#(i say either sword or shield because i. uh. can't remember) | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

thewidowsghost · 3 years

Text

The Temple (Pt. 3) - (Daisy Johnson x Fem!Coulson!Avenger!Reader)

Main Masterlist

Previous Parts: The Temple (Skye x Avenger!Coulson!Reader) The Temple Part 2

Previously on The Temple:

The elder Coulson reaches up, brushing a piece of hair behind Skye's ear in a fatherly fashion.

"I'm so sorry. I'm gonna make it right. I'm gonna find the Obelisk."

"No," Coulson murmurs hoarsely.

"I'm gonna stop the drill. I'm gonna make it right," Skye continues, bolting from the room before (Y/n) can even think.

"Skye, no," Coulson calls. "Don't go down there."

"Dad, I have -" (Y/n) begins.

"Go! Go after her!" the elder Coulson says and (Y/n) jumps to her feet, glancing between the doorway Skye had gone through, and her father lying on the ground. "Go!" he yells again, and (Y/n) wipes away her tears, sprinting after Skye.

. . .

There's a metallic grinding nose, and Skye, Trip, (Y/n), and Raina focus on the Obelisk on the pedestal. It opens, revealing crystals and (Y/n) tenses.

"How do we stop it?" Trip asks.

"I don't think we can," (Y/n) says. She turns to Skye, tears welling in her eyes.

Skye grabs the front of (Y/n)'s shirt, pulling (Y/n) closer and kissing her.

"I love you," both young women whisper at the same time; the two focus back on the Obelisk.

Skye exhales heavily as the chamber trembles.

. . .

"And Skye and (Y/n) barely made it out alive! (Y/n) hasn't even woken up yet!" Mack shouts.

"Thanks to Trip! He sacrificed his life, Mack!" May counters.

"No, he traded his life for theirs!" Mack yells. "And then he was shattered into a thousand pieces!"

"That's enough!" the Elder Coulson yells. "If Trip was here, he wouldn't be arguing. He would't be bitching. He would be gearing up to do what needs to be done." Skye looks horrified at the can that had been trembling, and looking around, she sees her girlfriend curled up in the floor in a corner, her hands pressed over her ears. Skye crosses the containment module and sits down next to where is sitting on the other side of the glass. "Yes, we're dealing with forces we don't understand, but HYDRA I do understand. I want everyone ready when the sun comes up - end of discussion."

Everyone else leaves the room and Skye murmurs, loud enough for (Y/n) to hear. "(Y/n), what's happening to us?"

. . .

"The Avengers wouldn't have been necessary if we hadn't unleashed alien horrors," Simmons cuts Skye off again.

(Y/n)'s eyes had gone cold. "Go," she says bitterly, turning away from the scientist.

"But -" Simmons tries but (Y/n) turns back to her.

"There's always danger, Simmons," (Y/n) snaps, the stirring feeling rising up in her again. "Not everything is something that has to be destroyed or -" (Y/n) stops, turning her head away. "Go."

. . .

There are metallic crashes as pots and pan fall onto the ground and into the sink.

"Skye, (Y/n)? You want to talk to us?" May asks, and the two lover exchange horrified glances.

"Skye, what's doing this?" Coulson asks, his eyes widening.

"I am," Skye admits shakily.

Lady Sif goes to grab Skye's arm, and Skye flinches away, "No." Skye pulls (Y/n) along slightly, removing her hand from (Y/n)'s as she claps them to her forehead.

Skye's fist clenches and the glass behind (Y/n) and Skye explodes.

And, as if in slow motion, (Y/n)'s frame grows larger, towering over Skye.

The grizzly bear wraps it's arms around Skye, protecting the brunette from the shattered glass.

"Hand them over," Lady Sif orders and the elder Coulson and May pull out their hand guns, moving in front of the two younger women. "It will be safer for all of you."

. . .

A sword tip is stabbed through the wall.

"Agent May, release the girls!" Lady Sif orders.

"May, she'll get through," Skye whispers.

"Ignore it. Remember - focus," May says.

"I can't," Skye breathes as Lady Sif breaks the barrier.

May steps back and Skye grabs the agent's ICER, shooting herself with the gun. The rumbling stops and (Y/n) turns to her unconscious girlfriend.

"Skye," (Y/n) whispers, fear spiking through her. "Skye!"

"She harmed herself," Lady Sif says, staring at (Y/n) and Skye, her eyes wide.

(Y/n) pulls her unconscious girlfriend closer to her, her eyes wide.

. . .

"A right to know," Fitz echoes. "What - is that the same way that Sif and the Kree had a right to know?"

"I think this situation's a little bit different, mate," Hunter responds.

"No, you would have done to them exactly what Sif and the Kree wanted to," Fitz argues.

"You don't know that," Simmons says.

"Yes, I do know that!" Fitz yells. "They would - You would - You'd 'handle them'! Mack just said it! Like, uh - Skye and (Y/n) are something to be locked away in a cage somewhere. We should be protecting them."

"No, Fitz," Mack interupts. "We're the ones that need protection from them." Then Mack goes silent, looking over Simmons's shoulder.

Fitz and Simmons turns around, and five SHIELD agents catch sight of (Y/n) and Skye - (Y/n) supporting Skye's weight.

Skye looks into the room, looks away, and then she and (Y/n) start back down the hallway, a disgusted look on (Y/n)'s face, and a large dufflebag thrown over (Y/n)'s other shoulder.

Fitz looks between the other for SHIELD agents, and then follows (Y/n) and Skye.

"Skye. (Y/n)," Fitz calls down the hall, but the two women keep making their way down the hallway.

The two make their way into the BUS, entering the containment module.

"You don't have to stay," Skye tells (Y/n).

"You know I'm not going anywhere, love," (Y/n) murmurs, sitting down beside Skye on the small bed. "Please, rest," (Y/n) says softly lying down on her side and lifting an arm so Skye can cuddle up to her. "We'll figure out something," (Y/n) murmurs. I hope . . .

. . .

"Are you kidding me? A shrink?" Skye asks, (Y/n) sitting next to her on the cot as usual, a frown evident on the Avenger's face.

"It's not personal," May tells the brunette.

"Hell, it's not personal. It's a shrink," Skye argues and (Y/n) places a gentle hand on Skye's knee.

"It's standard procedure for anyo -" May begins.

Skye cuts her off, "No, I know, but we're not just on the Index. We're also SHIELD agents."

"Exactly. So you know it's non-negotiable," May argues right back.

Skye scoffs, shaking her head.

"Andrew is good, and he's done this before," May says, her tone softening.

"So have I. I grew up in the system," Skye replies. "I've been through enough of these to know that I hate them."

"You'll like this one," May tells Skye.

"Yeah, how do you know that?" Skye replies, focusing her gaze on (Y/n)'s hand resting on her knee.

"Because I was married to him," May answers and Skye looks up, her eyes wide with shock.

. . .

(Y/n) looks up from her pan as she notices the pots and pans rattling on the wall.

Skye! she thinks, throwing the hot pan into the sink and unknowingly shifting into a panther, and darting out of the room.

(Y/n)'s powerful shoulder muscles bunch and stretch as she speeds up, a black blur as she streaks past the labs.

(Y/n) charges up the loading doors and up to Skye's room, shifting back into herself.

"Skye! You need to wake up!" (Y/n) exclaims, gently shaking Skye's shoulder.

Skye starts, fixing her gaze on (Y/n)'s (E/c) eyes but then she looks at the door as Dr. Garner, May, Fitz, and Simmons burst into the room.

"Hey. Look at me," (Y/n) reaches out a hand, gently moving Skye's face to look her in the eye. "You need to stop this," (Y/n) kneels down and to her relief, Skye keeps her eyes on (Y/n)'s.

"If she needs a sedative . . ." Simmons begins, but May glares at the scientist.

"You can do it Skye. Just focus," (Y/n) whispers, gazing into Skye's brown eyes.

Skye exhales slowly and the shaking stops.

"No, no. It's good. It's good. It's stopping," Fitz tells Simmons.

Dr. Garner and May exchange a look before fixing their gazes on (Y/n), whose hand is resting on Skye's knee now.

. . .

Skye breathes deeply, looking at her bio-meter watch. "Under seventy," Skye says, taking another breath.

"How are you doing that?" Garner asks.

"May taught me," Skye replies. "You focus on a single point, let everything else become noise disappearing in the background."

"Except it doesn't disappear you're pushing it aside," Garner says, putting his hands on his hips. Which is why, when you were dreaming, the tremors started." Skye swallows thickly. "What were you dreaming about?" Garner asks.

"I don't remember," Skye replies, her cheeks darkening.

"You're seeming defensive," Garner says, frowning.

"Because you keep pushing," Skye argues.

"Because whatever you were feeling was strong enough to shake this entire plane," Garner replies, his brows furrowing.

"Well, I don't know, so let's move on," Skye says, her eyes watery. "How about you show me an inkblot, and I tell you about me and my girlfriend's first time?" Skye asks, leaning forward. The moment she says it though, she regrets it. Their first time had been magical, and Skye had never felt so loved that night.

Garner chuckles. "Humor. So that's your thing. Well, that's an effective way to avoid thinking about how monumentally painful your life is right now."

"Good pep talk," Skye says through gritted teeth. "Thanks," Skye frowns, her brows furrowing.

"Sarcasm. Same purpose - avoidance strategy," Garner says.

"What am I avoiding, exactly?" Skye asks, leaning forward and crossing her legs criss-cross-applesauce on her and (Y/n)'s shared bed.

"The truth," Garner says. "That - not just you, but your girlfriend too - are different now, that you have abilities, your abilities triggered by pain, and either you face that or you don't sleep again."

Skye swallows thickly, her gaze falling on the door, wishing that (Y/n) would walk through the door; wishing that (Y/n) would set her hand on her knee like she always did when Skye was feeling scared or nervous; wishing that (Y/n) would walk through with a carefully picked tub of salted caramel ice cream and two spoons.

. . .

(Y/n) enters the room a moment later holding two spoons and a tub of salted caramel ice cream.

Skye gazes softly at (Y/n) as (Y/n) comes over to sit beside her on their shared bed.

"Dad needed backup," (Y/n) tells Skye as she hands her girlfriend a spoon, then cracking open the tub of ice cream.

Skye leans affectionately against (Y/n), digging her spoon into the carton and making airplane noises like she would to a baby, poking (Y/n)'s lips with the spoon.

(Y/n)'s shoulder shake with silent laughter, and she opens her mouth, eating the spoonful off Skye's spoon.

(Y/n) takes her own spoon, scooping out another bite. She moves it towards Skye's lips. When Skye opens her mouth, (Y/n) steals the bite.

Skye giggles this time, her head falling on (Y/n)'s shoulder.

. . .

"We want everyone to know what you do to people like us," Cal says, his voice echoing through the silent stadium. "And we want you to stop before you do it to her."

"Talking about her?" (Y/n) says through gritted teeth, pushing Skye forward, her unloaded handgun pressed to the side of Skye's neck.

"You monster," Cal turns to (Y/n), his brow furrowing.

(Y/n)," Coulson breathes, looking at his daughter in disbelief.

"Daisy," Cal says, gazing at his daughter. "What have they done to you?"

"We put her on the Index," May says, coming up and pressing her unloaded handgun into the small of Skye's back. "Now we decide - contain her or put her down." May shoves the gun into Skye's back again. "Your call."

"Tell me they didn't hurt you," Cal says, stepping forward to gaze into his daughter's watery eyes.

"Talk to me, not her," (Y/n) presses the gun into Skye's neck, hating herself for being so harsh, but she knows she has to keep up the facade.

. . .

"Skye," Garner says, running over to the brunette. "Come on. Come on."

"(Y/n), go with them," May gives (Y/n) a slight nudge. "You're the only one who can keep her calm."

(Y/n) takes Skye's hand in her own, pulling her along.

Skye's breathing stutters as she watches Coulson and May fight Cal's companions.

Skye breathes deeply and the stadium begins to rumble.

Everyone looks at her and (Y/n) drops Skye's hand, clutching her left wrist.

The rumbling stops and (Y/n) looks over at Skye's hands and lower arms which were darkening with bruises.

. . .

(Y/n) lies down on Skye's stomach, letting out soft kitten purrs that sooth Skye back to sleep, her bruised fingers gently brushing (Y/n)'s orange fur.

(Y/n) had realized that when using her powers, it was more helpful if she knew a lot about the animal she was going to change into.

3rd Person POV

"Andrew's recommending Skye be removed from SHIELD," Coulson tells May. "Effective immediately."

"I agree with his recommendation," May says, her face blank.

Coulson breathes deeply, sitting down in his chair. "I've got to admit . . . I'm surprised to hear you say that."

. . .

"The ankle bone is always the hardest," Coulson says from the doorway, smiling at Skye, who was playing operation.

(Y/n) was asleep on the bed, the top of her head against Skye's thigh.

"Yeah," Skye replies. "Maybe a game of nerves isn't the best idea for me." Skye puts down the board game, and (Y/n) shifts in her sleep, murmuring softly as her head finds its way atop Skye's thigh.

"You and I need to take a ride," Coulson says, and Skye flinches unconsciously, jolting (Y/n) awake.

"Waz goin on?" (Y/n) asks drowsily.

"Skye and I have to go for a ride," Coulson tells his daughter.

(Y/n) sits up sleepily but alert at the same time. "I'm coming too," (Y/n) argues.

Coulson dips his head in acknowledgment.

"Then you'd better pack a bag," Coulson tells the two.

Skye lets out a sigh as Coulson walks out of the room.

(Y/n) gently takes Skye's injured wrists in her own hands, her wrist cast brushing against one of Skye's.

"You don't have to come with me," Skye murmurs to her girlfriend.

"I didn't leave you before," (Y/n) murmurs. "I'm not going to go now."

Skye softens, nuzzling her nose against a scar to the right of (Y/n)'s nose.

(Y/n) smiles shyly, leaning her head forward a little to press a gentle kiss to Skye's lips.

. . .

"I"m sorry about everything that's happening, Skye," Coulson tells his daughter's girlfriend as the jet goes to wherever it's taking them.

"It's not your fault. The blame begins and ends with my dad," Skye replies.

"Well, you wouldn't be the first person to have parents with misguided intentions," Coulson replies, his gaze resting on his daughter, who was asleep in her chair across from them.

"Nope, just the first whose crazy dad lured her to an alien city to get earthquake powers," Skye retorts.

Skye and Coulson share a look of amusement. "Yeah," Coulson says with a smile.

"I got us a little something for the trip," Coulson says, leaning down and the rustling of the backpack wakes (Y/n).

Coulson senses his daughter's awake presence and hands her a Twizzler and (Y/n)'s eyes brighten, taking the piece of licorice.

Skye chuckles and all three bite into their Twizzlers.

"Thing I remember most about my dad is that he was a car guy," Coulson says, and (Y/n) looks at her father in surprise. He didn't like to talk much about his father. "Always working on this junker he insisted I help him fix. While my friends were outside, playing ball, having fun, there I was, stuck at home with him, fixing that damn car. Wasn't till we finished that it hit me. That car was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen at the time." Coulson spares a glance at his daughter and (Y/n) flushes, taking another bite of the candy. "And all the time we'd spent together working on it gave me an appreciation I never would have had otherwise."

"Hold on," Skye says, looking amused. "Was that car a red 1962 Corvette?" she asks, a smile twitching on her lips.

"Yeah," Coulson says with a smile.

"Well, he'd be very proud," Skye says. "You red Corvette flies. How cool is that?" she questions.

"It's pretty cool," Coulson replies.

(Y/n) smiles at the interaction between her father and her girlfriend.

"But the thing I think he'd like most about, is, at her core, she's still just a red '62 Corvette," Coulson says.

"Just to be clear, I-I'm the Corvette in this story?" Skye questions, Coulson smiles gently. "Now, you want to tell us where we're going?" Skye asks.

Coulson pauses, turning away from Skye's question. "We're almost there."

(Y/n) and Skye exchange a look.

. . .

"It's one of Fury's old retreats," Coulson tells his daughter and her girlfriend.

"I haven't been here in years," Coulson goes on.

(Y/n) closes the cabin door behind her and Skye.

"Fury's not the kind of guy that has a cabin just to relax," Skye says. "What is this place?" she asks.

"It's a safe-house for people with powers," Coulson replies.

"Didn't Steve spend a few weeks here after he was pulled from the ice?" (Y/n) asks, and Coulson nods.

"Okay, but who's it supposed to keep safe -" Skye pauses, "- the people with power or everyone else?"

"Both," Coulson answers. "Skye, (Y/n), I'm afraid I have to pull you from active duty."

Skye nods. "I get it. I do. I just didn't think that you'd lock us up," Skye adds, "like a werewolf during a full moon."

"I think I'm the wolf," (Y/n) jokes and Skye cracks a smile, grateful for (Y/n)'s humor breaking the ice.

"You're not alone here," Coulson says.

"Yeah, I'll be here with you," (Y/n) says and Coulson's lips twitch.

"There's a direct video link to the base, and May will keep dropping by every couple of days," Coulson tells Skye.

"What are we supposed to do?" Skye asks. "Go fishing?"

"Probably not a good idea. There's a laser fence around the perimeter," Coulson advises. "Look, this is a safe place. You can relax here. You both can use this time to get handles on your abilities," Coulson tells the two.

Skye looks like she's about to cry, and (Y/n) crosses the cabin to wrap an arm around Skye's waist. "Yeah, 'cause that's worked great so far," Skye replies, her words catching in her throat.

"Well, maybe it's time we give you and hand with that," Coulson answers.

Coulson steps away to pull out a black box out of a bag. "Simmons has been working around the clock on these."

(Y/n)'s expression hardens at Simmons's name. (Y/n) hadn't been Jemma's biggest fan since the two had received their powers.

"She assures me they'll cut your recovery time in half," Coulson tells Skye, and the brunette walks over, gently detangling herself from (Y/n) to look at what Simmons had made.

"How do they work?" Skye wonders, picking up the gloves.

(Y/n) walks over, looking at Skye's gloves.

"The internal wiring emits a surge of electricity to inhibit your powers," Coulson replies and (Y/n)'s gaze darkens.

"So these take her powers away?" (Y/n) asks angrily.

"They more like decrease their magnitude," Coulson says, "to keep Skye from hurting herself. Like I said, we want her to heal."

"Seems like a no brainier," Skye murmurs, brushing her fingers across the cloth.

"It's a personal call," Coulson replies.

"What do you mean?" Skye asks. "Are there side effects?"

"A few," Coulson replies. "Simmons can go over them with you later."

"Are these gloves really my best option?" Skye asks, her eyes watery.

"I can't answer that question for you, Skye." Coulson says.

"Stop," Skye says, feeling slightly angry. "Stop being this SHIELD guy for just one reason, okay? Please. We've been through way too much together."

(Y/n) steps forward to place a comforting hand on Skye's shoulder but Skye shrugs off the hand. (Y/n) recoils a little, a hurt expression on her face, before she moves over to where she had put the dufflebags on the ground.

(Y/n) carries Skye's bag to one of the rooms, setting it on the bed.

(Y/n) blinks regretfully and she takes her own bag to one of the other rooms, tossing it infront of the closet door. She lies down on the bed, her back to the door, hugging a pillow to her chest.

"(Y/n)?" Skye's voice is soft, the brunette framed in the doorway. The (E/c) eyed woman remains silent, and there is a pang in Skye's heart.

The brunette moves over to the bed, and tucks a blanket around (Y/n)'s frame.

"I'm sorry," Skye murmurs. "I love you."

(Y/n) turn over, looking into Skye's eyes, as though trying to see if the brunette was being genuine.

"I'm sorry too," (Y/n) replies. "I love you."

Skye lets out a soft noise and climbs into the bed beside (Y/n). (Y/n) throws the blanket over her love, wrapping her arms tightly around Skye's frame.

Skye whimpers softly at (Y/n)'s affection, burying her face in (Y/n)'s neck.

"We'll figure this out," (Y/n) murmurs.

. . .

"Sir," Fitz gets up from his chair to talk to the director. "Where are Skye and (Y/n)?"

"I'm afraid that's confidential," Coulson replies.

"'Cause you're keeping them prisoner somewhere, aren't you?" Fitz asks.

"Skye and (Y/n) are safe, Agent Fitz," Coulson says, frowning at the scientist. "That's all you need to know.

Fitz lets out a sigh as Coulson walks away. Then, he looks over her shoulder at Simmons, and Simmons meets his gaze sourly.

"You took something -" Fitz begins, walking towards Simmons at her desk, "- up to Coulson earlier. What was it?" he asks.

"It was nothing," Simmons replies.

"Didn't look like nothing," Fitz says, his eyes watery. "What was in the case, Jemma?" he questions, leaning towards the other scientist.

"Something to help Skye," Simmons answers.

"Because you want to change her," Fitz retorts, pointing at Simmons. "Is that it?"

"Stop it," Simmons snaps. "I don't want to change her. Or (Y/n)," she adds before Fitz can say anything. "The Diviner did that. I'm just trying to fix them."

Fitz stares at his fellow scientist. "You never used to be this scared. You know that?" he asks finally.

"Trip died, Fitz," Simmons replies, "all because we didn't take the necessary precautions."

"No, it's not that. You're afraid," Fitz states. "'Cause of what happened to me, (Y/n), and Skye, how all three of us changed." Fitz pauses, "Well, you know what the scariest change is, Jemma?" Simmons looks at her friend. "It's you."

Fitz crosses his arms, and leaves the lab.

. . .

"It's a little weird here," Skye says, looking at the computer screen. "But we're settling in."

(Y/n) smiles softly at her girlfriend as she cuts up some potatoes.

"We've played a few dozen games of cards," Skye goes on.

"Well, May will be there in a few, so don't give up on cards yet," Simmons replies.

"Who do we have to thank for the Little Debbie snack cakes?" (Y/n) calls and Skye grins, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"That was Coulson's idea," Simmons says, letting her head rest in her hand. "But I did pick you two out some nice gluten-free biscuits," Simmons goes on, brightening a little.

"Ah. Yeah, I'll - I'll - I'll look for those," Skye stumbles over her words, trying to sound excited and (Y/n) chuckles, putting the potatoes into a pan and sliding them into the oven.

"Have you tried on the gloves yet?" Simmons asks and (Y/n)'s expression sours a little.

"I have not, but I - I will," Skye admits.

"Well, when you're feeling up to it, it might be work giving them a go," Simmons says cheerfully. "They're obviously just a prototype," Simmons goes on, "but they're laced with a microthread I designed, which should accelerate your healing and dampen the vibrations. I just want you to be safe, Skye. You know that, right?" Simmons asks.

"I do," Skye says. "It means a lot, Jemma, thank you."

"Okay then, call me if you need anything," Simmons tells Skye.

"I will," Skye replies. "Bye."

. . .

A few minutes later, (Y/n) sets the plates down on the table, and Skye looks impressed.

"How do you do this?" Skye asks through a bite of potato.

“My dad was a terrible cook when I was younger,” (Y/n) admits, her eyes sparkling at the memories. “The only good thing he could make was -”

“Grilled cheese?” Skye finishes, taking a bit of her burger.

“It’s so, so good,” (Y/n) says. “What does he put in that grilled cheese to make it so good?” she questions aloud.

. . .

A little later, (Y/n) and Skye are nursing steaming mugs of hot chocolate, Skye stoking the fire in the fireplace so they could roast some marshmallows (Y/n) had stashed away in her backpack.

Skye lets out a sigh, then fixes her gaze on the open box sitting on the kitchen table.

Skye gets to her feet and pads over to the box. (Y/n) sets her mug on the coffee table on a coaster before moving to stand behind Skye.

“Do you want me to help you?” (Y/n) asks, taking one of the gloves from the box in her hand.

Skye blinks up at (Y/n) and then nods.

(Y/n)’s fingers gently brush Skye’s arms, rolling up her sleeves, and Skye inhales shakily.

(Y/n) pauses, her eyes wide with concern.

“Go ahead,” Skye murmurs.

(Y/n) stretches out the gloves a little, and, as gently as she can, slides them over Skye’s bruised hand.

Skye inhales sharply and (Y/n) flinches as she pulls away.

“No, you’re okay,” Skye says. “Put the other one on,” Skye tells her.

(Y/n) looks hesitant but then grabs the other glove, and gently tries to slide it onto Skye’s other wrist.

“Thank you,” Skye says, her eyes warm with affection.

Then, the gloves glow with a blue light, and Skye staggers, a surge of pain flowing through her.

Skye sways, and (Y/n) moves over to put her arms around Skye’s shoulders.

“Hey,” (Y/n) murmurs. “You okay?” she asks, looking a little scared.

Skye doesn’t reply, looking dazed.

There is a slight whooshing noise, and Skye looks around, looking a little less dazed.

(Y/n) sets Skye down on the couch before she moves over to the door, initiating the laser grid around the cabin.

(Y/n) fixes her gaze on a movement outside the window. She slides the curtain closed.

Skye looks a little spooked. “Fitz,” Skye murmurs, “why did you make me watch ‘Paranormal Activity’?” she questions.

Electricity crackles, and Skye looks around, her eyes wide eyed.

Skye gets to her feet, and grabs the poker from the fireplace, holding it like a sword.

(Y/n) places a hand on the door knob.

The door creaks as it opens.

(Y/n) and Skye peer through the open door.

(Y/n) looks at her girlfriend, a look of confusion on her face. Then, she closes the door.

Skye moves towards the couch, but there is another knock on the door.

(Y/n) swallows thickly, turning. She raises her injured hand to keep Skye from moving any closer.

(Y/n) makes for the door, and throws it open. Her brows furrow as she sees the older man framed in the doorway.

“Hello Skye, (Y/n),” the man says. “I’m Gordon.” Skye moves forward, standing at (Y/n)’s shoulder. “May I come in?” he asks.

Skye levels the poker Gordon as he steps into the cabin. He chuckles, “So, what is the plan with that?” he asks.

Skye watches him cautiously and (Y/n) closes the cabin’s door.

“You . . . You can see?” Skye questions.

Gordon hums, seemingly considering Skye’s question. “Not the way you do, but I can see that you are afraid,” Gordon answers. (Y/n) puts a hand on Skye’s bisep. “You don’t need to be,” Gordon goes on. “Not with me.”

“Who are you?” Skye asks.

“I’m like the two of you,” Gordon replies. “And I’ve come here as a friend. Can’t imagine how it must have felt to go through your transformations without any understanding of what to expect.” Gordon turns away to ‘look’ around the cabin. “I had years to prepare. And still,” Gordon chuckles, “I was horrified by that I became. Granted,” Gordon adds, “I was younger.” Gordon gestures to the couch behind him. “May I sit?” he asks.

“Sure,” (Y/n) replies.

Gordon smiles, plopping down onto the couch, and (Y/n) and Skye sit down on the coffee table.

“This couch is very uncomfortable,” Gordon says. Skye watches the older man. “I wish you wouldn’t stare,” Gordon says.

“I -” Skye begins.

“T-that was a joke,” Gordon says, lifting a hand to wave Skye off. “I’m not very good at them. I don’t mind that you’re curious, honestly. And, yes, I used to have eyes. They were blue. This . . .” Gordon gestures to his face, “. . . this was the obvious change for me, but what happens inside can be just as profound. You see, the mist changes everyone differently,” Gordon tells them. “The real difference between the three of us is what happened after we went through the mist.

“What do you mean?” Skye asks, her voice quavering and (Y/n) takes her hand squeezing it gently.

“Well, I knew from an early age how special I was - had a mentor, a guide of sorts. The first thing she did after I transformed was embrace me. Tell me, Skye, (Y/n), what was the first thing SHIELD did to you?”

Both Skye and (Y/n) look down at the gloves that Simmons had made for Skye. Skye’s wooziness had flashed in (Y/n)’s subconscious.

“What do they feel like?” Gordon asks. “Your gifts?” he clarifies.

“I don’t know. Um . . .” she falters. “It’s intense,” she says after a moment. She sighs. “Like 1,000 bees are trapped inside of me. And I feel it all the time. It’s always there.” She pauses, looking at her gloved hands. “And I can’t stop it.”

“Why would you want to stop it?” Gordon asks.

“Because I destroy everything around me,” Skye says and (Y/n) wraps an arm around Skye’s shoulders.

“That’s simply not true,” Gordon says. “Every object in this universe gives off a vibration. Did you know that?” Gordon gets up from the couch. “Nothing rests - animals, trees, people, even this ratty couch. And you, Skye, have the ability to tap into those vibrations. Don’t you see?” he asks. “You could become magnificent.”

“I already think you’re magnificent,” (Y/n) murmurs in Skye’s ear, and Skye smiles softly.

“But something’s inhibiting you, constraining your energy,” Gordon goes on, not having heard the interaction.

“Uh, no. No, no,” Skye says, looking at her gloved wrists. “My, um - friend’s a scientist. She was just trying to protect me.”

“Or do they protect people from you?” Gordon asks, and (Y/n) hides her injured wrist.

“No, it’s not like that,” Skye tries to argue. “My powers, I - I can’t control them. And when I try to, it hurts me.”

“Most gifts come with a price,” Gordon says. Gordon then turns back to (Y/n). “What about yours?” he asks.

“It’s just like a stirring feeling,” (Y/n) replies. As she goes on, she carefully avoids Skye’s gaze. “It depends on who I’m around. Sometimes it’s intense, and I feel nauseous, and other times it’s more gentle.”

Gordon fixes his ‘gaze’ on (Y/n).

“Is there a certain person, or group of people, where it’s less intense?” Gordon asks.

“There are,” (Y/n) says vaguely, squeezing Skye’s hand that had fallen down to gently rest on (Y/n)’s thigh.

“I apologize. I’m saying too much,” Gordon says, as though feeling (Y/n)’s unease. “This is probably not the best place to continue our conversation. Neither of you have to have the tools or the understanding that you need just yet.”

“To do what?” Skye asks.

“To be who you were always meant to be without fear, without pain,” Gordon replies. “We can offer that to you. Both of you.”

“How?” (Y/n) asks.

“I can take you both to a place where you can be with people like us,” Gordon answers.

“Us?” Skye asks, getting up from (Y/n)’s side. “How many are there?”

“You can learn about yourselves, your gifts,” Gordon says. “You’ll both be safe, but only if you want to come.”

Skye lets out a quavering sigh.

“When you’re ready, I’ll find you,” Gordon says, buttoning up his jacket.

“How will you find -” Skye begins.

“Trust me. I’ll know,” Gordon interrupts, moving towards the door.

There’s a crackle of electricity and Gordon disappears.

(Y/n) gets up from her place on the coffee table and moves over to Skye, wrapping her arms around her waist, and letting her chin rest on Skye’s shoulder.

“Are you ready to go to bed?” (Y/n) murmurs.

“It’s been a long day,” Skye agrees, her eyes closing with contentment and leaning back into (Y/n)’s embrace.

After a moment, Skye looks down at her gloved hands. (Y/n) gently sits Skye down on one of the couches.

Skye closes her fists, breathing out slowly as pain spikes through her. She pulls the gloves off after a moment, looking at her bruised hands.

(Y/n) sits down on the coffee table, across from Skye. She takes Skye’s hands gently in her own, her thumbs brushing along the dark bruises.

“Maybe you should try running some cold water over your hands,” (Y/n) suggests, her eyes soft.

Skye looks lovingly at her girlfriend. Skye stands up and moves to the sink, turning the water on and running her hands under the water.

Skye looks down as the water makes more of a whistling noise. The water is bending.

Skye lets out a laugh as she wills the water to straighten itself out with her powers.

(Y/n) sighs happily at Skye’s relief, smiling warmly.

Skye’s phone rings, and Skye crosses over to the desk, picking it up and answering it.

“Hello?” Skye asks.

“Skye,” May says.

“May, what’s happening?” Skye asks, and (Y/n) turns to Skye. “I couldn’t connect to you guys?”

“You and (Y/n) need to get out of there now,” May replies, ignoring Skye’s question.

“What? Why? What are you talking about?” Skye asks more urgently, and (Y/n) sits up straighter.

“There’s a panel on the Southwest corner of the compound,” May tells Skye. “It’ll let you bring down the laser-grid fence.”

“May, stop,” Skye says quickly.

“You two can do this. I believe in you,” May says.

“Skye? What’s going on?” (Y/n) asks, looking worried at the expression of confusion on Skye’s face.

“You both need to run - now,” May says urgently, and Skye’s expression turns horrified. “They’re coming for you.”

“Who - who’s coming for us?” Skye asks, and (Y/n)’s expression hardens.

(Y/n) moves to the bedroom where she had thrown her dufflebag, and she pulls two handguns from the bag.

“SHEILD?” Skye repeats as (Y/n) moves back into the living room.

(Y/n) hands Skye one of the handguns and the power goes off.

Skye moves forward, pressing her forehead to (Y/n)’s for a moment.

(Y/n) grabs Skye’s hand, leading her to the door. She flings the door open, stepping out into the night.

There is the sound of a quinjet whirring and a horrified expression on her face.

“Stay close,” (Y/n) closes her eyes, thinking of the powerful muscles, small, sharp eyes, dark black fur, and sharp ears.

Skye looks down at her girlfriend, who had shifted into a fluffy, green eyed, black cat.

(Y/n) paws her girlfriend, mewling softly.

There are flashes of light above. “Oh my God,” Skye mutters.

(Y/n) lets out another meow, and Skye starts.

(Y/n) breaks into a run, Skye following her.

(Y/n)’s muscles bunch and stretch as she streaks through the forest.

Skye pants heavily as she follows (Y/n) at a run, trying to avoid the beams of light from the quinjets above.

Skye bumps into a figure, and (Y/n) steadies her girlfriend with a hand, having shifted back to herself.

(Y/n) takes Skye’s hand and the two creep through the forest.

A SHIELD agent points a gun at (Y/n)’s face, and as he pulls the trigger, (Y/n) thrusts the gun up towards the sky.

With a few well placed punches, the agent falls to the ground.

“We’ve got to go,” (Y/n) says, grabbing Skye’s hand again.

The two sprint through the woods.

They come to a clearing, where (Y/n) and Skye come across another agent who levels their gun at (Y/n).

(Y/n) lets go of Skye’s hand and steps forward, knocking the gun from the agent’s hand.

Both SHIELD agents move to hand-to-hand combat. The male agent’s fist smacks into (Y/n)’s nose, and blood gushes from it.

(Y/n) sweeps her leg behind the agent’s leg, and he crashes heavily to the ground.

“Skye! No!” comes Bobbi’s scream and (Y/n) moves in front of Skye, shielding the brunette’s body with her own.

(Y/n) collapses to the ground, the bullet lodged in the back of her knee.

Skye lets out a wail, slumping to the ground, a surge of energy exploding out of her, shredding the trees around the clearing.

A shard of wood pierces the agent who had shot (Y/n) in the shoulder; Bobbi lands on the ground on her side, and trees splinter.

Bobbi looks up dazedly, watching Skye, who had buried her face into (Y/n)’s jacket, the brunette’s eyes filling with tears.

“Gordon, help,” Skye whispers.

There is a flash of blue light and Gordon lands beside (Y/n) and Skye.

Gordon leans down, places his hands on Skye and (Y/n)’s shoulders, and they disappear in another flash of blue light.

. . .

(Y/n) stirs. Her nose and her knee felt uncomfortably better. Then she realizes that, one, she isn’t with Skye; two, she was basically naked, cloths were draped over her chest, torso, and her pelvis area, and three; there were needles sticking from just about every place in her body.

“Hey,” comes Gordon’s voice through (Y/n)’s drowsiness. “Everything’s gonna be okay. You’re safe now.”

“Gordon, where am I?” (Y/n) asks, her words slurring a little. “Where’s Skye?”

“This is the place I told you about. Skye called for me,” Gordon replies. “Skye’s in the next room over.”

“How long have I been here?” (Y/n) asks, trying to get to her feet, but the needles in her skin make it impossible for her to get up.

“Two days,” Gordon says, and (Y/n) stops struggling to look at him with wide eyes.

“I’ve got to go,” (Y/n) says, struggling to get up again. “What the hell are you doing to me?” (Y/n) asks.

“We’re healing you,” comes another voice. “Leaving now wouldn’t exactly be -” the man chuckles, “ - you ever made microwave popcorn?” the man asks, coming into view.

The man was blonde, had a five o’clock shadow, and was wearing a long sleeved t-shirt and jeans.

“Of course, who hasn’t?” (Y/n) questions.

“Leave it in too long, and it’s charcoal,” the man goes on. “Take it out too soon and it’s a bag of kernels.”

“That’s a horrible analogy,” (Y/n) retorts.

The man nods in agreement.

“Imagine a thousand years of evolution all happening at once,” the man says once Gordon had left. “That’s what happened to you after the mist. These treatments - we’re helping your body adjust properly to the change transitioning you quickly and painlessly, I hope.”

“Who are you?” (Y/n) asks, narrowing her eyes.

“Oh, I’m Lincoln, your transitioner,” Lincoln replies.

“How long?” (Y/n) asks. “When can I go?” (Y/n) asks.

“You got places to be, people to see?” Lincoln asks, looking a little amused.

“My girlfriend,” (Y/n) replies shortly, shifting uncomfortably on the bed. “My friends and my dad; I think they’re in danger.”

“You’re the one that’s in danger, (Y/n),” LIncoln replies. “Remember? You’re being hunted. You came here with a broken nose, a fractured wrist, and a bullet lodged in the back of your knee.”

. . .

(Y/n) surges forward, wrapping Skye in a tight hug.

There is a moment of silence and then Lincoln says, “Let’s walk?”

. . .

“This place is more like a way station,” Lincoln says, (Y/n) walking close to Skye though Afterlife, their hands brushing with every arm swing. “I’m from Cincinnati, trying to finish Med School. I’m brought here when I’m needed. Some people come here when they need a safe place to stay.”

“Why do I feel like the new kid in school right now?” Skye asks and (Y/n) grins. “Everyone is staring at us.”

The grin slides off (Y/n)’s face, and she realizes that everyone was looking at her and Skye.

“Gordon didn’t explain?” Lincoln asks.

“No, I thought you said that everyone here is like us and that this happens all the . . . time,” Skye says.

Lincoln chuckles, “Are you kidding? T-this has never happened. Things here have always been done a certain way. These people are descendents, yes, but most of them are waiting to be chosen. They carry the genetic marker and have been brought here to be evaluated, cultured, and prepared for the change should they be selected, but that only happens to one person every few years.”

“They actually want to go through?” (Y/n) asks, remembering her and Skye’s own experience in the alien city.

“This tradition has been passed down through countless generations -” Lincoln begins.

“And we jumped the line,” Skye finishes.

“And not only did you go through without permission or prep, but you went through the old school way with a Diviner and a Kree temple. Uh, that hasn’t happened for thousands of years.”

“Look, we’re revolutionaries,” (Y/n) jokes.

But Lincoln continues, “You can see why some of these people might be a little envious.”

(Y/n) winces, “Nevermind.”

“I’d gladly change places with any of them,” Skye says and (Y/n) nods in agreement.

“We didn’t want this,” (Y/n) adds grimly.

“I understand,” Lincoln replies.

“Uh, the woman who changed with us, Raina . . .” Skye begins, “. . . Gordon took her and my father. Are they here?” Skye asks.

“Gordon takes people everywhere,” Lincoln replies. “It’s his job to keep us safe. I promise, there is no one here who will harm you. You’re both protected here.”

. . .

“This is yours, for as long as you want it,” Lincoln says, leading Skye and (Y/n) into a room.

“Gordon brought your bags from the cabin,” Lincoln says. “So, you know, take some time, try to relax.”

“Relax?” Skye asks, scoffing. “This’ll be our fourth bed in the past week, and we’ve been locked up, quarantined, psychoanalyzed.”

“Let me guess. To protect you from yourselves,” Lincoln says. Lincoln picks Skye’s gloves off of one of the tables. “These seriously compromised the transition process. It’s one of the reasons, uh, you were out for so long,” he tells Skye.

“Our friend - She was just . . . trying to help,” Skye says, her eyes watery.

“I mean, she thought she was dealing with human biology,” Lincoln says, “but you graduated from that class. I’m going to take a closer look at these, uh, meanwhile, try to get some rest. Tomorrow, maybe we’ll see what gifts you’ve been given.”

“It’s more like a curse,” Skye replies as Lincoln walks away.

“A lot of us feel that way at first, but you’ll learn to control it,” Lincoln says.

“I don’t want to control it - I want to get rid of it,” Skye retorts. “That’s why I called Gordon. I thought he would be able to fix me.”

“I’m sorry,” Lincoln says. “I-I thought you knew. The transition is irreversible.”

Lincoln leaves the room and Skye buries her face into (Y/n)’s chest.

. . .

“I need you to give a message to my friends, let them know we’re okay,” Skye tells Gordon as she, Lincoln, and (Y/n) walk through Afterlife again the next day.

“I can ask permission but they’ll advise it, it’s better we stay quiet for the time being,” Gordon replies.

“Uh . . . wait,” Skye says, as Gordon walks away, and Gordon turns back around. “My father and Raina - where did you take them?”

“I can’t divulge their location, just as I can’t divulge yours,” Gordon replies. “But you don’t need to worry about them.” Gordon says, turning and walking away.

“What does he mean, ‘ask permission’?” (Y/n) asks Lincoln. “Ask permission from who?”

“The Elders,” Lincoln answers. “Who two have made a lot of people afraid - afraid that our secret won’t be safe for much longer.”

Skye watches Gordon.

“Come on,” Lincoln says, and (Y/n) and Skye follow.

. . .

Skye busts through the doors. “Raina!” (Y/n) trailing after her.

“Skye, (Y/n), isn’t this interesting? I had a feeling I might be seeing the two of you,” Raina says calmly.

“Skye, (Y/n),” Lincoln runs into the room, “please, let’s go.”

“Let them stay,” Raina says. “We have so much to talk about.”

“What happened to you?” Skye asks, sounding horrified.

“Destiny . . . apparently,” Raina retorts. “I wanted to be set free, but now I can’t even bear the light of day. I dread being awake. But my sleep is filled with such horrible nightmares.” Raina inhales sharply. “Children are so afraid of monsters,” Raina gets to her feet. “They should know it’s worse to be one,” Raina goes on.

“You got what you deserved,” Skye says, her voice quavering.

“And so did you,” Raina snaps.

“We didn’t deserve any of this,” Skye growls. “You did this to us!”

“Skye,” (Y/n) murmurs.

“No,” Skye straightens up, “You have brought nothing but pain into my life - my father, the mist. My friend Trip died in there because of you!”

“I didn’t make either of you follow me into that chamber,” Raina replies calmly. “You wanted to go, Skye. You needed to go because we’re the same, Skye.” Skye shakes her head. “We were the same before, and we’re the same now. I am on the outside, what you are on the inside.” Raina pulls off her hood, and (Y/n) puts a hand on Skye’s shoulder, pulling her back a little.

Skye starts losing control of her powers and Raina falls to her knees.

“Enough,” comes a new voice and Skye stops, startled and breathing heavily.

“Who are you?” Skye asks.

“My name is Jiaying,” the woman replies. “You’re both guests in my house.”

“You don’t know her,” Skye retorts. “You have no idea what she’s capable of.”

“She’s capable of beauty and greatness, just as we all are,” Jiaying says.

“She can’t be trusted. She killed people!” Skye growls.

“From what Gordon tells me, you could have, as well,” Jiaying replies calmly. “And from what I just saw, you’re certainly capable of it.” Jiaying moves over to help Raina up, and then Jiaying turns to watch Skye again.

(Y/n) once again reaches out a hand, pulling Skye back. Jiaying raises an eyebrow as (Y/n) murmurs something in Skye’s ear.

“We can’t stay - not if she’s here,” Skye’s eyes narrow.

“We’ll leave that choice to the two of you, but I have chosen to be your guides, should you remain with us.”

A slightly shocked look flashes on Lincoln’s face.

“All I ask is for a few days,” Jiaying goes on. “I’ll look after you, train you, watch you grow. And if you don’t feel a connection between us worth exploring, well . . . we never have to see each other again.”

As the woman goes on, (Y/n) has the strangest feeling like this was more personal then just training a random girl that happened to stumble into your home.

. . .

Jiaying and Gordon teleport into Cal’s wrecked room.

“I was right, wasn’t I?” Cal asks, his fists bandaged. “She’s here.” Jiaying smiles. “I told you I would find her, and I did.”

“You were right, Cal,” Jiaying replies. “It’s Daisy, our daughter.” Jiaying pauses. “I think you’re wrong about the other girl,” she goes on. “She doesn't seem bad for our Daisy.”

Cal glowers. “You don’t know what she’s done.”

Word Count: 8961 words

Skye / Daisy Johnson Taglist:

@imapotato

@confusinggemini612

@marie45019

#daisy johnson x reader #skye x reader #daisy johnson x female reader #daisy johnson x fem reader #skye x fem reader #skye x female reader #coulson x daughter reader

45 notes · View notes

houseisekai · 3 years

Text

House Isekai: A Realm Reborn - Part 2, Through the Maelstrom (3 of 3)

House Isekai ARR Masterlist Here

—

Client: Hilda Valentin Goneril

Refusing to work with the newly reformed House Isekai due to Class VII, Duvalie takes her orders and storms off to Goneril territory, trying to get home faster. Not wanting to leave Duvalie completely alone, Raelyn and Fireteam Alpha-Nine accompany her.

Reports indicate of a giant serpent-like beast terrorizing the ocean trade routes near Goneril territory, and an unknown entity accompanying it…

[Respite and Sunlight - Fire Emblem: Three Houses OST]

The carriage carried a group of knights as it made its way towards the fishing town.

As the horses leisurely drew the carriage forth, the dirt kicking up on the path, the driver turned his head and shouted out.

(Driver) "We're almost there, milady."

Hilda sighed as she stretched, putting her head back onto the carriage.

(Hilda) "Finally. That took forever."

She looked around and noticed the two knights accompanying her were calmly sitting still, not saying a word.

(Hilda) "Am I seriously the only one who noticed?!"

(Knight 1) "No milady, we feel the same. Now isn't the time to be lax, however."

(Hilda) "Percy, I remember you being the one telling me that this town wasn't anything to be concerned about!"

(Knight 2) "It was, until that letter came in. We only put the request out three days ago, how could mercenaries possibly have responded that fast? And I do not like the descriptions of them either..."

(Percy) "I agree with Jonas. Tech that looks too advanced for random mercenaries to have? This seems like it's a trap..."

(Hilda) "I sincerely doubt the Separatists would cause any trouble for the Alliance. And what strategic importance would a fishing town like this have?"

(Jonas) "I think that's all the more reason to be wary, milady. Besides, orders from Lord Holst were specifically to-"

(Hilda) "Yeah yeah, I know, make sure I'm safe and everything. It's when we get out to the ocean, you guys can start doing your jobs properly."

Jonas looked at Percy, in which his response was just a shrug.

(Percy) "Hmph. I wonder what those mercenaries are like..."

...

Duvalie woke up and quickly looked around before her shoulders relaxed. They were still inside the building the Class VII members led them to.

Duvalie noticed the ODST's were already awake.

Dutch was near the window, looking at the small blue device curiously.

(Dutch) "Hell is this thing?"

It was making a small static noise, Dutch poked at it until Mickey came close and examined it himself.

(Mickey) "Looks like a jamming device of some kind."

(Buck) "Yeah, it's messing with my helmet's visor a little. You think a fishing town like this would have something that'd warrant a jammer?"

(Romeo) "Oh, you're finally awake."

The ODST's turned to Duvalie who picked up her sword and shield.

(Duvalie) "No one bothered to wake me up?"

(Mickey) "Hey, Fie's orders. Not ours."

Duvalie rolled her eyes and noticed Raelyn and Class VII were gone.

(Buck) "They said they were going out to patrol the area, wanted us to stay in here in case someone tried snooping around."

(Duvalie) "Guess that's fair enough."

Duvalie stood next to Buck, both of them not saying a word while Romeo cleaned his sniper and Mickey and Dutch were still examining the supposed jammer.

(Buck) "So...what exactly is your problem with those kids? If you don't mind me asking."

(Duvalie) "Ugh, we were enemies during a war, then we fought alongside each other and thats IT. Don't wanna talk about it. And we're NOT friends."

(Buck) "Alright, I believe ya. Dunno why you have to say it so forcefully."

(Duvalie) "Because it doesn't go through THEIR thick skulls! I DON'T LIKE REAN EITHER!"

(Buck) "Listen, Duvalie. I am right next to you. Stop frickin' screaming."

(Dutch) "Plus, you're making it harder to figure out what this is."

Duvalie and Buck turned to Mickey and Dutch who were still staring.

(Duvalie) "What in the hell is so fascinating about it that you two are still looking at it?!"

(Mickey) "Because, I don't think it's just a jammer. It's something else..."

That caught everyone's attention.

(Romeo) "...What makes you say that?"

(Dutch) "It's making some static noise, and it's sticky too. What kind of jammer is this small?"

(Duvalie) "Huh. I don't think we had anything like that in our world, so where did those brats...?"

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

(Raelyn's voice) "We have returned."

The door opened with the members of Class VII and Raelyn.

(Fie) "Coast looks clear, and looks like we already got someone to help out with the Serpent problem."

(Buck) "Damn, that was fast."

(Raelyn) "I recommend we hurry, lest we make the townsfolk angry again."

Everyone grabbed their equipment and left the house, Class VII leading the way.

(Mickey) "Hey, so those blue things you put in the house, what exactly are those?"

(Laura) "It's best we not say just yet."

(Dutch) "That's...reassuring."

(Elliot) "Anyways, we visited the tavern from yesterday and he said someone wants to see us there."

(Fie) "And you can leave your weapons down, it won't be a fight."

(Duvalie) "What makes you say that?"

As they were walking to the tavern, Hilda and her two knights exited and saw them.

[Musica Universalis - Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers OST]

(Hilda) "Oh my gosh!"

(Elliot) "Ha, aren't you a sight for sore eyes?"

(Laura) "It's been quite a bit hasn't it, Hilda?"

(Fie) "Yo."

Hilda smiled as she ran up and grabbed all three of them into a hug.

(Hilda) "It's so good to see you guys again!"

(Percy) "Hey...you were with the professor when you came to Derdriu all those years back!"

(Jonas) "Don't think we've seen their friends though."

Hilda noticed the new group behind Class VII and raised an eyebrow.

(Hilda) "These your friends?"

(Raelyn) "Raelyn Amuto, at your service."

(Duvalie) "...Duvalie."

(Buck) "Call me Buck. Squad behind me is Mickey, Dutch, and Romeo."

(Elliot) "Hopefully, we just got here super recently ourselves. Though, Rean and the others can watch over them."

(Hilda) "Wait, everyone else is here?"

(Raelyn) "Not exactly."

Raelyn quickly caught Hilda and her knights up to speed.

(Hilda) "I see...So it's happening again?"

(Laura) "That's what we're here to investigate. Originally we came here to see what was blocking communications from Sitri to us, and find out what teleported this group here."

(Elliot) "After a day of investigating, we think it may actually have to do with the serpent problem you're having."

(Buck) "Huh, isn't that convenient."

(Duvalie) "When exactly did this problem pop up anyway? We only got here three days ago."

(Hilda) "Hm...I think it was about a week ago. Same time Claude let us know something was coming from the Tower, actually."

(Romeo) "...Too convenient."

[Briefing Time - Trails of Cold Steel 3 OST]

(Raelyn) "It seems to line up with our arrival. Has there been anything in the past House Isekai and your Houses have fought that can cause this amount of trouble?"

(Hilda) "Too much to count..."

(Laura) "It wouldn't be the first time for us."

(Fie) "I think we can kill two birds with one stone here then. We can investigate that Serpent and determine if it has anything to do with our problems."

(Hilda) "Sounds good to me."

(Dutch) "So...how exactly are we going to fight a giant water monster? Our gear isn't equipped for aquatic fights."

(Percy) "We have that taken care of. We're going to use a boat and investigate it the old fashioned way."

(Duvalie) "...That is the worst idea I've ever heard."

(Buck) "Inclined to agree with the lady. That seems a good way for our asses to get eaten out there."

(Elliot) "I'm kinda drawing a blank on what else to do. It's not like they have any high tech boats."

(Jonas) "Unfortunately, he's right. All of our efforts on expanding our sea travel has been fruitless, or its too early to tell. It only has been two years before we began these projects."

(Raelyn) "Us Space Marines are engineered to breathe underwater."

(Romeo) "Damn, is there anything you guys can't do?"

(Raelyn) "Have good luck."

(Duvalie) "Was that a joke?"

Raelyn's head slowly turned to Duvalie.

(Raelyn) "It is the last thing I would joke about. You all being near me already carries a risk of a violent death, including myself."

(Dutch) "What, your gun malfunction on you in battle a lot or something?"

(Raelyn) "It is a curse our Chapter seems to suffer. For one reason or another, something unfortunate happens, and I guarantee you it will happen when we attempt to hunt this beast."

(Hilda) "Jeez, quit that downer talk, we'll be fine! We've survived plenty worse than just some monster. Heck, it's not even our first monster we've fought!"

(Laura) "If that is the case, where is this boat?"

(Percy) "This way."

Percy and Jonas led the way to the docks, everyone following them.

Fie looked behind them and saw a small boy and girl staring at them. Specifically Raelyn.

She noticed an older girl walk up to them, she couldn't be older than 15. Fie put a mental pin on them and quickly followed along.

The older girl knelt down to get on their eye level.

(Older girl) "Hey, why are you staring at them so intensely, they didn't say something to you, did they?"

(Young girl) "Nuh uh, Mila! The big yellow man was super nice!"

(Young boy) "Yeah, he helped her out and everything!"

Mila had short brown hair and a small stature, carrying two daggers on her back.

(Mila) "Did he now...?"

...

The group took an Alliance controlled ship out into the coast, being helmed by the local garrison.

They set out to the last known location to where this Serpent had been reported, which fortunately was only an hour away from the town.

The day was bright and the winds were strong, and not a cloud in sight.

They skipped across the waters with relatively little trouble.

Hilda stood next to Class VII while everyone else was scattered.

(Elliot) "Man, I can't remember the last time we've been out by the sea."

(Laura) "A shame it wasn't for a more pleasant reason."

(Fie) "Oh, hey Buck."

Buck walked up to Hilda, followed by Raelyn and Duvalie.

(Buck) "Mind if we ask you something, miss Hilda?"

(Hilda) "What's up?"

(Buck) "Who exactly are these Separatists your townsfolk are so quick to anger about? An insurrection?"

(Laura) "I remember hearing about it while we were investigating the area as well."

Hilda frowned and looked back out to the sea.

(Hilda) "After House Isekai left Fodlan, our three nations decided to form a temporary pact in order to fix the damages done by Those Who Slither and the Church. It...hasn't been easy.

For the first two years, the Empire and Kingdom were at war, until it suddenly stopped with the Church to be the ones on the offensive.

The Battle of Gronder had all our blood shed, and its nothing that everyone can easily forgive with how recent it was.

So when news that we'd all be fighting as one, it made our citizens outraged. The only people who knew the truth about Zanado and Byleth was our militaries..."

(Elliot) "So, these Separatists...-"

(Hilda) "They've been wanting us to split up and leave each other be, just like it's always been. The Alliance has a mixture of Imperial and Kingdom Separatists, and Claude has been doing his best to keep the neutrality. It hasn't been easy, in addition to the Zanado Tower acting up again."

(Raelyn) "Which is why you sent this letter of the Serpent to Garreg Mach, correct?"

Hilda nodded.

(Hilda) "And if it requires House Isekai's help again, I fear the worst..."

(Laura) "Rest assured, we will do everything in our power to help Fodlan."

(Buck) "Not sure how long we'll be staying but, might as well. It's either that or be stuck here."

(Duvalie) "Wait a second, if you guys were stuck here before and got out, then how did you get in?"

(Fie) "Teleportation with the help of the Doom Slayer."

(Hilda) "Wait, he was the one that set you guys up with that?!"

(Raelyn) "I am not sure who he is, but perhaps he can teleport us out of here."

(Buck) "With how troublesome everything sounds, I sort of doubt it'd be that easy to get out of here."

(Fie) "Only one way to try."

Fie reached out a small crest of House Isekai's logo and pressed the center.

...Nothing happened.

(Fie) "Uh oh."

(Duvalie) "W-What does that mean?"

(Elliot) "Huh? That's how we were able to teleport from our world to the base! Why isn't it working?"

(Hilda) "Does that mean you're stuck here too?"

(Buck) "Well, that's fantastic..."

Dutch, Mickey, and Romeo were listening into the conversation.

(Dutch) "They got Insurrectionists to deal with too?"

(Romeo) "Great, that means we'll be here even longer."

(Mickey) "Their teleportation isn't working, so what is the cause of-"

(Percy) "Hey, we need everyone up here!"

[Dark Clouds Gather - Fire Emblem: Three Houses OST]

The groups looked up and went to the top deck where the wheel was. Percy and Jonas stood near the captain.

(Hilda) "What's the problem?"

(Jonas) "The skies in front of us are suddenly starting to darken."

(Captain) "The weather the way it was, this was too fast for it to suddenly darken! Something's about to happen!"

(Buck) "...Motion tracker's picking up something!"

The ODST's turned on their visors, blocking out their faces while Raelyn silently looked at his tactical display.

(Raelyn) "I am detecting something as well."

(Romeo) "Hey, remember that conversation about your luck from earlier? Suddenly beginning to believe it..."

Everyone drew their weapons as the crew of the ship shouted, readying cannons and bows.

Hilda drew out her relic axe and looked in the water.

(Hilda) "Where exactly are you sensing this thing?"

The ODST's had their weapons drawn, slowly looking to their left. The movement was quickly circling around them.

(Elliot) "U-Um, how big is this Serpent, exactly?"

(Percy) "Not sure, reports are inconsistent."

(Raelyn) "If it is as big as we expect it to be, what's stopping it from tearing this boat in half?"

Raelyn readied his Bolter and quickly turned around to the back of the ship, finally seeing a shadow.

(Buck) "ON OUR SIX!"

Only the ODST's and Raelyn turned to the back at first.

It took everyone else a second to realize what Buck meant, turning around and facing the same direction.

[Wreck to the Seaman - Final Fantasy XIV OST]

The shadow quickly vanished underneath the ship, making everyone nervous of what its about to do.

The ODST's and Raelyn paid attention to their motion tracker, and realized it was suddenly in place.

(Romeo) "Why the hell's it stopping?"

(Raelyn) ...!!! "It's not! CAPTAIN, TURN YOUR SHIP TO THE RIGHT, NOW!"

The captain quickly got on the wheel and steered right, the wind forcing the ship to make a hard right.

From the waters emerged a massive serpent, the water splashing onto the ship and blowing back some of the crew members.

The waves rocked the ship violently, almost tipping it over.

(Elliot) "AGH!"

Elliot lost his footing and was about to go overboard before Dutch grabbed his arm.

(Dutch) "Hang on kid!"

The ship barely managed to balance itself, throwing itself back with a force that made everyone lose footing again.

Duvalie was the first to stabilize herself when she realized the serpent was staring at them.

As the serpent opened its mouth, it was about to strike before Duvalie leapt forward and hit its face with her shield, making it stagger back and roar in anger.

Duvalie used the force of her attack to launch herself back onto the ship, twirling her sword.

(Duvalie) "Little help?!"

(Percy) "FIRE THE CANNONS!"

Crew mates rushed to the cannons and lit the matches.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The cannons opened fire, most of them missing their mark while only one managed to hit the torso of the beast.

Raelyn and the ODSTs rushed to the side and held the triggers of their guns, the bullets rushing towards the head.

The serpent dove underwater to dodge the gunfire.

(Crew) "IT'S COMING AROUND THE OTHER SIDE!"

Its head emerged from the water on the opposite side of the ship, its head about to strike into the heart of the ship before Laura ran to the middle and swung her sword upwards, the blow knocking it away.

Fie used her gunblades to fire at its head as well, but the bullets deflected off the scales and it dove back underwater, this time no one being able to see where it went.

(Buck) "Dutch, Mickey! Heavy weapons, NOW! Romeo, crow's nest and snipe that son of a bitch!"

The ODST's nodded and quickly did as they were told, Raelyn going to Duvalie with his Bolter still raised.

(Duvalie) "Hey, Amuto, got any ideas?"

(Raelyn) "One, but with my luck-"

(Duvalie) "Grr, SHUT UP ABOUT YOUR BAD LUCK! It's either that, or we let the ship get torn in half!"

(Raelyn) "If that is the case, please hold onto this."

(Duvalie) "...Wha-"

Raelyn put his bolter into Duvalie's arm, almost making her tip over from the weight.

(Duvalie) "HUARGH!? H-HEY...W-WHAT TH HELL?!"

(Raelyn) "I will be right back."

Raelyn pulled out a knife and looked over to the side.

(Hilda) "H-Hey, what's the yellow guy doing?!"

(Elliot) "Huh?"

Elliot, Fie and Laura turned around and saw Raelyn peeking over the edge.

(Fie) "What is he...?"

(Laura) ?! "WAIT, ARE YOU GOING TO?!-"

(Raelyn) "BROTHERS, SISTERS! PREPARE FOR ITS RESURFACING!"

[Through the Maelstrom - Final Fantasy XIV OST]

Raelyn hopped over the ship's edge and dove straight into the water.

He quickly looked around, and noticing a shadow emerging from the depths as it was rushing upwards at him.

He did everything in his power to swim away from the ship and-

(Buck) "The hell is he-"

Everyone saw Raelyn shoot upwards as the Serpent's mouth grabbed him, the Space Marine now in its teeth.

Although it tried to devour him, the armor's weight and size made it extremely difficult to do so.

(Elliot) "OH AIDIOS!"

(Percy) "Is he insane?!"

(Romeo) "QUIT STARING AND FIRE DAMN IT!"

Romeo cocked his sniper's handle back and pulled the trigger, the shot ringing out across the air as the bullet attempted to hit the wildly flailing serpent.

Raelyn was being thrashed around, the teeth unable to go through his armor. He swung his knife into the beast several times to no effect despite it piercing the scales.

(Raelyn) "INCOMING!"

Having no option, he grabbed the beast's upper jaw and slammed his fist onto it, the force of the blow knocking the beast's head onto the ship.

The ship almost submerged itself into the water from the sheer weight of the serpent's head.

Everyone managed to keep their footing, letting Duvalie, Hilda, and Laura strike fast.

Duvalie dropped the Bolter and let it slide onto the floor as she stuck her sword into the teeth, breaking a few off and letting Raelyn awkwardly roll out of it's grasp.

Hilda smashed it's skull with her axe overhead, Laura swinging her sword sideways to strike at its mouth.

It recoiled back in pain, tipping the ship over again.

Raelyn was about to get on his feet before the cannons from the right side slid over and hit him back into the water.

(Hilda) "Wow, he wasn't kidding!"

The Bolter slid over into the water and landed near Raelyn, which he quickly grabbed and looked for the serpent again.

It was coming through the other side, but it was only now he realized how huge it was.

The tail was coming near him, and he rushed over to grab it as the tail violently dragged him along the water.

Dutch grabbed a Spartan Laser while Mickey had a rocket launcher, both of them checking their motion trackers.

(Buck) "Right side!"

Romeo reloaded his sniper and quickly spun around, being the first one to see the serpent emerge and fly towards the boat.

(Romeo) "It's gonna ram us!"

(Dutch) "Like hell it is!"

Dutch's Spartan Laser began to form a red line as it whirred up making a high pitched activation noise.

Mickey fired first, the rockets flying off and trying to lock onto the serpent. They went into the water as it nimbly swerved to the left and right, the waters catching the explosion.

Raelyn held on as the water's currents fought against him, using one hand at a time to climb up the serpent until he got near the eyes.

The pupil looked directly at Raelyn and widened, realizing he was there.

Raelyn's hand with the knife stabbed directly into the eye, making the serpent thrust upwards into the air, roaring and shaking into the air.

(Dutch) "GOTCHA!"

With another second passing, the Spartan Laser shot out a force even stronger than the cannon, a burning red beam of death searing through the Serpent's skin, making it drop into the water dead.

(Buck) "Good work, gentlemen."

(Elliot) "Whew, is everyone okay?"

(Percy) "Check on the equipment and for any wounded!"

(Jonas) "Captain, get us closer to the body we need to-"

Jonas stopped midsentence when he looked up.

Percy noticed it and turned around, seeing what he was staring at.

[Blinding Indigo - Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers OST]

"An assassin from our homeland? Or a foolish trespasser upon these waters?"

(Jonas) "What in the hell?!"

(Percy) "SOMETHING'S UP HERE!"

(Buck) "OPEN FIRE!"

Fie and Buck pointed their guns and pulled the triggers, the bullets passing through the aquatic creature's body, letting them drop onto the floor, water splashing from the impact.

"Very well. Then Her power shall crush the miscreant that dares pollute these waters."

The creature began glowing, making the clouds above them start pouring rain and the water glow as well.

The Serpent Raelyn was still attached to started glowing a pale blue, the wound quickly regenerating. He was quick to aim his bolter and open fire on it, but had no effect.

Hilda and Laura ran up to it with their weapons swinging overhead, it quickly teleporting away as it vacantly stared at them.

Elliot was about to cast a spell with his staff until he realized the rain was forming puddles on the ship, slowly bubbling.

(Elliot) "Uh, guys?!"

Birds made of water emerged from the puddles and flew at Elliot, the force of the impact making him fall onto the floor.

Romeo immediately turned his attention to the bird and pulled the trigger.

The bird exploded into water, it calmly splashing down onto the ship.

Hearing something behind him, he reached for his pistol and spun around, pulling the trigger.

The bird exploded, and it was then he realized a puddle was beneath him.

From the puddle emerged a wolf-like creature that leapt up, knocking Romeo off the tower.

Before he could land, Duvalie caught him and set him down to the floor and raising her shield as the wolf leapt on top of her.

Its teeth was made of water as well, but Duvalie didn't want to find out if it hurt just as bad as a real wolf, so she plunged her sword into its body making it explode.

Mickey switched to an SMG and opened fire on the other puddles before anything else could show up, Buck and Fie joining in while Hilda, Laura, Jonas, and Percy fought other wolves.

Dutch was about to switch weapons before hearing the water explode behind him.

The Serpent was glowing the same blue as the winged creature, Raelyn still on top of it, stabbing it with his knife.

(Dutch) "Oh for the love of-"

He aimed his Spartan Laser at the Serpent again, only for the shot to be taken and hitting birds that flew in the way.

Elliot rushed over and healed Romeo of any injuries, making him push away the staff.

(Romeo) "Stop healing me and get to killing these things!"

Romeo reloaded his pistol while Duvalie dispatched of another wolf that was trying to attack from behind.

(Duvalie) "They just keep coming!"

Meanwhile, Raelyn lost count of how many times he stabbed the head of this beast, it would not stop moving.

It tried ferociously to be rid of Raelyn, eventually dunking its head back underwater and using the tail to swipe him off.

Raelyn flipped several times underwater, trying to steady himself as the Serpent bit Raelyn again, this time half his body inside it's mouth.

He said nothing as he remained calm, putting his bolter into the mouth before he was thrown out of the water and into the air.

Raelyn broke through the top deck and landed onto the bottom, creating a massive hole on the top part of the ship.

The Serpent's tail slammed onto the side of the ship as it wrapped its head around to the front deck of the ship.

Dutch aimed the laser at the head, until realizing it was too close to the ship.

(Dutch) "Damn it, I'd just rip this ship apart if I took the shot!"

Fie hopped onto the Serpent's back with both her gunblades anchoring her onto it, making it twitch only a little.

She pulled the triggers several times as the bullets went into its body.

It loosened up its grip on the ship, Laura using her sword to chop off part of the tail, making it roll over and tripping some of the crew and water-formed creatures.

Buck picked off one target after the other, struggling to reload.

A wolf jumped onto him, the teeth scraping against his helmet's visor as he grabbed his knife and plunged it straight into its neck, making it disappear.

As he got up, he noticed that the winged creature only staring at them.

(Buck) "The hell is this thing?!"

Elliot tried to heal any injured crew member he could while Hilda, Percy, and Jonas covered him.

Slamming his spear into a wolf, Jonas turned to HIlda.

(Jonas) "What do we do?! There are too many of them!"

The ship slowly began to crack loudly as the serpent's grip refused to let go.

(Captain) "At this rate, the ship is going break!"

(Percy) "Wait, wheres your yellow friend?!"

(Duvalie) "Think we saw him make a hole into the lower decks!"

(Dutch) "Then what is he-"

Cannons fired onto the serpent's side that was directly next to the ports, before an entire cannon was thrown out, a rope attached to it making the serpent drop from the weight.

It finally loosened its grip and struggled to get the attached cannons off of it.

(Raelyn) "The rope will not hold, TAKE THE SHOT BROTHER DUTCH!"

(Dutch) "GOTCHA!"

Dutch grabbed his Spartan Laser and charged it, aiming at the head.

Multiple puddles formed around Dutch before the others rushed to it and stuck their weapons inside.

As several birds were about to fly into the shot again, Raelyn emerged from the lower decks and opened fire with the bolter, the shots thundering out and completely shattering them into droplets.

Dutch's Spartan Laser kicked back as the beam hit his target, its head being completely blown off, making the serpent's body go limp and dissolve into the water.

The winged creature suddenly stopped glowing, making the ODST's spin around and open fire, the bullets going into the creature.

Hilda, Fie, Laura, and Duvalie swung their weapons at it, the streaks of their weapons severing it.

Elliot's staff formed into a violin-like shape as he casted a spell that formed a circle of light, blasting upwards and making the creature finally dissipate into the air.

[End Song]

The weather finally began to clear above them, everyone now trying to catch their breath.

(Dutch) "Lord, can you please get us out of this ocean now?"

The ship began to making an uncomfortably loud screeching noise before crewmates were on it, trying to fix the damages.

(Dutch) "...So was that a yes or no?"

An explosion occured where the serpent's body was, a mixture of the rain and saltwater pouring down onto them. A tiny rainbow formed from the storm in sight of the direction back to the town.

(Dutch) "...Amen."

(Fie) "Ugh, finally."

(Elliot) "That wasn't like anything we fought before..."

(Hilda) "Whew...to be fair, don't think we ever had to fight in the ocean."

(Duvalie) "So, do any of us have an idea of-AAAAAGH!"

Duvalie suddenly fell to one knee, grabbing her head.

(Buck) "H-Hey, what's-URGH!"

Buck quickly followed suit, then the ODST's fell to one knee as well, mimicking her action.

The members of Class VII and Raelyn were soon to follow, their heads pounding as their vision suddenly faded to white.

...

It was an empty lake with a strange platform in the middle, the sun was bright and the skies only had a few clouds.

And going towards that platform was a blonde-braided man and a small floating companion.

(Paimon) "Hm...Is it a good idea to mess with this?"

(Aether) "It's where the villagers told us that this...thing was, so it's not going to get rid of itself.

(Paimon) "Yeah, but still-"

Before they could continue their conversation, they heard something appear behind them.

It was a small floating creature with a staff, laughing maniacally.

(Aether) "Damn it, why now?"

Aether's sword materialized into his hand and was about to swing before a bright light appeared in front of them, catching the both of them off guard.

(Abyss Mage) "Eh?"

(Aether) "What the?-"

The bright light made the both of them step back, Aether accidentally triggering the platform, and the weather suddenly clouded up.

(Paimon) "Uh oh!"

(Aether) "Damn, now we have to deal with this-"

Before he could finish, the bright light exploded and made the air push them back, before slowly pulling them in.

The Abyss Mage and whatever was summoned with the platform was sucked into the light.

Aether and Paimon came dangerously close to before he shot a powerful gust of wind out of his hand, making him fly further back as the light quickly disappeared.

The weather returned to normal as he got up trying to catch his breath.

(Paimon) "What the heck was that?!"

(Aether) "I...I have no idea..."

Everything started to turn into a static mess as Aether and Paimon slowly faded out of view...

...

(Hilda's voice) "Hey...HEY!"

Everyone's vision returned to them as they looked around confused.

(Percy) "What was that about?"

(Buck) "Alright...we all saw that too right?"

(Duvalie) "Agh...you mean that lake platform thing...?"

(Laura) "I...saw it too!"

(Raelyn) "As did I...None of us possess any psychic abilities I am unaware of, correct?"

(Mickey) "If I had the ability do that crap, I would've in that fight!"

(Hilda) "What are you guys talking about?!"

Everyone turned to Hilda and her knights. It seemed they were unaffected.

(Fie) "You...didn't see that?"

(Hilda) "No, you guys just all reached for your head at the same time!"

They all looked at each other now.

(Elliot) "Was that some kind of dream?"

(Dutch) "Looked more like a memory to me."

(Romeo) "Memory of what? Who the hell were they? And what was that winged bastard we were just fighting having to do with that?"

(Jonas) "Captain, take us back to port."

(Captain) "No need to tell me again. RAISE THE SAILS, LET'S GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!"

Everyone slowly rose up, with Raelyn helping Duvalie up.

They all remained quiet on the ride back.

An hour passed as they finally reached the shore, reaching for their heads.

(Laura) "If we go to another ocean, it will be too soon..."

(Fie) "Let's go head back to the building and-..."

Fie frowned as her ARCUS unit was now beeping.

(Fie) "...Someone's been inside."

They all reached for their weapons and slowly approached it, including the door.

Percy and Jonas quickly scattered the townsfolk, Hilda drawing her axe and joining them.

The ODST's went near the door and silently held up their weapons, turning to the others and nodding.

Duvalie raised her shield and was the first one in, kicking down the door and drawing her sword.

(Duvalie) "WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!"

(Mila) "AAAAAGH!"

The young girl fell backwards, completely terrified of all the weapons suddenly pointing at her.

Romeo and Raelyn looked around the room to make sure no one else was present.

(Fie) "Hey...you're that girl who was talking to those kids."

(Mila) "I-I'M SORRY! I DIDN'T MEAN TO MAKE YOU ANGRY! I WAS JUST CURIOUS!"'

Fie turned to the blue devices she stuck on the walls and back to the girl.

(Mila) "U-Uh, I was just wanting to talk to the big yellow guy!"

Everyone turned to Raelyn, who looked back at the girl.

(Raelyn) "...What is it?"

(Mila) "I-I was just wanting to thank you for helping those kids? From yesterday?"

(Raelyn) "...Ah. I do not believe she means us harm."

Everyone slowly put away their weapons while Raelyn took off his helmet and knelt down.

(Raelyn) "Why did you break in here?"

(Mila) "The door was open, promise! At first I checked to see if you were home and...well, then I got curious."

(Elliot) "You could've gotten hurt! You're lucky it was just us, I don't think other mercenaries would be nice enough to let you go unscathed!"

Mila was about to say something before noticing Hilda.

(Mila) "M-MILADY!"

She quickly scrambled to get on one knee before Hilda sighed.

(Hilda) "Hey, come on kiddo. Get up, no need for that around me."

(Mila) "Are...are you guys just mercenaries?"

Raelyn cleared his throat to catch her attention.

(Raelyn) "Yes, we are. Do not mistake our intentions, we were just for the coin. But...give the children my regards. My name is Raelyn. Yours?"

(Mila) "M...Mila."

Raelyn nodded.

(Raelyn) "Then I will see you home. Everyone else we should prepare to get moving."

(Buck) "Right. Pack it up ladies, let's get ready to move."

(Dutch) "On it."

Mickey and Romeo nodded and checked around the house for leftover equipment.

Duvalie shrugged and stood in the corner with the members of Class VII. Hilda stayed with them as Raelyn walked out with Mila.

Fie activated her ARCUS unit and checked the screen.

The blue devices started to beep rapidly, making everyone turn around to see what the noise was.

(Mickey) "So...now can we know what that is?"

(Fie) "Yup. First we just gotta get away. No evidence and all that."

(Mickey) "...Oh, that explains why it looked familliar."

(Duvalie) "Huh? W-What is it?"

(Buck) "...Are we safe-"

(Fie) "I gotta push the button first. We're fine. We put these here last night in case we had to leave early."

(Elliot) "We made sure this building was abandoned and out of the way of everyone."

(Hilda) "Uh...what are they talking about?"

(Laura) "We have our things, let us get moving."

...

Raelyn walked alongside the girl, his helmet underneath his arm.

(Raelyn) "Mila, do your parents know you like to snoop around like this?"

(Mila) "Hah...y-yeah. It wasn't for anything bad, I promise!"

(Raelyn) "Hmph. Those children, who are they to you? Siblings?"

(Mila) "Nah, they're orphans. From the war..."

(Raelyn) "War?"

(Mila) "You know...the Five-year war? The one with the Church and Empire?"

(Raelyn) "Ah. My apologies, it seems I forgot."

(Mila) "Are you really mercenaries? Figured you would've remembered that at least."

(Raelyn) "...I am. My age is getting the better of me is all."

Mila raised an eyebrow at Raelyn's half assed excuse.

(Raelyn) "Regardless, you did not answer my question."

(Mila) "Oh, right. Well they were kids that were on the streets for a while. None of us really knew what to do, so I became friends with them! They ended up following me around everywhere for the past three years."

(Raelyn) "Then you have a good heart it seems. What are their names?"

(Mila) "The boy is Emil, and the girl is Lena."

(Raelyn) "Well then, take care of Emil and Lena. They are going to need you for the coming times."

(Mila) "Yeah..."

Raelyn stopped following when Mila approached a door, assuming it to be her house.

(Raelyn) "Take care then, Mila."

(Mila) "W-Wait, where will you guys go?"

(Raelyn) "I cannot say. Wherever the wind takes us I suppose."

(Mila) "Will...we see you again?"

Raelyn put on his helmet and turned to her.

(Raelyn) "If the Emperor wills it, then yes."

(Mila) "Emperor? Like, Emperor Edelgard?"

(Raelyn) "Er...different one."

KABOOM!

Raelyn turned to the source of the explosion, seeing his group semi-casually walking away from it.

(Mila) "What the?!"

(Raelyn) "Get inside. I will investigate."

Mila nodded and quickly went inside while Raelyn walked over to the group.

(Citizen) "Good goddess, the building collapsed on itself?!"

(Citizen 2) "No one was hurt, were they?"

(Citizen 3) "N-No, just-" cough cough "Some dust!"

(Fie) "Aaaand that's your answer to what they were."

(Duvalie) "Bombs?!"

(Laura) "We wanted to cover our tracks."

(Raelyn) "Would that not make them suspicious of us even more?"

(Elliot) "No more than they already were."

Buck's visor picked up signatures to their side, quietly watching them.

(Fie) "There's been people watching us ever since we arrived."

(Dutch) "Think it's those insurrectionists?"

(Hilda) "Too early to tell. We'll investigate things from our end."

(Mickey) "Well, good luck to ya then, ma'am."

Hilda nodded and went joined Percy and Jonas who were looking at the collapsed building.

(Buck) "Well then, mission accomplished on our end. Wonder how the other kids are doing."

(Duvalie) "More importantly, I want answers to whatever the hell's going on with this talk of separatists and that vision thing."

As they walked away from the town, Mila watched from the window.

(Mila) "Just who are you...?"

PART 2: ENDED

TO BE CONTINUED…

[Lost in Paradise - ALI]

Gotta get it homie gotta move it If you gonna do it then, push everything to the side Everybody just talk nobody really do it You should keep a secret until you actually do it No need to double check with someone Use your judgement only, break the walls Let’s do flashy fake More Cool, keep it low, prove them wrong I won’t give up the fight in my life 'Cause my life is living for love I won’t give up the fight in my life Stand off and groove on time Tokyo prison Going to relight your feelings When times get too rough Night and day are fading Going to relight your feelings There’s no time to explain Gimme your love Access to your love Oh yeah Lost in paradise Night and day are fading out When times getting rough Access to your love Lost in paradise Night and day are fading out Keep on dancing now Hеy hey hеy hey heyeah

#House Isekai #House Isekai ARR #duvalie #buck #romeo #dutch #mickey #raelyn amuto #elliot craig #laura s arseid #fie claussell #hilda valentine goneril

3 notes · View notes

dovakhiindrabbles · 5 years

Note

#5. "I can't sleep, can I sleep here?" With Farkas? I was thought it was a little weird that you just get Kodlak's room and everything, and its gotta be hard trying to sleep with all these new harbinger responsibilities and in a bed that belonged to your now-dead leader.

Getting back to my roots over here haha! I hadn’t actually really noticed that whole situation with Kodlak’s room, but I never really slept anywhere other than my house while playing. I can totally get what you mean though, and writing this prompt was tons of fun!

Thank you so much for sending this in and I hope you enjoy and have a terrific day!

“I can’t sleep, can I sleep here?”

———————————————————————————————————–

“Oh, come on Harbinger!” Vilkas exclaimed, a mug of mead perhaps the only thing he could steadily hold in his drunken state. “Don’t tell me you’re a lightweight!”

Everyone around you was celebrating, drunkenly chattering and roaring with delight amidst your rise in rank as Harbinger as declared by Kodlak’s spirit. After all the trials and tribulations – a break such as this was more than well earned.

You wrinkled your nose and gave a toothy grin, setting your hands on your hips. “I’m not going to start my first official day as Harbinger with a hangover!”

“Any true champion could power through it!”

“Then you’ll have plenty of fun tomorrow morning,” You called back, taking your first few steps down the stairs to the quarters with an amused wave of your hand. “Goodnight!”

The upstairs roared with disappointed protests at your leave but no one else was willing to deny another couple– or a dozen – more sips of mead. Their sorrows would be blurred in time, and from the bellowing chants you heard from above – it was working already.

Yet despite your initial thoughts, the door did creak open after you, a thumping set of irregularly heavy steps only able to belong to one person.

Farkas.

You turned your head to meet him and a laugh slipped from your lips. “I thought it was you.”

His eyes widened before he took another step and the floorboards groaned beneath his size, realizing with a sneaky bit of red creeping up his cheeks.

“Oh. I’ve always been loud,” He scoffed. “I’d never be a good hider.”

“I don’t think hiding suits you anyway,” You simpered. “Why aren’t you up there with the others?”

“Oh uh – just everything – it… it was a lot.” He bit the inside of his cheek. “With Kodlak, Ysgramor’s tomb and Kodlak’s ghost… I don’t think a drink will help. I just want to rest.”

You paused, taking a wary step forward and setting a comforting hand upon his shoulder, squeezing fondly.

“Are you okay…?” You offered him a gentle smile. “You can talk to me about it – if you want.”

Out of everyone else in the Companions, you were closest with Farkas. The giant of a man constantly joined you on your adventures and despite the silence everyone else knew from him, he was almost chatty in your presence. He seemed… happier since you’d come around. It was nice to finally have someone understand him as more than an oaf – to finally have a real, true friend.

But sometimes, it felt like there was something more than friendship. Not that either of you were ready to admit it, but it was there nonetheless – whether through bubbling butterflies in the pit of your stomachs or wide smiles at the mere mention of your names.

Farkas took in a sharp breath and his broad shoulders dropped with a weight he hadn’t even known was there, sighing.

“I don’t have many memories with the Companions without Kodlak. Since I was a pup, he was here – he was Harbinger,” His brows became knit with worry, folding his lips. “It’s not that I don’t think you’ll be good – I know you’ll be great! But… now I’m going to have so many more memories without him a-and I… I’m not used to that. I don’t know how to feel about it.”

“That just means you’ll have a whole lot of stories to tell him when you do meet again.”

His eyes widened as he soaked in your words, another bout of worries rising to the surface. It was just too easy for him to ramble to you. “Do you think I ever could see him again? Being… what I am?”

You tipped your head from side to side in consideration, smirking. “Sure, you’re supposed to go to Hircine’s hunting grounds – but I don’t think they’d be able to control someone like you anyways.”

You nudged him reassuringly. “It’ll all be alright – no matter what happens.”

He softened, but as he opened his mouth to speak again you beat him to it, already knowing.

“Even if you give up your beast blood.”

“You really think that?”

You began to walk along the dusty hall and twisted your side to him. “I know that. Why, I’d even help you get a witch head!”

He followed after, surprised again and again by your encouragement and kindness. It was a rare and treasured find in the tundra of Skyrim, after all – something far too precious to lose.

“You don’t…” He swallowed hard. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I want to.” You held your arms to your chest, as if trying to smother your pounding heartbeat. “You’ve always been there to help me – since the very beginning – it’s the very least I can do.”

“I don’t want you to get hurt.” He admitted, his voice oddly gentle.

Your heart nearly burst and a lump formed in your throat.

Oh gods, did that mean what you thought it meant?

You failed miserably at trying to hide the ridiculously wide smile spreading across your face, letting out a laugh that was a little too high and a little too giggly to shroud your nerves.

“O-Oh come on, I’m tough! I can take care of myself!”

He responded like it was more obvious than dirt in the ground. “I know that.”

He hesitated.

“But you mean too much – you’re too important.”

You slowed and your steps felt heavier, your expression falling. Your hopes had dwindled in an instant.

“Is this because of me becoming Harbinger?” You scoffed in disbelief. “B-Because I don’t intend to be put to the sidelines! I can still do so much – isn’t that why I was chosen? Because I proved-”

“to me. You’re too important to me.”

Oh, that’s what he meant.

One glance at Farkas revealed the amount of courage it took for the warrior to confess. He was red hot from his cheeks to his knuckles and he did everything he could to avoid meeting your gaze, making the eventual moment where your eyes did cross that much more embarrassing.

You almost forgot to breathe.

“Y-You ah – you’re important to me too!” You managed, shuffling your feet along the slow walk. “but that’s why I want to help. We take care of each other. Even if we’re in danger – as long as you’re there… I-I feel safe.”

He nodded, grinning warmly. “Mmhm.”

“So ah – let’s stay together, alright?”

You don’t know why you took his hand, but you did, stopping dead in your tracks.

His palm was enormous in comparison to your own, painted with scars and calluses atop skin as tough as timber.

You never wanted to let go.

And even if only for a moment, Farkas melted into the touch just as much – squeezing your palm.

He tried to figure just what to say and seemed ready to give his answer when the stairs to the quarters began to moan again with the arrival of another person.

You both jumped back and a sudden emptiness filled both your hands, your insides twisting with a bitter resentment to whoever had the audacity to disrupt the moment.

Torvar stumbled down the steps with the grace of a troll, muttering incoherently to himself before he caught sight of you.

He gave a smug, toothy smirk. “Oh, don’t mind me,” He staggered to his bedside, swiping another bottle of whiskey. “Just investing in my personal supply~.”

He clicked his teeth and took another long, sloppy swing, calling out to you again on his way back up. “Carry on~.”

You most certainly did not.

Embarrassment rang heavy between the two of you, meek laughter being the only sound you could muster.

“I uh-”

Farkas cleared his throat sheepishly. “We’re here – at your room.”

You hadn’t even realized. You looked to the grand, ornate doors and remembered that among all other sorts, Kodlak’s quarters had been passed down to you. It really was your room now.

A pit grew in your stomach but you did your best to ignore it.

“Oh! I… I guess so…”

You both exchanged glances and desperation to say something – anything – rippled through you.

You couldn’t just leave it like this! You were so close to something true and amazing; you couldn’t bear to let it go!

Yet it already slipped from your fingertips.

“G-Goodnight then…!” Farkas sputtered. “I’ll sleep soon too – in my own room – not this one.”

You snorted. Gods, he was wonderful.

“Right… of course…” You thought about reaching out to touch him but decided against it. “Sleep well. I’ll… I’ll see you in the morning.”

Regret swarmed the room like flies, both of you sneaking glances at each other as you parted ways until the walls forced you apart.

And on the other side of the door, you lingered at the handle, like a stranger in a foreign land nothing in there quite felt like yours.

Everything of Kodlak’s still remained from his mounted shields and swords upon the wall to the old leather journal settled on his bedside.

The weight of his loss truly hung over you then, your breath becoming caught in your throat and vision misting with tears you furiously wiped at.

The other part of you was wistful, warmed at all the reminders of him and who he was. You almost suspected he’d come strolling in at any moment.

So, all of you wanted to leave. It wasn’t yours, after all.

It felt more like an invasion as you rounded about the bed and sat down, trading your heavy armor for an oversized knit shirt and pants. All of your body stung with the idea that you didn’t belong here and despite your best efforts it gnawed at you like a skeever.

Just a few days ago, there were Kodlak’s quarters – it even still held unfinished letters and his scent of fresh ale. How could you ever be expected to settle in so soon?

You tried to swallow down your concern and crawled beneath the heavy blankets, your mind racing even when you had so fervently hoped it would slow.

Especially, with one particular thought.

Did he know that it was his last night in this bed?

If you were even the slightest bit close to falling asleep, you were wide awake now.

You tossed and turned for hours, squeezing your eyes shut only for them to pop back open like it was some sort of cruel game. You tried deep breaths, you tried staying still as a statue – you even tried counting damn sheep!

However, all of it ended with no avail.

At that point, you were truly and utterly exhausted, hoisting yourself out of bed and trudging out into the hallway outside. The quarters by now were littered with your once drunken companions, their presence made clear with snores so strong one would think the earth was shaking.

You were dreadfully jealous.

You’d give anything to sleep that deeply, but you hadn’t the faintest idea of where to go – or who to turn to.

Who would help with such a peculiar problem? Who would be so helpful? Who would be so kind? Who-

Oh gods, you knew.

Your heart threatened to absolutely erupt at the very idea. This had to be some sort of fever dream. Would that even be okay?

Yet as you glanced back to Kodlak’s empty room, your stomach sank as if it’d fallen off a cliff.

You had to at least try.

Surely, Farkas had spare blankets and pillow he could lend you! You’d both already shared a tent during your many adventures! This would be no different!

But then, why was your heart fluttering?

You didn’t even bother to answer. Instead, you walked warily to Farkas’s room, having tread louder with the threat of dragons than you did in that second.

Farkas was buried beneath his sheets and his tangled mess of hair covered his face – his breathing oddly quiet, gentle even.

You tapped his shoulder meekly. “Farkas?”

He grumbled something you couldn’t understand and groaned, lifting his head confusedly. “What… what is it?”

You bit your lip, inhaling quickly and uneasily. “I uh… I can’t sleep, can I sleep here?”

Farkas’s usually tender gaze became glazed with confusion, then uncaring. He shrugged and yawned with lazy, slurred words. It was truly astounding how easy things became when one’s judgment was clouded.

“Okay. Get in.”

If there were light, he would’ve only seen red, because you were roughly the same shade of a strawberry.

“Oh I-I didn’t mean like-”

“No extra blankets and I like you,” He muttered. “I don’t care if you sleep here but I want to get back to it. Hurry.”

Your voice went up an octave and was terribly blended with nervous laughter. “A-Alright…!”

You tried to be as careful as possible, Farkas raising the blankets so that you could slip under with ease.

The only problem was when he dropped his arm, he didn’t move it away from you. In fact, he pulled you close.

You swore you might explode.

“A-Ah Farkas!”

He made an unintelligible sound and you puffed out your cheeks.

He was warm, like a crackling fire you found yourself leaning into him, comforted by his presence. He had always had that effect on you and even now you felt your nerves whittle away at the familiar smell of cedarwood that’d clung to him since you’d met.

“Um… thank you…”

“Mmhm…” He paused, thinking. “I want to stay with you…” He uttered the confession softly, only for you.

“What do you mean?”

“You… you said ‘let’s stay together’… I want that.” His former hesitation now muddled. “I really want that.”

You smiled like a fool, hiding your face against the pillows. “I-I do too! I was worried…”

“Don’t be,” He huffed. “I care about you… more than anything.”

Oh, you must’ve been dreaming, things like this only happened in one’s mind when they were fast asleep? Didn’t they?

You prayed you weren’t.

You chuckled. “Will you still mean that when you’re actually awake?”

“I’m awake now, you woke me up.”

“So… you’d tell me that again in the morning?”

“If you let me sleep,” He mused. “I’ll tell you ten times.”

You snorted and nudged him amusedly. “I’ll hold you to it.”

There was a low rumble in his chest from his laughter before he whispered, husky and tired. “Rest.”

You didn’t answer but sank further against him, his breaths tickling your skin and hand brushing along your back.

This was far better than anything in Kodlak’s quarters.

This was safe.

This was home.

Not the room or even Jorrvaskr but him. That giant ox of a man with a heart as strong and as big as the grandest oak who you desperately adored no matter how much you tried to deny it.

However, perhaps now, you could take a different approach.

You could try accepting it – maybe even embrace it.

Because laying there beside him in a dusty old room that held an age long before you, you’d never felt happier.

And from the tiny grin tugging at Farkas’s own lips alongside how your fingers secretly wound together beneath the blankets, you knew the feeling to be shared.

You didn’t even want to fall asleep now, but it was for all the right, marvelous reasons – ones you wouldn’t change for the world.

#Farkas #Skyrim #Farkas x Reader #Farkas x You #You x Farkas #skyrim fanfiction #Skyrim Fanfic #Skyrim Farkas #Farkas Skyrim #x Reader #Reader Insert

641 notes · View notes