months and then discard me as if I am a piece that is no longer useful to you?”

Emotions overflowed your body in the form of tears. Fights with Five were always exhausting, he never let you in on his deepest emotions and constantly say something that tore at your heart. Several times you've wondered why you stayed by his side when it was clear Five didn't think twice about hurting you with something cruel. Why were you mad that he didn't want you on his side in another timeline? When it was clear that not even in this timeline he felt much appreciation for you.

Because you love him with every breath.

“I didn’t call you useless to me.”

"Sure. Because I give you good sex when you need to vent.” Your voice shook with crying.

"Y/n, that's not what I meant..."

“I know what you mean, Hargreeves.” This time he looked at you, but only for seconds. "It means I'm good enough for you to fuck me over at the end of the day, but not good enough to want to be with me in other ways."

That was a slap in his face. How could you think like that?

Five Hargreeves forgot that only him was aware of the visceral magnitude of his feelings for you. He forgot that his inability to express what he felt in words was much loud, because while he burned in a blazing fire of love and passion inside, on the outside he only let on a firm frown, a crooked smile and a longer look in your direction.

Five never said he loved you. And the lack of communication was fatal.

To you, who didn't know Five's real feelings, it seemed very clear from his actions that he didn't love you.

"Isn't that what I..."

But you had reached your limit. There was a limit of rejection you could take.“We can’t go back in time, so stop trying to reverse what you said.”

That had been the mother of all ironies. Because he could go back in time. But apparently not enough to show you that, all these months, you've been the reason his heart is still beating.

Five approached you, almost as a side effect, but you nipped the action in the bud. “Don't Touch Me.”

"You know I didn't mean to hurt you in any way, I promised myself that I wouldn't.”

“So stop making empty promises!” You left his house, and Five didn't stop you.

When the sound of the front door echoed off the walls, all hope of happiness was gone along with you.

The next day, Five come back to his home, his family, and he used the consolation that you would be safe on the Commission. Protected from the ongoing chaos that he was.

And it hurt like he'd lost the best of him.

------

Luther had the romantic heart and common sense of a banana. He took risks and changed his world in the name of love, happiness, passion. Every cell in his body pulsed with romanticism and the joy he felt in being in love clouded his rationality.

There was hardly a shred of discernment in that gigantic body when love was involved in the equation. And maybe that's why he'd been oblivious to the subtle signs that timeline was giving him when he'd been kidnapped by Sparrow Academy, and Sloane had introduced him to her best friend. All Luther could see was Sloane next to a girl who seemed to do her a lot of good, a good friend. And anyone who made that beautiful smile appear on the face of the woman he was in love with was already his best friend too.

Luther didn't realize the air sounded different. That the world seemed to hold its breath, as if it had just watched a plot unfold. He didn't feel any of it, because Luther wasn't sensitive to the little hints life gave him.

“This is Y/n.” Sloane smiled once more as you sat next to her at the gigantic breakfast table.

If Number One had been more attentive to the details around you, he would have noticed that something deep in your eyes looked familiar. But he wasn't the most attentive of the world.

The conversation took place calmly, as normal as circumstances allowed. Luther knew that to the people of that reality, the Sparrow Academy were a good, friendly, heroic bunch. Maybe his crush on one of the members was compromising his judgment, but Luther started to think that maybe his siblings only hated them for meeting under those circumstances. Perhaps, in another reality, they would all have gotten along and found something in common. Just like you were doing, sitting there while talking to everyone.

Apparently, you were a person dear to that family. Ben seemed to smile a lot more at you and Fei seemed less scary around you.

“So how did you two meet?” 'Luther asked you, as he stuffed a whole piece of toast into his mouth.

“She's Sloane's childhood friend.'' Fei said, saving you from answering by having your mouth full.

You smiled at Luther and nodded.

“Our childhood friend.” Ben corrected, and the whole family rolled their eyes.

“He's not always this grumpy.'' You told Luther as you gulped down your food, the kind, bright smile not leaving your aura.

“Only 99% of the time’’ Sloane joked and you both laughed.

The end of that interaction was given when Ben stood up and asked for everyone but Sloane to be in the living room. Leaving the two lovers alone, Ben asked you to accompany Luther back to his family when he left. Just to make sure he wasn't up to something or lying.

You would accompany the guy, but only to make sure that Fei's crows didn't do anything bad or that Alphonso didn't pick on him, but you wouldn't come back with information about the Hargreeves.

The dynamics of Sparrow's with you has always been very present in everyday life, for many years. And as much as Ben was extremely manipulative and the other siblings had their equally thorny flaws, over time you came to learn how to deal with each one, what each one was capable of doing.

"Whatever." Ben rolled his eyes, and was already turning to leave when he turned a few inches back in your direction ''But be careful." and he left.

When night had fallen and Luther was allowed to leave, you said you would accompany him to his destination. You didn't make up lies or half-truths, you said what Ben had asked you to do and your reasons for doing so. You weren't interested in the war between the two families, only your friend's happiness. And if being with Luther made her happy, you wouldn't be the one to get in the way.

The journey was smooth. Hargreeves asked almost everything he could about Sloane. And you helped by telling him the things she liked, what she didn't, her favorite foods and ways to win her heart. You always thought love suited Sloane, and you would do what you could to help a man who seemed genuinely interested in making her the happiest woman alive. She deserved it.

Luther entered the huge hotel first, carrying the gift bag Ben had given him. You should have stopped there and walked away, you had already completed what you came to do, you had already arrived at your destination. But something, an energy that raised the hairs on the back of your neck, urged you to enter that hotel with Luther, just one more step...

The air suddenly changed as you followed Luther toward a huddle of voices, and the closer you got, the more your heart raced, like a ticking time bomb. The hotel's mood turned red and rosy, as if the lights of the world were dimming, and there was something lyrical about the way the air swirled around you.

----

Five Hargreeves was tired. Tired of apocalypses, exhausted from having to save world after world, win fight after fight. It was as if he was constantly putting off the inevitable, pushing himself to the limit, using energy he didn't even have anymore.

He really needed that retirement that only lasted a few minutes. Five wanted to see the world, visit new places, but not for him…

“One day we could take a vacation.” You said one day, lying inside Five's arms, both bodies naked.

He frowned at your comment, and you didn't even have to look at him to know that was the expression he was making.

“I always wanted to see the world.” You explained. “But… I don't know, it's one of those things in life that we keep putting off, blaming work, tiredness… loneliness.”

"Where would you like to go?"

"All the places." You laughed. “To know even the stupidest things, like… how to know the biggest ball of twine in the world”

And this time he laughed too.

Five wanted to see the world, visit new places, but not for him, for you.

Maybe that's why Five was so angry with Klaus when he learned that they hadn't traveled for a vacation. Maybe that's why he nearly killed them both in a car accident to see that twine. Because…maybe if he did the things you wanted to do, he would feel closer to you once again. Maybe.

If he could just imagine your snarky comments, your boisterous presence, he could feel alive once more.

But he had stopped in front of that stupid ball of twine. Giant and perfectly round. He waited for some revelation, some sensation…but nothing came. And that was another evil joke in his life, tearing apart another piece of his soul shards. Nothing could replace you. Hargreeves returned to the hotel feeling worse than when he left, with a new end of the world knocking at the door, with more family dramas to resolve.

However, this time, something was very different.

He sought within himself that survival instinct, that will to fight, to stop another apocalypse, to see another tomorrow. Only to find nothing. Only for the answer come at him like a big void.

And he thought 'why?'. Every time they tried to save the world, something worse happened. And now that he'd had a taste of what a calm, normal life would be like, without you, Five found no motivation to keep fighting.

He was still alive, but he had left his heart two timelines ago.

“I'm back.” Luther's voice trumped Alison's talking to Viktor, and Five remembered thinking when Luther had left.

But that didn't matter. And he began to wonder which things still mattered.

His hearing picked up Luther's conversations with the other siblings, but his brain wasn't processing anything. With his back to Number One, Five had his direction towards Klaus, more specifically to the whiskey glass in his hands.

He really should get fucking drunk...

“Sorry about the Sparrows, they really go overboard sometimes.''

That's when the Earth's rotation stopped. The world stunned in slow motion as every hair on Five's body stood on end. The completely stunned silence in his mind lasted only seconds, interrupted when his soul screamed so loudly that Five was stunned. The chords of the music of fate grew more agitated by the minute, like a premonition of the climax.

Five Hargreeves knew that voice better than he knew himself.

His body abruptly swung toward Luther, startling the other brothers beside him, drawing all attention his way. Klaus frowned as Diego followed the same action.

That's when his eyes focused on you. The symphony of fate reached its climax and was like an atomic explosion.

And, after a fucking long time, his heart beat frantically, alive.

His jaw dropped open, his eyes widened in an explosion of emotions and sensations. The glass Five was holding tumbled to the floor, shattering on a splash of glass and splattering the expensive alcohol all over the floor. There was some exclamation from someone, but Five didn't hear. He wouldn't have heard anything but you.

Holy damn shit.

His pulse raced wildly through his veins, heightening all his senses and turning life back on in his body that had been operating in automatic mode for far too long. It was like finally being able to breathe. Like hot coffee after ages of braving the excruciating cold. Suddenly, the world had color again, life flowed through his body and his soul thanked on its knees to gods that did not exist for seeing you once again.

If this was a hallucination, another evil joke, Five didn't know how he was going to recover from it. Perhaps he would never recover. His body moved, his powers being completely forgotten as he advanced towards you. Step by step. Everyone looked at Five in bewilderment, but he could only see that you were as beautiful as the day he lost you.

So are this how the devotees felt when they arrived at the gates of heaven? So this are like to come back to life?

Five stopped in front of you, his hands shaking and his heart pounding in his chest, as if it desperately wanted to get out of his chest to find yours. To touch you. He didn't notice your confused look, didn't notice that his own eyes were watering. Five Hargreeves just felt you.Totally.

“Y/n?” His voice was a thread of sound. Trembled, broken, conveying so much pain and despair. There was so much emotion in a single name that Klaus felt himself holding his breath and squeezing Diego's arm.

Five's feelings, always so well hidden and buried in the graveyard of his being, now consumed the entire hotel. Filling every floor, hallway and room with an intensity no one knew he carried. This wasn't Number Five meeting an old friend. This was a man finding the reason his life made sense again.

"Do you know my name?" Your voice swamped Five with more emotions, taking their structures brick by brick.

In other circumstances, he might be sad that you don't remember him. Perhaps, the fact that the moments you two spent together only exist in Five's mind forever now, will be cut him deeply. But none of that was important. None of that mattered.

You were there. Live. Standing in front of him as wonderfully breathtaking as the first time he saw you.

Hargreeves gave a broken, shaky smile, stretching his fingers toward your cheek, completely losing his breath as him brushed against your skin once more. It was like coming home.

“I know everything about you." He whispered, his thumb running down your cheek as the tears in his eyes welled up.

You didn't move, you didn't reject him, you didn't yell at him. Not like you used to. You just looked at him with a look that made his world spin again, a look with amnesia but that let him see your soul. And was the same one he fell in love with.

Holy shit.

"Okay, I'm not understanding anything that's going on here." Luther gestured with his index finger at the two, with the others nodding. “Do you know him, Y/n?”

Your eyes didn't leave Five's, absorbing all the emotions that blue sea revealed to you. You thought you had seen the love, the devotion, the passion. You thought the way Sloane looked at Luther was a look of love.

You have never been so wrongly deceived.

That was a look of love. That which was eternal devotion.

Five Hargreeves didn't look at you like you were a pretty girl, not like his were in love. He looked at you like you were the only thing that kept him alive. And that tore you apart. Because whoever that handsome man was thinking he found, it wasn't you. You didn't remember him, and you sure as hell wouldn't forget a face like his.

"I think you got confused." You said it in a whisper, as if speaking softly would change the truth, would make him keep touching you in that…careful way.

Your head instinctively leaned into his hand, as if already knew the way.

Five smiled again, his whole body burning in the heat of a thousand suns. "I would never get confused." The certainty in his voice took your breath away. "Not with you."

You could hear the rumble of his heart, and you could see that yours was beating the same tune, the same waltz. None of this situation made any sense, and you knew you had a million questions to ask later. Later. Not now, not when he was looking at you and touching you like this.

Reality could wait.

----

Five Hargreeves wouldn't let you leave his side after that day. It doesn't matter if you had things to do, places to go. That apocalypse was tearing people apart and he couldn't even think straight about the possibility that you were one of them.

It was unacceptable.

You had the answers to your questions, and Five gave you all of his time, explaining any questions, giving you his full attention. Treating you like you're the reason that he still standing.

The end of the world was knocking at the door and, looking at you once more, Five was sure that he wouldn't spend the precious time he still had chasing solutions or doing elaborate equations. He wouldn't waste his last days focusing on saving the world, on escaping to another reality. Not again.

He learned his lesson the first time. He understood that the priority should never have been going back to 2019, or keeping you away. His priority should always have been to stay by your side until the end of time. And that's what he was going to do.

"So I'm a version of your true love?" You said, sitting on the edge of a bed in one of the hotel rooms.

“You’re more than that.” he assured you with a firmness that took your breath away, looking at you with all the honesty in the world.

The smile you gave made Five smile too.

“Shouldn't you be trying to stop the apocalypse? Your sister seems to really want to change reality.”

Hargreeves shook his head. “I won't leave you. Never. Not again.”

Your heart was pounding, your hands were shaking, and there was something about Five that made you feel like he was something you'd found after many years of searching, even if you hadn't realized it. You didn't feel the urge to say you weren't the same person he fell in love with, to argue about it. Not. The end of time was coming and you just…wanted to spend the rest of them in his arms.

Someone's arms that your heart cried out never to leave.

And just like in past reality - even if you didn't know it - you would follow Five Hargreeves to hell if he asked you to.

And, this time, he asked.

"You can kiss me?" Your voice came out as a whisper, and you thought you saw him catch his breath.

Five didn't wait for a new invitation. He didn't wait for any more signs. His warm hands cupped your cheeks, his body leaned into yours and his mouth finally, finally, captured yours.

It was like living a miracle.

Hargreeves kissed you like you were the only thing that mattered in the world. He kissed you like sky was going to collapse tomorrow and hell was finally coming for him. His tongue curled around yours in a sensual, needy waltz as their hearts beat in time and their souls touched once more.

“I’ve waited for this moment for a long time.” His voice sighed against your swollen lips, still sensitive from the kisses.

Your hands came up to Five's shoulders and tangled in the dark hair at the back of his neck, sinking your mouth once more to his, as if it was impossible to stay away now that you tasted him. The environment took on a more reddish air, smelling of passion and need, the air had a tone of paradise and all of this was felt by both of you. The mouths now danced with more precision, the hands roamed the bodies and the troubled feelings clouded the reality outside that room.

But if Luther and Sloane were getting married, why couldn't you and Five get lost in the same seething madness?

It was the end of the world. And you would spend together.

His body pressed against you, and the heat of his ample chest on youe sensitive breasts made a heavy sigh escape your lips.

"You don't know how much I missed your sounds." His voice was muffled by the kisses that trailed down your neck, marking your sensitive skin with red prints and burning desires.

You didn't notice when you pushed his suit off his long arms, or when you helped him with his tie. When you found yourself, that maddening body was on top of you, glued to you, running his hands down your thighs as he drowned his mouth on your lips. The body-to-body contact was too much, too much for the arousal that was rising to alarming levels, too much for the sensuality the climate adopted. His fingers gripped you with possession, and you knew you'd find a print of his fingerprints as he gripped your thighs more tightly.

The hem of your blue dress had already bunched up around your waist, and you shifted your hips toward his pelvis, earning a loud groan in return and a hard bite to your bottom lip. His shirt was the third piece of clothing to get out of the way, and the sight of Five unbuttoning the white fabric was a show that made your pussy ache with desire.

You needed him. Just like he needed you.

“Can you help me with this zipper?”

Five flashed a sly smile that accentuated his dangerous features, giving you one last hard kiss as he knelt between your legs. His long hands flipped you onto your stomach in just one motion, pulling your hips up and pressing the cock covered in your soaked panties, drawing a loud groan from you as he pulled the zipper down your back. The piece of black fabric and the bra dropped to the floor along with the other pieces, and Five turned you onto your back once more as he returned with the deep kisses.

There was an endless list of positions he wanted to fuck you in, but right here, in this moment, Hargreeves just wanted full skin-to-skin, chest-to-chest, mouth-to-mouth contact as he entered you. Five needed to make sure, once again, that you weren't just a figment of his imagination. And physically feeling you, completely, was the only thing that partially soothed him.

He lowered his pants and underwear just enough for his cock to pop out. Thick, bloated and needy. Your panties were pushed to the side, and Five couldn't wait another single second to fully enter you.

“Fucking hell” It was his groan against your mouth, as your drenched walls sobbed around him.

"You are too big." You whimpered in a whiny voice, your hips working to swallow him and trying to pull away at the same time.

“But you take so well.” His voice was broken, and Five bit your shoulder as he reached your end, slamming into the mouth of your cervix and drawing a loud groan from you.

Your head fell back, your nails dug into his back and your legs spread even wider in a pathetic attempt to swallow him without squeezing too hard.

“Tell me what you like.” It was a mixture of request and order, a sentence lost in half sentences.

"I like. I like it, I like it.” You repeated frantically, afraid he would stop.

“Thank God” was the only whisper you heard before he pulled most of his cock out and slammed into you harder. Again. And again. "Your pussy won't let go of me." he moaned against your skin. “God, you're still fucking perfect.”

You wish you had said something too, something that showed you were loving it as much as he did, something that expressed that he was perfect too, something that said you wanted him to be yours forever. But you couldn't, because Five picked up the pace and he beat relentlessly at that point that made you scream out loud. His long arms encircled your waist while your around his neck. There wasn't a single piece of skin that wasn't touching, and the only distance between the two of you was his cock moving in and out of your weeping pussy.

His name took the form of loud screams and moans, with the sound of bodies colliding and spreading across the hotel.

“You’d better be quiet or everyone’s going to know what a naughty little slut you are.”

If you weren't already on edge, that dirty phrase would have done the job. You came in a burst of color, and your sensitivity was assailed by the hot, thick jets of cum that Hargreeves filled your pussy shortly thereafter. His cum continued for a few more seconds, and you felt your womb starting to fill with all the white load.

“Holy shit.” Five bit your neck, tightening his arms around you and pushing his cock even deeper, trying to force his way through whatever barrier was holding him back.

His new moan came breathy and hoarse, and you whimpered that he was still trying to push himself as deep inside you as possible, as if he wanted to mark any part of you as his. He seemed to want to make sure his cum had entered your womb, because his movements continued to try to push the white load even deeper. You brought him into a broken kiss, panting and slow, following his movements with your hips and holding back from giving him everything he wanted.

The breaths of two of you were starting to calm down, but your firm grip on Five's body made it clear that you didn't want him to leave you. And he wouldn't, even if the world ended now.

‘'How did I think I could live without you?'’ His confession made you laugh, your hands caressing the back of his neck as you sought his lips for another kiss.

“You’re not going to leave me alone, are you?” you said.

His eyes met yours, and the topic was no longer about sex or desire or need.

It was about staying. Together.

“Not.” This time, Five wouldn't abandon you. He would do it differently this time.

And he was thinking about that when he running his hand over your sweaty face, looked at you deeply as he said. “I promised to love you forever.” he never told you he loved you in the past, and this time he wouldn't make the same mistakes.

Five Hargreeves would stand by you until the end of time. Because forever is his whenever he is whit you.

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ageless-aislynn · 1 month

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Title: “15 Minutes” (10/15) Author: @ageless-aislynn Characters/fandom: Master Chief John-117/Reader, Halo the series Summary: As you heal, you're not alone. Series: How to date a Spartan (without even trying) Rating: T (PG13) Length: 2,604 (this chapter, 24,863 total so far) Spoilers: Set in the Silver Timeline of Halo the series, not the games or novels. Though we began with the events of Halo 1x06, there will be no more show spoilers. We are still firmly seated in the AU Warthog, merrily driving out to places where there’s only a passing nod to canon. 😉 Disclaimer: Definitely not mine but I do enjoy borrowing them just for a bit! 😉 A/N: Text is both here in this post or available at AO3, however you like to read. Apologies for the break we took for a few weeks here. 😳This chapter turned out a little longer than I expected, (please enter "that's what she said" joke of your choice here), so I hope that makes up a bit for the delay. If you read, I hope you enjoy! ⭐💖⭐

Taglist: @pinheadbanger @mysardencut @laurenstacy610 @sporadicbelievernightmare @ultrablackwidower @bxmxtx @jellotherelol @mirandastuckinthe80s

If you would like to be tagged in my John/Reader fics, just let me know! I also write John/Kai, John/Cortana and Kai/male Reader, so I’m glad to tag you for whatever you’d like. If you would like to be removed from the taglist, also feel free to let me know, no harm, no foul. 😉 💖

Halo fic masterlist ⭐

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9

Pressure on your chest brought you startling awake, flinging your left arm up as if to try and break free of a restraint. White hot pain burst from your shoulder down your bicep like a cord of fire trying to amputate your arm. You gave a strangled cry, managing to sit up and clutch at the various points of hurt as the agony gradually faded.

Out of the darkness, a now-familiar woman's voice said your rank and last name. "Are you all right? Do you need me to dispatch medical assistance?"

"No," you quickly said, automatically straightening your sleep-rumpled shirt. "I moved my arm wrong. Thanks, though."

"Of course," she returned, her tone kind.

"Are you, um, monitoring me?"

"Just for sounds of distress or pain. John was adamant that your privacy be respected as much as possible."

That made you smile slightly under the cover of the lack of light. "I hope they've given you something else to do other than to listen for me to say ouch."

"Not to worry, I keep busy."

You nodded even though she couldn't see it. Or maybe she could? Was she holed up in some ONI office, watching you with thermal signatures or some other sort of tech? "I appreciate it, Ms. Classified. Though I believe you gave me your name, didn't you? I'm sorry, I can't remember what it was."

"You were a little busy at the time," she demurred. "It's Cortana but I rather like 'Ms. Classified,' I have to say. It's like a nickname between friends, isn't it?"

"It is," you said. "And please feel free to use my first name. No need for friends to stand on formality."

"Thank you," she said and, after a slight pause, added your name as if it were an honor to do so.

Was she a Spartan, perhaps? Something about her careful manner reminded you of how John sometimes reacted to interpersonal things as if he hadn't ever dealt with them before and wanted desperately to be right in his response.

You wasn't sure if you should ask and while you were still wondering, she said goodbye with a sound like pixels vanishing, though there had been no hologram of her to see this time.

Your day was a lot more mundane after that. PT came by as Dr. Savannah had said they would, and you dutifully did the exercises with minimal grumbling and complaining. The ancient saying about medics being terrible patients was still said for a reason, after all, but you didn't want to be One Of Those if you could help it.

The therapist had brought you breakfast from the mess for after your session: the cold cereal MRE, typically called mush rarely edible, along with plain black coffee. She also told you that the next session would be tomorrow instead of later today, due to a scheduling conflict.

So that left you with a whole lot of day and very little to fill it.

You were scrolling through your padd, looking through old documents and messages, intending to clean up and organize things but, more often than not, ended up reminiscing on the past, on friends once part of your every day life now long gone, either transferred away or worse.

You discovered a folder full of sketches of various Mjolnir designs you'd done back before you'd decided for certain to begin training to be a Brokkr tech. Your interest in the Spartans and their armor had been a mere hobby, then.

You were far from a gifted artist but trying to capture the different iterations, the bulkier but classic shapes of the Mark V, the more streamlined Mark VI, had made for fun practice. You'd also tried out a few ideas of your own, such as "floating" pieces of armor to try and better protect the Spartans' joints without sacrificing mobility. The final image, though, had been a purely fanciful one: a fusion of Mjolnir and medieval, a literal Spartan in shining armor.

You couldn't help but chuckle. There was no number on the chest plate but it was clearly Master Chief to anybody who was familiar with his armor configuration. The patterning on his visor had a texture reminiscent of a knight's helm and the flare of his shield had a shape like the plume of a feather at the crest of his head. One arm was extended but incomplete: you hadn't decided whether to give him a BR or DMR or go for something like a broadsword or lance. Then you'd simply never come back to finish it and it had been forgotten in your drafts for all this time.

Tapping a fingertip contemplatively against your lip, you thought for a moment, then impulsively picked up your stylus and began to draw.

Gentle fingertips brushed against your hair and you woke to find John next to the bed.

"Sorry to bother you," he murmured, "but you looked uncomfortable."

The moment he said that, your neck began protesting the odd angle your head had slumped into.

"Well, that was a bad idea," you said plaintively, straightening up very slowly. Your entire body ached like you'd been moonlighting as a punching bag. Your padd slipped off your lap to the mattress, then bounced towards the edge, and John easily caught it on the fly.

You suddenly remembered what had been on it. The screen was dark but all it would take was a brush of a finger to activate it again and he'd see--

"What's this?" he said, orientating the padd right side up.

"That's... my poor attempt at artistry," you said, feeling heat blooming up your neck. You resisted the urge to snatch it from his hand and throw it to the floor yourself.

"It's not poor," he countered, studying it even more intently. "Not at all. I like it a lot, especially the detail here."

He tapped the image and the SPNKr rocket launcher you'd placed casually in the Spartan's hand, resting on the armored shoulder, expanded to better reveal the intricate filigree you'd spent a considerable amount of time adding to the large missile chamber.

"I mean, it's not practical, of course," you mumbled but his sincere appreciation lessened your embarrassment. "I wanted a medieval feel to a modern weapon."

"Do you have others?" he asked, handing the padd back to you.

You appreciated that he didn't just start flipping through the images. You swiped back to show him your other Mjolnir studies.

The very corner of his mouth twitched. "These are all mine, aren't they?"

"Hm, I suppose they are," you said in mock surprise. "It looks like I've had a favorite Spartan for a while now."

"Good," he said decisively, then glanced at you with a soft smile. "Could I send a copy of this to R&D?"

"Which one?" you asked, alarmed.

"The floating armor," he said, the smile growing a bit.

"Yeah, if you want," you said and forwarded the study to him. "I doubt I've thought of anything they haven't by now but I guess you never know."

"And could I have a copy of the other one, just for me?"

"Really?"

"Really," he confirmed.

You switched back to the medieval drawing, adding your signature with a flourish in the corner before forwarding that one as well.

The door chimed and he went to open it as if it were expected.

"Master Chief, sir!" the young private said, making a motion no doubt intended to be a salute that he couldn't complete because of the large and apparently heavy covered tray he was carrying.

"At ease," he said, taking the tray from him.

The private snapped a salute as crisp as if he were in the presence of Lord Hood himself, then kept standing in the open doorway, staring rather starstruck.

"Thank you, you're dismissed," John told him.

"If you or the Hero of the Pit need anything, let me know, sir," the marine said earnestly before backing away.

Once the door closed, you said, "That really is a terrible nickname."

"The Covenant call me 'Demon,'" John said, bringing the tray to the bed and setting it on the foot.

"'Demon' is badass," you countered. "Mine sounds like I fell in a hole and somehow managed to crawl back out."

"Crawling out of that hole wasn't a given," he said, "and you made sure nobody else was in there with you."

He lifted the cover on the tray, revealing two sizzling plates of food. The smell that hit you was divine.

Your voice dropped an entire octave. "Is that eggplant parmigiana?"

"I... think so? It's whatever was being served in the Spartan mess for lunch." His expression darkened. "You were supposed to get breakfast from there, too, but there was apparently some sort of mix-up. It's been dealt with."

You felt momentarily sorry for whoever had been on the receiving end of being dealt with. "I can't eat Spartan portions."

"You actually can because it so happens that I can calculate how many calories a Brokkr mechanic-slash-medic needs in order to heal properly." He held that with a serious expression for a moment, then winked. "And I also asked Dr. Savannah about it. She said, and I quote, 'Tell her it's fine to live a little.'"

"Oh, well, if it's doctor's orders..." you trailed off with a grin.

He left to get a small table and chair for himself since there was only the one lap tray and you took the opportunity to hit the head, thinking you'd be settled back in before he returned. As it turned out, you either greatly underestimated how far he had to go to find what he was looking for or, more likely, had greatly overestimated how quickly you could move.

Your left arm wanted to draw up to your torso from the way your damaged shoulder muscle was currently being foreshortened. Raising it even close to 45 degrees made it feel like it was being ripped off of your body. You took a couple of deep breaths, forcing it straight down to your side, and gritted your teeth though the pain as you returned to the main room.

John had already finished setting up the portable table and turned, his expression going almost comically aghast. "Should I call somebody? What can I do? I can carry you or--"

"No, it's fine," you told him. "I just have to work through it."

He hovered next to you as you made the few, torturous step back to the bed, his worry a palpable thing. Your bad knee buckled and he caught your arm -- fortunately, the right one -- to keep you from going down. His fingers hit a bruise hidden under your sleeve but you managed to not react.

The stricken look he gave you meant he'd seen the reaction anyway.

"There we go," you said, trying to sound breezy but the result was more winded than anything as you propped up against the headboard. "I'm ready for lunch. Are you? Lunch sounds great right about now."

He seemed at a loss as to what to do. You gingerly reached out and wrapped your fingers around his.

"I'm okay," you said softly. "I'm healing on schedule and it could've been much worse."

He nodded shortly, very, very carefully folding his other hand over yours. With a brief glance away, he nodded a final time as if agreeing to something you couldn't hear and then exhaled purposefully, affecting a lighter tone. "Well, let's see how that eggplant parmigiana is, then, hm?"

Even though physical therapy wasn't scheduled again until tomorrow, you went ahead and did the exercises anyway. Not only did it give you something to do after John left, but you were even more inspired to try to regain your strength as soon as possible.

Since you were alone, you felt free to swear your way more and more creatively through the entire session and only after the fact did you worry that maybe you had accidentally taught Cortana some new words and phrases.

Nah, you thought. Surely, she's not stuck sitting at some console all day and night, listening for me to need something, right?

You almost asked it out loud, just to see if she was listening, but decided against it. You didn't want to imagine she'd been instructed to keep her earpiece in to monitor you even when she took a meal or bathroom break. Or that maybe she never even actually got to go off-duty at all. It hadn't escaped your attention that John apparently didn't trust anybody else to provide your erstwhile overwatch.

You ate your dinner when it arrived, a very delicious chicken gumbo, then turned in early, since sleep was also an important factor in healing.

But your sleep was restless, the aches in your body keeping you from getting comfortable, and then when you did doze off, your mind kept taking you back to those moments when you were trapped. A couple of times, you found yourself jolting awake, John's name on your lips. You wondered if he was on base, asleep in the Spartan quarters. You'd assumed he would come back if he were here but you hadn't actually asked him to. It was his room, though, so wouldn't he...?

Try to get some sleep, that's the best thing right now. You'll feel stronger tomorrow, you silently instructed yourself, trying to find a comfortable position.

The next time you woke, your heart was thundering in your ears and you made a small panicked noise.

The lights abruptly came up to a quarter and you looked around wildly.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

John sat up from where he was stretched out over on the couch and you instinctively reached for him. He was there almost as if appearing by magic, letting you grip his hand as he leaned over you.

You were tangled in the covers and struggled to free yourself. He carefully extricated you with his free hand.

"Were you having a nightmare?" he asked and you nodded.

"I- I didn't know you were here," you said, stumbling over the words. "Why are you on the couch? You could share. I'd- I'd like you to."

He got that slightly stricken look again. "I'm heavy. I'll hurt you by moving around. I can't... I can't cause you more pain. I'm right here, though."

You understood what he meant but it still stung a bit like rejection. You normally would've let him go, would've tried to accept it gracefully, but the phantom weight on your chest changed the words on your tongue.

Your voice emerged small and compressed. "I need you, John."

The words clearly hit him like a plasma bolt to the chest and his fingers closed gently around yours.

"All right," he finally said. "I'll be careful."

It took a few minutes but eventually you were in his arms, turned on your right side with your injured left arm resting on his chest, your head tucked into the curve of his neck. All of the movement did hurt but you absolutely didn't care; all that was important was that he was here, you could hear his heart beneath your ear, could feel his warmth seeping into all of your pains and soothing them.

"Thank you," you murmured into the softness of his shirt.

"You don't have to thank me," he said, kissing the top of your head and lightly brushing his fingers across the hand you had on his sternum.

You were almost asleep when you thought, but weren't completely sure, that he also quietly said, "I need you, too."

#halo #halo the series #halo paramount+#master chief x reader #x reader #john-117 x reader #aislynn's fics #aislynn's fic #ageless aislynn #fic: 15 minutes #series: how to date a spartan without even trying

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layla4567 · 5 months

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Until the birds stop singing 🐦

Young!Coriolanus!Snow x OC!Fem!reader

Summary: Soleil come from district 8, the textile district and she have been chosen for the hunger games. When she hear her name she hesitates whether to approach or not but since she have no other option she go up to the podium. What the girl don't know is that from the screen sapphire eyes are observing her carefully, wondering if she will be his tribute or not. Warnings: Everything is probably too inaccurate with the Hunger Games universe because I have no fucking idea what the movies are about, I've never seen them, sorry!-- I have a lifeguard complex so Coriolanus may not be such an asshole in this fic-- the typical "i can fix him" (no you can't)-- first time using an OC and not Y/N-- basically Soleil replaces Lucy--not proofread--english isn't my first language--injuries and blood--spoilers I think Wc: 4.6k

divider not mine, credits to whom it may apply (I don't remember the user, sorry)

Coriolanus was with his body upright and tense in his seat, staring at the screen and trying to maintain a calm breathing. Next to him, Sejanus looked at him askance, but his classmate didn't return his gaze. It was an open secret that everyone was tense about the hunger games and knowing what tribute they would get, everyone wanted the prize and others needed it more than others. But Coriolanus would never admit it, he preferred to starve before saying that he needed money, he didn't want to compare himself with the poor of the district.

The screen showed people from different districts, all of them standing in rows according to their number. Some mentors had already been assigned his tribute except for Snow, he felt nervous and lightly rubbed his fingers on his thigh to calm the anxiety and stress. Suddenly the presenter put the microphone to his lips and uttered words that someone wished they didn't hear.

"From District 8, Soleil Allen!"

The young girl's blood turned cold as ice and she felt her breath hitch for a second. On the other hand, Coriolanus leaned in his chair, approaching the screen without being able to believe what he saw and heard. Soleil was behind a tall woman so the camera couldn't capture her.

"Come on Miss Allen, don't be shy and come closer"

She sighed deeply and with hesitant and trembling steps she moved away from the rows and slowly approached with almost ceremonial steps towards where the presenter was. People watched her pass as they watch a bull pass to the slaughterhouse. The closer she got, the slower her steps and the more distraught her face became. Her clothes drew attention wherever she went, you could clearly see that they were sewn by hand, for some reason she came from District 8. The camera focused on her worried face and on the screens Snow looked at her for a long time, she had soft and sweet features as a fairy, but her upward frown gave her the look of a scared puppy

When Soleil gently climbed the stairs her gaze went straight to the floor, scared and ashamed. She definitely didn't want to be there, she didn't want to be chosen, she was just unlucky.

"aww is the girl scared?"

A girl who was close to Coryo mocked Soleil, pretending to be compassionate, but her laugh sounded poisonous. Coriolanus looked at her frowning for a second and then turned his face to the screen swallowing nervously, if that girl was his tribute he would be doomed.

"Alright Soleil Allen do you have anything to say to the civilians or the camera? We are recording you right now!"

Soleil kept looking at the floor and wringing her hands like a little girl, some citizens laughed at her and others looked at her with pity. Suddenly she slowly raised her head and looked at the people and then at the camera. Coriolanus on the other side didn't know why but he felt that those eyes were looking only at him. Soleil's eyes showed regret and pain like those of a sheep in danger. Suddenly she approached the presenter and looking at him begged him.

"Please take care of my mother, she is alone…please"

The girl's request and the urgency in her voice caused the presenter's charming and bright smile to fall for a few seconds. Coryo through the screen frowned in confusion while he kept looking at her. Why would she ask for something like that? Doesn't she know that's not possible? Seriously, would she be so delusional to think that someone from here would care about someone from a district? Even Coryo knew that deep down he considered the people of the districts inferior, like animals. Around the room where young Snow was sitting there was also confusion.

"Uhmm well Miss Allen I'm afraid that won't be possible, but thank you for your suggestion!"

The look of sadness that the girl's eyes expressed caused something in Coryo, a certain discomfort that he couldn't identify but the situation bothered him and he didn't know if it was because of the girl's request or because of her reaction when it was rejected. The presenter smiled again as usual and some men took Soleil by both arms, dragging her like a sack of potatoes, she moaned fearfully and looked at the camera again as if she were looking for help, and again Coriolanus felt that she was asking him for help even though she didn't know him.

Young Snow remained still in his seat watching as the girl was taken away until she was just a blurry dot on the screen. The tributes continued to be announced but Coriolanus was not paying attention, his head was somewhere else, very far away. He couldn't stop thinking about what had just happened to his tribute, he didn't even seem to notice when they announced the tribute of his friend Sejanus. For the first time Coryo felt that the situation was slipping out of his hands. He who always felt prepared for any adversity now felt like he was losing control and the games hadn't even started yet. The room began to empty little by little and only Snow was left standing in the middle of the room with his gaze fixed on the already turned off screen, even so he could continue seeing Soleil as if it were on. Sighing, he slowly walked away with languid steps and went outside.

Coriolanus Snow in his scarlet red uniform was standing in the middle of the train station alone. He had decided to receive the girl with a welcome and a white rose, a rose that he now held in his hand, turning it over thoughtfully and anxiously. After thinking about it for a while and analyzing what he had seen on the screen, he said that Soleil needed to trust someone and that someone was none other than his mentor. If he did not achieve this he risked losing the opportunity to win the Plinth Prize. Snow had to achieve a favorable and calm environment to calm the waters, she is probably scared and confused now so he will be her anchor, her lighthouse in the storm.

Meanwhile, Soleil was sitting on the floor of the train car with her knees bent up to chest height and her hands clasped in front of her legs. She had her chin buried in her knees and her gaze was empty and lost. She made great efforts not to cry, but she told herself that she was not weak or cowardly and that no matter how ugly things looked, she would always know how to find the light. Precious and sweet memories of just a few days ago came to her mind, she and her mother sewing dresses together singing happy songs of yesteryear. Or years ago when she was a girl of only 10 and her father was still alive and taught her to dance, but since she was very short she always ended up resting her feet on his while her father made her spin around until she burst into laughter. These memories were like a balm for her heart and she allowed herself to smile shyly. She looked around at the people next to her in the car, poor, dirty-looking men and women who were in almost the same situation. Their faces did not reflect any comfort or joy in all this that was happening. You couldn't even make friends because in the end in the arena it will be a pitched battle of all against all. And to be honest, even if it had been possible to establish some kind of friendly relationship with those people, she would not have been able to due to her introversion.

Suddenly a little girl looked at Soleil, at first shyly but then she smiled warmly and Soleil couldn't help but smile too. The girl approached her walking slowly due to the constant rattling of the train. When he was close enough he greeted Soleil.

"Hi!"

"Hey.."-She smiled, speaking softly.

"You're Soleil Allen right?"

"Yeah I am"

"My name is Wovey."

Now the little girl smiled with all her teeth, causing her eyes to narrow in a tender way. Soleil smiled more calmly, at least of all those people there was someone kind enough to introduce themselves.

"What a cute name"

Wovey seemed delighted and thanked him while bowing slightly.

"Why did you say about your mother?"

Soleil's smile faded little by little as she remembered her little "speech" and she became sad when she remembered her mother. The girl had a huge heart and great compassion and she couldn't think about anything other than that her mother was okay. Since her father left, the two of them had learned to be alone and take care of each other and Soleil couldn't imagine how empty her mother must feel now without her by her side.

"I- well...uhm.."

Soleil's eyes felt wet again and she looked away so they wouldn't see her crying, she hated crying in front of everyone. Wovey's face turned serious, fearing that he had made a mistake by asking that question.

"Come Wovey, leave her alone"

A man in a beret took the girl's hand and led her away from Soleil until he returned to her side and sat with the boy. As the train shook faster and faster, announcing that it was about to reach its destination

Young Snow grew impatient as he waited for the carriage and turned the rose faster and faster between his fingers. Suddenly a familiar beep woke him up from his daydreams and he saw the train loaded with passengers stopping right in front of his eyes. The young blonde tensed and adjusted the folds of his suit. A peacekeeper grabbed his hand on the car door and roughly slid it open. A few people got out, men and women of different ages. Coriolanus looked frantically around the train car hoping to find you. When I was beginning to lose hope, a somewhat short and thin girl with short brown hair down to her collarbones emerged from the car cautiously. She walked with slow but elegant steps, looking at everything around her in surprise as if she were on another planet. The peacekeeper snorted irritably and impatiently.

"Are you getting off the train or not? I don't have all day."

Soleil blushed embarrassed by the reprimand and nodded timidly. First he sat on the wagon and then jumped down, bending his legs and shaking his clothes. Coryo, who was a few meters away from her, noticed that she was even prettier in person than what the cameras showed. Her clothes seemed timeless, a shirt with long, puffy sleeves that left her shoulders exposed, a tight corset tied towards the front adorned her chest and highlighted her waist and hips, the flowered pattern looked like a rustic fabric. At the bottom she wore a long soft pink skirt that reached just above her knees and on her feet she wore simple brown boots. Yes, you could definitely tell that girl was pretty. Young Snow saw that the girl was looking everywhere lost trying to look for someone, when she was about to walk away he walked in her direction calling her.

"Soleil Allen, wait!"

The tribute turned around abruptly upon hearing her name and among the crowd of people she saw a mop of platinum blonde hair and beneath that hair the bluest eyes she had ever seen in her life. A tall boy dressed in red approached her confidently, pushing his way through the crowd. Who was that handsome and distinguished boy who had called his name? What did hers want? Despite being a girl who does not think badly of people, at first a small distrust settled deep inside her being.

Now the rose that Coriolanus was holding began to tremble slightly in his hand at the side of his body, he had made a little speeches about what he would say to his tribute but now when he had it in front of him and looked into her eyes he fell silent and his mind remained silent. in white. If he had the bluest and most crystalline eyes, she had the brownest eyes I had ever seen, almost the color of honey, or the golden sun when reflected in the water. And her thick, long eyelashes seemed to simply complete her look. He suddenly felt his palms sweat, and he wished she didn't notice.

"I'm Coriolanus Snow, welcome to the Capitol"

The boy raised his arm and brought the flower to her face. Soleil's face transformed completely, first she frowned in confusion and then her face relaxed until her lips formed a big smile. She inhaled the perfume of the rose with her eyes closed, even though it was not open, the smell was still sweet. Coriolanus seemed relieved that he liked the white rose and smiled softly as well. Soleil opened her eyes by gently batting her eyelashes and looked at the blonde boy.

"Thank you very much, it's beautiful"

Soleil tilted her head, still smiling, and lovingly massaged the petals of the fragile rose. Snow couldn't stop watching her movements, always delicate like those of a princess and smiled even more, something inside him tingled and for a moment he forgot what he really thought about the people of the districts. But he decided to suppress those thoughts and emotions that he didn't know where they came from and he didn't want to find out, the people of the districts were still inferior to him, this was just a gesture to gain the trust of his tribute… right?

"Umh maybe you don't know it but I'm your mentor, I'll help you win the hunger games"

"To win? and how exactly?"

"Well with strategies I guess, we'll see about that later"-He tried to look confident but quickly scratched his neck.

Soleil nodded when suddenly two uniformed men grabbed her by both arms, lifted her off the ground and took her away, leaving Coryo surprised and confused. She kicked and screamed while in the air without her feet touching the ground. In the midst of all the commotion she dropped the rose into her hands. Young Snow rushed to grab it and chased after the men.

"Stop! Don't take her, I'm her mentor!"

Other peacekeepers quickly did the same with the other tributes. They were dragged as if they were light as feathers and were pushed onto a garbage truck-like transport. Screams and commotion echoed in the air and deafened Coryo's ears but he followed your trail closely. He couldn't lose his last ticket to win the prize. At a time when the men dispersed to catch more tributes Coriolanus quickly climbed onto the truck and entered without hesitation. The doors closed and before he realized it he was already fully in the lion's den. Soleil was scared to see his mentor there, his bright clothes made him see a red ant in the middle of warm and dark colors. Soon the other tributes rose from their seats or the floor and looked at him with frowns. Soleil was afraid that they would do something to the blonde boy so before anyone else could move she approached him.

"Why did you get on the transport? You shouldn't be here!"-She said with a thin voice

"Well, I'm your mentor, I can't leave you alone…"

Coryo's gaze moved nervously around the place and became more uncomfortable when he saw that a robust guy was approaching dangerously towards him.

"And who is this clown?"

Young Snow was going to say something but Soleil quickly did it for him.

"He's my mentor, he's supposed to help me win the games."

After saying that, the girl quickly realized that she made a serious mistake. Now others will think she was cheating or something like that. She closed her eyes and bit her lower lip, wishing the earth would swallow her. The other tributes looked at her offended and murmurs of disapproval arose. The sturdy guy behind her moved even closer to Coriolanus and pushed Soleil away with his arm, which displeased the mentor.

"So the rich kid is going to help the 8 win huh? And what the fuck is going on with the rest of us?"

The man had Coryo cornered against the wall, yet he cleared his throat and did his best to maintain a calm attitude.

"I promise you that everyone will have a mentor who will help you"

The guy laughed sarcastically, looking at the others who also started laughing as if Coryo had made a great joke. Suddenly the robust man turned around to look at him, this time completely serious, and grabbed him by the lapels. Soleil, scared, put a hand on the boy's arm, trying to calm him down to no avail.

"Well, I think the pretty boy is lying."

Before anyone could say anything Coriolanus received a strong punch in the face, leaving his lip split and bloody. As if a spring had been activated in her system, Soleil shouted No! and with one jump he climbed onto the back of the man who had hit his mentor. She clung to him like a circus monkey and placed her hands on his head and eyes, preventing him from seeing or moving.

"Leave him alone!!"

The man turned and made great efforts to get the girl off of him but it was useless, she held on tightly as if her life depended on it. Coryo, recovering from the shock of the blow, looked at his tribute with amazement and some admiration. He began to think that maybe you weren't so weak and useless. Soon the other tributes approached helping their companion and trying to remove Soleil and without thinking it all turned into a small fight because Coriolanus separated the others as best he could so that they would not hurt his tribute.

Out of nowhere a strong shock like an earthquake caused everyone to fall to the ground with a thud. The transport was moving from left to right as if it were going to overturn and the people inside were pushed like potatoes towards the walls, causing several bruises. When everything seemed to get worse the door opened and everyone was thrown like garbage into a zoo. Soleil tried to grab onto something and reached for his mentor's hand, who was still clinging to the door, refusing to fall, but another jolt caused the tribute and mentor to fall silent, hitting rocks and scraping their hands as they passed. The fall was hard and the girl felt her palms burning and when she looked at them they were red and she had some cuts with blood.

Soleil felt the veins in her temples throbbing strongly and her face felt hot from the shock. Gasping and squeezing his eyes shut, she stood up slowly and unsteadily, trying to maintain her balance and figure out where she was. She shook the dust off her clothes and to her horror saw that they were locked in a kind of zoo with thick iron bars. Did they really see them as animals?

The girl with light brown, almost hazel eyes looked around at the other people who were with her. Some were still injured on the ground and were getting up as best they could or with the help of someone, but there was one thing in common, and that was that no one knew or understood why they were in that place. The young tribute looked everywhere for her mentor but gave up on that idea when she saw the girl from the train who had greeted her sitting on the floor crying with her injured knee. Soleil felt her heart sink and she didn't hesitate for a second and trotted towards where the little girl was.

"Hey, are you okay? I'm here."

Soleil carefully wiped away the tears that were rolling down Wovey's cheeks and tried to smile so that the girl would understand that everything was going to be okay…or so she hoped.

"That's it, that's better. Now, would you like to tell me where it hurts?"

Wovey with a pout pointed a little finger at her knee. Soleil moved the fabric of her skirt and saw the bruised skin. It was scratched and red and bleeding a little. She quickly tore a piece of the hem of her skirt and gently cleaned Wovey's wounds. She then improvised a bandage by wrapping the cloth around the knee. At all this Coriolanus found her tribute first after looking and searching everywhere, he saw her crouching helping the girl on the train and tried with all his might to suppress a smile but he couldn't. He decided not to get closer but watched her from afar.

"There, this should be enough."

Wovey looked at her bandaged knee and could smile, Soleil saw her finished work with satisfaction and pride. It wasn't the best bandage but at least it would help prevent the wound from opening further. The girl smiled warmly at Wovey and stroked her chin.

"I wanted to see that smile, you are very brave, you know that?"

The little girl giggled in response, which infected Soleil. Suddenly a clearing of the throat behind her surprised her and she turned around to see blue eyes looking down at her in amusement. She stood up quickly happy to see her mentor but then her smile faded when she saw Coryo's busted lip, she remembered the brute man who had hit him and frowned. Coriolanus noticed that she was looking too closely at his lips and became nervous.

"What's wrong?"

Soleil did not respond and instead placed her hands on the sides of Coryo's face and moved closer to get a better look at the wound. His first instinct was to back away but he suppressed it.

"Your lip is bleeding"-she said running her thumb slowly over the cut to which he grimaced-"I'll see if I can heal it…"

The tribute grabbed her skirt again and was about to tear the fabric when Coriolanus's firm hand stopped her.

"No! You don't need to ruin your clothes for me, besides it doesn't hurt that much"-he lied

She was going to protest but a grimace of pain prevented her. Suddenly a burning sensation in her hands reminded her that she was hurt. She looked at her palms that were red and full of dirt. Frowning in concern, Snow pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and offered to clean her hands. Coryo's eyes were on her hands but Soleil only saw his eyes. When he finished he looked up smiling satisfied and she looked down embarrassed not wanting to be caught looking at him.

"Thanks…"-she mumbled

"No problem"

Suddenly he remembered something and raised his index finger in a sign of waiting and took out of his jacket pocket the rose that had fallen earlier at the station. It was a little crushed but still just as beautiful. He looked at Soleil and gently placed it behind her ear. Her honey eyes pierced his ocean blue ones. She thought he was just being nice and wanted to gain her trust because he was her mentor and she was supposed to help him win the prize and in turn he was supposed to help her win the games. But still she couldn't help but feel a flutter in her stomach.

The sound of a microphone startled them both. A man was talking to a camera held by another man. The one holding the microphone seemed excited to broadcast live what was happening on the other side of the bars, as if the tributes were aliens who had just landed on earth. Soleil didn't like all this at all, she felt helpless and vulnerable and instinctively sought the protection of her mentor as if it were her father. She wrapped herself in his arm and clung to him like a little girl. Coriolanus Snow frowned in surprise and confusion but then he saw her scared face and placed a hand on the back of her.

The presenter was still talking to the camera when he turned around and saw Coryo. It was so easy to spot him, his clothes bright red not only because of the color but because he dressed more elegantly than the other people there.

"Excuse me, little boy, yes, yes, the blonde in red. What are you doing here young man and what is your name?"

The camera got dangerously close to Coryo who began to sweat and stutter slightly. He looked for help in his tribute's eyes but she was as mute as he was. Coryo cleared his throat and simply said

"I'm Coriolanus Snow but why don't I introduce you to my tribute, instead?"

The blonde boy pointed at Soleil with one hand and invited her to come closer to the camera. She looked at him scared but he winked at her. He knew this was the best way to start winning over the public.

"Excellent, excellent!"-exclaimed the man enthusiastically

And quickly he brought the microphone as close as the bars would allow to the girl's face.

"Tell me, you're Soleil Allen, right? The one from District 8."

Soleil swallowed and, trying not to look at the camera, answered.

"Y-yeah, it's me"

Coriolanus squeezed her arm to give her courage and to make a good impression and she thanked him with a smile.

"Oh, but what do I see here! Is that a rose you're wearing behind your ear?"

The girl blushed and quickly took off the flower and squeezed it in her hand. The man with the microphone seemed happy with the nervous gesture of the tribute.

"Oh ho ho and may I know who gave you that rose? Was it your mentor?"-he winked mischievously

Mentor and tribute were getting nervous when some children of 5 to 6 years old approached the bars to say hello, they were like angels sent from heaven to save them from the embarrassing situation. The girl approached and placed her hands on the bars.

"You're pretty"-she said to Soleil in a childish voice

Soleil Allen crouched down to the little girl's height and smiled with all her teeth.

"Thank you sweetie, so you are"

Coryo looked proudly at his tribute, with her natural charm and genuine kindness she was winning over the crowd even before the games began. The girl ran her fingers through the tribute's blouse.

"I like your clothes"

"Oh really? I made it"

The presenter looked at the camera again, smiling like never before.

"What do you think of that? Soleil Allen, the girl from 8, is tenderly earning the trust of two little children!"

Soleil looked at the boy who had his hands in his pockets.

"What's your name?"

He hesitated before answering. "I'm Pontius"

"And I'm Venus, his sister!"

"What beautiful names"-she smiled

Pontius looked at Coryo for a long time and then said innocently

"Your girlfriend is pretty"

Soleil opened her eyes and blushed as she looked at the boy. Coriolanus just smiled

"Thank you"

Soleil looked at him confused and he smiled calmly again. The presenter kept talking to the camera.

"Very well we will continue to report on the other tributes later, don't miss the 10th annual Hunger Games!"

With this the man said goodbye and left the zoo. While a peacekeeper led Coriolanus by the arm. Soleil, worried about being alone, clung to her mentor's hand. It was becoming a tug-of-war when another peacekeeper abruptly removed Soleil's hand and pushed the girl aside. Snow wanted to protest but they mercilessly dragged him out of the zoo. Soleil quickly approached the bars and gripped her hands on them as she stuck her head out through a gap.

"Will you come back? Promise!"

"I promise you"

Coriolanus's cry echoed as they took him away and Soleil felt emptier than ever, even more than when she had to leave her mother alone at home.

#oc #oc female #oc fic #the hunger games #coriolanus snow #coriolanus x oc #coriolanus x oc fem reader #fanfic #tbosas #lucy gray baird #the ballad of songbirds and snakes #tom blyth #young coriolanus snow #thg #the hunger games fanfic

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ukulelevillainwrites · 7 months

Text

who follows the rules anyway?

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 8

pairing : anthony lockwood x reader

word count : 6.5k

warnings : panic attack, anxiety, spoilers for lockwood's backstory

content : enjoy this part that has more plot, there's also angst but reconciliation too

taglist : @cassiopeiia24 @archiveoftara

note : time keeps passing faster it's getting out of hand, anyway i hope you like it !! and thank you everyone for reading and still being there as this fic keeps getting longer and longer

[from Lockwood’s POV]

He slammed the front door on his way out. It was probably loud enough to wake up the entire neighborhood. She had crossed a line and it was enough to make the anger he had felt the night before resurface. It wasn’t the fact that she had made everything to annoy him so early in the day, though it had played a part in it. What had set him off was her devising a plan right in front of him as if he was too stupid to notice. She hadn’t been explicit in what she wrote on the Thinking Cloth, but it was obvious that she intended to act on her theories today. And she was going behind his back. She was putting his company at risk and she didn’t even have the decency to be upfront. He thought he had earned her respect. Her disregard for his authority was a slap in the face.

He had gotten used to their fights by now. Even though they had gotten along pretty well for the past few weeks, their relationship had gotten off to a rocky start. But this was different. They had had disagreements in the past where he had been frustrated with her. She was always the one who got truly angry. It had made him laugh on occasions, like the night they met. She had the habit of taking things to heart. But she was passionate, a quality the three of them shared and it was probably what brought them closer. However last night the tension hadn’t been one-sided.

No matter how much he believed he was right, how he didn’t want her nor George to get into any more trouble, he kept wondering if maybe he’d been wrong. What if because of this he had ruined the relationship they had? Maybe he was being selfish indeed. Maybe he should consider their point of view more closely. George had never been the type to hold a grudge. He’d bring some doughnuts on the way home and they’d go back to normal. But y/n… it was complicated. It had taken them much effort to get along, and maybe now all that was gone. He’d need to do more. Get involved. Help her in her plan to stop this Dufour woman.

He stopped walking as the idea crossed his mind. What was he thinking? That was the whole point. It would put a target on their back. They would get noticed by every relic-man related to this case. It would alert the authorities, maybe DEPRAC would get involved. It was the last thing they needed. The publicity he was hoping for would shed light on the great work they did, not getting involved with a less than desirable crowd. And it applied for y/n and George too. Since Fittes didn’t work out for them, they should be doing their best to make Lockwood and Co noteworthy. To put the company on the map and guarantee them the future they were supposed to have. Why was he the only one to see that? It seemed obvious enough.

He went back and forth in his head as he followed the Thames for the next half hour. His thoughts were cut short when he noticed a familiar boat secured near a spot where the river was shallower. Instead of following the sidewalk, he jumped over a fence guarding a flight of stairs and climbed down to the banks. He had to walk a few minutes longer to finally spot a familiar figure. She was crouched down, digging into the mud, like he was used to finding her. He barely had time to walk closer to her that she was already greeting him, like she had sensed him coming from a mile away.

“Morning, Locky. Been a while.”

“It’s been far too long, Flo. I brought you some licorice to apologize.”

It was only when he mentioned the treat that she stood up and faced him. She took them nonchalantly. A wide bright smile lightened up her face after she took a bite.

“So, what brings you here?” She asked, chewing loudly.

“I just wanted to check up on you, see how you were doing.”

“There’s not much to tell. Business as usual. Except maybe for this new rich old man all relic-men wanna work for.”

“What’s that about?” Lockwood asked, frowning.

“You haven’t heard of the new traffic taking over the city? That’s surprising of you.”

“Oh please, not you too!” He was exasperated.

“What’s with you?” Flo teased him.

“Nothing.”

“I really thought you’d be more invested in all this.”

“A lot of people seem to assume that… What does this particular traffic have that’s so special?” His irritation was starting to show.

“It’s just such a mess that it’s killing people left and right. Relic-men who aren’t cautious…”

“They sort of had it coming.” He cut in.

“…innocent bystanders too. Some people get ghost-touched just by living nearby.” She had gone back to work, digging near the water as she explained the situation in a neutral voice. She didn’t seem particularly affected.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that they start moving dozens of sources at a time! They break into homes, antique shops, cemeteries or whatever potential place with relics they can find and just… don’t secure them at all. They’re being really dumb about it. A bunch of them just broke stuff and ended up with a new visitor.” Her tone had changed when she mumbled those last words. She tried being cautious when she explained further. But Lockwood wasn’t really focused anymore. The world stood still for a moment.

“Just because the guy who’s buying is paying more than the usual market price.” Flo concluded.

He had gone silent. It’s like he was reliving the scene all over again. This couldn’t be happening. Not again.

“That guy. Who is it?” he suddenly asked with a new determination.

“I don’t know… some posh old man looking to impress his friends I guess.”

“Tell me if you have any more information. Stop by whenever you hear more, alright?”

“Locky, don’t do anything stupid. You don’t have anything to do with this. It wasn’t your fault-”

“Keep me posted, will you?”

With that he started to walk back, more briskly than he had come. This wouldn’t happen in other homes. Not if he could help it.

He tried to ignore the sorry tone he had heard in her voice as he reached the steps that led back to the street. The news hadn’t been what he expected at all. He thought he was simply going to have a chat with an old friend. Instead, the past he had tried so hard to bury was back to haunt him. It had taken him by surprise, but it wasn’t anything to worry about. He had much to do, he didn’t have time to be distracted. He ignored the twist in his stomach as the sound of the source breaking followed by a scream echoed through his mind. He directed his attention to the next step of the plan they would have to follow. George would have to explain everything all over again, but he was sure he wouldn’t mind. And now that he was on her side, y/n would no longer be mad. Everything would be fine. He had everything under control. He mumbled to himself on the street as he thought about what they needed to do next. Obviously Flo was essential to the operation. Without her intel there was no way they could stop the dealings. Especially if every relic-man in the city wanted a piece of the business. They couldn’t target relic-men specifically. They needed to aim higher. George had already offered to follow her. He was probably right. But most importantly they needed to uncover who was this mystery man buying all those sources. They also had to find out why anyone would want to buy so many sources that they singlehandedly affected the entire relic market.

As he neared Portland Row he wondered how he could phrase his apology. He stopped at Arif’s before climbing the few steps leading to the front door. The house was silent. At first he thought he would find them in the kitchen, still thinking of potential links between the information they had like George was used to doing. But when he got down there the room was empty. He looked through the library, their bedrooms, down the basement. No one. He went back in the kitchen, put the box of doughnuts on the table and started reading the plan they had started to write on the Thinking Cloth. He smiled at the poorly disguised acronyms and anagrams y/n had used to hide what she was planning on doing. Though it faded quickly when he read the next line, something about going back to the south of London out of town. He assumed it was where her family lived. She wasn’t just planning on investigating Dufour behind his back then. She was leaving town. She was leaving him.

It was only a matter of time anyway. He should have known it was a mistake when he offered to hire her. It was always destined to end this way or another. Letting her in seemed like a good idea at the time. She needed a job and a place to stay, he needed another member in his team. That’s what he’d told himself. But he might as well have lied to himself all along. He’d been manipulative from the start. He always was, he did everything he could to get his way. And now it was time to pay for it. It wouldn’t surprise him if George went with her. After all, he had been selfish with him too. George had helped him set up his company and supported him when he didn’t have anyone else. And when he asked him for help he turned his back on him. Being left alone was all that he deserved.

He loosened his tie. It was getting hard to breathe. Guilt strengthened its grip on his lungs, contracted them until he choked. No matter how deep he inhaled, he was running out of air. He was falling deeper down a spiral. Memories he thought buried resurfaced, their long thin fingers clinging to him, pulling him deeper. They sunk their claws into his skin, he felt like he was being torn apart. Blurry faces floated in front of his eyes and remained when he closed them. He wanted them to go away, but the thought of never seeing them again broke his heart all the same.

He held on to the nearest chair, trying to steady himself, but failed. Everything was painful. Sitting down, breathing, thinking, just existing was too much to bear. He felt like his body was shutting down, giving up on him too. He knew it had to end eventually. He didn’t think it would end like this, but it was better that way. To leave this world behind.

He sat down on the kitchen floor, his vision blurry. He was staring off into space, his lungs hurting, his breathing hoarse and shallow. All he could see was the ectoplasm burn from the room upstairs. Jessica was glowing in the middle of it, her arms open, welcoming him into the darkness. The ache spread from his lungs to his heart but he also felt relieved. He would join them and everything would be better. She had a warm smile on her face, the one she always wore when she tucked him into bed every night. But she wasn’t looking at him. Her eyes were focused on something right next to him. He turned to look. y/n’s bag was settled against the next chair, packed with what could be qualified as an amateur surveillance kit at best. He frowned. Why would she leave her stuff here if she had planned on leaving? She wasn’t the kind to travel lightly. She always had a bag full of useless stuff “just in case”. He never understood her logic but he had always seen her with a heavy bag. Maybe she wasn’t gone after all. A glimmer of hope sparked. But then where were they? The ache clenching his heart turned to anxiety. What if something bad had happened to them? The whole Dufour case could have taken a dark turn. Relic-men could have gotten to them. He needed to find them. He wouldn’t leave this world without knowing they were safe.

His thoughts were racing. Adrenaline had replaced apathy. He didn’t know where to start to look for them and with every passing second they could be further into trouble. He frantically read the notes on the Thinking Cloth, searching for any indication of where they might be. His eyes couldn’t focus. He wouldn’t be of any help if he felt this way. He tried to remember the exercise George had made him do that one time he found him in the same state. He closed his eyes and focused on the air coming out of his nose. He breathed in deep, keeping his attention on his stomach rising. Breathe in. Breathe out. He looked down at the table. There was a map with different places circled. He wrote them down and walked out of the kitchen. He intended to check them all, even if it meant walking through every single street of London.

He headed for the door with a new determination. He put one foot outside and was immediately stopped in his tracks. He stood in the doorframe and watched as a car parked in front of the house. A tall gentleman got out and went to open the first backdoor. George got out the best he could with his hands in handcuffs. Lockwood felt instantly relieved. Though it was bittersweet. Seeing his best friend arrested wasn’t what he enjoyed the most. That was until he heard him give the man a piece of his mind before comparing him to an elderly turtle with all the grace George was known to be capable of. Lockwood couldn’t help but smile. They were alright. They were safe. y/n got out of the car shortly after. Though her handcuffs were already off. She slammed them against the man’s chest before heading towards the house. Lockwood realized he should have known better than to worry himself sick over her safety. She was perfectly capable of taking care of herself and she had already proven that a thousand times. Before George or y/n could cross the iron gate, the man called them back in a voice that seemed unnecessarily loud.

“This isn’t over. Consider yourself under constant surveillance. If I catch any of you out of line I’ll have you thrown in jail. Am I understood?”

Neither of them reacted. y/n climbed the few steps, glaring at Lockwood. If looks could kill, he would have been dead in an instant. She bumped hard into his shoulder as she entered the house and headed immediately for her room. George reached the door. He didn’t look bothered at all. He frowned at him, indirectly asking what was going on.

“We have a lot to tell you.”

---

[back to reader’s pov]

It had been an hour since Barnes had dropped them off. She hadn’t moved from the foot of her bed where she was sitting still. She kept replaying the day in her head, trying to make sense of what they had been told.

The ride to DEPRAC had been a silent one. George didn’t look particularly worried, but y/n had a hard time keeping it together. She bounced her leg fast the whole way there. She was worried they took the accusation from the papers literally. Or maybe they were in trouble because they both tried to break into a supervisor’s office. George would be fine since he didn’t succeed. But she was a criminal. What if she was arrested for good? Was this really how it was going to end?

As soon as they arrived, they were separated. Inspector Wade led George in a different room than her and she was left alone with Inspector Barnes. He sat across from her while putting down a manila folder in front of him. He didn’t open it right away.

“Why were you fired from Fittes, miss y/n?” he asked her instead.

She didn’t know how much he knew about her already. She wasn't sure if the real reason had been written down in her personnel file.

“I broke into a supervisor’s office.” She reluctantly admitted after a few minutes.

“Why?”

“I thought she had something to hide.”

“And what would that be?”

She had the feeling he already knew what she was going to say. He wanted to see if she would say the thing he expected. But she couldn’t tell if he believed her.

“I thought she might be stealing sources.”

“You got that theory from your good friend Karim, didn’t you?”

She nodded, but he hadn’t waited for her answer to continue.

“You see, when I read the paper yesterday I thought that giving the front page to an article that seemed mainly exaggeration was a little excessive. But then later in the day a woman working at Fittes came by to report two ex-agents.”

She actually did it she thought. She couldn’t think of a word rude enough to describe her. She was already picturing herself back in that same interrogation room in a couple of days with a murder charge. Barnes must have seen right through her.

“I need you to remain calm for the moment, miss y/n. I had no choice but to bring you here to interrogate the both of you separately. Though I’ve been through your record and I found it very surprising that someone like you could be accused of such things. You rose through the ranks quickly, got to be part of several leading teams, including Mr. Kipps’, and even won several distinctions. Not one step out of line in your whole career.”

She remained silent. It didn’t mean much that she had been exemplary now, she ended up in handcuffs anyway.

“Something didn’t sit right with me. I could be wrong though. Maybe you’re just talented in more than one way.” She shot him another angry stare. He looked unaffected. “I need to hear your version of what’s going on. So I’m asking you to tell me everything you know.”

“How can I be sure you’ll believe me?”

“You won't know until you try.”

She hesitated. A part of her thought that it might not even be worth it. But on the other hand, she didn’t have much to lose.

She told him everything starting with her growing suspicions. The insistent tone Dufour had when she offered to bring back the source. The meet-up she had witnessed. The chase. The rumors Kipps had told her about. She tried to go into great detail. A voice in her head kept whispering that no one would believe her. But the whisper quieted down when she noticed Barnes listening intently, taking notes and rummaging through the folder he had brought. He took out three pictures.

“Do you recognize any of these men?”

“No… I’m sorry I was far away and I was hiding. I didn't get a good look at them.”

“And where did you say the meet-up took place?”

She took a second to answer. She had a hard time acknowledging he actually believed her.

“Um… It was near the Thames, around Scotland Yard I think.”

“Did you hear anything worth mentioning?”

“Well I did see Mrs. Dufour selling the clock we had taken from Mrs. Overton’s house. I heard her negotiate the share she would take on its price but-”

The other inspector entered the room before she could finish her sentence.

“Sir, I think you should hear this.”

“Excuse me.”

Barnes left the room with Wade, leaving her alone with her thoughts. She was deeply confused and didn’t know how to feel about her situation. There was an official report against her, that part was not good. But the inspector in charge didn’t seem to believe she had anything to do with it. She wanted to think there were some positive aspects, but she doubted she could actually trust the man who had arrested her. She remained alone for quite some time, impatiently waiting. She felt like she had been there for several hours already. Though without a clock or natural light it was hard to tell. Eventually, the inspector came back. He didn’t ask her to finish what she had started to say before getting interrupted.

“Do you have any contact with relic-men on a regular basis?”

“Aside from the time one of them chased me down to slit my throat, I prefer to keep a safe distance.”

He got up.

“Are we done?”

“Not quite.” He didn’t explain further and simply asked her to come with him.

She followed him down a corridor lined with a dozen doors. None of them were numbered. It must not be easy to locate anything in this gigantic building if rooms didn’t even have numbers on them. Barnes selected one of them seemingly at random and opened it. It looked like the same dark interrogation room she was just in. Sitting at the table was George, who didn’t seem to notice them coming in, too busy telling inspector Wade about something that required a lot of gesturing, probably one of the many theories they had been working on since their research. There was an extra chair next to him. Barnes told her to sit down. Only then did George look up and smiled at her.

“y/n! We were just talking about what we learned at the furnaces.” He exclaimed before going back to what he was saying.

The inspectors shared an exasperated look before interrupting.

“Mr. Karim, we appreciate your input but we have more pressing matters to discuss.” Barnes said in a serious tone. “There are strong accusations against you and they are not to be taken lightly.”

“But you believe us?” y/n asked tentatively.

“I believe that you make the perfect suspects.”

She gaped at him while George was outraged, telling them to learn how to do their job. Barnes raised one hand to silence them.

“However… I think there’s more to this case than meets the eye.”

“I’m glad to finally hear you admit it!” George said, leaning back into his chair.

“Thanks to your testimonies we can safely assume that your case is linked directly to the recent surge in relic dealings. Whether you have anything to do with it or not remains to be proven, but so is your innocence. For now I want you to lay low and not do anything stupid.” He turned to George, then to her. “Am I understood?”

Her frustration came rushing back. Yet another person telling her she shouldn’t do anything.

“So someone I saw commit a felony with my own eyes is putting the blame on us and you expect me to let it slide?”

“I trust that you’re smart enough to realize that the stakes are higher than you think. There are powerful people ready to sink you to protect themselves. It isn’t to be taken lightly. One more mistake would only make their case against you stronger. Believe me if you want to get out of this unharmed you’d better take my advice.”

She looked over at George. His expression was inscrutable.

“I also need to drive you home in handcuffs to keep up appearances.”

At first, she thought it was the inspector’s poor attempt at a joke. Her smile faded when he actually handcuffed them.

“Why would you need to do this? We’re not under arrest.”

“I need certain people to think you’re in more trouble than you really are.”

“Does that have to do with my Scotland Yard theory?” George asked.

“Maybe.” Barnes admitted at a volume barely above a whisper.

This morning, George had suggested the idea that the meeting y/n had witnessed happened so close to Scotland Yard, a risky and quite frankly stupid place for dealing stolen relics, because an officer working there was part of the deal. That would explain how Dufour could have filed an official complaint against them without any tangible proof of their link to relic-men. He had a satisfied look on his face and put out his hands graciously to be handcuffed. He undeniably loved to be right. She wasn’t as forthcoming. The idea of being paraded through the building as someone officially under arrest didn’t sit right with her.

The walk back to the inspector’s car had been humiliating. A few people stared at them as they walked by like they were putting on a show for their entertainment. Not only was she asked to lay low, she also had to pretend like she was guilty. It was infuriating. On the way back to Portland Row, Barnes felt the need to remind them yet again to keep a low profile.

“I’ll keep you updated if anything new comes up, but in the meantime-”

“Yeah yeah ‘don’t be stupid’, you’ve gone over that part already.” George interrupted.

y/n remained silent, picking at her handcuffs to distract herself.

Once they reached their destination, Barnes yelled something to maintain the illusion. His acting skills were terrible. Lockwood was standing in the doorframe, smiling. She couldn’t believe him. He was the one to tell her that this whole thing would blow over and that it wasn’t a big deal. Now he saw them getting out of a police car in handcuffs and he was smiling? She bumped hard into his shoulder as she entered and went straight to her room.

The sun was starting to set. She felt numb. This whole situation was getting too much to bear. Maybe she should just go back to her parents’. The thought had briefly crossed her mind this morning. It had been quickly chased by George’s enthusiasm but now that she was alone she considered it more seriously. She’d be away from trouble and rumors there. She would do what she was asked, laying low and fleeing, leaving DEPRAC to handle Dufour. Lockwood would keep his precious reputation intact. He’d have one less thing to worry about. She wouldn’t drag George into her mess. Everyone would be better off with her gone.

She jumped at the rapid knocks on the door to the attic. After a few seconds, the door opened and hesitant footsteps started to climb the stairs. Lockwood appeared. He tried to smile at her. She didn’t smile back. They remained in an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes. She hadn’t moved from her bed. He was standing awkwardly near the stairs.

“I wanted to see if you were okay…”

“You said to do nothing because it would blow over and the next day I got dragged in handcuffs for an interrogation. How do you think I’m doing?”

“You got out of those pretty quickly…” He joked quietly. “You’ll have to teach me that, it’d be useful.”

She simply stared back.

“I’m sorry. For unsuccessfully lightening the mood and for the way I acted.”

She didn’t say anything. He would have to do a lot more than that to earn her forgiveness.

“George told me everything that went down at the station. I want to say that the positive thing is that this Barnes inspector seems to be on your side. But it might be early to talk about silver linings.”

She raised her eyebrows. No kidding. He shifted slightly closer to her.

“I was wrong. I should have been on your side from the start. I don’t think you should listen to Barnes. Or leave town…”

She hated how he apparently had the ability to read her mind. He took one more step closer.

“George and I need you if we want to stop this. Please help us.”

She remained silent. She didn’t know what to think anymore.

“Or rather… please forgive me.” He concluded with a thin smile.

She looked up at him and was surprised to see him look so honest. His eyes were softer than they had been the night before. His smile was almost shy. It wasn’t far from his usual grin and yet it felt like it was a world away from what she was used to. She wanted to believe him. She nodded slightly. He relaxed instantly, letting out a long sigh. A satisfied look took place once more upon his face.

“Wait, no.” y/n said, renewing the tension that had left the room for a second.

“No?”

“You can’t just walk in here and perform your usual charming act hoping it’ll work again.”

“What do you mean?” Lockwood asked, confused.

“You know exactly what I mean. You act all sweet and flash your signature smile to get everyone to agree with you. You do this with every client we have. Hell, you even did it to me to get me to work here!”

“What? That’s not true!”

“Yes, it is. You acted all nice and sweet-”

“I was comforting you! I was offering my help. I didn’t lie to you or trick you to get you to work here!”

“In hindsight it’s what it feels like.” She finally admitted, dropping what had been on her mind for the past few weeks. There was a long pause. He stared at her in stunned silence.

“I’m sorry you think I’m capable of such a thing.”

He went back downstairs and didn’t bother to close the door.

The relief she felt was bittersweet. The truth was out, and she hoped it would help clear things up between them. Once the tension eased, she would maybe understand Lockwood’s intentions. Though that was a stretch, and she felt terrible, like she had crossed a line.

It was only because she was starving that she eventually came downstairs to help with dinner. George had her chopping onions, Lockwood was nowhere to be seen.

When he eventually made an appearance, they ate in silence. The few times they spoke, they barely said three words or they gestured vaguely. George poured himself a glass of water and Lockwood held out his hand to grab the bottle. She put out her glass but he deliberately put down the water away from her without serving her. She glared at him.

“I wouldn’t want you to think I have ulterior motives.” He shrugged.

He could be so infuriating.

“I learned a little bit more about this whole relic-dealing.” He said to change the subject. “Apparently this whole thing is happening because of one man who is singlehandedly raising the demand for haunted objects. He’s paying handsomely and it’s enough to make everyone go crazy.”

“Then following Dufour would definitely help us learn more about this man.” George answered.

“Maybe… I think we might have to think bigger. To aim for the leaders directly and not just for the leg men. We should probably start by collecting more information about what’s going on in town, in higher society, maybe some events or gatherings that could help us identify this man.”

“Sure I could go back to the Archives tomorrow.” George agreed.

“Yesterday you didn’t even want to hear about this and now we should just follow your every order?” y/n interrupted.

“What do you want from me? I tell you to let it go, you yell at me. I tell you we should get involved and you yell at me again.”

“Because we should always do what you decide!”

“Fine, what do you suggest we do then?”

“I have to think about it…”

“How surprising!”

“Oh shut-”

“Enough!” George slammed his fist on the table. “I’m sick of having to listen to you fight. Apologize to each other and let’s get this over with.”

y/n and Lockwood stared at each other in silence. Neither of them went first.

“Fine.” George said, standing up. “I won’t do any more research then. Until you both apologize, I’m on strike.”

He ignored their protests and went up to his room.

“See what you did?” Lockwood blamed her. “I don’t understand you y/n. I thought you’d be glad I joined you on your revenge mission.”

“You’re so used to getting your way that you can’t imagine things might be more complicated than that.”

“Then tell me what I’m doing wrong! You didn’t accept my apology… I mean, what more do you want?”

“I want you to realize that my career was my life and it was taken away from me. I’ve never felt more powerless than when I got fired and now I can’t even make my own decisions because you decided that you know better than everyone else. And the fact that you don’t even let me decide what to do about something that only concerns me and George…”

She broke off, not sure how to finish her sentence. He didn’t seem sure of what to say either.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t more attentive to this.” He sat in the chair next to her. “I guess I always saw Fittes like a prison and couldn’t see how getting fired from there was a bad thing. I’ll make sure to listen to your opinion… if it’s worth listening to.” He winked at her. She felt acknowledged for the first time since her troubles had begun. It wasn’t perfect, but it was an improvement. She smiled back at him. Though, she felt like there was more that he wanted to say. He hesitated, not sure how to phrase what he had in mind.

“Don’t take this the wrong way but the relic-dealing case isn’t just about you and George anymore.” He said cautiously. She frowned.

“People are dying over it.” He continued. “Dozens of sources are being stolen from any place that might have something of value and aren’t secured properly. Because of that some of them broke and let out a visitor that killed people nearby.” He looked into her eyes. “We need to stop this, y/n. Some relic-men managed to get their hands on relics that contained spirits that broke free when they mishandled the sources. This type of ghost will kill the first thing it sees as soon as it breaks free.” He grew more passionate as he explained what he knew. He was staring at something in the distance, his gaze focused, like he was looking through a window to the past. There was turmoil in his voice. It was unsettling, he was usually either indifferent or very professional when talking about visitors.

She listened intently, hanging on to every word. She realized she was staring at him when he suddenly stopped talking and looked down at the table. He looked haunted. She had never seen him so vulnerable before.

“How do you want to proceed?” She asked, trying to make him think of something else.

He looked back at her and blinked in surprise.

“I thought you didn’t want to take orders from me anymore?”

“Vulnerability’s a good look on you.”

The faintest blush appeared on his cheeks. He almost looked shy. She didn’t think it was possible for Lockwood to look anything other than proud and annoyingly attractive.

“I hope this isn’t another one of your acts to get me to forgive you.” She teased him. Though a part of it was true. She still didn’t know if she could trust his puppy eyes. She was about to get up when he took both of her hands in his to make her look at him.

“y/n, I need you to know that I never had the intention to trick you or charm or whatever you want to call it. I was always honest and I meant everything I told you.”

She could get used to seeing him like this. She actually felt like she got to see him for who he really was. And she loved this version of him. The real him. She took back her hands at the thought.

“Even when you said I was pretentious and helpless?” She said to ease the tension she was feeling.

“I meant the nice things.” He corrected. He laughed lightly and looked deep into her eyes with the same warmth from a few weeks ago, when he comforted her in the library. She had no idea how he could maintain eye contact with so much intensity in his gaze. She wondered if the oven was still on with how hot the room was getting.

“Though I wasn’t completely wrong when I said you were pretentious.” He winked.

“You’re the worst!” She laughed as she pushed him away and got up to go back to her room.

“I’ll tell George to get back to work on my way up.” She gave him one last smile before opening the door to the kitchen.

“Goodnight, y/n.”

Unfortunately, it wasn’t. Screaming filled her ears and she was paralyzed with fear. It was coming from everywhere, surrounding her and nulling her senses. At first, she couldn’t see anything. The place was pitch black and horribly cold. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the dark. She had no idea where she was. It looked like some sort of warehouse, with industrial equipment resting under a thick layer of dust. Spiderwebs covered every inch of them and climbed up to the ceiling. That wasn’t a good sign. The screaming intensified. It sounded like a group of teenagers. Her psychic senses, usually sharp even under pressure, were blurry and didn’t give her any indication on what was going on. She noticed a door in the corner of her eye and tried to run to it but her legs refused to work. It was like she was fused in place, unable to move. She panicked as the screaming got closer. But the threat passed right through her. She felt a freezing bolt of energy crashing into her before opening two tall doors wide. A group of agents tried to close them back, they were losing control of the situation. y/n was forced to watch the scene, unable to help. One of them, she assumed the leader of the group, shouted orders that were barely audible above the wind that had risen up. The group went back through the doors, struggling to keep them close. At the last minute, two girls appeared right before they shut. One of them was injured, but she was too far for y/n to see her face. The second girl took off her jacket to tend to her wound. She looked like she was screaming at someone outside but y/n couldn’t see anything from where she was. She desperately wanted to help but her feet did not move. Suddenly the girl looked right at her. It was her. The one who had been haunting her dreams for weeks. She had accusing eyes and said something to her that she couldn’t make out. Then she started screaming. Louder than the wind, louder than the screams of her teammates, louder than y/n’s own screaming.

She bolted up in bed, her throat sore and drenched in sweat.

#ukuwrites #who follows the rules anyway #lockwood and co fic #lockwood and co #anthony lockwood x reader #anthony lockwood x y/n #lockwood and co imagine #anthony lockwood #lockwood & co

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