through the hourglass 302. brb x oc
a/n: this chapter got so long tumblr wasn't letting me post it so 8) action on the next one (comments and reblogs are super welcome and encouraged!)
pairing: plus size!oc x rooster
warnings: none uwu
goodness gracious (pls read this one to know more what this fic is about!!)
chapter
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-
“And then I was like wooooooooah that’s crazy!”
She had no idea who this woman was and what she did to Shells…because Bea knew Shells and she never wakes up before eight thirty. She blinked, still trying to understand what her friend was talking about since it was so early “...what?”
Shells laughed heartily at Beatrice's bewildered expression. "I know, right? Then I had to tell aunt Penny that ‘hey so i think we should expand the bar a bit more and make a bigger game room.”
Beatrice, still struggling to fully wake up, blinked at Shells with a mix of confusion and disbelief. The mention of Penny, a bar expansion, and a bigger game room felt like fragments of a dream that refused to coalesce into a coherent narrative.
"..right?" Beatrice mumbled, her words punctuated by a wide yawn. She took another sip of her coffee, hoping the caffeine would kick in and bring some clarity to the early morning haze.
Shells grinned, seemingly undeterred by Beatrice's befuddled state. "Yes, yes! It's all part of my grand plan. You see, a bigger game room is essential for unfolding this idea of mine.”
Beatrice squinted at Shells, her expression a mix of skepticism and amusement. "Idea? Shells, are you sure you're not still asleep?"
Shells leaned in, her eyes sparkling "Bea,of course not….besides, with the suits bothering her so much I think something like that will help a lot. The Hard Deck is loved by many so…”
Beatrice stared at Shells, her brain struggling to catch up with the rapid-fire information. She ran a hand through her tousled hair, realizing that this conversation had taken a turn into the realm of the utterly surreal. "Explain?" Beatrice's confusion deepened. The early hour, combined with Shells' animated storytelling, made it challenging for her to process the details.
Shells leaned back, grinning mischievously. "Okay, let me break it down for you. So, you know how aunt Penny is the magnificent force behind The Hard Deck, right?”
Beatrice nodded slowly, her mind attempting to piece together the fragments of information. "Yeah, I know. But why are we talking about Penny at..." she glanced at the clock, "...this ungodly hour?"
Shells chuckled. "Because, my dear Bea, while you were in the sweet embrace of slumber, I had a revelation! A vision, if you will. An epiphany that struck me like a cosmic lightning bolt."
Beatrice raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched on her face. "A cosmic lightning bolt? Shells, are you alright?"
Shells winked. "Of course, I'm alright. More than alright, actually. You see, in this cosmic revelation, I saw The Hard Deck expanding, growing, becoming a haven for interstellar adventurers and local patrons alike. And at the heart of it all, a grand game room, a nexus of fun and excitement!"
Beatrice stared at Shells, still trying to grasp the surreal nature of the conversation. "A game room? Shells, are you turning The Hard Deck into a space arcade or something?"
Shells nodded enthusiastically, her eyes shining with an infectious enthusiasm. "Exactly, Bea! A space arcade, a hub for gamers, explorers, and anyone seeking a cosmic escape. Picture it: retro arcade machines, futuristic VR experiences, and a vibrant community of players coming together to share their love for games."
Beatrice blinked, half-expecting to wake up from what felt like a whimsical dream. "This is... unexpected. Why now, Shells? And why are you discussing this with Aunt Penny at the crack of dawn?"
Shells leaned in, her tone conspiratorial. "Because the cosmic energies flow strongest at dawn, Bea. And as for why now, well, I couldn't wait. The vision was too vivid, too compelling to be delayed. I had to share it with Aunt Penny, and you know how she is when it comes to ambitious ideas."
Beatrice rubbed her temples, trying to reconcile the reality of the conversation with the remnants of sleep clouding her mind. "So, you had a vision of turning The Hard Deck into a space arcade, and you're convincing Penny to go along with it?"
Shells nodded, her eyes sparkling with determination. "Precisely! And you, my dear Bea, will play a crucial role in bringing this vision to life. You'll be the guardian of the game room, the one who ensures that every gamer who walks through those doors experiences the cosmic thrill of The Hard Deck."
"Guardian of the game room? Shells, this sounds like something out of a sci-fi novel."
Shells grinned. "Well, we do love our sci-fi adventures, don't we? And this, my friend, is an adventure waiting to unfold. The Hard Deck, with its expanded game room, will become a beacon of vast cosmic expanse. Isn’t that right, Bea?”
Bea.
Bea!
The brunette jumps on the couch and looks around furiously,trying to regain her surroundings and then stops when she sees Shells holding a mug with coffee in her hands “Hey…you…fell asleep.”
Oh.
“...oh I did?”
“Yeah,I told you to stay on the couch as I cleaned the kitchen.” her friend said softly, “Were you dreaming? You were making…noises kind of.”
Beatrice blinked, the remnants of the dream still lingering in her mind. "Yeah, I... I think I was dreaming. Shells, you were turning The Hard Deck into a space arcade, and I was the guardian of the game room."
Shells burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the room. "Guardian of the game room? Now that's a title I'd trust you with, Bea.."
Beatrice chuckled, slowly sitting on the couch "A dream indeed. You had me convinced for a moment that I'd stepped into some alternate reality where The Hard Deck became a galactic hub."
She raised an eyebrow playfully. “Aunt Penny would hate that."
Beatrice grinned, appreciating the whimsical optimism that Shells always brought into her life. "Totally…was–was I out long? Where are the kids?"
Shells checked the time on her wristwatch and smirked. "Not too long. The little rascals are still napping. I figured you needed a moment of peace, considering everything."
Beatrice sighs,running a hand through her hair. "Yeah,thanks for keeping an eye on them, Shells. I..." she rubs her eyes “Didn’t sleep that well,you know?”
Shells nodded understandingly, her expression sympathetic. "Hey, I get it.Do you want-” she points to the mug then sets it aside when Bea shakes her head, sitting down next to her friend, “Wanna talk about it?”
“About the dream?”
“No dummy,” she gently slaps Bea’s shoulder, “Why you didn’t sleep!”
Beatrice hesitated for a moment, glancing at Shells with enough vulnerability for her friend to hug her close. The weight of the recent events pressed on her, and the dreams seemed to be a tumultuous journey into the subconscious. She took a deep breath, then began to share the concerns that had been gnawing at her.
"It's just... everything, Shells. Everything.It's driving me crazy."
Shells listened attentively, her eyes reflecting genuine concern. She allowed Bea to place her head on her shoulder, gently tapping her friend’s cheek. "I can only imagine how tough it must be, Bea. You could’ve called me,I wouldn’t mind sleeping in the couch or staying here making sure YOU fell asleep."
Beatrice leaned into Shells' comforting presence, then smiles softly, closing her eyes, “Thank you.” she whispers, “You are a good friend.”
“I’m a great friend.”
“You are.”
Shells chuckled, the sound resonating with a mixture of warmth and playfulness. "Well, I do try my best, you know. And speaking of friends, I’ve been thinking. How about we shake off this heavy atmosphere? Let’s do something fun, something that takes our minds off the chaos."
Beatrice tilted her head, looking at Shells with curiosity. "What do you have in mind?"
Shells grinned mischievously. "Ever heard of the legendary pizza blanket fort?"
Beatrice blinked, a hint of surprise in her expression. "Pizza blanket fort? Is that a thing?"
"Oh, it's absolutely a thing," Shells insisted, enthusiasm lighting up her eyes. "And we're going to build the most epic pizza blanket fort in the history of blanket forts. Trust me, it's the perfect remedy for a heavy heart and a tired mind."
“I…I don’t even know what that is.”
“Well,we better get to it then.”
-
Rooster was reading every report,ever single note from the past days and he tries,he tries hard to find what was missing. He flips the page back and forth, hand holding his forehead as he chews his bottom lip repeatedly.
He wouldn’t have any more surprises.
No more.
His gaze shifted from one document to another, absorbing the details, searching for patterns, and connecting the dots that could lead to a clearer understanding of the situation. The room was silent, save for the occasional sound of paper rustling and the distant hum of activity outside his office.
With a deep breath, Rooster leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing in concentration. The lack of transparency from higher-ups and the unexpected challenges faced during the mission had ignited a fire within him—a fire to protect his team and unearth the truth.
He interlocks his fingers behind his head, moving his chair from side to side. Cyclone said he’d figure out why this whole thing happened but Rooster couldn’t wait for his reply.
He had a feeling-something, someone maybe? Was off.
That wreckage was a trap for them. Which means someone knew they’d be flying that area…”Fuck.” he grunts,rubbing his eyes with his fingertips, corneas burning as he does so.
The room felt tense. He couldn't shake the feeling that there were hidden layers, concealed motives that had put his team in the crosshairs of danger. The question lingered like a persistent echo: Who knew about their movements, and why?
His desk lamp cast a focused beam on the documents, creating a pool of light in the dimly lit office. Rooster leaned forward, his elbows on the desk, eyes fixed on a particular paragraph that seemed to hold a fragment of the puzzle.
As he continued his scrutiny, his office door creaked open, and Jake cautiously entered. The officer noticed the intensity in Rooster's expression but chose to speak up, "Hey man, any updates on the situation?"
Rooster glanced up, his eyes relaxing immediately. "Nothing concrete yet, Jake. The higher-ups are still playing their cards close to the chest. But I can't wait for their deliberations. We need to act, and we need to act now."
Jake nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "We also have been checking our communication logs, looking for any irregularities after the breach. So far, everything seems secure on our end."
“Thank fuck.”
Jake pursed his lips, then sat down in front of him, “I have a question.”
Rooster smiled tiredly,rubbing his temple,”Go on,what is it?”
Jake leaned forward, his expression earnest. "Do you think there is someone who might be feeding information to those who set up the trap?"
Rooster's gaze intensified, contemplating Jake's question. The idea of a traitor within their own ranks was a heavy thought, one that weighed on everyone. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, "I don't want to believe it, Jake. But we can't ignore the possibility. The breach, the targeted nature of the trap... it all points to someone having inside information."
Jake's jaw tightened, a silent acknowledgment of the severity of the situation. "What do we do then? We can't trust anyone until we figure this out. And we can't afford to have our movements predicted."
Rooster leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk. "We need to conduct a thorough internal investigation. Check backgrounds, communication patterns, anything that might hint at unusual activity. And we keep this discreet. We don't want to create panic or give the potential leak a heads-up."
Jake nodded, tongue against his cheek. "Anyone that should help us with this?"
“...McAllister.” Rooster whispers, “And the boys, they are good…tell Bob too.”
“And if we find someone?”
Rooster frowns, “Then that’s out of our hands, it’s on the higher ups.” he tsks, “Fuck,I can’t believe that this is happening with Bea alone with the babies and before my promotion, seems like a huge joke.”
"I'll inform McAllister and the others," Jake said, his voice low. "We need to act swiftly but discreetly. The last thing we want is to tip our hand to whoever might be watching."
Rooster nodded, his gaze fixed on a point in the room. "Make sure McAllister knows the urgency. We can't afford to miss any details. If there's a leak, we need to plug it before it jeopardizes more lives."
With a determined nod, Jake rose from his chair and headed towards the door. "I'll get on it right away. And, Rooster, we'll get through this. It’ll be fine."
As the door closed behind Jake, Rooster was left alone with his thoughts. The room felt like a pressure cooker, each passing second adding to the weight on his shoulders. The picture on his desk—the one with Beatrice and the kids, the last one she sent as the twins got home—seemed to mock him with its serenity, a stark contrast to the turmoil that engulfed his professional life.
The worry for her safety compounded the stress of the mission. He couldn't shake the feeling of being torn between duty and the innate desire to protect his family.
He sent her a text first
Roos (20:04)
Hi gorgeous. Just wanted to check on you,you alright?
She didn’t respond so he sent another one
Roos (20:05)
Things are…going, you know? We are all doing it, somehow. hah…when you see this, pls message me back? I want to…talk to you. I really do. i love you Bea and I miss you so much.
The minutes ticked by with agonizing slowness as Rooster anxiously awaited Beatrice's response. Each passing second heightened the sense of unease that had settled over him like a heavy shroud. The lack of immediate reply only fueled his concerns.
Finally, a notification lit up the screen:
Bea (20:15)
Hey, Rooster. We're doing fine here. Shells is staying over tonight so. How's everything on your end?
Rooster felt an immense amount of relief at the sight of Beatrice's message.He took a moment to compose his response:
Roos (20:18)
Good to hear that Shells is with you. Things on my end are...complicated. Can't go into details right now, but I just wanted to check on you..and talk to you. i miss you a lot.
Bea (20:19)
I miss you too…did you talk to Mav? Did he give you some insight?
Roos (20:22)
Yeah, I talked to Mav. He's looking into it, trying to get more information from the higher-ups. It's a mess, Bea, but I promise I'm doing everything I can to figure this out.
Bea (20:25)
I trust you, Rooster. We've been through tough times before, and we always find our way back to each other. Just...come back to us, okay?
Rooster's chest tightened at the sincerity in her words.He took a deep breath before responding:
Roos (20:28)
I will. I promise.
Bea (20:30)
And you never break your promises.
Roos (20:29)
Never,gorgeous. Never.
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